Chapter 4
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Top 100 Seated Hidden Stars
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Top 100 Seated Hidden Stars.
That's what they called the Go players ranked in the top hundred across the entire continent.
And among those Seated Hidden Stars, ranked forty-sixth...
Jo Jung-seon, the White Go Hall Master known as the Great Horse Slayer.
"I lost to you by four points."
He'd been defeated by a boy in beggar's rags whom he'd never laid eyes on before.
"Urgh..."
Of course, it was a three-stone handicap game, but a loss was a loss.
Jo Jung-seon pulled out the promised coin and held it out to Ho-chang.
"One more game."
Ho-chang grinned at that.
"Will you give me three stones again this time?"
Jo Jung-seon hesitated for a moment.
Should I play another handicap game?
This kid's no ordinary gambler, from the looks of it.
But pride stung at the thought of agreeing right away, so after a long deliberation, he finally replied.
"This time, just two stones."
"Understood. Though... I'm a bit hungry."
"Hey, you! Someone bring out some snacks!"
"Didn't you say you'd treat me with the utmost hospitality earlier?"
"...Hey, you! Forget snacks—bring out a proper meal!"
A response came promptly, and Jo Jung-seon made a satisfied face.
Ho-chang flashed his teeth in a broad smile at the expression.
"Thank you for keeping your word. So, shall we play straight this time?"
Ho-chang lightly shook the coin he'd just received along with the ones he already had. Jo Jung-seon raised one eyebrow, pulled out two more coins, and said,
"Of course not."
"Heh heh, good. Then two stones handicap it is."
With that, Ho-chang placed one stone each on the star points in the lower-left and upper-right corners.
Heh heh.
No true Go lover lacks a competitive spirit.
Ho-chang took black again this time, and after a long game, he claimed another victory.
"I won by three points."
"What...!"
Ho-chang munched on the braised pork from the drinks tray that had come out in the meantime, grinning all the while.
Man, this braised pork is top-notch.
Is it because this is such a fancy place?
After devouring an entire serving of braised pork, Ho-chang asked,
"Shall we call it quits now?"
"Quit? What do you mean quit? Don't you know about best-of-three? This time, one stone."
Now he was certain.
This kid's skill level.
Without even thinking, he immediately placed his one handicap stone. Ho-chang, still smiling, asked,
"Very well. Shall we...?"
"Yeah, two coins sound good?"
"Yes, that'll do. Though my throat's a bit dry—could I get something cool to drink?"
"Hey, you! Bring some drinks here! Something cold!"
A cool beverage arrived soon after.
Ahh.
I don't know what it's called, but this is delicious too.
Another game began.
"I won again. Two points this time."
Having lost all three games of the best-of-three, Jo Jung-seon could no longer maintain his composure.
Ho-chang grabbed another dish, placed eight coins by the Go board, and asked,
"How about it? One more game?"
Jo Jung-seon silently stared at Ho-chang.
After a while of deep thought, he continued.
"...This time, let's play mutual first."
"As you wish."
Mutual first.
It meant an even game between players of similar strength.
Now realizing Ho-chang's true skill, he'd made his bold move.
Of course, in modern times, black gets komi, but...
Come to think of it, this era doesn't have komi.
Whatever, doesn't matter.
I'll win anyway.
Jo Jung-seon clearly intended to accept him fully only after winning this game.
Yeah.
That makes sense.
Go players' pride is like that.
So Ho-chang decided to drop the gamesmanship.
"Here, I won by five points."
"...Ha!"
With three stones, he'd lost by four; with two, by three.
With one, by two—so without handicap, he figured it'd be even or a one-point loss.
That was Jo Jung-seon's miscalculation.
And part of Ho-chang's scheme.
'Gambling's most infuriating when you lose by a hair.'
But now it was even Go, so time to show the overwhelming skill gap.
He could keep it close, but someone like Jo Jung-seon would start noticing he was holding back.
Right after the final game ended, Jo Jung-seon couldn't tear his eyes from the board for a long time.
And rightly so.
It was the first game of his Go career like this.
'What in the world is this...'
Jo Jung-seon's Go was classic at best, outdated at worst.
This martial world’s Go history was shorter than the one from Ho-chang's era.
Thus, Ho-chang's Go carried the weight of over a millennium, distilled by geniuses and masters.
To Jo Jung-seon, it looked like art.
Ho-chang had seen the gap between martial world and modern Go in Jo's style.
So he waited patiently for Jo Jung-seon to process it.
Munching on food and drinks meanwhile.
By the time his young stomach was full, Jo Jung-seon spoke.
"I was narrow-minded. I promised utmost hospitality if you won even once, yet I spoke rudely. My apologies."
"No need. I'm much younger, so it's understandable."
"No, your age may be young, but your Go skill surpasses mine. I'll show proper respect from now on."
"If you hold me in such regard... thank you."
"Could we perhaps play... no, a few more games?"
"As long as the rules stay the same, I'm fine with it."
"Rules... Ah, betting Go means we continue, of course. That'll fire up my fighting spirit. This time, I'll take black."
"As you wish."
Finally, he'd conceded white stones.
Thirty-two coins sat by the board, and the result was another win for Ho-chang.
"A big win this time. Eight points."
"...Could I have just one stone handicap?"
"Sure, go ahead."
How much time passed?
The sun was beginning to set.
In that time, Ho-chang's single coin had multiplied to 128.
Over a hundredfold return on his capital.
Gazing at the fading sunset, Ho-chang said,
"Master Jo, it's getting late. May I head back now?"
"A-Already leaving? No, one more game. If you win this, it'll be 256 coins. If it's not enough money, I can raise the stakes."
Jo Jung-seon tried to hold him back.
But Ho-chang could tell it wasn't anger over losses or desperation—it was genuine regret.
Truly impressive.
Especially since he'd even lost a two-stone handicap at the end.
'Most would flip the board or rage by now, but he's aged gracefully.'
So Ho-chang didn't dislike Jo Jung-seon.
On the contrary, he felt fondness.
Ho-chang politely bowed and declined.
"I have many young siblings to look after. I've won plenty, so I need to buy food with this to keep their bellies full."
"Then let's do this. I'll pack enough food for your siblings too, so come back tomorrow for more Go."
Look at that.
This guy's sincere too.
And Ho-chang didn't mind it one bit.
No loss for him.
"It'd be an honor to play against you, Master. Shall I return at dawn tomorrow?"
"I'll be waiting from the crack of dawn."
"Ha ha, thank you."
True to his word, Jo Jung-seon filled a basket with food and even gifted him a money pouch.
Ho-chang tucked the pouch in his bosom, slung the basket on his back, and bowed.
"See you tomorrow."
"Take care."
Jo Jung-seon saw him off at the gate.
Dae Jin, witnessing it, stuck out his tongue in disbelief. Ho-chang winked quietly and left the White Go Hall.
'Lucky this world has Go.'
He meant it.
Otherwise, who knows what hardships he'd face now.
By the time he reached the Dragon Pearl Gang outpost, he spotted Baek Hwi in the distance, anxiously stamping his feet.
Ho-chang waved.
"What are you doing there?"
"Oh, you! You're back?!"
"What else? Did you think I'd run off?"
"Well..."
He couldn't bring himself to say yes.
Instead, embarrassment turned to irritation.
"Whatever! What took you so long? We couldn't even beg because we were waiting for you!"
"What else? Made some money. Here, take this—it's heavy."
Ho-chang handed over the basket. Baek Hwi winced at the weight, then his eyes widened at the savory aroma wafting from it.
"Wh-What's all this?"
"They packed food from the White Go Hall. I've eaten plenty, so feed the kids first."
"The White Go Hall?"
It wasn't a lie.
It was real.
The basket brimmed with dishes and rice cakes—dreams they'd only fantasized about.
So it was even harder to believe.
"D-Did you steal it?"
"Steal? Do you think I'd do that to you?"
"Hey, I don't steal either!"
"So? Don't want it?"
"N-No, that's not it..."
Having barely eaten properly for days, Baek Hwi's eyes nearly popped out.
The other kids were the same.
As Ho-chang and Baek Hwi entered the tent, they swarmed like vultures, drawn by the food's scent.
"Wh-What's this?"
"Eek! It's food?!"
"Th-This is rice cake...! S-Squad Leader! N-No, Assistant Leader! Did you steal this?"
They gawked like they'd seen ghosts.
Ho-chang waved them off.
"I got it fair and square from the White Go Hall. If you don't want it, don't eat. And don't whine later that you missed out."
At those words, they pounced on the basket, grabbing handfuls and wolfing it down.
"Wow... First rice cake ever."
"Try this—mountain bandit flavor's amazing."
"Waaah, so good."
One squad member wasn't exaggerating—he really cried.
Kids.
That tasty, huh?
Seeing them eat so joyfully, tears and all, filled him with squad leader pride.
Once the basket emptied in a flash, Baek Hwi finally snapped to reality. He wiped his greasy, gleaming mouth and said,
"Um... but."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks a ton for the food... but why would the White Go Hall give you this much?"
Ho-chang chuckled.
"Why? I won it betting. Played betting Go with their hall master. Oh, and take this."
In response to Baek Hwi's question, Ho-chang pulled seventy coins from his pouch and handed them over.
A week's tribute for Squad 6.
Clink-clink-clink—
As the seventy coins poured into Baek Hwi's hands, not just him but every squad member—even those sucking greasy fingers—gaped like saucers.