Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: A Game with the Go Master
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"I'm suddenly worried about your health, Grandfather."
"What?"
"They say when a person changes suddenly, it's... not a good sign, right?"
"You little brat!"
It was only natural to be flustered when the old man, who was always going on about Go, suddenly acted like this.
"A guest is coming. Help me prepare to receive them."
"A guest?"
"Yes."
"Grandfather, couldn't you just have the servants prepare?"
"Hey! When an elder gives an order, you just obey quietly. Why are you being so argumentative today of all days!"
No, old man.
I'd been lying down to rest for once when I heard the Retired Family Head was summoning me, so I rushed over. How unjust is that for me?
Not that I was refusing, though.
"Yes, yes. Understood. But why a guest all of a sudden?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I didn't know you had any friends besides Elder Hwangbo Chung."
"What? Hwangbo Chung is an enemy to be toppled, an enemy! Friends, my foot!"
"Well... Grandfather, you meet periodically if not every day, play Go together when you do, and sometimes share a drink. We've socially agreed to call that 'friends'."
"I said not friends! And you brat, did you really think I was some forgotten old man in the back room? There are lines of people begging to meet me!"
"Isn't that just favors or requests rather than friends?"
"You little!"
"So, who is the guest coming today?"
"......"
The old man seemed to falter there, words failing him.
He hesitated as if reluctant to speak, then finally managed to get it out.
"It's Hwangbo Chung."
See?
They are friends.
"I see. You visit each other's homes regularly, but you're not friends?"
"If not, then not!"
"Yes, if you say so, Grandfather~"
Teasing him like that while cleaning up, and before I knew it, everything was done. The Retired Family Head's room was always kept impeccably clean by the family servants to the point of obsession anyway. There was no need to call me for this at all. Could it be...?
"Grandfather, it looks like we're ready to receive the guest, so I'll take my leave. Enjoy your time with your old friend."
"Where do you think you're going!"
"?"
"That guy's here to see you, not me."
An out-of-the-blue announcement.
It meant my suspicions were correct.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Long time no see, eh."
"Hmph, looks like you've been eating well without skipping meals. Your face is all shiny."
"And you. Holed up in An-hui Province, and your complexion looks radiant!"
Hard to tell if it was greetings or jabs.
The old man and Hwangbo Chung were definitely friends.
"Is this young hero the Yi Se-woong you've mentioned?"
"Yes, Elder. This lowly one of the martial world greets you, Senior."
"Good. Nice to meet you. I'm Hwangbo Chung."
"I've heard of your fame from afar, Elder. You must have had a hard journey."
"Hoho, what manners. Unlike some people."
"Long journey my ass! Shandong Province is right next door!"
Hwangbo Chung.
True to being from the Hwangbo family, he boasted a muscular build despite his age. Anyone might mistake him for a warrior rather than a strategist.
Though long retired from the front lines like the old man, he'd served capably as an advisor to the Hwangbo family, so his influence remained strong, or so I'd heard.
"By the way, young hero. You must train diligently. Impressive muscles."
"Nothing compared to you, Elder. I just move to keep from falling behind."
"No need for humility. The body supports inner power. You're diligent unlike most young folk these days!"
It wasn't like I built these muscles on purpose.
I rolled under a harsh boss and ended up like this.
Hwangbo Chung's eyes gleamed as he scanned me up and down.
Felt like I'd passed the first impression test.
"I heard from Grandfather that you wanted to meet me...?"
"Hm? That's true, but to be precise, that rascal summoned me. Didn't you hear beforehand?"
News to me.
I'd been summoned out of the blue this morning.
"Well, that's part of the fun."
"Grandfather. Mind explaining what this means?"
When I asked, the old man looked away toward the corner of the room, pretending otherwise.
"First, have a match with him."
"Didn't you say you didn't call me for Go today?"
"I said I wouldn't play, not that you shouldn't."
Wordplay.
I wondered what he'd want on my day off.
Would've been better if he'd been upfront from the start.
Tricking me!
I'll make him pay for this.
"Didn't that rascal say anything? Truth is, I requested the match. He always played obvious moves, then suddenly brought out profound strategies. Made me curious why."
"......"
"Hard to spot when he hid it tight, but I figured it out: it's you, young hero. Care for a game with me?"
Hwangbo Chung asked with polite yet competitive eyes brimming with fighting spirit.
"How could I refuse when you've come this far, Elder? I've been curious about the prowess of one with such fame across the land."
"Refreshing attitude from a young man!"
"An honor. To exchange moves with Hwangbo Chung, the pinnacle of Central Plains Go, the World's Greatest Go Player."
"Hahaha! No need to gild the lily. No one freaks out that the sun rises in the east!"
Crack!
As we exchanged pleasantries before the game, Namgoong Hwan's veins bulged as he butted in.
"World's Greatest my ass! You'd have to beat me first to claim that!"
"Elder, shall we draw stones for black?"
"Good. No false modesty. I like that too."
Regardless.
Hwangbo Chung and I ignored the old man and began the game. He had black.
"Bold from the start!"
"Your counter was beyond my expectations!"
One could understand a person from their game record alone.
A top player reads between the lines.
Hwangbo Chung's style was as I'd guessed.
Bold, combat-oriented Go.
Unlike others fixated on fights, he was sharp on profit too. He'd engage only when the matchup favored him, pull back otherwise.
Usually incurs some loss that way, but as befitting the World's Greatest Go Player, his calculations were impeccable.
"I lost. Mind if I pass?"
"You sure?"
"When seeking to learn, pride has no place, young hero."
Three straight games.
All ended in my victory.
I hadn't held back—approached each seriously.
Strange to see Hwangbo Chung admit defeat so cleanly.
...Unlike a certain stubborn old man.
"Hmph, where'd the Go players go?"
The old man watching us was thrilled.
"Aigoo... Is that how you play?"
Maybe all the pent-up grudges against Hwangbo Chung.
"Hey! You place it here!"
Pointing at spots, giving unsolicited advice.
That fan I gave wasn't for that...
I said use it when you win, when you win.
Reminded me of PC bang kids from my past life.
The elementary schoolers chattering 'that's not how' from behind.
"Hm, why so noisy during the game."
"Don't mind him. There's a saying: 'bing-mok-geum'."
"Bing-mok-geum?"
"It means a gentleman keeps away from worries and anger."
"Hoho, interesting. Something young folk say these days?"
I just made it up.
Sounded good.
"Yes. Some people use it."
"Then we'll do bing-mok-geum too!"
"Indeed!"
Ignoring Namgoong Hwan's grumbling, we continued. With each game, Hwangbo Chung's energy surged wildly. Terrifying talent.
"That's enough. Can't find a way to beat you."
"Too humble, Elder. Your blade was at my neck."
"Thanks for saying so. Now I see why that rascal's skill improved."
"Overpraise."
"Lucky to meet a disciple like you now. Feels like my eyes have opened."
"Not stopping at the peak but preparing to walk the clouds. Truly worthy of World's Greatest!"
"Ha ha, your flattery's top-notch too."
Despite fierce exchanges, the mood was warm.
Except for one person.
"You lot having fun?!"
"You still here?"
"This is my house, brat!"
"Why so grumpy. Thanks for broadening my horizons with a fine game."
"Enough. Don't tell me you forgot what I said? Answer!"
"Ah, that."
At the old man's bellow, Hwangbo Chung spoke as if recalling.
"You deserved to make that request."
"Didn't I guarantee it? Doubting my eye for talent!"
"Seeing beats hearing a hundred times. I trust only what I see."
Two chatting about their private deal.
Some prior agreement, apparently.
No way, old man.
You didn't bet on me, did you?
"Young hero."
"Yes, Elder. Listening."
"As you know, Go reveals character. Like realizing an opponent has pride beyond skill."
"Cut the nonsense and get to the point!"
"Anyway. Wanted the game, but it was to gauge you."
Hwangbo Chung cleared his throat and continued.
"Never seen anyone your age like you. Bold yet cautious, polite without excess. Respectful to elders... A model for juniors."
Sudden praise barrage left me unsure how to react.
"Endless diligence in training, skill to withstand Hyeok's ten blows. Strategy rivaling mine. More than enough."
"...?"
"Namgoong Hwan asked if I'd take you as adopted son. He should be grateful."
Hwangbo Chung's words after the praise.
Completely unexpected.
"See, I said I didn't call you for nothing!"
The old man's nagging felt distant.
Adopted son?