"The waves of the Yangtze River push the waves ahead," sighed Xie Yongguo. "This Mr. Chen has a boundless future and truly great abilities. Xingchen, you must make sure to stay on good terms with him in the future."
A trace of contempt and nonchalance flashed through Xie Xingchen's eyes.
Xie Xingxuan simply let out a direct huff.
A quarter of an hour later, Chen Feiyu and Xie Xiangxiang walked out. It was easy to see that Xie Xiangxiang's complexion had improved significantly. In high spirits, he insisted on dragging Chen Feiyu down to play a few games of Go, leaving Chen Feiyu with no choice but to reluctantly accept.
"Xingxuan, boil some tea for us. Oh, by the way, didn't Master Zhiguang of Guangji Temple on Mount Wutai send a box of prime Tiekanyin tea two months ago? Go get it and let young friend Chen have a taste," Xie Xiangxiang said with a smile.
Xie Xingxuan was taken aback. The Tiekanyin brought by Master Zhiguang was a treasured collection, treated by her grandfather like a prized possession. She never expected him to take it out just for Chen Feiyu.
*Hmph, you really lucked out.*
Xie Xingxuan glared at him, then went to change into a cyan-and-white form-fitting qipao, which made her look poised and elegant, before she began preparing the tea.
Xie Xingxuan was naturally a top-tier goddess with stunning looks and an extraordinary temperament. As she brewed the tea, her movements were practiced and her demeanor graceful. Coupled with the wisps of white steam rising from the tea, she exuded a unique charm and beauty.
Xie Xiangxiang could hardly wait. Soon, the Go board was set up, and Xie Xiangxiang and Chen Feiyu sat opposite each other.
Suddenly, Xie Xiangxiang asked with some embarrassment, "Oh, look at my memory. I forgot to ask—does young friend Chen know how to play Go?"
Chen Feiyu replied modestly, "I wouldn't dare say I know how; I just understand a thing or two."
"Ah, no matter. It's just a game to meet friends through Go. I'll let you have a handicap," Xie Xiangxiang chuckled, a trace of disappointment flickering underneath.
Xie Yongguo smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, you may not know this, but my father is a passionate Go player with profound skill. Even many national champions are no match for him, and his skill has only grown sharper with age. It's gotten to the point where I don't even dare play against him anymore."
"Not at all, not at all," Xie Xiangxiang waved his hand modestly, though his smugness was impossible to conceal.
Xie Xingxuan showed Chen Feiyu no mercy at all, cutting in, "Hmph, if you ask me, someone had better just admit defeat right now, lest he ends up crying from the embarrassment of losing."
In Xie Xingchen's eyes, a faint trace of contempt flickered.
He had achieved success at a young age and everything had always gone smoothly for him. With plenty of arrogance in his heart, he looked down on his peers, let alone Chen Feiyu, who was quite a bit younger than him.
Although Chen Feiyu possessed remarkable medical skills, in his eyes, that was all it was. Deep down, he didn't think much of Chen Feiyu.
Chen Feiyu glanced around, taking in the expressions of everyone present. The corners of his mouth curled into a mysterious smile as he said, "Elder Xie, let's begin."
Having grown up in the mountains and often been forced to play Go by his master, he had long since honed a profound mastery of the game, reaching the highest realm of "Entering the Spirit."
The nine grades of Go are: First Grade: Entering the Spirit; Second Grade: Sitting in Illumination; Third Grade: Concretizing; Fourth Grade: Nether Penetration; Fifth Grade: Employing Wisdom; Sixth Grade: Subtlety; Seventh Grade: Fighting Strength; Eighth Grade: Appearing Foolish; Ninth Grade: Preserving Clumsiness.
Among them, roaming the game board in spirit, wondrous beyond comprehension, is called "Entering the Spirit."
Of the nine grades of Go, "Entering the Spirit" is the absolute highest!
Chen Feiyu played with the black pieces and went first, the smile at the corner of his mouth deepening.
*Since I've reached the realm of Entering the Spirit, playing Go with you really feels a bit like an adult bullying a child.*
Chen Feiyu lightly pinched a black piece between his fingers and placed it on the star point.
At first, Xie Xiangxiang didn't pay much attention.
After a short while, Xie Xiangxiang's expression gradually grew solemn, and his thinking time grew longer and longer. In contrast, Chen Feiyu looked relaxed, occasionally glancing over at Xie Xingxuan's exquisite figure, which left her both ashamed and annoyed.
Nearby, father and son Xie Yongguo and Xie Xingchen watched the game with growing astonishment. They never imagined that Chen Feiyu could be this skilled at Go.
By the mid-game, Chen Feiyu had already claimed half the board and severed the white pieces' major dragon.
At this point, the outcome was decided.
Xie Xiangxiang sighed and smiled bitterly. "I've lost. To think that I harbored a sense of contempt at the beginning, never imagining that young friend Chen's Go skills would be so profound. By comparison, your modesty makes me truly ashamed."
*Grandfather actually lost?*
Xie Xingxuan was stunned. She never expected that aside from having miraculous medical skills, Chen Feiyu was also so formidable at Go. Comparing people really could make one want to die of frustration.
Xie Yongguo was even more inwardly shocked. He knew more information than Xie Xingxuan did—he knew Chen Feiyu was not only a skilled physician but also a martial arts expert. Yet he never suspected Chen Feiyu had such extraordinary attainments in Go either. He truly wondered what kind of master could have cultivated such an outstanding individual.
A flash of surprise appeared in Xie Xingchen's eyes, causing him to hold Chen Feiyu in slightly higher regard—though only slightly.
Chen Feiyu chuckled and said, "You're too kind, Elder. To be able to hold out against me for so long, you're quite formidable yourself."
"Ahem..." Xie Xiangxiang's old face flushed red. Was that supposed to be a compliment? Why did it sound like an insult?
***
As the game reached the endgame, he was invincible in the contemporary world!
Xie Xiangxiang rolled his eyes and suddenly smiled. "I'm getting on in years; my mind can't compare to you young people. How about this—why don't you play a game against Xingchen?"
Xie Xingxuan excitedly said, "Yes, yes, yes! Let my big brother play; he'll definitely make Chen Feiyu surrender."
Even the corners of Xie Yongguo's mouth curved into a smile.
Chen Feiyu was somewhat curious. Even Xie Xiangxiang had lost to him—was Xie Xingchen really even more formidable than his grandfather?
As if seeing through Chen Feiyu's doubt, Xie Xingxuan proudly explained, "My brother is passionate about Go. At age eleven, he became the disciple of China's only Chess Saint, Nie Guangping, and he's known throughout the Go world as a genius. Would you say my brother is good at Go or not?"
Xie Xingchen said modestly, "Xingxuan flatters me. My Go level is just so-so—nothing more than a 9-dan professional."
It sounded like modesty, but in reality, it was a subtle brag, because a 9-dan Go player already had few rivals in the modern world!
"The disciple of China's only Chess Saint? A 9-dan player? This is getting interesting." Chen Feiyu's interest was piqued, and he also wanted to see how his 9th Grade "Entering the Spirit" realm stacked up against a modern 9-dan Go player.
Xie Xiangxiang stood up and yielded his seat, chuckling inwardly as he waited for Xie Xingchen to avenge him.
Xie Xiangchen sat down opposite the board. Instantly, his aura turned fierce, like a drawn sword, and he looked like a completely different person.
Xie Xingxuan smiled triumphantly. "Chen Feiyu, my brother is extremely formidable. Do you need him to give you a three-stone handicap? Don't lose too miserably later and end up saying our Xie family bullied you."
Before Chen Feiyu could speak, Xie Xingchen shook his head and said, "No. My character has always been to use my full strength even when hunting a rabbit. No matter who the opponent is, I will give it my all."
Xie Xingxuan crinkled her dainty nose, knowing her older brother's personality was always like this, and smiled. "Chen Feiyu, then you're definitely going to lose miserably later."
Chen Feiyu smiled mysteriously. "Since you're so sure I'm going to lose, how about this? Let's make a bet. I don't need him to give me a three-stone handicap. If I lose, I will agree to any condition you name—absolutely any condition at all. Of course, if I win, you have to agree to any condition I name. How about it?"
*Any condition? Could he mean...*
Xie Xingxuan's thoughts drifted to certain possibilities, and she couldn't help glaring at Chen Feiyu, a sudden shyness welling up inside her.
While she was still hesitating and internal conflict raged within her, Xie Xiangxiang and Xie Yongguo's eyes were already glowing with excitement.
Putting aside the fact that Chen Feiyu was a young man with miraculous medical skills, just being a martial artist at the Nether Penetration stage made him a rare talent. No matter how much money it took to recruit him, it would be worth it.
Now, with such a golden opportunity to make Chen Feiyu owe the Xie family a favor, it was practically a pie falling from the sky.
The two men exchanged glances: this game of Go was worth it!
Xie Xiangxiang even thought one step further: knowing full well that Xie Xingchen was the Chess Saint's disciple, Chen Feiyu still dared to make this bet—could it be that he was actively trying to curry favor with the Xie family?
At this thought, Xie Xiangxiang's heart stirred with excitement.
"Xingxuan, accept the bet," Xie Yongguo immediately said.
Xie Xingxuan also figured she was overthinking things. Her older brother was a top-tier expert of 9-dan strength; no matter how formidable Chen Feiyu was, he absolutely couldn't be her brother's match. There was no need to worry at all.
With this thought, Xie Xingxuan darted a glance with her beautiful eyes and hummed, "Fine, I accept your bet. Don't try to go back on your word when the time comes."
"Rest assured, whatever Chen Feiyu does, I always keep my word!"
Xie Xiangxiang and Xie Yongguo exchanged a look, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes.
Although Xie Xingchen didn't understand why his father and grandfather were so happy, given his own Go skills, beating Chen Feiyu would be no trouble at all.
"In that case, let's begin," Chen Feiyu said, a latent competitive spirit rising within him.
"Alright."
Xie Xingchen acknowledged. Xie Xiangxiang, Xie Yongguo, and Xie Xingxuan immediately perked up, waiting to watch the two of them play.
For this game, Xie Xingchen played with the black pieces and went first. As the saying goes, "He who moves first gains the initiative." With the advantage of the first move, Xie Xiangxiang felt even more at ease.
Soon, the two began a fierce battle.
Xie Xingchen truly lived up to his reputation as a 9-dan Go expert; his skill was several tiers higher than Xie Xiangxiang's, and playing against him made Chen Feiyu feel somewhat strained.
Of course, it was only somewhat strained.
During the opening phase, the two fought to a virtual standstill. Xie Xingchen was secretly astonished, while Xie Xiangxiang's jaw dropped, a faint, ominous premonition stirring in his heart.
*Could Xingchen actually lose to Chen Feiyu? No, that's absolutely impossible.*
Xie Xiangxiang bolstered his own confidence.
In the mid-game, Xie Xiangchen gained the upper hand. The black pieces occupied a considerable advantage, and his major dragon was rapidly taking shape, while Chen Feiyu's white pieces seemed to still be struggling.
Xie Xiangxiang and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Although Chen Feiyu's Go skills were even more formidable than they had imagined, he was still slightly inferior when facing a 9-dan expert. It seemed Xingchen was guaranteed to win this game.
As the game approached the endgame, Chen Feiyu's gaze suddenly turned sharp. His previously sweeping and aggressive playing style abruptly changed, and he began fiercely engaging the black pieces in close-quarters combat down to the finest details, causing the black forces to retreat step by step.
Xie Xingchen frowned slightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead. The time he spent thinking grew longer and longer, and his pace of play slowed down significantly.
Even though Xie Xiangxiang was merely a spectator, he was still frightened into a cold sweat by the flashing swords and shadows in the game.
Finally, when Chen Feiyu's white pieces completely severed the major dragon, a bitter taste filled the corners of Xie Xingchen's mouth. He conceded, "I've lost. You're very strong. In you, I seem to see the shadow of my revered master. I yield."
Xie Xiangxiang, Xie Yongguo, and Xie Xingxuan were utterly shocked. Xie Xingchen—the disciple of China's only Chess Saint and a 9-dan Go master—had actually lost to Chen Feiyu! If they hadn't witnessed it with their own eyes, who would believe such a claim?
"This... how is this possible? My brother is a supreme master of 9-dan Go! How could he lose to Chen Feiyu?"
Overwhelmed by shock, Xie Xingxuan muttered to herself.
With an arrogant expression, Chen Feiyu declared, "In the endgame, I am invincible in this world!"
*In the endgame, I am invincible in this world!*
Such a tyrannical declaration, utterly arrogant!
Xie Xiangxiang and the others were shocked once more.
Xie Xingchen offered a bitter smile, unable to refute the claim.
He had completely cast aside his earlier contempt, and said from the bottom of his heart, "You are truly formidable; I concede. Perhaps in the entire country of China, only my master could steadily defeat you."
Chen Feiyu smiled without a word. The sole Chess Saint in the world? Perhaps he could pose a certain level of threat, but to say he could steadily defeat him was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Xie Xiangxiang and Xie Yongguo sighed, feeling a disappointment so profound it felt more painful than losing a billion dollars.
Yet, come to think of it, who would have thought Chen Feiyu's Go skills had reached such a profound realm? Coupled with his mastery of both medicine and martial arts, he was simply a freak!
Xie Xingxuan was left completely dumbfounded. She never imagined that in her older brother's strongest field of Go, he would actually lose to Chen Feiyu. Didn't this mean she would have to grant Chen Feiyu any condition he wanted? If he were to make a move on her...
At this thought, Xie Xingxuan felt both ashamed and annoyed. Her cheeks flushed red and her eyes flashed with annoyance, giving her a unique and captivating beauty.
"For young friend Chen to possess such profound Go skills at such a young age truly makes me ashamed," Xie Xiangxiang praised sincerely.
"You're too kind. I was just playing around for fun," Chen Feiyu chuckled.
The group almost fainted. If he was just playing around for fun and was already this formidable, what did that make the rest of them?
Xie Xingxuan shot Chen Feiyu a fierce glare. He had gotten the better end of the deal and yet was still acting so smug—*hmph!*
At that moment, Xie Yongguo suddenly spoke up. "Oh, by the way, Mr. Chen, the medicinal ingredients you asked for earlier are almost ready. Come with me."
Joy stirred in Chen Feiyu's heart as he stood up and followed him outside.
Inside the room, Xie Xingxuan said with vexation, "Big Brother, be honest with me—did you intentionally let Chen Feiyu win?"
She had always believed that aside from a few top-tier Go sages, her brother practically had no rivals. Yet he had lost to an unknown newcomer like Chen Feiyu; there had to be something fishy going on.
Xie Xingchen gave a bitter smile. "Little sister, stop teasing me. During the opening and mid-games, I still had a fighting chance against him, but in the endgame, the gap between us was truly too vast. To put it simply, if I ever play against Chen Feiyu again, I'll have at most a thirty percent chance of winning."
Xie Xingxuan was shocked. Earlier, she had assumed that even if her brother lost to Chen Feiyu, their skill levels should be roughly comparable. Now she realized Chen Feiyu was so formidable that even her brother only had a thirty percent chance of winning against him. Didn't that mean that in present-day China, aside from the Chess Saint himself stepping up, Chen Feiyu was already invincible?
"No, you weren't his match even in the opening phase," Xie Xiangxiang murmured thoughtfully. Seeing the shocked expressions on Xie Xingchen and his sister, Xie Xiangxiang continued, "From the very beginning, he had absolute confidence in his victory, which is why he lured Xingxuan into the bet so that he could make her owe him a favor and maximize his gains.
To have every variable, both inside and outside the game, completely clear in one's chest, and to guide events to one's advantage—that is true strategic foresight. It's simply a realm of divine clarity. From now on, our Xie family must go all out to befriend Chen Feiyu."
To receive such high praise from her grandfather shocked Xie Xingxuan. As for Xie Xingchen, amidst his bitter smile, a fierce fighting spirit surged within his heart.
*Next time, I will definitely win against you!*
Xie Xingchen clenched his fists.
***
Meanwhile, Chen Feiyu followed Xie Yongguo to the pavilion in the villa's garden.
Various traditional Chinese medicinal herbs were laid out on the stone table in the pavilion, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance.
Chen Feiyu glanced over them roughly and discovered that several of the herbs were quite aged with abundant medicinal potency, which filled him with joy.
Suddenly, Chen Feiyu looked surprised, noticing that a few rare herbs were missing. While there was no problem refining Essence-Consolidating Pills, the chances of refining the "Xuanyang Dan" he needed were not very high.
However, for Chen Feiyu, who was currently at a bottleneck in his cultivation, the Xuanyang Dan was indispensable if he wanted to break through.
Xie Yongguo said with embarrassment, "It seems Mr. Chen has noticed. It's not that our Xie family wasn't diligent, but those few herbs are simply too rare. They don't exist on the market; in all of Mingji City, probably only the Xu family has them."
"The Xu family? Is it also a major family? How do they compare to your Xie family?" Chen Feiyu asked in surprise.
Xie Yongguo said proudly, "Compared to our Xie family, the Xu family is naturally far inferior. It's just that the Xu family's situation is somewhat special, and their status is rather transcendent."
"How so?" Chen Feiyu grew interested.
Xie Yongguo explained, "The ancestors of the Xu family were once imperial physicians. Developing down to the present day, they have become a genuine traditional Chinese medicine family. There is even a deeply respected divine doctor holding down the fort within the family. Many major families have received favors from the Xu family in the past, which is why their status in Mingji City is quite transcendent.
Nowadays, more than half of the traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in circulation in Mingji City are controlled by the Xu family. Therefore, if Mr. Chen needs fine medicinal herbs, you will have to go to the Xu family to request them."
***
Zhao Wushang
"The Xu family of traditional medicine—it seems I'll have to deal with the Xu family in the future." A mysterious smile appeared at the corner of Chen Feiyu's mouth.
He also wanted to see how his medical skills stacked up against the so-called traditional medicine family. Moreover, the Xu family held prime medicinal herbs in their hands, which was precisely what Chen Feiyu urgently needed right now.
Xie Yongguo smiled and said, "Next week, an auction will be held, and the Xu family will also bring out a few rare herbs for auction. If Mr. Chen is interested, we can go take a look together. Who knows, you might gain something."
"I'll go—I'm definitely going!" Chen Feiyu's eyes lit up.
"Alright, I'll have Han Muqing pick you up then. In addition, there's one more matter. To tell you the truth, I was in the wrong first." Xie Yongguo said with embarrassment.
"What matter?" Chen Feiyu asked curiously.
"Come out." Xie Yongguo clapped his hands. Soon, from the far end of the garden, a middle-aged man emerged wearing a red Tang suit, a jade thumb ring on his finger, and walked over respectfully and apologetically.
"Jiang Tianhu?" Chen Feiyu raised an eyebrow, only then remembering that yesterday at the restaurant, Jiang Tianhu had mentioned that his backer was the Xie family.
That's right, this person was none other than Jiang Tianhu. He walked over, stood respectfully behind Xie Yongguo, and smiled awkwardly, "Mr. Chen, we meet again."
Yesterday, after seeing Chen Feiyu get into the same car as Xie Xingxuan and Han Muqing, his legs had turned weak with fright, and he had immediately rushed to Xie Yongguo to fish for information.
When he learned even further that Chen Feiyu was skilled in both medicine and martial arts, that even Elder Xie Xiangxiang's terminal illness had been cured by Chen Feiyu, and that the Xie family was currently going all out to befriend him, he had tumbled straight to the ground in terror, a lingering fear gripping his heart.
That was why Xie Yongguo had stepped forward today for this scene of apology.
Xie Yongguo smiled and said, "Mr. Chen might not know this, but Tianhu is a man of our Xie family. Whenever there is a difficult business matter to resolve, I have Tianhu handle it using his methods, and he has rendered quite a few meritorious services.
Yesterday he offended Mr. Chen, and I have already given him a severe scolding. I ask that Mr. Chen please spare him this once for the sake of our Xie family. Tianhu, why aren't you apologizing immediately!"
At the end, Xie Yongguo's tone turned fierce as he glared at Jiang Tianhu.
Jiang Tianhu understood and immediately bowed to Chen Feiyu, apologizing, "It was my eyes that were blind to Mount Tai and offended Mr. Chen. I beg Mr. Chen to forgive my transgression. I happen to have a gulfside villa valued at over thirty million, which I offer to Mr. Chen as a token of apology. I implore Mr. Chen to forgive me this once on the grounds of my ignorance."
As he spoke, Jiang Tianhu took out a set of keys and placed them respectfully on the stone table.
He had spent a massive fortune to buy that villa, and it had just been renovated without anyone having spent a single day in it. Handing it over as a gift now made his heart ache fiercely.
However, compared to his life and limb, a villa was ultimately an external possession.
At that moment, Chen Feiyu sat on the stone stool in the pavilion while Jiang Tianhu respectfully bowed and apologized beside him, creating an exceedingly bizarre scene.