A quarter of an hour later, Chen Feiyu and Xie Anxiang walked out. It was evident that Xie Anxiang's complexion had improved significantly. In high spirits, he insisted on playing a few games of Go with Chen Feiyu, leaving Chen Feiyu with no choice but to accept with a wry smile.
"Xingxuan, brew some tea over here. By the way, didn't Master Zhiguang of the Guangji Temple on Mount Wutai send a box of premium Tieguanyin two months ago? Go get it and let young friend Chen have a taste," Xie Anxiang said with a smile.
Xie Xingxuan was taken aback. The Tieguanyin brought by Master Zhiguang was a precious treasure that her grandfather guarded like a prized possession. She never expected him to take it out just for Chen Feiyu.
*Humph, you're getting off easy.*
Xie Xingxuan glared at him, then changed into a cyan-white, form-fitting cheongsam that looked elegant and graceful before beginning to brew the tea.
Xie Xingxuan was naturally an ultimate goddess with stunning looks and an extraordinary temperament. As she brewed the tea, her movements were practiced and her demeanor serene. Coupled with the wisps of white steam rising from the hot water, she possessed a unique charm and aesthetic appeal.
Xie Anxiang could hardly wait. Soon, the Go board was set up, and Xie Anxiang sat opposite Chen Feiyu.
Suddenly, Xie Anxiang asked awkwardly, "By the way, look at my memory. I forgot to ask, does young friend Chen know how to play Go?"
Chen Feiyu said modestly, "I wouldn't dare say I know how, just a slight understanding."
"Oh, it's fine. We're just making friends through chess; I'll go easy on you," Xie Anxiang chuckled, harboring a trace of disappointment.
Xie Yongguo smiled. "Mr. Chen, you may not know this, but my father is a passionate chess enthusiast with profound skill. Even many national masters are no match for him, and his game has only grown sharper with age. It's gotten to the point where I don't even dare play against the old man anymore."
"Not at all, not at all," Xie Anxiang waved his hand modestly, but the smug look on his face was impossible to conceal.
Xie Xingxuan was even more unsparing as she took a jab at Chen Feiyu. "Hmph, if you ask me, someone would be better off just admitting defeat right now rather than crying and making a fool of themselves when they lose."
In Xie Xingchen's eyes, a faint trace of contempt flickered.
Having achieved success at a young age, he had always enjoyed smooth sailing and possessed a considerable amount of pride in his chest. Thus, he looked down on his peers, let alone Chen Feiyu, who was quite a bit younger than him.
Although Chen Feiyu possessed brilliant medical skills, in his eyes, that was all it was—good medical skills. Deep down, he didn't think much of Chen Feiyu.
Chen Feiyu swept his gaze around, taking in the expressions of the people in the room, and a mysterious smile curved the corners of his lips. "Elder Xie, let's begin."
Growing up in the mountains, he had often been forced to play Go by his master, cultivating formidable chess skills that had long reached the highest realm of "Entering Divinity."
Among the nine grades of Go, the first grade is Entering Divinity, the second is Contemplating in Seclusion, the third is Embodying the Form, the fourth is Accessing the Netherworld, the fifth is Applying Wisdom, the sixth is Crafty, the seventh is Fighting Strength, the eighth is Appearing Foolish, and the ninth is Guarding Clumsiness.
Among these, wandering within the board in a realm so wondrous it cannot be comprehended is known as "Entering Divinity."
Of the nine grades of Go, "Entering Divinity" is the absolute highest!
Chen Feiyu played black first, the smile on his lips growing broader.
*I have already reached the realm of Entering Divinity. Playing chess with you really feels a bit like an adult bullying a child.*
Chen Feiyu lightly pinched a black piece and placed it on the star point.
At first, Xie Anxiang didn't pay much attention.
Moments later, Xie Anxiang's expression gradually grew solemn, and his thinking time grew longer and longer. In contrast, Chen Feiyu looked relaxed, occasionally glancing at Xie Xingxuan's exquisite figure, which left her both embarrassed and annoyed.
Nearby, Xie Yongguo and his son Xie Xingchen, who were watching the game, felt growing astonishment in their hearts. They never expected Chen Feiyu to be so formidable at this.
By the midgame, Chen Feiyu had already claimed half the board and severed the white pieces' main dragon.
At this point, the outcome was decided.
Xie Anxiang let out a sigh and smiled bitterly. "I've lost. To think that I held a condescending attitude at the start, never imagining that young friend Chen's chess skills would be so profound. By comparison, you are modest, and I am truly ashamed."
*Grandfather actually lost?*
Xie Xingxuan was shocked. She never expected that besides having mystical medical skills, Chen Feiyu was also this formidable at Go. Comparing people truly made one want to die of frustration.
Xie Yongguo was even more inwardly shocked. He knew more than Xie Xingxuan did—he knew Chen Feiyu was not only a brilliant doctor but also a martial arts expert. Yet he never imagined Chen Feiyu also possessed such impressive attainments in Go. He truly wondered what kind of master could have cultivated such an exceptional individual.
A hint of surprise appeared in Xie Xingchen's eyes, causing him to hold Chen Feiyu in slightly higher regard—though it was only slightly.
Chen Feiyu chuckled. "Elder is too kind. To have lasted this long against me, you're quite impressive yourself."
"Cough, cough..." Xie Anxiang's old face flushed red. Was that supposed to be a compliment? Why did it sound like an insult?
Chapter 29: The Endgame, Invincible in This World!
Xie Anxiang rolled his eyes and suddenly smiled. "I'm getting on in years; my brain can't keep up with you young people. How about this, why don't you play a game with Xingchen?"
Xie Xingxuan said excitedly, "Yes, yes, let my big brother step up. He'll definitely make Chen Feiyu surrender and lay down his arms."
Even the corners of Xie Yongguo's mouth curved into a smile.
Chen Feiyu was somewhat curious. Even Xie Anxiang had lost to him; could Xie Xingchen be even more formidable than his grandfather?
As if seeing through Chen Feiyu's doubt, Xie Xingxuan explained proudly, "My brother loves Go. When he was eleven, he became the disciple of Huaxia's only Go Saint, Nie Guangping. He's known as a genius throughout the entire Go world. Do you think 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 modest, but it was actually a covert boast, because a 9-dan Go player already had few rivals in the world!
"The disciple of Huaxia's only Go Saint? A 9-dan player? This is getting interesting." Chen Feiyu felt his interest piqued. He also wanted to see how his grade-one Entering Divinity realm compared against a modern 9-dan Go player.
Xie Anxiang stood up to make way, a secret smile playing in his heart as he waited for Xie Xingchen to avenge him.
Xie Xingchen sat down opposite the board. Instantly, his imposing aura turned fierce, like a drawn sword, and he looked like a completely different person.
Xie Xingxuan smiled triumphantly. "Chen Feiyu, my brother is very formidable. Do you need him to handicap you three stones? Don't end up losing too miserably and claiming the Xie family is bullying you."
Before Chen Feiyu could speak, Xie Xingchen already shook his head and said, "No, that won't do. My personality has always been that even when a lion hunts a rabbit, it uses its full strength. No matter who my opponent is, I will give it my all."
Xie Xingxuan wrinkled her dainty nose, knowing her big brother's temperament was indeed like that. She smiled, "Chen Feiyu, then you're definitely going to lose a miserable, miserable death later."
Chen Feiyu smiled mysteriously. "It seems you think I'm bound to lose. How about this, let's make a bet. I don't need him to handicap me three stones. If I lose, I will grant you one condition—any condition at all. Of course, if I win, you will grant me any condition of my choosing. How about it?"
*Any condition? Could he mean...*
Xie Xingxuan thought of a certain possibility, couldn't help glaring at Chen Feiyu, and felt a secret wave of shyness wash over her.
While she was still hesitating and wrestling with the thought, Xie Anxiang and Xie Yongguo already had glowing eyes and were brimming with excitement.
Putting aside the fact that Chen Feiyu possessed mystical medical skills at such a young age, just being an expert at the "Netherworld Access Stage" made him a rare talent worth securing no matter the cost.
Now, having such a great opportunity to make Chen Feiyu owe the Xie family a favor was simply like pie falling from the sky.
The two men exchanged glances. This game of Go was well worth it!
Xie Anxiang even thought a step further: knowing full well that Xie Xingchen was the Go Saint's disciple, Chen Feiyu still dared to make this bet. Could it be that he was proactively trying to curry favor with the Xie family?
At this thought, Xie Anxiang felt a surge of excitement.
"Xingxuan, accept it," Xie Yongguo immediately said.
Xie Xingxuan also felt she was overthinking things. Her big brother was a top-tier expert of 9-dan. No matter how formidable Chen Feiyu was, he absolutely couldn't be her brother's opponent. There was no need to worry at all.
With this thought, Xie Xingxuan's beautiful eyes rolled, and she hummed, "Fine, I accept your bet. Don't try to go back on your word when the time comes."
"Rest assured, when I, Chen Feiyu, do things, my word is always as good as gold!"
Xie Anxiang and Xie Yongguo exchanged a glance, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes.
Although Xie Xingchen didn't understand why his father and grandfather were so happy, with his own chess skill, defeating Chen Feiyu would be no trouble at all.
"Since that's settled, let's begin," Chen Feiyu said, a fighting spirit quietly rising within him.
"Alright."
Xie Xingchen gave a single acknowledgment. Xie Anxiang, Xie Yongguo, and Xie Xingxuan immediately perked up, waiting to watch the two play.
In this game, Xie Xingchen played black first. The saying went: gain the initiative, and you maintain the initiative. With the advantage of the first move, Xie Anxiang felt much more at ease.
Soon, the two began a fierce battle.
Xie Xingchen truly lived up to his reputation as a 9-dan Go master; his skill was several tiers higher than Xie Anxiang's, and Chen Feiyu began to feel a bit strained as he played.
Of course, it was only strained.
During the opening phase, the two fought to a near standstill. Xie Xingchen was secretly astonished, while Xie Anxiang's jaw dropped, a faint, ominous premonition stirring in his heart.
*Could Xingchen lose to Chen Feiyu? No, that's absolutely impossible.*
Xie Anxiang gave himself reassurance.
In the midgame, Xie Xingchen gained a slight upper hand, the black pieces claiming numerous advantages with his main dragon nearly formed, while Chen Feiyu's white pieces seemed to still be struggling.
Xie Anxiang and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Although Chen Feiyu's chess skill was even more formidable than they had imagined, he was still slightly inferior in front of a 9-dan Go master. It seemed Xingchen was guaranteed to win this game.
Just as the game reached the endgame phase, Chen Feiyu's eyes suddenly turned sharp. His previously sweeping and open chess style shifted abruptly, engaging in a fierce, microscopic battle with the black pieces in the subtle details, forcing the black pieces into a step-by-step retreat.
Xie Xingchen slightly furrowed his brow, cold sweat beading on his forehead. His thinking time grew longer and longer, and his playing speed grew slower and slower.
Though merely a spectator, Xie Anxiang was still scared into a cold sweat by the flashing swords and shifting blades on the board.
Finally, when Chen Feiyu's white pieces completely severed the main dragon, Xie Xingchen's mouth twitched into a bitter smile. "I've lost. You are very strong. In you, I seem to see the shadow of my revered master. I concede defeat."
Xie Anxiang, Xie Yongguo, and Xie Xingxuan were utterly shocked. Xie Xingchen—the disciple of Huaxia's only Go 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 ever believe such a thing?
"This... how is this possible? My big brother is a supreme powerhouse of 9-dan! How could he lose to Chen Feiyu?"
In her shock, Xie Xingxuan muttered to herself.
With an arrogant expression, Chen Feiyu declared, "In the endgame phase, I am invincible in this world!"
The endgame, invincible in this world!
An overbearing declaration, utterly arrogant!
Xie Anxiang and the others were shocked once more.
Xie Xingchen smiled bitterly, unable to offer any retort.
Having completely discarded his earlier contempt, he said sincerely, "You are truly formidable, and I humbly concede. Perhaps, in all of Huaxia, only my master could steadily defeat you."
Chen Feiyu smiled without a word. The sole Go Saint in the world? Perhaps he could pose a certain threat, but to talk of steadily defeating him was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Xie Anxiang and Xie Yongguo sighed, feeling a disappointment so profound it felt worse than losing a billion dollars.
That said, who could have imagined that Chen Feiyu's Go skills would run this deep? Coupled with his mastery of both medicine and martial arts, he was simply a freak!
As for Xie Xingxuan, she was completely dumbfounded. She never expected that in the field of Go, which she was most proud of, her big brother would lose to Chen Feiyu. Didn't this mean she would have to fulfill any condition Chen Feiyu wanted? If he were to ask her to do something to him...
At this thought, Xie Xingxuan was both embarrassed and annoyed. Her cheeks flushed a rosy red, and her eyes held a trace of vexation, giving her a unique, striking beauty.
"For young friend Chen to possess such profound chess skills at such a tender age truly makes me feel ashamed," Xie Anxiang said out of genuine admiration.
"You flatter me, I was just playing for fun," Chen Feiyu laughed.
The group nearly fainted. *Playing for fun and you're already this formidable? What does that make the rest of us?!*
Xie Xingxuan glared fiercely at Chen Feiyu. He really knew how to fish for compliments while acting innocent—hmph!
At this moment, Xie Yongguo suddenly spoke up. "Right, Mr. Chen, the medicinal ingredients you requested earlier are almost ready. Come with me."
Joy stirred in Chen Feiyu's heart, and he stood up to follow him outside.
Inside the room, Xie Xingxuan said with vexation, "Big brother, tell me honestly, did you intentionally throw the game to Chen Feiyu?"
She had always believed that apart from a few top Go saints, her big brother practically had no rivals. Yet he had now lost to an unknown named Chen Feiyu; there definitely had to be some trick behind it.
Xie Xingchen smiled bitterly. "Little sister, stop roasting me. During the opening and midgame phases, I still had a fighting chance against him, but in the endgame, the gap was simply too vast. Let me put it this way: if I ever face 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 big brother lost to Chen Feiyu, their skill levels should be roughly comparable. Only now did she realize that Chen Feiyu was so formidable that even her big brother had only a thirty percent chance of winning. Didn't that mean that in present-day Huaxia, aside from the Go Saint stepping out in person, Chen Feiyu was already invincible?
"No, you were no match for him even in the opening phase," Xie Anxiang suddenly murmured. As if noticing the shocked gazes of Xie Xingchen and his sister, Xie Anxiang continued, "Right from the start, he had absolute confidence in his victory, which is why he lured Xingxuan into the bet so that she would owe him a favor, thus maximizing his own gains.
To have every variable of the situation, both on and off the board, completely clear in his mind and to guide events to his advantage—that is true strategic deployment. It is simply a divine, lucid realm. From now on, our Xie family must pull out all the stops to befriend Chen Feiyu."
To receive such high praise from her grandfather left Xie Xingxuan stunned. As for Xie Xingchen, alongside 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 Medicine ingredients were laid out on the stone table inside the pavilion, emitting a rich, fragrant medicinal aroma.
Chen Feiyu cast a rough glance over them and discovered that several of the herbs were quite aged with abundant medicinal potency, which involuntarily brought joy to his heart.
Suddenly, Chen Feiyu frowned in surprise, noticing that a few rare ingredients were missing. While they were sufficient to refine the Essence-Consolidating Pill, the chances of refining the "Xuanyang Dan" he needed were slim.
However, for Chen Feiyu, whose cultivation was currently at a bottleneck, the Xuanyang Dan was indispensable if he wanted to break through.
Xie Yongguo said awkwardly, "It seems Mr. Chen has noticed as well. It's not that our Xie family didn't put in the effort, but those few medicinal ingredients are simply too rare; they don't exist on the open 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 with a hint of pride, "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. Over generations, they have developed into a genuine Traditional Chinese Medicine family, with a well-respected divine doctor presiding over the household. Many major families have received favors from the Xu Family, which gives them a very transcendent position in Mingji City.
Nowadays, more than half of the Traditional Chinese Medicine ingredients in circulation in Mingji City are controlled by the Xu Family. Therefore, if Mr. Chen needs top-tier medicinal ingredients, you will have to go ask the Xu Family for them."
Chapter 30: Zhao Wushang
"The Traditional Chinese Medicine family—the Xu Family? 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 compared against a so-called Traditional Chinese Medicine family. Not to mention, the Xu Family held top-tier medicinal ingredients in their hands, which were precisely what Chen Feiyu urgently needed right now.
Xie Yongguo smiled. "Next week, an auction will be held, and the Xu Family will be putting a few rare medicinal ingredients up for auction. If Mr. Chen is interested, we can go together; you might just reap some gains."
"Go, I'm definitely going!" Chen Feiyu's eyes lit up.
"Alright, I'll have Han Muqing pick you up then. Also, there's one more matter—speaking of which, I was the one in the wrong first." Xie Yongguo said awkwardly.
"What matter?" Chen Feiyu asked curiously.
"Come out." Xie Yongguo clapped his hands. Soon, a middle-aged man emerged from the other end of the garden. He was wearing a red Tang suit with a jade thumb ring on his finger, and he walked over respectfully and apologetically.
"Jiang Tianhu?" Chen Feiyu raised an eyebrow, only then remembering that yesterday at the restaurant, Jiang Tianhu had mentioned 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 knees had turned to jelly, and he had immediately rushed to Xie Yongguo to fish for information.
Upon learning that Chen Feiyu was a master of both medicine and martial arts, that even Elder Xie Anxiang's terminal illness had been cured by him, and that the Xie family was going all out to befriend him, he had tumbled straight to the ground in fright, a lingering sense of terror gripping his heart.
That was what led to today's scene: Xie Yongguo stepping forward while Jiang Tianhu came to make amends.
Xie Yongguo smiled. "Mr. Chen may not know this, but Tianhu is one of our Xie people. Whenever there's a tricky problem in the business world, I have Tianhu handle it his way, and he has rendered quite a few meritorious services.
Yesterday, he offended Mr. Chen, and I've already chewed him out thoroughly. I hope Mr. Chen can forgive him this once for the sake of the Xie family. Tianhu, why aren't you apologizing already!"
At the end, Xie Yongguo's tone turned sharp as he glared at Jiang Tianhu.
Jiang Tianhu took the hint, immediately bowed deeply to Chen Feiyu, and apologized, "It was my eyes that failed to recognize Mount Tai, and I offended Mr. Chen. Please forgive me, Mr. Chen. I happen to have a gulf-front villa worth over thirty million, and I'd like to present it to Mr. Chen as an apology. I hope Mr. Chen can forgive me this once on the grounds that I didn't know who you were."
As he spoke, Jiang Tianhu produced a set of keys and placed them respectfully on the stone table.
He had spent a massive fortune buying 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.
Right now, Chen Feiyu sat on the stone stool in the pavilion while Jiang Tianhu bowed respectfully beside him to apologize—a truly bizarre scene.
If anyone who knew Jiang Tianhu were to witness this, they would probably be scared out of their wits.
The reason was simple: Jiang Tianhu was known as the number one tiger of Mingji City. In the past, others were the only ones who apologized to him; when had he ever apologized to anyone else?
Yet right now, Jiang Tianhu was not only bowing in apology, but even terrified that Chen Feiyu wouldn't accept.