On July 20th, with no imperial decree bringing rain, the weather began to grow sweltering once more.
High atop Yujing Mountain, inside a secluded courtyard of the Daming Dao Palace, there was not a trace of the oppressive heat from the world outside. The air was filled with the fresh, pleasant scent of burning orchid incense. The hall was dim and vast, with only an old man and a young man sitting opposite each other, playing a game of Go.
The Master of Daming Dao Palace’s skill in Go still completely overwhelmed Zhou Tieyi; his title as one of the "Four Absolutes" was certainly no empty reputation. Yet, even he could not keep his full focus on the board today, occasionally lifting his head to look at Zhou Tieyi, who was placing his pieces with a relaxed and effortless grace.
Chapter 293