Chapter 42: A Scholar’s Depth, Every Step a Mystery
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then placed his stone on the board.
Seeing him make his move so quickly and decisively, Nie Qingyuan’s hand, holding his teacup, almost trembled. He quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead.
“It’s your turn now, Old Master Nie.”
“I…”
Nie Qingyuan’s lips moved, but as he looked at the board, his vision blurred.
It wasn’t because he was feeling faint, but because the game before him was so strange and unpredictable that he couldn’t find any weaknesses or solutions.
At first glance, it seemed like the stones had been placed randomly, but upon closer inspection, there was a hidden pattern, a depth he couldn’t fathom.
He tried to break through, but his efforts were futile. Every move he made felt like stepping into a trap, drawing him deeper into the game.
After a moment of silence, he put down his teacup and sighed softly.
“Your moves are truly impressive, Master Lin. This game… I’m afraid I’m no match for you.”
Lin Tianlu smiled and bowed. “You’re too kind, Old Master Nie. I was just lucky. If we were to play two more games, I wouldn’t have any more moves left.”
Despite his polite words, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
He had finally experienced the thrill of defeating a master with unconventional tactics.
But this old man was truly knowledgeable and insightful. Their conversations had been thought-provoking and inspiring. He was a man worthy of respect.
“Ai! I’m not a sore loser, Master Lin. There’s no need to comfort me.”
Nie Qingyuan quickly sighed and regained his usual cheerful smile, stroking his long beard. “To play a game with you, Master Lin, is an honor. It has made me realize that there are always those who are more skilled and knowledgeable than oneself… I was indeed too arrogant in the past.”
“Then how about we schedule another match, Old Master Nie?”
Lin Tianlu hinted, “I need to go home and have breakfast now, otherwise…”
“I understand! That beautiful lady must be waiting.”
But Nie Qingyuan’s expression turned serious. “But before you leave, Master Lin, please heed my words. That woman from the Mao family across the street, her origins are a bit suspicious. I’ve met her a few times in the past. We didn’t talk much, but I sensed a coldness in her eyes.”
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
But after a moment of thought, he shook his head with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, Old Master Nie. Madam Mao is actually a kind and gentle woman. She just prefers to avoid contact with outsiders to avoid gossip.”
Nie Qingyuan pondered for a moment, stroking his beard, then smiled. “With your kind heart, Master Lin, I’m sure she’s fortunate to have you in her life. I won’t gossip any further. Please forgive this old man’s rambling.
If there’s a chance, I’ll visit again and bring some gifts for Madam Mao, as an apology.”
“I’ll convey your regards to Madam Mao.” Lin Tianlu bowed and left.
…
After seeing Lin Tianlu off, Nie Qingyuan slowly returned to the pavilion. Looking at the Go board and the arrangement of stones, he couldn’t help but sigh. “Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old.”
He studied the board for a while longer, then carefully collected the stones, his mind still engrossed in the game.
“I didn’t expect you to hold such high regard for Master Lin, Old Master Nie. It’s quite surprising.”
A stern voice suddenly rang out, making Nie Qingyuan pause, his smile fading. He turned around, his expression indifferent.
A middle-aged man in a brocade robe stood in the previously empty courtyard. Although his face was weathered, his demeanor was calm and refined.
“Tang Haifeng, you’re trespassing on my property again without even a greeting. Aren’t you busy enough with your duties as county magistrate?”
“My apologies, Old Master. I was just passing by and decided to drop in.” Tang Haifeng smiled and bowed, his tone respectful. “I wanted to ask Master Lin for some guidance, but I saw that you two were enjoying each other’s company, so I waited outside.”
“You were eavesdropping?”
“I don’t have such good hearing, Old Master. I just saw you sighing repeatedly, so I assumed Master Lin must have displayed some extraordinary Go skills.” Tang Haifeng glanced at the partially cleared Go board. “To earn such praise from you, he must be a rare talent.”
“You must have heard the rumors.”
Nie Qingyuan snorted coldly, putting away the last few stones.
“Rumors are just rumors. They’re often exaggerated and unreliable. But… these rumors seem to be true.” Tang Haifeng’s expression turned serious. “Old Master Nie, did you see that thunder yesterday?”
A flicker of fear appeared in Nie Qingyuan’s eyes.
“The fact that you’re asking means you saw it yourself.”
“I was still at the magistrate’s residence. I only saw the terrifying lightning strike somewhere near here.”
“How would I know?”
Nie Qingyuan turned away and snorted. “That thunder was so loud, it almost made me faint. By the time I recovered, the storm had already passed. How would I know where it came from or where it went?”
Tang Haifeng sighed. “You’re right, I was overthinking it.”
“Instead of rambling about such things, why don’t you tell me how my grandson is doing?”
“Chen’er is studying diligently at the academy. He’s doing well.”
“If there’s a chance, bring Chen’er here to seek guidance from Master Lin—”
Nie Qingyuan waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it, it’s best not to disturb Master Lin. Although he’s gentle and kind, he’s also quite aloof and doesn’t like to be bothered. If you visit him uninvited, you might be chased away by that Hua girl.”
“In a few days, send someone over. I’ll personally ask Master Lin for some guidance and send some essays and poems back for Chen’er to study. It will be beneficial for his future.”
Tang Haifeng looked surprised. “Old Master Nie, is Master Lin truly that talented in literature?”
But Nie Qingyuan just smiled mysteriously. “What do you know at your young age?”
With that, he turned and walked back to his house, carrying the Go board.
Tang Haifeng stood there, his expression uncertain, lost in thought.
After pondering for a long time, he finally turned and left the courtyard, walking towards Lin Tianlu’s residence.
He wanted to see for himself if this man, whom the former Hanlin scholar Nie Qingyuan praised so highly, was truly as talented and righteous as the rumors claimed.
…
He soon reached the Lin residence, about a hundred feet away.
Tang Haifeng adjusted his robes and stepped forward.
“Hmm?!”
But as he approached the gate, his expression changed abruptly.
He looked up and saw a wave of Yang energy surging within the walls, like a mist dragon, its scorching heat as intense as the summer sun!
“This, this—”
Tang Haifeng stumbled back, his face filled with fear.
The rumors… were true!
He steadied himself and tried to approach the gate again, intending to knock and greet the residents.
Hum—!
A sword beam, accompanied by a surge of thunder and fire, shot up into the sky!
Tang Haifeng’s pupils constricted. He saw the vast sword energy piercing through the clouds, revealing the sun, its resonant hum shaking his very soul, a display of unimaginable power!
“H-how is this possible—”
Tang Haifeng was petrified, his body frozen stiff as if struck by lightning.
After a while, he gradually regained his senses. He gritted his teeth, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and forced himself to calm down.
“I’ve come this far, I can’t give up now!”
He mustered his courage and approached the gate again, only two steps away.
But at that moment, his mind went blank.
He didn’t look up, but he could sense an ancient aura washing over him, like a gentle breeze. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to wither and decay, turning to dust.
And his own body, along with it…
“Ah!”
Tang Haifeng cried out, as if waking from a nightmare.
As his senses returned, he realized that the apocalyptic vision he had just witnessed was just an illusion. The courtyard before him was still peaceful and serene, as if nothing had happened.
“This, this is truly…”
Looking at the gate, just a few steps away, he hesitated, unable to move forward.
Feeling the cold sweat soaking his back, the Yin energy he had cultivated for years almost dissipating, he sighed sadly, a self-deprecating smile appearing on his face. He turned and walked away.
Just a few steps, yet they felt like an insurmountable chasm.
He…
Couldn’t take that last step.
The person inside this house… was truly a divine being!