Chapter 376: Know Yourself and Know Your Enemy

Seeing Gu Fei’s crestfallen expression, Su Chen comforted her in a gentle voice, "Don’t be disheartened, Miss Gu. Miss Qin’s loss in the second game was even more miserable than yours."

Gu Fei didn’t find his words very comforting. Then she heard Su Chen add, "Actually, your skills are on par with hers. It wouldn’t be that difficult to defeat her."

Gu Fei rested her chin on her hands and looked at him. "You have a way?"

Su Chen looked into Gu Fei’s sparkling eyes, and his heart gave a heavy thump. He lowered his gaze, not daring to look again. "I’ve played against Miss Qin. Her Go was taught by her grandfather. The Mountain Master’s style is steady and solid, specializing in long-term strategy."

"But Miss Qin, although her style is similar to the Mountain Master’s, is very different from him in both age and temperament."

"This makes her style seem seasoned at first glance, but it’s actually riddled with impatience. She focuses on one area while neglecting others, leaving many openings."

"The first time, I was also bluffed by her. I tried to counter her the same way I would the Mountain Master, hoping for a steady victory, but I ended up losing."

"In the second game, I figured out her style and beat her easily!"

He looked at Gu Fei gently. "As for you, your problem is that you aren’t cautious enough. You’re a bit reckless, which causes you to lose focus on one area while dealing with another."

Gu Fei nodded. She was aware of her own flaws, but it was her natural disposition, so it was hard to change.

Su Chen stood up. "Don’t worry. When I get back to the academy, I’ll recall the games I played with Miss Qin and recreate them. You can study them carefully then."

Gu Fei’s eyes widened, and she cried out, "You can recreate the games?"

’My god, what a memory! Is he some kind of super brain?’

Su Chen smiled faintly. "It might take some effort, but I should be able to get it pretty close."

Admiration filled Gu Fei, and she gave him a thumbs-up. "You’re a true talent."

Hearing Gu Fei’s praise, Su Chen’s face flushed slightly, and the corners of his lips curled up involuntarily. "I have to hurry back to the academy now. Once I’ve recreated the games, I’ll write to you."

Gu Fei’s eyes curved into crescents as she waved. "Then you’d better get going. Be careful traveling at night."

Su Chen gazed at Gu Fei’s smiling face, and his heart melted. "I’m off, then. See you at the Lotus Festival on the sixteenth of the sixth month."

After seeing Su Chen off, Gu Fei paid little attention to her business for the next few days. Every day, she would either seek out the old man across the street to play Go or run next door to practice with Old Huang.

Unexpectedly, Old Huang was a master, and the old man across the street was no less impressive—otherwise, the two of them wouldn’t play together so often. Both were wily old foxes with unpredictable and ever-changing styles. Playing against them made Gu Fei feel like she was about to go bald from the mental strain.

A few days later, a letter from Su Chen arrived, just as he’d promised. Not only did it contain the recreations of two games, but every single move was accompanied by his detailed explanation of its purpose and how to counter it.

Gu Fei then took the letter to discuss with Old Huang. Both Old Huang and the old man from across the street gave Gu Fei a lot of guidance, specifically targeting Qin Ying’s style of play.

Gu Fei studied the two game records so intensely she nearly forgot to eat or sleep, and she began to get a general understanding of Qin Ying’s style.

She didn’t expect to become a master in such a short time. Her goal was simply to target Qin Ying’s style and defeat her. That would be enough.

As the saying goes: know yourself and know your enemy, and you can win a hundred battles.

One day, as Gu Fei returned from a game with Old Huang, she saw Tie Niu at the entrance with a long, worried face.

Tie Niu was usually a simple, happy-go-lucky big guy. Seeing him look so deeply troubled, Gu Fei couldn’t help but ask, "Tie Niu, what’s been wrong with you these past couple of days?"