Chapter 511 - 306: Placing the Pieces, the Human Race’s Must-Kill List, Long Xuan of the Ancient Dragon Race

Atop the floating Golden Palace.

An old man in simple clothes sat before a black and white chessboard in the center of the great hall. His full head of white hair was meticulously combed. He had no discernible aura, much less any Vast Righteous Qi, and appeared no different from an ordinary person.

However, the Blood Qi within him was vigorous, brimming with life force. He seemed nothing like an old man nearing the end of his days.

His eyes were fixed on the chessboard, never straying.

JINGLE!

The wind chime on the hanging placard at the entrance—carved with the four words, "Watching Chess, Axe Rots"—rang out. A disciple in a Confucian robe entered the great hall, bowed, and said:

"Master, someone wishes to see you. They invite you to meet with them and travel together."

"Who is it?"

The old man in simple clothes did not look up from the chessboard, asking nonchalantly.

"It seems to be the renowned New Emperor of Great Yan, whose fame has recently skyrocketed—Emperor Longyuan."

Hearing this title, the old man, who had been completely indifferent, instantly lifted his gaze, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"So it’s him."

He was silent for a moment before calmly saying:

"Very well, I will see him."

「Meanwhile.」

The Great Yan Soldiers on the ground saw a flash of Golden Light from the entrance of the Golden Palace. Moments later, two brilliant streaks of light shot up toward the gate.

Not long after, Lu Mingyuan was standing at the grand entrance of the palace.

He was accompanied only by Qi Muxue; no one else was present.

Before he even entered, Lu Mingyuan noticed the hanging placard and its wind chime. He slowly read the words aloud:

"Watching Chess, Axe Rots..."

Beside him, Qi Muxue smiled softly. "It’s an allusion. As the saying goes, ’One who watches chess until the axe handle rots can comprehend the loftiest mountains and flowing streams, seeking the Dao within the intersecting lines of the board.’"

Lu Mingyuan nodded. "The venerable Painting Saint’s accomplishments and Realm are truly Transcendent and unparalleled."

An aged voice drifted from the great hall, speaking with calm authority. "There is no need for such flattery."

"Let us speak through the game. Why disturb the elegance of this place with idle chatter?"

The Confucian-robed disciple standing nearby broke out in a cold sweat. He couldn’t believe his master dared to show such disrespect to the Emperor of Great Yan.

The Chess Dao lineage of the Confucian Temple was already in decline. In terms of scholarship and tradition, it was far inferior to the schools of the Strategists, Legalists, Yin-Yang, and the main Confucian Family.

One should still treat the Emperor of a nation with courtesy. After all, for scholars who wished to spread their teachings and recruit disciples, the last people they could afford to offend were the rulers of the Human Dynasties.

Not even Saints were an exception.

Legend had it that during the Middle Ages, a Saint offended the Emperor of a great nation, resulting in all the teachings of his lineage being burned as forbidden books. The flame of his Confucian Dao was utterly extinguished.

However, upon hearing this, Lu Mingyuan merely smiled faintly and said nothing more.

The Confucian-robed disciple breathed a silent sigh of relief. He led the two into the great hall, explaining as they walked, "This way, please. My master prefers peace and quiet. He is a straightforward man who dislikes conflict, so he has always been this... direct."

"It is of no concern."

Lu Mingyuan said with a wave of his hand.

As the two stepped into the great hall, they saw the Chess Saint seated at its very center.

Zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting were known as the four miscellaneous studies of the Confucian Temple.

The current Four Saints of the Confucian Temple’s miscellaneous studies were different from traditional Confucian Saints. Their power and influence were not as great, but their fame was still immense. In fact, it was said to be even more difficult to become their disciple.

The Chess Saint raised his chin and stroked his beard, looking every bit the enlightened master. "Back when Qi Xingyan was at the Confucian Temple, his Chess Skill was at the Ninth Rank. I wonder about Your Majesty’s Chess Skill?"

Lu Mingyuan hadn’t expected the Chess Saint to challenge him to a game right away.

’How could I possibly know how to play chess?’

’And it’s Go, the most difficult of all board games.’

’Even if I knew a little, how could I possibly be a match for the Chess Saint?’

Just as he was about to refuse, a voice transmission from Qi Muxue entered his mind:

"A person’s character is revealed in how they play. Your Majesty should accept. The Chess Saint is likely testing you."

Qi Muxue urged him, hoping Lu Mingyuan would accept the match.

"For the journey to the Celestial Treasure Continent, if we can gain the Chess Saint’s help, Great Yan’s strength will be immensely boosted. His Chess Skill Divine Techniques are miraculous, having long ago reached the Realm of Extraordinary to Saint. Nothing that happens in the entire Central Plains World can escape his notice. Even the Heaven and Earth Chessboard wielded by the Li Sheng was his creation."

Left with no choice, Lu Mingyuan could only agree.

"Very well. Since you have so graciously invited me, Senior, it would be rude of me to refuse."

"But I must state up front that I am not well-versed in this art. I hope you will not laugh at my poor skill, Senior."

With a grand wave of his hand, the Chess Saint cleared the board. The black and white stones instantly returned to their respective bowls.

After Qi Muxue explained the basic rules of Go to Lu Mingyuan, he braced himself and began to play.

As the game went on, a knowing smile touched the corners of the Chess Saint’s lips. "I never expected this. Qi Xingyan’s Chess Skill was proclaimed second only to one in all the world, yet Your Majesty’s skill is so... abysmal."

Lu Mingyuan offered no response.

He simply continued to play.

He lost one game, then began the next.

In every match, he was utterly crushed.

He failed to claim even a single inch of territory on the board.

After countless games, the Chess Saint’s gaze finally fell upon Qi Muxue, who stood beside Lu Mingyuan. He raised an eyebrow and said:

"This woman by Your Majesty’s side... she must be Qi Xingyan’s daughter, Qi Muxue, correct?"

’Why does he keep bringing up Qi Xingyan?’ Lu Mingyuan wondered.

’Is he trying to get a rise out of me?’

"That is correct."

Qi Muxue gave a slight nod in response.

"Your Chess Skill ought to be much better than his. This boy, for an Emperor, has no sense of strategy whatsoever."

The Chess Saint said mockingly.

Qi Muxue sent a voice transmission to Lu Mingyuan, "When my father was studying at the Confucian Temple, he played against this Chess Saint. A single game between them would often last for nine days and nine nights."