Xu Lai looked at Ruan Lan with a skeptical gaze. "You?"

He couldn't help shaking his head. "No wonder Dongli is the runner-up every year."

Ruan Lan was frustrated but couldn't retort. If it weren't for the tradition of 'seniors leading juniors' in the annual competition, where third and fourth-year students mentor a first or second-year junior, how could Ruan Lan, a mere amateur 4-dan, ever get the chance to participate? The Dongli University Go Society was simply getting worse with each passing year!

"This year's competition is being hosted by Dongli University, so we absolutely can't afford to lose," Ruan Lan said, biting her lip and looking pitifully at Xu Lai. "Brother-in-law..."

"Fine, I'll casually teach you a few moves," Xu Lai said offhandedly. "Pay attention, I'm only teaching this once."

He waved his hand, and the black and white stones on the nine floating Go boards neatly separated.

On the first board, the first black stone landed on the Heavenly Origin point.

On the second board, the second white stone landed on the Heavenly Origin point.

On the third board, the fourth, the fifth...

Across the nine boards, the black and white stones engaged in a fierce, world-shaking battle. Each move seemed ordinary on the surface but was actually laden with hidden threats. Countless different opening sequences appeared, including the 'White-37' that had defeated Xiao Yu and the 'White-22' that was making its debut on Earth. There were even original sequences created by Xu Lai himself.

The appearance of these sequences left the members of the Dongli University Go Society utterly shocked. What level of play was this? Even the famous match between Hua Country's top Go player and Sakura Country's top player, which had once shaken the world of Go, now paled in comparison. The play on any of these nine boards could defeat that match of the century by a country mile. Just what kind of Go strength was this?!

Ruan Lan reacted the fastest, pulling out her phone and starting to record the moment Xu Lai placed the first stone on the first board. Xu Lai might have spoken casually, but he was a man who could compete evenly with the Chess Saint Baize of the Immortal Domain. A few casual pointers from him could benefit someone for life. Still, considering his sister-in-law was present, Xu Lai explained a bit more about the essence of Go.

In truth, Go is very simple. It all comes down to a single word: calculation.

Calculating gains and losses. One must continuously calculate from the first move to the last, not only to anticipate the greatest gain from one's own moves but also to divine the opponent's intentions. What is the purpose behind the opponent's placement of a stone? Is it an ambush or a deliberate sacrifice? If so, should one capture or not? Calculate accurately and think far ahead, and you will win.

As everyone watched, completely engrossed, Xu Lai quietly sat aside, giving them time to digest everything. He hadn't expected to wait until evening, when the sun was already setting in the west.

Xu Lai sighed softly. He had overestimated Lu An and the others after all. These nine games were recreations of his matches with Baize. Even the renowned Go experts of the Immortal Domain would need to study each game for over a hundred years, let alone a novice like Ruan Lan...

Xu Lai coughed gently, pulling Ruan Lan, Li Cheng, and the others back to their senses. They looked at him with a mixture of awe and excitement. They now knew that even if Xu Lai's skill wasn't number one on the current Game of Go Path, he was definitely in the top ten!

"So it was true that Zheng Jiuduan invited you to become a professional Go player," Li Cheng said, now completely convinced. He bowed deeply once again. "Mr. Xu, I apologize for my previous offense."

"It's alright," Xu Lai said, then paused before adding, "Just don't mention my name if you lose."

I can't afford that kind of embarrassment, he thought. If word of this got back to the Immortal Domain, would I, The Supreme Emperor, have any dignity left? Although these people weren't my disciples, I did guide them... This has already created a thread of karma.

"You stinky brother-in-law!" Ruan Lan brandished her little fists, annoyed. "We haven't even competed yet, and you're already talking about us losing!"

"Tsk, tsk."

My sister-in-law is just too predictable, Xu Lai mused. When she needs something, it's all sweet-talk and 'brother-in-law' this and that. When she doesn't, it's straight to 'stinky brother-in-law'.

"Ruan Lan, you mustn't be careless," Lu An said with a frown.

"If we lose to Dong University's Go Society again this year, I'll eat the entire game board on the spot!" Ruan Lan huffed. "And all 361 stones!"

It was clear his sister-in-law was getting rather overconfident.

Xu Lai remained silent.

What to do? I'd actually like to see that. Maybe I should pull some strings during the match?

"You freeloader," Yu Xiaoxiao muttered.

"Hey!" Ruan Lan's eyes widened. "Are you still my best friend? You really think Senior Lu and I will lose to Dong University?"

"We might not even make it to the finals..." Li Li said weakly. "I heard some of the members from the Qingbei Go Society's team are professional 5-dan players."

"Last year, Xiao Yu's sister, Xiao Ling, won the championship and went on a twenty-nine-game winning streak. This year, it'll be no problem for me, Ruan Lan, to claim the throne!" Ruan Lan declared confidently.

After Dong University's Go Society had won the previous year, Xiao Ling hadn't accepted any interviews. Instead, she continued to play against the disgruntled contestants, naturally winning every single game. The sight of that solitary, unbeatable figure, coupled with her disappointment in the runner-up, Dongli University, during a later interview, had made Ruan Lan want to punch someone.

But this year, Ruan Lan wanted a taste of that infuriating arrogance for herself, because she had mastered an unbeatable trick!

"How are you going to win?" Xu Lai asked curiously. Could his sister-in-law have really absorbed everything he just taught her in such a short time?

"Brother-in-law, aren't you a magician?" Ruan Lan blinked.

"Even so, I can't just make her clothes disappear in public," Xu Lai said, spreading his hands.

Ruan Lan's face flushed red. This was the same suggestion she had made at the bar after being provoked by Xiao Yu. Embarrassed and annoyed, she clarified, "What I meant was, can't you control the Go stones? You can play the match for me."

Xu Lai's eyebrows shot up.

"Honestly, why are you so dense? It's like how a singer lip-syncs. I'll just be pretending to place the stones," Ruan Lan explained.

"And what will you be doing?" Xu Lai raised an eyebrow.

"Enjoying the thrill of victory, of course," she replied with shameless confidence.

"..."

His face darkening, Xu Lai knocked his sister-in-law sharply on the head. "One must learn virtue before learning a skill. The same applies to Go."

"Ouch..." Ruan Lan's eyes watered with pain. "I was just kidding! Am I really that kind of person?"

Yu Xiaoxiao and Li Li exchanged a look and said in unison, "Yes."

Ruan Lan immediately started bickering with her two best friends.

After her playful argument was over, Xu Lai drove Ruan Lan to pick up Yiyi from kindergarten. Once he had dropped them both off at Haitang Court, he asked, "Now, about that information you promised?"

"Ah? Oh, right." Ruan Lan slapped her forehead. "I almost forgot about that. My sister is at the office. You can go now."

With that, she scurried guiltily up to her room on the second floor, skipping dinner entirely.

Her office? Xu Lai was a little confused. As his Divine Sense swept over the location, his face instantly darkened.

I can't believe I, of all people, could be tricked by Ruan Lan. There isn't even a secretary in the office, let alone another man...

Only Ruan Tang was still there, processing documents.

After making dinner for his daughter, Xu Lai didn't bother driving and simply teleported there.

The sudden arrival of the boss's husband made the young receptionist at the front desk wave excitedly. "Sir! Are you here to pick up President Ruan?"

Xu Lai raised the thermal container in his hand, smiling without a word.

"Wow, you're so thoughtful," the receptionist said with envy. "Go on up."

Xu Lai didn't knock, simply pushing the door open and walking in.

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