Playing chess with the teacher required one to consider too much, and often, in the end, it resulted in a lost game.

For Xia Yanyu, this was truly tiring.

Listening to Xu Fan speak, it seemed he had only played chess for a few years.

With just a few years of experience in Go, his skills certainly couldn't surpass hers. Xia Yanyu had no desire to have an evenly matched game when she invited Xu Fan to play chess.

Right now, she just wanted to relax. Constantly playing against masters was exhausting. Occasionally teaching a novice like Xu Fan could be quite pleasant.

Xu Fan didn't hesitate either. He nodded and said, "Alright, since there's nothing else going on right now, we can play a game."

The elder standing nearby saw that Xia Yanyu was going to play against Xu Fan. He stroked his beard, smiled, and stood up on his own initiative.

"Good, then this old man will also watch the battle today."

Xu Fan nodded and immediately sat down opposite Xia Yanyu.

Yi Qiu, standing behind Xia Yanyu, let out a hum with a mix of sarcasm.

"Kid, an opportunity like this doesn't come often. You should really learn something today."

"Old Kang is the chairman of the Jinling Go Association with a professional eighth-dan level! My young lady is Old Kang's Direct Disciple with a professional sixth-dan level."

"Yi Qiu! Less talk..."

Seeing Yi Qiu rattle off her achievements as if reciting from a treasure trove, Xia Yanyu couldn't help but give him a reproachful white glance.

At her age, it was rare to reach a professional sixth dan in Go. In the Go community, it was enough to be considered as having an extraordinary talent.

Xia Yanyu was genuinely afraid that Xu Fan, sitting opposite her at that moment, would be too scared to play with her upon hearing her true level.

After all, who would enjoy being trounced all the time?

"Xu Fan, don't feel any pressure. As the saying goes, victory and defeat are common in war. Today, we're just playing casually."

Xia Yanyu looked at Xu Fan, hoping her explanation would keep him from being too frightened.

It seemed her reassurance worked. Xu Fan smiled and said, "Yeah, don't worry, we're just playing casually today."

"Alright, let's begin; you have the first move."

After cleaning up the Go board, Xu Fan gestured, indicating that Xia Yanyu could make her move.

However, Xia Yanyu was taken aback.

The Classics say, "Better lose a stone than fail to take the initiative."

Having the initiative is crucial in Go. Xu Fan willingly giving it up meant that with his level of skill, he basically had already lost the game.

Xia Yanyu smiled bitterly, thinking that indeed, Xu Fan, who had only played for a few years, wouldn't understand the importance of the initiative.

This was merely a game to pass the time; she shouldn't expect too much from it.

Holding a white stone, Xia Yanyu pondered for a moment, then decisively placed the first stone on the board.

No sooner had she made her move than Xu Fan's black stone swiftly landed on the board in a mere few seconds.

Xia Yanyu was surprised and looked at Xu Fan doubtfully before she began to contemplate where to place her next stone.

Soon, they took turns, and several rounds went by.

It was apparent that Xu Fan made each move almost without any thought.

Xia Yanyu watched this and shook her head.

Go requires a sense of the whole game. One often needs to consider everything thoroughly before acting.

A national master like Old Kang would calculate his adversary to a standstill before making a move.

The speed with which Xu Fan placed his stones, without regard for the consequences, was far too hasty— a severe taboo in Go!

"Xu Fan, Go demands meticulous planning before action. Playing like this, it will be difficult to improve your skills in chess..."

Xia Yanyu kindly interrupted. Old Kang, watching by her side, also nodded his head in agreement.

"Indeed, young man, playing Go is like fishing; never rush. Although young people are often impetuous, I think you should still learn more from Yanyu."

Hearing what they said, Xu Fan smiled and responded, "Ah, I get it. Let's continue."

"..."

Xu Fan had no intention of taking the advice of Xia Yanyu and Old Kang.

Yi Qiu, standing behind Xia Yanyu, couldn't help but snort coldly.

Even he, a layman, understood this principle, and this guy?

"Miss, in my opinion, this guy probably has never played Go before! He must have come here mainly to cozy up to you under this pretext!"

"Yi Qiu, what are you talking about…"

Xia Yanyu gave Yi Qiu a glare but couldn't help taking his words to heart.

From Xu Fan's demeanor, he indeed didn't seem like a person who knew how to play chess but more like an outsider.

Could it be that he indeed had some designs on her…

"Xu Fan, let's continue."

Shaking her head, Xia Yanyu calmed her mind. The game had already started and there was no reason to stop, so she continued to play against Xu Fan.

Gradually, more and more pieces appeared on the board, and the situation between the black and white stones became discernible.

"Huh?"

Old Kang, watching by the side, arched his eyebrows in surprise.

Logically speaking, given Xu Fan's crude way of playing, he should be utterly defeated by Xia Yanyu, a discerning sixth-dan master, by now.

Yet, looking at the pieces from both sides, they were actually engaged in a closely matched battle.

"That's not right…"

After observing carefully for a while, Old Kang silently muttered that something was amiss.

He looked at Xu Fan with newfound curiosity.

This young man, he was not as superficial as he appeared.

The moves this young man made in a short period of time, most of them were excellent choices!

Even for several moves, Old Kang felt that, even after deep contemplation, he himself couldn't have made better choices...

"This kid, is simply terrifying…"

The curiosity in his heart turned into shock after he closely inspected Xu Fan's gameplay.

The skill Xu Fan displayed was definitely above the eighth dan…

"Could it be?"

All of a sudden, Old Kang thought of something and took a sharp breath of air.

In the world of Go, there are two playing styles.

One is the calm and steady slow play that he himself practiced, which almost all players know.

The other, however, is the blitz Go, a style that many find difficult to master!

Blitz Go does not focus on layout but on the player's pride, playing the stones at will!

It's a style that takes the path less traveled, with only offensive moves in its arsenal and no defense!

"This is definitely blitz Go! Who could this young man have studied under..."

Looking at the board, and the domineering fighting spirit subtly emanating from the black stones, Old Kang's forehead began to bead with sweat!

He became more certain of his thoughts, and his gaze towards Xu Fan grew more respectful.

Even he secretly thought that, were he to take the stage against him, he wouldn't need to think too much...

Facing such a master today, Old Kang's expression grew complicated.

Looking at Xia Yanyu, who was facing Xu Fan with a relaxed expression, he started to smile bitterly.

This silly girl, unaware of the danger she was in; if it weren't for Xu Fan deliberately throwing the game, she would have already been utterly defeated!

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