Both of them realized the situation and exchanged serious looks. As instructors at the academy, how could they lead their students to cheat? No way, even if you are the young master of the Divine General's Mansion, it still wouldn't be acceptable. You haven't even given a gift... Ugh, what gift? Gifts are out of the question; you aren't a prince...
While the two of them were thinking about how to politely refuse the young man, Li Hao had already answered Shen Yunqing's question: "I already know the technique."
"Actually, it's normal for you to find it difficult. Just take your time to comprehend it..." Shen Yunqing started to say, but suddenly stopped, staring at Li Hao in shock. "What did you say?"
"I said, I already know the technique on the stone tablet." Li Hao repeated, suspecting that the old man might be hard of hearing.
"You know it?"
Across from him, the old man in gray robes, Zhao Zongyuan, looked at Li Hao in surprise. Knowing it meant he had already grasped the basics?
"Did you choose the Wind Slashing Fist or the Nine Star Three Steps?" Shen Yunqing also came back to his senses and couldn't help but size up Li Hao. Was this kid just boasting?
"Wind Slashing Fist."
Li Hao thought for a moment and felt that it was indeed a bit surprising. He immediately threw a punch, and the air around it rippled slightly, creating a low humming sound as if a sharp blade of wind was slicing through the air.
The two men focused their eyes, recognizing this as one of the moves from the Wind Slashing Fist. To be able to unleash such a powerful wind strike meant it was not just a simple grasp of the technique; he had even reached a level of skill that was quite refined.
Could it be...
They exchanged glances, both feeling a chill. They had heard of the Li family's Listening Rain Tower, which collected countless martial arts techniques. Could the Wind Slashing Fist be among them?
However, the three techniques on the stone tablet were all recorded by their academy, and they were updated every six years. They had never heard of any of them being revealed outside.
The relationships between major powers were complex, and many thoughts raced through the two old men's minds, but they quickly suppressed them and didn't ask Li Hao any questions.
They never considered that Li Hao had comprehended the entire set of techniques in such a short time.
In such a brief moment, it was only enough to take a careful look. To grasp even the basics of the technique was already impressive, let alone reach a refined or perfect level.
"That means you've passed, but we aren't responsible for the assessment. You should go find that uncle over there."
Shen Yunqing pointed to the center of the square, where a middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, looking calm. In front of him, four people were practicing their techniques, but their movements were clearly a bit awkward.
"I'll go over there shortly."
Li Hao wasn't in a hurry. Instead, his gaze fell on the chessboard where the two were sitting. After glancing at it a couple of times, he immediately recognized the situation and said, "This game is about to be lost."
"Huh?"
The two old men were slightly surprised. Shen Yunqing raised an eyebrow and said, "You’re young, yet you understand chess?"
"I know a little bit." Li Hao said modestly.
"Oh?"
Zhao Zongyuan smiled and teasingly glanced at Shen Yunqing. "Then tell me, who’s winning and who’s losing?"
Hearing this, Shen Yunqing smiled back at him in annoyance.
Li Hao pointed out, "If he continues with the previous moves, he will lose."
As he spoke, he pointed at Shen Yunqing.
Shen Yunqing's face turned slightly red, feeling a bit embarrassed. He also believed that this kid really understood some chess. He cleared his throat and said, "I was just here to pick you up, my mind wasn't on the game, so I didn't play well."
"Go on, go on."
If it weren't for the younger generation being present, Zhao Zongyuan might have kicked him, rolling his eyes.
Then Zhao Zongyuan turned to Li Hao and asked, "From what you said, does he still have a chance to win?"
"Yes."
Li Hao nodded, and at that moment, his tone became serious and confident: "If he changes his strategy, he can win!"
"Oh?"
Zhao Zongyuan had initially asked this jokingly, but hearing Li Hao's words, he paused, then his smile faded, and he said lightly, "Then tell me, how can he win this game?"
Shen Yunqing was surprised and looked at Li Hao with curiosity. Being able to see the outcome meant Li Hao at least understood some basic rules of chess, but to see a winning strategy? That seemed impossible; he couldn't even find a way to win himself.
"Place a piece here."
Li Hao pointed to a spot on the board.
Zhao Zongyuan glanced at it, then smirked coldly. "What if I place a piece here?" He pointed to an adjacent spot.
"Here." Li Hao pointed again.
"What about here?"
"Here."
"I..." Zhao Zongyuan was about to point to a blocking move when suddenly his expression froze. He stared at the chessboard, his eyes flickering.
The spots they pointed at hadn't been played yet, but at that moment, the board was already imprinted in his mind, and he could see the moves.
These moves didn't seem special or promising, but... there was something subtle about them.
That broken line seemed like it could be connected!
Zhao Zongyuan's expression grew serious, and he withdrew his pointing finger, deep in thought.
Beside him, Shen Yunqing initially couldn't see the point, but seeing his old friend suddenly change expression, he was startled. He then looked closely, examining and pondering. After a short while, a glimmer of understanding appeared in his eyes, and he couldn't help but look at Li Hao.
These moves really did have a feeling of connecting the pieces!
They actually brought a glimmer of hope to a previously doomed situation!
"I'll place my piece here..." After thinking for a while, Zhao Zongyuan pointed to another spot, planning to cut off the dragon vein on the board without further entanglement.
Li Hao seemed to have anticipated this and raised his hand to point to another spot, "Little flying corner, breaking the momentum."
The spot he pointed to would connect and create a path for a flying knife!
Smack!
Shen Yunqing saw it clearly and couldn't help but slap his thigh. This move was brilliant!
Why didn't I think of that? How did I miss it?!
Zhao Zongyuan's pupils slightly contracted, and he couldn't help but look up at Li Hao's youthful face, feeling a moment of daze.
This young boy, how could his chess skills be so mature and ruthless?!
"Come, come, you sit here and play."
Shen Yunqing supported himself on the ground, shifting over to make room for Li Hao. "Let me see how well you can play. It doesn't matter if you lose. If you really win, I'll give you a drink of my special brew."
"Alright."
Li Hao nodded, not being polite. He had come here primarily for this game.
He sat down, feeling the warm grass beneath him.
Zhao Zongyuan frowned, his expression serious. He stared at Li Hao for a moment without questioning how the boy became so skilled at chess. Instead, he focused and said in a deep voice, "Then let’s see what you can do."
Li Hao inserted his fingers into the chess box, intertwining his index and middle fingers to pick up a black piece and place it on the board, filling in the spot he had previously pointed to.
Opposite him, Zhao Zongyuan also silently placed his piece.
The two began their real match.
In the square, many young masters and talented individuals were practicing their martial arts, sweating profusely as they competed for a spot in the A and B academies.
Yet in this small corner, on the tiny chessboard, it was a fierce battle of wits, with moves as sharp as knives, each step a deadly trap!
After a while, an old hand trembled as it picked up a piece from the box, but after shaking for a moment, it slipped from his fingers and fell.
Zhao Zongyuan's old face was now drenched in sweat, just like those young disciples throwing punches and kicks in the square.
The game was set.
"I... lost."
Zhao Zongyuan's voice seemed dry and strained.
Beside him, Shen Yunqing stared in disbelief at the board. What was supposed to be a losing game had been completely turned around by Li Hao, breaking the previous losing strategy and reclaiming all the lost ground, step by step attacking until, during the count, he had miraculously won by one and a half points!
Don’t underestimate that small margin of victory; turning a previously doomed situation around to this extent was simply unbelievable!
"Senior, I concede."
Li Hao withdrew his hand, slightly bowing his head in respect. His expression was serious, but after the bow, he relaxed again.
He was at the fifth level of chess, often playing with the Fifth Master, and hadn’t really competed much with other experts. It seemed that these two were not as skilled as the Fifth Master, probably barely at the fourth level.
That was already quite impressive.
After all, both of them were martial artists, and to have the leisure to study something else and reach this level showed their dedication.
Zhao Zongyuan smiled bitterly and looked at Li Hao, feeling as if he were looking at a monster.
How did this kid from the Li family become so skilled? He was younger than the time I’ve spent playing chess, yet he managed to win against me?
Could it be that chess also requires talent?
"Impressive, impressive!" Shen Yunqing exclaimed.
Li Hao smiled and said, "That was just luck. How about we play another game?"
Zhao Zongyuan was somewhat speechless and muttered, "Aren't you supposed to test your technique? There aren't many spots in the A academy; you should go secure your spot first."
"Uh, alright."
Li Hao came back to his senses. Although he didn't care much about the A academy spot, it would be better to avoid trouble later, so he decided to go check it out.
"Wait for me, senior. I'll be back soon." Li Hao said.
Zhao Zongyuan and Shen Yunqing exchanged strange looks, feeling that this kid seemed more focused on chess than on entering the A academy to practice.
"Don't forget to wait for me."
Li Hao called out again before quickly running towards the middle-aged man in the center of the square.
(End of Chapter)