After some casual conversation, Taoist Kun Yuan and the others roughly understood Lu Zheng’s needs.
“Thanks to the great favour you’ve done for our Jinhua Sect, Nephew, please stay a couple of days. Let Rong Song show you the sights of Jinhua Mountain,” Taoist Kun Yuan said.
Lu Zheng saluted with a smile, “Having come all this way, I’d love to enjoy the beauty of Jinhua Mountain.”
…
After bidding farewell to Taoist Kun Yuan, Rong Qin went to prepare a guest room for Lu Zheng, while Rong Song began guiding him around Jinhua Mountain.
The Jinhua Sect was nestled over forty li deep in the mountains, surrounded by stunning scenery. Nearby were clear springs and streams, peculiar peaks and strange rocks, while in the distance stretched endless mountains and seas of clouds. Many small animals, unafraid of humans, coexisted harmoniously with the sect’s Taoists.
Monkeys, squirrels, birds, deer…
“It feels like the brothers of the Jinhua Sect live even more freely than those at Baiyun Temple,” Lu Zheng remarked with admiration.
“Each has their own path,” Rong Song replied with a smile. “Jinhua Mountain focuses on refining the spirit, allowing us to find peace here. Baiyun Temple nurtures qi, so it’s naturally different.”
As they walked, they passed a large pine tree where two Taoists were playing chess. One had just conceded defeat.
“Rong Song, perfect timing! Come play a game with me,” the victorious Taoist called out.
“Can’t you see I’m hosting a guest?” Rong Song replied helplessly.
“Your friend from outside the mountain?” The Taoist nodded at Lu Zheng. “How’s his chess?”
“I am Lu Zheng, outer disciple of Baiyun Temple, greeting the two fellow Taoists,” Lu Zheng saluted.
Hearing he was a fellow Taoist, the two hurriedly stood to return the courtesy.
“Brother Lu, care to play?” the winning Taoist invited.
Rong Song explained, “Rong Feng is known as the Jinhua chess fanatic. His skill may not be top-notch, but he loves challenging others to a game.”
Rong Feng protested, “How can you slander me, Senior Brother? My chess is at least in the top three… or five… maybe ten among our Rong generation!”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Seeing Lu Zheng didn’t respond, Rong Feng assumed he wasn’t skilled at chess and kindly offered, “How about I give you a one-stone handicap?”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.
Before Rong Song could speak, Lu Zheng smiled and nodded, “It’s just a game, no need for a handicap.”
“Don’t mind him, Brother Lu. Rong Feng gets a bit crazy when it comes to chess,” Rong Song said apologetically.
“No worries,” Lu Zheng laughed, then took a seat.
As peers meeting for the first time, Rong Feng’s offer of a handicap before even playing a game was a bit arrogant, especially since Lu Zheng was representing Baiyun Temple’s reputation.
Time to teach him a lesson.
“Brother Lu, you first!” Rong Feng said.
Lu Zheng nodded, not standing on ceremony. Playing white, he placed his first stone at the star point.
The opening moves were quick, with both sides placing over a dozen stones in rapid succession.
Rong Feng’s pace slowed, pondering each move, while Lu Zheng responded instantly to every placement, even finding time to chat with Rong Song.
The skill gap was clear!
The other Taoist glanced at the board, then at Lu Zheng, and teased with a smile, “No wonder Brother Lu hesitated. Bullying a mediocre player like this must feel pointless.”
Rong Feng’s brow twitched, ready to retort, but focused on a critical moment in the game, he held back.
Lu Zheng waved his hand with a laugh, “Not at all, Brother Rong Jin, you flatter me. My chess is just average, a casual hobby. I play for fun, not mastery.”
Rong Song, “…”
Rong Jin, “…”
Rong Feng nearly choked, suppressing the urge to curse and refocusing on his strategy.
A plate of pine nuts sat beside the board, likely a snack for Rong Feng and Rong Jin. Lu Zheng helped himself, cracking the hard shells with a light pinch, the kernels popping into his mouth.
Smooth, rich, with a fresh woody aroma.
By the time Lu Zheng ate his third pine nut, Rong Feng finally placed a stone. Lu Zheng followed instantly. Rong Feng played again, Lu Zheng responded, and then Rong Feng stalled again.
Lu Zheng continued cracking pine nuts while playing.
…
Moments later, after long deliberation, Rong Feng conceded at the mid-game.
“Brother Lu, what skill! No one in our Rong generation has ever made Rong Feng lose so quickly!” Rong Song said, astonished at Lu Zheng’s prowess.
Lu Zheng gave a reserved smile, “You’re too kind, Brother. It’s just a hobby.”
“What do you say, Rong Feng?” Rong Jin asked with a grin.
Rong Feng, still dazed, snapped to attention at Rong Jin’s question.
“Brother Lu is a genius!” Rong Feng said, full of admiration. “Unconventional yet precise, every move of mine was within his calculations.”
Rong Feng grabbed Lu Zheng, eager for another game, but Rong Song interrupted, “Brother Lu didn’t come here to play chess with you, and it’s almost time for evening lessons. Aren’t you going?”
“Fine.”
Rong Feng reluctantly let go, leaving with Rong Jin, still looking back wistfully.
“Does the Jinhua Sect hold evening lessons daily?” Lu Zheng asked.
Rong Song shook his head, “It’s not mandatory, but Rong Feng’s cultivation is lacking, so his master requires him to attend daily.”
After seeing Rong Feng and Rong Jin off, Rong Song led Lu Zheng to the back hall for dinner.
The favour of returning the *Transformation Technique* was significant, so the Jinhua Sect’s head personally joined Lu Zheng for the evening meal, inviting him to stay a few more days.
…
While Lu Zheng was considering how long to stay, Rong Feng sought him out the next day for another chess match.
He lost three games in a row and left, covering his face.
Though the chess fanatic was skilled, he wasn’t top-tier. Yet, according to onlookers, Lu Zheng’s victories were utterly dominant, catching the attention of other skilled players.
Especially after Lu Zheng’s claim that chess was just a casual hobby, more Jinhua Sect Taoists came to challenge him.
Lu Zheng welcomed all comers, sweeping through the skilled Rong-generation players in three days.
He also unexpectedly gained dozens of strands of luck aura.
So…
“Chess is simple. I just studied a few manuals.”
“No, no, you’re too kind. I think my chess is just average.”
“You all flatter me. I still have a long way to go…”
Seeing the Taoists’ strained yet complex gazes and feeling the continuous flow of luck aura into his jade seal, Lu Zheng’s smile grew even more humble.
Who wouldn’t want to befriend such a modest person?
“Brother Lu,” Rong Song, having grown closer to Lu Zheng over the days and accustomed to his manner, couldn’t help but advise, “When are you planning to leave the mountain? If you don’t go soon, I’m worried your life might be in danger.”
