Liu Qingyan was both surprised and delighted. She exchanged a glance with Shen Ying. Lu Zheng had already cupped his hands in thanks. “Then many thanks to Senior Wan Song!”
Daoist Wan Song waved dismissively. “It is merely some insights into the Jade Water Elixir Classic. Moreover, Miss Liu has a profound foundation. Advancing her cultivation further is only a matter of time.”
Liu Qingyan curtsied. “That is already wonderful. Many thanks to Senior Wan Song.”
Si Lingxi watched the three from the side and smiled. “Old Pine Tree, you do not mind if this palace also stays at your Wan Song Mountain for a while, do you?”
Daoist Wan Song could not help chuckling. “As long as you do not set the old pine ablaze, you are welcome to stay.”
Si Lingxi nodded. She glanced at the chessboard, conceded by tossing in her piece, then beckoned to Lu Zheng. “Come, come. Let me see just how you helped Old Pine Tree advance further.”
Daoist Wan Song laughed heartily and said to Lu Zheng, “Come, come. Little Friend Lu, has your chess skill improved these two years?”
Lu Zheng glanced at the board position and assessed Si Lingxi’s chess ability.
It surpassed Song Kaichuan’s, yet fell far short of Daoist Wan Song’s.
No wonder she was so curious.
One must know that Song Kaichuan’s skill already towered cliff-like over everyone Lu Zheng had met. It was not something diligence alone could bridge.
Yet Si Lingxi was stronger than Song Kaichuan.
Without a bug-like existence like Daoist Wan Song, she might well contend for the title of the world’s foremost chess player.
Even so, she could not match Daoist Wan Song evenly, nor even help him obtain the Red Pine Master’s inheritance.
Now learning that Lu Zheng, so young, had reached such heights in chess naturally sparked her curiosity, along with a touch of…
Unwilling acceptance?
Lu Zheng grinned wryly, feeling more wronged than Dou E.
But the arrow was already on the string. Feigning humility now would only seem hypocritical. Thus, he could only cup his hands, then sit opposite Daoist Wan Song.
“Then this junior will not stand on ceremony.” Lu Zheng smiled, took white, and played a star point first.
Si Lingxi stood midway between Lu Zheng and Daoist Wan Song. Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan stepped closer, standing behind Lu Zheng.
Si Lingxi glanced at the two women, nodded, and smiled faintly without speaking.
Then…
Daoist Wan Song and Lu Zheng alternated moves. At first, both played swiftly. But as the game progressed, their placements grew slower.
On the board, black held a slight advantage. Yet Lu Zheng remained calm. Daoist Wan Song did not appear overly relaxed.
The three spectators reacted differently. Liu Qingyan looked tense. Beads of sweat formed at Shen Ying’s temples. Si Lingxi’s brows furrowed deeply.
…
The game ended. White lost by one moku.
“Senior is formidable!” Lu Zheng sighed with a smile.
Against Daoist Wan Song, Lu Zheng had not held back. Before coming, he had even boosted himself with a wisp of fortune light.
By rights, he should have been evenly matched with Daoist Wan Song from two years ago. Unexpectedly, the senior had advanced further. Lu Zheng lost by one moku, disadvantaged from the start without ever turning the tide.
Lu Zheng marvelled inwardly. Little did he know that Daoist Wan Song was equally astonished.
At their level, even a small step forward was exceedingly difficult, nearly impossible.
Before meeting Lu Zheng, Daoist Wan Song had stagnated for a long time. Only Lu Zheng’s stimulation released his accumulated foundation. These two years, he continued slow progress.
And Lu Zheng?
In age, not even a fraction of a fraction of his own. Yet years ago, he had caught up, spurring Daoist Wan Song to win the dream game. These two years, he had not stopped. From his performance just now, even Daoist Wan Song right after winning the dream game might not have prevailed.
Daoist Wan Song was both shocked and delighted. If he played Lu Zheng more, might the youth surpass him again?
As a true chess devotee, Daoist Wan Song only rejoiced if Lu Zheng proved superior. It meant stimulation, progress for himself. Otherwise, standing alone atop the peaks, how could he glimpse the higher ninth heaven?
“Excellent, excellent!”
Daoist Wan Song laughed heartily in joy. “Chess is still most enjoyable with you!”
With a wave, black and white pieces cleared from the stone board.
But before Daoist Wan Song could continue, Lu Zheng patted his gourd and brought out the gifts prepared for him.
“Knowing Senior lacks for nothing, these are merely tea and utensils for daily use.”
Daoist Wan Song looked at the tea leaves, teaware, wine vessels, and Go set. He smiled and nodded. “Little Friend is thoughtful. Then let us drink this spiritual tea.”
“Qingqi Spiritual Tea?” Si Lingxi recognised it.
“Does Senior know Brother Yi Qingtian?” Lu Zheng could not help asking.
Si Lingxi nodded. “A hundred years ago, when he visited me, he gifted a hundred jin. Indeed fine tea.”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Daoist Wan Song waved. Three stone stools flew over, inviting Si Lingxi, Liu Qingyan, and Shen Ying to sit.
He personally brewed the tea. Soon, its fragrance wafted across the mountain summit.
While pouring for Lu Zheng, Daoist Wan Song smiled. “Two years unseen, Little Friend’s cultivation has soared. Congratulations.”
Lu Zheng thanked him and laughed. “Good fortune. I have encountered no bottlenecks.”
Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying smiled lightly. Lu Zheng seemed never to face bottlenecks.
“Has Senior Song visited before?” Lu Zheng had not seen Song Kaichuan in two years.
“He came once last summer,” Daoist Wan Song nodded. “Played a few games with me, then left.”
On the other side, Shen Ying quietly recounted the wild boar demon incident to Si Lingxi.
Si Lingxi nodded. “Zi Qing was sent on a mission and did not return for a month. When I searched, she was already dead in body and soul, the killer untraceable. So he fled to the Central Plains.”
At this, she sensed Shen Ying’s foundation again.
“Though entering the path via incense, your origin aligns with the Way through Peach Blossom Spring. One might say as long as the poem lives in hearts, incense never ceases.” Si Lingxi spoke with some admiration. “In terms of foundation, you likely surpass the Great Jing imperial clan.”
Clearly, Si Lingxi was no reclusive demon king. She knew of the Peach Blossom Spring circulating in Great Jing, sensing it to recognise Shen Ying’s identity at once.
“Senior overpraises. How could this wife compare to the Great Jing imperial clan with nationwide incense?”
Si Lingxi shook her head. “Consider the previous dynasty. Does it retain even a wisp of incense? Even court-sealed positions may change hands.
“You are different. The poem is you. Wherever under heaven, as long as hearts recite Peach Blossom Spring, it contributes incense to you.
“Though not as prosperous as Great Jing’s incense, it endures endlessly, inexhaustible.”
Si Lingxi sighed in praise. “Unexpected that Miss Shen possesses such literary talent, crafting verses beneficial to herself yet destined for eternal fame.”
Shen Ying shook her head with a smile. “Senior praises the wrong person. This Peach Blossom Spring was written by Lu Lang for me.”
“Oh?”
Si Lingxi turned back to Lu Zheng in mild surprise. She had not expected such poetic attainment from him as well.
