Chapter 56

Over the next two days, Feng Jueyu's daily activities included one more thing: going to the lakeside to play chess with the two old men. He did not find it tedious at all; instead, he enjoyed it immensely. The reason was that the old men's chess skills were truly outstanding, and their methods subtly reminded him of his former master, evoking a sense of nostalgia. As a result, Young Master Feng visited the lakeside every day.

Anyway, the preparation of the First-Class Golden Wound Medicine at Jishi Hall had already been scheduled. The herbs required had been improved by the Vitality Qi, so he did not need to personally prepare the medicine. Li Yide and Tong'er were too busy to pay attention to him, and even Gongyang Yu had joined in to help. Staying there would be useless, so he might as well do something he liked.

Speaking of Gongyang Yu, Feng Jueyu was very pleased. The old man's skills did not disappoint him. It turned out that he was once a Heaven Martial Realm expert, which explained why he claimed to be the Blood Soul Saber. It seemed he had a prominent position. Moreover, in just a week, the old man's skills had recovered from the peak of the Qi Martial Realm to the middle stage of the Profound Martial Realm, making him capable of handling things independently. If it weren't for the need to avoid rushing, Feng Jueyu would have wanted him to return to the Heaven Martial Realm.

Ten days had passed since the Spring Talent Gathering. The provincial examination had ended, and the palace examination was also completed. In the south, it was rumored that Xi Ruiyun, Ma Yuanru, and Shang Gongjin had all been listed on the imperial list, securing the top three positions and becoming official and qualified "employees" of the Southern Empire. However, these events, which were considered national celebrations in the Southern Empire, did not even reach Young Master Feng's ears.

One early spring morning, the sky was clear and the weather was particularly pleasant. Feng Jueyu, as usual, completed his morning exercises and came to the West Lin Lake. He saw the two old men sitting by the lake, playing chess as they had for the past ten years, taking turns to place their pieces, enjoying themselves.

Over the past few days, Feng Jueyu had become quite familiar with the two "bodyguards." When he approached, the two men pretended not to notice him, allowing him to squat by the chessboard and watch the game.

Since the day three days ago when he played a game with the old man with the black pieces, they had started to talk more, and they had even exchanged names. He only knew that the old man with the black pieces was surnamed Zhou, like the Zhou Dynasty, and the old man with the white pieces was surnamed Zhang. Therefore, Feng Jueyu called them "Old Zhou" and "Old Zhang."

Similarly, the two old men only knew that Feng Jueyu was surnamed "Feng." Beyond that, they knew nothing about each other. Their current relationship could only be described as chess friends, with no other interaction besides playing chess.

Seeing Feng Jueyu squatting by the side, Old Zhang, who had just placed a white piece to start the game, smiled and chatted: "Young Master Feng, you come here every day and squat here to watch the whole game. Aren't you tired?"

Old Zhou, with the black pieces, stroked his beard and glanced at Feng Jueyu.

Feng Jueyu, chin in hand, did not take his eyes off the chessboard and replied casually, "A game of chess is like a beautiful painting. Those who understand it find joy in it, and they won't get tired no matter how long they play. Old Zhang, I bet you wouldn't complain about being tired either, right?"

"Hey? You're giving a lecture now." Old Zhang looked at Feng Jueyu in surprise and teased, "Young Master Feng, you didn't used to talk much."

These two old men were calm and kind, and Feng Jueyu had a great liking for them. After a few days of familiarity, they could exchange a few harmless jokes.

Feng Jueyu, without looking up, replied, "That's because Old Zhang hasn't spent enough time with me. If we spent more time together, you might not say that."

Old Zhou, holding the black pieces, laughed heartily and said, "That's good. Young Master, you don't know how boring it is to play chess with Old Zhang every day."

"Am I boring?" Old Zhang narrowed his eyes and said, "Old Zhou, that's not fair. Who said that a true gentleman doesn't speak during a game, and a true sage doesn't speak while playing? You can't deny it."

Old Zhou, placing a piece, pleaded, "Uh, it was me, I was wrong, I was wrong, ha ha..."

Old Zhou laughed twice, then suddenly started coughing violently. Old Zhang's expression changed slightly, and he did not place his piece, showing concern, "Old Zhou, are you okay?"

At this moment, the "bodyguard" also walked over and whispered, "Master, it's time to take your medicine..."

"Old Zhou's health is not good?"

Feng Jueyu was slightly surprised. In fact, he had noticed over the past two days that Old Zhou's chess-playing time was getting shorter, and he was wearing more and more layers of clothing. Initially, he thought it was nothing, but now he realized there was a problem.

Old Zhou raised his eyebrows, tightened his cloak, and waved his hand, "I'm old, and a little cold is hard to bear. It's nothing serious. Young Master Feng, it seems I can't finish this game today. Why don't you take over?"

Old Zhou stood up, showing signs of leaving.

Feng Jueyu said "Oh" and did not stop him, stepping aside, "Old Zhou, take care, and pay attention to your health."

Old Zhou paused, looked back at the chessboard, and said, "Young Master Feng, over the past few days, you've played several games with us. I've noticed that you haven't been giving your full effort. When I recover, would you like to play a full game with me?"

Feng Jueyu smiled bitterly. Indeed, he had not been giving his full effort over the past few days. It was not because he was hiding his skills, but because he always found a shadow of his master in the two old men. He always felt restrained in front of his master, not because of his chess skills, but out of habit. He didn't expect Old Zhou to notice.

Feng Jueyu said, "Old Zhou, you flatter me. When you recover, I will definitely accompany you."

"Good, good, cough, cough, you play on, I'll leave first."

"Old Zhou, take care..."

Old Zhang stood up to see him off. After Old Zhou left, they sat down again. The previous game could not continue, as each person's chess style was different, so they started a new game.

This time, Old Zhang did not yield and placed a white piece first, saying, "Young Master, don't favor one over the other. Come on, show your true skills, let's play a full game."

"Then I won't be polite," Feng Jueyu pursed his lips and placed a black piece with a "pa" sound.

The center!

Both started in the center, one black and one white piece advancing, setting the stage.

Different people, different chess styles, and different paths...

Over the past few days, Feng Jueyu had gained a general understanding of the two old men's chess styles, especially Old Zhang's. His style was straightforward and open, coming and going without any concealment, steady and grand, with a style reminiscent of a chess sage.

Old Zhou, on the other hand, had a different style. His chess moves were full of momentum, like commanding thousands of troops on the battlefield, capable of both defense and attack, with a style of looking down on the world and being the sole ruler, embodying the style of a chess emperor...

Feng Jueyu was different. He was a killer, and his personality was ruthless and merciless, using every means possible. Each move seemed ordinary, but in reality, it was laying the groundwork for the final killing move, like a trap that was hard to guard against, full of danger. Especially at the decisive moment, once the opponent was trapped, his move was like a hidden sword suddenly unsheathed, ruthless and merciless. For this reason, Old Zhou and Old Zhang jokingly called him "Chess Mad."

The "Mad" in "Chess Mad," though not said out loud, Feng Jueyu knew that the two old men had long seen him as a madman...

Once they started playing with their true skills, Feng Jueyu and Old Zhang no longer spoke. Facing the gentle breeze from the lake, they placed their pieces, the game becoming intense. Due to their full concentration, sweat soon appeared on their foreheads.

Even the guard behind Old Zhang, who did not understand chess, could feel the intense aura of battle emanating from them, finding it astonishing.

Others might not know Old Zhang's background, but the guard knew it well. In the Southern Empire, Old Zhang's chess skills were among the best, and he could be considered the best. Few people played chess with him because his skills were too high, and ordinary people did not meet his standards.

However, in recent days, Old Zhang and Old Zhou had become increasingly friendly with Feng Jueyu, which surprised the guard. Today, seeing Old Zhang sweating from the game, he was even more shocked.

In fact, over the past few days, whether it was Old Zhang, Old Zhou, or Feng Jueyu, they had been playing chess as a way to make friends, not using their full strength. Today was different. Because of Old Zhou's words before he left, Feng Jueyu had put in his true effort.

Looking at the chessboard, the game was intense, and both were masters of chess, taking turns without yielding. After a full hour, the game reached a deadlock.

The last move, neither could place, both were deep in thought on either side of the board...

After a long time, they simultaneously threw their pieces into the chess basket and burst into laughter, saying in unison, "It's a draw, it's a draw..."

Feng Jueyu shook his head, extremely admiring, and clasped his hands, saying, "Old Zhang, today I have truly seen your skills. Your chess skills are indeed outstanding, I am very impressed..."

Old Zhang looked at Feng Jueyu with a strange expression, "Young Master, you are not bad either. I am not exaggerating, but in the Southern Empire, there is no one with your chess skills. If I hadn't played with you to this level, I wouldn't have believed you were so young."

"Old Zhang, you flatter me," Feng Jueyu said modestly, but he accepted it gladly. It was not out of arrogance, but because the game had reached such a level that excessive modesty would be a form of disrespect to Old Zhang.

Feng Jueyu could see that Old Zhang and Old Zhou definitely had a significant background, and today's game confirmed his suspicions.

Old Zhang knew that Feng Jueyu was being polite, secretly praising his calm and talented demeanor.

Watching chess is like watching a person. Over the past few days, Old Zhang had formed a deep impression of Feng Jueyu, considering him a friend. Looking at the time, Old Zhang prepared to leave, saying, "That's it for today. Young Master Feng, do you have time three days from now?"

Three days from now? Feng Jueyu thought about it. The preparation of the First-Class Golden Wound Medicine at Jishi Hall would take a few more days, and he had nothing to do three days from now, so he asked, "Old Zhang, do you have something?"

Old Zhang smiled, "Nothing major. Three days from now is my 70th birthday. If you don't mind, I would like to invite you to my house for a game of chess. What do you say?"

Feng Jueyu was surprised, "It's Old Zhang's birthday? I must attend. Where do you live?"

Old Zhang was delighted to see Feng Jueyu agree, and answered, "Number 1 Wencheng Street, it's on the street next to Baiwei Tower. My house is there..."

"Oh..." Feng Jueyu remembered the location and clasped his hands, "I will remember it. I wish you a long and healthy life, and may your longevity be like the pine and the cypress."

"Ha ha... thank you..."

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