Chapter 54

Xiao Feng, along with Azhi and the "Eighteen Yan Cavalry," hurriedly made their way to the Song Dynasty. He had to find Ajuz as quickly as possible.

"I promised to take good care of Ajuz, but now she’s missing. How can I face her parents?" Xiao Feng thought to himself.

Seeing Xiao Feng's anxiety, Azhi comforted him, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. I believe we will find my sister soon. We have already sent a message to Brother Wang Yue, asking him to help. His business has many people and is spread throughout the Song Dynasty, so we will get news soon."

Xiao Feng knew that Wang Yue's business was vast and spread across various towns in the Song Dynasty, but if You Tanzhi took Ajuz to a remote mountain or countryside, Wang Yue's business might not be able to find them.

...

At Yanziwu, Bao Budong said to Murong Fu, "Young Master, are we really going to Deaf and Mute Valley? This Congbian has no reputation in the martial world, and we haven't even heard of his name."

Feng Bo'e also nodded, "Yes, Young Master, we might as well skip Deaf and Mute Valley. We have many things to do, and there's no need to get involved in a chess game with a deaf and mute old man."

Murong Fu, like Wang Yue, had also received an invitation from Deaf and Mute Valley.

Murong Fu smiled, "This Congbian is not an unknown figure. He is the master of Doctor Xue, and while his martial arts may not be strong, his medical skills definitely surpass Doctor Xue. Moreover, I am very interested in this chess game."

Bao Budong exclaimed, "This Congbian has such a background?"

...

Duan Yu was also very happy when he received the invitation from Deaf and Mute Valley.

Duan Yu did not like martial arts; his skills were all acquired under duress. What he truly enjoyed were music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and Buddhist scriptures. In chess, Duan Yu had a very high level of expertise.

When Duan Yu received the invitation, he carefully thought about ancient chess games but found no mention of the "Zhenlong Chess Game."

"It seems the Zhenlong Chess Game is something Congbian created himself. I would like to see it," Duan Yu went to Deaf and Mute Valley alone.

...

Xu Zhu, carrying the "Hero's Invitation" from Shaolin Temple, went to various sects and factions. Duan Yu and Duan Zhengchun discovered that Ma Dayuan was killed by Kang Min and Bai Shijin, and the killings in the martial world had nothing to do with Xiao Feng. Therefore, they wanted to gather the martial heroes at Shaolin Temple to explain the situation.

However, when Xu Zhu arrived at the Beggar Sect, he encountered Ding Chunqiu killing the sect members. Ding Chunqiu was accompanied by a red-haired youth and a beautiful blind woman.

These two were You Tanzhi and Ajuz.

At this moment, Shaolin Temple's Xuan Nan arrived and fought with Ding Chunqiu but was poisoned. Xu Zhu could only take Xuan Nan to Deaf and Mute Valley to seek Doctor Xue's help to detoxify him.

...

"Finally, we are about to reach Deaf and Mute Valley."

Xiao Huan smiled, "Village Chief, you will surely solve the Zhenlong Chess Game this time."

Wang Yue, along with Wang Yuyan and Xiao Huan, had been traveling for several days and were finally about to reach Deaf and Mute Valley.

Wang Yue shook his head and smiled, "Xiao Huan, don't say such things. If others hear, it will be embarrassing. You know my chess skills are not good. I only know the rules of Go. Saying I can play is flattering me. I am just a poor player. The Zhenlong Chess Game is not something I can solve. We are going to Deaf and Mute Valley for the books of the Xianyao Sect."

Wang Yuyan smiled, "Yue, as long as you know the rules of Go, you can try. Who knows, you might really solve the Zhenlong Chess Game. Hehe."

Wang Yuyan's smile made the surrounding scenery pale in comparison.

Wang Yue was taken aback and shook his head, smiling, "I don't believe in luck. It's too unpredictable and unreliable."

Xu Zhu was a person with incredible luck, able to solve the Zhenlong Chess Game with a single move. But Wang Yue was not Xu Zhu and could not have such good luck.

The next morning, Wang Yue and his two companions finally arrived at Deaf and Mute Valley.

Xue Muhua welcomed them.

"Xiao Ye, I didn't expect you to arrive so early," Xue Muhua smiled at Wang Yue.

Xue Muhua was very grateful to Wang Yue, who had taught him internal martial arts.

Although Doctor Xue had cured Wang Yue's illness, which could be considered repayment for the internal martial arts, they still had a deep connection.

Wang Yue was the earliest to arrive, and the chess game competition was not until the end of the month, with about ten days left.

Wang Yue smiled, "Doctor Xue, it's been a while. I didn't expect to see you so soon after our last meeting at Wang Family Village. This time, I also have some medical questions to ask you."

Xue Muhua knew that Wang Yue had learned medical skills to treat his father and had achieved a high level of expertise.

Wang Yue's filial piety moved Xue Muhua.

"Xiao Ye, if you have any questions, I will answer them without reservation," Xue Muhua smiled.

Xue Muhua led Wang Yue and his companions into Deaf and Mute Valley.

Wang Yue saw a large chessboard on a stone platform, with many black and white pieces on it.

Wang Yue knew this was the "Zhenlong Chess Game."

An old man came out, and Xue Muhua bowed, "Master, this is Xiao Ye Wang Yue."

Wang Yue also bowed, "I am Wang Yue, greeting Master."

Congbian, Su Xinghe, although not a top martial artist, was extremely respectful to his master.

To cover for his master Wuyazi, he had sworn not to speak for decades, a determination not everyone could have.

Wang Yuyan and Xiao Huan also bowed, "Greeting Master."

Su Xinghe did not speak but smiled at them and pointed to the chessboard, clearly indicating they should solve the Zhenlong Chess Game.

Wang Yue was embarrassed; his chess skills were really not good.

"Yuyan, your chess skills are good. Try to see if you can solve the Zhenlong Chess Game," Wang Yue said to Wang Yuyan.

Wang Yuyan's chess skills were good, not as profound as Duan Yu's, but on par with Duan Yanqing.

Wang Yuyan wanted to try but, being a woman, hesitated, "Yue, this isn't right. I am a woman."

Wang Yue smiled, "Chess is not about gender. Master, what do you think?"

Su Xinghe hesitated but nodded, allowing Wang Yuyan to try.

Wang Yuyan went up to the stone platform, with Wang Yue and Xiao Huan by her side.

"Yuyan, just tell me the position, and I will place the white piece," Wang Yue said.

Wang Yuyan had only recently started practicing martial arts and could not move the heavy chess pieces.

Wang Yuyan nodded and carefully observed the chessboard.

Wang Yuyan played very slowly, taking a long time for each move, but Su Xinghe seemed to need no thought. As soon as Wang Yue used his innate qi to place the white piece, Su Xinghe immediately placed the black piece.

Wang Yuyan's face changed, and sweat appeared on her forehead.

"Yuyan, if it's too much, don't force it. We can stop," Wang Yue said, seeing Wang Yuyan's pained expression.

Wang Yue knew the Zhenlong Chess Game was not simple and could even cause hallucinations.

"Spit..."

Wang Yuyan spat out a mouthful of blood and looked weak.

Wang Yue stepped forward and held her in his arms, "Yuyan, are you okay?"

Xiao Huan also called out anxiously, "Lady."

Wang Yuyan lay in Wang Yue's arms for a while before regaining her composure, "Yue, I'm fine. I just spat out some blood, and I feel better now. The Zhenlong Chess Game is indeed profound. I couldn't solve it."

Although Wang Yuyan did not solve the Zhenlong Chess Game, Su Xinghe was still shocked.

Not being able to solve the Zhenlong Chess Game did not mean Wang Yuyan's chess skills were low.

Su Xinghe did not expect Wang Yuyan's chess skills to have reached such a high level, almost on par with his own. If she thought a bit more, she might really solve the Zhenlong Chess Game.

"Unfortunately, unfortunately," Su Xinghe actually spoke, "This young lady is the best chess player I have seen, but she still couldn't solve the Zhenlong Chess Game. Xiao Ye Wang Yue, why don't you try?"

Xue Muhua was shocked, "Master, you... you actually spoke?"

Su Xinghe smiled bitterly, "Ding Chunqiu has come to the Central Plains. If I don't kill him this time, I have no reason to live."

Su Xinghe knew that his master Wuyazi could not last