Chapter 85: Chess Is Like Life

A subtle, refined fragrance of tea lingered in the air, drifting gently and long, penetrating deep into the heart. Old Master Mu tossed a small ball into the teapot and personally filled it with boiling water. Under the heat, the ball swelled visibly, eventually occupying a quarter of the teapot. The water turned a deep crimson, and wisps of steam rose gracefully, filling the room with a rich aroma.

“This is red tea aged in the cellar for a hundred years—a true treasure among teas,” Old Master Mu said, half-closing his eyes in intoxicated enjoyment as he savored the scent.

Li Wenhao asked, “If measured in money, how much would it be worth?” He was already scheming to buy more of this tea and present it to the old gentleman to win his favor.

But Old Master Mu, a true lover of tea, despised the stench of money above all else. His face darkened at the question, yet, intent on sending Li Wenhao away, he replied, “It’s worth a million, and even then, it’s not something you can simply buy. This may well be the last of its kind.” With that, he put the box away as if it were a precious gem.

Li Wenhao couldn’t help but click his tongue in surprise. He had come prepared, knowing Old Master Mu’s passion for tea and his discerning palate. Many rare teas failed to impress him, so Li had spent a fortune acquiring the finest Pre-Rain Dragon Well tea.

He hadn’t expected the old man to show no interest in the famed Dragon Well, while he lavished praise on the red tea brought by Ling Tian.

“Young Li, I know why you’re here. My granddaughter has already given her heart to someone, so you’d best give up any wishful thinking.” Old Master Mu spoke coolly. “Someone, see the guest out!”

Li Wenhao shot Ling Tian a venomous glare, stiffened his face, and left.

Watching Li Wenhao’s retreating figure, Ling Tian’s lips curled in a faint, derisive smile.

“Ling Tian, you’ve been making quite a stir lately—even daring to cross the Four Great Clans. Yet you’ve shown restraint, teaching them a lesson without provoking their wrath. Well done.” Old Master Mu sipped his exquisite tea, his eyes narrowing to slits with delight.

“Ren Xingfeng is a cunning old fox—the people he brings are just as remarkable,” the old man continued. “Ten years ago, that fox and I played a game of Go, and to this day, the game remains unfinished. How about you accompany me for a round?”

Ling Tian glanced at the board. The game was already lost for white; black stones dominated the field, and in three moves, white would be wiped out.

“Very well,” Ling Tian agreed, eager to please the old man.

The old gentleman took his cup and sat before the board, saying, “I’ll play black.”

Ling Tian sat opposite, studying the board. The situation was even more dire than he’d imagined.

“This game is already lost. Ren Xingfeng only abandoned the game because he knew defeat was certain. I wonder if you can find a way to turn the tables?” the old man asked with a smile.

“I’ll give it a try.” Ling Tian fixed his gaze on the board, running through possibilities in his mind, searching for a flaw.

Go is profound—a game of infinite complexity, with a history spanning over four thousand years. Some say that Go is the universe itself, filled with endless variations.

“Go is like life, full of infinite change. One moment you may be trapped in despair, but in the next, you may reverse your fortunes,” Old Master Mu said softly as he picked up a black stone and sealed off Ling Tian’s final escape.

Ling Tian, still lost in thought, stared intently at the board. Gradually, the board seemed to transform into a world of ever-shifting possibilities. Here, he saw murderous intent, patience, strategy, the art of war—even traces of ancient formations.

Half an hour passed, yet Ling Tian had yet to make a move. The old man waited patiently.

Suddenly, Ling Tian reached for a white stone, placing it swiftly and decisively on the board. He looked up at Old Master Mu and said, “You’re right—Go is like life, full of surprises. Just now, I was cornered, but now, I’ve turned the tables.”

Old Master Mu was astonished. He looked down at the board and drew a sharp breath; Ling Tian’s move was a masterstroke, not only dissolving his attack but also bringing earlier arrangements to life. With just one more move, Ling Tian would win.

“Haha, remarkable! Ren Xingfeng’s choices are always first-rate. I took you for a mere foot soldier—never expected such wit,” the old man exclaimed in admiration.

Mu Qingcheng stared at Ling Tian in surprise. Like her grandfather, she had thought him nothing more than a man of force—but he had revived a lost game and seized victory. Had the opponent been anyone else, she might have been less impressed, but this was her grandfather.

It was well-known that Old Master Mu was not a businessman but a lifelong scholar of the classics—a man of great wisdom.

“Grandfather, I’ve gained much from this game,” Ling Tian said, feeling his state of mind had advanced. He understood this was the old man’s intention and felt deeply grateful.

Old Master Mu laughed heartily. “Just treat my granddaughter well. Speaking of which, when do you plan to give me a great-grandson?”

Mu Qingcheng blushed, murmuring shyly, “Grandfather!”

“Haha, my precious granddaughter is bashful!” Old Master Mu laughed. “Ling Tian, the Ming Pearl I gave you—study it well when you return. With your intelligence, I’m sure you’ll unlock its secrets.”

The jade slip had no record of the Ming Pearl, but from the old man’s hints and his own intuition, Ling Tian was certain it contained pure fire essence, perhaps even a fragment of Heaven and Earth Flame—perfect for forging pills, charms, and magical implements.

For cultivators, Heaven and Earth Flame was exceedingly precious, far surpassing the fire within their own dantian in effectiveness.

“Grandfather, is the Ming Flame Beast just a legend, or does it truly exist? What did you find at the altar?” Ling Tian asked.

The old man smiled. “Whether it exists in legend or reality is unimportant. What matters is that this world holds many mysteries for you to unravel. Perhaps you yourself will become legendary.”

Ling Tian already admired the old man, but hearing these words, his respect deepened. He was certain that Old Master Mu knew much about cultivation, but why did he never say more? This puzzled Ling Tian endlessly.

After a family meal, Ling Tian and Mu Qingcheng took their leave.

Once Ling Tian had gone, Old Master Mu stood at the door, watching the car disappear into the distance. He murmured, “Child, if Ren Xingfeng’s guess is correct, you have already inherited the Dragon Vein’s legacy. Perhaps you can restore the glory of a thousand years past… The things I’ve discovered are but fragments, of little practical use. Even if I told you, it would only mislead you. It’s better for you to seek your own path.”