act19mini

He throws his all into his studies and barely listens to what anyone has to say. It's simply too much, I tell you.

Haha... I have also heard about the endless marvels of black against white upon the gridded board, and how captivating they can be.

The land is vast, and there are many things that can trap a man in a mire. Even a memory can leave one pacing back and forth for quite some time.

Your husband must have his reasons for his dedication.

Why exactly are you trying to argue his case?

I was simply moved by his tale.

Well... You said your husband disappeared, but when exactly was this disappearance?

He...

It was nearly nightfall, and he went out to the mountain to chop some firewood. I never heard from him after that.

That truly is worrying.

Let us set off then, Madam Bai.

Do you not wish to sit a little longer? Pardon me for saying so, but your body does not seem the strongest, nor do you look accustomed to steep mountain paths.

While I might not be able to perform martial arts, I practice breathing techniques every day.

The path is yet long, so I must be diligent.

I see an ancient pavilion further up. We can rest again once we arrive there.

The game's still stuck in a stalemate, huh... He's been thinking about his next move for ages now...

Just how long have you been working on this one move, Brother Lan?

I don't know.

My grandson's now as tall as I was back then.

He didn't believe me at all when I told him about you. 'Who would spend their entire life on a single lousy game?', he said.

*sigh*...

Do you still remember when exactly you got separated from Sister Bai?

I don't.

After I left town, I got lost and was disheartened. I wandered the mountain for several months before arriving here. It can't have been that long.

And what day was that?

There are some things I don't remember all that clearly.

Then do you know today's date?

No...

But that's not important. Let us speak of other things once I solve this deadlock.

*sigh*...

Oh, everyone in town's been so in a tizzy over some treasure or the other that I never expected someone to come over here.

Here to see the game as well, youngster?

We're just here to take a rest—

'We'? But it's just you.

Just me? The lady I was climbing the mountain with...

Strange... She was here just a moment ago...

Yun Qingping looks all around him, but there is no sight of the woman.

There is only a young man, sitting at a weiqi board in silence.

And this gentleman is...?

*sigh* He's trapped in that game. There's no getting him out of it.

If you know how to play, help him out a bit.

This game state...

A three <i>jie</i> cycle. A prolonged battle that can only end in a draw.

But he's dead set on victory, so in the end, he trapped himself here.

I can't think of a way to get him out...

(Observes the board)

(Contemplates)

H-Heaven above, it's trapped another.

One after another, *sigh*...

A refusal to draw, victory the only satisfactory option...

If one focuses only on the <i>jie</i>, can one truly demonstrate superiority on the battlefield?

This boy... He yet lives.

But with such grievous wounds, he will have to endure many hardships.

I can't practice kung fu with this body of mine, so what use is there in me recording all the many styles under Heaven?

I don't understand, Grandmaster...

Yun, have you ever questioned the Grandmaster's plans for you?

Of course I have. When I first took this job, my heart still harbored some resentment. I felt like making me watch everyone practice kung fu every day was like chaining me atop a stake while dangling meat before my eyes.

The scent hits you like a fist, your eyes go wide with greed, but you can never have even half a bite. I tormented myself with an endless barrage of complaints as I suffered in discontent.

You don't look like you're suffering now.

Even though my progress is only theoretical, it is enough to soothe me.

But more importantly, I believe I understand some of the reasoning behind it.

Have I told you about my recent dreams, Zuo?

No, might as well tell me now.

One night, I dreamed that I would return to the countryside someday, a nameless, obscure man. All those many martial moves and techniques, when used upon the fields, will let you save a considerable amount of strength in tilling and hoeing the land.

Another night, I was a passionate warrior, quick to kindness and vengeance, an imitator of the Grandmaster. Strike, and sunder the tides cleft. Retract, and leave no peace bereft. A legend born from a single punch, before dying after all my breath is spent.

They both sound really different from the Yun I know...

Obsession is a quagmire. It is natural for those trapped within to not understand.

After much deliberation, there is but only one answer...

First give, then observe, and finally, take.

The stone should go here.

Yun Qingping picks up a white stone, paying no heed to the massive hundred-point battle raging on the board as he nonchalantly places it on the other side of the board.

Black takes the opportunity to wipe out the majority of white stones atop the board, but then comes a stunning reversal, leaving white with a clear advantage.

Lan Ke watches in stunned silence as the countless stones, both black and white, disappear as if they were but mirages. All that is left is a clear board, and three men surrounding it.

The stalemate has been broken.

My word... To think there was a move like that!

Duoxie, my friend, duoxie! I couldn't come up with anything despite thinking for so long. I never expected you to break it open the moment you arrived. You have my admiration!

You flatter me. I don't actually know much about weiqi. I simply thought that, since all things on this land are connected, martial doctrines that espouse give and take could be applied to weiqi as well. I didn't think it would work out so well.

Your weiqi skills far exceed mine, but since you were so focused on winning the <i>jie</i> cycle, you overlooked the overall state of the board.

No matter how you put it, this game is won!

Is that you... Luo Qin?

I'm Luo Qin's grandson.

When he was still alive, he'd always talk about the strange man back home playing weiqi atop the mountain. I've visited you many times, thinking I'd have to pass this task on to my own grandson. Didn't think this man'd put a stop to it all, youngster.

That means I've spent...

Over a hundred years here. The town's changed too.

So I've been... separated from Jin'er... for all these years...

My dear.

Jin'er?!

Yes, it's me.

Long time no see... dear.

It's really you! That Xian wasn't lying to me! I really did meet you again!

Amazing... Truly incredible...

Let's go home right away! Mom and Dad are still waiting for us—

Jin'er...? Why won't you... say anything...?

I see... Hahaha.... So that's how it is...

I was already... long ago...

But it doesn't matter. I got to... see you again...

With the game ended, the Xian keeps his promise.

And so, Lan Ke is free of his regrets.

Madam Bai...

No, you are not the Madam Bai of this tale.