The Name of Eternals

Chapter 45: Turning the Tables

The two exchanged glances, their expressions slightly serious.

As instructors at the academy, how could they lead students to cheat?

No, no, not even if you're a young master from the God General's Mansion—unless you sent a gift... Wait, what gift? Even gifts won't do unless you're a prince...

While their minds raced, trying to figure out how to politely refuse the young man, Li Hao already replied to Shen Yunqing's question:

"Oh, the martial art? I already know it."

"Well, it's normal if you find it difficult. Just take your time to comprehend..."

Shen Yunqing's words trailed off, and he stared at Li Hao in disbelief. "What did you say?"

"I said I already know the martial art on the stone tablet." Li Hao repeated, wondering if the old man was hard of hearing.

"Know it?"

Opposite him, the gray-robed elder Zhao Zongyuan looked at Li Hao in surprise. Did he mean he had already reached the entry level? "Did you choose Wind-Cutting Fist or Nine-Star Triple Step?"

Shen Yunqing recovered, scrutinizing Li Hao. Was this kid bluffing?

"Wind-Cutting Fist."

Li Hao thought for a moment, realizing such a claim was indeed surprising. So, he directly demonstrated a punch. The punch's wind slightly vibrated, accompanied by a low humming of force, as if a sharp wind blade sliced through the air.

Their eyes focused, recognizing this as one of the offensive moves of Wind-Cutting Fist. To produce such a wind-cutting force, it wasn't just at the entry level—it was even skillful, almost perfect.

Could it be...

They exchanged glances, their eyes darkening with realization. The famed Tingyu Pavilion of the Li family supposedly held countless martial arts techniques. Could Wind-Cutting Fist be among them?

But the three martial arts on the stone tablet were exclusive to Tan Palace Academy, changed every six years, and had never been heard of outside before.

In the world of powerful sects and intricate relationships, the two elders' minds raced with possibilities but soon calmed down without probing Li Hao further.

They never considered that Li Hao could comprehend the technique in such a short time. In this brief moment, one could barely read through it carefully, let alone reach skillful or perfect mastery.

"In that case, you've passed the test, but we don't handle the assessment. Go see that man over there."

Shen Yunqing pointed to a middle-aged man standing in the square's center. He was calmly watching four people practicing martial arts in front of him, their movements evidently awkward.

"I'll go later," Li Hao wasn't in a rush. Instead, his gaze fell on the chessboard between the two, and after a few glances, he immediately spotted the situation and remarked, "This game is almost lost."

"Hmm?"

Both elders were surprised. Shen Yunqing raised an eyebrow, "A young boy like you, and you understand chess?"

"I know a little," Li Hao replied modestly.

"Oh?"

Across from him, Zhao Zongyuan chuckled, giving Shen Yunqing a teasing glance, "Then why don't you tell us, who's winning and who's losing?"

Shen Yunqing laughed and scolded in response.

Li Hao pointed out honestly, "If the current strategy continues, he'll lose."

He pointed at Shen Yunqing.

Shen Yunqing blushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed but convinced the kid indeed knew a bit about chess. He cleared his throat, "I was just distracted while fetching you guys and didn't play seriously."

"Sure, sure."

Had it not been for the junior's presence, Zhao Zongyuan might have kicked him, rolling his eyes.

Zhao Zongyuan then addressed Li Hao, "According to you, does he have a chance to win this game?"

"Yes."

Li Hao nodded, his voice losing its casual tone, becoming very assured:

"If he changes his strategy, he can win!"

"Oh?"

Initially joking, Zhao Zongyuan was stunned by this response, his smile fading, turning solemn, "Then tell me, how can he win this game?"

Shen Yunqing, equally curious, looked at Li Hao. Recognizing victory or defeat indicated Li Hao knew some basic chess rules, but seeing a winning path? Was he joking? Even he couldn't see the possibility.

"Place the piece here."

Li Hao tapped a spot on the board.

Zhao Zongyuan glanced at it and sneered slightly, "And what if I place my piece here?" pointing to an adjacent spot.

"Here," Li Hao continued to indicate.

"And I here?"

"Here."

"I..." Zhao Zongyuan was about to point to another blocking position when he suddenly froze, staring at the board, his eyes flickering.

Although none of the indicated spots had pieces, in his mind, the board was already imprinted with them.

These moves weren't extraordinary, not even a winning strategy, but... they seemed intriguing.

That broken line seemed connectable!

Zhao Zongyuan's gaze grew serious, withdrawing his hand from the board, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunqing initially saw nothing but confusion. Yet, upon noticing his friend's sudden change, he was momentarily stunned before scrutinizing the board closely. Soon, his eyes brightened, and he couldn't help but glance at Li Hao.

These moves really seemed to have a coherent connection!

They transformed a doomed position into a semblance of life! "I would..." After some contemplation, Zhao Zongyuan indicated another spot, intending to decapitate the board's dragon vein without entangling further.

Li Hao seemed to anticipate this, raising his hand to point elsewhere, "A small flying angle, corner breaking the position."

Placing a piece there would create a flying knife, opening a path! Smack!

Shen Yunqing couldn't help but slap his thigh. That move was brilliant! Why hadn't he thought of it? Why hadn't he seen it?! Zhao Zongyuan's pupils contracted slightly. He couldn't help but lift his head, gazing at Li Hao's youthful face, feeling momentarily disoriented.

This tender-looking young man had such mature and ruthless chess skills?! "Come, come, you sit, you play."

Shen Yunqing scooted over, motioning Li Hao to take his place, "Let me see how far you can go. Even if you lose, it's okay. If you win, I'll give you a sip of Drunken Wind brew."

"Sure."

Li Hao nodded, not standing on ceremony, as he had come for this chess game.

He settled into the warm spot on the flattened grass.

Zhao Zongyuan frowned, his expression solemn, deeply gazing at Li Hao, not probing why the young man had such remarkable chess skills, but instead focusing his mind, saying seriously, "Then let's give it a try."

Li Hao reached into the chess pot, picking up a black stone between his thumb and middle finger, placing it on the board.

He filled the spots he had previously pointed out.

Across from him, Zhao Zongyuan also played silently, matching him.

The two began their real game.

Around the square, numerous young talents from noble families and Jianghu prodigies were practicing martial arts, sweating profusely, vying for a spot in the elite classes.

Yet in this corner, on a small chessboard, a fierce battle of deceit and cunning unfolded, with every move a deadly strike!

After a while, trembling, a wrinkled hand picked up a stone from the chess pot, but after shaking for a moment, it slipped and fell from his fingers.

Zhao Zongyuan's old face was covered in sweat, just like those young disciples practicing martial arts in the square.

The game was over.

"I... lost."

Zhao Zongyuan's throat seemed dry and cracked, his voice strained.

Beside him, Shen Yunqing was dumbfounded, staring incredulously at the chessboard. The game he had been losing was miraculously turned around by Li Hao, completely reversing the lost ground, and with just a few moves, he won by a point and a half!

Don't underestimate the slight advantage of a point and a half. To turn such a losing situation into a victory like this was simply incredible!

"Thank you, elder, for letting me win."

Li Hao retracted his hand, bowing slightly, his expression solemn, but after bowing, he relaxed again.

With his chess skills at five segments, and often playing with his fifth grandfather, he hadn't competed much against outside experts. These two seemed slightly weaker than his fifth grandfather, roughly at four segments.

That was quite remarkable.

After all, both elders were martial artists and had invested considerable time and effort to reach such a level, showing their love for the game.

Zhao Zongyuan forced a smile, glancing at Li Hao. He felt like he was looking at a monster.

How did the Li family produce such a kid? He wasn't even as old as the time he'd spent playing chess, yet he won so effortlessly? Could it be that chess also relied on innate talent?

"Amazing, amazing!" Shen Yunqing exclaimed in admiration.

Li Hao smiled, saying, "That was just luck. How about we play another game?"

Zhao Zongyuan was left speechless, muttering, "Aren't you supposed to test your martial arts skills? There aren't many spots left in Class A. You should secure a spot first."

"Uh, alright."

Li Hao snapped back to reality. Though he wasn't too concerned about securing a Class A spot, it would save future trouble, so he might as well do it now.

"Wait for me, elder, I'll be right back," Li Hao said.

Zhao Zongyuan and Shen Yunqing exchanged curious looks, wondering why this kid seemed more focused on chess than getting into the elite class for training.

"Wait for me."

Li Hao got up, not forgetting to call out again before hurrying toward the middle-aged man in the square's center.