On Su Cheng

Classroom of Class 2, Grade 1.

As the school bell rang, everyone immediately composed themselves, returning to their seats and sitting upright, ready for class.

No matter what, making noise during class was absolutely forbidden.

Meanwhile, Su Cheng sat in the second-to-last row of the "King's Hometown," tilting his head toward the window, lost in thought as he gazed outside.

Yesterday, he had enthusiastically created a group chat, but so far, no one had responded to him.

So,

He had to figure out a way to solve this problem.

Otherwise, he would truly become a loner.

But gradually, his thoughts drifted further away.

………………

At the same time,

The thoughts of others in the classroom also began to wander.

Take Xuan Ying, for example. Her mood right now was indescribably complicated and frustrated.

After yesterday's Go competition ended,

She had gone back to Cornelia's place and witnessed the so-called collection of 108 miniature figurines.

They ranged from elementary school to high school versions.

And the key point—they were officially licensed!

Handmade by Su Cheng's older sister from the welfare home.

It made her drool with envy.

She couldn’t help but feel it was unfair. Why was it that when both of them visited Su Cheng’s hometown, Cornelia got to unlock a hidden quest and receive a hidden reward!?

Looking at Cornelia’s collection of over a hundred figurines yesterday, she realized her own collection had begun to pale in comparison, feeling dull and uninspiring.

If there was an ultimate meaning or goal in life,

Aside from possessing Su Cheng, it would be to one day have a collection of 108 figurines, just like Cornelia.

But unfortunately, Cornelia refused to reveal even the slightest hint of Sister Xue’s contact information. Even if she found a chance to ask secretly, Cornelia would just change the subject.

The most infuriating part was that every time she asked,

Ailiya would mock her right afterward.

It nearly choked her to death.

This left her feeling utterly wronged. She had gone to Su Cheng’s hometown to invite Senior Sister Liu to join them, only to find out she was already married. In the end, she had made the trip for nothing.

Now, looking back, it was truly tragic.

Thinking about this, she decided to visit Sister Qin in the afternoon.

…………

Meanwhile, Zhao Yan, sitting beside her, was poised elegantly at her desk, legs crossed and arms resting on the table as she took diligent notes.

However, her gaze suddenly flickered toward Su Cheng’s direction, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Because Su Cheng had abruptly shifted from leaning his head to the side to slumping over the desk, looking troubled and helpless.

This puzzled Zhao Yan.

What was he worrying about?

Could she help in any way?

Zhao Yan fell into deep thought.

……

Su Cheng had just instinctively glanced at Li Guanqi.

And now, his Guanqi addiction was acting up.

Because of Gu Ruoxue’s presence, Li Guanqi had become extremely resistant to it.

Pain. Such pain!

"Ding ling ling~"

The bell for the end of class rang.

It was the ten-minute break after the first period. Most students immediately stood up and headed out of the classroom.

Su Cheng also slowly raised his head and stretched.

His gaze drifted toward the corner where Li Guanqi sat.

But her seat was already occupied by Xuan Ying and the others.

They had now formed an unbreakable trio.

Leaving him no room to intervene.

"Hey, what exactly is this 'qi' you mentioned earlier?"

Suddenly, Wang Guancong from the seat behind him leaned in and whispered, "Is it some kind of chess manual? Like a lost martial arts secret from a wuxia novel?"

At the same time, Gao Ye also walked over, eager to continue the earlier question. He couldn’t help but ask quietly, "Yeah, Su Cheng, just tell us already. Stop keeping us in suspense."

Their voices weren’t loud.

But the surrounding students all perked up their ears.

Including the trio of Li Guanqi in the corner and even Xu Tianyi at the front row, who turned to look over.

Clearly, they were all intrigued.

But Su Cheng once again answered in a hushed, secretive tone, "I can’t reveal too much about this. Just… don’t ask anymore."

His mysterious tone only deepened their curiosity.

Yet Su Cheng shook his head, refusing to say another word.

In the end, the two could only sigh in disappointment.

Then,

The bell for the next class rang again.

The students in the classroom quickly withdrew their attention and returned to their seats, preparing for the second period of the day.

Meanwhile, Xu Tianyi, sitting at the front, cast a complicated glance toward Su Cheng’s seat.

Yesterday’s Go match and Vice President Ling’s words had left a profound impact on her.

Rewinding to yesterday—

After Su Cheng left, the club had closed its doors for self-reflection. Everyone gathered around the Go board, trying to analyze the peculiar moves collectively.

They hoped that by pooling their knowledge, they could crack the strategy.

And then challenge Su Cheng to a rematch.

By Go standards, this was extremely unfair to Su Cheng.

But the pause had been called by Su Cheng himself.

This alone spoke volumes about his confidence.

It was as if he was saying: "Shaking the foundations of the Go Club, daring to let the world take the first move."

Clearly, his voluntary pause meant his skills had already surpassed everyone in the Go Club.

This only fueled their desire to challenge him.

Including Xu Tianyi, who also studied the board.

Though they didn’t understand why Vice President Ling had conceded at the time, if even she had admitted defeat, it proved Su Cheng’s Go skills were truly terrifying.

Of course, they had to analyze it thoroughly.

But soon, Vice President Ling emerged from the restroom and poured cold water on their enthusiasm.

Her face was slightly flushed, but she had regained her usual composed and elegant demeanor. However, the slight parting of her lips and her slightly hurried breathing betrayed her lingering struggle from the match.

"There’s no need to study the board,"

She said, her expression grave and serious.

"No need to study the board?"

"Why not?"

Some Go Club members couldn’t help but ask, "He called the pause himself. Are we just supposed to admit defeat?"

"No."

Vice President Ling shook her head, scanning the room before opening her folding fan. Seeing the confusion on their faces, she continued, "I didn’t lose to his skill. I lost because I no longer had the courage to face him across the board."

"Uh…"

"What do you mean?"

"That can’t be right?"

The crowd was stunned, wondering if Vice President Ling was joking.

How could anyone lack the courage to play against someone?

Even Xu Tianyi couldn’t help but look over in disbelief.

Because she, too, found it hard to believe.

"It’s hard to describe. But if any of you play a match against him, you’ll understand the pressure he brings."

"Vice President, can you at least try to explain?"

"Yeah, just give us a rough idea."

"Fine."

Vice President Ling gently closed his folding fan, tapping the paper surface with his fingertips as he spoke softly, "During today's match, I didn't feel like I was facing a mere chess player, but rather a pure seeker of the Dao. Our contest transcended the game itself—it became a path of spiritual pursuit, and my state of mind was deeply affected. Thus, our confrontation had already moved beyond the realm of chess."

The group fell silent for a moment, struggling to grasp such abstract and profound concepts.

"To put it simply, his spiritual domain has projected itself into my being."

Vice President Ling sighed faintly, a trace of shame and fluster flickering in his eyes. "Perhaps his spiritual projection was so intense that it felt almost tangible, creating an illusion that made me too hesitant to engage with him on the chessboard."

Silence descended once more.

"So, there's no need for you all to analyze the game. The true challenge lies in withstanding his mental and aura-based pressure. Only by overcoming this can one even qualify to face him in a match and contend for victory on the board."

With an earnest and stubborn expression, Vice President Ling declared, "This is why I conceded."

The others remained quiet.

Though everyone could vaguely understand his words, it all sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel!

"Actually, both our club president and Si Jing possess this kind of aura and spiritual depth, though they typically refrain from using such abilities."

Suddenly recalling something, Vice President Ling added, "I think it might be because he would leave the world of Go if he lost. That’s why he fought with everything he had—to protect his faith."