"The tournament is tomorrow, how are your preparations?"
Outside the club, Ye Longlin looked at Qi Chuyao and asked softly.
Though not his disciple, in a way, she represented Great Xia.
Go tournaments, in recent years, had indeed become high-level international competitions, but they also came with their share of troubles.
Take South Korea, for instance. They applied for intangible cultural heritage status every year, and their citizens explicitly stated that Go was their nation's heritage.
This sparked numerous propaganda battles, leading to mixed public opinion. Nevertheless, it couldn't be denied that Go tournaments were significant events.
And now, with the international Go competition tomorrow, Qi Chuyao still lacked confidence. She had come here hoping to get lucky and perhaps meet Ye Longlin. Fortunately, she did.
"No, no confidence."
Qi Chuyao gave an awkward smile. She truly felt uncertain, especially facing a renowned Go master from Japan.
"I've seen the lineup. Aside from Fujiwara Taro, you can handle the rest with ease, given your skill level. However, Kim Ji-gi from Korea is quite peculiar.
Be careful with this person; he looks like trouble."
Qi Chuyao nodded her cute, round face, placed a stone on the Tengen, sat down obediently, and waited for Ye Longlin's guidance.
"Tengen is the center, a good position, but the opponent will likely occupy this advantageous spot as well. You need to think ahead about your next moves and strategize."
Ye Longlin spent the entire day here. By five in the afternoon, Qi Chuyao had finally recovered her composure.
She hadn't won a single game that day, but she had learned a great deal.
"Thank you, sir, for today."
Qi Chuyao stood up and respectfully thanked Ye Longlin. She was deeply grateful that he was willing to spend a day teaching her. Moreover, for someone of his stature as a Grandmaster to condescend to teach her for free was a rare opportunity.
Ye Longlin waved his hand and smiled faintly, "Bring glory to the nation."
As he spoke, Qi Sheng walked over, holding two tickets.
"Everyone who can afford to live here is either wealthy or influential. As an old man, I have nothing significant to offer you. Please accept these two tickets. I hope you can attend tomorrow."
Qi Sheng chuckled heartily as he approached, handing the two tickets to Ye Longlin.
Ye Longlin nodded, accepted them, and confirmed, "I will be there tomorrow."
"Then I shall await you at the venue."
Upon returning home, he saw Mu Hanqi, wearing an apron, heading towards the kitchen. Recalling the time she almost blew up the kitchen, Ye Longlin quickly pulled her away.
"You are forbidden from entering the kitchen from now on!"
Ye Longlin said with a rare serious expression. The memory of the last incident made his lips twitch. This girl… had absolutely no talent for cooking.
"No, I just want to learn how to cook so I can make food for you."
Ye Longlin rubbed his forehead, saying helplessly, "Be good, listen. Don't go into the kitchen. As long as you stay out of the kitchen, we can discuss anything."
Yuan Gang, sitting on the sofa, burst into laughter upon hearing this, "Hahaha, you're the first person I've ever seen who can make our boss say 'we can discuss anything.' Hahahaha!"
Ye Longlin shot him a glare, and Yuan Gang's laughter immediately ceased.
Hearing this, Mu Hanqi's eyes, like stars in the sky, blinked innocently, "Then be my boyfriend, and I won't go into the kitchen."
Ye Longlin: "..."
As if remembering something, Ye Longlin tossed her a ticket and said indifferently, "This is a ticket from a friend. Go watch tomorrow."
Mu Hanqi looked at the ticket in her hand, a VIP pass at that. Stars appeared in her eyes, and like a little girl, she stuck close to Ye Longlin, asking, "Will you go too?"
Seeing the expectation in her eyes, for some reason, his heart softened. He nodded, "Yes."
"Yay! That's great! Hehehe, mua~"
Yuan Gang stared wide-eyed at the scene. Mu Hanqi, seemingly unbothered, skipped upstairs in her slippers, likely agonizing over what to wear tomorrow.
Ye Longlin felt as if he had frozen on the spot, looking at her with a sense of disbelief.
Recalling the sensation just moments ago, cool and light, yet he could feel the warmth of a heart. The touch was soft, but that momentary feeling left him, the Great Xia War King, stunned, his mind a complete blank.
This was the first time any girl had been so close to him.
"Uh… boss, I actually wanted to ask, what did it feel like?"
Yuan Gang looked at Ye Longlin expectantly, seemingly eager to know.
Ye Longlin quickly collected himself, his expression as placid as ever. "No feeling."
He then sat down and began reading the newspaper, which was filled with news about the Go tournament tomorrow.
Xuan Niao entered from outside, looking grave.
"Boss, according to intelligence reports, another group of war criminals has appeared in Nan Province. Additionally, the Shadow Hall has been sighted. The Crimson Lotus Banshee appeared once but vanished without a trace."
As he finished speaking, Ye Longlin's private phone rang. Looking at the contact marked 'Qin Shuai', his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Just now, the military headquarters received an anonymous call. The Shadow Hall plans to make a move tomorrow, intending to instigate international disputes between Great Xia and other countries. Participants from sixteen nations are involved. The Honor Hall orders you to be responsible for all security measures at the venue.
If any international disputes arise, you must apprehend those from the Shadow Hall and provide an explanation to the international community! Ye Longlin, this is a tactic devised by those who target you.
Wang Lao's departure has caused considerable debate within the Honor Hall. This situation might not be simple; be careful."
He hung up without giving Ye Longlin a chance to speak.
Ye Longlin understood his predicament and didn't show much reaction.
"Yuan Gang, contact the organizers of the Go tournament immediately. Dragon Pavilion will now be responsible for the venue's security measures. Arrange it quickly. By eight o'clock, I want to know the arrangements and deployment."
Ye Longlin issued the command directly, without hesitation.
"Understood!"
Although they didn't know what was happening, they would carry out Ye Longlin's orders without question.
"Uh, boss, at what level should we set up the security?"
Ye Longlin's eyes narrowed slightly. "Special-class security measures!"
Yuan Gang's pupils contracted, and then he nodded.
This was the prelude to battle.
"Go cook, I'm hungry."
Xuan Niao nodded and turned to enter the kitchen.
The international Go competition seemed to be a tournament being exploited by the Shadow Hall. If this matter were not handled properly, it could indeed lead to international disputes.
Especially as Great Xia was gradually progressing onto the world stage, every action was being watched by those with ulterior motives.
"Tomorrow will also be an eventful day."