Chapter 21: Troubles and More Troubles

"Damn, I lost again," I cursed as I processed the moves. This old man was a monster. I picked up the game of Go when I used to be head of the Lucid River, and I sucked at it at first, but after a few years of playing I managed to become the best in the whole city, people actually made travels just to come and play with me, yet this guy, he really bested me several times now.

"Yes…you lost." The man said, but his expressions weren't of someone who had just won. He looked perplexed.

"How long have you been playing?" he asked.

"A few years now."

"A few years… I've been honing my skills for hundreds of years, and I could say that among all my peers in this sect, rare are those who manage to play as long as you did against me. I'm impressed with your thinking process."

"It's just a game. Nothing to be so vexed about."

The old man shook his head, "You're using mortal moves against me. If you were to use your cultivation, this game would turn differently."

I frowned, "How is that even possible, to use cultivation in a game of go?"

"It's rather simple, you see, right now, you're using your brain, your mind, your mortal mind to play. Not the cultivator's mind, you're thinking process compared to mine is probably several times slower. But if you were to use a cultivator's mindset to play, you'll start seeing moves that you have not before and discover tricks you have not thought of before."

"I think I understand, but I have no idea on how to tap onto that thinking process."

"It's not something that can be taught, you'll have to figure it out on your own. It's a kind of talent, and when you're able to use it, you'll be able to see the world anew."

"Right, I'll keep it in mind. So how about another game?"

"Right, let's go again."

The old man began setting the small pieces and we started playing. As we went on, I thought about how he mentioned using the mindset of a cultivator. For me, right now, the proper move would be to barricade a group of his pieces and block his advance, that's the optimal move. If I were to do that, I'll still be on the defensive, unable to attack, and he will still have the upper hand…I need a move that could turn the tables.

As Shen Bao was thinking, he never noticed a green aura suddenly beginning to overlap and coalesc