Chapter 37: Life-or-Death Question? That Boy Is Unruly, Please Forgive His Folly!

Lin Buyu shot Xu Ye a glance, his expression clearly saying, “As if I’d ever believe you,” yet he still explained as they walked, “This round isn’t about competing directly, but about choosing between solving a problem or setting up a position. The boards are all puzzles set by renowned scholars from various academies—solving them isn’t something just anyone can do.”

“Solving a problem? Don’t tell me these are all life-and-death problems?” Xu Ye speculated inwardly.

From his memory, he knew that the term “chess” here referred exclusively to Go—even Chinese chess didn’t exist—so what Lin Buyu called “solving a problem” was most likely solving Go life-and-death problems.

“Wait, solving I understand, but what does ‘setting up a position’ mean?” Xu Ye asked curiously.

“It means you set up a difficult endgame for the examiner to solve. If the examiner manages to solve it, you lose; if not, you win,” Lin Buyu replied, giving Xu Ye a meaningful look. “But I’d advise you not to pick this option. The examiners are all learned scholars—what puzzle could possibly stump them?”

Xu Ye’s heart stirred at that. “If these really are life-and-death problems, but I get to set the question… then perhaps the outcome isn’t so certain after all.”

…

They arrived at the examination area.

“So they really are life-and-death problems,” Xu Ye thought with some amusement as he peered through the gaps between folding screens, catching sight of the rows of Go boards laid out on the tables.

“You two wait here. When it’s time to enter, I’ll call you,” said the examiner, a scholar with the air of a Confucian gentleman, after Lin Buyu showed her token at the door. He led them to seats along the side.

It was obvious that there were more spectators than actual examinees today, so even as the groups rotated in, there was plenty of time.

“Whatever you do, don’t pick the ‘setting up’ option,” Lin Buyu murmured as they sat. “Otherwise, those people will just laugh at you for showing off before experts.”

“But I really do know how to play,” Xu Ye insisted. If it was just about solving life-and-death problems, he wasn’t entirely confident—each one had its own solution. But if he could be the one to set the problem, that was a different story.

“However strong these old men may be, could their skills surpass AlphaGo?” he silently mocked.

“Buyu, so you’re here!” Just then, Bai Zijin and Liu Muxuan walked over to them.

“Buyu, the young man you invited is truly remarkable. With just a single remark, he managed to impress Master Zhiheng. Everyone’s talking about his answer just now,” Bai Zijin gushed, linking her arm affectionately through Lin Buyu’s as if nothing had happened earlier outside the hall.

Liu Muxuan, meanwhile, sat beside Xu Ye, his expression unreadable.

Lin Buyu merely nodded, clearly disinclined to engage further, and closed her eyes as if resting.

“Since you’re so well-versed in Buddhist thought, Brother Xu, I suppose your skill at Go is equally impressive?” Liu Muxuan asked, a faint, challenging smile on his lips.

“Brother Liu, whatever your character may be, your eye for talent is certainly sharp,” Xu Ye replied with a bright, almost mischievous smile. He’d already offended the man—he didn’t mind doing it a little more thoroughly.

“You—!” Liu Muxuan’s face darkened, and he raised his folding fan, clearly intending to hit Xu Ye. But at two soft coughs from Bai Zijin, he forced himself to lower his hand.

Lin Buyu, eyes still closed, couldn’t quite suppress the upward curve at the corner of her lips. She realized that bringing Xu Ye today might not have been such a bad idea; at the very least, he was proving useful in riling up Liu Muxuan and Bai Zijin.

“Since you’re so confident, Young Master Xu, I suppose this round of the examination will be no trouble for you?” Bai Zijin said, her smile bright and her voice purposely raised so that the surrounding scholars all turned to look their way.

…

A short while later, Xu Ye and Lin Buyu, along with a new group of candidates, entered the examination hall.

“I’ve already looked into it,” Liu Muxuan whispered to Bai Zijin. “Xu Ye may dabble in music, chess, poetry, and painting, but he’s a jack of all trades and master of none. There’s no way he’ll solve today’s puzzle.”

“If he makes a fool of himself, it’ll be Lin Buyu’s disgrace!” At the thought of Lin Buyu being humiliated in front of everyone, a twisted excitement flashed in Bai Zijin’s eyes, making Liu Muxuan shudder involuntarily.

Meanwhile, Xu Ye and Lin Buyu were already standing in the center of the hall, the first to compete in this round.

“This round, Lin Buyu will play a piece, and Xu Ye, you’ll solve the puzzle. The piece can be chosen from these, and the problem will be drawn from this lot…” The examiner was about to hand Xu Ye the bamboo tube containing the lots when Xu Ye interrupted.

“What is it?” the elderly scholar shot Xu Ye an impatient glare.

Lin Buyu, anxious, feared that Xu Ye was about to cause trouble again. The examiner already seemed annoyed, so she dared not speak.

“Sir Examiner, I’d like to choose to set up a position this round,” Xu Ye said politely, smiling at the old scholar.

“You want to set a position?” The old scholar was momentarily stunned, then sneered, “Do you know my name?”

“Master Ke, please forgive him,” Lin Buyu apologized before Xu Ye could answer. She then shot Xu Ye a warning look and whispered urgently, “Xu Ye, Master Ke is the official Go expert of the Hanlin Academy—there are few in the realm who can match his skill…”

“Girl, enough,” Master Ke cut her off with a raised hand, his gaze settling coldly on Xu Ye. “I’ll ask you one more time. Will you solve a puzzle or set a position?”

Seeing this, Liu Muxuan and Bai Zijin exchanged delighted, mocking glances. Many in the hall recognized Master Ke’s name. Upon hearing that someone dared set a problem for him, the audience grew lively, all eyes turning to Xu Ye to see what he would do.

“Master Ke, I still choose to set up a position,” Xu Ye replied, scratching his head and smiling.

Upon hearing this, Lin Buyu could only cover her face in despair.

Around them, scholars like Liu Muxuan wore expressions of barely suppressed glee, eager to watch the show.

But Master Ke, instead of growing angrier, seemed suddenly to soften. His eyes showed a hint of admiration. “You know who I am and still insist on your choice. That’s more than can be said for those who bully the weak and fear the strong. Very well, let’s see what problem you’ll set for me!”

He gestured to a table with an empty Go board beside him.

“Then I shall do my best,” Xu Ye replied cheerfully, taking his seat and reaching into the box of black stones.