Chapter 12

“Nine points? You’re quite confident. You must be good at Go.”


“In the Jiegal Family, no one is better at Go than me. Nine points are necessary to make it a fair game. Stop talking and place them.”


The pride in his voice clearly shows he’s an old man with immense pride in his skills. Whether he’s truly the best in the Jiegal Family is uncertain, but he’s definitely no pushover.


I was planning to play a light game to clear my head anyway, so it doesn’t matter how many points he places. No need to provoke this prideful old man and cause a scene.


I pick up a black stone, place it between my thumb and index finger, and flick it onto the board. The black stone lands confidently at the center of the board.


Not nine. Just one. One is enough.


“Wow, what a coincidence. I’m also the best Go player in my family.”


I pull out a piece of jerky from my pocket and bite into it. This arrogant old man dares to underestimate me. I won’t let it slide.


I was going to respect the elderly, but now I’ve changed my mind. It’s time to attack the elderly.


“But~ You don’t know my skills, and I don’t know yours. Does nine points make sense?”


With a look that says, “What the hell is this kid doing?” I raise an eyebrow at the handsome old man and give him a shameless grin.


“Originally, I wouldn’t mind playing even, but since you asked for it, I’ll give you one point. This one point is a sign of respect for my senior.”


“…You insolent brat. Do you know who I am?”


A sharp energy, unlike anything expected from an old man, reaches my neck like a blade. An overwhelming aura. Almost at the level of a master.


His pure white hair, sharp eyes like a hawk’s, and his overall appearance suggest he’s no ordinary person. He must be a martial arts master.


But it’s fine. In terms of strength, I’d obviously be crushed, but right now, we’re facing each other over a Go board.


I grit my teeth, pinch my thigh to stay focused, and force a smile as I push back against the invisible blade.


“Of course, you’re the one playing white. I’m playing black. Enough talk, let’s see who’s the better player.”


Jiegal Yang scans the suddenly appearing shameless brat up and down.


There are only two things I love in this world: martial arts and Go. When I’m not training in martial arts, I play Go, and when I’m not playing Go, I seek out strong opponents to spar with.


Since when did my opponents across the Go board start playing servilely to please me? It’s annoying. Humiliating.


Flattery, sycophancy, factions—I have no interest in such things. Don’t taint Go with your lowly desires. If you don’t intend to win sincerely, don’t even touch the stones.


On the Go board, there are no strong or weak. What matters is subduing your opponent’s stones with your own. In that sense, this insolent brat is acceptable. No manners, but he has fighting spirit.


Seeing such a brazen challenger after so long, Jiegal Yang draws a smile on his lips and plunges into the battlefield of the Go board, wielding the sword of Go stones.


*Tap*


A beautiful garden where fairies might frolic. Yet, the eyes and minds of the two men are solely focused on the square wooden board with lines and dots.


An old pavilion hidden by dazzling flowers. The clear sound of Go stones hitting the board echoes incessantly.


…


…


…


How much time has passed? The pleasant sound of stones tapping the board has stopped. The winner and loser have been decided.


Looking at the board, it’s a crushing victory for Jiegal Yang. But Jiegal Yang, with a stern face, reviews the flow of the game.


He’s definitely got some insolent skill. Defensive at times, but when he sees an opportunity, he attacks fiercely like a flame. It’s only because I won the big game that the board didn’t flip.


Hmm~ But while his skill is impressive, he didn’t learn under a professional Go master from a young age. He’s more of a gambler than a pure Go player. Closer to a Go hustler.


Given his position, he usually plays with dignified people. So, it’s been a long time since he played against someone who genuinely wanted to crush him.


I thought he wasn’t an ordinary kid when he didn’t flinch at my aura, but to have this level of skill is surprising.


“Ughhh!! This is a scam! A scam! Why did I lose there! This is a fake game! A fake game!! One more! Let’s play one more!!”


Hmm… Definitely not an ordinary kid. The way he throws a tantrum is quite vulgar.


The kid, shamelessly throwing a tantrum, is clearly frustrated that he lost after showing off by flicking the stones.


Frustrated… Is he frustrated because he lost to me?


It’s not that I was playing Go alone because no one would play with me. On the contrary, those affiliated with the Jiegal Family would try to play with me to catch my eye.


But their goal isn’t to win or lose but to build connections, so I ignored them and played alone.


Playing against those who don’t intend to win isn’t satisfying. It’s no fun. In that sense, playing against this insolent brat is fun.


Unconsciously, a pleasant smile forms on my lips. Jiegal Yang clears the board for the next game and places four black stones.


“With your skill, playing even is nonsense~ You’re exactly a four-point player.”


Jiegal Yang, enjoying the joy of victory after so long, taunts the loser.


***


Sigh… Damn old man, no wonder your grandchildren don’t want to deal with you. Next time I see you, I won’t let it slide.


Lost in the game, I didn’t realize it was already evening and time for dinner.


When the sun sets, it’s time to stop playing and go home to eat—that’s the rule. So, leaving the annoying old man behind, I returned to my room.


“Jang Sam, food!”


“Ah, yes. I’m preparing it now. But where’s Guhae?”


“…What? Guhae hasn’t come back yet?”


“No. After clearing the trees, she was gone. I thought she went to you, Young Master.”


She’s always punctual for meals and snack times, probably because she grew up hungry. But she didn’t come?


Come to think of it, she usually follows me around like a chick, but I haven’t seen her all day.


Of course, this is the Jiegal Family, and Guhae also bears the Jiegal name, so nothing should have happened. …It shouldn’t have.


“…Eat first. I’ll eat later.”


As I say this and prepare to go out again, Jang Sam grins slyly and teases me.


“Going to look for her? ~How devoted.”


“Shut up.”


Holding my hungry stomach and leaning on my cane, I head out. First, I check the backyard where we last parted near the broken tree.


Nothing but the broken tree stump.


It’s not a thick tree, but she can break it with a punch. She wouldn’t be crying after being beaten by someone.


I move on. Still nothing. I search thoroughly around the guest quarters, but she’s nowhere to be found.


I take a deep breath.


Although she’s a Jiegal, Guhae doesn’t receive the same treatment as the direct or collateral lines, so her possible locations are limited. No need to panic.


…But I need to find her to eat. If I’m going to find her, it’s better to do it quickly.


Using my martial arts secretly to avoid being noticed, I perform light-foot techniques. Guhae, having been bullied, dislikes crowded places. If she’s hiding, she’s likely in the quieter parts of the garden.


It’s early spring, and the temperature is rising, so even a little movement makes me sweat.


I haven’t eaten, and now this trouble. Damn kid. When I find her, I’ll spank her. Even if she cries, I won’t forgive her.


***


I found Guhae. Just as I expected, she was in a secluded part of the garden where people rarely go.


I was going to scold her, but when I saw her, I couldn’t say anything.


Guhae was performing the Gratitude’s Empty Clarity Fist under the pouring moonlight.


The garden with fresh grass. But the grass where Guhae stood was trampled and dug up from countless steps. She was drenched in sweat.


Her body moves. Her fists strike. Sweat droplets glisten in the moonlight.


I was speechless at the foolish and absurd sight.


[Hmm… You’ve learned enough. Now you need to practice on your own. Perform the Gratitude’s Empty Clarity Fist 10,000 times.]


…Are you an idiot? Learn to filter what people say. Why are you following orders so blindly? Why don’t you doubt?


“Stop.”


I intended to speak more kindly, but a colder voice came out than I expected. But whether it’s a kind or cold voice, it doesn’t matter.


My voice didn’t reach her.


Guhae, to complete the 10,000 times I told her, was unconsciously and reflexively moving her exhausted body, performing basic forms.


Her internal energy is depleted. Her stamina is at its limit. Further training is akin to torture. Yet, she doesn’t stop.


“…Stop!”


Anger raises my voice. My fists clench tightly. Who am I really angry at?


The lost anger echoes and reverberates. Still, Guhae doesn’t stop, so I forcibly grab her and make her look at me. I stare into her half-conscious eyes.


At first glance, they resembled an endless blue sea, but now they seem like a calm lake or a clear mirror. Pure eyes.


In those clear eyes, a coward is reflected. The coward who boasted about teaching her everything but ran away when things went beyond expectations.


Seeing my face, a small light returns to Guhae’s eyes. She tries to smile brightly like a puppy seeing its owner but soon lowers her eyes like a guilty child.


“…Sorry. I haven’t reached 10,000 yet.”


“…It’s okay.”


My trembling tone must have sounded different. Guhae’s eyes waver.


“I, I can do it! I’ll do it! So… so… don’t hate me.”


I clench my fists. To maintain a calm voice and a confident, shameless expression, I squeeze my heart.


“…The 10,000 was a test. Yeah, a test to see your perseverance. You passed. I didn’t think you’d really pass~ You’re amazing. …Amazing.”


I reach out and gently stroke Guhae’s head. Feeling the warmth of my hand, Guhae, still uneasy, mumbles again.


“…Really?”


“Really.”


“…That’s a relief.”


Guhae collapses into my arms and falls asleep as if fainting. Or maybe she really fainted. Either way, I carefully look down at her in my arms.


Her small, fragile body. Her cheeks still chubby and soft. Baby cheeks. In every way, she’s just an ordinary child.