Chapter 1014: Come Play Chess Quickly

Chapter 1004: Come Play Chess

Wan Qifeng remained silent, but he did indeed slow his attacks later.

He was now helping He Lingchuan deal with Yu Zecheng, primarily to accumulate some credit and goodwill for his future negotiations with He Lingchuan.

With his deliberate easing and the drawn-out exchange, more than two quarter hours passed, and Yu Zecheng grew increasingly anxious.

He suddenly announced to He Lingchuan, "I need to visit the facilities." Then he headed upstairs.

Not allowing him to relieve himself would be too insulting. He Lingchuan repeatedly said "Please" and gestured for everyone not to stop him.

In any case, the battle in eastern Suoding Island had already concluded, so Yu Zecheng's attempt to direct things from upstairs at this point would be too late.

Yu Zecheng went upstairs, closed the door, and looked at the tray again. He dipped his finger in a bit of water and wrote: "Battle status?"

After all this time, the battle to apprehend Zhu Erniang should have concluded, right? Yet, he was stuck playing chess downstairs, which was truly vexing.

But he waited a moment, and there was no reaction on the tray. The water marks remained just water marks; the two characters were still there, unchanged.

Yu Zecheng's heart sank.

Even if the team's hunt failed, they should have sent some kind of signal during their retreat.

Eastern Suoding Island was some distance away, and with the hurricane hindering travel, they couldn't possibly arrive within two or three quarter hours. Could it be?

The phrase "utter annihilation" had just surfaced in his mind, but he immediately dismissed it. Impossible, absolutely impossible!

How could someone named He have such power? How could the Cave Spider Queen and her offspring alone possess such strength? Oh, and it was said He Xiao could also summon Yin Vipers, but after such monsters came ashore, they couldn't play a significant role in a battle of this scale.

What exactly went wrong?

He dipped his finger in water and wrote several more times, but his messages vanished as if a mud ox had entered the sea, receiving no response.

Half an incense stick's worth of time passed, and then a tapping sound came from the wooden door. "Mr. Yu?"

He Xiao's subordinate was urging him.

Just as Yu Zecheng was about to leave, the water marks on the tray suddenly coalesced rapidly. A message! Yu Zecheng's spirits lifted, and he saw a few large characters clearly appear on the tray, with sharp, distinct strokes—"Come play chess."

At that instant, Yu Zecheng froze.

Downstairs, Wan Qifeng saw He Lingchuan take out a mirror. He Lingchuan first used it to check his appearance, straightening his clothes and tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, then he wrote and drew on its surface with his finger, finally unable to suppress a smile.

A few breaths later, the guest room door upstairs creaked open, and Yu Zecheng walked out, staring fixedly at He Lingchuan.

Wan Qifeng noticed his face was ashen, and his eyes seemed to be on fire.

How did he end up like this after just going in and coming out?

He Lingchuan waved the mirror in his hand towards upstairs, smiling brightly, "Mr. Yu, please come down quickly; this game isn't finished yet."

To Yu Zecheng, that smile was utterly blinding. His gaze was strange, and his lips were pressed into a thin line.

After a long while, he finally said, "I'm not playing anymore! He Xiao, come up here, let's speak plainly." If the chessboard were on a table, he would have flipped it over then and there!

"Not playing anymore?" He Lingchuan looked at the chessboard, a little regretful. "So, Mr. Yu is conceding?"

Yu Zecheng said grimly, "Are you so eager to win?"

"Look at you," He Lingchuan chuckled. "Since a game has begun, there must be an outcome; and if there's an outcome, there must be a winner and a loser."

He looked at Wan Qifeng, "Who do you think will win or lose this round in the end?"

Wan Qifeng had an idea. He picked up the black pieces and made two moves, then picked up the white pieces and made three moves, and then said, "Without a doubt, Island Master He has won."

He demonstrated the best next few moves for both sides, and the onlookers around him nodded in agreement, clicking their tongues: "Exactly, the best moves for Black are these two." "Even so, it's beyond saving." "It's a definite loss. White pieces are almost gone; Black definitely won't make it in time."

"Alright, this round is over." He Lingchuan raised a hand in satisfaction, and the waiters from Nuanxiang Restaurant immediately came forward to reset the pieces and wipe the board.

"If any chess enthusiasts are itching to play, feel free to try it out." He Lingchuan first greeted the surrounding guests warmly, then turned to Yu Zecheng upstairs and said, "I'm starving. I haven't had a drop of water or a grain of rice all day; my stomach's practically glued to my back. Mr. Yu, how about we discuss things over a meal?"

Wan Qifeng stepped forward, "Island Master He..." After playing chess, they still wanted to eat? Were these two never going to finish? When would he ever get a chance to speak with Island Master He? His four hundred clansmen were still outside, braving the wind and rain.

"You did well! There are things to be punished for, but also merits to be rewarded. Your reward is to eat with us." He Lingchuan grabbed his arm and, without explanation, began walking towards the back of the hall.

Although the two stood close, Wan Qifeng watched He Lingchuan reach out to grab him but found he couldn't dodge! He instinctively struggled, but He Lingchuan's five fingers, like steel bars, were already clamped around the inside of his arm. At the same time, he tilted his head back slightly and said to Yu Zecheng, "Mr. Yu, please!"

Wan Qifeng was startled. Island Master He's cultivation was truly formidable?

In fact, earlier, he had entertained the thought of approaching He Lingchuan and taking him hostage. After all, he had been on the island for several months, and everyone said Qiu Hu was a better fighter than Island Master He. Now, however, he was glad he hadn't acted rashly; otherwise, the situation would have been much worse.

The several guards standing on the second-floor balcony immediately stepped forward upon hearing the sound.

Given this display, Yu Zecheng had no choice but to go downstairs; after all, he was standing on their territory.

Seeing He Lingchuan had already turned and walked forward, he snorted and strode downstairs.

The game was over, and the people were leaving. Seeing there was no more excitement, the guests of Nuanxiang Restaurant dispersed one by one.

Only then did Wang Xingyi's plainclothes bodyguard stand up, pay for his tea, and leave Nuanxiang Restaurant to report his observations to his master.

Passing through Nuanxiang Restaurant's back hall and then a courtyard corridor led to the dining room.

Nuanxiang Restaurant's dining area not only had a main hall and private rooms, but would eventually also feature dedicated elegant reception buildings for refined guests to dine in quiet privacy. But that was for the future.

For now, He Lingchuan could only entertain distinguished guests in the existing private rooms. As soon as he, Wan Qifeng, and Yu Zecheng walked in, a dozen or so guards stepped forward to position themselves around the private room, keeping idlers away.

The conversation inside was too important; not a single word could be leaked.

Once inside the private room, He Lingchuan pointed to a nearby chair and simply said "Sit" to Wan Qifeng. The latter hesitated but sat down.

Yu Zecheng strode in and immediately took the offensive: "He Xiao, you've caused a huge problem."

Everyone present understood his unspoken meaning: Beijia would never let this go!

He Lingchuan wasn't easily intimidated. He found a chair for himself and sat directly opposite Yu Zecheng. "That's very thoughtful of you, Mr. Yu, but you don't need to worry about me. You should prioritize your own pressing matters first. Come, please have a seat."

He gestured towards another chair, inviting Yu Zecheng. Yu Zecheng snorted and sat down heavily, with an air of importance.

Delicious dishes were immediately served, flowing in continuously. Three plates of mountain delicacies, three plates of seafood—all excellent ingredients.

With outsiders present, Yu Zecheng found it difficult to speak, as the topics they needed to discuss were somewhat shameful.