The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

The moment Long Yan saw this move, his expression changed. He stared at the chessboard, his finger hovering in mid-air, not falling for a long time.

"I lost."

Then, he slowly put the chess pieces back into the chess basket and lowered his head in frustration.

Chu Ying floated above the chessboard, looking at her opponent, a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or nostalgia) welling up within her, letting time relay her words—

"It's been a long time since I've encountered a player as skilled as you, so I've been trying to draw out your moves while waiting for an opportunity to counter them. But this game concerns the honor of the dojo, so I absolutely cannot lose."

After listening, Long Yan remained silent for a moment, then smiled with relief.

"I see, thank you for your guidance."

Shi Guang looked at Long Yan, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Are you a professional Go player?"

Long Yan shook his head without explaining.

"Impossible, he's lying to you. With his skill level, he's more than qualified to become a professional player."

Shi Guang didn't reply immediately, but instead looked intently at Long Yan's expression: "That's not right. I think you're better than many professional Go players."

Long Yan's expression dimmed for a moment, as if something sore spot had been touched.

"What's wrong?"

Long Yan was silent for a few seconds, then said in a low voice, "I'm an amateur Go player, and my profession is a painter. My life consists only of work and Go. By the time I realized I was pretty good at Go, I was already past the age to apply for the professional ranking tournament."

"I can only play amateur Go games. I've played tens of thousands of games online, but I can't become a professional Go player like you guys." Ryuhiko raised his head, looking at the clock. "Why is it that I play so well but can't become a professional Go player, while others have the opportunity but waste their youth in the dojo?"

"At first, I was just jealous, but later, I started to envy you. I know that the name Ryuhiko will never appear on the list of professional Go players. So I had no choice but to go to various Go academies to challenge them, to prove that I am just like you. I have been to this place that I have always dreamed of."

Shi Guang paused for a moment after hearing this, then realized, "So you're here to challenge us? You didn't say that at the entrance..."

Long Yan scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "I heard that Zhang Rui, a 9-dan player, is here. I actually really wanted to play a game with him."

"But I'm at peace with losing to you just now. It turns out there really are many young and talented players in this dojo. I have no regrets." Long Yan stood up, dusted off his pants, and said, "Now I can go back to work with peace of mind. I won't worry about whether I'm a professional or amateur anymore. As long as I can play Go, I'm already happy. Time, I will remember your name."

Shi Guang opened his mouth, as if to say something, but Chu Ying's voice rang in his heart first—

"I will remember you too, Ryuhiko, a true Go player."

Just then, Ban Heng's voice came from the other end of the corridor: "Since you're here, why not just stay?"

Long Yan was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"You must be Long Yan. The game just now was very exciting." Ban Heng pushed up his glasses. "Zhang Rui mentioned you to me, saying there's a player named Long Yan online who plays chess quite well, but I really didn't expect him to play this well."

Long Yan's expression was somewhat complicated. He hadn't expected that the undefeated legend would actually know his name.

"Come sit in my office, let's talk?"

In the office, Ban Heng poured Long Yan a cup of tea.

Long Yan sat in the chair, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Don't be nervous, I'm a teacher at the dojo, my name is Ban Heng." Ban Heng smiled, "I stopped you just now for no other reason than to ask you what your plans are for the future?"

"Plans?" Long Yan thought for a moment, "Go back and paint it. What else could I be planning?"

"What about Go?"

"I'll log off when I have time, otherwise it's fine."

Ban Heng was silent for a moment, then said, "Long Yan, have you ever thought about staying at the dojo?"

Long Yan was stunned: "What do you mean?"

"The dojo needs sparring partners. Those aspiring young players who are aiming for professional ranks are limited in their progress because they play against people of similar skill levels every day. If they had a player like you as their opponent, it would be a great help to them."

Long Yan opened his mouth, somewhat incredulous: "You mean... you want me to come to the dojo as a sparring partner?"

"Yes." Ban Heng nodded. "Of course, it's not free work. The dojo will pay you a salary, and provide room and board. You won't have to paint anymore; you'll just play chess, review games, and train with the students every day."

Long Yan lowered his head and looked at his hands, which were calloused from being rubbed by brushes and rollers.

I've been playing chess for over ten years. I've played it on construction sites, in rented rooms, in internet cafes, and anywhere I can find a chessboard.

But he never imagined that one day he could make a living by playing chess.

"But... I'm too old to achieve a professional ranking, I can't become a professional Go player..."

"So what?" Ban Heng pushed up his glasses. "Go isn't just for professional players. You can learn, play, and enjoy Go at a Go school. You don't necessarily have to become a professional player to prove you love Go."

Long Yan's eyes reddened.

He recalled when he went to register at the chess academy, someone said, "Didn't you see the rules say that you're only eligible to apply if you're under eighteen? How old are you? Twenty-four, are you kidding me?"

He recalled the various temples, large and small, he had visited...

Just minutes ago, he decided to let go of his obsession and work honestly from now on.

But now, someone is telling him: You can stay at the dojo.

Although he is not a professional Go player, that's enough for him.

"I..." Long Yan took a deep breath, "I'm willing."

Ban Heng smiled: "Then starting tomorrow, you'll be staying at the temple. Bedding and everything else will be provided."

"Thank you, Teacher Ban." Long Yan stood up and bowed deeply.

Ban Heng waved his hand: "Don't thank me, thank yourself. If you weren't so good at chess, we wouldn't know you."

Long Yan paused for a moment, then nodded.

And so, Long Yan stayed at the Yi Jianghu Dojo.

The work is not complicated—I play chess with a group of students every day, one game per person, taking turns.

His playing style is unconventional and doesn't follow the rules, which perfectly compensates for the fixed mindset that students have developed during their long-term training at the dojo.

The group of students were initially a little unconvinced. The last person to spar with them was Yu Xiaoyang's son, a 9-dan professional painter. Why should he be their sparring partner?

But after a few rounds, no one gossiped anymore.

Because Ryuhiko is indeed strong.

His chess possesses a wild, unrestrained power that makes him impossible to defend against.

Upon hearing this, Hong He sighed, "In this world, how many talented people are buried because they lack opportunities?"

Shiguang was silent for a moment, then said, "But at least, Longyan now has a chance."

"That's true."