The Way of the Blind Girl Chess Saint

Standing in a conspicuous spot in the crowd, the members of Beaver Middle School looked extremely grim. Only they knew that their school's former captain, Lian Hezhou, had withdrawn from the Go club and even cut off all contact with the outside world.

Seriously, stop joking!!!

Jiang Gu, the new captain of Beaver Middle School, clenched his fists with gritted teeth. Even He Zhou, that guy, actually gave up playing Go because of that childish bet. Don't be ridiculous.

Although he was always jealous of Lian Hezhou's talent, even though he had the skill of a veteran amateur fourth dan, he was always overshadowed by the fifth dan Lian Hezhou. If he transferred to another middle school, he would definitely be able to easily get the captain's position.

However... as long as he cooperates with Lian Hezhou, he can easily obtain a regional qualification spot. Jiang Gu is also aware of this, which is why he has been suppressing his jealousy.

Compared to the hope of reaching a global league and attracting the attention of major Go clubs, this personal jealousy is nothing.

But... that guy Lian Hezhou actually chose to give up Go at such a crucial moment?!

Jiang Gu gritted his teeth fiercely, his somewhat ferocious expression quite incongruous with his simple, medium-length royal blue hair and boyish appearance.

"This is bad. Although I consider the other high schools to be nothing more than ants, and even without He Zhou, I'm confident I can crush their captain, but..."

Jiang Gu slowly raised his gaze and looked at a group of chess players wearing white school uniforms.

There stood a young boy with a blank expression and a black watermelon-shaped haircut. In an instant, he seemed to notice my gaze, and his dark eyes slowly turned towards me.

He immediately lowered his head, and then Jiang Gu shook his head painfully and said in a low voice, his expression gradually becoming somewhat complicated.

"Impossible. His chess skills are too dangerous. Even that bastard Lian Hezhou lost so badly. There's no way I can beat him. Our chances of winning against Bailu Middle School are extremely low."

Although I missed last week's training camp due to other commitments, and was only a substitute from our Beaver Middle School... I have already reviewed and analyzed that game.

Although I hate to admit it, from that post-game analysis, from the black and white sides of that game...

……

They... have already taken a step into the realm of professional Go players...

"Beaver Middle School, Beaver Middle School? Has Beaver Middle School not arrived yet?" the referee urged.

Before they knew it, the draw for the Huangyue City Junior High School League had begun, and Jiang Gu frowned, looking somewhat dazed.

"Hey, Commander, hurry up and draw lots..." A member of Beaver Middle School urged, but the blue-haired boy just stood there blankly.

"Beaver Middle School, Beaver Middle School"

"No!! At this rate, we'll never get a regional spot!! We absolutely cannot let the hard work of our predecessors be ruined in our year!!"

Jiang Gu snapped out of his thoughts, a bead of sweat sliding down his forehead, and then... right before the astonished eyes of all the members of Beaver Middle School.

The next second, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice trembling slightly as he said, "Chen Yang... you'll be the commander, you... go up and draw lots..."

"Jiang Gu, are you kidding me? You've been dreaming about this commander-in-chief position day and night...? What are you thinking now? Have you gone mad like Lian Hezhou?"

The vice-general of Beaver Middle School immediately roared at him.

As for Chen Yang, whom Jiang Gu just mentioned, he is the weakest player in Go at Beaver Middle School... a substitute.

Jiang Gu slowly widened his eyes. "I'm not crazy. I just want Beaver Middle School to qualify for the regional finals. So, Chen Yang will be the captain, I'll be the vice-captain, and everyone else will move to the back of the table."

That's right... Only in this way... can we hope to get first place.

Because, in the face of the qualifying spots for Aragetsu City.

As a regional power, the strategy of "Tian Ji's horse racing" that disregards the dignity of a king and my personal pride is simply... insignificant.

Chapter 35: Goal, Career!

"Alright, let's have dinner here. It's on me, the club president!"

"Is it a buffet? To celebrate the victory?"

"Yes, to celebrate our victory in the first round!! Oh, and don't be late for the second round tomorrow!"

Wang Xi led everyone into the restaurant, and with a smile, she tossed her long, light blonde curly hair as she spoke, seemingly in a good mood.

"I heard there are competitions in junior high school, and if you get a certain ranking in a competition, you can get extra points on the high school entrance exam. That's why you're in such a good mood, President Wang Xi, even though you're already in your final year of junior high."

After randomly finding a seat, Zhao Xiao adjusted his black glasses and said...

"Mmm," Wang Xi nodded happily.

"Yeah, but we should at least wait until we make it to the top eight before we can talk about bonus points, right? I hope we don't encounter any too strong opponents along the way. Bonus points for the high school entrance exam... that's great, it seems like we get quite a few bonus points," Lin Hao said with his hands behind his head, somewhat envious.

"Bonus points for the high school entrance exam? Haven't the seniors ever considered becoming professional Go players?" Xin Yufei asked, tilting her head as she listened from the side.

"A professional Go player? That goal is too far-fetched. Perhaps Senior Ji Yingting would have a chance to become a professional Go player. After all, even the captains of the top schools in Huangyue City were defeated by her."

Lin Hao shook his head and secretly glanced at Ji Yingting sitting opposite him.

"Apart from Sakuraba-senpai, we're all just ordinary people with no talent in Go."

“Yes, Sakuraba is very strong, but Go is probably just a hobby for you, right? You won’t become a professional Go player, will you?” Wang Xi turned to ask Ji Sakuraba.

Ok?

Ji Yingting did not reply. She lowered her head, and her long, bluish-green hair gradually fell down to her cheeks, obscuring her face.

Professional Go player... What a familiar title. It seems like it's been a long time since anyone called me that...

It's been almost 15 years, no, it might just be a short month.

But it always feels like so much time has passed.

Ultimately, how could Go be just a hobby of mine...?

What kind of skill do professional Go players of this era possess?

What exactly is their strategy?

Is it very strong? Or very weak...?

Somehow, I always had a feeling...

The realm of professional Go players is calling to me; it has been waiting for me for a long time. I…

Ji Yingting slowly raised her head, tossed her long, light green hair, and smiled with narrowed eyes, "I want to become a professional Go player!!"

……

……

After a long silence, their eyes held not only surprise but also a hint of relief.

"Ah, so Ji Yingting, you really want to become a professional Go player! I thought you wanted to be a star after graduation!"

"Oh, celebrities? How could that be?" Ji Yingting quickly waved her hand, hastily denying it.

"I see. So, Senior Sakuraba has always aimed to become a professional Go player? So, for Senior Wang Xi and the others, Go is just a hobby?" Xin Yufei said in a low voice.

She simply wanted to become stronger, but she had never thought about such a serious question.

Becoming a professional Go player presents numerous obstacles.

It's not just about talent, but also about hard work.

Becoming a professional Go player means giving up their studies, and even dedicating their entire lives to the world of Go.

Will my parents agree? Will my relatives approve? Do I have enough talent? Can I put in more effort than others?

Such an important matter is too much of a burden for us children... I... find it hard to say it.

But Sakuraba-senpai could so easily... happily laugh... and say that she wanted to become a professional Go player, she...

Although... I am in the same Go club as senior Wang Xi, senior Zhao Xiao, senior Lin Hao, and senior Sakuraba.

But I only realized today... that Go is completely different for them.

Xin Yufei gritted her teeth with a complicated expression.

For others, it's simply out of interest, or because they think it can boost their scores on the high school entrance exam.

But for Sakuraba-senpai, Go was more than just a hobby...

Go, perhaps, is her...life, her dream.

Senior Ji Yingting, she must have made up her mind a long time ago, perhaps... a long time ago, even before I could comprehend it.

That's why she can say with a smile, "I want to become a professional Go player."

Xin Yufei clenched her hands tightly, her body trembling slightly.

"Yufei? What's wrong? Go get your food. I'll get Sakuraba's portion," Wang Xi patted Xin Yufei on the shoulder.

"Ah, I'd like something light, and I'd like beef too," Ji Yingting raised her hand.

Oh no, what am I hesitating about...?

Didn't I already decide a long time ago that I would follow in Sakuraba-senpai's footsteps forever? What am I afraid of?

Xin Yufei slightly opened her mouth, "I..."

"Ok?"

"I want to become a professional Go player too!! Just like Senior Ji Yingting!!"

Xin Yufei, with her shoulders slumped, suddenly shouted loudly, and in an instant, her voice echoed throughout the entire restaurant.

"Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey!!!" Startled by her sudden shout at close range, Wang Xi took a few steps back, somewhat dazed.

"...Are you serious?" Zhao Xiao's black glasses fell onto the table.

"Hey, you're not really thinking about this, are you? Are you kidding me?" Lin Hao stared at Xin Yufei, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The surrounding guests all turned around and stared at her with some confusion.

"Ahhh, okay, okay, let's go get the food! Yufei, even if you really want to become a professional, don't shout so loudly! You really scared me just now!" Wang Xi immediately made several apologetic gestures to the guests around her.

"Ah, sorry! My voice was a little too loud." Xin Yufei realized her mistake and blushed slightly as she shrank back.

Feeling embarrassed to stay any longer, Lin Hao and the others hurriedly went out to get their food.

"Well……"

"Hahaha, Yufei, the way you yelled just now was so funny!" Ji Yingting suddenly sat down and laughed.

Hey?

Xin Yufei was slightly stunned when she saw Ji Yingting's smile.