I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 206: Shen Yi Who Seems to Have Mastered Modern Joseki

Not long after, the two referees finally arrived at the game room.

When they saw the crowd gathered around Table 5, their expressions showed no surprise. They had already anticipated this scene after looking at today’s match schedule.

Though Su Yiming had joined the competition halfway through, his continuous victories had brought him to face stronger opponents. His current score had finally started to match him against formidable players!

Before, Su Yiming had somehow defeated Dou Yiming, but no one paid much attention to that match. Because of this, today’s game was bound to draw the attention of all the players.

At seventeen, there were indeed players who had already fought against 6-dan opponents, and even at the Yingjiao Cup, those prodigies who had hopes of winning had impressive records, including victories over 9-dan players!

However, the issue was that they had started at twelve or thirteen, getting their ranks early, and only by honing their skills over the years had they reached their current level.

But Su Yiming had only just attained his dan rank this year!

What’s more, there wasn’t just Su Yiming... there was also Yu Shao!

This year had been simply extraordinary. Could it be that two first-dan players really had a chance to make it to the Yingjiao Cup finals?

The two referees couldn’t help but exchange a glance, silently acknowledging their shared thoughts.

After a moment, one of the referees checked his watch, collected his thoughts, and spoke, "The time is up."

"The game time is two hours per player, with a one-minute overtime. Black gives 7.5 points komi. We can now begin determining the first move."

Upon hearing this, He Yu took a deep breath, extended his hand into the Go box, and grabbed a handful of white stones. At the same time, Su Yiming quickly picked out two black stones and placed them on the board.

"Two, four, six..."

He Yu was counting the pieces, his mind racing.

Although he had anticipated that one day, Su Yiming and Yu Shao would sit across from him, it still felt overwhelming when that day actually came.

He couldn’t help but recall the rainy night when the last game ended, the time he called Sheng Ziyan and said, "No matter if I play as black or white, I’ll lose this game."

Now, he had reached 6-dan, and today, he would personally test that prediction.

Soon, after counting the pieces, He Yu raised his head and, while arranging the pieces, said, "Fifteen, I’ll play white."

Su Yiming nodded, placed the black stones back into the box, and bowed slightly, saying, "Please, be kind."

"Please, be kind."

He Yu lowered his head and returned the bow.

The game had begun.

Su Yiming stared at the board, quickly extending his hand into the Go box to pick a piece, and gently placed it down.

Tap!

Column 16, Row 4, Star Point!

As soon as the black piece landed, He Yu felt a heavy pressure. He took a deep breath.

"Well, it’s like they say..."

He Yu grabbed another piece from the box and quickly dropped it onto the board.

"But now that we’re actually playing, let's see how strong your skills are."

Tap!

Column 4, Row 4, Star Point!

The two players continued placing their pieces, and the sound of pieces hitting the board kept echoing.

Among the crowd, Le Haoxiang, watching the game, silently thought, "He Yu’s 6-dan skill is slightly stronger than Dou Yiming’s. If Su Yiming can’t defeat He Yu, then he’s not worth paying attention to."

"But if he can win... then we’ll have to seriously reconsider his potential threat."

Le Haoxiang frowned slightly. "There are only three spots available in each region for the Yingjiao Cup finals, so we need to fully assess his strength."

The pieces on the board kept falling.

Now, it was Su Yiming’s turn again.

Su Yiming stared at the board, thought for a moment, and quickly grabbed another piece from the Go box, placing it down with speed!

Tap!

Column 8, Row 13, Jump!

"Hmm? Here... not following the standard joseki, but going for a tenuki move?"

Seeing this move, Le Haoxiang was slightly stunned.

He Yu was also momentarily caught off guard. After thinking for a moment, he regained his focus, grabbed another white stone from the box, and gently placed it down.

Tap!

Column 8, Row 14, Extend!

Su Yiming immediately picked up another piece and placed it once again!

Tap!

Column 5, Row 12, Clamp!

"Directly clamping over... He wants to attack my unstable white stones on the right."

He Yu scrutinized the board, his brow furrowing slightly.

After a moment, he reached into the box again, grabbed a white stone, and placed it on the board.

"I can’t follow black’s rhythm. I need to directly attack his eye space, cut off the connections between his stones, and engage in a fight!"

Tap!

Column 3, Row 12, Point!

"Click!"

The moment the white stone landed, Su Yiming immediately grabbed a black stone from the box and placed it down again.

Tap!

Column 8, Row 14, Attach!

"Attach?"

He Yu suddenly raised his gaze and looked at the board. He didn’t respond to the black stone’s move, and was caught off guard by how assertive the black stones had become. The black pieces weren’t yielding an inch!

As the pieces landed on the board, the game, which had been subtle and restrained, suddenly erupted, like a concealed blade now exposed, and a tidal wave of tension flooded the board!

This move stunned not only He Yu but everyone else around, their expressions changing drastically!

"The white stone’s point directly challenges the black stone’s life and death!"

Le Haoxiang also widened his eyes in disbelief.

"With the white stone threatening the black eye space, if black doesn’t respond with a defensive move, the position will show weakness and flaws. With the white stones’ fierce attack, black might not even survive!"

"He actually... didn’t respond to the white stone’s move? This means the black stones on the side will be left isolated. Is he so confident he can live through this and build a large, solid territory?"

The next moment, He Yu quickly picked a white stone from the box and placed it down!

Tap!

Column 5, Row 10, Press!

Su Yiming immediately picked up a black stone and placed it down as well!

Tap!

The pieces were falling quickly now, and every move seemed to radiate a sense of deadly intent.

In response to the black stone’s tough answer, the white stones immediately launched a fierce attack on the black stones’ weak spots, while the black stones began expanding their influence in the center, and the game had now become a pure power struggle!

The crowd couldn’t help but hold their breath, their eyes fixed on the game.

Soon, both players had made several moves.

"The black stones still haven’t fully enclosed the center!"

With a sharp click, He Yu once again reached into the box and grabbed another white stone.

"Meanwhile, on the left, the black stones are already on the verge of collapse. Once I push forward and attack these black stones, I can invade their territory, causing a major breakthrough for white!"

Tap!

Column 1, Row 15, Invasion!

On the other side, Su Yiming also placed his next piece.

Tap!

Column 2, Row 13, Peep!

"A maneuver move?"

Seeing this play, He Yu’s pupils contracted sharply. He hadn’t expected this at all.

Not only He Yu but the entire surrounding crowd was now staring at that single black stone on the board, unable to look away.

The white stones were making a brutal push, and this move forced the black stones to respond aggressively. But... black’s counterattack was so bold and daring, threatening the white stones with a huge sacrifice. It forced the white stones to hesitate and respond carefully, all while the black stones stalled their own weaknesses.

The black stones on the left now had a bit more breathing room!

He Yu couldn’t help but clench his left fist. After a moment, he reached into the box again, quickly placing his stone.

Tap!

Column 4, Row 12, Attach!

Su Yiming grabbed another black stone and placed it immediately after the white stone.

He Yu’s forehead was now covered in tiny beads of sweat. He reached into the box once more and dropped his stone with great speed!

Tap! Tap! Tap!

The pieces continued to fall rapidly onto the board.

"How... How is this possible?"

Le Haoxiang, even as a spectator, had sweat appearing on his face. He stared at the board in disbelief.

"The black stones were supposed to simply live on the left side, then move to build up the central territory and balance the game with the white stones. But..."

"But even though the black stones are still in a precarious position, the white stones, no matter what they try, just can’t seem to break through this high wall!"

"Even more..."

At this moment, Su Yiming quickly picked up another black stone and lightly placed it down.

Tap!

Column 7, Row 5, Turn!

Seeing this move, Le Haoxiang’s breath caught in his throat. He realized his previous predictions had already come to pass!

"The black stones are about to counterattack!"

He Yu’s expression also changed in an instant upon seeing this move. He could feel the sharpness of the black stone, like a dagger, targeting the vital point of the white stones!

The black stones were now preparing to sever the white stones' connection!

"A counterattack..." He Yu stared blankly at the board.

At this point, the situation was clear: He Yu had gained nothing in his attack on the left side, but the black stones in the center were starting to take shape!

A moment later, He Yu clenched his teeth, grabbing another white stone from the box.

Tap!

Column 12, Row 13, Point!

"White stones are making a last-ditch effort, deciding to invade the center and force a life-and-death fight!"

Everyone could see He Yu’s intentions. This move was a desperate one—directly charging into black’s territory, hoping to disrupt the black stones’ formation and engage in a battle.

This was the white stones' final gamble!

"Point, huh..."

Su Yiming looked at the board and quickly picked another piece from the box, placing it down with calm precision.

Tap!

Column 13, Row 10, Small Knight’s Move!

The pieces kept falling, one after another.

Time passed with each move, and the surrounding audience grew quieter, their breaths held, only interrupted by the occasional sound of someone swallowing nervously.

After a long while, Su Yiming picked up another black stone and placed it carefully.

Tap!

Column 10, Row 14, Jump!

"The endgame..."

Seeing this move, Le Haoxiang froze, realizing that the outcome of the game had already become clear.

The once-still crowd now seemed even quieter, all eyes fixed on the board.

This move sealed the fate of the white stones as they were completely overwhelmed by the black stones in the center. The white pieces had been completely wiped out!

In this game, the black stones had only surrounded a small area, and... they had captured a dragon.

"I lost."

After a long silence, He Yu finally lowered his head and spoke.

Su Yiming immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for the lesson."

"Thank you for the lesson."

He Yu also bowed his head in return.

Once they finished their formalities, Su Yiming extended his hand, preparing to begin tidying up the pieces.

"Unbelievable..."

At this moment, He Yu suddenly spoke up.

He paused for a moment, staring at the board, and then continued, "It’s just... like Shen Yi, who has learned the modern joseki..."

Su Yiming’s hand, which had been reaching for the pieces, froze.