I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 230: White, Not Going for the Kill?

Faced with White’s fierce peep, Qin Lang did not immediately respond.

Instead, he entered a long contemplation.

This was indeed a critical decision point for Black—one that warranted careful consideration.

White’s peep was an extremely aggressive move, and how the game unfolded from here depended entirely on Black’s response.

If Black ignored White’s peep and instead attacked White’s extension, the board would instantly erupt into a violent battle—both sides would be locked in a deadly fight, where neither could retreat!

After 10 Minutes

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Qin Lang finally picked up a stone and slowly placed it down.

Tap!

Row 4, Column 5—Connect!

In the broadcast studio, Zeng Chenlu’s expression froze in shock.

"Qin Lang, 6-dan… backed down?!"

The move itself wasn’t difficult to understand, but the fact that Qin Lang played it made it almost unbelievable.

After all, in the previous rounds, Qin Lang had displayed an extremely aggressive style, fearlessly plunging himself into dangerous positions—only to counterattack and survive through sheer force.

So, logically, Zeng Chenlu had expected Qin Lang to ignore the peep and engage White in an all-out brawl.

But instead—

He chose to defend.

To reinforce.

A move that appeared to be… a compromise?

"No, this is not a compromise."

Just then, Zhu Huai’an suddenly spoke up.

His voice was calm but firm.

"If anything, this is a head-on challenge!"

Zeng Chenlu paused, turning to look at him.

Zhu Huai’an’s gaze remained locked on the big screen, not even looking away as he continued:

"By choosing to defend, Qin Lang is waiting and watching."

"At first glance, it seems like he’s backing down, avoiding the risk of a direct fight…"

"But in reality, it’s the opposite."

"This connect tells us one thing—Qin Lang has no intention of overextending. He’s calculating carefully, avoiding reckless fights, and playing with absolute focus. He is here to win."

Zeng Chenlu took a deep breath and studied the board again.

It was true.

White’s peep had threatened the life of Black’s outer influence.

But now, with this one defensive move, Black’s outer influence was solidified—like an impenetrable fortress.

If White wanted to continue attacking, it would now be several times more difficult.

Sometimes, the best defense is a strong offense.

But at the same time—

The best offense can also be a powerful defense.

Big Screen Update

White played again.

Row 5, Column 7—Jump!

"A jump!"

Zeng Chenlu’s eyes widened.

"This is insane—"

"Even though Black’s outer influence is now reinforced, White just jumped forward and stole Black’s eye space!"

"White is still trying to kill Black!"

Inside the Handtalk Room

Although Zeng Chenlu was in the broadcast studio, he could feel the tension in the Handtalk Room through the screen.

White’s latest move had just snatched a critical point—completely denying Black the chance to form an eye.

There was no room to breathe.

Now, Black had no escape.

Qin Lang could only fight to the death.

But at the same time—

White was also taking a huge risk.

By going all-in to kill Black’s group, White had committed himself fully to the battle.

There was no turning back now.

This was it.

The final fight had begun.

Inside the Handtalk Room

The sounds of stones landing echoed continuously.

Tap, tap, tap!

Qin Lang’s hand moved rapidly—

Reaching into the bowl, grabbing a stone, placing it down swiftly.

Meanwhile, Yu Shao was just as fast, his stones falling with lightning speed.

"Their precision is incredible!"

At the notation table, the female recorder kept shifting her gaze between the board and the computer screen, documenting every move.

But as the game continued, she could feel an enormous gap between herself and these two players.

"Their understanding of influence and territory is on another level…"

From the moment White launched the attack,

Every single move had been a direct strike to the opponent’s weakest point.

Neither player gave the other even a moment to breathe.

They were both fighting for sente, forcing their opponent into immediate responses.

Even in such a chaotic, complex position, they weren’t hesitating—

And every move they played was beyond her expectations.

There were some moves she only began to understand now.

Some she partially understood.

And some…

She still had no idea why they were played.

"How can they play like this?"

For the first time, the thought crossed her mind—

"I’m still too weak."

At the Referee Table

The two referees watching the board felt the same way.

The game had become so complex that even they struggled to keep up.

Qin Lang’s Turn

Qin Lang studied the board.

Then, after a brief moment of thought—

He reached into the bowl, picked up a stone, and played.

Tap!

Row 10, Column 7—Hane!

"Hane at this spot?"

Once again, Qin Lang’s move took everyone by surprise.

They stared at the board, trying to process the meaning behind this move.

But before they could figure it out—

Click!

A crisp sound echoed in the silent Handtalk Room.

Yu Shao had already made his move.

He picked up a white stone—

And placed it down.

Tap!

Tap!

Row 10, Column 6—Block!

Review Room

At the Review Room, Le Haoqiang and the others were following the live game, placing stones on their own board in sync with the broadcast.

At this moment, everyone stared at the board, visibly shaken.

"As expected of Jiang Xing… He’s ridiculously strong!"

Zhou Wei kept placing stones rapidly, his voice deep and steady:

"I originally thought Black would naturally extend at this point—but Qin Lang went straight for a hane!"

"If White hadn’t noticed and responded with a Tiger’s Mouth, then in just eight moves, Black could have infiltrated White’s side territory!"

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

None of them had seen this hane before Qin Lang played it.

Only after he actually made the move did they realize—

Black had such a powerful sequence hidden!

"But Yu Shao responded instantly."

"He didn’t choose the Tiger’s Mouth—instead, he blocked immediately."

"That means… he had already foreseen Black’s hane before it was played."

A voice suddenly spoke up from the crowd.

The room grew even quieter.

Le Haoqiang simply stared at the board, saying nothing.

He had never played against Qin Lang before.

But after watching this game so far…

"I… might not be able to beat Qin Lang."

Le Haoqiang unconsciously clenched his fist.

He wasn’t willing to accept it.

"What’s the board position now?"

Gu Chuan suddenly frowned, studying the game.

"Since Black's responses have been flawless, White hasn’t managed to kill Black’s outer influence."

"But White still successfully compressed Black’s potential territory…"

Zhou Wei carefully examined the board and finally nodded.

"For now, the game is still evenly matched."

"But whether the balance shifts depends on how White chooses to break into Black’s moyo!"

Inside the Handtalk Room

"Evenly matched?"

Qin Lang gazed at the board, analyzing the situation carefully.

Then, he came to a different conclusion.

"No… there's a subtle difference."

He forced himself to stay calm and looked up at Yu Shao.

His lips pressed tightly together, his expression ice-cold.

He had played perfectly.

Every move had been precise.

Yet, somehow—

His black stones felt heavier than before.

They had become sluggish, difficult to maneuver…

And then it hit him—

"I’m falling behind."

Qin Lang clenched his fist.

He lowered his head again, deep in thought.

"I need to change my strategy. If I don’t, the gap will only widen."

"My outer influence is still overwhelming, but my territory is too small. I need to win through an unexpected breakthrough!"

After a long silence, Qin Lang finally reached into the stone bowl again.

His fingers clenched around a piece.

Then, without hesitation—

Tap!

Row 2, Column 15—Knight’s Move!

A lone black stone landed directly inside White’s territory!

"An invasion?!"

For a brief moment—

Everyone watching the livestream was stunned.

"Black… just invaded White’s moyo?!"

At the notation table, the female recorder’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Why?"

"This is too reckless! The fight in the center is still unresolved, but instead of solidifying his moyo, Black is taking a massive risk by invading the corner?"

"In such a cramped space, Black might not even be able to live!"

Even though she hadn’t fully understood all of Qin Lang’s moves so far,

This one was painfully obvious.

He wanted to live in the corner.

And destroy White’s influence at the same time.

But that’s precisely why it was so confusing.

Yu Shao’s Response

Yu Shao stared at the black stone that had just intruded into his territory.

Then, without hesitation—

Tap!

Row 5, Column 14—Press!

"Does he think this is certain death?"

Seeing Yu Shao’s response, Qin Lang’s gaze sharpened.

Then—

He reached into the bowl again and immediately placed another stone.

"Then I’ll show you… that I can survive!"

Tap!

Row 1, Column 14—Diagonal Move!

"He’s really going for it!"

The female recorder swallowed hard.

There was no doubt now—

Qin Lang wasn’t joking.

He was actually trying to live inside White’s territory.

But she still couldn’t understand why.

Why would he risk everything here, when his center influence was still strong?

Why not build his moyo instead?

Tap!

Tap!

Tap!

The battle exploded on the board.

Originally, Black and White had been locked in a clash for dominance in the center.

But now—

Black had abruptly switched battlefields—

Diving headfirst into White’s territory!

White had no choice but to respond.

He had to cut off Black’s escape routes and suffocate the invading stones.

If Black failed to live, the game would tilt massively in White’s favor!

"A brilliant move… or a suicide mission?"

The crowd watched in stunned silence.

Move after move fell.

Qin Lang grabbed another stone and placed it.

Tap!

"A turn?"

For a moment, everyone was confused.

Then—

As they played out a few more moves—

Shock spread across their faces.

"Black is still in danger… but…"

"These moves…"

"They’re terrifyingly precise."

"Somehow, Black might actually have a chance to live."

One by one—

The spectators stopped breathing.

All eyes were glued to the board.

The fight had reached its critical moment.

And then—

Yu Shao played his move.

Tap!

Row 10, Column 14—Suspension!

"Wait… he’s not going for the kill?"

In the Review Room, Zhou Wei had already picked up a white stone.

But just as he was about to place it, he froze.

Staring at the livestream screen, his mind went blank.

"White… is not going for the kill?!"

Final Thoughts

For a moment—

The entire Go world stood still.

A million thoughts raced through the minds of every spectator.

Would Black find life in enemy territory?

Or was White preparing an even deadlier trap?

But one thing was certain—

This was no ordinary match.

This was war.

And neither side was backing down.