I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 289: Let Me Step into the Hall of Go

Time flew by, and before long, another ten days had passed—it was time for the next round of the National Master Tournament preliminaries.

That morning, Yu Shao took a cab to the Southern Go Association. Just as he stepped into the main hall, a familiar voice called out from behind.

“Yu Shao!”

He turned around and saw Wu Zhixuan standing cheerfully in front of a vending machine, waving excitedly. “Long time no see!”

“Wu Zhixuan? You’re back from the Western Region?”

Yu Shao was surprised. “That was fast.”

She had been away from Jiangling for a while, participating in the Women's Cup over in the Western Region. Most Go tournaments in this world weren’t divided by gender, but the Women's Cup was a rare blitz tournament specifically for female players.

The schedule for the Women's Cup clashed with the China-Japan-Korea Team Tournament selection, so players could only choose one. Xu Zijin opted out of the Women’s Cup, while Wu Zhixuan skipped the CJK Team Selection.

“Ugh, I wanted to stay longer too, but what could I do? I lost in the main tournament to Huo Yunyun, 6-dan, and got knocked out,” she sighed. “I was this close to winning. So frustrating!”

Her tone suddenly shifted, and she gave a smug little grin. “I ranked up to 4-dan! I’m higher ranked than you now!”

“Congrats,” Yu Shao said, unfazed. He wasn’t surprised—she had already been 3-dan when he had just earned his pro status. With all the time that had passed, it made sense she was 4-dan by now.

Zheng Qinxuan scanned a code on her phone and bent down to retrieve two cans of coffee from the vending machine. She handed one to Wu Zhi and asked, “He’s playing the National Master Tournament today?”

“Yeah.”

Wu Zhi took the coffee, popped the tab, and asked, “And he’s also in the Go Sage Title Match?”

“That’s right.”

Zheng Qinxuan sighed. “If he loses today, his opponent is Yi Long, 8-dan.”

“White?”

Wu Zhi was surprised. “He’s playing the Go Sage Title Match?”

After all, White had also been competing in the National Master Tournament recently, and though his points had dropped significantly, there was still a noticeable gap before he could reach the main tournament of the title matches.

White had suffered two consecutive losses in the tournament, and adding on other recent losses, his point total wasn’t enough to carry him further.

Still, making it this far was already impressive. He had only turned pro last year, and the fact that he had lasted this long in the National Master Tournament had surpassed most people’s expectations.

“Yeah.”

Zheng Qinxuan gave a faint smile. “All I can do is play it safe and wait for him to slip up. If he doesn’t, I won’t have much of a chance.”

The three of them chatted while heading toward the playing room. Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the tournament room.

Wu Zhixuan stopped and said goodbye. “You go on ahead.”

“Alright.”

Yi Long nodded, raised his fist, and cheered her on. “Good luck!”

“Him too.”

Yu Shao turned and entered the room. Looking toward Table 7, he saw a man in his forties with a slightly chubby build already seated.

Yu Shao quickly made his way to the other side of Table 7 and sat down across from him.

Outside the playing room, Wu Zhixuan hadn’t left immediately. She looked at the man across from Yu Shao, recognized him, and her eyes widened.

“Yu Shao’s opponent today is... Pan Xi, 8-dan.”

She remembered Zheng Qin’s last game in the National Master Tournament had been against Pan Xi. If Zheng had won that game, he might’ve continued on in the tournament. But unfortunately, he’d lost.

At that moment, seeing both players seated, many other people inside the room began moving toward Table 7, quickly forming a crowd around it.

“Yu Shao’s amazing…”

Seeing this, Wu Zhixuan clenched her fists like she’d made a decision and turned to head to the room where the Go Sage Title Match was being held.

“Alright, time for me to go all in too!”

Not long after, two referees entered the National Master Tournament room. They glanced at Table 7, now completely surrounded, and didn’t even bat an eye. They were used to it.

Normally, no one paid much attention to the preliminaries. Media and spectators only focused on the main tournament and the finals—but Yu Shao and Su Yiming were exceptions.

“Match time! All players, please take your seats,” one referee announced. “Each side has two hours, with one-minute overtime countdown. Komi is 7.5 points to White. Let’s begin the turn-order draw.”

Pan Xi scooped up a handful of white stones from his bowl, while Yu Shao took two black stones and placed them on the board.

Pan Xi released the stones—seven in total. That meant Pan Xi would play Black, and Yu Shao would be White.

“So I’m Black…”

Pan Xi thought to himself as he gathered up the stones and swapped bowls with Yu Shao. They bowed to each other formally.

The match began.

Pan Xi stared at the board, his expression heavy.

“I became a professional at nineteen. Now I’m forty—and I’ve never once made it to the main tournament of a title match. Not once.”

After a brief pause, he reached into the bowl and played the first move.

Tap!

Column 16, Row 4 — Star Point!

Yu Shao responded slowly.

Column 7, Row 18 — Star Point!

“I thought my chances of ever stepping into a title match were over. But now, at seventy… my form is better than I ever imagined.”

Pan Xi took a deep breath and played again.

Column 16, Row 17 — Small Knight’s Approach!

The sharp click of the stones—he had heard that sound for over thirty years. Studying game records, grinding day and night to improve...

“I’ve dreamed of earning a title since I was a kid. This might be the closest I’ve ever come. No matter what—it’s a match I have to win.”

He looked at the board as Yu Shao’s hand moved.

Column 4, Row 4 — Star Point!

“I’ve never been called a genius. I didn’t even go pro until I was nineteen. I’ve clawed my way to 8-dan. But I’ve truly given it everything.”

He placed another stone gently on the board.

“For this kid, chances will come again. But for me… this might be the last chance I’ll ever get.”

Column 6, Row 17 — Small Knight’s Move!

Yu Shao thought for a moment, then placed his next move.

Column 3, Row 14 — Small Knight’s Move!

“Small Knight’s move, huh…”

Pan Xi stared at the bottom of the board, then reached into his bowl.

You Yuhao, 9-dan, had lost because his moves were too slow. He didn’t grasp the subtle meaning behind one crucial peep. After a week of reviewing and analyzing, Pan Xi had finally understood.

“If he chooses a 3-3 variation after a one-space high approach, I’ll go big—create a massive framework, and devour him with influence!”

“Yeah, I’m forty, and saying this out loud might sound ridiculous… but I really do want to step into the hall of Go. Just once—let me make it to the main tournament!”

Tap!

Column 10, Row 16 — High Extension!

Everyone watching tensed slightly.

That high extension connected beautifully with Black’s earlier formations—forming a Weisheng-style Opening.

“Continuing with a one-space high approach...?”

Yu Shao paused, eyes on the board.

“Or maybe a small knight’s move?”

He looked up—Pan Xi was staring right at him, eyes flashing with a sharp gleam.

“…Is he waiting for me to play a low approach?”

Yu Shao finally made his decision.

“Alright then—bring it on!”

Tap!

Column 16, Row 15 — One-Space High Approach!

Pan Xi’s eyes gleamed. He immediately placed a stone.

Column 16, Row 12 — Two-Space High Pincer!

Yu Shao followed up immediately.

Column 14, Row 15 — Jump!

Pan Xi fired back:

Column 14, Row 17 — Jump!

Yu Shao’s next move:

Column 17, Row 17 — Attach!

“Using that move again—attaching at the 3-3 point!”

The spectators’ expressions sharpened in unison.

A bespectacled young man in the crowd recalled a previous game, and the evaluation Zhuang Weisheng had shared on that key peep.

“That peep lures the opponent in—it hinges on timing. If Black recognizes the hidden threat and strikes quickly, they can turn influence into a massive territory—the ultimate counterattack.”

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Black and White alternated.

Soon, White played:

Column 18, Row 12 — Peep!

Pan Xi didn’t flinch. He countered right away.

“He saw it!”

The bespectacled youth adjusted his glasses. “Black’s pace is fast. He’s trying to leverage his influence across the lower board and central area—to forge a massive framework.”

Pan Xi slammed down the next move.

Column 10, Row 13 — High Knight’s Jump!

“Not just a jump—a big jump. And at this speed…”

Yu Shao studied the board, a strange feeling in his chest.

This was the right response to White’s low peep. Black’s best hope.

But the AI had reevaluated that peep—not just because it weakened Black’s efficiency on the side or pressured him from below.

The real point was this: Black could only play for speed. They had one path only.

It seemed like a good path—but the times had changed. The value of influence versus territory had shifted.

Influence wasn’t worthless—but if it wasn’t thick enough, or if it lacked flexibility, it could be exploited.

Black’s fast shape was unstable. This all-in strategy… wasn’t in Black’s favor.

Yu Shao played again.

Column 13, Row 14 — Jump!

Tap, tap, tap!

The sound of stones echoed in the room.

Everyone at Table 7 stood quietly, watching intently as the pieces fell one after another.

The bespectacled youth studied the board—then froze.

After a few more moves, his face changed.

“What…?”

Cold sweat formed as he pushed up his glasses again, unsure if he’d seen wrong.

“Black was handling White’s invasion decently. It shouldn’t be this hard to convert influence into territory…”

Time passed. Eventually, two black stones dropped onto the board.

Tap. Tap...

The game ended.

Pan Xi looked at the board, then slowly closed his eyes and bowed to Yu Shao.

Wu Zhi bowed back at once.

Around Table 7, chatter swelled.

The bespectacled young man stared blankly at the board.

In the fierce midgame battle, Black had struggled against White’s low peep. He had unleashed many powerful moves.

But despite having impressive influence, Black failed to secure a big territory.

Realizing this, he forcefully invaded White’s domain. White accepted the challenge—triggering a massive life-and-death battle.

White’s attacks were relentless, mercilessly tearing through Black’s weak points.

The chaos spread, and in that storm, Black’s dragon was captured.

White had shown terrifying killing power, with a dazzling sequence that sealed the game.

From that point on, Black had no comeback.

He had to resign.

Yu Shao packed up the stones, stood up, reported the result, and left the room.

Pan Xi remained, eyes closed—still not over the loss.

Everyone watched him in silence, hearts heavy.

There were more games left in the tournament, but Pan Xi could only afford one more loss. Any more, and his dream of reaching the main tournament would be over.

He had spent thirty years chasing that dream.

But this year was probably his peak. Next year… who knew?

“Thirty years…”

People’s hearts sank.

“Is Pan Xi, 8-dan’s dream of reaching the main tournament going to be shattered again?”

After leaving the room, Yu Shao went to the cafeteria. Just as he finished getting his meal, he saw Wu Zhixuan scarfing hers down in a corner.

“You’re done?”

He sat across from her.

“Yeah,” she muttered.

“You lost?”

Seeing her grumpy face, Yu Shao smirked. “Did he wait for you to make a mistake?”

“He’s so annoying!”

She gritted her teeth. “You were playing super solid—I couldn’t find an opening. Then I realized you were waiting for me to mess up, so I attacked you and set a trap! I thought I saw a weak point and jumped in—and he totally baited me! He killed my dragon!”

Her face was red with frustration. “I will get my revenge someday!”

Yu Shao chuckled. He didn’t watch their game, but from her story, he got the picture.

Wu Zhi had developed a rock-solid defense from playing so many online games with him. She was always waiting for him to mess up, and if he didn’t, she’d just grind out territory.

Now, even he had trouble cracking her style. Zheng Qin had probably gotten a headache from her ironclad turtle shell defense.

“Oh, right.”

Wu Zhi’s mood bounced back fast. “Did you hear? The CJK Team Tournament selection is over.”

“Hmm?”

Yu Shao looked up. “It’s done?”

The final selection had taken place in the Northern Region, and wasn’t broadcast—it was an internal process with no prize money.

“Yeah. Apparently Che Wenyu lost to Zhou Wei. Kind of surprising,” she said. “So your teammates will be Su Yiming, Qin Lang, Le Haoqiang, and Gu Chuan.”

“That’s after the tournament starts,” Yu Shao replied while eating.

“After it starts?”

Wu Zhi looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Yu Shao nodded. “There’s still one more game before the tournament begins.”