I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 64: Struggle and Determination

“Thank you for the game.”

Yu Shao gave a slight nod to his opponent, stood up, and left his seat to report the results to the referees.

The surroundings fell into utter silence.

The onlookers continued to stare at the Go board, as if still immersed in the gripping game they had just witnessed. Their expressions were filled with shock.

In this match, White’s sequence of moves was extraordinarily sharp—each attack swift and decisive, hitting Black’s weaknesses hard and relentlessly. The final outcome was a resounding victory, like a work of art.

Even now, as they gazed at the board, they couldn’t shake off the sense of awe. Each move by White felt like a bullet fired straight into the bullseye.

The overwhelming pressure from White’s play was so palpable that even the spectators felt breathless.

After a brief moment, someone finally swallowed hard and muttered, “Jiangling High School’s main player is... this strong?”

“White started at a disadvantage in the opening, yet in the end, they completely crushed Black...”

Hearing this, the crowd seemed to snap out of their daze, and a tidal wave of chatter erupted.

“Exactly! At first, I thought that kid didn’t know how to play at all. Turns out I couldn’t have been more wrong—what an incredible game!”

“There were several White moves I couldn’t understand at first. But as the game progressed, the brilliance of those moves became clear!”

“At the start, when White played a flying move, I thought Jiangling’s main player had a cautious and steady style. Turns out he’s a full-on aggressive fighter! The attacks were stunning—purely brutal elegance!”

“How is that kid so good? Where did Jiangling High School find him?”

The crowd buzzed with shock and admiration, their hearts still unsettled.

Someone voiced a doubt: “But if that kid is so skilled, why did he play a 3-3 Point in the opening?”

This question struck a chord with everyone, including He Yu, who still couldn’t make sense of it.

Judging from this game, Yu Shao clearly wasn’t a novice. So why had he chosen a 3-3 Point during the opening, putting himself at a disadvantage?

The 3-3 Point isn’t unplayable, but it’s usually reserved for specific circumstances, such as when Black has a thick formation, making it a suitable move for White to counterbalance the board. But using it in the opening was undoubtedly a blunder—a severe loss of advantage.

Someone hesitated before offering an explanation: “Playing the 3-3 Point isn’t great, but it’s solid and secure, making it hard for the opponent to attack. Maybe the kid is so skilled that he used it as a strategy to achieve stability through inactivity?”

“Hmm... That’s possible.”

This guess garnered some agreement, as it seemed like the most reasonable explanation they could muster, even if it felt a bit forced.

Though the competition was still ongoing, and everyone kept their voices low, some comments reached the ears of the boy who had played against Yu Shao. His face turned pale as he stared blankly at the board in front of him, his fists clenched tightly.

The Go instructor from Ziyang First High, noticing his student’s state, fell silent. He struggled to find the words to offer comfort.

This match had started with an overwhelming advantage, only to end in such a way. The outcome revealed the truth—it wasn’t about luck or strategy. The simple fact was that the gap in skill between the two players was too vast.

Meanwhile, Yu Shao returned from reporting his results and stood by the game tables to watch the remaining matches.

When he glanced at Xu Zijin’s board, he quickly lost interest.

Xu Zijin was already in a winning position. His Black stones were about to slay the White dragon, and it wouldn’t be long before his opponent would concede by placing their stones on the board.

Yu Shao moved to Zhong Yufei’s table and looked at the board, his brow furrowing slightly.

In this match, Zhong Yufei played White while his opponent played Black.

The situation was clear: Black had gained a significant advantage. White was under heavy pressure, with a fragile formation that left little room for development. Black’s strategic invasions made it nearly impossible for White to secure territory.

“Still... White has a glimmer of hope.”

Yu Shao glanced at Zhong Yufei, silently assessing the situation.

It was evident that Zhong Yufei also realized how dire things were. His left hand subconsciously clenched into a fist as he focused intently on the board.

“The bottom-left corner is already lost, and Black’s central formation is solidifying. Once Black strengthens their position in the center, any attempt to invade will be nearly impossible!”

“This is bad. I’m going to lose...”

Zhong Yufei gritted his teeth and stared at the board with laser focus, pouring every ounce of his attention into the game, completely unaware that Yu Shao was standing right behind him.

“No, there’s still a chance for a comeback. I can feel it—the game’s not over yet!”

“I...”

“I want to win!”

After a long period of contemplation, Zhong Yufei finally gritted his teeth and placed his stone.

Click.

Click.

Click.

The players continued their moves in rapid succession.

Zhong Yufei's opponent, though holding an advantage, did not look relaxed.

When he saw Zhong Yufei place another stone, he couldn’t help but glance up at him, biting his own lip as he looked back down.

“This guy is obviously at a disadvantage, but he’s like an unkillable cockroach—clinging on for dear life and defending flawlessly. It’s driving me nuts.”

“I can’t let my guard down. He’s not weak. If I give him even the smallest opening, he could turn the game around!”

Staring at the board, the opponent contemplated for a moment before finally picking up a black stone.

Click!

Row 14, Column 9—Tiger’s Mouth!

The instant Black’s stone landed, Zhong Yufei wasted no time. Gritting his teeth, he quickly reached into the Go bowl.

“There’s a chance for a reversal...”

Zhong Yufei placed his White stone.

“Right here!”

Click!

Row 13, Column 10—Press!

As soon as the move was made, Yu Shao’s expression showed a hint of surprise. But the boy sitting across from Zhong Yufei froze, his face changing dramatically.

“A press? Oh no—the liberties are cut off! My central Black stones... there’s a chance they might break apart!”

Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead as he stared hard at the board, his teeth clenched.

After a brief pause, he forcefully grabbed a stone and slammed it onto the board.

“You want a comeback? Dream on!”

Click!

Row 12, Column 10—Cut!

The two players began placing stones at lightning speed, each move met with another in rapid succession. Time ticked by quickly, and their allotted time dwindled. All around them, other matches concluded—some players celebrating victories, others lamenting losses—but none of it could distract these two.

On this compact 19x19 grid, an intense battle unfolded. Each player fought tooth and nail, every move aiming to annihilate the other.

They seemed to forget the world around them, their entire focus locked on the intersecting lines of the Go board.

Yu Shao stood silently behind them, observing the match with an expressionless gaze.

To him, neither player was performing particularly well. Yet, he could feel their determination and perseverance—their burning desire to win.

Even though this was no longer his world, the grit and resolve displayed before him were unmistakably the same.

Finally.

After what felt like an eternity.

Zhong Yufei lowered his head, his lips parting to speak. Yet, the words seemed as heavy as lead, stuck in his throat.

But at last, he forced them out.

“I lost...”