The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 918 - 917: Please Come Back to the Chess Institute!

Chapter 918: Chapter 917: Please Come Back to the Chess Institute!

Jing Pei hung up the phone after cursing someone out and shot Lu Mian a "hurry up and praise me" look.

Lu Mian gave a perfunctory nod to show approval.

Mo Si was both amused and exasperated.

Their Miss Lu Mian truly possessed that unique skill: "Lu Mian abuses me a thousand times, yet I love her as if it’s my first crush!"

From the old master to Master Kunyang, to even Master Jing, which one of them hasn’t been coaxing Miss Lu Mian?

If someday the three great masters of Jinjing decided to host a dinner just to get together with Miss Lu Mian, the scene would be beyond anyone’s imagination...

Su Luo and La Wenwen were dumbfounded as they watched.

Who could’ve imagined that Master Jing, who was the lion among lions, would appear so tame and obedient before Lu Mian? Not to mention, Master Jing even flipped out on the chess academy for these two girls.

The thought of Zhuge Heng and Zhuge Lin’s reactions right now—oh, it was just so satisfying.

The two girls simultaneously turned their gazes to Lu Mian.

All of this was thanks to Lu Mian.

At first, they had thought walking away from the chess academy marked both a decision and an ending.

Back then, they truly believed that their journey along the path of Go had come to an end.

But who would’ve thought that after going to Lu Mian, they would... navigate life’s detours and even overtake on the curve?

They were now having a meal with Master Jing!

Not every chess academy student could have such an opportunity!

If Master Jing threw in even a few pointers during the meal, they might ascend to greatness instantly!

La Wenwen continued to gaze at Lu Mian with admiration, "Goddess Lu Mian, I think I’ve used up all the good luck I’ve had in this lifetime just getting to know you! Every time you’re around, everything magically falls into place!"

She had already celebrated 999 times her decision to follow Su Luo out without hesitation.

It was the single best decision she’d ever made in her entire life!

"That’s too dramatic." Lu Mian shook her head.

"It’s not dramatic," Su Luo chimed in, her usual arrogance softening as she muttered a quick "thank you" to Lu Mian in low tones, clearly a little embarrassed.

Lu Mian lowered her lashes, masking the patience and warmth in her gaze as she tilted her head to sip her tea.

"Oh, right." She recalled something Su Luo had said earlier and turned to Jing Pei, "Master Jing, interested in playing a game?"

Jing Pei perked up instantly, even forgetting about his tea, thinking Lu Mian wanted to play against him. He nodded eagerly, "Interested! Let’s start now!"

Lu Mian grinned and looked at Su Luo, "Finished eating?"

Su Luo, holding the edge of a steamed dumpling, raised her head in a daze—Wait, what? Play against Master Jing?

Her mind immediately exploded with the question: Am I even worthy?

Then, like a chicken pecking at grains, she nodded furiously, "I’ve finished! I’ve finished eating!"

Just moments ago, she was fantasizing about whether Master Jing might throw in a casual pointer or two. Now, a golden opportunity was dropping on her head like a dream come true.

Lu Mian crossed her arms in front of her chest, watching the scene unfold with a playful look.

Only then did Jing Pei realize, "A setup, huh?"

Their interactions were so natural, without the slightest trace of awkwardness. Despite having only met once for a Go match years ago, the reunion after sixteen years felt like reuniting with an old friend.

Lu Mian nodded, "Why don’t you give it a shot?"

She didn’t directly ask Jing Pei to take Su Luo on as a disciple—that’s something every master decides based on their own criteria. She wouldn’t interfere.

Su Luo had both talent and dedication, so all Lu Mian did was create an opportunity for her. Whether it turned into something significant would depend on Su Luo’s capabilities.

Jing Pei finally took a serious look at Su Luo. Since it was someone recommended by Lu Mian, he was bound to take it seriously.

But just how capable was this little girl?

"Su Luo, little girl, let’s give it a try!"

Su Luo quickly wiped her hands with a wet tissue, "Okay!"

——

Over at Zhuge Heng’s end, after being hung up on, he was pacing around like an ant on a hot pan.

He threw a sharp glare at his niece, the frustration boiling inside him.

If it weren’t for this young woman causing trouble, would the academy have ended up offending Master Jing?

"Uncle, what do we do now?" Do we actually have to apologize to Su Luo?

"What do you think?! You’re going to personally invite them back!" Zhuge Heng paused as if making some monumental decision before sighing, "I’ll go too!"

"Uncle, you’re going too?"

"What choice do we have now that Su Luo is chummy with Master Jing? We’ve got to lower ourselves!"

Zhuge Lin stomped her feet furiously, "I still don’t get what kind of spell they’ve cast on Master Jing..."

The two of them rushed out toward the tea shop.

Some students from the academy saw them along the way and shook their heads, pitying Su Luo and La Wenwen.

"Looks like the Dean’s really mad this time; Su Luo is finished for sure."

"It’s inevitable. Small fish can’t fight big sharks. What choice did Su Luo have clashing with Miss Zhuge?"

"Judging by the Dean’s expression, not even the gods could save Su Luo now."

"..."

Lu Mian’s private room wasn’t hard to find, especially since Zhuge Heng was a regular. He quickly made his way there.

As soon as they pushed the door open, uncle and niece both felt utterly defeated.

Over at the small leisure table, Master Jing was currently playing against Su Luo; the two were completely absorbed in the game, each holding a piece with utmost concentration.

La Wenwen sat on Su Luo’s side.

Lu Mian was at the dining table, leisurely nibbling on a shrimp dumpling.

"Master Jing..."

"Shh!"

Mo Si gestured for silence, leaving Zhuge Heng and Zhuge Lin too stunned to say another word.

It wasn’t until half an hour later, when Su Luo finally lost, that Master Jing broke the silence as he placed the chess pieces back into their container and laughed heartily, "You’ve got potential, little girl! Impressive!"

Receiving such praise from Master Jing was an honor so rare that only a handful across Z Country could claim it.

Su Luo humbly waved her hand in denial.

La Wenwen discreetly shook Su Luo’s arm in excitement, certain that her bestie’s good days were just beginning.

Lu Mian raised her eyebrows slightly, her gaze resting on Su Luo with warmth and—yes—a faint touch of elder-like pride.

Jing Pei chuckled as he reevaluated Su Luo after their game.

He admitted that his initial decision to come was entirely out of respect for Lu Mian. Starting a match with Su Luo hadn’t been planned—it was simply spur-of-the-moment.

But after this game, he genuinely felt impressed by this ponytailed young girl’s skill.

From practical experience to psychological resilience, and her ability to synthesize concepts, she was remarkably outstanding in every way.

"Master Jing."

Zhuge Heng seized the moment and called out in a weak voice, "I’ve come with my niece."

Su Luo and La Wenwen maintained composed expressions but nodded out of courtesy.

Jing Pei wasn’t nearly as mild-mannered, casually tossing the pieces into the chess container with an irritable expression.

"What’s your purpose in coming here?" he asked deliberately.

Zhuge Heng smiled awkwardly and pushed Zhuge Lin forward, "To apologize, to apologize."

There was no other choice. In Jinjing, social hierarchy was paramount.

Master Jing held unparalleled acclaim in the Go community, the kind of influence that could command legions. If the academy antagonized Master Jing, Zhuge Heng’s tenure as Dean would quickly come to an end.

The uncle and niece turned toward Su Luo.

"Su Luo, it’s my fault for not investigating properly and wrongfully accusing you. I apologize. Zhuge Lin, hurry up and apologize too!"

Zhuge Heng was quick to swallow his pride, but Zhuge Lin was burning with indignation, though she had no choice but to mutter, "Sorry."

"And Wenwen," Su Luo reminded them.

Zhuge Heng gritted his teeth, issuing a low warning, "Be polite."

"..." Zhuge Lin begrudgingly nodded, "Su Luo, La Wenwen, I’m sorry for picking on you and falsely accusing you. Please forgive me and return to the academy!"

Su Luo and La Wenwen remained calm, choosing not to respond much or delve further into the issue.

Zhuge Lin discreetly scanned the three young girls in the room with a hostile glare.

She was the lofty Miss of the Zhuge Family, and now she was being forced to grovel before a few ordinary outsiders! They were only able to flaunt because they were riding Master Jing’s coattails. Once she unmasked Lu Mian’s true colors, she’d see how their arrogance held up then!