Extremely beautiful starry night, not a single cloud in the sky.
The deep azure expanse, speckled with diamonds glimmering in the brilliance of countless stars.
Under the shade of the big locust tree, it may seem dim, but it doesn't hinder the two from fighting.
"General!"
"Guang, this chess move is exquisite indeed. However, have you considered that my horse has already positioned itself to attack?"
"Ah, you black brute, playing this horse so skillfully. You truly deserve to be one of the Four Great Marshals."
"Each to their own, Guan. Your chariot sweeping through the enemy troops is reminiscent of that day on White Horse Ridge, when you chopped down Yanyang. If it weren't for my fortunate move, it might not have been clear who would come out on top."
In no time, Guan Yun Chang and Zhao Gong Ming finished their game of chess.
Without any surprises, the well-versed Guan, having thoroughly studied the Spring and Autumn Annals, lost the match once again.
By his side, Chen Yun was silent and couldn't help but think, "When I was in primary school, I played chess better than both of you. Why are you two still praising each other?"
Upon reflection, it was indeed expected. Although both were skilled in the game of Xiangqi, the complexity of Xiangqi far surpassed that of Xiangxi. Even for most beginners, just handling the chess pieces correctly can be a challenge. Guan and Zhao's ability to play at this level is commendable.
He does understand the behavior of novices.
However, Zhao Gongming had no self-awareness and gently touched his beard, saying, "Chen Youngyou, Xiangqi was created by you. What do you think of my winning against Guan Yunzhang in this game? How does my layout technique look?"
Guan Yun Chang also looked towards Chen Yun.
Chen Yun feigned praise, saying, "General Zhao, your chess skills are exquisite."
Who knew that Zhao Gongming became more aggressive, arrogantly challenging him: "Teasing this red brute with such mediocre moves is dull. Little friend, since you created Xiangqi, your skills must be deeper. Why not challenge me to a game?"
Chen Yun didn't want to hurt Zhao Gongming's self-esteem, smiling and waving his hand, "I think it's unnecessary."
Zhao Gongming thought he was afraid of losing and deliberately goaded him with sarcasm, "Haha, Brother Guan, it seems that Young Chen is afraid of losing face. Young man, your skin is not as thick as yours."
Having endured sixteen years of hardship, Chen Yun's ability to endure is excellent. How could he be easily goaded into provocation?
He was about to flatter the other person with a few words.
Who knew that Guan Yun Chang couldn't take it anymore, his temperament was quite explosive, saying, "Chen brother, this black brute is getting on my nerves. Allow me to take care of him and leave him with no armor left!"
After speaking, Guan Yun Chang stepped aside.
Zhao Gongming kept goading, "Are you afraid? A young man without this kind of courage won't be able to achieve great things in the future."
Alright.
It is your own path to death. Do not blame me for not giving face.
Chen Yun sat down, smiling but not showing any warmth, bowing slightly, "I kindly ask General Zhao to show leniency."
Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, "The battlefield has no father and son, and Xiangqi is like the battlefield. There is no such thing as showing mercy. I won't show you any leniency, and naturally, you must not show any mercy either. The winner and loser will all remain calm."
And then they began the game of chess.
A few minutes later.
"Ha ha ha." Guan Yun shouted with laughter, "You black brute, you make me laugh, General Guan. You've been checkmated in just a few moves, and yet you tell Chen Yun to show mercy? Ha ha ha, it's truly laughable!"
Zhao Gongming's already dark complexion grew even darker……
Chen Yun looked at the checkmated position with both cannons, smiled and bowed slightly, "Admitted."
Zhao Gongming remained silent and showed no signs of anger.
On the contrary, Guan Yun Chang's eyes brightened as if he had discovered something.
He leaned in, ingratiatingly, next to Chen Yun, "Mr. Chen, is there some secret to this Xiangqi? Privately, could you guide me a bit so that I can win a few games against the black brute?"
Zhao Gongming spoke out to mock him, "Chen Yun's victory is only because Xiangqi was created by him. Do you really think he can teach you a few words and defeat me?"
Guan Yun Chang didn't even respond to him, "Mr. Chen, can you do it?"
Chen Yun thought for a moment, "Alright, I'll teach you a few phrases. Remember them, and you won't necessarily be able to leave him with not a single piece left, but at least winning against the current him will be as easy as pie."
Mm, he can tell that both of them have very high military literacy. If they study Xiangqi for a while, they might not necessarily be their opponents even if they themselves spend some time on it. That's why he used the word "current."
Guan Yun Chang was overjoyed and quickly turned his head to glare at Zhao Gongming, "You black brute, you're not allowed to eavesdrop."
Zhao Gongming didn't take it to heart at all, rolling his eyes and saying, "Do I look like someone without face or skin?"
Guan Yun Chang only spoke to Chen Yun again after this, "Mr. Chen, whisper it to me."
Chen Yun leaned in, lowering his voice, "I'll teach you the initial cannon shot strategy. The opening cannon in the middle palace is more imposing than all other positions. Keep your horse guarding the middle foot soldier and your advisor defending against aerial attacks. Use your elephant to protect your chariot, and move your soldiers left or right. If you're attacking the enemy with cannon fire, send your horse across the river to join the attack. Remember these moves for General Guan."
Guan Yun Chang nodded vigorously, "General Guan will remember it."
After saying that, he sat back down in front of the chessboard, full of confidence and speaking out loudly, "Zhao brother, come on. Let me see how I can make you run out of breath."
Zhao Gongming showed no fear at all and retorted, "Today, I will shave your head if I don't give you a complete defeat!"
Then...
Mm, it took less than two minutes.
Zhao Gongming wiped his forehead with sweat and said, "It's wrong, wrong. I didn't intend to play it this way. Brother Guan, please allow me to take back one of my moves."
Guan Yun Chang said with a faint smile, "General Zhao, once the piece is placed, there is no taking it back."
Zhao Gongming: ...
Chen Yun smiled in the corner, thinking that Guan Er ye was truly a clever man. He had really reversed Zhao Gongming's name and called it out.
Zhao Gongming was a bit red-faced from the defeat, and quickly turned to Chen Yun, speaking with a hint of flattery, "Mr. Chen, would you... perhaps teach me a couple of phrases as well?"
Guan Yun Chang's eyes narrowed, "You don't even care about your face. To win just one game, you changed from calling me 'Chen Yun' to 'Mr. Chen'. If your subordinates see you acting like this, how can you have any face left in the future?"
Zhao Gongming said silently, "Wasn't it you, the red brute, who first ingratiated yourself, changing from Chen Youngyou to Mr. Chen?"
Chen Yun nearly laughed at the two.
However, when speaking of it, the attitude of the two towards each other has indeed changed significantly. From initially ignoring each other to now actively ingratiating themselves, it can be said that Xiangqi indeed attracts people in societies where there isn't much entertainment.
Although the two engaged in a bit of verbal sparring, Guan Yun Chang ultimately allowed Zhao Gongming to "borrow wisdom" from Chen Yun.
Chen Yun leaned in close to Zhao Gongming's ear and said, "I'll teach you the art of the Advisor Angle Cannon. Place the cannon at the Advisor's angle, move your chariot in front of the second line, pass the river with your chariot and place it next to the cannon, connect the cannon with your horse, first take care of the Advisor and Elephant, move your horse towards the general and cannon ahead, if enemies are not careful in defending, capturing a general will be difficult."
Zhao Gongming nodded in understanding and engaged in another fierce battle with Guan Yun Chang.
As expected, Guan Yun Chang lost.
Soon, the situation became completely out of control.
"Mr. Chen, teach me a couple more sayings."
"Mr. Chen, don't teach that red brute anymore. I just won two games after all."
"Mr. Chen..."
Well, Chen Yun has taught them all the sayings he knows.
After learning the phrases, the two divinities initially followed the rules, but their high military literacy enabled them to quickly understand and apply these tactics, leading to increasingly skillful Xiangqi games. Even Chen Yun, who was watching from the sidelines, felt that he didn't have much chance of winning against them.
That went on until midnight.
The sky was already faintly illuminated by dawn.
Chen Yun was uncomfortable all night with his wet clothes, but this early morning exercise was expected, and if Wang Zixi discovered he was gone, he might send someone to search for him. He didn't want anyone to worry.
So, Chen Yun stood up and bowed, "General Zhao, General Guan, the junior will leave first to return to my observation post. If we are fortunate enough to meet again in the future."
The two people playing chess woke up from their concentration.
Guan Yun Chang turned his head and said, "Mr. Chen, please wait a moment."
Chen Yun asked, "What is there for General Guan to do?"
Guan Yun Chang smiled and said, "The promise I made to you has not yet been fulfilled. If I don't keep my word, I might be accused of spreading rumors by this black fellow."
Chen Yun had been thinking about the benefits all along, but just then the two divinities were fully absorbed in playing chess. He was too embarrassed to ask directly.
Now that Guan Er Ye brought up the matter, Chen Yun quickly said, "If it's from the elder, it is an honor and dare not decline. Thank you, General Guan."
Guan Yun Chang hummed and said, "Let me think about what benefits I can offer to you. Just wait here for a moment."
Chen Yun dared not hurry the other party.
Just as he was about to be more polite.
Zhao Gongming spoke first, "You red brute doesn't understand the way of cultivation. Do you not know what kind of benefits to give at a moment like this?"
Guan Yun Chang didn't respond to him, but just kept lowering his head and thinking.
Zhao Gongming looked at Chen Yun and smiled, "Mr. Chen, I also promised you a benefit earlier. Since this red brute hasn't figured it out yet, I will give you the benefits I promised first."
Even though they were about to part ways, Guan Yun Chang and Zhao Gongming still addressed Chen Yun as "Mr. Chen." It was evident that they were treating him as an equal.
From a standpoint of strength, even if ten thousand Chen Yuns were combined, they might not be able to compare with these two great sages. It's even more difficult to expect them to treat Chen Yun as an equal.
Zhao Gongming and Guan Yun Chang treated Chen Yun with equal respect because they saw in him a rare military wisdom that was hard to find. Xiangqi, as a game that simulates military battles, is indeed ingenious. They both have an interest in military affairs, hence they decided to treat Chen Yun with equal respect.
It can be said that Chen Yun's creation of Xiangqi conquered Zhao Gongming and Guan Yun Chang, earning them the two men's friendship.
Chen Yun didn't know what the two were thinking. He again thanked them, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness Zhao."
Zhao Gongming stared at him for a while, then slowly said, "I saw you had a pale face, which means you were injured before. I also observed that your complexion was flushed, indicating that you had spent your essence. You are a worker at the Daoist Temple, and according to my understanding of Zhen Lí Quán, all workers under his door learn only rudimentary techniques for building the foundation, such as hundred-day foundation construction and refining rice into essence. However, the secret method of refining essence into qi is not transmitted. Although I am not cultivating inner alchemy, I also know that injuries and consumption of essence will affect your cultivation. I cannot help you replenish vitality... "
At this point, he inadvertently or intentionally cast a glance towards Guan Yun Chang.
Guan Yun Chang seemed to have noticed and immediately snapped out of his deep thoughts, shook his head in disbelief, and chuckled.
Zhao Gongming continued, saying, "As for the essence you've lost, I don't know if you've discovered its cause yet. If not, I can tell you that tonight, I will fulfill my promise of the benefit. Mr. Chen, what do you think?"
What?
What's the reason for losing essence?
Chen Yun was overjoyed.
He had been troubled by this matter for a long time.
The loss of qi caused by injury is a one-time loss, and it can always be replenished.
The reason for the loss of essence is hard to find, but it is a long-term issue.
To put it bluntly, if the cause of the essence loss is not found, there is a high possibility that you might end up like Zhang Qian, Li Si, and other senior workers at the Temple of Transmission Dao, unable to complete the refining of rice into essence for a long time.
Of course, with the existence of such a magical elixir like the Essence Transformation Soup, refining rice into essence should be no problem. It's just a matter of time.
However, Chen Yun feared that dragging it out too long might make Zhen Li Quan, Wang Lao Zhi, and Zheng Wen Shu see him as "not outstanding", thus missing the opportunity to become disciples.
Naturally, it was the willingness of Zhao Gongming to point out the cause that made Chen Yun so joyful.
He had never expected that a chance encounter with the divine tonight would actually solve his problem.
What's the reason for the loss of essence?
Chen Yun was very curious and eagerly looked towards Zhao Gongming.
