Chapter 263: White Fox Assists in Breaking the Board Game

Chapter 263: Chapter 263: White Fox Assists in Breaking the Board Game

Wen Chan’s song lasted a full quarter of an hour. Throughout Blessing Tower’s sixty-four private rooms, decadence reigned—except in Chu Fan’s room, and the one occupied by the son of Lian Xiuping, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

Even when the song ended, the occupants of those rooms had yet to recover.

In Chu Fan’s private room, the three women who had been striking suggestive poses had already been sent into the adjacent bedroom by Lü Yunxiu.

On stage, Wen Chan set down her pipa, walked to the center, and began to dance.

One had to admit, the title of Courtesan was well-deserved. Her dance was truly captivating, stirring the soul of anyone who watched.

At this moment, Yan Ying was angrily stuffing her face with food.

Chu Fan wanted to explain, but he couldn’t find an excuse, so he could only eat along with her.

Seeing that Chu Fan was also eating, Yan Ying continued to eat while forcefully stabbing the fish on the plate with her chopsticks.

As if the fish were Chu Fan.

Another song ended, and the room next door finally grew quiet. The three women emerged from the bedroom, their faces flushed with embarrassment. They apologized to Chu Fan and Yan Ying, claiming they had neglected their guests.

"I am fortunate beyond three lifetimes to have received the generous affection of you gentlemen. Not only has it allowed me to enjoy the esteemed title of Courtesan, but it has also brought you here, spending great sums for my sake."

On stage, Wen Chan’s nightingale-like voice rang out. As she finished speaking, she bowed deeply to the private rooms on all four sides.

"I have spent several years in this world of pleasure. Although I have preserved my innocence, I am ultimately trapped in the Zhi Gate, which was never my desire. I often envy mandarin ducks flying in pairs, wild geese living as one, and lovers who share a deep bond. Over the years, I have managed to save a meager sum, enough to buy my freedom. However, I am like rootless duckweed; I fear a cruel fate awaits me if I leave this place. Tonight, I offer my humble self in the hope of entrusting my life to a good man. I pray someone will take pity on me, take me into their home, and protect me for the rest of my days."

"Miss Wen, let’s get started! I came here just for you tonight. Just name your price; I already have the silver banknotes ready," a rough voice called out from one of the rooms.

Afterward, countless shouts erupted in a chaotic jumble, all urging the auction to begin.

Wen Chan pressed her hands down in the air. One had to admit, her ability to command the room was impressive. The originally noisy Blessing Tower fell silent in an instant.

She spoke again, "Today’s auction will not require a single tael of money. I have already saved enough for my own freedom. I only wish to entrust myself to a good man. Therefore, I have prepared three questions today. From anyone who can answer two of them, I will ask for a single promise. As long as he agrees, I will serve by his side for the rest of my life."

As her words fell, the hall instantly erupted into an uproar once more.

Answer two questions and make a promise? Was that all it took?

’The three questions must be incredibly difficult, then.’

’Or perhaps the promise is the hard part?’

Chu Fan frowned as well.

Yan Ying, however, taunted him from the side, "Well, it looks like I can’t help you with this."

"Miss Wen, present the questions!" someone shouted.

On stage, Wen Chan nodded. With a wave of her hand, a massive curtain dropped down from above the stage.

On the curtain was a drawing of a giant Go board, with twenty-seven white stones and twenty-six black stones.

Although Black had one less stone than White, if Black placed just one more stone, it would complete a dragon-slaying formation, and White would be utterly defeated.

"This is a game I played against a senior of mine several years ago. I was playing White, and it was a situation of certain defeat. However, that senior told me there was a way for White to turn the tables, yet I have pondered it for years without finding the solution. If any gentleman present can solve this puzzle, even if I cannot serve you, I will surely pay my respects to you as a disciple."

It wasn’t just the men in the audience; even Yan Ying, sitting opposite Chu Fan, couldn’t help but stand up, her eyes fixed on the unfinished game on the curtain.

Chu Fan was a bit baffled. When it came to Go, he only understood the rules. As for actually playing, he was worse than a novice. A three-year-old who had been learning for half a month could probably wipe the floor with him.

Chu Fan, of course, gave up immediately.

’He had been hesitating about whether to get involved before. Great,’ he thought. ’Now I definitely don’t stand a chance.’

Yan Ying was also completely focused on the board, her finger pointing constantly as she muttered from time to time, "No, no, that’s definitely not it."

The hall was incredibly quiet.

"In that case, please just commit this unfinished game to memory. I will now present the next two questions. I am willing to wait three months for these three problems. I will acknowledge anyone who can solve them within that time."

"Wait, it’s just a game of Go! Let me give it a try!" a man’s voice called out from a private room on the second floor.

"Please, sir!"

Immediately, the crowd saw a flash of light shoot out from a private room, and a white stone appeared in an empty spot on the board.

At this, many people burst out laughing.

Wen Chan also smiled elegantly and said, "Sir, placing your stone there ultimately changes nothing."

As Wen Chan spoke, she pointed a finger. A black stone landed on the board, followed by a flash of black light that connected the pieces, and White was defeated.

"Let me try!" another person called out.

The Go board on the curtain reverted to its original state. From another private room, a white light flashed, and another white stone appeared on the board.

Without a word, Wen Chan again placed a black stone, and White was defeated.

One after another, challengers called out. Wen Chan’s black stone only shifted its position slightly each time, but White was always defeated with that single move.

"What’s so difficult about this? It’s just a dragon-slaying move to decide the game. The Celestial Dao encompasses fifty, but its permutations are forty-nine, leaving one to escape. Nothing in this world is absolute. Even in the direst circumstances, there is always a chance to reverse fate."

The White Fox’s voice rang in Chu Fan’s ears. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"You know Go?"

The White Fox whimpered. "I don’t. But I know that nothing in this world is absolute. If this path is blocked, then I’ll just forge a new one. They can slay a dragon, but what if the dragon gives birth to another one?"

Hearing the White Fox’s words, Chu Fan felt a flash of inspiration strike his mind.

’An epiphany! But I can’t quite grasp that fleeting spark of light.’

He stared blankly at the White Fox. ’This little creature’s origins are surely Bufan. The words it just spoke are something only a person who has attained the Dao could comprehend.’

But based on what it just said, Chu Fan already knew the solution to the Go puzzle.

"I will!" Chu Fan stood up when it seemed no one else was going to try.

"Oh, come on. This game is completely unsolvable," someone sneered.

"Yeah, stop wasting time! Let Miss Wen give us the next two questions!"

Chu Fan ignored them. With a wave of his hand, a stone landed in an empty space on the board. The piece sat there, isolated, in the bottom-right corner.

Wen Chan waved her hand again. A black stone landed on the vital point, completing the dragon-slaying formation. Yet Chu Fan’s single piece remained, standing alone.

"What’s the use of that? All the other stones were captured. Does he think he can turn the tables with that one piece?" someone said with disdain.

"But at least, for now, I have not lost!" Chu Fan’s voice rang through Blessing Tower.

Everyone realized it at that moment. As long as he hadn’t lost, anything was possible. The chances of victory were slim, but that didn’t mean it was impossible.

"Sir, I will consider you to have barely passed this question." Wen Chan studied the board for a long moment, then suddenly turned and bowed to Chu Fan.

"What the hell, that’s allowed? That fucking counts?"

"Sir, you have the courage to find life after being placed in a Land of Death, to entrust your hope to the future. That is true boldness. I am in awe!" Wen Chan bowed to Chu Fan once more.