Two days later, the main tournament of the Hero’s Pride Cup was finally about to begin.
This year, the main event would be held at the Central Go Academy in Chuhan City. All hotel and airfare expenses were covered by the Southern Go Hall.
Early that morning, Yu Dongming personally drove Yu Shao to Jiangling Airport.
Yu Shao originally didn’t want his father to go through the trouble. He could have just taken a taxi by himself. But Yu Dongming insisted on taking him, and since he was so adamant, Yu Shao had no choice but to comply.
"I've already booked the hotel for you. Once you land, just head straight there. The tournament starts tomorrow, so make sure to get some good rest today."
Inside the airport terminal, Yu Dongming kept repeating his instructions. "When you're competing, don’t let yourself feel pressured by the idea that everyone is watching your matches. If you let that get to you, it might affect your performance. Just stay calm."
"I know, Dad," Yu Shao replied helplessly, nodding. "Stop worrying so much."
"You're right. You’ve grown up, and I’m an outsider when it comes to Go—I shouldn’t be trying to give advice to a pro like you."
Yu Dongming patted Yu Shao’s shoulder and said, "Alright, go board your flight."
Yu Dongming nodded, watching as Yu Shao disappeared through the security checkpoint. He stood there for a long time, staring in that direction, before finally sighing and murmuring, "Good luck."
These past few days, his emotions had been complicated. On the one hand, he was proud that his son had made it to the main tournament of the Hero’s Pride Cup, but on the other hand, he couldn’t help but worry about the possibility of a disappointing result.
After all, this tournament was particularly significant, directly tied to the upcoming competition for professional slots. If he put himself in Yu Shao’s shoes, he could only imagine the immense pressure.
Yu Shao might seem relaxed, but Yu Dongming suspected that was just a front to keep them from worrying.
Sighing again, he turned around and left, deep in thought.
After a two-hour flight, Yu Shao arrived in Chuhan City. He left the airport and hailed a taxi to the Central Go Academy.
Since the tournament was being held at the academy, the organizers had arranged accommodations for the players nearby—just a short walk away.
The taxi driver, a middle-aged man in his forties, glanced at Yu Shao through the rearview mirror multiple times before hesitantly asking, "You’re Yu Shao, the 1-dan player, right?"
Yu Shao was a little surprised to be recognized. "Yeah, that’s me."
The driver’s eyes lit up with excitement. "I almost didn’t believe it at first!"
"You know me?" Yu Shao asked.
"Of course! You’re playing in the Hero’s Pride Cup, right?"
The driver looked thrilled. "The internet has been buzzing about you and the other players who made it to the main event. You’re only a 1-dan, but you managed to fight your way in. Everyone’s talking about it!"
"You follow Go tournaments?" Yu Shao asked curiously.
"Everyone is following this one!"
The driver grinned. "I’m actually an amateur 2-dan myself, but my Go is terrible."
"My son used to play when he was younger, and for a while, I hoped he’d go pro. But in the end, he couldn't even beat me."
"He’s about your age, sixteen or seventeen. And yet, you made it to the Hero’s Pride Cup main event…"
The driver was quite chatty, and the conversation soon drifted into other topics. Yu Shao casually responded while feeling slightly amused. He hadn’t expected to run into a taxi driver who also played Go.
Before long, they arrived at the hotel near the Central Go Academy. Yu Shao took out his phone to pay.
"No charge," the driver said with a smile, shaking his head. "You're gonna be a big name in the future, and just being able to say I once gave you a ride is something I can brag about!"
Yu Shao was taken aback.
The driver laughed. "Go on, get out. I’ve got more passengers to pick up. Do your best in the tournament!"
"Alright, thanks, then."
After a slight hesitation, Yu Shao nodded, got out of the car, and closed the door. The taxi roared away down the street.
Yu Shao turned and entered the hotel. After checking in at the front desk and getting his key card, he took the elevator to the fifth floor and entered his room.
"Tomorrow’s the big day."
Stretching, Yu Shao yawned. He had woken up early to catch his flight, and now fatigue was settling in. After setting down his suitcase, he decided to skip dinner and take a nap instead.
Le Haoqiang had also arrived in Chuhan City. At the moment, he was sitting alone in the Central Go Academy’s cafeteria, silently eating lunch, his expression heavy with thought.
A tall young man carrying a food tray walked past, noticed him, and stopped in his tracks.
Le Haoqiang glanced up at him but said nothing.
The young man sat down across from him with a grin. "Congrats on making it to the Hero’s Pride Cup main event."
"Thanks," Le Haoqiang replied absentmindedly. "Congrats to you too."
"I saw the matchups. Looks like you lost to Yu Shao?"
The young man chuckled. "Man, that caught me off guard. He only just got his pro license this year, and yet he’s been on a winning streak. Even you lost to him?"
Le Haoqiang didn’t respond and kept eating in silence.
"Is he really that strong? Or did you just make a careless mistake?"
Seeing Le Haoqiang stay quiet, the young man smirked. "I heard he likes playing the 3-3 invasion. That’s easy to counter. Don’t tell me he did that, and you still lost?"
Le Haoqiang’s chopsticks suddenly paused.
The young man smiled faintly. "I used to think you were tough to beat, but maybe my chances against you aren’t so bad after all? What’s the deal—are you just not as strong as you used to be? Or did his win streak intimidate you? Or maybe—"
Le Haoqiang suddenly spoke, cutting him off in a calm tone.
The young man, Cao Xinghuai, blinked and looked at him.
Le Haoqiang let those two words hang in the air before slowly raising his head. His expression was blank, but his eyes were cold as he continued, "Shut up."
Cao Xinghuai froze for a moment. Then his face twitched, his expression darkening as a flush of anger spread across his features.
"I know you’re still bitter about losing to me last year," Le Haoqiang said icily. "But until you actually beat me, don’t bark like a dog in front of me. If you think I’ve gotten weaker, then go ahead and try."
"Of course," he added after a pause, his voice even colder, "if you think Yu Shao is weak, you can try him too."
With that, Le Haoqiang stood up, having lost his appetite. He turned and walked away, leaving Cao Xinghuai sitting there, his face shifting between red and pale.
Online discussions about the Hero’s Pride Cup main event were heating up. With all eyes on the tournament, the long-awaited matches were finally about to begin!
Yu Shao left his hotel, grabbed a bowl of hot dry noodles from a nearby shop, and then made his way to the Central Go Academy.
The academy’s architecture was the same traditional garden-style design found in most Go academies, featuring elegant pavilions, small bridges, and flowing water.
Walking through the main hall and down the corridor, Yu Shao soon arrived at Room 10.
The opening ceremony and draw for the tournament would be held there before the matches officially began in the Handtalk Room.
Just four rounds would determine the final champion.
"Yu Shao, 1-dan, is here!"
The moment Yu Shao stepped inside, a reporter’s voice rang out.
Camera shutters snapped furiously as flashes lit up the room.