Lin Chen sat at the Go board and made a welcoming gesture.
"Dongguo, give this clueless guy a good thrashing," he said.
"Let him know that only our Korean nation can truly grasp the soul of Go."
The other players shouted angrily.
Cui Dongguo narrowed his eyes slightly as he approached the Go board, "Kid, since you wish to disgrace yourself, don't blame me."
Lin Chen smiled faintly, "Say that after you've beaten me."
"Kid, what rank are you?" Cui Dongguo suddenly asked as he sat at the Go board.
"Rank? I don't have a rank!" Lin Chen laughed jovially in response.
"No rank?" Lin Chen's statement made everyone from the Korean side burst out laughing.
It was a joke that an amateur player like Lin Chen, without even a rank, wanted to challenge Cui Dongguo.
Cui Dongguo was the third-place winner in the Korean Go league, a strong player. For an amateur like Lin Chen to play against him was simply masochistic.
Many people at DY High School shook their heads secretly.
"Lin Chen doesn't even have a rank, how could he possibly defeat Cui Dongguo."
"What is this guy doing? He's already embarrassing enough, and now he's just asking to be slapped in the face."
Cui Dongguo smiled faintly, "Since you are an amateur, I can give you a few stones."
Watching Cui Dongguo's arrogant demeanor, Lin Chen smiled faintly, "Give me stones? You are not qualified. Half an hour is more than enough to deal with you."
"Half an hour!" There was an outcry from the Go club.
For a Go master like Cui Dongguo, even professionals would need to engage in a tough fight, yet Lin Chen daringly claimed he could defeat him within half an hour.
"This guy is incredibly arrogant."
"He's boasting so much, let's see how he steps down after he loses."
"It's over, he's disgraced all of us Chinese."
Neither the people from DY High School nor from Dongli High School believed that Lin Chen could defeat Cui Dongguo in half an hour.
Cui Dongguo's expression darkened, "Big words for a little guy, let's see your true skill."
Accompanied by the ring of a bell, their match officially began.
No sooner had they started playing, Cui Dongguo's face revealed a sneer.
Lin Chen's moves had no apparent method and clearly showed he was an amateur.
"This guy, he talks big but he has no prowess," Feng Yan stomped her foot in frustration.
However, five minutes later, Cui Dongguo's expression turned ugly.
Although Lin Chen's moves had no apparent method, every one of his stones deeply discomforted Cui Dongguo.
"How is this possible!" The game was only halfway through, and sweat was already dripping from Cui Dongguo.
The Go club was completely silent, with Gao Qi and everyone else shocked, mouths agape.
This was a one-sided match, and in front of Lin Chen, Cui Dongguo was completely overpowered.
"This guy is actually a master," Feng Yan's eyes lit up.
"Damn, such a master actually claimed he had no rank," the faces of the Korean players turned sour.
The game between Lin Chen and Cui Dongguo was utterly one-sided, and at this moment, Cui Dongguo was even more shocked.
This young man whom he had initially disregarded, Cui Dongguo only realized his mysterious and formidable playing skills during their actual face-off.
In front of him, he felt utterly powerless, like a three-year-old child.
How could it be possible? How could he be so strong? As a champion of the youth competition, he had faced the Go king from Koren, known as the "Stone Buddha", but he had never been so embarrassed in front of him.
He even felt that Lin Chen's strength was more formidable than the Stone Buddha's.
After half an hour, Cui Dongguo finally could not continue, and on the board, his pieces were systematically decimated by Lin Chen.
"I lost," Cui Dongguo admitted defeat with a resigned voice.
Seeing Cui Dongguo concede, everyone was stunned, even feeling a sense of unreality.
"He actually defeated Cui Dongguo, the rising star of Go in Korea!" Gao Qi's face was blank in shock.
"Yay! We won!" Feng Yan exclaimed excitedly, jumping up.
The players from Korea were astonished as Cui Dongguo had never lost so badly. Even when playing against the Korean Go king, he had lasted an hour, but this time he surrendered after only half an hour.
Cui Dongguo's face turned pale. Among Go players, he respected no one but the Stone Buddha. But this time, he truly acknowledged his defeat.
"I didn't expect Mr. Lin to be such an expert. I lost due to my arrogance and I apologize to you and China," Cui Dongguo knelt before Lin Chen.
The Go club fell into silence. The arrogant Cui Dongguo kneeling and apologizing was unimaginable.
Everyone from DY High School felt their blood boiling at the sight. Just moments ago, each of them had been overwhelmed by humiliation, but now, though it was Lin Chen who had won, they all felt an immense sense of pride.
Watching Cui Dongguo voluntarily kneel, Lin Chen nodded inwardly.
Although this guy was somewhat arrogant, he dared to admit his defeat.
"Ah, the most painful thing in life is having no rival. Who can understand the pain of seeking a worthy opponent?" Lin Chen stood up from the Go board and feigned profundity.
Watching Lin Chen's retreating back, everyone showed a look of admiration.
"Master Lin, could I possibly become your apprentice?" Suddenly, Cui Dongguo knelt down and shouted.
"Your talent is good, but you're not yet qualified to be my apprentice. Your playing style is too aggressive, lacking sustainability. Reflect on this aspect, and you will improve," Lin Chen said calmly as he stopped walking.
"Thank you for your guidance, Master," Cui Dongguo said, treasuring Lin Chen's words like precious gems.
"So cool! I like him."
"Which class is he in? I'm going to write him a love letter!"
Lin Chen's cool demeanor attracted many admiring glances from the girls. Glancing back at the fervent gaze of Feng Yan, Lin Chen felt a secret thrill, realizing that the last school beauty would soon be in his palm as well.
"Ding-dong, congratulations to the host 'Lin Chen' for completing the mission and receiving 3 popularity points."
He now had six popularity points, but Lin Chen knew he couldn't squander them lightly.
Lin Chen stepped out of the Go club, suddenly remembering he hadn't seen Teacher Li Meiying all day. Where had she gone? He hoped she wasn't too upset.
He quickly dialed Li Meiying's number: "Ms. Li, why didn't you come to school today?"
"Oh, I wasn't feeling well and took the day off. I'll be at school tomorrow," Li Meiying said.
For Li Meiying, today had been a peculiar day. Wei Dayong had just called to tell her that she no longer needed to repay the money; the principal had personally called to offer her the position of head teacher for senior class two. Her messy life suddenly seemed full of hope.
Li Meiying looked at the black card in her hand. Could all this be because of this boy?
Although she felt the card was of little use, she still treasured it and placed it in her wallet.
Then, her phone suddenly rang. Upon answering, a girl's laughter came through, "Meiying, there's a reunion tonight at the Future Stars. You must come no matter what. The expenses are on my husband, you mustn't miss it!"
After hanging up, Li Meiying's expression became unnatural. The caller was her college classmate and best friend, Zhang Xiaoxue, whose husband was no other than her own ex-boyfriend from college. Her boyfriend had abruptly broken up with her and then gotten together with her best friend, which deeply hurt Li Meiying.
Though Zhang Xiaoxue seemed enthusiastic on the surface, her words carried an arrogant air. To go or not to go? Li Meiying hesitated.