Sheng Chujun thought about it. “Who cares about the wishing charm, I have…” He felt his inner pocket. “Oh! I have something here that is better than the wishing charm!” He took out Chuling’s peace knot.
“This is called the Sheng Peace Knot. It can drive out evil spirits, protect and allow one’s wishes to come true. It is very effective. It cannot be exchanged for any amount of money.” Sheng Chujun saw that Sun Lingwei did not believe him. “I may do many kinds of evil deeds but I would never lie to a girl. Let me tell you, this is a secret skill passed down my Sheng family for generations. Do you know how my father, Sheng Xiaojing, gained the Emperor’s high regard? Other than his ability to win battles, more importantly, it was this Sheng Peace Knot. In the past, he used this Sheng Peace Knot several times to guarantee the Emperor’s safety. The Emperor was extremely pleased and conferred him the title of Duke Lu. Also, Princess Xinnan was sick last month. My brother sent her a Sheng Peace Knot and she immediately recovered. When it was Princess Xinnan’s birthday, she did not ask for anything except to plead with my brother to give her a few Sheng Peace Knots.”
Sun Lingwei’s eyes lit up. “Are you speaking the truth?” She then thought, “If you have such a good thing, then why do you need to come to Fuan Temple?”
“I…” Sheng Chujun had to give an excuse. He could not expose his elder brother’s secret. “...came to train. Climbing a mountain and kowtowing can train my legs and my waist. My amazing figure is all due to rigorous training.”
“How about I buy one from you?” Sun Lingwei did not want to make a wasted trip.
“You can’t. Because this thing can only be given to someone who is fated. We are fated so I will give it to you.” Human relations were much better than money.
Sun Lingwei hesitated but eventually accepted it. She urgently needed good fortune for her and her sister to make up.
“May I ask for your name?” Sheng Chujun took the opportunity.
Sun Lingwei was startled. “How can I tell others my name so easily?”
Sheng Chujun looked disappointed as he saw Sun Lingwei leave. Ah, after so long, he even gave her a gift and yet he could not even get her name. He had failed miserably!
Sun Lingwei suddenly turned back. “If my wish comes true, I will definitely return to repay the wish. I hope we will be fated to meet again.”
Sheng Chujun jumped up and waved enthusiastically. “Okay, we will meet again if we are fated!” When it comes to fate, it is not a coincidence. Anyone with a will, will find a way.
Chapter 44.1: Fire and Flood
Fengtian Monastery sat on top of the mountain and was surrounded by a mystical energy. Anyone who saw it from afar would have his spirits uplifted. However, Sheng Chumu was not interested in this place. The food was distasteful and he could not sleep here. He ate two meals in one but he was still so hungry he slouched awfully. He almost choked when he gobbled down his food and had to cough for a long while.
The reason why he was being treated so inhumanely was because the famous Master Yuan of Fengtian Monastery was a chess fanatic. Every time he mentioned playing chess, everyone would avoid him, afraid of being called on. Although Sheng Chumu knew he was a sacrificial lamb to play chess against Master Yuan, he had not imagined that the chess fanatic would be so crazy. He could not leave even if he lost and had to continue playing game after game. This was a test of his physical and mental strength.
However, Sheng Chumu would not back down. This game would help him to buy over Master Yuan.
Master Yuan was a famous chess fanatic and one of the things that Sheng Chumu learned from his uncle was chess. He had not thought much of it before but chess has become his key to win. He has played, and lost a total of one hundred and six rounds of chess without eating or sleeping. Master Yuan was not tired at all but was impressed by Sheng Chumu’s novel ways of thinking. Hence, he demanded that Sheng Chumu continue to play with him.
Regardless, this was the right way forward.
Sheng Chumu drank as he gobbled down his food. He had a lot of stress and he also had to make his next move.
Master Yuan frowned upon seeing the muddle-headed Sheng Chumu. He said, “Throughout my life, I have not been afraid of status and have regarded money as dung. I have lived till this day and the world is nothing but a passing breeze to me. However, for chess, I have put down my pride for you. I never imagined that you would trample upon my sincerity!”
Sheng Chumu laughed, “I just wanted to drink a few bottles of your superior wine. Don’t be angry, once I return, I will send you a hundred and eighty bottles of superior wine.”
“Who cares about those stinky bottles of wine? I waited a long while for you and even took out the chess board that the Emperor gave me. Do you know how much anticipation I had for our next round? You are so drunk, you can’t even sit still. How are you going to play chess with me? Someone, take him to the well and splash him with cold water. Don’t think that you can run just because you are drunk. I, Master Yuan, will not allow others to fool around!”
“Old man, what are you complaining about? Don’t think that you are so good just because you have beaten me a hundred and seven times. Once I read through the Linglong Chess Book, I can beat you with my eyes closed.” Sheng Chumu was speaking his mind as he was drunk.
“Young lad Sheng, what did you say? Linglong Chess Book?” Master Yuan’s eyes widened.
“What?” Sheng Chumu spat and waved drunkenly. “No, no. I did not say that.”
“I heard it clearly, Linglong Chess Book. You have this treasure with you?”
“No...nope.” He has caught the bait.
“Aiya, we are the same, what is there for you to hide. The Linglong Chess Book is a sacred book for chess. In the past, I was willing to spend my money and riches to get it but I didn’t manage to. How did you obtain it? Can you lend it to me?”
“Do you want the Linglong Chess Book so much?” Sheng Chumu was going to pull the reel in.
“Yes.” Master Yuan nodded heavily.
“It is easy to get it. You can bet with me.” Sheng Chumu’s eyes narrowed. “We can play one round. If you lose, you grant me a favor. If you win, I will give you the Linglong Chess Book.” Sheng Chumu reached into his chest and placed a book on the table.
Master Yuan’s eyes hardened and he exclaimed, “Alright! I will make the bet!”
This round was different from previous ones. Sheng Chumu did his best and gradually began to gain an upper hand.
Sheng Chumu played his next move and smiled gleefully. He said, “Master Yuan, it is only natural that the waves behind Yangtze River would push the ones forward. I have cornered you with this move. There is no use even if you frown. Admit your loss!” One should never underestimate their enemy.
“Young lad Sheng, you are smart. You have learned many moves from me after a hundred and seven rounds. You even used some moves against me in this round. This brat might still have a few tricks up his sleeve.
“One is born with intelligence. I will have to thank my parents.” Sheng Chumu raised his eyebrows gleefully.
“However, intelligence can be beaten by intelligence too.” Master Yuan’s next move completely changed the circumstances of the board. There was no way for Sheng Chumu to regain the advantage.
Sheng Chumu blinked his eyes dumbfoundedly. “This is not possible!”
“Chess is a game of personal development. You only wanted to win and made aggressive moves. If you had not been so hasty to make that last move and carefully made your play, you might have been able to beat me. However, you were too hasty and tried to snatch the win. You forced me to exhaustion. It should be understood that Yin and Yang depend on each other as do life and death. This is the ultimate principle of heaven. You have lost this round.”
Master Yuan took the book and grinned. “This sacred chess book is mine to take.” Sheng Chumu wore a hard face but he laughed internally. The old man had fallen for his trap.