Chapter 420: Chapter 420

The stones continued to alternate as they were placed on the board. The four players took turns making their moves, their expressions growing increasingly focused, their eyes seemingly seeing nothing but the go board before them, completely immersed in the life-and-death struggle unfolding across the grid.

Within the crisscrossing black and white stones, the killing intent was palpable—only those directly involved could truly feel it. All spectators watching this game held their breaths, not daring to make a sound.

"Could it really work? Is White turning bad stones into good ones?"

"No, not exactly. If Black counters perfectly, bad stones can't become good. But if Black makes a mistake..."

"In this chaotic storm, the board is too complex and unpredictable—mistakes are likely. Turning bad stones into game-deciding moves isn't impossible!"

"Incredible! Simply breathtaking!"

"As expected of Yu Shao! This strategy is absolutely awe-inspiring!"

The Torch Battle livestream was flooded with countless comments. White's position had been precarious, seemingly doomed to collapse, yet now it was carving a new path from certain defeat toward survival! The game had taken an unexpected turn—the outcome was now truly unpredictable!

Soon, it was Zhuang Fei's turn. He didn't move immediately, instead biting his right thumb's nail unconsciously while staring intensely at the board, his mind racing. The situation had grown unimaginably complex—the battle that began in the upper-left corner had now spread across nearly half the board, where every move affected the whole!

Column 10, Row 12—a large knight's move!

Seeing this move, Su Yiming frowned almost imperceptibly, though He Yu didn't notice. After some thought, He Yu placed his stone.

Column 8, Row 15—a bend!

He Yu froze momentarily before realizing his mistake, immediately filled with regret. "My previous move was fine—I wanted to use a small knight's approach to reduce Black's influence but failed to notice my own stones becoming heavy!"

"If I'd just made a tiger's mouth earlier, everything might have been forced into bad shape!! Now, after White's bend, not only has White extended out, but the earlier large knight's move truly serves its purpose of reducing influence!"

Across the board, He Yu also stiffened upon seeing Su Yiming's bend. He quickly recognized the problem with his own move, his pupils contracting as he exhaled shakily, like someone who'd narrowly escaped disaster.

The sound of stones resumed. Yu Shao calmly studied the board, picked up a black stone from his bowl, and placed it swiftly.

Column 9, Row 11—a poke!

"Here... of all places?"

He Yu stared dumbfounded at Yu Shao's move. Once again, it defied all expectations. While Su Yiming's move had saved Zhuang Fei, Black's position wasn't impregnable. Yu Shao had seized the moment to poke at White's cutting point, threatening its eye space!

"If he pokes here, White's isolated stones below are certainly dead. But Yu Shao has already seen how to utilize the dead stones!"

Zhuang Fei also recognized the move's strength, now sweating profusely. Despite holding an advantageous position, he deliberated extensively before finally placing his stone with visible difficulty.

He Yu silently studied the board. After a moment, he picked up a stone and placed it gently. Su Yiming followed immediately with a black stone. Yu Shao focused on the board, then placed another stone without hesitation.

"Not reinforcing, but playing elsewhere first..."

Another move He Yu hadn't anticipated. The moment Yu Shao played it, He Yu felt the vast gulf between this move and what he'd planned—a chasm so wide it seemed insurmountable.

The four players moved rapidly, the board growing increasingly intricate, the conflict between black and white reaching its peak—two mighty dragons locked in mortal combat!

In the official Torch Battle livestream, heated discussions continued as comments flooded in.

"Oh? Su Yiming chooses a shoulder hit here?"

"He's not attacking recklessly but reinforcing, preparing for a potential all-out assault while waiting to see Yu Shao's response—very measured."

"Such experienced play."

Yu Shao's response to Su Yiming's shoulder hit—placing a white stone decisively—caused another stir.

"He ignores the shoulder hit entirely, invading directly to start a capturing race!"

"As expected of Yu Shao and Su Yiming! Their games never disappoint, even in the Torch Battle!"

"Zhuang Fei is playing remarkably well too, far beyond a newly promoted pro's level. Though that He Yu fellow is clearly a step behind..."

The lively discussion gradually quieted as the game grew more intense. All attention was riveted on the thrilling contest unfolding between black and white.

Soon, Yu Shao picked up another white stone and placed it swiftly. Seeing this move, He Yu's mouth opened slightly as if to speak, but no words came out. When Zhuang Fei moved, He Yu silently placed his own stone.

The crisp sounds of stones striking wood echoed continuously.

He Yu watched transfixed as Yu Shao picked up another stone and placed it.

Column 18, Row 15—an extension!

The stone landed with the sound of water dripping into a jade bowl. At that moment, all white stones on the board seemed to glow faintly.

Su Yiming immediately followed, placing a black stone with finality. Then it was Yu Shao's turn again—he placed his stone without hesitation.

Each move struck He Yu with invisible force.

"Not just National Champion Yu Shao and grandmaster Su Yiming—even Zhuang Fei is far beyond me..."

"I can't... keep up."

After a pause, He Yu finally placed his stone. The faint glow on the white stones seemed to dim slightly. He stared blankly at this phenomenon while Su Yiming had already placed his next move.

Another round completed. When Zhuang Fei finished, it was He Yu's turn again.

He Yu stared at the board, unable to move. Time slipped away unnoticed.

"I want to play like them."

But He Yu seemed unaware of time passing, mesmerized by the board. Five minutes elapsed. Seeing He Yu still hadn't moved, the referee and recorder glanced at him curiously. Even Yu Shao looked over in confusion.

"I want to play like them."

He Yu remained oblivious to their gazes, transfixed by the board.

"In their hands, these stones come alive. They control life and death on the board."

"From the highest heavens, they command everything on this board!"

"One move brings life to ten thousand stones, one move brings death to ten thousand stones."

Almost involuntarily, He Yu reached into his bowl, picked up a stone, and—

The stone struck the board with force!

Column 9, Row 13—a central press!

The moment it landed, the sound seemed to reverberate through the room. Ripples appeared to spread outward from that stone across the board! He Yu's hand remained pressed firmly on the stone, his fingers trembling slightly.

Yu Shao's mouth opened slightly in shock at He Yu's move. Zhuang Fei and Su Yiming also stared in disbelief. The referee, recorder, and thousands watching on screens were equally stunned. In broadcasting rooms across major go institutes, professional players exchanged bewildered looks.

"Here... of all places?"

Yu Shao first seemed puzzled by this seemingly inexplicable move, then suddenly stiffened as realization dawned. His eyes gradually brightened.

"This idea... is fascinating!"

Yu Shao's mind raced through potential variations.

"A central press here seems absurd, yet it coordinates with surrounding stones. If Black tries to cut, White has countless follow-ups. If Black doesn't cut, White can reinforce!"

"This move balances the whole board in a soft yet unyielding manner... truly remarkable!"

"While perhaps not better than my planned atari to cut off Black's escape, it's equally valid—and offers a completely new approach!"

After a moment, He Yu withdrew his trembling hand. Breathing heavily, he stared at the board as if waking from a nightmare, then weakly pressed his clock. Taking deep breaths, his gaze sharpened as he looked up at Zhuang Fei across the board.

His eyes conveyed countless words, distilled into two—

Zhuang Fei stared at the board in shock until Su Yiming and Yu Shao's moves snapped him back. Meeting He Yu's gaze, he seemed to understand perfectly! Zhuang Fei's eye twitched, his expression turning icy as he placed his stone with force!

The stones resumed their rapid exchange.

Yu Shao and Su Yiming were utterly focused, while Zhuang Fei and He Yu gritted their teeth, each move landing with purpose. Soon, Zhuang Fei placed another stone.

"Trying to attack my thin position? But I have counterplays at the small point—if he pushes up, I'll press; if he jumps, I'll shoulder hit immediately, fighting to the death!"

Sweat beaded on He Yu's forehead as his sharp eyes darted across the board before placing his stone decisively. Su Yiming glanced at the board and responded immediately.

Seeing Su Yiming's move, He Yu's expression changed. Before he could devise a solution, Yu Shao placed his stone—Black's killing move had vanished!

"Jumping out to extend?"

Zhuang Fei's face darkened. Clenching his jaw, he deliberated extensively before finally placing his stone.

The four players moved in rapid succession, time flowing unnoticed as they poured their entire beings into the game.

"Absolutely brilliant!"

All spectators watched with awe and excitement at this match far exceeding expectations. Though White was disadvantaged, its tenacious struggle moved them deeply. Earlier, He Yu had clearly lagged behind the others' pace, but now every move carried tremendous force. While professionals might still spot occasional hesitations or inaccuracies, everyone recognized He Yu was giving his all!

Even through screens, they could feel White's burning desire for victory, its astonishing fighting spirit! Even in adversity, it held firm, awaiting opportunity—undaunted by countless setbacks, unbowed by repeated defeats!

Time marched steadily forward.

"Here... I must cut off White's escape!"

Zhuang Fei glared fiercely at the board, placing his stone angrily: "This should've ended long ago!"

"Using a diagonal move to threaten my eye space? Then I must make a contact play!"

On the other side, He Yu responded to Zhuang Fei's move by pressing down firmly.

Column 18, Row 14—a contact play!

Su Yiming frowned slightly, studying the board intently before placing his stone. Seeing this, Yu Shao also placed his after brief consideration. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚕·𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎·𝚗𝚎𝚝

Column 9, Row 12—a jump!

Zhuang Fei's expression soured at this move. After nearly eight minutes of deep thought, he finally played. Click. Click. Click. Eight moves later, after two more rounds, seeing Zhuang Fei's latest move, He Yu clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms.

Finally, he lowered his head and spoke hoarsely: "I..."

PS: Fixed incorrect move sequence from yesterday—apologies!