On an afternoon of torrential rain, a slight chill hung in the air, even for July in Linxia.

Thick, dark clouds obscured the sun. As lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, gusts of wind blew in from all directions.

They scattered fallen leaves across the grounds of the Spring Lotus Garden.

There were bamboo leaves, willow leaves, and even petals from freshly bloomed flowers torn from their bushes.

In weather like this, Chen Yi certainly wasn’t about to stay in the drafty, open-sided pavilion drinking tea.

Instead, he was in his study, having set up a Go board with Xiao Wuge.

One was teaching, the other learning.

The black and white stones were laid out on the board and then gathered up again; not a single game was played to completion.

Xiao Wuge was still a beginner. Though he was a quick study, he had mastered too few standard openings and patterns to sustain a full game.

Chen Yi, however, was in no hurry.

Since learning Go, the time he spent on the Chess Dao had already surpassed his calligraphy practice, second only to his time spent on Martial Arts and the Medical Dao.

This was partly due to his Martial Arts Body and his Great Success in the Medical Dao, but the fundamental reason lay in the utility of the Chess Dao itself.

Originally, Chen Yi hadn’t believed in the old adages about "playing with all living beings as your pieces," "using heaven and earth as your board," or "judging a person’s character through their game."

But judging from the Profound Mysteries of the Chess Dao he had obtained, and from his own numerous strategies and deductions, he now knew that the Realms described in those phrases were indeed attainable.

It all depended on the player’s position and the objective they sought to achieve.

’For instance, at this very moment, the board in my mind is the land of Shu State itself, upon which I’m deducing the Xiao Family’s current predicament and its future course.’

’As I place the stones, my thoughts can be distilled into three words: "Break the stalemate."’

’Should the Xiao Family’s situation improve in the future, the game would change along with it, evolving into an entirely new match.’

As Chen Yi pondered these things, he wore a gentle smile, occasionally offering a few words of guidance.

After listening, Xiao Wuge would usually pause to think for a moment.

Then, he would place a few more stones, combining the method he was taught with his own understanding.

Some of his interpretations were skewed, but others showed he could extrapolate from a single point, demonstrating a thorough grasp of the concept.

But regardless of whether his understanding was off the mark or correct, Chen Yi would offer a few words of praise before pointing out the problem or the cleverness of the move.

’He knew very well that the most precious quality in a child is the ability to think independently.’

’Any outside interference, no matter how small, only serves to stifle that invaluable trait.’

’So, I just need to be a good guide, an embodiment of the saying, "The master opens the door, but the student must walk the path alone."’

Just then, having learned a new standard sequence, Xiao Wuge’s initial delight gave way to another question.

"Brother-in-law, do you think my sister’s illness can be cured?"

Chen Yi calmly gathered the stones into their bowls and replied, "Perhaps."

He didn’t give a definite answer.

’My Medical Dao has already reached the Great Success Realm. In terms of theory, Medical Skill, and even my understanding of medicinal properties, I surpass ninety percent of the Physicians in Great Wei.’

’Even so, I still have no way to cure the ailment of extreme cold that afflicts Xiao Wan’er.’

’I can only wait for my own Realm to advance further before attempting it again.’

Xiao Wuge let out an "oh," his heart sinking with a little disappointment.

"That was the first time I’d ever seen my sister so excited. If only that Divine Doctor Ma’s Medical Skill was a little better."

Chen Yi smiled. "It will be."

"It’s like playing Go. As long as you immerse yourself in it, body and soul, your skill will gradually improve."

"But everyone has different talents. The speed of improvement varies, and the upper limits of one’s potential will also be different."

Xiao Wuge thought for a moment, then nodded. "You’re right, Brother-in-law."

Then he asked, "So, how is my talent for the Chess Dao?"

Seeing the earnest look on the boy’s face, Chen Yi decided to knock him down a peg. "It’s so-so."

"Huh?" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"What ’huh’? Set up the Pine Snow Chess Position for me."

"Oh..."

’Kids... they achieve some small success and immediately want recognition.’

’In these moments, you have to read the situation. You can’t just shower them with praise. A little humbling now and then helps them build a more stable foundation.’

While the two played Go, Xiaodie would always sit quietly to one side.

’To her, Go was something for scholars, an elegant pursuit that didn’t belong in her world.’

So, as she watched the black and white stones slowly fill the board, her eyes would close without her noticing.

Her head would nod, and nod again, until after a few bobs, it would fall still, leaving only the sound of her steady breathing.

And so, the afternoon passed in peace.

It wasn’t until just before nightfall that the sound of jingling bells echoed from outside the Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yi knew Pei Guanli and the others had returned. He gently tapped Xiaodie, signaling for her to go get dinner ready.

Xiaodie lifted her head, looked at him blankly, then glanced at the darkening sky outside before jumping to her feet and rushing out the door.

"Forgive me, Young Master! Xiaodie didn’t mean to fall asleep."

Chen Yi shook his head and smiled. ’Whether she meant to or not, at least she got a peaceful nap.’

He then helped Xiao Wuge put away the Go board.

A moment later, Pei Guanli’s head popped into view at the study doorway, a smile on her cheerful, round face.

"Brother-in-law, I’m back!"

"I heard your bells a while ago. Come in and have a seat."

Pei Guanli then padded in, her smooth, bare feet still wet and leaving a trail of small footprints.

"Look! I bought so many things today."

Pei Guanli sat down to the side and held up the small bags in her hand, giving them a little shake.

"There’s a present for you in here, Brother-in-law!"

"Can you guess which one it is?"

Chen Yi glanced over and pointed casually at one of the bags. "This one."

’I don’t have x-ray vision; how am I supposed to know which one is my gift?’

But he saw Pei Guanli’s smile falter. She pulled that very bag out separately and pouted.

"Brother-in-law, you don’t have some kind of all-seeing eye, do you? You actually guessed it! And here I was, thinking I’d hidden it so well."

"Just lucky."

Chen Yi chuckled, taking the bag from her. He opened it and took a look, and his expression immediately darkened.