Chapter 119: The Army of Submission (3)

Gu Yun was baffled, but before she could argue, Su Yu blurted out, "Last time, I only said you were free to move about within the General's manor—I never gave you permission to leave at will. Your sister might not even be worthy of a concubine's title in the Prime Minister's household. Do you think you can just stroll into the Xiang residence as you please? Besides, our General's estate has never had any dealings with the Prime Minister's. Since you've entered the General's household, you belong here now. From now on, just stay put and behave yourself. As for your sister, her affairs are no longer your concern."

The more Gu Yun listened, the darker her expression grew. Su Ren, mistaking her silence for anger, offered a low-toned explanation: "Yu's words might have been blunt, but they hold truth. Though Minister Lou is gracious and modest, he is still the Prime Minister of a nation—his gates are not easily crossed. As for the palace, your chances of entering are even slimmer."

—Unless, of course, you become the Lady General of the State. But that thought, he wisely kept to himself.

Gu Yun gave a slow nod. "I understand."

In truth, she wasn't angered by Su Yu's words. Her mind was busy weighing her own position. She had been in this foreign world for quite some time now, yet her life had been confined within the General's residence, surrounded only by blunt and straightforward men. She'd grown used to, even fond of, such an environment and had failed to realize that this place was far removed from the world she once knew.

Here, hierarchy was ironclad, and patriarchy prevailed. She had no desire to remain. First, she had to find Qing. Then she had to find a way back. She wanted to be Gu Yun—not Qing Mo.

With her head lowered slightly in thought, Gu Yun appeared deep in contemplation. This quiet version of her unsettled Su Yu. Yet his pride held him back from offering comfort. He glanced toward his second brother, hoping for help, only to find him quietly absorbed in a game of chess.

Exasperated, Su Yu muttered, "I'll never understand—what fun is there in playing chess alone?"

And he was so engrossed in it! Truly baffling.

His grumbling drew Gu Yun's mind back from her thoughts. Since she had resolved to return home, her heart gradually found calm. She was merely a traveler in this era, never meant to blend in. She was who she was—Gu Yun, and no one else.

Resting her chin on one hand, Gu Yun cast Su Yu a sidelong glance, teasing with a soft laugh, "With no worthy opponent, he's left playing against himself. Simple-minded and strong-limbed types like someone I know surely wouldn't understand the peace and pleasure in such solitude."

These sparring words made her days here somewhat bearable.

Su Yu flushed with embarrassment and shot back, "Who are you calling simple-minded and strong-limbed? If you've got the guts, play against Second Brother!"

He knew his own chess skills were lacking—truthfully, no one in the entire General's estate could rival his brother. Easy for her to mock from the sidelines.

Hearing this, Su Ren's eyes lit up with sudden interest, and he said with a faint, eager smile, "That's not a bad idea. I've heard the three daughters of the Qing family are each extraordinary—Qing Ling is famed for her music, Qing Feng's calligraphy and painting are unmatched, and Qing Mo's chess has never met a true rival. I would be honored to learn from such skill today."

How could he have forgotten that? Finally, someone to challenge his lonely games.

Gu Yun stiffened. What? The three Qing sisters were this remarkable?

The problem was—her Go skills were barely at novice level. If she played Su Ren, her cover might be blown. He was sharp and perceptive—she couldn't take that risk.

Her mind raced for a solution. Eyes fixed on the board, Gu Yun suddenly smiled in delight. Her Go may be weak, but in another game, she was truly undefeated.

Lightly picking up a white piece, she chuckled dismissively. "This style of play is outdated. I stopped bothering with it long ago. If we're to play, let's try something new. The game I often play is simple and quick but full of strategy. Winning is anything but easy."

"A new style?" Su Ren's curiosity was piqued.

As she packed away the black and white Go stones, Gu Yun took one in each hand and began explaining on the board, "We'll still use this board. Stones are placed on the intersections. It's a game for two or even three, but with only black and white stones today, we'll keep it to two. Each player takes one color, placing stones alternately. The first to connect five or more stones in a continuous line—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally—wins."

So it was just Gomoku. Su Yu pouted—how disappointing!

Yet Su Ren leaned in, analyzing the rules, while Su Yu exclaimed, "That's easy! Just connect five in a row, any direction. Way simpler than Go!"

Gu Yun arched a brow with a half-smile. "Then let's have a round, shall we?"

"Bring it on!"

He plopped down opposite her. Go was too complicated for him—this, though, was right up his alley.

Gu Yun gestured toward the black stones. "You go first—black moves first."

Fine by him.

Su Yu placed the first stone dead center. Gu Yun responded swiftly with one beside it. He tried extending his line vertically, only to have Gu Yun block one end. He shifted direction—again, she blocked. No matter where he moved, she matched him step for step.

Just as Su Yu was inwardly fuming, Gu Yun calmly placed another piece and smiled. "You've lost."

"Already? That's impossible!"

They'd barely placed twenty stones!

He peered closer—sure enough, Gu Yun had completed a five-in-a-row while he was distracted.

"Another round!" he barked, refusing to accept defeat. "That was a fluke. Next time, I'll be more careful."

"Very well."

Sliding the black stones toward Gu Yun, he declared, "You go first this time."

"Gladly," Gu Yun replied with a careless smile. She preferred the offensive, and black suited her just fine.

She handed over the white stones and placed her first piece at the center.

This time, Su Yu was far more cautious, closing in step by step, intent on trapping her. Let's see you win now!

Just as he was feeling smug, Gu Yun once more smiled serenely and dropped a stone. "You've lost again."

Her move formed a clean line—five stones connected.

"This is sorcery!" Su Yu exclaimed in disbelief. How had he missed that?

Gu Yun slowly looked up at Su Ren, who had silently observed the game with unwavering focus. She smiled. "Would you like a match?"

"Gladly."

Su Ren sat down with a casual air, but his eyes burned with a quiet, intense light. Unlike Su Yu, he was deliberate and composed. Watching the previous games had clearly given him insight, and Gu Yun dared not underestimate him.

They both played cautiously, their moves precise and deliberate. Gu Yun took the first turn, Su Ren followed. After thirty pieces were played, neither side had yet to gain the upper hand. When it came back to Su Ren, he held his white piece for a long while before finally sighing with a rueful smile, "It seems I've lost."

So swift a game, yet victory was elusive.

Su Yu stared at the board, still unable to comprehend. Pointing to a spot with only three black stones, he said, "But she only has three in a row. You could've blocked her there."

Gu Yun could've placed another on the other end, and Su Ren could've blocked that too. Why give up?

Su Ren replied calmly, "You didn't see the other side—there are three more there. Block one end, and the other is already too late."

A closer look revealed the truth—another line of three black stones on the opposite flank. No way to stop both.

Gu Yun smiled gently. She had carefully laid a trap for Su Ren—a perfect double threat in one move.

Returning the white piece to the box, Su Ren asked with great interest, "It truly is an intriguing game. What do you call it?"

"It's called Gomoku. Just something to pass the time."

In reality, it was her excuse to avoid playing Go altogether. She had no desire to continue chatting; she had to be up at six tomorrow to train the troops.

Stretching lazily, she stood and said, "You all enjoy yourselves. I'll take my leave…"