Chapter 478: Five Stones in One Line

20,000 yen per game. That would only be logical if someone wanted to invite Oda Tokuma, a renowned chess player, for a round of chess. Unexpectedly, though, this kid had actually quoted a price…

What kind of inheritor had the Kiriharas produced?!

But Oda was good at maintaining emotional stability. He said, “Sure. I can give you as much as you want.”

He was actually implying that the Conservatives were very rich, in spite of their humble powers…

Lu Shu’s eyes lit up in excitement. “Let’s have ten rounds then. You may pay one round’s fee as a deposit and three rounds’ fee in advance.”

Oda Tokuma took a long moment to react. Did he think he was renting houses?

Then, without a word, he walked into the hall and knelt down in front of a wooden table, upon which he placed his chess board. Lu Shu did not hesitate any further. Seated, he suddenly asked, “Where have you been, Uncle Oda?”

Oda Tokuma shot him a cautious glance. Was he trying to coax the information of my secret base out of me?

Thus, he asked another question in reply, “Kirihara, how are you feeling after your parents’ passing? Sad? You have changed and, honestly speaking, you are cuter than before. You didn’t even dare to look into my eyes last time.”

“Right, I’ve changed,” Lu Shu pretended to be in deep thought, “My parents’ death has left a great impact on me.”

“Can I ask what future plans you have? Or any wishes?” Oda asked slowly and casually. Kirihara Yousuke would certainly need help from the Conservatives if he was thinking of revenge.

“Wishes? I aim for world peace…”

“Be serious…”

“From Oda Tokuma’s distress, +66.”

He now realized that this kid was as cunning as he had expected. He was not even willing to answer his questions. How cautious.

“Are we still playing chess?” Lu Shu asked.

“You first. Take the black piece,” Oda decided to finish the game first.

He had always told Sakurai Yaeko that one’s personality could be easily seen from a game of chess, and his or her life from the playing style. A decisive girl, Sakurai tended to exploit bold moves during chess, like a sword, quick and sharp. But as a result of her young age, she lacked a certain degree of flexibility sometimes.

Despite this, Oda decided to be more tolerant towards her and gave her time to learn.

This time, his decision to play chess with Kirihara Yousuke stemmed from the same reason as well. He wanted to have a peek into Kirihara’s inner world through chess, since an open conversation would probably be impossible.

Oda took the game seriously. The young man would be an indispensable addition to the Conservatives. Hence, he could not take any chances.

Lu Shu picked up a black stone and placed it gently on the upper left corner of the board. In fact, it was a commonly adopted strategy in Go and many deemed it as a tactical move. Despite the many disagreements, it must be acknowledged that corner occupation played a key role in Go games.

Oda picked up a white stone and landed it in the bottom right corner. It was known as the large knight’s move, so as to defend his corner. Its weakness lay in restricted movements, but with good coordination Oda could surround his opponent from other routes as well.

The message hidden therein was that, I’m interested in responding to you, but will you do the same?

Lu Shu was surprised by his move. Then, he paused and took his time to think.

That gave Oda a glint of hope. Apparently the young man had read his mind! Now that he was thinking, he was clearly willing to give a thought to their potential collaboration. So long as the possibility was not ruled out completely, Oda had the confidence to roll the boy into their organization. After all, given his young age and limited experience, how could he be Oda’s rival, under Oda’s numerous diplomatic tricks?

However, in the next instant, Lu Shu placed another black stone beside his first, closely together.

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A bad hunch rose up in Oda’s heart…

Third, forth, and fifth…

Lu Shu’s black stones quickly formed into a straight line with no obstacles at all. Five stones in one line!

Lu Shu let out a sigh of relief, yet looking serious. “Please pardon me…”

“From Oda Tokuma’s distress, +666!”

“So, you hesitated just now because you were wondering why I did not block your stone?” Oda realized suddenly.

“How did you know?” Lu Shu’s face was beaming with admiration.

“From Oda Tokuma’s distress, +66…”

Oda calmed himself down. He should remain composed and unmoved in front of a young man… But what’s wrong with you?! Looking dead serious after putting down five bloody stones?!

“Goodbye,” Oda Tokuma packed up his chess board and stones and was about to leave. He had lost all hope in sounding out anything more from Lu Shu.

Then, he heard Lu Shu’s shout from behind. “You haven’t paid!”

Oda took out 20,000 yen and left it on the table. Lu Shu requested, “Why not play two more rounds? It’s been a long time since the last time I had such an enjoyable game…”

In the past, chess games with Lu Xiaoyu were literally a crossfire and it was extremely hard to win.

But now, he could win effortlessly and, even better, there was money!

Certainly he knew that the elder had come for a Go game. But, as a poor Go player, he would rather act dumb in refusal of the visitor’s covert probing than arousing suspicions with his pathetic skills.

With 20,000 yen in his hands, Lu Shu returned to the inner room. Bunndai asked, “Did Oda Tokuma really come for you?”

“Yes. He came for a game of chess,” Lu Shu nodded.

“Was it Go? He did come here frequently last time to play Go. But how did you finish one round so fast?” In her impression, one round would usually take a long time.

Lu Shu replied, “His skills can’t be compared to mine. Thus, I won easily. I wanted to have another round with him but he refused to. Here, 20,000 yen that he lost to me. It should be enough for our recent expenses… Nie Ting, is so unreliable…”

Bunndai was dumbstruck. So there was a bet now and he had won it? Besides, Oda Tokuma was a famous chess player in Nishinokyo and few could defeat him. How could Lu Shu actually win the game so fast?!

Was Lu Shu really so damn powerful?

Then Lu Shu asked a question she was not expecting at all, “Are you sure there’s no inheritance?!”

Bunndai smiled, covering her mouth. “You are so greedy for money.”

“Who doesn’t like money…”

…

When Oda returned to his secret base, Sakurai was still practicing in the yard. Surprised by his fast return, she asked, “How are you back so soon, sensei? Did you win?”

Oda froze mid step for a second. Then, he replied, “No. I lost. You may continue getting in touch with him like what we have agreed earlier. Try to get him to our side before he knows your identity.”

“Okay.” Sakurai made a respectful bow, but her heart was overwhelmed with shock. How could her master have possibly lost to that young man?!

As expected, he was not as simple as she had thought. Yet, Sakurai had full confidence about her appearance and physical attractiveness.