110: From the same wilderness, heaven and earth are one

"How to choose?"

State Preceptor Li Guanqi stared at the chessboard, a hesitant expression on her face.

Continuing forward might mean capturing the white pieces, but it could also lead to being continuously tied down and depleted.

If she were to mend the fence after the sheep are lost, she might lose momentum, giving the white pieces a chance to counterattack.

Xie Weilou shook his head, "When you find one mouse in your house, it's likely there's a whole nest of them! To mend the fence after the sheep are lost would come at a considerable cost; to advance further is fraught with unknowns, and ahead might be a trap set by the white pieces."

State Preceptor Li Guanqi mused, "But at this stage of the game, I imagine few would be willing to retreat, because the previous Consumption was too great. Wouldn't retreating now make all the effort for naught?"

Xie Weilou waved his hand again, and a white piece fell. "At this moment, the white pieces will not continue to concede; instead, they will obstruct, preventing the black pieces from disengaging and quickly resolving internal issues, thus exacerbating the problem. By then, mending the fence after the sheep are lost will be too late!"

State Preceptor Li Guanqi fell silent for a second, then continued to place her piece. But after placing it, a complex expression appeared in her eyes.

As Xie Weilou had said, the black pieces were blocked, and the internal situation became even more chaotic. It was too late to withdraw.

The white pieces appeared disorganized but were actually unpredictable, a game of trickery. If it continued, the white pieces would close the net, and the black pieces would be annihilated.

This game was almost over here.

Xie Weilou asked with a smile, "Do you think this game is over here?"

State Preceptor Li Guanqi pondered, "According to what you said, and the situation on the board, it's pretty much over. The white pieces have already defied fate."

Xie Weilou shook his head, "Those who can set up this game are naturally not simple people; both players are formidable..."

He came to the edge of the chessboard and quickly placed pieces, playing both black and white sides himself.

He made many moves consecutively.

Ultimately, the situation on the chessboard formed an extremely peculiar scenario: the black and white pieces were in a draw!

"A draw..."

State Preceptor Li Guanqi was stunned for a second.

Xie Weilou said, "The King's Path and the Path of Trickery, coexisting in the Heaven and Earth Eight Wildernesses Chess Game, are both Great Daos of Heaven and Earth. Their steps may differ, but their final outcome is the same. This game, in the end, will be a draw of Great Harmony between Heaven and Earth!"

"Great Harmony between Heaven and Earth?"

State Preceptor Li Guanqi murmured to herself, her mood suddenly brightening. The inner demons hidden within her body completely dissipated, and her cultivation actually improved.

Perhaps only at this point could the Eight Wildernesses Chess Game truly be considered solved.

Xie Weilou gazed at State Preceptor Li Guanqi, "The Eight Wildernesses Chess Game has been solved."

State Preceptor Li Guanqi drank a cup of wine and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Xie Weilou placed the wine pot on the table. "Tonight, Tianqi City will be very lively. I trouble Grandmaster to help me protect someone: the Tianquan Division Commander, Lin Qinghuang!"

"Alright!"

A smile appeared on State Preceptor Li Guanqi's face.

Protecting someone is one thing, but it will definitely involve killing, so these are actually two things.

However, with the chess game solved, protecting someone and killing a group of people didn't matter anymore!

"Thank you."

After Xie Weilou finished speaking, he instantly vanished from the pavilion.

"What exactly is this person's background?"

State Preceptor Li Guanqi thought to herself.

The moment Xie Weilou entered the pavilion, she had investigated his situation, only to find that she couldn't see through his true nature.

------

Changsun family residence.

Today, lanterns were hung, and it was exceptionally lively.

Changsun Ming stood at the entrance, greeting guests arriving for the birthday banquet.

Xie Weilou prepared a gift and walked forward.

"Young Lord Xie!"

When Changsun Ming saw This Xie, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Xie Weilou handed the gift to an attendant nearby and, smiling, cupped his fists to Changsun Ming, "Today is Grandfather Changsun's birthday. Xie Weilou has brought a small gift, and I hope Minister Changsun will not find it too humble."

Changsun Ming hastily said, "Nonsense, for Young Lord Xie to come here is a blessing for my Changsun family. Young Lord Xie, please come in quickly."

"Alright, alright, alright! Minister Changsun, please continue with your duties; there's no need to mind me."

Xie Weilou smiled and nodded, then walked into the mansion.

"Brother Xie."

The moment Xie Weilou stepped into the mansion, a voice sounded.

Yan Junlin was in the courtyard, walking quickly towards him.

"Greetings, First Prince."

Xie Weilou said with a smile, cupping his fists.

Yan Junlin quickly said, "Between us brothers, there's no need for such formalities."

He then feigned surprise and said, "I didn't expect to meet Brother Xie here!"

Xie Weilou whispered, "I heard that Minister Changsun has a daughter named Miss Grandson Zhirou, who is very beautiful. If I can win her over, then from now on, wouldn't Minister Changsun be closer to the First Prince?"

Yan Junlin heard this and smiled bitterly. He whispered, "Brother Xie, to be honest, Miss Grandson Zhirou is indeed very beautiful, but...but she is too close to Yan Wuhai! I heard that Changsun Ming intends for her to become Yan Wuhai's consort."

Xie Weilou's expression stiffened, and he shook his head. "First Prince, you must have played Cuju, right?"

"Of course, I've played it. I'm quite skilled at it, actually."

Yan Junlin said with a serious expression.

A smile appeared on Xie Weilou's face. "Dealing with women is actually like Cuju. What if there's a goalkeeper? You still have to shoot it in!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Junlin was instantly enlightened. His eyes widened, and he couldn't help but give Xie Weilou a thumbs up. "Listening to your words is better than ten years of study, Brother Xie, you are a role model for our generation!"

Xie Weilou then whispered, "Now that the Eastern Zhou Second Princess is still in Tianqi City, First Prince, you must seize the opportunity!"

Yan Junlin quickly shook his head, "I can't."

Xie Weilou showed a surprised expression. He said seriously, "No problem! I know an old traditional Chinese medicine doctor who specializes in hidden ailments."

Yan Junlin's mouth twitched. He quickly explained, "That's not what I mean! What I mean is, if a man wants everything, he should obtain it with his own hands. If he relies on marriage alliances to win, what's the difference between that and being a good-for-nothing? Brother Xie likes beautiful women, which I can understand, but in the pursuit of imperial hegemony, women are merely femme fatales; they will only hinder our progress."

Xie Weilou said with a face full of emotion, "First Prince, with your words, I feel that no one in the future can contend with you. A person who is solely focused on their career is invincible!"

"Thank you for your auspicious words, Brother Xie."

Yan Junlin quickly cupped his fists, his expression incredibly sincere.

Xie Weilou extended his hand and said, "First Prince, let's go in and have a few drinks."

"Please!"

Yan Junlin also quickly extended his hand.

The two embraced and walked towards a grand hall.

Not far away.

Yan Wuhai stood with a guard. He looked at the retreating figures of Yan Junlin and Xie Weilou, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Your Highness, do you intend to win over Xie Weilou?"

The guard asked, puzzled.

Yan Wuhai slowly spoke, "Not to win him over, but to use him to send a message to someone. The goal has been achieved. I wonder if that person will understand; they should understand!"

"......"

The guard's expression froze, filled with confusion.