Published: March 7, 2025
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN: This Won't Work, That Also Won't Work
Since Chu Yang arrived here, he has been contemplating. Cheng Ziang's response only deepened his doubts. Watermelon seeds? It shouldn't be that...
Looking at the complicated terrain, Chu Yang couldn't help but ask himself: If I were Tang Xingsheng, what would I do? How would I hide?
Taking this as a starting point, Chu Yang placed himself in Tang Xingsheng's shoes, gradually extending his thoughts...
The situation was not yet apparent; the Butian Pavilion had not yet made a move against me. I was simply preparing for rain before the flood; first, I would hide and watch the reactions. If it looked bad, I would leave immediately. If it seemed okay, I would return and say I went to visit a friend... Hmm, this should be Tang Xingsheng's mindset.
So, Tang Xingsheng is nearby, perhaps still paying attention to the movements of the Tang Manor. And here, the roads are crisscrossed; if I wanted to pay attention to all aspects of the Tang Manor's movements... what position would I choose?
Chu Yang pondered. The position chosen by Cheng Ziang to avoid detection was not the best option; the best position is often the one that is most closely monitored, as someone will always be watching. Instead, it’s the less optimal positions! Since Cheng Ziang wouldn't choose them, with Tang Xingsheng's intelligence, he certainly wouldn't choose them either.
So, I would choose a less ideal position. And the position now occupied by Cheng Ziang is indeed this slightly inferior one.
With a calm gaze, Chu Yang identified several spots nearby that were most suitable for monitoring the Tang Manor. Since the first two positions wouldn't work, then the third position is...
Chu Yang's gaze fell on the two old men playing chess under that tree.
Both men were white-haired and appeared to be over sixty years old, with wrinkled faces, showing signs of old age. They were both focused on the chessboard. One of them, facing Chu Yang, had a relaxed expression, contentedly fanning himself with a folding fan, while the other was bowing his head, deep in thought, seemingly perplexed by his opponent's moves...
These two old fellows have quite the taste; even at this age, they can sit so steadily...
A thought stirred in Chu Yang's mind as he exchanged a secret look with Cheng Ziang.
"Two old brothers, playing chess must be tiring; have some sunflower seeds," Cheng Ziang stammered as he approached, wearing a humble smile, placing a handful of seeds next to the chessboard. He sighed enviously, "You two brothers are truly fortunate, playing chess for two days without worrying about anything else, unlike this old man, sigh... still have to hustle for a living..."
The relaxed old man smiled broadly and said, "You old brother are also quite fortunate, healthy in body; isn't that the greatest fortune?" Although his voice was old, it was quite elegant.
Cheng Ziang repeatedly agreed, bent his back, and retreated.
"Playing chess for two days straight..." A flash of insight crossed Chu Yang's mind, and he reached a conclusion. Glancing at the big tree, he swayed and walked over to the two old men playing chess, leaning down to look at the chessboard.
"This chess is hard to break...," Chu Yang clicked his tongue repeatedly, "Wonderful! Truly wonderful..."
The old man, who was deep in thought, suddenly turned his head, glaring angrily, and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? You understand chess?" It seemed all the frustration from the pressured game was directed at this ignorant young lad in an instant.
"Well, look here; digging won't do, jumping won't do, and capturing is not good either. Cutting might be a good move, but it also carries the risk of total annihilation... it's really hard to respond to." With a swift motion, Chu Yang unfolded a folding fan and then snapped it shut, placing it on the chessboard.
The words from Chu Yang sent a shiver down Cheng Ziang's spine! He knew nothing about chess, but what Chu Yang said clearly had ulterior motives: digging won't do, jumping won't do, capturing won't do, cutting won't do... My goodness, isn't that describing Tang Xingsheng's current situation?