In a quiet chess room, two figures sat across from each other. One was older, the other younger, but their facial features bore a striking resemblance.
Between them lay a Go board and a pair of stone containers. They were engaged in a ga, taking turns placing stones on the board.
Zhuang Weisheng maintained a calm expression as he studied the board. Soon, he picked up a stone from the container and placed it down slowly.
Click.
Column 12, Row 15—Peep.
Zhuang Fei’s expression shifted slightly. His hand, which was already reaching into the stone container, hesitated mid-air, unable to make the next move.
After a brief mont, Zhuang Fei clenched his teeth and lowered his head. “Dad, I lost...”
Zhuang Weisheng gazed at the board and pointed to the upper-right corner.
“In the past, when I played this Attach move, you would have imdiately countered with a Hane and fought fiercely against .”
“Even if you knew you were outmatched, you still wanted to show your sharpness. But now, you chose to reinforce your position instead of engaging with my black stones at all.”
Although there was no trace of bla in Zhuang Weisheng’s tone, Zhuang Fei still felt ashad. He lowered his head, unable to say a word.
“Your mid-ga fighting was also completely aimless.”
Zhuang Weisheng’s gaze remained fixed on the board, his presence imposing without anger. “You built a large frawork in the center but hesitated, afraid to commit, and at the sa ti, you wanted to take territory on the sides. In the end, you gained nothing.”
“If you wanted territory, you should have committed to the ‘grab first, settle later’ strategy. Why didn’t you? Do you have no confidence in your ability to survive?”
Hearing this, Zhuang Fei’s face flushed red as he defended himself. “How was I supposed to survive? You’re a 10-dan player, and I’m just—what am I compared to you? How was I supposed to break your massive central influence?”
“I am a 10-dan player. You are my son. The best way you can repay is by defeating .”
Zhuang Weisheng’s tone remained composed as he looked up at Zhuang Fei. “In the past, even when you suffered crushing defeats, you still dared to invade my formations and fight for survival. Why don’t you dare anymore?”
“I…”
Zhuang Fei bit his lip, struggling to find the words.
“Because I am your father, and because you do have talent, you’ve always been proud. I used to think that was a good thing because that pride drove you forward.”
Zhuang Weisheng continued, “But now I realize I may have been wrong. If a single setback is enough to break you, then you will never go far.”
“I should thank that boy, Yu Shao, and also Fang Haoxin, who eliminated you. They made realize this sooner rather than later.”
“Your Go skills may be sufficient, but you lack the mindset of a true professional. Or rather, you are not yet worthy of being called a Go player.”
“Your heart is in chaos.”
Zhuang Fei’s face twisted in pain as the nas Yu Shao, Su Yiming, and Fang Haoxin flashed through his mind. And then, unexpectedly, another na surfaced—Jiang Xiahua.
“But…”
Zhuang Fei’s voice wavered with uncertainty. “I was completely outmatched…”
“The fact that you’re saying that is exactly why I don’t see you as a real Go player.”
Zhuang Weisheng sighed softly, then asked, “Do you know the aning behind the na your grandfather gave ?”
Zhuang Fei was montarily stunned.
“‘Weisheng’—‘Unborn.’ In Go, it refers to stones on the brink of death but still holding the possibility of revival.”
Zhuang Weisheng continued, “Your grandfather loved Go, and he never wished for my path to be smooth. A Go player who has never been pushed to the brink of despair will never truly rise again.”
“A player who has never faced setbacks, no matter how talented, will eventually hit a wall and stagnate.”
“It was this na, ‘Unborn,’ that constantly reminded , allowing to reach where I am today.”
Zhuang Weisheng looked at Zhuang Fei and said, “And you are my son.”
Hearing these words, Zhuang Fei gritted his teeth but could no longer hold back his emotions. Tears stread down his face.
“I… I understand.”
His voice was choked with emotion as he lowered his head and repeatedly apologized. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
“Dad, I’ve disgraced you.”
“I’ve never lost so miserably before. I… I’ve let you down.”
Seeing this, a rare smile appeared on Zhuang Weisheng’s face. He stood up and ruffled Zhuang Fei’s hair.
“Disappointed? Perhaps a little. But not because you were eliminated. And where does ‘disgrace’ co into this?”
“Do you think I’ve never lost before? I’ve lost plenty. My son can lose too. But I know you can handle it. Don’t run from failure. Wipe your tears, lift your head!”
“Sharpen yourself for a year. Next year, show everyone a surprise!”
Zhuang Fei wiped his face and nose, nodding firmly. “I understand.”
Then, as if recalling sothing, he asked, “Dad, what do you think about that ga I showed you—the match between Yu Shao and Su Yiming?”
“That ga?”
Zhuang Weisheng pondered for a mont before answering.
“The opening had several peculiarities. The Great Avalanche and Demon Blade Joseki appeared one after another. Despite Black making no obvious mistakes, they ended up in a passive position. That’s worth reflecting on.”
“The mid-ga was incredibly complex. Yet, even in such a chaotic battlefield, both players executed their attacks precisely while maintaining an awareness of the overall board. Their level was undoubtedly high.”
“White’s final attack was astonishing—willing to play a cracked shape to attack Black. That kind of play is terrifyingly bold. One single misstep would have reversed the ga, yet White pulled it off flawlessly.”
“But… I can’t judge more than that.”
“Go isn’t sothing that can be fully understood just by looking at a ga record. Without playing face-to-face, even I can’t see everything. Only the players involved can truly grasp the depth of the match.”
Zhuang Weisheng paused before adding, “But it won’t be long now. Just two more weeks.”
Zhuang Fei blinked, then suddenly realized sothing. He looked up sharply at his father, eyes wide. “Dad, are you talking about… the Fla Inheritance Match?”
“Yes.”
Zhuang Weisheng nodded. “Two days ago, I submitted my request to the Southern Go Academy—to be Yu Shao’s opponent in the Fla Inheritance Match.”
“It’s common for top players to apply to ntor newly promoted professionals during this event. But to apply as an opponent instead of a ntor? That has never been done before.”
After a brief pause, Zhuang Weisheng continued, “But the Southern Go Academy granted this request.”
“You lost to Fang Haoxin in the Losers’ Bracket, and he happens to be without a ntor. So, in two weeks, I will be paired with him in the Fla Inheritance Match.”
Zhuang Weisheng collected the stones and sat back down across from Zhuang Fei.
“Alright, let’s play another ga.”
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