Super Gene Hunting Ground-Chapter 650 - 650: The Zhenlong Chess Art Hall (4 updates)

David was momentarily startled, wanting to say something but hesitated. Then he said to Yang Xiao:
"Master Yang, I don't mean to impose, but Elder Qin and I haven't seen each other for a long time and would like to catch up. Our conversation might be a bit loud and could disturb your meal.
There are five of you, which is a perfect number to have a quiet dinner. Please order anything you'd like, don't be polite."
Yang Xiao smiled and replied:
"Don't mention it."
Then he and four guards moved to another table nearby.
Seeing Yang Xiao and the others seating themselves, Elder Qin whispered to David:
"Brother Dai, no offense, but why would you choose a miner to be your Go mentor? There are so many masters on Witch Star, and you choose him. Don't you want to improve your spiritual power?
Isn't this miner the one that the Eldest Prince recently brought in from Earth?"
David just smiled, knowing some things couldn't be explained clearly and didn't need to be. He changed the subject, saying:
"I got the impression from what Qin Lu said just now that his Go skills have already surpassed Elder Qin's, so this time you plan to let Qin Lu represent the base in the competition, right?"
"Ah, it's just for fun, to let him make some friends. It'll be easier to ask for help managing the base here in the future, right? Oh yes, Qin Lu, raise a toast to Uncle Dai. Uncle Dai is an expert in base management. You can ask him for advice in the future."
Qin Lu immediately picked up his glass,
"Uncle Dai, cheers to you!"
"Hehe, you're too kind."
After a few rounds of drinks, Elder Qin said:
"Station Chief Dai, since you've just arrived at Karachi City, you haven't visited Master Xue Rong, have you?"
"I actually do want to visit him, but there's probably a queue of several hundred meters right now outside his door, right? It would be a waste of time for me to go, better to sit here and have a drink with you."
"Listen to that, you're here for the Go tournament, how can you not pay a visit to Master Xue Rong?
He's the only Go master in Karachi City, and the head judge of this Go competition. Didn't you use to seek a game with him every few months?
I suggest that after lunch, you should go and pay a visit to Master Xue Rong."
David chuckled and asked:
"You've been here for a few days early, who's considered the favorite to win this time?"
"Master Xue Rong's proud disciple, Zuo Yuan, the son of the chief of the largest base on Purple Origin Star, Huang Mi, and a subordinate of the Eldest Prince, Long Yue."
"Who among the three is the favorite?"
"It's hard to say, all three are Go experts. Zuo Yuan goes without saying, he owns a base on Purple Origin Star and has also become a student of Master Xue Rong, having studied under him for three years. His skills have advanced rapidly. I heard that in the last three months, Master Xue Rong has cancelled all his appointments just to play Go with Zuo Yuan, seemingly determined to ensure his victory.
Huang Mi, the son of Station Chief Huang, has been learning Go with a master on Witch Star. He felt he wasn't ready last year and didn't compete, but his participation this year means he's very confident.
As for the Eldest Prince's subordinate Long Yue, he is cunning and has superb Go skills. The fact that the Eldest Prince assigned him to help manage the base on Purple Source suggests he's very competent,"
Elder Qin paused and looked at David,
"Eh, I almost forgot, aren't you part of the Eldest Prince's faction? Don't you know about Long Yue?"
David replied with a wry smile:
"How am I part of the Eldest Prince's faction? I'd like to be, but why would they think highly of me? It's just that an elder from our family serves under the Eldest Prince, so everyone assumes I'm part of the Eldest Prince's faction. But that's not really the case."
"Ah well, no matter. We're just spectators enjoying the show, focused on participating and watching the excitement. Come on, let's eat, the food's getting cold."
The two chatted leisurely while eating.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiao and the four guards were quietly eating their meal, all the while stealthily observing the people and affairs around them, getting acquainted with the customs of this planet.
As everyone was eating, a young man entered the restaurant, loudly saying:
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed Station Chiefs, and friends, the Purple Source Casino is opening up betting today,
with the Go tournament kicking off in six days. The hottest contenders for the championship include Zuo Yuan, Huang Mi, and Long Yue. Hurry up and place your bets, the more you bet, the more you win. Don't miss this golden opportunity to strike it rich as you pass by,"
The young man was an employee of the Purple Haze Casino, tasked with promoting gambling events at various inns, hotels, and marketplaces, attracting people to place their bets.
Many people, upon hearing this, immediately crowded around, asking for the detailed betting situation.
"Ah, everyone can go to the Purple Haze Casino to place their bets personally. The casino offers full services, and next door, at the Yihong Brothel, a new batch of girls from the Gamma Planet has arrived. They are graceful and dignified, so after placing your bets, you could go next door to enjoy yourself. Those who place bets can enjoy an additional 20% discount for Yihong Brothel services, plus receive two exquisite pastries as gifts."
Someone laughed and said:
"Hey, brother, the casino and the Yihong Brothel must both be owned by your boss, right? Talk about one-stop service; all our money goes to you guys. Coming out of the casino, cleaned out to our last coin, and entering the Yihong Brothel, we don't even have to undress, that's rather convenient, haha..."
The crowd laughed heartily.
The young employee went on to say:
"Speaking of one-stop service, we also have a foot bath and sauna outlet next door. All you hardworking bosses and station chiefs deserve some relaxation. As long as you bet at the casino, with your betting slip, you can enjoy a 20% discount at the foot bath and sauna outlet, and even get a portion of turtle jelly for clearing heat and detoxifying."
"Pfft!"
Yang Xiao spat out a mouthful of tea.
What the hell, turtle jelly? Is it the turtle jelly from Earth?
The four guards dining at the same table looked at Yang Xiao and asked:
"Master Yang, what's wrong?"
"What is this turtle jelly that the young man mentioned just now?"
"Turtle jelly is a medicinal material that clears heat, detoxifies, and refreshes the mind. What about it?"
"Ah, nothing. May I ask, is this turtle jelly a traditional delicacy of your planet?"
"No, it's said to be a recipe from an extraterrestrial world, getting popular only in the past decade or so."
Hearing this, Yang Xiao thought to himself,
"It seems that Witch Star conducted thorough and systematic research on a lot of Earth's material before attacking Earth, no wonder there were so many UFO sightings on Earth in the past."
After finishing the meal, David said:
"Master Yang, there's a Chess Art Hall nearby. How about we all go there and have some fun with Elder Qin and Young Master Qin?"
"I don't mind, you arrange it."
The group walked out of the inn, and after just about ten meters, they arrived at a Chess Art Hall.
The signboard of the Chess Art Hall read:
"Zhenlong Chess Art Hall."
"Owner, open up two private rooms."
Elder Qin said.
A young woman ran over, smiling cheerfully:
"I'm sorry, but there are no private rooms left, there are just a few empty tables in the hall. The Chess Art Hall has simply been too packed these days, you probably know that."
With the approaching Go competition, players from all over had flocked there, using their spare time to play a few rounds of chess, to exchange ideas and train.
David said:
"Then let's settle for the hall, it's no big deal."
They were led towards the hall by the young woman.
Just entering, they saw a crowd gathered around watching two people play a match.
A voice was heard shouting:
"The black pieces are surely defeated. There's absolutely no way out. If anyone has the skill to turn around the situation playing black, even if they just end in a draw, I'll lose one million Crystal Coins."
(Four updates completed)