The National Hand Championship preliminaries finally concluded, causing quite a stir online. Discussions about the upcoming championship challenge matches sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain across the internet.

Since Yu Shao needed to travel directly to the capital for promotional filming after the preliminaries, he decided not to return to Jiangling. He video-called his parents to inform them.

"Alright, stay safe then. Call me if anything comes up. The weather's cooler in the capital - should I mail you some spring clothes?" Cai Xiaomei chattered on the video call. "Really, you've been in Donghai so long already. The Go association won't even give you time to come home for a break."

Yu Shao listened quietly, feeling warmth in his heart. He had indeed been away from home for quite a while - nearly two months in Donghai for the entire preliminary matches. Now heading to the capital for finals, it would likely be another month before returning home.

"Got it, Mom. I'll come straight back after the competition," Yu Shao replied.

"Alright, just play your normal game without pressure during the challenge matches. I'll cook all your favorites when you get back..." Cai Xiaomei continued talking at length even without much response from Yu Shao, only hanging up when customers arrived at her shop.

After three days of rest at the hotel, Yu Shao boarded a flight from Donghai to the capital.

After several hours, the plane landed at the bustling capital airport where everyone moved with hurried steps, embodying the fast-paced rhythm of the capital city. Some tourists mixed in the crowd, their tired faces masking excitement as they curiously observed the unfamiliar yet prosperous airport.

Yu Shao quickly hailed a taxi to the hotel arranged by the Go association, arriving after about forty minutes.

"You're staying here?" The taxi driver finally spoke up as Yu Shao prepared to exit, unable to contain his curiosity.

"Yes," Yu Shao nodded while pulling out his phone to scan the payment QR code.

"Tsk tsk," the driver clicked his tongue. "This is the best hotel in the capital. Even their most basic rooms cost thousands per night. Young man, what do you do? You don't look like a student, but you're quite young."

"Me?" Yu Shao smiled. "I play Go."

Though Go was popular in this world, not everyone followed it closely, so Yu Shao wasn't surprised the driver didn't recognize him.

"Go?" The driver shook his head with a chuckle. "A professional Go player, huh? I don't know much about it. I've heard of An Hongshi and Zhuang Weisheng, but it's amazing Go can be a profession."

Yu Shao simply smiled without comment.

"By the way, young man, what's your name? Staying at this hotel at your age - you must be famous?" The driver asked curiously. "Just asking casually though - no need to answer if you don't want to."

"My name is Yu Shao," Yu Shao replied, finally completing the payment and preparing to exit.

"Yu Shao?" The driver scratched his head awkwardly. "Haven't heard of you... I do know a player named Zhu Huai'an, also quite young. Thought you might be him."

Yu Shao smiled. "Guess I'm not that famous yet."

"You're still young - fame will come," the driver encouraged.

"Thanks for the kind words," Yu Shao said before finally exiting the taxi.

As the taxi drove off, the driver suddenly remembered something and called a friend.

"Hey, Old Li?" He put the call on speaker while driving. "You're into Go, right? Guess who I just had as a passenger?"

There was a pause on the other end before a skeptical voice asked, "Zhuang Weisheng?"

"Well... no," the driver laughed awkwardly before quickly adding, "But he must be really good too - you know where he's staying? The Jinghua Grand Hotel!"

"Who? What's his name?" The friend's interest was clearly piqued.

The driver thought for a moment. "Yu Shao. Ever heard of him?"

"Yu—" The friend suddenly shouted, "WHAT? Yu Shao?!"

"Damn, why are you yelling?" The driver jumped, his steering wheel jerking as he slammed the brakes, his eardrums still ringing.

"Yu Shao! Seriously? You had Yu Shao in your cab? Where did you pick him up? Did you get an autograph or photo?"

The driver looked puzzled. "Why would I? He looks under twenty. I'm way older - wouldn't it be embarrassing asking someone so much younger for autographs? Is he that famous?"

"Famous?" The friend sounded exasperated. "You really don't follow Go at all?"

"I don't! You know I'm uncultured - no talent for arts whatsoever," the driver replied while steering. "But even though I don't understand Go, I've heard some players' names over the years. Never heard of this Yu Shao."

"Those players you know have been professionals for five or six years. He only turned pro last year," the friend explained.

"Just turned pro last year?" The driver laughed. "So he's just a rookie? Why are you so excited then?"

The friend sighed before continuing, "He turned pro last year, but... if I'm not mistaken, he's in the capital for this year's National Hand Challenge matches."

The driver, who had just started moving again, slammed the brakes once more. "What? The National Hand Challenge?"

"Yes! He's qualified for the challenge matches. If he defeats National Hand Jiang Changdong in the title match, he'll become the youngest National Hand in history at just seventeen!"

The friend continued breathlessly, "You know Zhuang Weisheng, right? Yu Shao recently defeated him! More importantly, many believe he's ushering in Go's third era - the new age of Go will be led by Yu Shao!"

"Nowadays, anyone who plays Go knows Yu Shao's name! Watching his games gets my blood pumping - he's my idol! What kind of cosmic luck let you drive Yu Shao?"

The driver's mind reeled. Was it really that big a deal? He'd missed his chance for a photo?

......

After entering the luxurious Jinghua Grand Hotel, Yu Shao couldn't help but marvel at the extravagant lobby decor. Every detail exuded luxury, from the crystal chandeliers to the golden accents.

"Truly the capital's finest," Yu Shao murmured to himself.

However, Yu Shao knew the Go association wasn't paying for this accommodation. Initially, he'd thought all competition expenses would be covered, until Wu Zhixuan mentioned during an online game that the hotel was sponsoring it.

In his past life, tournament venues and accommodations were always covered by the association when they organized events. Here, the association not only didn't pay but actually profited from such arrangements - a fact Yu Shao only learned from Ma Zhengyu's boastful explanation.

Thinking of Ma Zhengyu's scheming ways made Yu Shao sigh. The association's money-making methods were an open secret among veteran players - they only took advantage of new professionals like himself.

After checking in at reception, a butler helped with his luggage to his room. The promotional filming wouldn't start for a few days, so Yu Shao spent the time reviewing game records and occasionally exploring nearby.

At least Ma Zhengyu hadn't lied about one thing - the hotel's meals, featuring capital specialties like roast duck prepared by their chefs, were indeed excellent.

Three days later, Yu Shao received notice for the promotional shoot. He rose early, dressed, and took a taxi to Northern Go Academy.

Though an experienced professional in his past life, filming a Go promotion was a first for Yu Shao - a novel experience indeed.

Upon arriving at Northern Go Academy's entrance, Yu Shao immediately spotted a familiar figure in the lobby.

"You're here," Qin Lang said, retrieving two canned colas from a vending machine. He tossed one to Yu Shao before popping open his own.

"Thanks. Long time no see," Yu Shao caught it gratefully.

"I knew you were coming, so I waited in the lobby. The academy asked me to receive you since we know each other," Qin Lang glanced at Yu Shao. "You're slightly late - Teacher Jiang Changdong has already arrived."

"Oh? They just told me someone would receive me - didn't expect it to be you," Yu Shao smiled. "Didn't they say arriving before nine was fine?"

"You shouldn't cut it so close - it's 8:50 already," Qin Lang sighed. "Come on, I'll take you to the Go room."

"We're filming in the Go room?" Yu Shao asked curiously. "I wondered why we needed to come to the academy."

"Not necessarily. It depends on the director's preference. Director Li wanted the Go room, so here we are," Qin Lang shrugged while leading the way. "I'm actually curious how they'll film this too."

As they walked, many professionals noticed them, especially Yu Shao, whispering among themselves.

"Is that Yu Shao?"

"Studied his games countless times, but first time seeing him in person."

"He's never been to Northern Academy before, has he? Thank goodness he's not from here - the pressure would be unbearable."

"From qualification matches to title challenge in one year - unbelievable..."

"Thanks to him, I feel my twenty years of Go were wasted."

Their gazes held curiosity, awe, admiration, wariness, even jealousy. While everyone knew Yu Shao's name and had studied his games extensively, most Northern Academy players were seeing him for the first time.

Soon, Qin Lang led Yu Shao to the Go room where filming would occur.

"We're here," Qin Lang announced before pushing open the door.

Yu Shao followed into the room now crowded with over a dozen people and multiple professional film cameras. At the central Go table sat Jiang Changdong, who looked up as Yu Shao entered - their eyes meeting briefly.

"Good morning, Yu Shao 3-dan," Jiang Changdong greeted first, his expression unreadable.

Yu Shao returned the greeting, "Good morning, Teacher Jiang Changdong."

Just then, another familiar voice spoke up, "Long time no see, Yu Shao 3-dan."

Yu Shao turned in surprise to see a burly, bearded man with complex emotions in his eyes standing beneath a calligraphy scroll reading "Sit and Discuss the Way."

"Teacher Kong Zi," Yu Shao immediately greeted.

"Our last meeting was during the Flame War. In just one year, you've reached a title challenge match," Kong Zi observed silently before adding, "Truly... remarkable."

"Now let me witness what moves you'll make in the championship finals."