China, America, Europe, Japan and Korea—

Eyes from around the world turned toward this imminent best-of-three match!

As everyone eagerly anticipated, time marched forward, bringing the National Champion Challenge Match into its final countdown. Online discussions about the tournament multiplied.

Yet when the clock struck 8 AM, with less than two hours remaining, the chatter gradually quieted as countless viewers flooded live streams to wait.

The official tournament broadcast's viewer count skyrocketed at an astonishing rate—domestic viewership alone surpassed ten million, not even counting other streaming platforms.

After all, besides the official broadcast, many other streams featured professional commentators analyzing this match. The total viewership would undoubtedly reach staggering numbers!

Finally, at 9 AM, Yu Shao finished dressing and promptly left his hotel for the Northern Go Academy, making his way to the Go room.

Soon, Yu Shao arrived at the Go room's entrance and gently pushed open the door.

Inside, not only had the referees and recorders already arrived, but Jiang Changdong also sat at one side of the board. At the sound of the door, all eyes turned toward the entrance.

Under their collective gaze, Yu Shao approached the central board, stopping opposite Jiang Changdong before pulling out his chair and sitting down deliberately.

The two faced each other in utter silence.

One referee observing the pair inexplicably felt mounting pressure and took a deep breath.

"On one side—Teacher Jiang Changdong, a veteran of countless battles with global renown in the Go world."

His eyes shifted from Jiang Changdong to Yu Shao.

"And opposite him—a genius who only turned professional last year yet blazed through qualification at jaw-dropping speed to reach this title challenge, heralded as leading Go's new era!"

"This match will undoubtedly send shockwaves through the global Go community!"

The referee pondered silently: "The final outcome...who will prevail?"

Creak—

The door opened again, startling referees and recorders who immediately turned to see Zhuang Weisheng entering.

"Teacher Zhuang Weisheng? Wasn't he at the Central Go Academy?"

The referee blinked in surprise. "Did he come specifically to observe this game?"

No sooner had this thought formed than another figure followed Zhuang Weisheng inside.

At this sight, the referee's eyes widened in disbelief, his body nearly rising involuntarily from his seat.

"S-Sage An Hongshi!"

Not just him—the other officials also struggled to conceal their astonishment at An Hongshi's arrival.

"Why is Sage An Hongshi here?"

Even Jiang Changdong frowned slightly at Zhuang Weisheng's appearance.

As one of the few contemporary players who could rival Zhuang Weisheng, their long rivalry made this surprise visit even more unexpected.

Yu Shao too felt startled—though this marked his first time meeting An Hongshi in person, the legendary player's reputation preceded him.

On Zhihu, someone once asked: "Who is the strongest Go player in history?"

Answers varied—everyone had their personal choice for greatest player.

The top-voted response read:

"This question inevitably sparks debate, as preferences differ. Those who enjoy spectacular large-scale battles dislike steady, solid styles."

"Conversely, players appreciating subtle, flowing strategies dislike aggressive attackers."

"Thus, no definitive answer exists."

"Unless we add constraints."

"180+ years ago, everyone would name Shen Yi."

"90 years ago, unanimous agreement pointed to Inoue Genan."

"And today's strongest player is—"

"An Hongshi."

Yu Shao never imagined his first encounter with An Hongshi would occur here.

Though the match hadn't begun, both Zhuang Weisheng and An Hongshi remained silent, quietly taking positions behind the referees' table to await the start.

The referees inhaled deeply, composed themselves, checked their watches, and continued waiting with lingering time remaining.

Soon—creak—the door opened again.

"More visitors?"

The referee turned in renewed surprise toward the entrance.

While observing matches in-person wasn't prohibited, only players directly involved should technically be admitted—staff wouldn't permit unrelated professionals entry. Otherwise, unchecked spectators would disrupt play.

This being the National Champion Challenge, only Yu Shao and Jiang Changdong held relevance. Even Zhuang Weisheng and An Hongshi technically shouldn't enter—though their status made exceptions understandable.

So who could this be?

Then the referee saw Su Yiming enter.

"Oh, Su Yiming."

Recognition dawned—had he been staff, he'd likely have admitted Su Yiming too to observe Yu Shao's game.

Su Yiming glanced at Yu Shao, then studied Zhuang Weisheng and An Hongshi before nodding slightly at their appraising looks.

He soon joined them behind the referees' table beside Zhuang Weisheng.

With An Hongshi, Zhuang Weisheng, and Su Yiming's arrivals, the already tense atmosphere grew palpably heavier.

"Everyone's watching this match..."

The female recorder wore a complex expression, emotions swirling.

"Title matches span entire years—qualifiers, main tournament, culminating in this final challenge."

"Now this yearlong journey reaches its conclusion."

"Every National Championship game played this year leads to this decisive series!"

"This is the final answer!"

The countdown commenced!

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

...

One.

At last!

The referee monitoring his watch stood solemnly at 9:55 AM. "Time has arrived!"

His declaration made the other officials straighten with gravity.

"This best-of-three title challenge requires two wins to claim the National Champion title!"

"For Game 1, nigiri determines colors—Game 2 reverses, with Game 3 (if needed) switching again!"

"Time control: 3 hours per player, 2-minute byo-yomi, komi 7.5!"

The referee cleared his throat, sternly regarding both players while inexplicably feeling crushing pressure: "Now please begin nigiri!"

Jiang Changdong immediately reached into his bowl, grabbing white stones to conceal in his fist.

Yu Shao similarly took two black stones, placing them on the board.

Jiang Changdong released his grip—white stones clattered onto the board with crystalline resonance!

"Two, four, six, seven."

Counting pairs, Jiang Changdong soon looked up. "Odd."

Yu Shao nodded slightly—he would take black, Jiang Changdong white.

After exchanging bows, the referee announced: "Yu Shao 3-dan takes black! Jiang Changdong National Champion takes white!"

The match began!

Yu Shao gazed at the empty board, contemplated briefly, then promptly drew a black stone—his wrist hovered before the piece descended!

Clack!

4-16, star point!

He instantly pressed his clock.

"First move—star point as expected."

Jiang Changdong calmly observed the board, the black stone's reflection gleaming in his eyes.

For the past month, he'd analyzed Yu Shao's games daily. Though Yu Shao occasionally opened with 3-3 or small knight's moves when taking black, star points predominated.

Thus this opening came as no surprise—countless star-point games flashed through Jiang Changdong's mind.

"Though young...he's no ordinary opponent. Not someone to underestimate due to age."

"Studying his games only amplifies awe—his meticulous calculations and profound reading shine brightest in chaotic positions."

"He possesses veteran instincts, as if honed through life-or-death battles..."

"Yet unbelievably, he only turned professional last year."

"I've always dismissed younger players as inexperienced—even Zhang Dongchen included. How could decades of my experience compete with their limited years?"

Yu Shao's past moves replayed in Jiang Changdong's mind.

"But I must acknowledge—he's truly capable of battling me to the final half-point!"

"However...I've identified his weakness."

"I'll steer toward complexity and violence—waiting for his misstep!"

"His flaw requires no active seeking—overpursuit obscures it!"

"His aggression often traps himself!"

"Thus I must bide time—awaiting his inevitable exposure!"

"That moment—white's dagger unsheathed!"

Jiang Changdong finally drew a white stone.

"Decide everything in one battle—no retreat, no second chances!"

"This month's analysis proved invaluable. A month ago...I might have lost."

"But present-me differs from past-me!"

His gaze sharpened as the white stone streaked like a meteor!

Clack!

16-4, star point!

At Jiang Changdong's symmetrical reply, Yu Shao instantly responded!

Clack!

11-18, large knight's move!

Jiang Changdong answered just as swiftly!

3-4, small knight's move!

......

New York, USA

"Star-small knight vs star-small knight?"

Though only four moves had been played, the blond man grew visibly excited, as if glimpsing an impending masterpiece!

"This opening balances star's influence/speed with small knight's solidity—easily forming frameworks while allowing simplification into close games!"

He muttered: "Both choosing this indicates waiting strategies—who'll strike first?"

"Yu Shao—the genius颠覆ing Go's conventions!"

"Versus Jiang Changdong—20+ year veteran, legendary 'Dragon-Slaying Sage'!"

"What unfolds next?"

The man kept rambling obsessively: "Who'll win?"

"Who claims this year's National Champion?"

"So thrilling!"

Several more moves followed the star-small knight patterns until Yu Shao played an unusual high approach at the right corner's small knight.

Most players would form an iron pillar here—yet Yu Shao's idiosyncratic choice drew no surprise from the blond spectator, accustomed to such deviations.

Then Jiang Changdong's white stone descended on-screen—

Clack!

3-14, small knight approach!

"National Champion Jiang Changdong strikes first!"

......