Chapter 22: The upper limit of wealth is determined by status

【Dang dang dang dang~~】

Amid the clear metallic clacking sounds, the Chess King Championship officially began.

Probably to give every participant a sense of involvement, Luosen's opponent was likewise an obscure newcomer.

Of course, although the player was new, he wasn't young; his sideburns were already gray.

He gave Luosen, whose hair was also frosted, a gentle smile.

"Ah ha~ Old geezer versus old geezer, interesting."

Luosen also smiled, speaking in a low tone: "Indeed interesting."

At this moment, the chessboard referee took out a die: "Gentlemen, please guess who goes first."

"I guess odd."

"Then I guess even."

【Clatter~~】

The die was thrown, and it was odd.

Luosen gave a hehe smile, glanced at the opponent's ID badge, and said: "Aaron's Zhinuo Knight, then I won't hold back."

Zhinuo Knight raised his eyebrows: "Levinde's Hailek Knight, you look confident. But I must say, I've studied victory chess for over thirty years; my skill may not be that of a Master, but I'm no amateur."

Luosen placed a piece to start the game: "Please."

The referee beside him immediately said: "Twenty seconds to respond; overtime counts as an active forfeit, three forfeits count as an active loss."

Having said that, he took out an hourglass and began timing.

Zhinuo Knight's expression turned serious as he made a move.

Luosen unhesitatingly replied with his second move, taking less than two seconds—a true instant reply.

Perhaps stimulated by him, Zhinuo Knight also began making instant replies.

Move by move, fifty passes in a blink, total time under ten minutes.

Luosen remained calm and composed; for the twenty-second turn time, he always used less than two seconds.

Just like an emotionless magic puppet.

Zhinuo Knight broke out in a light sweat, beginning to wrestle with the clock.

Thus Luosen gained some leisure.

His gaze swept the entire chess room, noticing that the number of gray-clad guards had increased greatly, and there were also more individuals with cold, sinister looks.

These individuals, about three or four, were like venomous snakes, their gazes sweeping over everyone present, as if searching for something.

Obviously, the gray-clad guards had also noticed them, staring intently, like guarding against thieves.

Selena followed Luosen's gaze and was instantly shocked.

She had already recognized them as the Aaron Night Guard.

She signaled Luosen with her eyes.

"Why don't we not play? This is really too dangerous."

Luosen slightly shook his head, insisting on playing, and comforted Selena with his gaze.

He clearly saw that even if these night guards discovered them, they would not act, because they had no weapons and also had to save face for Master Shahelamu.

The prize money of the Chess King Championship plus the betting pool exceeded twenty thousand Ogre, which was his startup funds prepared for developing the island.

Without this money, returning straight to the impoverished island would require a considerable time to accumulate primitive capital, making those days quite miserable.

He no longer looked around idly, sitting leisurely and focusing on the chess match.

Before long, Zhinuo Knight voluntarily conceded, and Luosen advanced to the next round of the chess championship.

Luosen's new opponent was a thirty-something merchant, also from Levinde, named Muladi, whose chess skill was very high, having previously reached the semifinals multiple times.

As soon as he sat down, he bluntly asked: "Hailek Knight, aren't you supposed to be back in Levinde? Why are you here?"

Luosen startled, immediately understood the reason: "I've run into an acquaintance of Hailek Knight."

But his expression showed no change: "Just a small mishap, and I'm back."

"Oh~ How come I've never seen you play victory chess before?"

"Not having seen it doesn't mean I can't; anyway, I'm bored."

"Alright."

Muladi nodded, but his brown eyes revealed a strange expression.

Luosen immediately realized the opponent knew he was an impostor, and the reason he hadn't been exposed right away was likely due to the merchant's particular caution.

To avoid any mishap, he narrowed his eyes at the opponent, flashing a hint of cold light: "Mr. Muladi, I am a pure person, and I also like pure people."

"Playing chess is just playing chess."

Muladi sensed it, smiling faintly: "Exactly, just playing chess."

Since the opponent stepped back, Luosen said: "I'm a newcomer; to show respect, you go first."

Muladi raised his eyebrows, feeling a competitive spirit.

"Hailek Knight, since five years ago, no one has voluntarily let me go first."

"I am honored to break this convention."

Having said that, he indicated to the referee beside him: "Begin."

Muladi gave a hehe laugh: "Knight, you're really confident; then I'll also give it my all."

He made the first move; Luosen instantly replied with a move, in exactly the same style as before: "Click-click-click~"

The sound of pieces striking the board continued, Muladi's brow gradually furrowed, while Luosen remained as calm as ever, not even changing his gaze.

"I concede."

At move 140, Mula Di made a big mistake by playing too fast, and his mentality collapsed directly.

Luosen gave a slight smile: "Mr. Muradi, I, as a person, my style in doing other things is exactly the same as playing victorious chess; I hope you keep this in mind."

The merchant from Levinde understood the hint, his body trembled slightly, and he immediately replied: "I have already conceded, Knight."

His subconscious was unintentionally meddling.

Very good.

Muradi immediately stood up and left the chess room without hesitation.

Luosen turned his head to glance at Selena and winked at her.

Selena already believed in Luosen's ability, but her current focus is not on the chessboard.

Feeling Luosen's gaze, she replied via Spiritual Whisper: "The Aaron Night Guard seems to be starting to focus on us."

Luosen smiled: "They've just glanced at us a few more times, but they're not focusing on us; it's simply because we're more conspicuous."

Naturally, a novice at victorious chess who defeats a veteran will attract extra attention.

Of course, as observation time increases, the moment of their eventual exposure draws nearer.

Soon, Luosen entered the semifinals.

Besides Luosen, the remaining three are all renowned victorious chess masters; their skill may not be at the Master level, but it's not far from it.

As a newcomer, Luosen instantly became conspicuously noticeable.

Luosen felt that many people were watching him, possibly including acquaintances of Knight Haileik.

But it doesn't matter; Master Shahelamu is someone who values face greatly.

For the sake of his reputation, he will surely find a way to ensure the chess tournament ends smoothly.

On the board, he remained as swift as a sword cutting through tangled hemp, defeating his semifinal opponent in 110 moves and eliciting an unstoppable wave of astonishment from the audience.

The attention he received grew ever greater.

Not only were most spectators watching him, but the Shahelamu family guards were also watching him, and the Aaron Night Guard observed him with increasing frequency.

But Luosen was like an emotionless robot; no matter how others looked, his expression remained as still as ancient well water, without a ripple.

After waiting a while, the final match for the Chess King began.

Luosen's opponent was a renowned victorious chess Master, a high-ranking peak mage from the Highland County of central Weilan Island, Knight Haiflei.

At the same time, he is the younger brother of the Highland County Earl and a member of the magical advisory council of Duke Weilan.

He is about forty-two or forty-three years old, with a thick head of flaxen hair, and a pair of bright azure eyes that shine with divine light.

After sitting down, he glanced at the accompanying Selena, then at Luosen, and said softly: "Knight Haileik, it seems you have full confidence in your chess skill."

There's a hidden meaning in those words.

Luosen immediately realized that this knight had seen through his and Selena's true identities.

And the flaw certainly wasn't on him, but on Selena.

The reason is simple: as a magical advisor to Duke Weilan, he must be extremely shrewd.

His position also often brings him into contact with Selena, and since Selena is not good at disguising herself, over time she would naturally be exposed.

Yet after her exposure, he did not directly reveal it, which makes this interesting.

But Luosen fully understood the opponent's behavior, and this was within his expectations.

Because Highland County, like Shire County, also belongs to the island independence faction.

As the younger brother of the Highland County Earl, Knight Haiflei is unlikely to support marrying Princess Selena to King Dange.

At least emotionally, he would not support it.

But he would certainly not speak up for this little Baron, nor would he readily approve of the princess marrying a little Baron.

Weighing the two sides, neutrality is the natural attitude.

Luosen gave a faint smile: "Knight, just say what you have to say; I'm listening."

Knight Haiflei gave a faint smile, lightly tapped his fingers on the chess table, and switched to Spiritual Whisper.

"Not only I have discovered your secret; many others present have as well. The Black-Iron Guard and the Aaron Night Guard naturally have too."

"Master Shahelamu does not want his business affected, so the Chess King final will proceed normally."

"But to be frank, neither I nor the Master think highly of you; however, since it is the Princess's choice, and the Duke has not explicitly objected, we will not object either."

"The Master's meaning is that if you defeat me, the Chess King prize money and stake will be paid to you in full, serving as the Princess's dowry."

"But whether you can bring this dowry back to White Sturgeon Island depends on whether Mother Nature is willing to favor you."

Luosen understood, and had long anticipated this outcome.

His daring today to earn this huge sum stems not from his own ability, but from the Princess's noble status.

In any world, as long as society is composed of people, the upper limit of wealth an individual can possess is directly determined by their status and identity, not by ability.

Even if a Bird Droppings Baron dares to place a heavy bet, even if he wins at chess he will be made to renege by the opponent through various means; but a Princess's husband who earns twenty thousand Gold Ogre through his own ability will have no repercussions.

He gave a faint smile: "Please, Knight Haiflei, I'll let you move first."

(End of chapter)