Chapter 120: Collapse!

Gu Chuan Changhong had no time to pay attention to Horikawa Kaori's chatter beside him; he collected his mind and stared intently at the game on the giant screen.

In the frame, Gu Chuan Caixu's face was pale, her eyes shifting, clearly still struggling to think of a way to break the situation.

And Natsume Chikage opposite her appeared unusually calm, his eyes as deep as an ancient well, waiting for his opponent's next move without a ripple.

Gu Chuan Caixu, after a long period of thinking, finally picked up a piece and placed it on the board cautiously.

She had originally expected that this move would at least make Natsume Chikage stop and think for a moment, so that she could use the time he spent thinking to continue deducing the subsequent moves and alleviate the time pressure.

However, her fingertips had just left the piece, and the shogi clock had been pressed for less than a second.

Click—

Natsume Chikage had already picked up his own piece and placed it on the board without hesitation.

The crisp sound of the shogi clock being pressed again appeared particularly harsh in the quiet venue.

Fine beads of sweat seeped out on Gu Chuan Caixu's forehead, and she stared in disbelief at the move Natsume Chikage had just made.

She really couldn't understand, does this person not need to think at all?

Why can he respond in an instant every time?

Could it be that the shogi path she had practiced hard for many years under Long Wang Grandpa was so easily seen through, and could even be broken so easily?

The continuous second-responses, plus the impending defeat, made Gu Chuan Caixu feel unprecedented pressure.

Her breathing gradually became rapid, and she even began to doubt her own strength.

Just then, on the giant screen, the match scene between Natsume Chikage and Gu Chuan Caixu was suddenly switched to other contestants by the director.

Gu Chuan Changhong, who witnessed this scene, was so anxious that he stood up directly from his seat:

"Why did it cut away so fast? What is the director doing?!"

"Cut back for me quickly!"

Horikawa Kaori beside him was stunned on the spot, clearly not expecting that this old man, who had always appeared kind and calm, would be so uncomposed at this moment.

Wasn't Gu Chuan Caixu still occupying an advantage just now?

And didn't he say calmly before, "Don't be anxious, young person; when the time comes, it will naturally appear, we just need to wait quietly"?

Why is he suddenly so anxious now?

At this time, many spectators around also cast curious gazes because of Gu Chuan Changhong's actions.

Horikawa Kaori hurriedly pulled Gu Chuan Changhong back to his seat and persuaded him with a bitter smile:

"Grandpa, I know you are very anxious, but don't be anxious yet."

"Your granddaughter has a big advantage now."

"In my opinion, she can win the match in less than ten moves."

"You wait here quietly, I believe it won't be long before your granddaughter comes to see you with the first victory."

Gu Chuan Changhong opened his eyes wide and looked at this "poor student" of the shogi world in disbelief again.

His lips moved, wanting to speak but stopping, and in the end, he swallowed his words.

He thought to himself, forget it, forget it; one shouldn't use one's own standards to demand a "poor student."

Moreover, Horikawa Kaori's words were not entirely wrong.

Perhaps his granddaughter was just temporarily underperforming due to too much pressure from her first tournament.

Once she adjusted her state, she would definitely be able to defeat Natsume Chikage.

Thinking this way, he relaxed his heart a little, but before the result was revealed, he still couldn't help but stare at the big screen and worry anxiously.

Fifteen minutes later, inside the match venue.

Referee Kishida Mineosuke had stood before Natsume Chikage and Gu Chuan Caixu's shogi table at some point.

He stared solemnly at the checkmate situation that had become a foregone conclusion on the board, speechless for a long time, and finally landed his gaze on Natsume Chikage—this young man is very powerful!!

"Checkmate."

Natsume Chikage's indifferent voice sounded.

Gu Chuan Caixu's face turned pale instantly.

Her gaze involuntarily turned to the shogi clock—it showed that her time used was 33 minutes.

And on Natsume Chikage's side, he had actually only used 58 seconds...

Seeing this huge gap, Gu Chuan Caixu, who had always been praised by everyone as a genius, felt an indescribable sense of frustration in her heart and fell into deep self-doubt.

She had originally thought that she would only be defeated by professional players.

But now... she actually lost in the first round?

And she was defeated almost in a crushing manner while having the first-move advantage...

Could it be that Grandpa and Senior Sister have been lying to her all these years?

Actually, she is very weak?

Otherwise, how could she be completely crushed by a random opponent she met in her first official tournament?

Thinking of this, Gu Chuan Caixu felt a bit broken and could no longer suppress the grievance in her heart, crying out loud.

While wiping her tears, she choked and admitted defeat:

"Big Brother is very powerful... it's Caixu who lost."

Natsume Chikage was silent for a moment, didn't say much, just nodded slightly:

"Mm."

Just then, the match scene between Natsume Chikage and Gu Chuan Caixu finally appeared on the giant screen again.

Gu Chuan Changhong, who had been waiting anxiously, saw his granddaughter return to the screen and immediately revealed a look of joy.

However, when he saw his granddaughter's choking and crying appearance, he froze in place, as if he had never expected such an ending.

He quickly cast his gaze at the board and the shogi clock, and when he saw the defeat where his granddaughter was almost crushed, his face was filled with disbelief.

Ho... how could it be like this?

This granddaughter was raised by him, the former Long Wang, personally; no one knows better than him how strong her strength is!

Only ten years old, she is already an existence almost invincible below the professional level.

It can be said that even without his guidance, just by her granddaughter's talent, she would definitely occupy a place in the professional shogi world in time.

And now... she actually lost in the first round?

Who on earth is this Natsume Chikage?

Why can he defeat his granddaughter so easily?

Could he be a professional player?

Impossible!!

If there were such a young professional player in the shogi world, how could he not know?

Moreover, if he were really a professional player, how could the commentators not give him more camera time?

How could Horikawa Kaori, a staff member of the Shogi Association, not know?

You must know that a 16-year-old professional player is undoubtedly a genius among geniuses in any era!

Since even they don't know, it means Natsume Chikage cannot possibly be a professional player.

Since he is not a professional player, how can Natsume Chikage defeat his granddaughter, who is "invincible below the professional level," so easily?

Where on earth did this person pop out from? ===== CHAPTER 121 =====