Chapter 482

Forcing an understanding would only overload her brain.

Coupled with the massive consumption from the rapid-fire games with Natsume Chikage just moments ago.

Her mental energy was already bottoming out.

She shook her heavy head and gave up on further deep calculations.

Taking a slight breath, she tried to soothe her tense nerves.

Subsequently.

Her gaze shifted away from the intricate board.

And fell upon the two people playing.

She saw her grandfather, Furukawa Masahiro, his expression having reached a realm of "nothingness."

As if he had merged with the surrounding air, light, shadows, and even the board itself.

Furukawa Caixu recognized this state.

This was the realm of the "Great Dao of Shogi" that her grandfather rarely revealed.

It was nearly "nothing."

While in this state, opponents often felt no direct threat or pressure.

But no matter what path they took, it was like falling into an invisible spiderweb, ultimately meeting defeat in a gentle suffocation.

This was a despair that was imperceptible, yet real, colorless, and formless.

You cannot feel its shape.

But it is everywhere.

No matter how you struggle, rejoice, rage, or grieve... the outcome is already destined.

Only a "dead end."

However.

When she turned her gaze toward Natsume Chikage, she saw only that same plain expression on his face.

Furukawa Caixu blinked her lively eyes.

At this moment, she finally realized one thing clearly—

Whether facing any opponent in a shogi tournament, facing her, or now facing her grandfather who was displaying the "Great Dao of Shogi"...

Natsume Chikage's expression remained exactly the same.

Calm to the point of being ordinary.

If one were to say her grandfather had merged with the "Great Dao of Shogi," emitting a field of "nothingness" that was despair-inducing.

Then when looking at Natsume Chikage...

She felt only a sense of ultimate "ordinariness."

He sat there.

Just like an ordinary person walking hurriedly on the street.

Like a green plant growing quietly on a windowsill.

Like a cat curled up dozing in the sunlight.

Very ordinary, with no special features at all.

Looking at him, Furukawa Caixu's state of mind inexplicably became exceptionally tranquil.

Peaceful.

Stable.

If one were to argue which of the two was "stronger" at this moment...

Caixu pondered for a moment, but ultimately felt subconsciously that it should be her grandfather.

After all, he was the Long Wang of the old era.

Even in his old age, his strength remained like a mountain or a peak.

And while Big Brother Natsume was very strong and talented, compared to her grandfather, he was still too young.

However.

After some time.

*Clack*—

A crisp sound of a piece being placed broke the silence of the room.

Immediately following.

Was Natsume Chikage's calm declaration:

"Checkmate."

Furukawa Masahiro's entire body suddenly stiffened.

The mysterious state of "nothingness" on his face had long since dissolved.

Replacing it was an unbelievable bewilderment and a shock that reached deep into his marrow.

He stared fixedly at the board.

For a long time.

Unable to speak.

So strong... he didn't even seem human.

Like a monster.

This Natsume Chikage... has he really only played a thousand or so games?

Is a mere accumulation of a thousand games enough to rival his decades of painstaking research?

At only sixteen, having played casually without anyone to guide him in shogi, he reached the pinnacle of the "Long Wang"?

One must know, he, Furukawa Masahiro, was once called one of the most talented people in the history of shogi...

But in front of Natsume Chikage.

All his past pride and glory seemed to have become insignificant dust.

So-called genius...

Likely hasn't even touched the threshold of seeing someone like Xia Mujun.

And facing such an existence...

He had actually harbored thoughts of taking him as a disciple?

Delusional enough to try and take someone who, at sixteen, already possessed shogi skills surpassing his own, as a disciple?

Thinking of this.

Furukawa Masahiro felt his cheeks burning with shame.

"Grandpa Furukawa."

Natsume Chikage's voice sounded, still peaceful.

"Playing shogi with you is quite interesting."

"Shall we have another round?"

Furukawa Masahiro snapped back to reality.

Cold sweat slid down his temple.

The corners of his mouth twitched unnaturally, and he waved his hands, smiling sheepishly:

"N-no... it's... it's lunchtime now, let's eat first."

"Yes, let's eat first."

Natsume Chikage followed suit and nodded:

"Mm, that works too."

To the side.

Furukawa Caixu had already completely retreated into herself.

She looked at the king piece on the board that her grandfather had lost, then looked at Natsume Chikage, who looked as normal as ever.

A massive, insurmountable sense of the gap welled up in her heart.

Big Brother...

Is really too strong.

So strong that even her grandfather, the Long Wang of the old era, was defeated so cleanly.

And it was three consecutive losses. ===== CHAPTER 483 =====