Chapter 614

He paused, his tone carrying a trace of testing:

"In this sixth round today, the opponents are not mediocre people. How about it, are you nervous inside?"

Xia Xia Xia Mujun's expression was calm, and he smiled slightly:

"It's okay."

Furukawa Masahiro observed his expression carefully, seeing that his eyes were clear and his breathing was steady; he was neither overly excited nor tense from stage fright.

This composure, far beyond his age, made the old man nod secretly in his heart.

In Shogi matches that required extreme calmness and calculation, any excess emotion could become a fatal flaw.

Fukuda Tsukasa was also sitting on the side, and at this moment, the look in his eyes when he looked at Xia Xia Xia Mujun was completely different from when they first met.

Initially, he thought he was just a newcomer who was lucky or had studied his own Shogi style; now it seemed that the other party was a genius who truly possessed quasi-professional level strength.

Although he still didn't think Xia Xia Xia Mujun could go further, being able to break into the sixth round was enough to earn him a point of respect.

He rubbed the stubble on his chin and spoke with some curiosity:

"Young man, in today's match, do you think... you can win?"

Xia Xia Xia Mujun nodded almost without hesitation, his tone flat but affirmative:

"I can."

Fukuda Tsukasa was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then shook his head and laughed.

It was a good thing for young people to have confidence, but this confidence when facing those battle-hardened genius professional Shogi players, I'm afraid...

However, he didn't say anything to dampen his spirits in the end, just snorted lightly, which was considered expressing his attitude:

"Well... although I personally don't look favorably on it, I'll wish you good luck in the match anyway."

Horikawa Kaori on the side immediately glared at Fukuda Tsukasa with dissatisfaction, but since the other party had at least said a blessing, she couldn't flare up.

She turned to Xia Xia Xia Mujun, put her hands in fists in front of her chest, and cheered seriously:

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, don't listen to him! Do your best, Sister Kaori is super optimistic about you! You can definitely do it!"

Although she said that, the trace of worry deep in her eyes was hard to completely hide.

It was the sixth round... the remaining contestants were all professional Shogi players with names in the Japanese Shogi world.

They were experienced, battle-hardened, and their psychological quality and tactical system were far from comparable to the previous opponents.

Although Xia Xia Xia Mujun was gifted, he was participating in such a large-scale tournament for the first time after all... being able to come here was already very good.

As for what happened next... it was hanging by a thread.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun could feel her concern and smiled gently at her:

"Thank you, Miss Kaori."

He turned his gaze to Furukawa Masahiro, noticing the somewhat abrupt sunglasses, and was a bit curious:

"Mr. Furukawa, why did you think of wearing sunglasses today?"

"Ah? This..." Furukawa Masahiro's old face felt a bit hot, fortunately, it was covered by the sunglasses.

He couldn't say that he was afraid of being recognized as the "Old Dragon King" because he sat too close to the contestant seats, right?

Especially after losing three times in a row to this Xia Xia Xia Mujun in front of him, if he were recognized by others and called out on the spot, he would lose a lot of face...

At least, he had to wait for the Xia kid to break into the top four and prove that his "three consecutive losses" were lost to a true genius; then he could talk about it, and it would look better on his face.

He hurriedly laughed it off and found an excuse:

"Haha, I'm old, my eyes are a bit sensitive to light, so I'm wearing them to block it."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun nodded knowingly:

"So that's it, then please take care to rest."

He looked around and noticed that Suzuki Ryuji, Asahina Akatsuki, and Tanabe Yuto did not appear today.

It was understandable; as students, after being eliminated from the tournament, it was naturally difficult for them to ask for leave to come and watch the match again.

While a few people were chatting, there was movement again at the entrance of the contestant passage.

Professional 6-dan Shogi player Ishida Ishida Kazuo, leading his apprentice Fukuda Yasuhiro, walked in one after the other.

Ishida Ishida Kazuo's appearance also caused a wave of discussion and attention from the spectators.

As one of the favorites to win this tournament, his steady Shogi style and profound strength were widely known.

Only, the sound wave caused seemed to be slightly inferior to when Xia Xia Xia Mujun entered just now.

Fukuda Yasuhiro, walking behind his master, looked at the gazes cast around, puffed out his little chest, and had a pride that felt honored to be associated with him on his face.

Look, how amazing my master is!

Can other contestants do it just by arriving?!

Both of their gazes soon fell on Xia Xia Xia Mujun in the contestant seats.

Ishida Ishida Kazuo had always appreciated Xia Xia Xia Mujun; young, steady, gifted, and his appearance and temperament were impeccable, making him an ideal candidate for a disciple.

Although the last invitation was politely declined, he had not completely given up.

In his view, Xia Xia Xia Mujun would face a professional-level wall today, and the possibility of defeat was very high.

At that time, it might be a good time to extend an olive branch again.

A kind smile appeared on his face, and he took the initiative to walk over with his apprentice and sit in the empty seat near Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

"Morning, Xia Xia Xia Mujun."

"My match ended late in the last round, so I didn't have time to congratulate you in person. Congratulations on successfully advancing to the sixth round; this achievement is very remarkable."

He paused, his tone sincere:

"I hope you can also perform excellently today and go further."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun responded politely by bowing:

"Thank you, Mr. Ishida."

Fukuda Yasuhiro on the side, ever since he knew that Xia Xia Xia Mujun possessed quasi-professional strength, the inexplicable hostility and contempt from before had dissipated more than half.

In his simple cognition, the strong were worthy of respect.

He crossed his arms and curled his lips, but still spoke:

"Since you have quasi-professional strength... then what my master said last time was indeed correct; you are quite gifted."

He put down his arms; although his expression was still a bit awkward, his tone was much more serious:

"So, I apologize for those impolite words I said before."

After speaking, he lowered his head slightly.

This action made Xia Xia Xia Mujun feel slightly surprised.

This kid with a fiery temper and eyes higher than the top would actually take the initiative to apologize?

Xia Xia Xia Mujun was not a child either, so naturally, he wouldn't haggle with a child.

Since the other party apologized sincerely, he naturally accepted it.

"I accept your apology. Let the past be the past."

Seeing this, Ishida Ishida Kazuo also felt relieved in his heart, and the smile on his face became even brighter.

It was always a good thing for an apprentice to grow.

However, Fukuda Yasuhiro's next sentence made the few people present stunned.

He saw him raise his head, looking at Xia Xia Xia Mujun with shining eyes, and issued an invitation directly:

"Since you have accepted my apology, then the previous unpleasantness is considered turned over! How about it, now you can agree to my master and become his disciple, which means my senior brother, right?"

Horikawa Kaori's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this!

This was a huge good thing!

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, you can consider it; this is a professional player's apprentice!"

Fukuda Tsukasa was full of surprise, not expecting Ishida 6-dan to value Xia Xia Xia Mujun so much that he actually took the initiative to mention taking an apprentice again.

For any young person aspiring to Shogi, this was a dream opportunity.

"Young man, you can indeed try."

And Old Man Furukawa Masahiro, the eyes behind the sunglasses almost widened.

He almost couldn't help but take off his sunglasses!

Are you kidding!!!

He, the dignified "Old Dragon King," didn't even have the nerve to say he wanted to be the Xia kid's master, and you, a professional 6-dan, how dare you!

"No! Absolutely not!!"

Furukawa Saio was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, jumping up from the chair, hugging Xia Xia Xia Mujun's arm tightly, her little face puffed into a bun, and she loudly opposed:

"Da——me!!! Saio disagrees!!" ===== CHAPTER 984 =====