Book 4 Chapter 31 – Confrontation

　　Two men sat across from each other in the maple woods of Jingshan Park. The flamboyant autumn leaves fluttered in the quiet night, while Bing Shuai and Li Huaibei looked down at the rosewood Go board between them.

　　“Last time was ten years ago, wasn’t it?” Bing Shuai asked as he caressed the smooth, round Go stone. Contrary to his seemingly relaxed demeanor, he was growing worried. 'Why is he so calm? What's giving him the courage to confront me? Unless…'

　　“You're the reason I started playing Go, Mr. Yan.” Li Huaibei picked up the black stone and reminisced. His old captain, Ma Dafang, was from Bing Shuai's generation. Ma Dafang grew up in the military and was as uncultured as one could be. Once, the two teams met in a domain where the final task was to solve a Go puzzle, and Bing Shuai laughed at the latter's obvious inept.i.tude. Ever since, Li Huaibei resolved to improve his skills at Go. Ten years after that incident, the two teams met again, only this time, Li Huaibei won, giving the last laugh to Ma Dafang. Before leaving, Li Huaibei left Bing Shuai with a biting remark — “It's meaningless to compare one’s strength to another’s weakness”, reminding him that he had no right to ridicule Ma Dafang.

　　“Old Ma is no longer with us…” Bing Shuai knew what Li Huaibei was getting to. Mockery briefly flashed past his features. He would not hold a grudge over a meaningless game of Go, but he wanted to remind Li Huaibei that his team was no longer alive. He also wanted to provoke a reaction in Li Huaibei, so he can obtain a clue or two about the source of his confidence.

　　“So, we're not playing today?” Li Huaibei asked.

　　“There's no point in playing today… I know how it's going to end.” Bing Shuai threw his ivory stones on the board and stared straight into Li Huaibei's eyes. It was obvious that he was referring to something else than Go.

　　“It seems that you're as confident as ever. How about a drink then?” Li Huaibei withdrew the board into his storage ring and brought out a wine jug made of jade. On the clay-sealed opening, there was a piece of red paper: Peach Blossom Brew.

　　'This is a brew from Eden!’ Bing Shuai’s eyes widened in surprise.

　　“No need to be so surprised. This is the last one.” Li Huaibei shook the precious jug, but seemed reluctant to open the seal.

　　“Are you confident that you'll be able to stall me?” Bing Shuai knew about Li Huaibei's intentions the moment the latter spread out his aura. 'But with Stargaze back at the villa, n.o.body could even pose a threat. Unless he… But then, how can Li Huaibei be so confident then?'

　　“Can’t say for sure until I’ve tried.”

　　“Open it then.”

　　* * *

　　Li Yiming sighed inwardly and gently put Ji Xiaoqin down. The barrel of the gun followed him as he slowly stood up. Ying Mei’s mocking smirk was met with a serious and cold expression on Li Yiming’s part.

　　The next instant, the sound of a fired shot resonated within the room and the two jumped into action. The bullet pierced Li Yiming's after-image, and the latter appeared behind Ying Mei, striking at her with his palm. As Li Yiming's hand cut through the air, purple streaks of lightning appeared and Ying Mei was cut in two, from the left shoulder to the right ribs.

　　Despite his seemingly successful attack, Li Yiming leaped backward swiftly. He knew that he did not cut through flesh. As expected, the two broken shards of Ying Mei darkened and squiggled, eventually fusing to form a shadowy silhouette.

　　“You… You're not a representative? Lightning… You! You killed Ye Lang!” Ying Mei's angry voice rang out from within the shadows. 'If I hadn’t used my talent…!'

　　Li Yiming stayed silent, instead, looking at the end of the corridor.

　　“Good! It’s been so long since I've fought a guardian in the real world.” A man built like a bear with a deep, gruff voice appeared at the other end of the corridor.

　　“Don’t underestimate him. He defeated Ye Lang, he must have at least a few tricks up his sleeves.” Another voice came from the stairs. It was Guo Tai’s personal a.s.sistant, Man Dao, who descended from the third floor with a wide blade in his hands.