Unsheathed

Lu Baixiang stood up and smiled as he looked at the handsome young boy with a red birthmark on his glabella. He gestured for Cui Dongshan to sit, and he replied, "In reality, it's not important who's learning Go from whom."

As one of the best Go grandmasters from the Lotus Flower Blessed Land, Lu Baixiang had a feeling that he might play his best ever Go game today.

Cui Dongshan sat down with one foot resting on the chair, and he even bent down to rest his chin on his knee. His posture was in stark contrast to Lu Baixiang, who was sitting in an upright manner.

Cui Dongshan extended an arm and gently ran his finger along the side of the Go box, asking in a lazy voice, "You haven't determined your rank yet, have you?"

Lu Baixiang couldn't help but chuckle. He hadn't imagined that a day would come when someone belittled his skills as a Go player. However, his mental state wouldn't be affected by something as trivial as this. He nodded and replied with a smile, "I've only just arrived here, so I indeed haven't determined my rank yet."

Cui Dongshan nodded and explained, "According to the rules of the mortal world, one can first play three games with a ninth-rank Go official. During these three games, the Go official will have a handicap of three moves, two moves, and one move, respectively. Of course, victory or defeat won't affect the final appraisal. Rather, this is more an act of guidance and benevolence. Lu Baixiang, your fortune is far greater than your skill in Go."

What truly determined a new player's Go rank was naturally their games against fourth or fifth-rank players.

Cui Dongshan suddenly looked up and said, "You might feel like you can play your best ever Go game in a moment. However, let me tell you right now that this is a mistaken feeling. I know that you won't accept this fact, so let me reverse the order and start with a handicap of one move first. I'll then start with a handicap of two and three moves afterward. That way, you'll gain a clear understanding of your own level. What do you say? As for whether we start with an empty board or pre-placed pieces, the choice is all yours."

Lu Baixiang shook his head and said, "There's no need for you to start with a handicap. Even if I lose, I'll still be aware of the skill difference between us."

Cui Dongshan pointed at Lu Baixiang and remarked, "I like your fearless and blind confidence. Alright then, I suppose you won't agree to a match if I start with a handicap. That being the case, let's start with an empty board. However, there's no need to guess stones. I'll let you play black and go first."

Lu Baixiang smiled and asked, "How many compensation points should we give white?"[1]