Survival Guide for the Reincarnated - Chapter 164

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 164

The move Woon-hwi placed.

That was a move that split Cheon Do-ja’s territory in half, and no matter how Cheon Do-ja reacted from now on, about five moves later two of his black groups would be destroyed and four of Woon-hwi’s white groups would be destroyed, but after that, ten moves later five black groups would be destroyed and only one white group would be destroyed, and after that, twenty moves later another five black groups would be destroyed.

He had set up the board this way from the beginning.

To place that move, he had been placing white stones on the go board all this time.

It was a calculated move from the start and a perfect move that struck at Cheon Do-ja’s weakness.

“…Young Master Seol, it seems you’re already looking a hundred moves ahead.”

“That’s not the case. I simply anticipated the moves Elder Cheon would make.”

“…Anticipated… If you’ve created a board, you should also be able to defend that board. Are you confident?”

“Of course.”

“Heh heh…”

Cheon Do-ja thought for a moment, then placed a black stone on the center left.

This was a defensive move trying to protect his black group.

Woon-hwi didn’t even smile and immediately placed a white stone in the upper center. Thunk. With that sound, three of Cheon Do-ja’s black stones became precarious.

As he had predicted, the first black group began to crumble. He somewhat obsessively placed a black stone in the right center.

It was an attempt to save his stones, but Woon-hwi, as if he had been waiting, placed a white stone in the upper left.

Thunk. With this move, two of Cheon Do-ja’s black stones were completely isolated.

“The first black group has collapsed.”

At Woon-hwi’s quiet voice, Cheon Do-ja narrowed his eyes and stared at the go board.

He silently placed a black stone in the right center.

This was a move attacking Woon-hwi’s white group, but again Woon-hwi, as if he had anticipated it, immediately placed a white stone in the lower center.

This move neutralized Cheon Do-ja’s black stone attack while simultaneously threatening another black group.

“Already five moves ahead, the second black group is in danger.”

“Heh heh…”

He tried to protect his stones by placing a black stone in the upper right, but in response, Woon-hwi placed a white stone in the center left.

Thunk. With this move, Cheon Do-ja’s second black group was completely surrounded.

“The second black group has also collapsed.”

Cheon Do-ja took a deep breath.

Thunk, thunk.

He placed stones, but.

“The third black group has collapsed.”

Cheon Do-ja’s eyes began to waver.

“Young Master Seol… you are truly an amazing person. How did you think of such moves?”

Woon-hwi was silent for a moment.

“When I see a person, I see stones, and when I see stones, I see a person.”

Cheon Do-ja flinched for a moment.

Because those were words he always had on his lips.

How could those words flow from Woon-hwi’s mouth?

During the ten more moves that were exchanged, five of Cheon Do-ja’s black groups collapsed in succession. Meanwhile, Woon-hwi lost only one white group.

“Heh heh heh… There’s no point in continuing any further.”

There really wasn’t.

The board Woon-hwi had set up completely isolated Cheon Do-ja, and Cheon Do-ja had thought that perhaps Woon-hwi’s play was just luck.

But it wasn’t.

Everything was calculated, and from the single white stone Woon-hwi had placed, the entire situation tilted.

It was truly an inescapable hell on earth.

“Young Master Seol, I have lost.”

To Woon-hwi, who was calmly bowing his head, Cheon Do-ja asked.

“I’m truly curious. Who exactly is your ‘other father’?”

Woon-hwi was silent for a moment.

“As I said, he is someone who exists in this world but does not exist.”

Cheon Do-ja’s eyes sharpened.

“Heh heh… How very interesting.”

“Elder Cheon, may I offer you a word?”

“Go ahead.”

“Elder Cheon’s every move is perfect. However.”

“However?”

“You’re placing too much meaning on each individual stone.”

Cheon Do-ja’s eyes flashed.

“Meaning…?”

“Yes. Baduk is not won with a single stone. The overall flow is what’s important.”

At these words, Cheon Do-ja was momentarily speechless. Throughout his entire life, he had never received advice about baduk from anyone. But at this moment, he felt that Seol Woon-hwi’s words were correct.

Without a word, Cheon Do-ja quietly gazed at Woon-hwi.

Quietly.

His mouth opened.

“…Young Master Seol, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“If it’s something I can answer, I will answer you.”

“Why do you play baduk?”

“To achieve victory.”

“Is that all?”

Woon-hwi thought for a moment before answering.

“No. It’s also to understand my opponent.”

A light of understanding appeared in Cheon Do-ja’s eyes.

“Understanding… I see. You wanted to understand me.”

Silence descended upon the residence. Cheon Do-ja looked back and forth between the go board and Woon-hwi as if seeing a vision.

In his eyes was a mixture of surprise, awe, and strange joy.

“For over a hundred years, this is the first time I’m truly tasting defeat.”

He looked at Woon-hwi. In his eyes was a light of respect that hadn’t been there before.

“Who… are you exactly?”

“I am Seol Woon-hwi of the Polar Descendants of the Ten Thousand Year Snow Palace.”

“…”

“I cannot tell you more details. I think Elder Cheon understands the reason well.”

“I do. No matter how much of a wager it was, people competed against each other on the go board, so it’s proper to accept and acknowledge the result… Well, I’ll solve this curiosity when I get the chance next time.”

Cheon Do-ja said, straightening his chest.

“Now, tell me the two things you want.”

As if certain that would also be enjoyable, there was even a strange smile drawn on Cheon Do-ja’s lips.

“Among all the numerous events that will unfold in the future, I would like there to be no interference from ‘Elder Cheon.’ This is my first request.”

“Interference… That stone I threw as a joke must have bothered you quite a bit.”

“It’s not the stone that bothers me, but Elder Cheon who threw the stone.”

“Now you’re flattering me after winning at baduk too.”

“Because that’s the truth.”

“Heh heh… Really, you have a talent for making people feel good with your words. Fine. I’ll grant Young Master Seol’s first request. However.”

However.

What came next was important.

“As Young Master Seol said, only I will not interfere. And present a time period.”

A time period…

“I’ll make it 10 years.”

“10 years? Will that be enough?”

“Yes. It’s sufficient. Then I’ll now state the second request.”

“Go ahead.”

“This is closer to a question than a demand.”

“A question… Let me hear it.”

Woon-hwi’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“Are you truly the Supreme of Murim, Elder Cheon?”

“…Hmm?”

“Are you truly such an existence – supreme in heaven and earth, with no one above you in the heavens?”

Cheon Do-ja’s eyes curved into crescents once again.

“I am someone who wishes to see flowers like Young Master Seol bloom in full… You surprised me with baduk, and now you surprise me with your questions.”

“…”

“I shall answer your question. I am indeed supreme in heaven and earth, the absolute ruler of not only Sae-oe but also the Central Plains Murim.”

When humility goes too far, it becomes close to deception.

Woon-hwi quietly gazed at Cheon Do-ja.

There were things he had not spoken of.

In his previous life, Woon-hwi had been abandoned by Cheon Do-ja.

And he had also realized that there was an organization above the Blood Cult.

“You don’t seem satisfied.”

“Yes. I am not satisfied.”

“What is so unsatisfactory?”

“Are you truly the absolute existence who is first under heaven, with no heaven above you, who can change not only everything in this murim but even the principles of all things?”

“…It seems as if you think there is someone above me… Am I right?”

“It’s a speculation.”

“A speculation… I stake everything I have on this: there is no one above me.”

The being called Cheon Do-ja does not lie, at least when it comes to ‘baduk’ and ‘wagers.’

He is such an existence.

And with these words, Woon-hwi learned many things.

It was Cheon Do-ja who killed Woon-hwi in his previous life.

And there is an organization to which Cheon Do-ja belongs.

Cheon Oe Cheon (Heaven Beyond Heaven).

Their roster also forms in his mind.

If Cheon Do-ja is a member of Cheon Oe Cheon, what position would he hold?

He would clearly be the head. But for such an organization to be formed, they must have their own ‘purpose.’

What exactly is their purpose?

Is Cheon Do-ja the head? Or rather, does a head even exist in the organization called Cheon Oe Cheon?

If they are one organization, all like pieces on this Go board, each guarding their respective positions.

Their purpose would be the player who moves them.

There is something.

A ‘great cause’ that cannot be defied and must be protected.

And he thought only up to this point.

Everything has its time, and for now, these are all useless worries. Since he won’t be facing the Origin Blood Sect immediately.

Woon-hwi spoke quietly.

“Thank you.”

“Hehe… I think I know why you asked that question.”

“Is that so?”

“It seems like an extension of that story about how the personality of the person who played before was different, am I right?”

It’s not true, but as Cheon Do-ja, that would be the right way to think, and knowing he would think that way, it was a question he asked.

Woon-hwi answered without hesitation.

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Then… do you feel a bit more at ease now?”

“Yes.”

Cheon Do-ja rose from his seat.

Following suit, Woon-hwi also rose from his seat.

“Young Master Seol.”

“Yes, Elder Cheon.”

“As I said before, I am someone who wishes to see flowers like Young Master Seol bloom in full.”

Woon-hwi’s eyes changed strangely.

Those words.

They were the same as those he had heard long ago.

“I shall watch the path you walk.”

“That’s burdensome.”

“Hehe… Burdensome… Is that truly how you feel?”

“When the Supreme of Murim says he will watch, who could dare not feel burdened?”

“Hmm…”

“However, I will shake off that burden and show you.”

“Your path, you mean?”

“Yes.”

“Hehehe… Good. I shall look forward to it.”

Cheon Do-ja’s body disappeared from that spot like smoke once again.

He slowly rose from his seat.

It had been a day where he gained quite a lot.

* * *

He had a grand dream.

He also had a plan to realize that dream.

And that plan was being executed steadily without a hitch.

Bringing in those who should be brought in, striking down those who should be struck down.

Writing lists, and writing them again.

Constantly reviewing the sequence of the plan in his mind, thinking of variables and modifying accordingly.

Certainly.

Yang Seol-jin’s plan to usurp the Palace Lord position was proceeding without problems.

But from some point on.

A variable that had been very small was showing a presence that would clearly become a threat.

Hyeon Seol-rin Seol Woon-hwi.

Could he have stopped him if he had tried to block him early on?

No.

It’s ambiguous.

‘…Should I have just killed him?’

The Palace Lord had changed, and the atmosphere of the Snow Palace was also changing.

He thought carefully.

Something.

A new picture is being drawn.

If he were to mix that picture with the existing plans he had made…

Fiercely, Yang Seol-jin’s mind began to turn.

After a considerable time passed, his eyes opened.

He picked up the letter that was beside him.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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