School Flower and School Tyrant - Chapter 16

“Phew~ It’s finally over.” Ouyang Qianxue let out a deep sigh, stepping out of Arena D with an exhausted expression. 

“Ouyang, you were amazing!” The moment he emerged, a young girl dressed in a flowing Hanfu rushed forward, hugging him excitedly. 

“You went undefeated in the group stage! Now, the entire Go community of Xijiang City will know that the Sakura Go Club has an exceptional player!” As she spoke, the Hanfu-clad girl affectionately rubbed her face against his. 

“Senior… not like this!” Ouyang Qianxue protested, blushing furiously. The silky Hanfu she wore was thin and soft, and with the two of them pressed together, he could clearly feel the plush, yielding sensation of her body against his. 

Glancing downward, he caught sight of her ample chest straining against the fabric, threatening to spill forth from the confines of her outfit. In a panic, he quickly averted his gaze. 

The girl, noticing where his eyes had wandered, smirked mischievously. 

“What’s wrong? Jealous?” 

“What?” 

“Ouyang, you’re practically flawless, but there’s just one little thing…” With that, she reached out towards his chest. 

“Ah! W-what are you doing, Senior?!” Feeling her hands rove over his chest, Ouyang’s face turned bright red. 

“I read online that massaging helps promote growth, so I thought I’d help you out!” 

“Enough, Senior!” Ouyang quickly pushed her away, exasperated. 

“Relax, I was just joking! You’ve been under immense pressure all day, if you keep that up, you’ll break. I just wanted to help lighten your mood a bit,” she teased playfully. 

“Well, not like that!” Ouyang retorted in protest. 

Just then, the commentator’s voice echoed from the speakers outside. It was the post-match analysis, summarizing the results for the reporters. 

“Speaking of this group stage, there is one player who left the deepest impression on me.” 

As the commentator spoke, a replay of Ouyang Qianxue’s match appeared on the big screen. 

“This young prodigy, Ouyang Qianxue. Though still so young, there is nothing immature about her playstyle. Once she seizes an opportunity, she strikes with ruthless precision. Her games unfold like a storm, swift and decisive, leaving no room for hesitation. She finished the group stage undefeated, securing a spot in the main tournament. Previously unknown, she has now become one of the top contenders for this year’s championship!” 

“Did you hear that? They’re praising you!” The Go club president playfully poked Ouyang’s cheek. 

“They’re exaggerating,” Ouyang said, shaking his head. “Every match was hard-fought. The other amateur players were incredibly skilled.” 

After a brief pause, the commentator continued. 

“Of course, when we talk about championship contenders, we cannot overlook another remarkable player, Bai Yuxuan, heir to the Bai family.” 

“As many in the Go world know, Old Master Bai was a legendary figure in the game before turning to business. His successor, Bai Yuxuan, has certainly lived up to his legacy. Not only did he advance undefeated, but he also crushed nearly every opponent within thirty minutes.” 

“What?! Bai Yuxuan is that strong?!” The Go club president was visibly shaken by the revelation. 

“Heh.” A voice suddenly rang out from behind Ouyang Qianxue. Turning, he saw Bai Yuxuan himself standing there. 

“Ouyang Qianxue, you didn’t disappoint me. I look forward to facing you in the main tournament. I hope you’ll make it worth my while.” With those parting words, Bai Yuxuan strode toward the exit. 

Moments later, the announcer declared, “Now, I will announce the time and location for the main tournament. It will take place tomorrow at Sakura International School.” 

“What?!” Ouyang Qianxue and his teammates were stunned. They never expected the venue to be at Sakura International. 

“Of course it’s at Sakura,” Bai Yuxuan murmured to himself as he exited the venue. The truth was, he had orchestrated this. The Bai Corporation, a subsidiary of his family’s conglomerate, was the main sponsor of the Qingshui Cup Go Tournament. 

“Only by defeating you in front of the entire school can I restore my wounded pride and reclaim my influence at Sakura.” 

Meanwhile, Ouyang Qianxue and his team wasted no time analyzing Bai Yuxuan’s previous matches, determined to prepare for the battle ahead. 

As they studied Bai Yuxuan’s past games, the Go club president suddenly froze in shock. 

“No way… he’s using the ‘Demonic Blade’ formation?!” 

“Demonic Blade?” Ouyang Qianxue, not a professional player, was unfamiliar with the term. 

“The full name is ‘Muramasa Demonic Blade.’ Along with the ‘Large Diagonal’ and ‘Great Avalanche,’ it is one of the three most intricate Go opening strategies. It starts with a high approach to the star point, followed by a two-space high pincer. The number of possible variations is vast, filled with traps and deceptions, making it a nightmare for amateur players. If executed well, it can secure a strong early-game advantage. But one wrong move, and it can lead to complete disaster.” 

“No wonder Bai Yuxuan’s opponents lost so quickly!” 

“But don’t panic,” the club president reassured. “The ‘Muramasa Demonic Blade’ is a double-edged sword. Even the slightest misstep can lead to total defeat. Tonight, your job is to familiarize yourself with Bai Yuxuan’s playstyle.” 

That night, Ouyang Qianxue took Bai Yuxuan’s game records back to his dormitory, studying them under the dim glow of his phone’s flashlight. He also borrowed additional match records where top players had used the ‘Muramasa Demonic Blade’ formation against each other. 

“You’re still up?” Wang Qian, his roommate, mumbled sleepily from his bed, glancing over at him. 

“Just a little longer. I’ll sleep soon.” 

The next morning, when Wang Qian opened his eyes, he saw Ouyang Qianxue already up, still analyzing the records. 

“You stayed up late and woke up early. Are you sure you’re okay?” 

“I’ll be fine.” Ouyang shut the book, gathered his things, and prepared to leave. 

“Wait, aren’t you going to eat breakfast first?” 

“I’m feeling a little nauseous this morning, so I’ll skip it.” He put on his shoes and walked toward the door. 

“But Go is a mentally and physically exhausting game. If you don’t eat…” 

“I’ll be fine.” With that, Ouyang headed toward the competition venue. 

The truth was, he barely had any money left. For the past two weeks, he had hardly eaten breakfast at all. 

“For my sister’s sake, I have to win this match!” As he stepped out of the dormitory, Ouyang Qianxue clenched his fists, steeling his resolve.