School Flower and School Tyrant - Chapter 17

Go matches are not particularly popular among students. The long duration, often exceeding an hour per game, makes them less appealing for casual spectators. However, today was an exception at Sakura High. 

Word had spread that both the school’s most admired beauty and its notorious top dog would be competing, drawing an unprecedented crowd. Students and fans eager to witness their clash had packed the venue, turning the schoolyard into a scene as grand as a flag-raising ceremony. 

On the main stage, a well-dressed host stepped forward, microphone in hand. 

“Welcome, everyone, to the Qingshui Cup Go Tournament! Now, let us welcome our contestants onto the stage!” 

As his voice rang out, thirty-two participants ascended the platform, met with an eruption of cheers. 

“It’s Bai Yuxuan!” 

“The school flower is here too!” 

“Bai Yuxuan is so handsome! He’s definitely going to win!” 

“Go, Ouyang Qianxue!” 

The crowd was split, each side fervently rooting for their favorite competitor. 

“Now, I will reveal the match brackets.” 

With that, a temporary projector cast the tournament brackets onto the screen. Gasps spread through the audience as they processed the matchups. 

“If both Bai Yuxuan and Ouyang Qianxue win their first three matches… they’ll face each other in the semifinals!” 

Tension thickened as the contestants took their seats. Once all players confirmed they were ready, the matches officially commenced. 

The competition was fierce, every participant who made it to the main tournament possessed exceptional skill. Ouyang Qianxue found herself locked in a grueling battle. Bai Yuxuan, however, was another story. Though his matches took slightly longer than in the preliminaries, he still managed to force his opponent into resignation by the hundredth move. 

“Incredible… Bai Yuxuan is that strong?” 

Murmurs of awe rippled through the crowd. 

“As expected of Bai Yuxuan! He’s the complete package, brains, skills, and looks. He’s just too perfect!” 

Swooning admirers gazed at him with infatuation, utterly mesmerized by his performance. 

Meanwhile, Ouyang Qianxue, after over an hour of strenuous play, finally claimed victory. 

“Something seems off about Qianxue today,” the Go club president noted, observing intently. 

“Yeah… It’s only the first round, and she already looks exhausted.” 

When Ouyang Qianxue rose from his seat, sweat drenched his face, and his steps wavered unsteadily. 

As the tournament progressed, his condition deteriorated further. After barely defeating his third opponent, he attempted to stand, only for his vision to blur, nearly causing him to collapse. 

Enough was enough. The Go club president stormed into the players’ resting area and intercepted him. 

“Ouyang, you’re in terrible shape. You shouldn’t be competing like this!” 

“Senior, my next match against Bai Yuxuan is too important. I have to play. If you try to stop me, I’ll quit the club and cut ties with you!” 

“You—! But—” 

“Please, trust me. No matter the outcome, I promise I’ll withdraw from the tournament and rest after this match.” 

Realizing there was no persuading her, the club president could only watch helplessly as the weakened Ouyang Qianxue returned to the battlefield. 

“You finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Bai Yuxuan said, already seated, exuding an air of unshakable confidence. 

“Let’s confirm one thing,” Ouyang Qianxue replied. “If I defeat you here, you’ll stop going after my sister, right?” 

“That’s right. If I lose, I swear I’ll never bother you or your sister again.” 

They spoke in hushed voices, a private agreement sealed before the battle began. 

“Now, if both players are ready, let the match commence!” 

Ouyang Qianxue played the first move as Black, and Bai Yuxuan wasted no time, immediately deploying the notorious “Muramasa Demon Blade” opening. 

“They’ve started!” 

The crowd erupted in excitement, the atmosphere reaching a fever pitch as if this were the grand finals. 

“You’ve studied my games thoroughly, haven’t you?” Bai Yuxuan mused, watching as Ouyang Qianxue expertly avoided his traps. 

But she remained unfazed. 

“Of course, I never intended to reveal my true strength against those weaklings in the early rounds. I’ve been saving something special just for you.” 

With that, she unleashed a sudden, unexpected move. 

“What?!” The Go club president tensed. “He was holding back all this time? Qianxue will have to rely on her instincts now!” 

Bai Yuxuan’s unpredictable maneuver should have caught him off guard. And yet— 

Ouyang Qianxue saw right through it. 

“You… anticipated my move?” Bai Yuxuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. 

“I didn’t just study your games. I analyzed countless matches featuring players who use the ‘Muramasa Demon Blade’ strategy. No matter how complex the variations, they share common patterns. By studying them, I deduced your intentions.” 

“Hah… Impressive. But don’t think that’s all I have to offer, Miss school flower.” 

Their battle intensified. 

Then, Ouyang Qianxue’s head spun. His vision blurred, consciousness teetering on the edge. 

No! I can’t lose! I have to protect my sister! 

Desperate, he dug his nails into his arm, pain jolting him back to awareness. Bai Yuxuan, too absorbed in the match, remained oblivious to his struggle. 

Suddenly, she set a devastating trap, one that Ouyang Qianxue, in his weakened state, failed to recognize. 

Got you! 

With a decisive move, Bai Yuxuan ensnared his pieces. 

“Tch—!” 

By the time Ouyang Qianxue realized his mistake, it was too late. 

“Yes… That’s the look I wanted to see.” Bai Yuxuan smirked coldly, reveling in his moment of despair. 

Calm down… Stay focused! 

Yet another wave of dizziness struck. 

I have to endure… For my sister’s sake! 

The club president’s words echoed in her mind. 

“The Muramasa Blade is a double-edged sword…” 

That was it! Bai Yuxuan had been aggressively attacking; her defenses must have gaps! If he could exploit a weakness, he could turn this match around! 

Gritting his teeth, he examined the board with razor-sharp focus. Sweat dripped from his forehead. 

“There!” 

He made his move. 

Checkmate. 

Bai Yuxuan’s confidence shattered as the tables turned in an instant. 

“Impossible!” 

That single move was like a dagger to her weak spot. Her whole strategy crumbled. 

“What an incredible play! Even in such dire straits, Ouyang found a flawless counterattack! The match is now 70-30 in her favor, if nothing unexpected happens, she’ll win!” 

The commentator’s excitement surged, declaring his triumph even before the final moves. 

“Hah… Ouyang Qianxue! Just how many surprises are you planning to give me?!” 

The Go club president clenched her fists, eyes gleaming with exhilaration. 

At last, Ouyang Qianxue exhaled, relieved. 

But the moment she let her guard down— 

Her vision darkened. 

The world around her faded. 

And then, she collapsed.