Chapter 3408: Xiangqi Finals

A special day arrived, but for Daoist Chu it felt less like the finals of a Xiangqi tournament and more like his impending doom.

The Lazy River Pavilion was serene and elegant, its polished wooden floors reflecting the sunlight and its open balconies overlooking a calm, slowly flowing river. The gentle scent of lotus drifted through the air, and elders in fine robes murmured among themselves in anticipation of the final match.

Daoist Chu would have appreciated all of this, if not for the strange sense of dread that had settled in his stomach.

He truly had not expected this outcome. His Xiangqi skills were above average, yes, but not at the level that could topple worldly masters. Yet somehow two of the people in his bracket had forfeited early.

One left the world entirely to accompany their sect juniors. Another claimed spiritual instability and withdrew from the round. A third simply disappeared without explanation.

Still he was pleased that he had his companions with him today.

Lin Mu had insisted they all come today.

"For the finals at least," he had said. "You should support him."

Meng Bai had no choice but to obey. It was rare for Lin Mu to give direct instructions, so Meng Bai felt obligated to show respect. Cattaleya at first showed no interest at all, but Daoist Chu, knowing her too well, bribed her with a promise of several barrels of alcohol and a share of the winning prize.

The share that tempted Cattaleya was not money.

It was the Dual Euphoria Liquor.

A legendary bottle of Dao infused alcohol, created only under mystical circumstances when the Dao of Love and the Dao of Joy were present near certain immortal wines.

Rumors claimed it could help Dao comprehension. Others claimed it could bind two hearts together. Still others claimed the liquor was so potent a single sip would leave a cultivator blissfully intoxicated for days.

Daoist Chu wanted it. Cattaleya wanted it. Several elders around the world wanted it. Even Lin Mu had raised an eyebrow when he heard about it.

To Daoist Chu, this bottle was worth any effort. Even if he made a fool of himself today, at least he would try for it.

But the problem was simple.

His opponent was said to be quite difficult. Pushing that thought aside for now, he continued to walk.

Lin Mu, Elyon, Cattaleya, and Meng Bai accompanied him as he entered the pavilion. Like before, Lin Mu walked calmly, Elyon observed silently, Meng Bai fidgeted nervously, and Cattaleya wore the most bored expression imaginable.

Daoist Chu felt oddly touched that they had come. That feeling lasted until Cattaleya leaned over to Meng Bai and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "If he loses in ten moves, I am taking all his alcohol rations for the month."

Daoist Chu pretended not to hear.

He stepped into the main hall and froze.

There, sitting on the red cushion across the Xiangqi board, was Mistress Tender Flower.

Daoist Chu stared.

The others stared.

Elyon blinked.

Meng Bai covered his mouth.

Cattaleya’s expression twisted as if she had just smelled something horrifying.

Mistress Tender Flower was nothing like her graceful and poetic name.

She was an extremely old woman, her back slightly hunched and her hair a mess of wiry grey strands that stuck out in every direction. Her cheeks sagged, her nose was slightly crooked, and her chin had a faint shadow of stubble that made Meng Bai whisper, "Is this really a woman?"

But her appearance was not the shocking part.

The shocking part was that she was dressed in a bright pink robe with embroidered flowers, dripping in jewelry, and the moment she saw Daoist Chu she fluttered her eyelashes at him.

Chu~

She then blew him a kiss.

Daoist Chu’s soul nearly left his body.

Lin Mu subtly stepped back.

Meng Bai gagged.

Cattaleya was already trembling, trying not to burst into laughter.

Mistress Tender Flower stood up with surprising agility for someone her age and clapped her hands together.

"Oh my, oh my, what a handsome young thing the heavens have delivered to me today," she purred.

Daoist Chu wished that a Spatial Rift would open under his feet and drag him away.

He bowed stiffly. "G-greetings, Senior."

She sauntered closer, leaned in too close, and whispered loudly, "Such a polite little beauty. If only you were fifty years older, I would consider marrying you."

Daoist Chu coughed so violently Meng Bai thought he might choke.

The elders seated around the pavilion murmured among themselves, clearly used to the old woman’s antics.

Daoist Chu suddenly remembered the warnings.

Quit while you still can.

She is too frightening.

Do not push your luck.

’Oh heavens, they had not been talking about her skill. They had been talking about her personality!’

Mistress Tender Flower returned to her seat, smiling sweetly at him in a way that made his skin crawl.

"Before we begin," she said, "let us make a little bet."

Daoist Chu stiffened. "May I ask what kind of bet?"

"Oh, just something harmless." She winked. "If I win, I want dinner with you. And then a night with you."

Daoist Chu jerked backwards so fast he knocked over his cushion. Meng Bai almost fainted. Elyon stared in open disbelief. Lin Mu froze. Cattaleya slapped the floor with her palm and howled with laughter.

Daoist Chu coughed violently again and forced himself to speak. "Senior, I would prefer to focus only on the match."

"Mmm, so shy," Mistress Tender Flower sighed. "I like shy boys. It makes it so fun to tease them."

Daoist Chu wanted to flee. He truly did. But pride, stubbornness, and the temptation of the Dual Euphoria Liquor held him in place.

He took his seat.

The referee announced the start of the match.

At first, Daoist Chu held on. He made calm and calculated moves. He forced his mind to focus on the board and not on the disturbing presence sitting across from him.

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