silent
The elders' questions were like pebbles thrown into a lake; though Jiu Che forcefully suppressed them, the ripples did not completely dissipate. The number of guards around Tingxue Garden had noticeably increased, and invisible eyes, like a spiderweb, constantly surrounded the area.
However, inside the garden, there was an eerie tranquility that was completely opposite to the tense atmosphere outside.
Jiu Che still comes every day, and Qi Yuan still moves around in that small space. They still don't talk much, but the deliberately maintained sense of distance is being replaced by a more natural and indescribable tacit understanding.
On this day, Jiu Che brought a chess endgame. It was not the exquisite chess game commonly seen by immortals, but an ancient chess game called "Vertical and Horizontal" that circulated in the mortal world. The rules were simple, but the variations were endless, and it emphasized strategy rather than strength.
He placed the chessboard on the stone table, without inviting anyone, and simply took the black pieces and made the first move.
Qi Yuan was reading the book "Miscellaneous Records of the Stars" by the window when he heard the sound. He looked up, glanced at him, then looked at the chessboard, and remained silent, continuing to read his book.
Only the faint sound of bamboo slips turning and the crisp sound of chess pieces falling onto the wooden chessboard remained in the room.
Jiu Che didn't care, he just kept placing his pieces, black and white pieces alternating, gradually spreading out on the chessboard. His chess style was like him, seemingly stable and orderly at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it carried a profound and cold calculation.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qi Yuan put down the bamboo slip, walked to the table, glanced at the chessboard, and casually picked up a white piece, placing it on a seemingly insignificant corner.
Jiu Che paused slightly as he placed his piece, glancing at the spot. A faint hint of surprise flashed in his icy eyes before he regained his composure and continued placing his piece.
The two of them remained silent, exchanging words back and forth.
There were no verbal exchanges, no deliberate provocations, only a silent game of strategy and understanding as the pieces rose and fell. Qi Yuan's playing style was unpredictable and cunning, often taking unconventional approaches, which contrasted sharply with Jiu Che's calm and composed demeanor, yet they complemented each other in a strange way, making an endgame full of ups and downs.
When the last piece was placed, the balance of power on the board was set, resulting in an extremely rare... draw.
Jiu Che stared at the chessboard, remaining motionless for a long time.
Qi Yuan stood up and walked back to the window, as if he had just done something insignificant.
"Where did you learn this game of chess?" Jiu Che's voice came from behind him.
Qi Yuan looked out the window and said calmly, "The longer you live, the more you'll know a little bit about everything."
Another silence followed.
“This situation,” Jiu Che said slowly, “is very much like you and me.”
Qi Yuan's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
“They seem to be clearly divided, like fire and water,” he continued, his voice low, “and after all this time, they’ve only managed to get to a situation where they’re neither winning nor losing.”
Neither winning nor losing.
Yes, she couldn't destroy him, nor could she obtain the Crystal Heart. He imprisoned her, but in doing so, he also trapped himself. A century-long entanglement resulted in mutual destruction; neither emerged as a winner.
Qi Yuan didn't turn around, but his hand on the window frame tightened slightly.
"Immortal Lord has many feelings today." Her tone carried a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.
Jiu Che didn't reply, but instead began silently tidying up the chess pieces on the board, placing the black and white pieces into their respective boxes. His movements were unhurried, with a certain inherent rhythm.
After tidying up, he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he walked to her side and looked out the window with her. The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the scenery in the garden with a warm gold, and even the edges of the leaves of the Tranquil Orchid shimmered with a soft halo.
“That orchid,” he suddenly said, “is thriving better than ever before.”
Qi Yuan followed his gaze and saw that the once withered Tranquil Orchid had indeed become vibrant and full of life under her "unorthodox" care over the past few days, with thick leaves and a faint spiritual light within.
“Perhaps,” Jiu Che’s voice sounded somewhat ethereal in the twilight, “not all rules are unbreakable.”
After saying this, he didn't linger and turned to leave the side hall.
Qi Yuan stood alone in the deepening twilight, watching the direction he had left, and then looked down at the warm, smooth wristband on her wrist.
A situation where neither side can win or lose...
Not all rules are unbreakable...
She slowly closed her eyes, feeling the seedling called "possibility" in her heart, which, after being burned by blood and fire, and watered by tears and hatred, quietly sprouted on this ruin...
The first new leaf has sprouted.
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