Immortality Through Array Formations

Chapter 2435: Chapter 1103: Pavilion Elder (Part 2)

The Pavilion Elder’s pupils trembled slightly, momentarily lost in thought.

People came and went all around, yet Mo Hua continued to eat his noodles slowly and methodically.

And amid the esteemed Taoist Court Seven Pavilions, where the Heaven Shu Pavilion stood with high power and mysterious prestige, the Pavilion Elder sat from afar watching, inexplicably, as Mo Hua finished a whole bowl of noodles.

It wasn’t until Mo Hua finished his noodles and drank up the soup that the Pavilion Elder finally came to his senses, softly sighing as he thought to himself:

”It’s time to leave.”

His purpose was fulfilled.

He had come to Cloud Crossing City, having calculated Mo Hua’s movements, driven by curiosity, wanting to take this single glance at Mo Hua before he departed.

Now that he had seen him, naturally it was time to leave.

The Pavilion Elder packed up the chessboard, but as he was halfway through, he suddenly paused, looked up, and just happened to meet Mo Hua’s gaze.

Mo Hua seemed to also gaze over the crowd, glancing at him.

The Pavilion Elder was surprised, ”Could this child... see me?”

But Mo Hua’s gaze seemed to flicker upon something for just a moment, then moved away.

After moving away, Mo Hua appeared puzzled, scanning around, unsure if he was observing or searching for something.

After searching all around, Mo Hua didn’t find anything, and his gaze finally landed once more on the Pavilion Elder’s direction.

More precisely, it fell upon the chessboard in front of the Pavilion Elder.

The next moment, Mo Hua lifted his head, and through the haze, he saw the elder before the chessboard, suddenly his eyes lit up.

The Pavilion Elder watched, bewildered, as Mo Hua rose and walked straight over to him, stopping in front of him.

Mo Hua first looked at the chessboard, then glanced up at the Pavilion Elder, full of expectation, and asked:

”Old gentleman, do you play chess?”

The Pavilion Elder nodded.

Mo Hua thought to himself, indeed, and then asked: ”Old gentleman, shall we play a game?”

The Pavilion Elder pondered, remaining silent.

Mo Hua explained: ”I need to catch Cloud Ferry, but there’s still time, so I have nothing to do. Seeing you playing alone, I thought of joining you for a while.”

The Pavilion Elder became slightly interested, asking in return: ”Why do you want to play with me?”

Mo Hua studied the Pavilion Elder, confidently saying: ”With your beard and demeanor, one can easily tell you’re a chess expert!”

The Pavilion Elder was taken aback for a moment and then felt as if a gentle spring breeze had blown through. It warmed his heart, bringing instant comfort to his whole being.

Behold!

There truly are people in this world who recognize value!

And this child, worthy of being the Qianxue Array Dao Double Champion and Sword Discussion Champion, could discern his extraordinary chess skills at a glance amidst the crowd.

The Pavilion Elder, renowned throughout Tian Shu Pavilion as the ”hopeless chess player,” suddenly felt like he had met a soulmate, as if encountering sweet rain.

”Come, let us play a round!”

The Pavilion Elder, who was originally preparing to pack up, came alive with interest, swept his sleeve, and arranged the chessboard.

Mo Hua respectfully bowed to the Pavilion Elder, then sat opposite him, upright and courteous.

”You first,” the Pavilion Elder said.

”Alright.”

Mo Hua, being a junior, didn’t refuse, and instead picked up a chess piece, placing it on the board after careful consideration.

At a glance, anyone could tell that this move marked him as a ”hopeless chess player.”

The Pavilion Elder was quite moved: ”You played well!”

Mo Hua froze for a moment, feeling a sudden sense of camaraderie.

It’s been a long, long time since anyone praised his chess skills.

The last time he was praised was when he played chess with Grandpa Gui.

Mo Hua couldn’t suppress the smile forming at the corners of his mouth.

The Pavilion Elder also placed a piece.

Of course, it was a poor move too.

Mo Hua looked astounded: ”Old gentleman, your chess skills truly are transcendent!”

The Pavilion Elder stroked his beard, ”Not bad.”

Mo Hua studied the chessboard, frowning, lost in thought, then proceeded to place another piece.

The Pavilion Elder glanced at it, nodded: ”Not bad, not bad,” and then looked up at Mo Hua, asking: ”Do you often play chess?”

Mo Hua sighed, somewhat regretful, ”Haven’t played in a long time.”

The Pavilion Elder inquired: ”Why?”

Mo Hua, puzzled, replied: ”I believe I’m a chess expert, but fellow disciples don’t play with me. They consider me inept, which I cannot understand, thus I had to ’seal away’ my skills, rarely showing them in front of others.”

The Pavilion Elder felt a moment of empathy and mutual understanding, sighed: ”Yes, I am much the same.”

Mo Hua was shocked: ”Old gentleman, with your transcendent skills, are there really people who don’t appreciate it?”

The Pavilion Elder shook his head, lamenting: ”People are just so oblivious.”

Mo Hua nodded in deep agreement.

The Pavilion Elder asked: ”Whom have you learned chess from before?”

Mo Hua replied: ”No one really. I just played with Grandpa Gui often when I was a child.”

The Pavilion Elder’s eyelids twitched slightly.

Mo Hua placed another piece, saying: ”Old gentleman, it’s your turn.”

Seeing this, the Pavilion Elder regained his spirit, slowly saying: ”Alright, let me see...”

The Pavilion Elder pondered for a moment, then placed a piece.

One old, one young, like this one with black, one with white, piece by piece, in the teahouse of this secluded Immortal City, fiercely competing to an impasse.

To onlookers, they were merely two hopeless chess players, engaging in a seemingly clueless match, but the two were thoroughly enjoying it.

Time unknowingly slipped by.

Finally, as the sun set in the west, dusk covered the sky, the distant sound of the cloud flute at Cloud Ferry echoed solemnly, and Mo Hua came to his senses, looking at the unfinished game, and sighed:

”Time has come, old gentleman, I must go.”

The Pavilion Elder looked at the board, feeling somewhat unsatisfied.

Mo Hua earnestly said: ”Old gentleman, your chess skills are indeed formidable, if we meet again, I would love to play another game with you.”

The Pavilion Elder looked up at Mo Hua, feeling an unexpected regret for their late meeting, somewhat reluctant, he said:

”Alright, next time we meet, let us play chess again.”

Mo Hua bowed respectfully, ”Old gentleman, until we meet again.”