Love of Nirvana (Liu Shui Tiao Tiao)

Chapter 57 The Return of a Traveler in Wind and Snow

The former Marquis of Zhenbei, Pei Zifang, sat before a chess table. Despite being middle-aged, his eyebrows were still well-defined, and his eyes remained sharp. His posture was as straight as an arrow, and he wore a simple cyan robe with only a yellow jade pendant hanging at his waist. He looked up with a smile and said in a gentle voice, "Yan'er, stand up and let your uncle have a good look at you."

Pei Yan stood up, approached with his hands clasped, and said, "Uncle, why have you suddenly returned? Has something happened in Youzhou? Did you receive my secret letter?"

Pei Zifang's expression remained calm, but his gaze towards Pei Yan carried a hint of kindness. "Nothing major has happened in Youzhou. I set out after receiving your letter, mainly to retrieve something."

Pei Yan lowered his head. As a posthumous child, all his martial arts skills were taught by this uncle. Although his skills had surpassed his teacher's due to his mother's efforts in strengthening his body and bones during his childhood, he still felt an inexplicable reverence towards his uncle.

For years, the Pei clan had been planning on a grand scale. Pei Yan's establishment of the Changfeng Cavalry and his entry into the imperial court were inseparable from his uncle's efforts. Although his uncle had been demoted to Youzhou, he had always been in control of the overall situation. At this crucial moment, his secret return to the Changfeng Mountain Manor just to retrieve something must be of great importance.

Pei Zifang chuckled, "Let's not worry about that item for now. We'll retrieve it after nightfall. It's been years since we've seen each other. Come, play a game of chess with your uncle, and let's catch up."

Pei Yan smiled in agreement and sat down opposite Pei Zifang.

The kettle on the charcoal stove bubbled. Pei Yan quickly poured the brewed tea into cups, strained it twice, and served it to Pei Zifang.

Pei Zifang took the cup with a smile and said, "Not bad. Your chess skills have improved, and your ability to control the overall situation has progressed significantly."

"It's all thanks to Uncle's guidance," Pei Yan respectfully replied.

Pei Zifang placed a piece on the board. "Given that your opponent is not weak and the situation is complex, you've played quite well. However, your moves are still a bit risky."

"Yan'er humbly listens to uncle's teachings."

"Your strategy of luring the pieces in the northeast corner into a deadly trap, using the western pieces to hold back the opponent's main force, and then occupying the central area is indeed a good plan. However, you must remember that your opponent is no ordinary adversary."

Pei Yan carefully observed the board. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he hesitated over where to place his next piece. Finally, he softly asked, "Is this the spot uncle is referring to?"

Pei Zifang took a sip of tea and chuckled, "Correct. This is the opponent's vital area. But even if you know where it is, you have no way to place a piece there!"

Pei Yan concentrated and placed a piece in the southwest corner. Pei Zifang showed a slight smile of approval and responded with his move. Their game quickened, and finally, Pei Zifang pushed away the board and stood up, saying, "Come, it's almost dark. I'll take you to see something."

As they walked along the mountain path, night had fallen. An Cheng had already withdrawn all the hidden guards. Along the way, Pei Yan quietly reported the details he couldn't include in his secret letter. Pei Zifang listened silently. When Pei Yan finished, he smiled and said, "Yan'er, you're quick-witted. I hadn't anticipated that Jiang Haitian would set up such a long-term plan before his death and plant such a deep chess piece."