Chapter 16:Challenging the Master
I’ve been staying at Evergreen Go Academy, relying on my grandfather’s connections.
As promised, I’m playing Go with Jia Lee, who’s been taking a break.
“….”
I keep my mouth shut, focusing solely on the game. I have no intention of giving advice or teaching.
If a god of Go exists, perhaps it could “teach.” As a pro once said, a god’s eyes would see only perfect moves and blunders.
But despite centuries of progress, humans haven’t even touched the divine realm. Even “standard” moves, painstakingly studied by masters, can turn from perfect to disastrous depending on the board’s context.
Even the AI that surpassed humans only ranks possibilities by expected win rates, lacking a god’s true vision.
Of course, for beginners or amateurs without systematic training, memorizing standard moves and pro game records can lead to quick improvement.
Standards aren’t always right, but they often lead to favorable positions. Pros make frequent mistakes, but even those are better than an amateur’s unrefined moves.
But for a trainee like Jia, just a hair’s breadth from pro level, the foundation is solid. She’s studied records exhaustively, and standard moves come instinctively.
Trying to teach her risks shaking that foundation. Nitpicking minor details could narrow her perspective.
All I can do is give her the right stimulation and challenge.
Broaden her vision, sharpen her instincts.
It’s an extension of the WY Cup amateur final. I push Jia to her limits, and she endures.
This is our third match already.
Thanks to her rest, she has stamina to spare, while I’m fading. She’s pressing harder, growing fiercer.
– Bzzz.
A critical moment. But Jia’s phone vibrates, breaking my focus.
About to hang up, she hesitates, seeing the caller’s name.
“Sorry, Seoa. I think I have to take this.”
She stands, looking troubled.
“Okay. Take your time.”
“Hello?”
[Jia! Where the hll are you?!]
Trying to catch my breath, I overhear a man’s shout leaking from Jia’s phone.
Curious, I quietly follow her.
“Sorry, Master. I’ll rest just for today.”
[Are you out of your mind?! Do you know how much time and effort I’ve put into training you? What gives you the nerve to rest for over a week and ask for more?]
“Hehe, I have some things to study on my own.”
[Just do what you’re told! What studying? What’s gotten into you, Jia? You were doing so well!]
“…It’s just something I need to do. Please, just for today.”
[You said you’d go pro! Do whatever you want after that—I won’t care! But finish what you started. No excuses, come back now!]
“But…”
When we faced off in the tournament, I wondered why Jia played so passively despite her skill. Now I get it. Her master must have forced a specific style on her—a cheap imitation. If she were copying a top pro, it might’ve been better, but it’s not even that.
“Jia unnie.”
I step forward from hiding, interrupting. I didn’t want to meddle this much, but since I’m in, I’ll see it through.
“…Seoa?”
“Let me talk to him.”
“No, it’s fine. I can handle…”
“Give it to me.”
I speak firmly, and after hesitating, she hands me the phone. I send the anxious Jia back into the academy and take the phone, where the man’s still shouting.
“Hello.”
“Ha, what the… Who are you?”
“Jia unnie’s friend. I’m borrowing her for today, so please be understanding.”
I try to calm the agitated man, likely her Go master, but he doesn’t cool down.
“Borrow? You think this is a game? This is her life!”
“I’m not treating it as a game, which is why I’m asking. But you’re the one using her life for your own gain.”
“What? Gain?”
“Oh, my mistake. I thought you were holding onto a talented kid to make her a pro, then using her to promote your academy and draw in students.”
My thoughts spill out unfiltered, bypassing my usual tone.
“You little sht. You think I’m doing this for a few bucks?”
“Aren’t you? You lack the skill to teach, yet you’re clinging to a talented prodigy. Honestly, it’s kind of annoying.”
A pro likely can’t survive on prize money and match fees alone.
“Listen to this crazy kid… Ha, what, you think you’re better than me at Go?”
He laughs, incredulous, at my words.
“Judging by how you talk, probably. Want to play a match? With stakes.”
“Hahaha, you rude little brat. Fine, let’s see how good you are.”
“I’ll come by with Jia unnie later. See you then.”
“Jia unnie, let’s go to your dojo.”
I call out to Jia, who’s sitting restlessly.
“Huh? What? Why?”
She takes the phone, looking flustered.
“I’m going to play a match with your master.”
I smile lightly, and her face freezes.
*
At Yunsul Go Dojo, where Jia and I arrive by taxi.
As we open the glass door, a man stands there, glaring fiercely.
“Jia, you’re here?”
Forcing a smile to mask his anger, he greets her.
“Yes… Master…”
“So, where’s this friend of yours or whatever?”
“Right behind me…”
I step out from behind Jia.
“Seoa Ryu…”
He seems to recognize my name, likely from Go-related articles. That makes things quick.
“Want to play even, or should I give you a two-stone handicap?”
I smile smugly, and his face twists at the clear insult. It’s not baseless confidence—I’ve beaten top pros in an open tournament.
As Seoa Ryu, not Changmo Shin.
“Ugh…”
“If I lose, you can make me do anything. I’ll join your dojo if you want, or take any reasonable punishment for my rudeness. But if I win, leave Jia unnie alone. Let her do what she wants.”
I didn’t ask her permission. But if I beat him with a two-stone handicap, he’ll see he has no right to control her.
“Fine… Deal.”
A Go dojo is full of boards. Without further words, he leads me to one.