Chapter 27: Empress Ascendant: A Historic Victory
The Huaihe Cup World Women’s Go Championship.
Seoa Ryu 1-dan’s tenacity and fighting spirit in the first game became the talk of the town.
Photos of Seoa Ryu 1-dan with blood staining her lips spread online, captivating fans of all genders.
The organizers’ unfair management and hotel mishaps, combined with her father’s cancer battle, created a sensational storyline.
The second game.
Seoa Ryu 1-dan’s unexpected victory. An overwhelming one.
Expectations for the third game soared within the Korean Go community.
The youngest professional, now on the verge of becoming the youngest world women’s Go champion.
A possibility no one predicted, now just one match away.
The third game.
Record-breaking viewership on Go channels, simulcast on national TV.
Go insiders are thrilled by this unexpected boon.
Also trending is the online Go ID ‘tlsckdah1021.’
Analysis suggests Seoa Ryu 1-dan’s fierce pursuit in the first game resembles the style of ‘tlsckdah1021,’ who achieved a legendary 50-0 record before vanishing.
But it’s just speculation, so the theory that Seoa Ryu is ‘tlsckdah1021’ doesn’t gain much traction.
Amid high expectations, the third game of the finals begins.
Yun Hui 5-dan, once brimming with confidence, looks haggard.
After holding black twice, Seoa Ryu 1-dan takes white.
Clack
Yun Hui 5-dan’s first move as black signals the start.
Black 1, 5, 7 form a modified mini-Chinese opening.
A trendy opening often used by pros today.
Seoa Ryu 1-dan completes a standard exchange in the upper-right corner, then plays an unconventional move against the mini-Chinese.
A move tight against the small knight’s position.
Black twists to protect the corner, while white builds influence, pressing down.
A fresh interpretation.
Debate rages: did Yun Hui 5-dan misplay, or did Seoa Ryu 1-dan crack the mini-Chinese?
Commentating pros try revisiting the position, but the opening unfolds too fast to analyze deeply.
The first 50 moves, where win rates swing most.
Yun Hui 5-dan’s position feels stifled, while white’s is open and free.
Yet Yun Hui 5-dan continues without clear mistakes. Still, the gap widens.
The explanation is simple.
Seoa Ryu 1-dan’s skill overwhelms Yun Hui 5-dan.
Chinese media called her second-game win lucky, but claiming two consecutive flukes loses credibility.
This match, drawing global Go attention, ends one-sidedly.
China’s prized beauty and talent suffers a crushing defeat in their own prestigious event.
Seoa Ryu 1-dan, meant to be a supporting act, steals the spotlight.
In eerie silence, Yun Hui 5-dan resigns in the third game.
A forfeit victory.
Two knockouts.
Despite the monumental achievement, Seoa Ryu 1-dan’s expression remains unchanged.
Chinese reporters, true to their professionalism, snap photos fervently, regardless of their feelings.
After all, this is a historic moment in Go, a scoop worth capturing.
The closing ceremony the morning after the finals.
Joy is overshadowed by complex emotions.
Winning and losing are daily routines for a pro.
Unless you quit, you can’t despair in defeat or revel in victory.
You must dissect today’s game, a mirror of yourself, and strive to improve tomorrow.
The championship.
400,000 yuan.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy, but this is just the start.
For now, I need to focus on the immediate issue.
“Heh heh…”
Inaye Lee 9-dan, smiling, fixes my hair.
After the third game, she seemed eager to go shopping.
Stuck managing my condition in the hotel, she hadn’t explored or shopped, so it’s only natural.
Owing her so much, I suppress my urge to rest and happily follow.
Shopping was fine.
We enjoyed Jiangsu dishes like Yangzhou fried rice and Nanjing duck, and toured the city.
The problem is Inaye Lee 9-dan’s decision to buy me clothes.
The blue cheongsam I’m wearing is the result.
Even without deep slits, it feels like my thighs are fully exposed.
The fabric clings, revealing every curve, doubling my embarrassment.
It’s like a hammer smashing my already fragile male identity in this changed body.
Just wearing it would be bad enough, but this look is likely to be immortalized in photos.
“It’s fine, it looks great on you.”
Oblivious to my feelings, Inaye Lee 9-dan speaks casually.
“That’s the problem…”
The small blonde girl in the mirror looks good in the outfit.
Loving cute and beautiful things is human nature.
Dressed like this, part of me can’t deny a secret thrill.
If this continues, I might end up giggling while shopping for women’s clothes.
Since my body is female, there’s no social stigma, making it all the more dangerous.
Inaye Lee 9-dan ties my hair with a blue ribbon and lightly powders my cheeks, then pushes me toward the award ceremony.
Formal speeches. Commemorative photos.
Holding a sign showing the 400,000-yuan prize, I smile awkwardly.
This too shall pass.
I just hope the upcoming press conference ends quickly.
“I’m Yura Lee from ○○ Daily. Congratulations on your win, Teacher Ryu! You showed a thrilling comeback with a loss-win-win. Were there changes in your mindset or strategy after the first game’s defeat?”
“I didn’t dwell on the first game’s loss. Focusing on recovering my condition worked out well.”
First question. I answer off the cuff.
“I’m Mingi Shin from ○○ News. Thank you for the beautiful game. Your achievement is unbelievable—have you decided your next steps?”
“Sorry, I don’t have clear plans yet. I want to spend time with my parents first.”
The 400,000-yuan prize is enough for now.
No need to rush into every tournament.
“I’m Gyeol Lee from ○○ Go. Have you heard of the online ID ‘tlsckdah1021’ that’s been trending?”
“No, it’s my first time hearing it.”
I keep a straight face, feigning ignorance.
[“I’m Bin Fang from ○○ Daily. Your charismatic presence in the first game earned you the nickname ‘Empress of the Board’ across China. Were you aware?”]
“…Oh, no! But that’s flattering…”
Starting with the Chinese reporter’s question, the focus shifts strangely.
From family matters to hobbies, even to the outfit I’m wearing.
Already suppressing my embarrassment.
My cheeks flush red with shame.