After class, Su Chonghua approached Ning Yi. Despite having maintained a stoic expression throughout the lesson, a faint smile now appeared on his face.

"Mr. Ning, you have quite the talent. Your knowledge of the Three Kingdoms and the history of the Wei and Jin periods is truly impressive. I assume the stories you shared are derived from Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms?"

Had Master Qin been present, he might have criticized Ning Yi for telling fanciful tales, accusing him of misleading the students. After all, the historical Records of the Three Kingdoms were far less dramatic than the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. For example, the famous "borrowing arrows with straw boats" incident was actually quite different in reality. In truth, it was Sun Quan who took his boat out for reconnaissance, and when it was hit by too many arrows on one side, nearly causing it to capsize, he turned the boat around to balance the weight. But such mundane facts were far less entertaining than the stories told in popular fiction.

Ning Yi had never read the Records of the Three Kingdoms; he was drawing from the embellished versions he had seen in TV dramas and novels. Su Chonghua, having never read the original either, had listened intently to Ning Yi’s story, thoroughly entertained. He now praised Ning Yi’s knowledge and storytelling ability.

After offering some words of praise, Su Chonghua subtly reminded Ning Yi to maintain discipline in the classroom. While the headmaster was clearly impressed by Ning Yi’s storytelling, he hinted that such tales were perhaps too lively for teaching The Analects. After all, as a teacher, Ning Yi needed to maintain authority and the proper decorum of a scholar. In his view, a classroom should not resemble a tea house where one could hear fanciful stories. Ning Yi nodded in agreement, acknowledging the advice with humility. Yet inwardly, he had no intention of changing his style.

Su Chonghua then invited Ning Yi to stay for lunch at the academy. In most households, people ate only two meals a day, and some families could barely afford that. However, the Su family was wealthy enough to afford an extra meal at noon, though it wasn’t always a formal meal and sometimes consisted of simple pastries. Ning Yi politely declined the offer, deciding to head home instead. He changed his clothes and gave the wet ones to Xiao Chan, instructing her to clean them and return them to Master Qin. He didn’t mention the incident of falling into the river, knowing it would only cause Xiao Chan to fuss over him with herbal remedies.

By the afternoon, Ning Yi was back by the Qinhuai River, ready for another game of Go with Master Qin.

By the afternoon, Ning Yi went to the banks of the Qinhuai River to play chess again. In fact, Old Qin was quite an eccentric. Ning Yi had long suspected that he had once been an official, and after visiting his house that morning, this belief was further solidified. Many of the furnishings and decor in the house were not something an ordinary person could possess. Coupled with his manner of speech and broad perspective, it was truly odd that someone like him would set up a chess stall by the river every day.

When Ning Yi arrived at the Qinhuai River, he found Master Qin already seated at the Go board, engaged in a match with another elderly man. The opponent, Master Kang, was around the same age as Master Qin. His family was well-off, and he carried himself with the dignity of a seasoned elder, always dressed in luxurious robes, accompanied by two servants and two maidservants wherever he went. Despite his strict demeanor and sharp tongue, his Go skills were impressive.

Every time Master Kang saw Ning Yi’s unconventional playing style, he couldn't help but scold, “This is disgraceful!” “Your moves lack the refinement of a gentleman!” or “How can you use such underhanded tactics?” And yet, despite his complaints, Master Kang would always incorporate Ning Yi’s strategies into his own play, adapting them slightly before applying them against Master Qin.

Master Qin, being the more skilled player, would often neutralize these “new tricks” and continue to dominate the board. Ning Yi found these sessions fascinating and had grown accustomed to the banter. Master Kang’s stern lectures about morality and honor were delivered in one breath, only for him to turn around and apply those very same tactics the next time.

As Ning Yi approached the Go board, he smiled, knowing what awaited him. He had come across many different kinds of people here by the river. From the uneducated to the somewhat educated but rigid in their thinking, many lacked the flexibility of modern minds. However, those in the upper echelons, like Master Qin and Master Kang, were quick to grasp new concepts. Though Master Kang outwardly upheld traditional values like righteousness and propriety, when it came to the actual game, he was just as calculating and ruthless as anyone else.

Over the past few weeks, Master Qin and his circle of Go-playing friends had taken an interest in Ning Yi’s unconventional strategies. They realized there was value in analyzing these unfamiliar moves, especially since they were unlike anything they had encountered before. Ning Yi never felt the need to hold back against the elderly masters, often provoking some lighthearted quarrels with Master Kang.

“You crafty old man!” Ning Yi would say with a grin when Master Kang criticized him yet again. “You talk about honor and propriety, but you’re the first to take advantage of my tricks!”

Master Kang would retort sharply, “You insolent boy! If you weren’t drinking my tea, I’d throw you out right now!” Yet, despite his words, Master Kang always ended up using the very strategies he had denounced.

Today was no different. Master Kang had brought a pot of fine tea, as was his habit. The servants prepared the tea at a small table next to the Go board, and Ning Yi helped himself to a cup without hesitation. As he took a sip, he looked over at the game.

“Hmm… it looks like Master Kang is about to lose.”

Master Kang, deep in thought, furrowed his brow. “You impudent child! What do you know about winning and losing? Drinking my tea while talking nonsense...”

He raised his hand, ready to place a stone on the board. But as Ning Yi cleared his throat, Master Kang hesitated, his hand hovering in mid-air. Glancing at the board again, he withdrew his hand and continued to contemplate his next move. Ning Yi, savoring the tea, nodded approvingly. “Ah, this tea is quite valuable. What is it?”

“Of course, it’s valuable, you ignorant fool,” Master Kang huffed. “Have you never heard of Gu Zhu Purple Bamboo Shoot tea?”

Master Qin chuckled from the other side of the board. “Ah, yes, Gu Zhu Purple Bamboo Shoot tea—an excellent tea, though I must admit, brewing it out here on the street diminishes its flavor somewhat. Had I known Master Kang would bring such fine tea today, I would have suggested we play indoors.”

Master Kang was unfazed. He finally placed his stone on the board with a satisfied look. “Tea is meant to be enjoyed, no matter the place. As long as we are in good company, drinking it while engaged in a friendly game of Go is what truly gives it value. The tea itself is just an object, after all.”

Ning Yi smiled. “You’re talking like a man of great importance, Master Kang.”

“Nonsense! I’m no such person,” Master Kang grumbled, then looked at the board and sighed, “But it seems I have lost again.”

Ning Yi patted him on the shoulder, stood up, and took his cup of tea with him as he wandered off to admire the scenery along the riverbank. Behind him, Master Qin laughed heartily as he placed the final stone, securing his victory. “Master Kang, I must confess, I had intended to let you win today, seeing as you brought such wonderful tea. But after hearing your grand speech, I couldn’t bring myself to go easy on you. A true friend must never lie, after all! Ha ha ha!”

Master Kang shook his head, clearly displeased with the outcome, but there was no malice between the two old men. After the match, they reviewed the game together, discussing strategies and mistakes. Despite Master Kang’s grumbling, he accepted his defeat with grace.

As they reviewed the match, Master Qin recounted the amusing story of Ning Yi falling into the river earlier that day while trying to rescue the woman and getting slapped for his trouble. This naturally led to Master Kang mocking Ning Yi with undisguised glee, much to Ning Yi’s annoyance.

Once the teasing died down, the conversation turned to more serious matters. Master Qin mentioned that the northern regions had once again come under attack by the Liao forces. It seemed that despite the occasional peace treaties, skirmishes along the borders were becoming more frequent.

The autumn sun was still shining brightly, but the breeze by the Qinhuai River had grown cooler. After another match, it was time for everyone to return home.

The next morning, Ning Yi woke up feeling a bit under the weather, his head slightly heavy, likely from the cold wind by the river the day before.