"Okay, I understand. By the way, Agu, tell me about any exciting, unusual, or fun things happening in the capital lately."
As a first-class guard in the Crown Prince's residence, Agu was naturally the most well-informed.
However, as soon as Hailing finished speaking, Agu was stunned. The Crown Princess's words had changed too quickly, and he was a little confused for a moment, but he still dutifully reported.
"The strangest and most interesting thing happening in the capital recently is that someone has set up the Zhenlong Chess Game at Lanxin Pavilion, challenging all chess players in the world, and claiming that if anyone can solve the Zhenlong Chess Game, he will give them the Zhenlong Chess Game, which is worth a thousand gold pieces."
"Lanxin Pavilion? The Precious Chess Game?"
Hai Ling raised an eyebrow. She knew about Lanxin Pavilion, the best brothel in the capital. However, the women there sold their art but not their bodies. They would drink, laugh, and perform, but not their bodies. Despite this, the business was booming because the women in Lanxin Pavilion were all talented and beautiful, and were highly sought after by the young men of high society who were willing to spend a fortune.
However, she had never heard of this rare chess game before. She was quite proficient in Go in modern times, but she had never heard of such a rare chess game.
Upon hearing Hailing's murmur, Agu immediately reported, "This Zhenlong Chess Game is unlike any other game. It only has two hundred black and white pieces, plus a chess king. There are one hundred and sixty-eight white pieces, tasked with protecting the chess king, and thirty-two black pieces, which are still the killers. In this Zhenlong Chess Game, you must use the thirty-two black pieces to kill the chess king in order to break the game. Moreover, you can only move the pieces to the stars, corners, and edges, and you cannot attack from the center."
After Agu finished speaking, Hailin was speechless with astonishment…
Chapter 54 Breaking the Chess
It is no easy task for 32 black stones to break through 168 white stones and kill the chess king.
Has anyone ever broken this deadlock?
"No, it was swallowed up before it could even pass the three trials."
She hadn't even passed all three levels, which showed how difficult it was to break through this predicament. However, Hailin's personality was such that the more difficult something was, the more interested she became, and a smile appeared on her lips.
"Agu, if I can solve this Precious Chess Game and obtain the priceless Precious Chess Game to give to the Crown Prince, do you think the Crown Prince will be happy?"
Under the lamplight, Hai Ling's voice sounded somewhat ethereal, her face shrouded in darkness, making it difficult to discern her features. Agu was slightly taken aback. The Crown Princess had revealed the secret of the Intricate Chess Game? Was that possible? He had never heard of her being able to play chess.
However, remembering what the Crown Princess had said, she quickly stopped her: "If Your Highness the Crown Princess really manages to obtain that Precious Chess Set, please don't give it to the Crown Prince, because..."
The crown prince hated it when women gave him gifts. He believed that only men gave gifts to the women they loved, and that women who gave gifts to men were shameless.
Hailin stopped speaking, slowly raised her head, and a smile appeared on her face, like a flower blooming in the dark night, which was breathtaking.
Agu vaguely thought that if the Crown Princess weren't so fat, she might be a stunning woman.
Rouge walked in from outside the door. When Hailing saw her come out, she stood up and said with a smile, "Rouge, let's go to Lanxin Pavilion."
"Lanxin Pavilion?"
Rouge's expression changed, and she quickly said, "Miss, have you forgotten that Lanxin Pavilion is a brothel? How can we go there?"
"I've heard that someone has set up a rare chess game somewhere. Miss, would you like to try it?"
Rouge had also heard about this matter; she heard that someone had set up the Zhenlong Chess Game in Lanxin Pavilion, and today was the third day.
I never expected that Miss would want to break the chess set; I've never heard of her being able to play chess.
"Miss."
"Let's go," Hai Ling said, walking out first. Yan Zhi couldn't help but glare at A Gu behind her. A Gu was a little annoyed, but he didn't dare to be careless. He quickly followed Hai Ling out and ordered all the guards in the shadows to follow her to protect the Crown Princess's safety.
Lanxin Pavilion is located on the most bustling and prosperous street in the capital. This street is full of restaurants and teahouses, and at night, the whole street is brightly lit and extremely lively.
The sounds of voices and shouts from all directions converged into a long stream under the night sky.
The area in front of Lanxin Pavilion was bustling with traffic and people.
The general's carriage was parked in the open space in front of the gate, and many people walked by, discussing, "Has no one solved that intricate chess puzzle yet?"
"No, do you really think no one can crack it?"
"I'm afraid it's really impossible. Think about it, thirty-two assassins have to deal with one hundred and sixty-eight guards and then kill the chess king. That's impossible no matter what. Besides, the person who set up the plan is a highly skilled chess player. Many people have been defeated in three rounds."
As Hailing stepped down from the carriage, she heard people around her discussing the matter, and then she excitedly headed towards Lanxin Pavilion.
The lobby on the first floor of Lanxin Pavilion was packed with people, a dark, densely packed space where the inside was obscured.
However, judging from the constant discussions among those around them, it can be guessed that someone is trying to solve the Zhenlong Chess Game.
Hai Ling stood on the outside, not in a hurry, leisurely looking at the decoration of Lanxin Pavilion. It was luxurious and grand, with a vermilion base color and green and bright yellow accents. At first glance, it was luxurious yet elegant. In the hall on the first floor, the tables and chairs had been moved inside, and a group of people were gathered in the middle. As for the second floor, only a few openwork windows could be vaguely seen, and the situation inside could not be clearly seen.
Hai Ling was engrossed in observing when she suddenly heard several disappointed voices, which disturbed her thoughts.
"Three more levels and we still haven't passed. It seems no one can solve this intricate chess puzzle?"
"Yes, yes, look how precious this Zhenlong Chess is. You can't buy it even if you have money, and you just can't have it."
Everyone was talking their own thing, and the loser squeezed out of there looking dejected and ashamed.
The crowd loosened up a bit, and soon someone spotted Hailin. They were extremely surprised and stepped back, making way for her.
Several voices were whispering among themselves.
"Isn't this Miss Jiang, the future Crown Princess? What's she doing here?"
"I've heard that the Crown Princess is actually quite talented and is the most talented woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Do you think she came here to break this intricate chess puzzle?"
"No way, although she is very talented, many masters have failed to solve this Zhenlong Chess game. Can she really do it?"
Everyone looked at Hailing, who showed no shyness or timidity. She smiled generously and nodded to everyone around her, elegant and polite, before walking towards the center of the hall.
Since we're here today, why not take a look at this exquisite chess game?
In the very center of the hall sat an elegant figure. The light illuminated his face, highlighting his sculpted features, as if carved by a knife. His skin was as smooth and lustrous as dripping water, and his dark pupils were deep and unfathomable, like a vast ocean of darkness, making it impossible to guess his strength. He wore a plain blue robe that accentuated his tall and slender figure, and his straight back was as resilient as a mountain peak. A hidden energy emanated from his body, revealing his extraordinary strength.