As Shindo Hikaru called for a stop, the onlookers began to discuss.

“The Wrapped-Head Man’s next move is a shoulder hit attacking the Heavenly Center. The moves are very tightly connected. Is it not right?”

“When attacking a piece floating in the center, shoulder hits or head presses are often used.”

“Exactly, exactly, both attacking moves work. The former is close-quarters combat, the latter is a show of force, winning without fighting.”

“The blond kid talked big before, and this time it’s probably another amateur-only move.”

“Haha, amateur-only, huh…”

Whispers, whispers…

The prevailing sentiment was not optimistic, seeing as the little guy had just been so boastful, only to reveal himself to be at an amateur level.

Moreover, Ao Ying had consecutively defeated Toya Akira and the professional high-dan Wrapped-Head Man, and he had personally witnessed the sacrifice tactic of the Heavenly Center combined with a jump, his calculation ability comparable to a precision instrument.

Those with lower Go strength might not understand a series of brilliant designs, but Toya Meijin proactively invited him to join the study group. Is this the treatment an ordinary professional could enjoy?

Ao Ying nodded slightly, a thoughtful expression on his face, as various changes rapidly flashed through his mind.

“Sai once possessed Honinbo Shusaku, was praised as a saint by the Go world, had a stable playing style, was good at innovation, and possessed keen insight into offense and defense transitions.”

“Since Shindo Hikaru called for a stop, then Ogata’s timing for offense and defense was wrong. If he continues to defend…”

Ao Ying began to review the loaded knowledge base, which simulated a large number of offense and defense transitions.

The reason AlphaGo is invincible is not only its strong computing power but also that it has simulated more than thirty million games.

Almost every move humans can think of has been thoroughly studied by AI; there are no secrets.

In a sense, AI does not play Go; it merely performs arithmetic problems according to logic.

If the logic is correct, the calculated result is equivalent to the standard answer.

“Come on, let me see what flaws the Honinbo Shusaku of yesteryear, now Fujiwara no Sai, can find.”

Just as Ao Ying was contemplating, Shindo Hikaru placed a stone.

Row nine, column nine, a pierce.

“This… no shoulder hit?”

“A pierce first, does that mean the black stone stone in the middle is assumed to be safe?”

“Unlike the direct attack of a shoulder hit, through entanglement and attack, white intends to convert the central influence into territory.”

“Does Shindo Hikaru think both sides are evenly matched?”

“He is preparing to compete with Xiao Liang Teacher in a 'kung fu' game, where every subsequent move allows no single eye of error. This is a move dared to be played only with immense confidence in one’s fundamentals.”

Seeing this move, Ao Ying stroked his chin; a 'kung fu' game relies heavily on calculation.

Among tens of thousands of variations, there is only one path to the correct solution. The advantageous side, if it makes no mistakes, wins steadily.

Given that…

Crack!

A black stone stone was placed, ignoring the pierce, sacrificing a stone to press.

Sai was stunned, looked up, and a upward curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

“Xiao Guang, Ao Ying is also very confident in his basic skills.”

“Next move, row eight, column ten, a hane.”

Shindo Hikaru stared at the board, scanning back and forth.

“One, two… Ah, there it is.”

The white stone landed in its designated spot.

“Hmm? Ao Ying’s momentum dropped slightly. Was it unexpected?”

Shindo Hikaru tilted his head and grinned, a look of triumph once again spreading across his face.

A moment later.

Ao Ying picked up a black stone stone, held his hand suspended above the board, and slammed it down.

Row eight, column eleven, a hane at the head.

“Why… why?”

Toya Akira, standing nearby, widened his eyes, leaning forward, wanting to see more clearly.

“Why follow Shindo Hikaru’s wishes and enclose territory mutually? white’s central territory is quite considerable.”

“For black stone to meet the challenge head-on, he gives back the initiative he had gained. Ao Ying, are you that confident?”

“I admit you are very strong, so strong that I cannot see your back, but Shindo Hikaru is also very strong. It’s not even the endgame yet, a half-point game. Are you truly certain you won’t miscalculate any of your choices?”

Regarding Ao Ying’s choice, the onlookers discussed spiritedly.

Their Go strength was far from professional level, but the clear pattern of black stone enclosing most of the right side and white enclosing most of the center was very obvious.

“Xiao Liang Teacher actually chose to divide the remaining territory equally.”

“Will white accept this kind offer?”

Amidst the commotion, a folding fan pointed to a spot.

Row seven, column eleven.

white connected with a hane, attacking forcefully.

Soft head versus soft head, black stone was a tiny bit softer.

Shindo Hikaru’s mouth moved slightly, “Sai, Ao Ying has stopped. Your move has stumped him.”

Stumped?

Sai glanced at Shindo Hikaru, then looked at the board.

“No, this is a turning point; the variations are complex.”

“Even with Ao Ying’s calculation ability, he needs some time to think.”

No sooner had he spoken than Ao Ying placed a stone.

Row eight, column twelve, a single retreat.

black stone avoided the sharp edge, continuing to implement the policy of each enclosing their own territory.

“Uh…”

Shindo Hikaru’s mouth opened wider, “Sai, didn’t you say he needed time to think? It’s been less than a minute?”

“This kind of move… is somewhat similar to mine, seeking thickness and stability when in an advantage.”

Sai watched Ao Ying with a puzzled expression, “Is this young man imitating my playing style?”

“Perhaps… he is putting himself in my position, thinking what I think, simulating me.”

“Xiao Guang, row seven, column twelve, attach.”

Fujiwara no Sai frowned deeply, vaguely sensing Ao Ying’s thought process.

“I am playing against another me. How can I possibly lose?!”

“Young man from China, you have successfully angered me.”

Hearing Sai’s words, Shindo Hikaru felt the same way and his expression darkened.

As the white stone was placed, the onlookers felt a surge of trepidation, as if dark clouds were covering the sky, and they were about to face a thunderous wrath.

Nearby, several Middle-aged Men swallowed, not daring to breathe loudly.

“The decisive battle… begins!”

Ao Ying’s face was unruffled as he quietly placed a stone.

Row seven, column thirteen, a connecting hane.

Once again, he pressed down hard on the head.

“Xiao Guang, row eight, column twelve, cut.”

…

“Cut? How dare white cut? Isn’t peaceful evolution better?”

“I don’t know if it’s an illusion, but both black stone and white seem to know each other thoroughly, all trying to capture the other’s key points.”

“Shindo Hikaru is very strong; he hasn’t fallen behind at all in these few exchanges. No wonder he could beat Xiao Liang Teacher.”

“Masters are among the common people; who would have thought two children possessed professional high-dan Go strength.”

“However, black stone’s sacrifice tactic was very successful. Even if he exchanged one less shoulder hit, white is still at a disadvantage.”

“Something’s wrong, look closely.” Toya Akira suddenly spoke, interrupting, his pupils contracting, “white defends one move, black stone defends one move. white attacks one move, black stone attacks one move. white is strong, black stone is strong. Every move black stone makes is a tit-for-tat, responding with the same moves.”

“How is that possible?!”

The bald Middle-aged Man stared dumbfounded, looking left and right in confusion, trying to get confirmation from others.

“Now that Xiao Liang Teacher puts it that way, it really does look a bit like that.”

“No, not just like, Xiao Liang Teacher has turned himself into Shindo Hikaru.”

Immediately, the clamor gradually grew louder.

“Why simulate the opponent’s moves? Xiao Liang Teacher is not weaker than Shindo Hikaru; doing this seems to weaken his momentum.”

“No, only those with higher Go strength can simulate the other side. Of course, the premise is that they can win.”

“I’ve heard of simulating the opponent in the opening, but the game is almost entering the endgame. Can simulating still work?”

“Look quickly, facing white’s cut, Xiao Liang Teacher also cut above.”