"I can't go on."
Su Yiming also realized the dire situation of his black stones on the board, sweat pouring down his face like rain.
"Is this game ending here?"
Although his black stones had made a desperate last stand in the lower section, taking advantage of their already disadvantaged position to recklessly seize the initiative with unreasonable moves, white's responses had been too cunningly precise.
At this stage, he'd only managed to recover seven or eight points - still seven or eight points behind. With both sides' formations in the lower board nearly solidified, there was little room left for maneuvering!
While the lower board wasn't completely settled, making up another seven or eight points was virtually impossible! Without closing this gap, persisting with black would be meaningless—even if they reached the endgame, it would only be delaying the inevitable!
At this point, most players would likely resign.
"I'd love to capture those three white stones in the upper right, but if I do, white's push in the center would expose black's weak breathing space on the right flank."
Su Yiming stared intensely at the board as if trying to visualize every possible variation.
"If I don't capture and instead reinforce, white will resolve the ko threat, leaving black's lower left vulnerable."Su Yiming quietly unclenched his fist.
"There's... no way out."
Time ticked by second after second.
The Go room remained utterly silent.
Su Yiming gazed at the board before him, clenched his left fist again, gritted his teeth, and with stubborn determination mixed with a hint of ferocity in his eyes, reached into the bowl of stones once more.
"Click!"
The sound of stones colliding!
Under the world's watchful eyes, Su Yiming picked up a stone and swiftly placed it.
Tap!
Third line, third row - extend!
"He's still continuing?"
Seeing Su Yiming place another stone after such long deliberation, Yu Shao slowly exhaled and refocused his expression.
"Is he trying to resist using the lingering ko threat?"
After brief consideration, Yu Shao picked up a white stone and placed it swiftly.
Tap!
Fourth line, third row - block!
The moment white landed, Su Yiming immediately grabbed a black stone and slapped it down!
Tap!
Seventeenth line, seventh row - capture!
Yu Shao responded in kind.
Nineteenth line, fifth row - connect!
"White's connection isn't just a ko threat—there are multiple ko threats in white's corner!"
Su Yiming's mind raced furiously, his clothes soaked with sweat he didn't even notice, quickly grabbing another stone to place.
"Then I must first kill the white stones on the upper edge!"
Tap!
Seventeenth line, first row - atari!
Yu Shao showed no surprise at this move, immediately countering with his own placement.
Seventeenth line, eighth row - capture!
"Click!"
Clenching his teeth amidst the clacking stones, Su Yiming placed another black stone on the board.
Snap!
Fourth line, second row - hane!
Yu Shao's eyes sharpened as he placed his white stone.
Fifth line, second row - hane!
"Yu Shao's going for the kill!"
The referee shuddered internally, physically feeling the lethal intent behind this move.
"White's intention here is blatantly obvious—no attempt to conceal it!"
"He's directly preparing to devour all black's stones wholesale, making black's upper left corner collapse completely!"
Su Yiming's hair was drenched with sweat as he stared at the board, teeth gritted, deliberating extensively before finally placing another stone.
Seventeenth line, seventh row - take the ko!
Even with white's intentions so clear, black couldn't reinforce the left flank. With the ko fight still ongoing and choosing the lesser of two evils, black had to take the ko!
Yu Shao responded immediately.
Sixteenth line, first row - atari!
This ko threat was too significant—black had no choice but to answer!
Su Yiming's eyelid twitched involuntarily, but he stubbornly placed his stone.
Sixteenth line, second row - capture!
Yu Shao didn't hesitate for even a second before placing his next move.
Seventeenth line, eighth row - take the ko!
The ko fight in the upper right corner was back in white's hands, leaving black to find another ko threat.
Su Yiming took a deep breath and placed again.
Tap!
Second line, second row - tiger's mouth!
"Using tiger's mouth as a ko threat?"
Seeing this move, Yu Shao studied the board pensively.
"The tiger's mouth does have significant value, but this ko fight might be worth more."
"If I want to peacefully resolve this ko, I could push—black cuts, white extends, black extends, white ataris, black connects, white also connects."
"Black would inevitably kill my lone stones above, while I'd kill black's three isolated stones on the right flank—an even exchange."
Yu Shao's gaze remained fixed on the complex board, mentally calculating gains and losses.
"But then that earlier white stone aiming to devour black would lose efficiency."
"Not only would black stabilize the upper left corner, but gain substantial territory too."
Having reached this conclusion, Yu Shao finally picked up a stone and slowly placed it.
Tap!
Fourth line, first row - atari!
"Of course—white ataris directly here!"
Watching this, someone before a TV gasped: "So brutal! White leaves black no escape route, determined to annihilate every last black stone!"
On the board, black and white continued their deadly dance.
Black: seventeenth line, seventh row - capture!
White: eighteenth line, first row - sacrifice!
Black: fifteenth line, first row - capture!
White: seventeenth line, eighth row - capture!
...
Facing white's atari, black exchanged kos, capturing in the upper right while white found a ko threat by sacrificing on the upper edge. After black captured, white turned back to retake the ko, forcing black to start another ko fight in the upper left!
Then, under the world's gaze, white placed another stone.
Tap!
Second line, second row - capture!
The sound of that stone seemed to echo across the globe.
"Yu Shao directly resolved the upper left ko..."
In Southern Go Academy's broadcast room, someone stared at the upper left corner murmuring: "Black's upper left has been completely shattered by white!"
"The gap between white and black is insurmountable—it's like a mortal trying to rival a god. Impossible."
Another shook his head, puzzled: "Black isn't even resisting anymore, just enduring pointlessly. Continuing will only lead to total annihilation... What is Su Yiming persisting for?"
Suddenly, Zheng Qin pointed at the upper right corner: "Look here."
His words made everyone in the broadcast room pause and turn to the board.
"White has indeed surrounded black here, but black also surrounds white externally. Dialectically speaking, while white encircles black, black also counter-encircles white."
Zheng Qin's expression grew more solemn: "Could it be... Su Yiming intends to kill white's dragon here?"
The broadcast room fell deathly silent.
"You—"
After a long pause, Le Haoqiang finally burst out: "Are you fucking kidding me?! That heavenly dragon of white's can be killed by black?!"
"While this dragon is counter-surrounded by black, even so, it has ample eye space and open external liberties!"
Le Haoqiang found Zheng Qin's suggestion utterly absurd, sputtering: "Read any novels? That's no five-hundred-year-cultivated serpent—that's a nine-clawed golden dragon!"
"Watch any anime? That's no monkey—that's a fucking Super Saiyan!"
"Even if I were playing instead of Yu Shao, that dragon would live!"
Hearing this, Zheng Qin's mouth twitched as he forced a laugh: "Just a thought, don't take it seriously."
Even he had to admit the idea seemed far-fetched.
Though...
If black could actually slay white's dragon, black would indeed win.
Soon, on screen, black placed another stone.
Sixteenth line, seventh row - take the ko!
"Su Yiming took the ko again."
Seeing this, everyone refocused on the screen, murmuring quietly.
White responded swiftly.
Thirteenth line, eighth row - diagonal move!
"The diagonal is a strong move."
Le Haoqiang said gravely: "If black retreats normally, white pushes, black resists seemingly neutralizing the threat—but white's extension is sente, black connects diagonally, then white has a devilish hane! White lives outright!"
"True, this game is like walking on thin ice—everywhere's a treacherous trap." Another agreed nervously.
As more stones covered the board, the broadcast room alternated between replicating moves on their boards, silent contemplation, and hushed discussions.
"Still impossible."
"Black's searching for opportunities but finding none—no chance for reversal."
"Maybe persist to endgame, but that requires Yu Shao blundering there."
"Yu Shao rarely reaches endgame, but from the few instances, his endgame is exceptional too..."
Just as debate peaked, another black stone appeared on screen—and instantly silenced everyone.
All stared dumbfounded at this newest black move!
The stone's location—
Nineteenth line, seventh row - atari!
This single stone radiated killing intent—its purpose unmistakable, making it all the more unbelievable!
"Su Yiming's gone all-in on killing!"
Xu Zi stared shocked at the screen: "This atari... black's staking everything to slay white's dragon in the upper right!"
Beside her, Le Haoqiang was utterly dumbstruck.
"I..."
His lips moved soundlessly before finally managing: "Am I dreaming?"
As he'd said earlier—white's dragon was like a nine-clawed golden dragon, something black should fear!
Yet never had he imagined black would actually attack it—no joke, no turning back. Black's atari was an all-in gamble!
If white's dragon truly was a nine-clawed golden dragon, then black was but a mortal holding a long tassel—armed yet still merely human!
Holding that tassel, could they truly bind the azure dragon?!
......
In the Go room.
"Atari?"
Even Yu Shao was stunned by this move.
While he'd considered many black responses, black staking everything to kill white's dragon exceeded all expectations.
Because it was impossible.
White's dragon wasn't even in danger, let alone capturable!
If Yu Shao was shocked, the referee and recorder were utterly mind-blanked, staring vacantly at the board!
"Did I... miss something?"
Frowning slightly, Yu Shao calmly reassessed the dragon's viability—he couldn't believe Su Yiming would make a suicidal move.
"No... nothing."
His frown deepened the more he calculated.
However fiercely or cunningly black attacked, white's heavenly dragon remained impregnable!
Yet black was undeniably launching their assault—staking their title on it!
Minutes ticked by.
After ten full minutes, Yu Shao inhaled sharply, feeling unprecedented frustration.
Nothing.
For the first time, he grew anxious being unable to find his own stones' weakness—they were clearly alive!
"Must counter his attacks as they come!"
Steeling himself, his gaze turned icy as he finally placed another stone.
Tap!
Fourteenth line, ninth row - push!
With black going all-in, white had no retreat—this push was inevitable!
Su Yiming remained tense, forehead beaded with sweat, yet his eyes shone piercingly sharp as he placed his next stone.
Tap!
Fourteenth line, tenth row - hane!
Yu Shao countered.
Eleventh line, seventh row - bend!
Su Yimei responded.
Ninth line, seventh row - diagonal!
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
Another dozen moves flew by in rapid succession.
All watched this lopsided dragon-slaying battle with shock and confusion.
Despite black's fierce moves, against white's heavenly dragon they seemed futile—each black stone just another moth to the flame, marching toward doom!
"If I sacrifice here, he retreats, then—"
Mid-calculation, Yu Shao's pupils suddenly contracted violently!
"Wrong!"
His mind reeled as he stared at the board.
Snapping his head up, he locked eyes with Su Yiming across the table!
Though pale as death, Su Yiming's gaze was sword-sharp, clashing with Yu Shao's in midair!
"There must be another way..."
Yu Shao lowered his head, fine sweat beading his forehead as he stubbornly placed another stone.
Opposite, Su Yiming equally gritted his teeth and responded.
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
Each stone's impact seemed to echo across the world like heavenly reverberations!
Under global scrutiny, these two players poured their souls into each move—every placement blood and tears made manifest!
"Wait..."
"This—"
"If this continues..."
Gradually, others too began noticing something amiss, looks of shock spreading across every face!
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
As the board clarified, everyone worldwide watching underwent the same transformation:
Confusion → Daze → Shock → Disbelief widening eyes!
Silence.
Silence.
Unprecedented silence!
All stared at the intricate board, vision swimming!
"White's dragon can't be captured—that's certain."
"But black never intended to capture it!"
"Because that truly is impossible!"
"No one could do it!"
In the broadcast room, Zheng Qin stared at the screen, sweat cascading down his cheeks.
"These two groups already have two kos—now a third is forming irreversibly!"
"If a third ko appears, white's dragon would be endangered—but white has an easy solution!"
"Start another ko!"
Zheng Qin licked parched lips, mind reeling.
"We were all wrong."
"Black isn't dragon-slaying!"
"But what black intends is equally earthshaking!"
"This is black's true all-in gamble!"
"Starting a ko is white's obvious survival path—yet also the only path."
"White absolutely doesn't want to, because four simultaneous kos would be too massive—neither side could yield, trapped in an endless cycle of capturing!"
"Meaning this game would ultimately become—"
Zheng Qin swallowed hard, uttering those fateful words:
"Quadruple ko repetition!"