Ling Feng seemed to hear her prayer, and with a wave, he tossed a chess piece.
Bang!
The black piece landed!
In an instant, over thirty white pieces on the board turned to dust and dissipated!
At that moment, everyone around fell silent.
And those who had been mocking him earlier felt their faces burn with shame.
The humiliation came so quickly that they hadn't even had time to react.
"What happened? What exactly transpired just now?"
"How did he place that move? Did any of you see it clearly?"
"Why? The surrounding white pieces had such immense power, yet they collapsed instantly with the fall of his black piece?"
A group of people clamored frantically, disbelief etched on every face.
Most were utterly bewildered, clearly unable to comprehend what had just occurred.
In fact, even Hua Puthi, who often studied intricate chess formations, had no idea what had happened.
Tang Ru and Yang Fei also stared blankly at the scene unfolding around them.
Only Ling Feng, his aura sharp and imposing, fixed his gaze on the chessboard and coldly rebuked, "If you want to continue struggling, do so. Otherwise, surrender. I don't have time to waste with you!"
Everyone was stunned again upon hearing this.
Was Ling Feng mad? He was talking to the chessboard!
Hua Puthi's excitement surged. He knew the chess formation was about to be broken!
Whoosh!
The white pieces reappeared. Hua Puthi glanced at them, and his mouth twitched. "How is this possible? These white pieces still have a chance to recover?"
Bang!
Ling Feng decisively placed another move, his attack even more ferocious.
"Continue!"
Whoosh!
The white pieces reappeared.
Ling Feng followed suit, without even pausing to think.
Simultaneously, a clear, indifferent voice emanated.
"Annihilate!"
This voice struck everyone's hearts like a thunderclap.
The chessboard on the wall eerily showed a crack, which then spread across the entire board.
Crash!
The chessboard completely collapsed, and a section of the wall crumbled with it.
Dust swirled, and sand flew.
The crowd repeatedly waved their hands back, coughing incessantly.
At the same time, Ling Feng turned around with a flourish, like a triumphant war god!
With a single glance, he locked onto Hua Puthi.
Hua Puthi also saw Ling Feng's face clearly for the first time. As their eyes met, the scenes of Ling Feng playing chess flashed through Hua Puthi's mind.
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is… the black pieces were never trapped beasts, but celestial birds descending. The white pieces were prey from the very beginning. It's broken! This chess formation is broken!"
Hua Puthi was overcome with emotion, even shouting out loud.
The surrounding crowd, hearing his words, turned to look at him.
Soon, someone recognized Hua Puthi and exclaimed in surprise.
"Divine Physician Hua!"
"It really is Divine Physician Hua!"
"Alas, the malevolent chess formation has been broken. Divine Physician Hua's appearance confirms everything!"
"The path of chess has no ultimate end; there are always greater masters and higher heavens! We were all merely looking at the sky from the bottom of a well!"
"Heh, how ridiculous. Such a young, peerless chess master, and we actually mocked him. With such narrow minds, we are no more than frogs in a well for life!"
…
The surrounding clamor grew louder, and everyone marveled.
Some, utterly humiliated, left the scene shamefaced. Although they desperately wanted to see Hua Puthi, and he was right there, they no longer had the face to remain.
Leaving now was merely an attempt to salvage their last shred of dignity.
"Hehe, I knew you would win!"
Tang Ru jumped up excitedly, as if she herself had won.
Ling Feng paid no attention to the reactions or actions of others and walked directly towards Hua Puthi. "Are you Divine Physician Hua?"
Hua Puthi looked at Ling Feng before him and instinctively wanted to step back. He could still feel the murderous aura emanating from Ling Feng!
It was too terrifying!
A person like this was definitely more than just a skilled chess player.
Both his imposing presence and his rock-solid composure proved that this person was far from ordinary.
"Yes, I am Hua Puthi."
Hua Puthi cupped his hands towards Ling Feng, his demeanor deeply respectful, without a hint of arrogance.
The few people still lingering nearby gasped at the sight.
That was Hua Puthi!
The world-renowned divine physician!
How revered was he, yet he was so respectful towards Ling Feng?
It was simply incredible!
Could this young man truly have such an extraordinary background?
"Younger generation Ling Feng, I have come today to inquire about a matter with Senior." Ling Feng slightly cupped his hands in return.
As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. Moreover, Ling Feng needed something from him.
Although the chess match had its twists and turns, Ling Feng did not believe it was the other party making things difficult for him.
Instead, he felt that breaking the chess formation was a rather enjoyable game!
Hua Puthi was slightly taken aback when he heard that Ling Feng was not here for a consultation, but he quickly recovered.
He stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Heh heh, Mr. Ling's demeanor is extraordinary; he is clearly no ordinary person. Most people who seek me out are for consultations on rare and difficult ailments, but Mr. Ling is here to inquire about matters, which is rather surprising to me."
After a slight pause, Hua Puthi waved his hand towards his butler.
The butler immediately stepped forward and respectfully said to Ling Feng, "Mr. Ling, according to the rules my master has set, since you have broken this chess formation, you may make one request of my master. Whether it is for consultation or to inquire about matters, as long as it is within my master's capabilities, he will do his utmost to assist."
Ling Feng nodded. "Good! However, it's inconvenient to speak here!"
"Haha, it was my oversight. Mr. Ling, please come this way!"
Hua Puthi personally invited Ling Feng upstairs.
The remaining chess masters downstairs could only sigh in regret.
From beginning to end, Divine Physician Hua had not even glanced at them.
Not only had they lost face today, but their hopes for consultation and medical treatment were completely dashed, leaving them no choice but to leave dejectedly.
The few of them went upstairs and sat down before an antique tea table.
The butler busily prepared the tea and poured a cup for each of them.
"I don't have any good tea here, please forgive me, Mr. Ling!" Hua Puthi said very politely.
Ling Feng nodded and replied, "It's alright. I am a simple man and cannot discern the quality of tea. Thank you for your courtesy, Elder Hua!"
Hua Puthi nodded in satisfaction and suddenly asked, "Oh, right. Old servant observes that Mr. Ling is of an age where he is likely unmarried?"