Liu Su finished these tasks and then turned to watch Ye Hao and the old man play chess, his gaze on Ye Hao gentle and soft...

Ye Hao smiled as he moved the chess pieces, calm and carefree, not worried at all about being crushed into surrender by the old man at the start.

At first, you move, I move, Ye Long secretly curled his lip, thinking: These silly games, they act as if they're facing a great enemy, I really don't understand what they're thinking.

The old man's gaze was sharp, and even before the chess pieces moved, he had already planned the next five moves. His chess play was experienced, and his skill deep. Even though Ye Hao had the eighth-generation system that could predict the next twenty moves, he couldn't force the old man to advance even by one step in a short time.

The old man had lived most of his life, and after retiring in his old age, he studied chess day and night. His chessmanship was honed with unpredictable changes, like water without form, like a mountain without force, carrying dignity within balance, and hiding threats beneath calmness. Playing chess with him was akin to strategizing, not seeking the short-lived pleasure of defeating an enemy, but pursuing the victory of the endgame, as stable as Mount Tai, leaving Ye Hao unable to advance even a step forward.

"Hehe, young man, calming your heart, mastering the clarity beyond five moves is not easy. Life is like chess; don't make a wrong move on any piece, because not every opponent will give you a chance to take back a move." The old man said with a chuckle, then took a gentle sip of the tea brought by his dedicated nurse.

"Old master, you're right. I have learned. Since I can't move as briskly as a rabbit, let me be just as invincible in defense as you. At least this way, I won't be caught off guard by you, old master, and I can act when the opportunity arises." Ye Hao smiled and advanced his knight by a step.

Thus, even though Ye Hao didn't capture any of the opponent's pieces, there was no need to abandon the main board just for the sake of a single wrong piece.

"Hehe, young man, at your age, to hold back like this, something not even middle-aged people can do, I have to say I admire you. But as the ancients say: the best defense is a swift offense. Since you give me this opportunity, let me make a grand attack." The old man instructed Ye Qingcheng to start a move, flowing like clouds and water, vibrant and thrilling.

Ye Hao was also drawn in by the old man's style of play, engaging fiercely with him...

Ye Hao thought, you can make moves as naturally as flowing water as if divinely inspired, and I can counter every move you make.

The old man had explored chess for most of his life, and seeing Ye Hao's rapid moves already predicted several steps ahead, even he couldn't help but admire Ye Hao.

He could conduct fluid and smooth assaults, but he didn't anticipate that Ye Hao would be even more decisive and straightforward in this regard. Although every move was a direct confrontation with his own, after each encounter, he always felt like he had been calculated into Ye Hao's plan.

This feeling, although dangerous, wouldn't easily defeat someone who had dedicated most of his life to chess.

"Qingcheng, move the chariot." The old man began to change tactics, planning to surprise Ye Hao in the endgame.

"Old master, playing like this isn't stimulating enough. Let me add some fire for you, fire attack on the general." When the old man moved his chariot out, Ye Hao made a threatening move to advance on the general.

"Hehe, I thought you would block my steps with a defensive posture, but you meet force with force. Qingcheng, let the general move a bit! A lifelong general cannot be provoked." The old man chuckled as he instructed Qingcheng.

By this time, Liu Su and a few others who knew chess were secretly alarmed; that earlier scene was so risky that if the old man hadn't moved the general, the next third step would be a loss. But the old man moved the general within the three steps and soon threatened Ye Hao's general, rendering Ye Hao's general a mere display.

"Old master, your unexpected moves laughingly put me in a difficult spot. I, Ye Hao, step back to broaden the view, withdrawing the chariot." Ye Hao smiled as he brought the chariot back; in the next two steps, Ye Hao didn't move the main forces, only advanced minor pieces...

"Composed and calm, able to extend and retract freely, not tempted by vanity or fame, exuding a free-spirited demeanor, capturing the essence of life's delight. You give off a grandmaster's vibe, yet you still can't escape my control. Thirty moves ago, I already laid a trap." The old man proudly touched his chin.

"Qingcheng, move the cannon."

"Hehe, the old master doesn't move, but when he does, he wants to put me in a bind. It's a pity that thirty steps ago, I had already grounded myself for the confrontation with you, old master. A mere soldier blocks your powerful cannon, why not?" Ye Hao smiled as he moved a small piece forward.

"Young man, you encounter challenges without being startled, turning risky moves and flaws into mere illusions for me. I didn't expect you also anticipated the necessary defenses. This game has become gridlocked. Can the old master take a break?" Although deeply fond of chess, shifting hundreds of times in a short period was quite exhausting.

More importantly, the mind had to think of too many things.

"Hehe, old master, you have been a renowned general your whole life. Rest when needed, act when necessary." Ye Hao's words puzzled everyone.

But the old man understood; Ye Hao was hinting at him.

He thought the game had reached a stalemate, but didn't expect a twist to reveal a new opportunity.

"Haha! Good lad, you've got a trick. Qingcheng, move the general." The old man laughed heartily, but after laughing, he began to cough a little.

At this moment, Ye Hao looked toward the dedicated nurse and realized she seemed slightly blaming him.

Ye Hao was speechless. Can you really blame me for the old man getting excited?

"Cough cough!"

The old man was too happy, so he kept coughing for a while without stopping.

"Old Chief, shall we go back to the room to rest for a while? Wouldn't it be better if you let the young lad help you tidy up this mess after you've rested?" The personal nurse stepped forward to support the old man.

"Yeah! Dad, let's go back and rest first?" Liu Su also nodded, afraid that the old man might have an incident.

The old man is now over eighty. Although he was healthy in the past, his health is not as good as it used to be. The reason why the Ye Family is still one of the top ten families in Huaxia Yanjing is because of the lingering influence of the old man.

Once they lose the old man's influence, the Ye Family will only have one State Council member, which is the old man's eldest son.

Although a State Council member holds a high position, it cannot keep the Ye Family among the top ten families.

Because the Ye Family is a faction, once the old man is gone, people from other factions will come to divide the strength of the Ye Family's faction, and many important positions might even be maneuvered by them.

Having a State Council member like Ye Tian can make the Ye Family a first-tier family in Yanjing, but it definitely cannot make the Ye Family re-enter the top ten families in Huaxia.

Of course! There is still a way, but this way is absolutely unfeasible unless they're not afraid of the Ye Family becoming too powerful.

The way is through the Ye Family's second son, Ye Nian Country.

Ye Nian Country is currently the Provincial Secretary of Jizhou Province. If they want the Ye Family to become a top-tier family again, Ye Nian Country must also enter Huaxia's political arena and become one of its members.

If the Ye Family has two members in the political arena, their status will definitely soar. Moreover, if Ye Tian can enter Huaxia's Central Hub and become one of the heads, even if it's deputy, the Ye Family will definitely have a place among Yanjing's ten families.

However, these are too distant. Firstly, whether Ye Nian Country can enter the Central Hub is still a hurdle. Without special circumstances, it will be difficult in this lifetime, after all, there is only one opportunity per person. The Ye Family's resources are all focused on Ye Tian, so naturally, there won't be extra resources to bring Ye Nian Country into the Central Hub as well.

That's why they are quite worried about the old man's health. Nowadays, if the old man even sneezes, it can cause a lot of people to rejoice or sorrow.

"Old man, you're getting older; playing chess is good, but you should rest more." Ye Hao also looked at Ye Batian with concern.

"No, life is like chess; how can I let my life stop?" The old man did not choose to let everyone support him back, but firmly insisted on letting Ye Hao walk the final move with him.

"Hehe! Old man, life is like chess, but sometimes in the game you can take back a piece, but in real life you cannot take back actions after realizing they were mistakes; because once done, you have to face it. You need to take care of your health; you can't afford to make a wrong move in reality, right?" Ye Hao said with a smile.

The old man heard and seemed to understand something, his eyes flashed brightly, and then smilingly said: "Young man, your words have greatly enlightened me! I didn't expect to be advised by a junior one day." The old man seemed to have figured something out, and his complexion became even more ruddy.

Seeing this, Ye Hao smiled, and then took out a very beautiful necklace in front of everyone as if performing magic.

This necklace was originally made by Ye Hao with Cold and Hot Ice Marrow to give to Fang Ni as a celebration for her promotion. But seeing the old man in this state, Ye Hao couldn't bear to let his health continue to deteriorate.

Therefore, he planned to give this precious necklace to the old man.

"Old man, you've lived a life full of battles. I am a retired soldier, but still hold you in my admiration. This junior has a small accessory in his hand; although it looks unremarkable, it has a great effect on prolonging life for the elderly. How about I sell it to you for one dollar?" Ye Hao said with a smile.

However, his words made the personal nurse and those caregivers glare at him with anger, thinking Ye Hao was very ungrateful to ask for one dollar.

"What do you mean?" The personal nurse asked Ye Hao coldly.

"It's nothing, just planning to sell this small accessory to the old man." Ye Hao smiled.

The old man understood Ye Hao's meaning and laughed heartily: "Young lad, you don't want the old man to owe you a favor, so you change the method and say sell it to me, right? Haha, you're a good kid."

The old man's words made Ye Hao nod because he never thought of asking the old man to repay him. Rather than always reminding the old man of this favor owed, it's better to change the approach and say sell it to him.

"Old man's body needs nurturing and exercise, if you believe me, I can instantly make you ten years younger." Ye Hao was not lying, with the eighth-generation system's medical methods truly achieving this.

Even if the eighth-generation system couldn't do it, Ye Hao had the Spiritual Qi items which could still allow the old man to undergo secondary cell stimulation. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to vote at Qidian (qidian.com) for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)

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