Original subtitles

[English subtitles are available]

[Why, can I survive on Go?]

[Previously]

But Mum, rice isn't a Go game too.

Get lost in three seconds.

You want us to play Blindfold Go?

[Quit the Club if you're scared.]

He stole the stone.

[He stole a stone during the game. Cheater!]

That was the sound I placed my stone you heard.

That's shameless!

[Nothing is worth]

tarnishing the game.

[Go game is based on mutual trust.]

[I'll win the game for Gu Yu]

the exact way he lost it.

[He was hired by Cao at 200 yuan.]

[I'm childless.]

[Gu Yu is like my grandson.]

What brings you here?

I have been waiting for you.

[Hikaru no Go]

Hurry up. Don't dilly-dally. Your next move.

-6 by 7. -6 by 7?

Then I'll go

8 by 16.

Five in a row.

I won again.

Making the best national Go player of Southern Liang

play Five in a Row...

You actually have the guts for that?

Why... why not?

You're the best Go player of Southern Liang.

If I play Go with you,

blindfolded,

that's like seeking failure

in the trap you set, isn't it?

It's just a game.

I don't mind losing three rounds.

Says who?

We had a bet.

You lost three rounds in a row.

So, let me play in the tournament this time.

You didn't mention this!

Didn't I?

Now, this is me officially informing you.

For this Go tournament,

I, Shi Guang, will play.

I don't think you should be that selfish.

Oh, really?

[The 7th Round, Shadow of God of Go]

This is a nice place, isn't it?

Fit for playing Go and quiet.

The thing is, after the game...

This is a lab.

Don't mess around when you don't know how.

Be a good boy.

I think

that since we're a team,

shouldn't we set some rules?

You're right.

This is a Go club. That's how it should be.

-Name it. -For example,

impunctuality

is strictly prohibited.

You're right.

Also,

unsporting behaviours

should be...

What do you mean?

Nothing.

-Just setting up rules. -That's right.

Just setting up rules.

Fine. Now, I have a question.

Last time, a team won

but was then disqualified.

Why is that?

Did they violate sportsmanship?

Which is why we can't let what happened last time

happen again this year.

Set some rules for yourselves first.

Are you looking down upon me?

So much for your sincerity to invite me.

We didn't mean that, Gu Yu.

I already signed you up. You're the main player.

What, now?

[List of players of No.13 High School 2003 Go Tournament, Autumn Tournament]

The name list of No.13 High School you asked for.

[Men's First player: Grade 10-3, Gu Yu]

They signed up last minute.

[Second player: Grade 11-6 Ban Wu Di, Third player: Grade 10-5 Shi Guang]

The third player?

Why isn't Shi Guang the main player? He's good.

That's very common.

This Gu Yu fellow

must be a bad player.

Letting him play the main

is to ensure the second and third's winning.

Then, Mr Yin,

-I want to be the third player too. -Why?

I want to battle Shi Guang.

Mr Yin,

call me boastful,

but the only member who can be his match

-is me. -No.

Tricky plans are for the incapable.

Our school has good reputation in Go. It's not worth the shame.

Mr Yin,

can you please reconsider?

This concerns our school's reputation.

It's final.

Gu Yu.

Gu Yu.

Don't get mad over such trivial matter.

Don't get mad?

Okay.

Let's do pull-ups.

Beat me, and I'll not be mad.

Why? I just sprained my neck.

Coward.

I regret joining your team now.

Listen, I'm not going to that tournament.

How could you?

Very well.

Let's do it.

Now, tell me.

What will you do if I win?

If you win,

I'll do whatever you say.

Remember that.

If you have a sense of shame

or honour,

you'd be participating in the tournament.

Why did we play Go?

It's just a city-level high school tournament.

What honour could there be?

What do you know?

Fangyuan City has been doing great in Go for years.

Many world champions,

say, Yu Xiao Yang,

they came from our city.

Win this tournament,

and you'll be one of the best

high school Go players in the country.

Can't get up already?

For this one,

keep your promise.

Join me in the tournament.

For this one,

Wu Di is honest.

Don't bully him.

-Stop it. -What is it?

I lost.

You promised to do as I say if you lost.

And who knows after some work out,

my neck stiffness is gone.

Come on.

Come on, don't be angry.

This is Gu Yu.

He's just stubborn,

but his heart is in the right place.

I'm not angry at him at all.

I just don't want things to go wrong anymore.

Do you know why the tournament is important to me?

I do.

Guys are all the same.

You're competitive.

But as much as the tournament matters,

having a calm demeanour matters too.

I'm calm from head to toe.

You can't even see me in a crowd.

Calm demeanour is the last thing I need.

In the past,

I wouldn't even dare thinking about winning.

But one day,

I was this close to the trophy.

[This close.]

Do you know what "yearning" mean?

Something like "coveting" or "pipedream".

Yeah.

The teacher said

that it is a derogatory term.

But I think it has a complimentary sense.

Failure to obtain brings more dishonour

than having a pipedream.

That's why I keep on dreaming.

I dream about winning.

And I want no mistakes.

Why must I maintain a calm attitude?

I have been ordinary for more than ten years.

I want to win at least once.

And touch the trophy.

Just once.

You're like a girl.

Well...

Regarding what happened today,

it was my problem too.

Please come back.

Save the word, "too".

It was your problem to begin with.

Thanks, buddy.

Hold on.

We can be teammates,

but not buddies.

Use your strength.

You stick-thin fellow.

The tournament is around the corner.

I'm going to share my experience.

The tournament

is time-based.

What does that mean?

It means completing the game within a designated time.

If you exceed the time limit, you lose. That's time-based.

And I've found out what timer is going to be used.

It's flag timer.

I don't understand.

Flag timer is a mechanical timer.

There's a red flag sticking on it.

The hour hand

pushes the flag up at last minutes.

When the flag falls,

that's when the time's up.

Yes, please.

I knew it.

Having the flag timer means

that the closer we are to the end,

the harder we hit the timer button.

The harder we hit it,

the easier the opponent's flag falls.

They'd exceed the time limit

and we'd win.

Yeah, that never occurred to me.

-Isn't it? -Yeah, you said?

This is so unsportsmanlike.

We have to firmly reject it.

I was just testing you.

What I wanted to say was,

never hit the timer hard.

Be an upright person.

Why are you still thinking?

Place it here.

-I'll let you off. -Stop talking.

That's what I was thinking.

How could you do this?

You said you'd let me off.

But you said it too,

"That's what I was thinking".

Seven Life and Eight Death is common sense.

Sque...

Sque...Squeezing is a good move.

What's the point of

-memorizing formula now? -Don't throw cold water on my enthusiasm.

Connect four...

Place 7 by 19 for Wu Di.

7 by 19?

Connect three stones

and change the fourth.

Symmetrical position...

Is this Go callus?

Look.

Is this it?

I have a Go callus now.

It's out.

The player list and order.

-Let me see. -Show me.

-Which player am I? -Take a look.

Which player?

You're the third.

Third player?

Let me see.

-Who's the main player? -It's Yu Liang.

Eye-stealing position.

Then, I'll

connect it.

Bad move.

Why is that?

What if I place it at the Diagonal?

Let it be.

I'll cross the bridge when I come to it.

Yeah, and your bridge will collapse when it's hit.

You have to proceed with caution when playing Go.

The tournament is tomorrow. Can't you be more encouraging?

Mum.

Why...why did the power go out?

I turned it off.

It's over one hour.

You can't do this.

Turn it back on.

I'll turn it on at once if you're going to study.

But you'd better go to bed

if you won't stop goofing around.

Xiao Guang,

you have been drinking too much.

The tournament is tomorrow.

Are you

nervous?

Cut the crap. I'm thirsty, that's it.

I have an idea

to help you stop drinking.

Tell me.

Let me play the game.

Not again.

Let me play the match

you're sure to win. What about it?

But we agreed, right?

You'll be guiding me,

and not playing on my behalf.

Yeah, we did.

But you're playing most of the time lately.

I haven't been playing for some time.

One moment.

Why did you want to play the game even I can win?

Thanks for your offer, but no.

Then, let me play

the match you can't win.

But I did the Hellish Training

to make the impossible possible, didn't I?

If I don't give my best shot,

what's the point of all the trainings?

Then, what game can I play?

Army Chess, Checkers,

Five in a Row,

chess or Chinese chess.

Fine.

I'm not going to help you tomorrow.

Don't worry.

I'm no longer the person I used to be.

I have changed as I aged.

I'm the rising star of Go,

Shi Guang.

I need more water.

[Fangyuan No.1 High School, Fangyuan No.8 High School]

Moments like this

remind me of the splendid last tournament.

Well, things remain the same,

but the people are different.

What's the difference?

It's exactly the same.

You love sighing at memories.

What an old habit.

Shi Guang.

I'm worried sick, but you're taking your time here?

-Follow me. -No. No.

I...I couldn't sleep yesterday.

Of course you couldn't.

You drank two jars of water and had to pee.

Stop, please.

Mind you,

this move doesn't do you any good.

-Let's not place there. -It's worse.

This whole area will be captured by me.

Come on, can you play quietly?

No.

This is me. What can I do?

Stop bickering.

The tournament is starting soon.

I was planning to make a last-minute mental preparation.

But now,

he's made me lost all the mood.

Last call.

Please draw the lots

if you haven't already.

You go. Go.

I'll help Wu Di.

You draw the lots.

-You go together. -Fine.

Let's go.

Wu Di, this isn't right.

The game is going to start.

Stop squabbling with him.

I don't want to.

But look at how unconcerned he is.

Isn't that Shi Guang from No.13 High School?

Who's Shi Guang?

He beat our school in the last tournament,

as a 10th grader

when he was only in Grade 9.

He even managed to convert failure into victory.

It's said that he had beaten high schoolers

in Go at the age of nine,

and is known as a prodigy.

Did you hear that?

They're talking about me.

I didn't expect

being good at Go will make me popular.

I'm shy now.

It was me who played last time.

Of course you have to be shy.

No. No way.

I can't get carried away because of some fans' love.

I need to stay calm.

-Yeah. -Stay calm.

Isn't he a big threat to our team?

-Of course. -Don't you know,

"Smart kid doesn't always grow up to be great."

I forgot to mention,

he started very poorly

for that table-turning match.

Keep your voice down. I think they heard us.

Don't worry.

Just look how silly they are.

Let's go there.

Sure.

-Silly? -Stop.

What was that?

How could they talk at people's back?

I must win.

I'll prove myself.

Don't brag.

Let's just do our best.

Just do our best, you said?

I'll blow them out of the water,

aside from gaining a beautiful victory.

-Enough. - Listen, their third player is done for.

His biggest misfortune would be facing me.

Be humble.

That's me.

I'm the third player of Experimental High School.

Yu Liang?

Yu Liang

is the third player?

Why did you join this kind of tournament?

You don't have to know.

Just prepare yourself well.

Now, this is interesting.

Don't ask for my help, huh.

Wow, look at your luck at drawing lots.

That's the only choice left.

It's more like I'm being chosen,

rather than I'm drawing lots.

What's wrong with you?

We have bad news.

The third player for Experimental High School is Yu Liang.

And I have worse news.

We'll be competing against Experimental High School in second round.

And I have

the worst news for you guys.

Which is,

I won't be helping this time.

As someone's ready to spread his wings.

Your team will have a hard time.

Why the long faces?

It hasn't even started.

Cheer up.

There's always a solution to a problem.

Hey.

It's not too late to give up now.

We're all busy.

Let's not waste our time.

Sorry, guys.

I heard our second and third players

had beaten you once.

Please let me win, too.

Or I won't be qualified to stay in the team.

Hey, you.

Listen.

We were careless last time.

But we'll get our heads in the game this time.

Our main player's from Yijianghu.

And who are you?

A main player not known by anyone.

Why, you're the sacrificed pawn?

Don't act arrogant when you're a lost cause.

That's ridiculous.

We don't have time for tricky plans.

No.13 High School chose its main player

through a real tough competition.

He's way better than me.

We recognize him.

And you.

Remember.

He's Gu Yu,

not a random "you".

It's alright.

Don't be affected as they wished.

They did this on purpose.

I know.

Elite school, my foot.

That's an old trick I've grown tired of.

Please stop your practices.

The tournament starts in five minutes.

So, let's cut the crap and meet them in the game.

What is it?

Let's see

whose opponent give up first.

What say you?

Why not?

[Fangyuan High School Go Tournament, 2003 Autumn Tournament]

Hey.

What are you thinking?

Place it at 11 by 11.

Look.

If you choose 11 by 11,

I'll surround you here

and capture you at 12 by 6.

There's still nothing you can do.

If you don't choose 11 by 11...

Judge, I want to make a report.

What's the matter?

He's trying to disturb me.

I am...too nervous.

And when I do, I feel like talking.

No speaking allowed. Please be quiet.

Sure.

I concede defeat. Happy?

Sure.

I won.

Buddy, just give up.

It'll be a worse defeat if you continue.

Why are you laughing?

It's not the end yet.

We don't know who'll win.

What a stubborn guy.

Go for it.

Don't give up.

You've been watching here.

Discovered anything worthy, main player?

What a spiritless match.

I almost sleep, standing here.

You know why?

If you were me,

and you have been waiting for months to get revenge,

but only to face a rookie,

will you be spirited?

I lost.

Very well.

See you at the game table.

174.

176.

177.

That was close, Shi Guang.

You won a quarter area.

Look how the table turned.

How much did you win?

A quarter area.

That's it?

I won by resignation.

Yeah, yeah.

I'm gradually getting the knack of it.

Look, I can play quite well.

Second player of Experimental High School won.

I lost.

-You did well. -Third player of Experimental High won.

You have never been this careful.

With your capability, you don't have to be.

I just want to keep myself calm.

It's the match in the afternoon

that matters.

No.13 High School won.

-A 3-0 victory. -How was his performance?

He did...

Forget it.

I'd better not comment about it.

I'm mentally prepared.

No matter how good he is, I won't be frightened.

You'll know when you play with him.

You just won, yet you look sulky.

Come, let's grab a bite.

I want to be alone.

Okay.

Why did you come here?

Here you go.

I saved it for you.

Both of them almost ate it.

I'm not hungry.

But you must eat, you know?

Come on, it's just Yu Liang.

He's not that good to me.

Can I stay alone?

I'll leave you here, then.

You scared me to death with that game just now.

One stupid move is fine.

But you made three of them.

Do you actually remember what I taught you?

Stop nagging.

This is my first ever victory,

gained with my own effort.

Xiao Liang's your next opponent.

But given how you are...

Stop it. Stop.

Xiao Guang.

I'm also one of the Four Musketeers

of the Club, right?

Now that it is facing a strong enemy,

shouldn't I do my part?

Your coffee.

Thanks.

Zhang Bin and the others are really bad.

They keep insulting Yu Liang

and made him play blindfold chess,

so that he'd quit.

At the end of the day, this is his own choice.

He joined the club,

but doesn't think of himself as one of us.

No wonder they don't like him.

You didn't tell them to do that, did you?

Well, I didn't stop them,

but I'm not that low.

Do you know this?

In order to compete with Shi Guang,

he even fought with Mr Yin,

as he insisted on being the third player.

He said that he transferred to our school because of Shi Guang.

Impossible.

Mr Yin told me himself.

I don't want to play with him.

You were so confident just now.

What? You're scared?

No.

And yes.

So are you scared or are you not?

I'm not worried about playing Go with him,

even if I'll suffer a complete loss.

But I'm not the person he wants to beat.

You see, a boy as proud as him

becomes a third player at Experimental High School.

What would he want?

Nothing but to have a Go game with you.

If I became his opponent,

his efforts would've gone in vain.

So, you should play.

This isn't my suggestion, but yours, alright.

Will you do it?

I'm feeling bad right now.

Forget it if you won't do it.

I will, I will.

I'll play, I'll play.

I'll play, okay?

It's been six years.

I wonder

how good Xiao Liang is now.

Okay, you can play.

But on one condition.

You have to brace yourself up.

He came well-prepared.

Don't worry.

I won't let him win.

It's not about winning,

but let his efforts be worth it.

Ming Ming.

You're late.

Why the rush? The second round hasn't started.

It's still too early for final competition.

We're facing Experimental High School already.

There's no guarantee who'd win.

Did you bring it?

Yeah.

Should I take it out now?

Wait.

Let's take it out when we win.

All players, please be seated.

The competition is about to start.

Finally, we're against each other.

Must you make the atmosphere tense?

I have been thinking hundreds of times

of the moment I'd be battling you.

And this

is the least ceremonious one.

Such confidence.

You must have worked really hard.

You, too.

At least you have calluses now.

Xiao Guang,

Xiao Liang is no longer the old him.

He's had a stronger aura.

I had shaken him to core a few years back,

yet he's so calm now.

Let's do it.

First move. 3 by 4 on upper right corner.

3 by 4. One-space jump and close the corner.

Bottom left corner, 3 by 5.

3 by 6, knight's move and corner approach.

Do you know why was Cao Cao defeated in the Battle of Red Cliffs?

It's fatal for the strong to take his enemy lightly.

So, you keep attacking

regardless of your defence,

just to show me

that I'm taking you lightly?

What else do you think?

Yes, one who underestimates his opponent must be taught a lesson.

But are you sure

that I'm taking you lightly?

Let's try.

Do you know about provoking?

But it's too late to tell you now.

I'm sorry,

my next move's this.

There's nothing you can do.

Stretch.

Stretch.

Go around.

4 by 9, shoulder hit.

Must we play this hastily?

Every move you make, I already read it ahead.

This match has been happening

for countless times in my mind.

Calm down.

I want to change the way I move

to test his skills.

You...Your skills have improved a lot.

Don't go too far trying to insult me.

I was praising you.

Well, if you were,

then I'll tell you,

the way you hold the stones is more up to standard.

Thanks.

Looks like the Little Lion and Little Dragon have grown up.

Xiao Guang,

for the next move,

place the stone at 5 by 13.

That's right, 5 by 13.

Xiao Guang.

5 by 13.

What are you doing?

I want to play on my own.

Are you kidding?

I have changed my mind.

At a time like this?

The wrong move you just made

have ruined my whole plan, you know that?

Yes, but I have changed my mind.

I want to play it myself.

Fine.

But what are you thinking?

Why did you change your mind?

Because of the look in his eyes when he's playing with you.

I want to play on my own,

and find out how big is the gap between us.

What about me?

You knew that I have been waiting for this match.

Do you even care how I feel?

Save it.

I have made up my mind.

Fine, you do it.

Do it however you like.

Go ahead.

Stop struggling.

Just admit defeat.

You have done well.

Xiao Guang,

let me play.

It may not be too late.

If you lost,

how will you face Wu Di and Gu Yu?

Going for 8 by 11

is indeed a move with good reading.

But given your skills,

you're still not capable of using it, you got it?

Are you listening?

Are you kidding me?

Sit down, don't break the rules.

I told you,

you'll know when you play with him.

Shi Guang,

that's too much.

Admit defeat now.

No one

can save this.

I lost.

You used to

make me think that I have met the God of Go.

In order to catch up with you,

I returned after going abroad to study.

I persisted despite the many difficulties,

never thinking about giving up.

I was called stupid,

for letting these six years go wasted.

I was the only one who think it was worthwhile.

But now,

I feel like

I'm a hundred, and many more times more stupid

than what they called me.

You did well.

Third player of No.13 High School resigns.

Experimental High School gained another victory.

Second player of Experimental High School won.

Well, good game.

Even Bin won.

I can hardly imagine how much of a rookie they are.

We had a complete victory.

You were so full of yourselves.

I guess you were just boasting.

Frankly speaking,

you two, and you,

let's not make a fool of yourselves next time.

You're not fit to play Go.

Let's go and eat.

Yu Liang, here you are.

What is it?

You still have another match, right?

I'm here to give you a cheer.

Are you alright?

Yeah.

I'm fine.

Is it Shi Guang?

I didn't expect him

to play so poorly too.

What a disappointment.

No.

Not him.

I don't know what happened between you,

but if you're up to it,

you can tell me.

Maybe you'd feel better.

Senior.

Thanks for looking after me all this while.

I think

that I have wasted a lot of time on him.

Thanks.

Gu Yu.

Gu Yu.

It's okay.

It's just a defeat.

No big deal.

Shi Guang,

stay strong.

Don't embarrass yourself. Hold it together.

Enough.

I got a detention,

and was just released.

So, how was your great victory?

You didn't lose, did you?

To whom?

Experimental High School.

Three to zero.

In such a short period of time,

and you have become this?

Now, even I...

I'm proud of you guys.

It must be your luck, or something else.

Stop crying,

or I'll cry too.

Never mind.

We have tried our best.

There's no regret.

I lost.

Come on, it's okay.

Are we still taking it out?

Let's not do that.

They didn't win.

That's embarrassing.

Let's go, Jiang Xue Ming.

This is not the place for us.

I'm not leaving.

So what if they're the winning team?

Take it out.

Stop crying.

Look, there.

Wu Di, Shi Guang!

[No.13 High School Is Champion]

Go for it!

I'll always remember today.

I'm going to win the first prize.

We'll get it back.

I'm glad I have you.

Are you still mad at me?

I was furious.

But in the end, I thought that

other than being mad,

I actually felt happy.

This is the first time

you ignored my instructions during a game.

Did you notice how you have changed recently?

When you just came back,

I kind of like Go.

Now, I think I love the game.

That's good news.

At least Xiao Liang and I

didn't feel sad for nothing.

I thought he was only taking the match seriously,

it never occurred to me that he was bearing such a burden.

I have always thought that I tried really hard.

In fact, it was pretty far away from the effort he made.

All these years,

Xiao Liang has been trying to catch up with me.

But he didn't notice

that you are closing in on him

step by step.

One day.

One day,

I will, definitely will,

show him my Go skills.

It's never too late to get back what you have lost.

But don't think I'd help you review the game.

I'm still angry at you.