The chess game continues.
The anime-style experience is extremely effective, and with the ability to pause and analyze the meanings behind the shots, the listening and viewing experience for the livestream audience is excellent.
The number of bullet comments isn't as high as usual; many people are in a state of immersion.
Perhaps Ah Xian is overinterpreting, but that's exactly what the players need.
A thousand people have a thousand Hamlets.
Sharing personal opinions on the core message the plot wants to convey, with an attitude of seeking common ground while reserving differences.
Only when someone overinterprets is it what the writers hope to see the most.
Leon: "There's a saying—I'm not sure if I should say it or not."
"Please speak, sir." Jing Yuan smiles and gestures.
"As the saying goes—removing half of the opponent's attacking pieces on the chessboard counts as a great victory, but in the mortal world, who knows how many livers and gallbladders must be gouged out to break the stalemate."
Ah Xian instinctively pauses, her eyes lighting up.
"What a great line!"
"In a life-or-death struggle, there's no mercy to speak of. Once war begins, it inevitably accompanies the passing of lives one by one."
"To end the war, who knows how many heroes' livers and gallbladders must be gouged out?"
"Leon might be elaborating on the consequences."
"He's hinting to Jing Yuan: if he doesn't realize the severity of the problem and keeps hesitating without letting go, who knows how many people on the Luofu will die because of it."
"At this point, the chess game is far from over, but I believe the general has a judgment in his heart about who wins or loses in the end."
Hearing Leon's words, Ah Xian is 80% sure that her earlier analysis wasn't wrong.
The livestream audience feels the same, nodding to themselves.
"The Stellaron disaster is just beginning, far from its end. On the surface, the words mean he believes Jing Yuan has his own judgment and can handle it well."
"In reality, it's urging him to quickly make a choice, to make the correct judgment."
"Though saying this might be a buzzkill and make the plot seem clichéd and unoriginal, I still have to say: these two will definitely reach a consensus after finishing the game."
Jing Yuan: "Hard to say. We'll see."
"That's right, everyone just wait and see."
Ah Xian continues watching.
Gradually, her expression unknowingly becomes solemn.
The two's moves are no longer chaotic but truly begin a life-or-death contest.
Neither is holding back.
Some of the killing moves make her heart pound.
One careless mistake, and the game ends.
These two are too sinister.
But she has a sense of déjà vu.
It's as if... Jing Yuan has been following Leon's rhythm the whole time.
But she doesn't dare to confirm it outright.
In the middle, Yanqing, who had vomited until the world went dark and was carried away to rest, staggers back into the frame.
Seeing Leon and Jing Yuan playing chess, he freezes.
He tiptoes forward.
"Kiddo looks fine now. Watching chess without speaking—a true gentleman. Nice."
From his perspective, Jing Yuan captures one of Leon's pieces, and the situation falls into a subtle balance.
"This... this..."
Ah Xian blinks several times, confirms it multiple times, and quickly opens Jing Yuan's character PV.
Comparing it to the chess game in the PV.
The same endgame!
Though she's never encountered this endgame, she knows it's a famous one in Chinese chess: perpetual checkmate.
Coincidence?
No.
Now she can finally confirm: her earlier thoughts were correct.
Jing Yuan has been following... no, fallen into Leon's rhythm.
This endgame was orchestrated by Leon single-handedly.
"Unexpectedly, it's a draw."
"Yes, a draw."
Leon looks up to meet Jing Yuan's gaze.
The two smiling men form a strangely atmospheric picture.
Only Yanqing is clueless.
"General, sir, it seems like a draw. Why not start a new game to decide the winner?"
The camera returns to Leon and Jing Yuan, both smiling without speaking.
[No way, why do these two look like they're gazing deeply into each other's eyes?]
[???]
"Don't talk nonsense. What deep gazing? They're probably having an eye-contact showdown—whoever blinks first is the one who compromises."
"But I bet Jing Yuan will be the one to yield."
[What does that mean? I don't get it.]
"All explanations boil down to one sentence: Leon has choices. If Jing Yuan has them, it's no loss for Leon."
"But if Jing Yuan has no choice, he will inevitably compromise quickly."
"If he keeps insisting, Leon might leave early or do something else."
Another ten-plus seconds pass.
Jing Yuan's expression changes first; the imperceptible tension between his brows slowly relaxes.
The change in aura is very obvious, and most players can see it.
Seeing this, Leon smiles faintly.
He places the piece he's holding down, stands up, and pats Yanqing's shoulder.
"Little Brother Yanqing, the message my friend entrusted me to deliver has been conveyed to General Jing Yuan. Thank you for taking me through the VIP channel."
As he steps away, the piece he places is crystal clear.
It's the chariot.
"Next, I should go find another old acquaintance. Goodbye."
"Huh? Aren't you going to decide the winner first?" Yanqing tilts his head in confusion.
Leon's figure pauses; only his back is visible.
"The ones who need to decide the winner... have never been me and General Jing Yuan..."
Leaving behind thought-provoking words, Leon completely disappears from the frame.
Ah Xian suddenly slaps her thigh, her eyes bright, expression somewhat excited.
"I knew it... as expected, as expected!!"
[What do you know? Spill it already!]
"Jing Yuan represents the Luofu—on the surface, the main defender."
"Leon represents many things; different attacking pieces have their own meanings."
"What I can confirm now is that the chariot represents the Astral Express. As for the pawns, horses, and cannons specifically representing who, I don't know yet."
"But I can be sure they absolutely relate to the Stellaron Hunters and the unknown Emanator."
"The defensive pieces probably only have meaning for Jing Yuan's side; Leon's don't."
"See if the plot will play riddles. If not, Jing Yuan should explain it to us next. No reason for version 1.1 to still have riddlemen."
Yanqing: "General, what happened while I was gone?"
"Nothing happened. Mr. Leon and I had a very pleasant conversation."
The camera follows Jing Yuan's gaze, landing on the chariot piece Leon left behind.
Such an obvious hint, plus Ah Xian's earlier explanation—even the slowest players understand.
"Had a very pleasant conversation means they've reached a consensus."
"The two never openly discussed the Luofu situation throughout, and Leon never stated his intentions."
"But every sentence has inner meaning, conveyed through the chessboard metaphors."