Witness the Game Unfold

You're forgetting what I said. It's a huge mountain. If I only painted a hiking trail, it'd be boring and uninspiring.

Save yourself the trouble. There's a brush of the finest arts in your hands. No obstacles should ever frustrate you.

Hey! Look! Someone's coming! They might give us some smart ideas!

Yeah. Someone's set up a Yanese chess endgame puzzle here. My brother and I saw it and tried to give it a go.

But it's really, really hard. We tried everything but we kept failing...

Blight me, we're in trouble! Mama's waiting for the firewood so she can make lunch!

They're just two kids who lost track of time while playing chess.

What a pity. The damage has made this pavilion all cloudy and gloomy. Otherwise we'd have a beautiful view from here.

We're halfway through the hike. Let's take a break. This scenery is perfect for a chess game, don't you think?

This whole thing was your idea back then.

You picked the pavilion's location, plotted the endgame. It got plenty of mountain residents stumped.

Unfortunately, your tough little puzzle is now in the way.

It's like what happened at Xiaohe Manor. The damage has affected the contents of the painted world.

You must solve the endgame to repair the damages and continue your ascent.

And while you're at it, I'll try to pinpoint the site of your injury in one go.

Exactly. So hurry and take a seat.

We did this a thousand three hundred and twenty five times. Why can't we figure it out...?

It's one thousand three hundred and twenty six times now...

Once you're ready, we can begin.

Black Pawn five advance one. You've been checkmated.

Ahem. You definitely got distracted. I'll let you take back that move.

Order received!

Move me out of the headquarters. It'll give our Marshal a way out!

Yeah. Move the Horse to give your Marshal some room. Then you can move the other pieces and secure the victory.

Victory is sealed. The game is done.

It's not quite over yet...

The field of strategy is an unending cycle. The next challenge will only be more difficult.

Careful! We have taken heavy casualties. Defenses of our headquarters are stretched thin!

The enemy's right is strong, but two of our vanguards have pushed into their main camp!

Use them well! They might give us a chance to turn the tables!

Careful now... For this endgame, Black goes first.

Watch closely... Cannon two traverse four. You're checked.

Greetings.

War is all that I can remember. I fought in over ten thousand battles and skirmishes.

Hmm, your orders and deployments felt quite familiar to me...

You probably led us in battle before. Was it ten years ago ... or a hundred...? I can't really recall.

Regardless, I'm more than eager to win this battle in your name!

Re-really? Yeah, I can only attack behind cover. It's quite restrictive, to be honest.

But your command will make the difference. I'm more than honored to help win this battle!

Since we're talking, you deploy your forces like a true master. Compared to every commander I know, you're definitely top three...

One is the lady who came with you. I can't recall the name of the other, but he seems like a good friend of hers...

Enjoy the view and let my mind wander for a bit.

No matter what the battle is, I usually don't have to move much. Plus, I'm kept inside the main camp, right?

That being said, look at this field of war. Beautiful sight, isn't it...?

Also, is there a chance for me to see the opposing Marshal? I don't even know what that guy looks like.

Black Marshal five traverse four. It's now well defended. This won't be easy for you.

Order received!

Give the assault command. I'll go straight for the enemy Marshal!

Brother, this is suicide!

The enemy Marshal is well prepared. It's waiting for us to take the bait...

But once that Marshal makes his move, you'll have an opening!

......

Brother, I have a question for you.

Once they take my head, our best move is to send you forward. But that means ... you will also be killed —

I'll gladly do it!

Look around. Everyone else has fallen. We're the only ones left.

Brother, we enlisted together, didn't we? You weren't much of a runner, and we hardly ever met. But I remember your face.

It's been years. Many battles have come and gone, but we've always been together on the field.

Yet this is the duty expected of us.

Chariot two advance nine. Checkmate.

You were zoning out. I'll let you take that back and try again.

A single error results in total defeat.

I must see it... The future that everyone is willing to sacrifice everything for.

The pillars ... and the path taken by the Tianshi...

That will be ... the first light to shine upon the revival of our homes.

You, you dolt...

Let's fix the damage.

If you get too involved, it stops being a game and turns into an actual battle. Ever thought of that?

Yes. An endgame like that demands the Endmin's personal touch.

You look terrible! Are you alright?

Since you have diagnosed the Endmin's injury, the ascent should be made quickly.

But she's in really bad shape... / But he's in really bad shape...

The Endministrator's poor health is exactly why we must hurry.

I owe a debt of life to the Endmin's blade. My desire for her well-being might exceed yours. / I owe a debt of life to the Endmin's blade. My desire for his well-being might exceed yours.

If any mishap were to happen, I shall take full responsibility.

You think you can? Give me a break. Now leave...

Ah, you're awake!

You were barely conscious and probably heard wrong.

Longer than you did back in the inn.

If I'd known this would happen, I would have stopped you before you entered the chess game. We still have time. You can always start over.

Are you listening to me?

You got badly injured shortly after an awakening. You call that lucky?

You have my timely intervention to thank! Ah, sorry ... are you feeling better now?

You sure you don't need a longer break?

Okay, let's go.

I now have a good idea where the injury is.

However, you kept rushing things, and that risky endgame move seriously exhausted you.

And just let me know if you're feeling unwell.

You're still not ready?

Yeah. Total immersion. Very stimulating for the mind.

The Yanese chessboard is marked and divided. The two armies are ready. Imagine that you're in an actual battle. Do your very best!

Awaiting command!

You play as Red. After you make a move, the Black side will respond... As for me, I'll observe the game as a referee.

The enemy is down to a pawn, and we have chariots, cavalry, and cannons. Great is our advantage!

Order the general advance! We shall crush the enemy!

Mm. They obey orders and fight really well. In this realm, they are soldiers of the finest quality.

Ahem... That pawn is serious trouble.

If he gets one more move, you're done, no matter how many pieces you have.

S-so what? Do you think I like to see you lose?

Now that reminds me. Back then you would say, "A good observer is a quiet one," and just stood there watching me worry! Hmph!

Well, I'm letting that slide. Focus on the puzzle now.

Try to keep the enemy suppressed.

Touch the piece and give your command.

One more step and the enemy will trap our Marshal. I say we go for a chariot charge and turn this around!

Brother, it is my honor to fight by your side!

Once the migrating fowls return, they will drink to our memories.

We won't live to see victory, but I know it'll be ours.

They're right. Move your Chariot and Pawn to force the enemy Marshal into position. Your sidelined Cannon will finally get a chance to shine.

It's the only solution. You have no other choice.

Nice moves. Very decisive.

Uhm, what's on your mind?

I actually understand their decisions. I've dealt with Hongshan for years and met many people like them...

It's okay. You don't need to apologize.

The one who first taught me to play always said the colors, the boards, and the arrangements of pieces never mattered. In the end, the fun is about the same...

The game takes convoluted matters of reality and condenses them into this tiny board.

But I don't think you have time to get sentimental... The toughest endgame is coming up next.

You designed this endgame, there has to be a reason for it. Yet after all these years, no one has solved it ... not even me.

This time ... you're totally on your own now.

Small in number, we went deep behind enemy lines, and turned the tide of battle.

My comrades ... all of them paid their lives to cover my advance...

Look, Marshal. The enemy has surrounded its main camp with heavy defenses. They are quaking with fear!

One more push and we would've won... Damn it! Damn it!

If this lone Pawn makes another step forward, Red would have won the day. It's a shame that he didn't make it.

I once asked you if this was cheating, but you just shook your head.

You have no moves left. And you can't just call for your Endfielders or Wuling elites to help you out.