—Ttak!

The clear, ringing sound of a stone landing on the Go board echoed through the quiet room.

Danmok Seong, Grand Elder of the Danmok Family, watched the black stone Grand Scholar Seol Jung-hyu had just placed, then spoke casually.

“You seem troubled today, Grand Scholar.”

It was plain to see — Seol Jung-hyu had been placing awkward, uneven moves for several turns now, nothing like his usual sharp Go skill.

The Grand Scholar nodded without resistance.

“I haven't heard a word from Daoist Kwak. I'm starting to think he really did go all the way to the Sang Gwan Family.”