My Sword Immortal Wife Has Gone Berserk - Chapter 1:

Chapter 1: This Game Can Be Broken

Bianjing, Capital City of the Great Zhou Empire.

Though the moon had set and crows cried through the night, the Duke of the Empire’s residence was still ablaze with lights, bright as day. Inside this grand mansion, a heavy and oppressive atmosphere loomed, and this tension had already lasted for five days—growing heavier with each passing day.

Inside the study, a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes paced back and forth, frowning deeply, his expression filled with anxiety. This man was Qin Shizhong, Duke of the Empire. Though already past forty, he possessed profound cultivation. Just a few days ago, he had still looked vigorous and youthful, appearing not a day over twenty. But now, his temples had turned gray, his face weary—he seemed to have aged years in mere days.

“Master, Master Chen has arrived! Master Chen has arrived!” A loud shout rang out from the courtyard. Qin Shizhong’s entire body trembled, hope flashing in his eyes as he strode out of the study and asked the servant who had rushed in, “Where is Master Chen?”

Master Chen’s full name was Chen Qian, the foremost chessmaster of the Great Zhou Empire, long residing in Jiexian, in the south. Qin Shizhong had sent messengers three times before finally convincing him to come.

“Master Chen has entered the city. He’ll arrive within the time it takes for one incense stick to burn,” the servant replied with a bow.

“Good! Good, good, good, good!” Qin Shizhong repeated the word ‘good’ six times, finally releasing a deep sigh of relief. “Master Chen is the chessmaster of our time. His skills have reached perfection. With him here, he’ll surely break the ‘Starry River Dream’ game and save Bojing’s life!”

Those standing around were all visibly relieved, some even weeping with joy. A dignified and elegant woman wiped her tears with a handkerchief, her voice trembling as she looked into the distance. “Why is Xuan’er so obsessed with chess? It’s just black and white pieces, yet it has completely consumed his mind. He hasn’t eaten, drunk, or slept in five days. Even a celestial being couldn’t endure this. If Master Chen didn’t come tonight, I fear that by dawn, we—the white-haired—would be burying the black-haired.”

Where her eyes fell was a pavilion built above a lake in the residence. The pavilion was brightly lit, and a young man, barely twenty, sat alone at a table. His cheeks were thin, his eyes dazed as he stared blankly at the chessboard before him.

This was Qin Xuan, courtesy name Bojing(T/N: It means: Honored Senior), the eldest son of Qin Shizhong. Since childhood, he had been obsessed with chess and was known as a chess fanatic. Five days ago, he had stumbled upon an incomplete game titled ‘Starry River Dream’ and had been seated in the lakeside pavilion ever since, trying to break it. But he hadn’t stopped since, unable to solve the puzzle. Immersed in thought, he had refused food, drink, or sleep.

Due to his complete mental immersion, Qin Shizhong didn’t dare knock him out to force rest. He understood that doing so might damage his son’s mind—turning him into an imbecile.

So, realizing something was wrong four days ago, Qin Shizhong began searching across the city for skilled chess players to help break the game. Yet all of them, without exception, returned in failure. Everyone said it was a celestial-level game—unsolvable by mortals. Only Chen Qian from Jiexian might have a chance, so Qin Shizhong dispatched messengers three times to invite him personally.

Now, everyone in the Duke’s residence had pinned all their hopes on Chen Qian.

“Madam, stay here and watch over Bojing. I’ll wait for Master Chen at the gate,” Qin Shizhong instructed his wife before heading outside. He held his hands before his stomach and stared into the distant darkness beyond the street. Guards lined both sides, holding lanterns that made the front gate as bright as daylight.

“Who’s that?” Qin Shizhong pointed toward a carriage across the street.

Beside a large tree, a simple carriage stood. A tall young man sat on it. Though the lighting was dim, his face was as refined as jade—undeniably a very handsome young man.

This was the Duke’s residence. A young man parked here at midnight was suspicious, prompting Qin Shizhong to ask.

A guard stepped forward, saluted, and said, “Master, that person arrived at noon. I checked his papers—he’s from the Lin family of Yuzhou, named Lin Ce.”

Qin Shizhong raised a brow slightly. “Lin family of Yuzhou? What’s his relation to Lin Huairui?”

“I found it curious as well, Master. I asked, and he said he is the grandson of the former Prime Minister, Lin Huairui.”

“Lin Huairui’s grandson?” Qin Shizhong was a bit surprised, staring closely at the young man in the distance. “Then isn’t he Su Nanqiao’s fiancé?”

At the words “Su Nanqiao’s fiancé,” the guards and servants around all showed a trace of envy as they looked toward Lin Ce.

At that moment, inside the carriage across the street, a young girl of about thirteen or fourteen softly said, “Young Master, the Duke of the Empire has come out. Aren’t you going over?”

The girl wore two pigtails and used one fair little hand to lift the curtain just slightly, peeking out through the gap. Her large, curious eyes sparkled as she watched Qin Shizhong and the others.

“Not yet,” the boy at the front of the carriage, leaning against the wall with arms crossed and eyes closed, replied softly.

Qin Shizhong continued observing Lin Ce and asked the guard beside him, “The Lin family has connections with several ministers and even set a marriage with Minister of Rites Su Zhang. Lin Ce’s come to Bianjing but hasn’t visited his elders or his future father-in-law. Why is he waiting here?”

The guard replied, “Master, Lin Ce said he can break the ‘Starry River Dream’ game.”

“What?!” Qin Shizhong’s eyes widened. “Why didn’t you report this earlier?”

The guard shuddered and quickly said, “Master, when he said he could break the game, I invited him into the residence. But he asked whether Master Chen had arrived. When I said no, he told me to wait until Master Chen arrived. I thought he was just boasting—he’s even younger than the young master, so I feared he’d interfere and harm the young master… That’s why I didn’t report it.”

Qin Shizhong nodded slightly. “Understandable. None of the top players in Bianjing could solve it. How could a mere youth?”

Just as he finished speaking, the sound of galloping horses approached. A few riders escorted a carriage racing toward them.

“Master, Master Chen has arrived!” A rider galloped ahead, shouting before he even arrived.

Qin Shizhong’s eyes lit up with excitement. He immediately forgot about Lin Ce and hurried forward.

The carriage soon stopped, and a white-haired elderly man stepped down.

“Master Chen, I’ve long awaited your arrival!” Qin Shizhong rushed up and grasped Chen Qian’s arm.

“Please forgive me, Duke. The moment I received your message, I prepared to depart. But age and weakness delayed me,” Chen Qian said apologetically, making to kneel.

Qin Shizhong stopped him, “Master Chen, no need. Please hurry inside and help break the game to save my son.”

“Very well, let’s go.” Chen Qian didn’t waste time. Held by Qin Shizhong, he was quickly led into the residence.

In the carriage under the tree, the girl lifted the curtain again and whispered, “Young Master, Chen Qian’s arrived. Aren’t you going yet?”

Lin Ce tilted his head slightly, watching Qin Shizhong and Chen Qian walk into the residence. He slowly said, “No rush. Wait a little longer.”

Inside, after leading Chen Qian to the lakeside, Qin Shizhong said, “Master Chen, please go alone. My son is extremely weak now. I fear my vigorous Qi might disturb him.”

“Understood, I will go alone,” Chen Qian responded, walking along the zigzag bridge toward the pavilion. As he approached, he slowed his steps and made no sound.

Even with someone approaching, Qin Xuan didn’t move at all. He sat there, staring at the chessboard.

Chen Qian stopped beside him and looked down at the board. The black and white pieces had formed a complex battle—black’s main group was surrounded layer by layer like stars hidden by clouds, while white’s territory was also encircled, like pearls in the dark.

“So this is the Starry River Dream game?” Chen Qian murmured inwardly, thoughtful.

He had started learning chess at five, became famous at thirteen, and reached perfection by twenty. For decades, he’d never lost a match. At thirty-four, he was titled ‘chessmaster’ and had even played with the late emperor and taught the crown prince.

In recent years, due to declining health, he retired to Jiexian.

Chen Qian was confident—he believed there was no game in the world he could not break. If he couldn’t, it had to be a dead game.

Three days ago, he learned of this ‘Starry River Dream’ game. Even Qin Xuan, a chess fanatic, had fallen into it, and none of the other masters in Bianjing could solve it. Many of them were his students or peers.

So even beyond helping the Duke, Chen Qian wanted to see the game himself.

But the longer he stared, the more his expression turned grave. He kept simulating moves in his mind—each one ended in failure.

Dead game! Dead game! Dead game!

He stood behind Qin Xuan, eyes scanning the board for nearly half an incense stick of time.

Eventually, he frowned deeply and muttered, “This is a dead game. It can’t be broken.”

Qin Xuan murmured hoarsely without turning, “It’s not a dead game… It’s an incomplete game… It can be broken…”

“Foolish child,” Chen Qian whispered, shaking his head with pity. He turned and walked back across the bridge.

“Master Chen, how was it?” Qin Shizhong and his wife watched him anxiously. All the servants held their breath.

Chen Qian looked at them with some pity and shook his head. “Duke, Madam, that board is unsolvable. Even I cannot help.”

“What?!” The words thundered in their minds. The noblewoman nearly fainted, crying out before a quick-handed maid caught her.

Qin Shizhong could hardly accept it. “Even you can’t solve it?”

“It’s unsolvable,” Chen Qian replied. “Duke, it’s best to knock your son out. I fear he won’t last the night.”

“But his mind is fully immersed in the game. If we force him unconscious now, he might wake up a fool,” Qin Shizhong said in anguish. “Others dream of such focused children—to excel in studies or martial arts—but my son is obsessed with chess. That’s a path of ruin!”

“Better a fool than a corpse,” Chen Qian urged. “He can’t hold on. Decide quickly.”

The noblewoman came to and sobbed, “If Xuan’er dies, I won’t live either!”

“Sigh…” Qin Shizhong exhaled heavily and finally made up his mind, stepping toward the pavilion.

But just then, a guard rushed in and shouted, “Master, Young Master Lin Ce says he can break the game!”

The words were quickly passed down the line to the lakeside.

Qin Shizhong halted abruptly and turned back, “Invite Young Master Lin!”

Chen Qian frowned slightly. He didn’t believe anyone could break what he had deemed a dead game—especially someone he’d never heard of.

But he said nothing. Qin Shizhong was a pillar of the Empire. If his son died, no one nearby would be spared blame.

Moments later, two figures approached—a tall, handsome young man in white robes with a snowy fur scarf, and a lively young girl in pigtails, wearing a green floral dress with a bell on her wrist that jingled as she walked.

Lin Ce stepped forward and bowed, “Lin Ce greets the Duke of the Empire.”

He was calm and courteous, exuding grace. The girl bowed respectfully behind him.

“Lin Ce, can you truly solve the Starry River Dream game?” Qin Shizhong asked directly.

“I can,” Lin Ce nodded confidently.

Qin Shizhong pointed to the pavilion and said, “Then go try. Just be gentle—don’t disturb my son. If you succeed, I will owe you a great favor!”

He didn’t believe Lin Ce could do it, but with no other choice, it was worth a try.

“Very well, I’ll go now.” Lin Ce nodded, then turned to the girl. “Li’er, wait here.”

“Yes, Young Master.” She smiled, making a cute gesture, dimples faintly visible.

Adjusting his robe, Lin Ce headed toward the pavilion. The noblewoman whispered, “Husband, even Master Chen couldn’t solve it. Why let this youth try? Every moment wasted increases the risk of Xuan’er becoming a fool!”

“Just one more try…” Qin Shizhong said lowly, fists clenched.

Chen Qian sighed and shook his head.

It was colder over the lake. Lin Ce tugged his scarf tighter as he walked. Reaching the pavilion, he glanced at the board and spoke without hesitation, “First, Black plays southeast of Heavenly origin to lure the snake out. Then southwest to turn illusion into reality. Next, a move in the northeast corner distracts White, weakening their focus on surrounding Black’s main group. Finally, strike swiftly and escape the encirclement…”

With each line he spoke, Qin Xuan’s eyes brightened.

By the end, Lin Ce pointed at a specific spot and declared, “With this move, the game can be broken!”

Qin Xuan suddenly looked up and cried out excitedly, “It can be broken! It can be broken! Hahaha…”

After laughing, he collapsed, falling into a deep sleep.

Five days without rest had drained him. With the tension gone, sleep overtook him.

Lin Ce caught him and turned toward the Duke, shouting, “Duke of the Empire, the game is broken! Young Master has fallen asleep!”

Qin Shizhong’s eyes lit up. He leapt across the lake in a single bound and landed in the pavilion. Feeling his son’s steady breathing, he finally relaxed.

Turning to Lin Ce, his face was full of gratitude. “What a fine Lin Ce! As expected of the Lin family of Yuzhou! I never imagined your skills would surpass Master Chen’s. You’ve saved my son—our entire family owes you!”

Lin Ce smiled, “It was nothing, Duke. You don’t need to thank me.”

“Nothing? It was no small feat!” Qin Shizhong laughed heartily, his gloom vanishing. He clapped Lin Ce on the shoulder. “I was friends with your grandfather. If you don’t mind, from now on, treat me as your uncle.”

Lin Ce bowed and said, “Nephew greets Uncle.”

At that moment, as he lowered his head, a strange light flickered in his eyes…