Smiling at Each Other

Two brothers-in-arms on the battlefield were both infected with a poisonous parasite from the Western Regions. They must face off in a game of chess. The winner claims the sword, while the loser's blood is used to offer a sacrifice to the parasite. In the final killing move, "Smiling at Each Other from Across the Board," the generals end the game on the same line. Among those once closest to each other, who will emerge from this game alive? A Certain Pian's column: Premise: