They were in intermission once again. Zhou Huo wasnt in any mood to attend to his own yers. He wished he could drill a hole on the spot to Sacred Swords lounge to see the looks on their faces.


    Now that were a match point, Im so curious what they could be discussing now? Zhou Huo was seriously curious. They better ask me, this marketing genius, to go over and discuss how theyre going to spin this after the match.


    They controlled their points in the group stage only to send themselves to their deaths in the quarterfinals. This is a public rtions problem not just anyone can solve. I just happen to have a set of public rtions drafts for lost matches that I cant use and can give to them for free...


    After winning two consecutive games, even Old Qiaos expression has rxed by a lot. He told him mockingly, Wasnt your old club, NSN, giving themselves poisoned milk yesterday during the dress rehearsal.


    They said maybe theyd lose in quarterfinals so they wanted to ask you, their former manager, for a PR draft? Youre giving it to Sacred Sword instead?


    Rather to give to foreign thieves and withhold from domestic servants. Zhou Huo shook his head and waved his hand. NSN doesnt need this. Theyre not qualified to lose.


    Shi Luo smiled. He epted the heat packs that the staff handed him and stuck them to the backs of his hands. He walked to the side and took his jackets. He fumbled inside its pockets and took out a box of cigarettes.


    Dont becent. Careful not to let them get a two to threeeback. Even though he knew that the probability of this was really small, Old Qiao still didnt dare to rx too much. He looked at Shi Luo and Chen Huo, Are you okay? Ill be honest...


    you two have really held out during this game. You might copse if a little problem urs along the way. Your conditions arent actually that stable.


    I know. Chen Huo nodded, To tell you the truth, I have no idea about Shi Luo, but my hands about to break.


    Chen Huo looked at the people round. But I can still keep this up.


    Well change tactics in the next game. This isnt the only one weve prepared. Yu Sui took the hot water the staff handed him and took a couple of sips. Its good enough if we just beat them silly at the start to affect their mentality.


    For the next game, well change y styles and amuse ourselves.


    The data analyst and Yu Sui nced at each other and nodded, OK, but the pressure is still on you. Its fine so long as you can bear it.


    It was a roomful of people but for the first time, Shi Luo didnt avoid anyone and smoked a cigarette. He lit the cigarette inside the room and took a deep drag.


    If you look closely, you could see that Shi Luos hands were shaking with pain.


    If it werent because they wanted so much to win, they actually didnt need to fight that desperately during the first two games.


    Zhou Huo would nce at the live screen from time to time, feeling a little anxious.


    Why havent they broadcasted it yet?


    Why are they still showing these sponsor advertisements?


    ording to their timetable from thest intermission, they should already be able to y their video now. Why was it that when it came their turn, they were procrastinating so much? Were they targeting his team?


    After a while, the game was going to start and they wont be able to finish broadcasting it. As soon as their yers enter the soundproof room, they f*cking wouldnt be able to see anything. Whats going to be the use of it then?


    Zhou Huo frequently turned to look at the live broadcast screen. The data analyst looked at this World Championships neer and walked to Zhou Huos side to exin in a low voice, Dont me the director. me your yers, OK?


    Zhou Huo frowned and looked at the data analyst. The data analyst spread his hands, Since the sponsors have already sponsored the event, they have to y all their advertisements in this BO5. There could have been four intermissions. But your team opened the match with a two-to-zero.


    In case your yers wins again, there wont be a third intermission. You think the event team would release a pigeon for the sponsors? Would the event team dare?


    The data analysts lips twitched. Of course, they dont dare. But theyve got no problem releasing a pigeon for you.


    Zhou Huo: ......


    The data analyst looked at the live broadcast screen helplessly, But its not like you can say anything. Because you forcibly shortened their advertising time, they can only squeeze all the ads here and broadcast them all together. Who can you me?


    Its my fault... Zhou Huo never even thought about this possibility. He held back his anger. Its my yers fault for being so unreasonable...I reap what I sow.


    R//AdtSt ch/a/pters at n(v)e(l)bin/.c/o//m Only


    Zhou Huo was so angry, his chest was starting to hurt. But he couldnt tell anyone. He could only watch impatiently as advertisements were broadcasted one after the other. When the staff came to remind the yers toe up for the next game, the advertisements were still running.


    Zhou Huo gave up and smiled bitterly. He gave up all hope of having the video he had rushed to create be broadcasted. He could pretend like this matter never even existed. He smiled and cheered on the yers as he sent them out of the lounge.


    There were now leading two to zero. The fans from the Chinese division were already in a frenzy. The shouts and cheers didnt stop the entire intermission. The referee on Frees side led the yers to re-enter the field.


    He let everyone stop just before entering the soundproof room to kindly let them see the enthusiasm and craziness of their fans in the stadium.


    And at this moment, the continuous advertisements on the giant screen finally ended. Chen Huos face suddenly appeared on the giant screen and the fans in the stadium began to scream frantically.


    The referee was also taken aback, Do you also have a pre-match video?


    Chen Huo looked confused, ...no, uh...


    Chen Huos face changed, A few days ago, Zhou Huo asked me to record a video. He said it was just going to be used at the clubs first annual meeting next next month, so he said there was no need to be shy and that I should say what I really feel. It shouldnt...It cant be......


    Chen Huos expression was stiff, So, did you guys also record something too?


    Frees other three yers: ...


    Puppy pped his own face. It was toote for regrets. ...I recorded something.


    Shi Luo reacted quickly and looked back at the referee, Where is the directors room? Or the stadiums electrical control room?


    It was the referees first time seeing a yer with such extreme methods as Shi Luo. He gulped, refusal written across his face, said, Evil, you are about to qualify past the quarterfinals. You have a good future ahead of you.


    Dont ruin it by getting suspended for vition of discipline at this time...


    The referee looked to Yu Sui for help, hoping that Frees captain could maintain discipline within his team. However, he never expected for Yu Sui, whos always appeared indifferent duringpetitions, to now have an uneasy expression sh across his face.


    Upon closer inspection, Yu Suis ears were unexpectedly a bit red and his eyes were very evasive.


    The referee was aghast. What on earth did you say? Is it something really unpleasant to hear? Dont worry, the director will definitely help you silence any swear words.


    Its precisely because its not unpleasant to hear that Im too embarrassed to have it broadcasted... Chen Huo looked at his bare naked face hed shoved right in front of the camera on the big screen. He closed his eyes in despair, My hairs a mess. Zhou Huo that f*cker...


    This was the first time the referee has seen this all-viin team in such a panic. He said kindly, Maybe, youd like to go into the soundproof room now? You wont be able to hear it when you go in.


    The four of them hesitated, still a little unwilling to leave.


    Each one had only recorded their own part and had no idea what the others said. At this moment, they were still a little curious.


    Anyway, if they were going to be embarrassed, they were going to be embarrassed together. If they die, then theyll die together. All of them wanted to see who had been the most embarrassing.


    Ten minutester, the third game of Frees quarterfinals match against Sacred Sword officially began.


    In the soundproof room, Frees yers, who were waiting for the game to start, did not do their usual practice of messing with each others heads before each game.


    Manager Zhou had dealt them the ultimate mental attack just now and they were still digesting it. They had no energy to attend to each other for the time being.


    When the countdown was done, this time, the four of them didnt immediately rush out.


    They had changed their strategy. In this round, everyone was no longer ying a fast attack. Starting from Chen Huo, Yu Sui set up photon shields for everyone in turn.


    In the pre-match video.


    Chen Huo looked at the camera for a long time, before he smiled awkwardly. F*ck, its embarrassing...recording this stuff.


    Say something to Yu Sui first, for Yu Sui...


    Chen Huo stopped looking into camera. After a while, he smiled, rubbed his eyes, and slowly continued to say&#k2013;


    It suddenly urred to me&#k2026;Youre actually younger than I am.


    Im obviously your ge, but&#k2026;I havent taken care of you. That Ive been able to get where I am as scatter-brained as I am&#k2026;is thanks to you instead.


    Although you never milk for me, youre still my best medic.


    Anyway... forget it, lets move on to Puppy.


    Puppy, I keep saying youre piggybacking off the others poprity for your live broadcasts. Of course, thats not true so dont mind it too much.


    Although I know you dont actually mind it.


    Shi Zai...


    I dont know either why the two of us have been fighting all the time since you first joined the team. Im not actually annoyed with you.


    And one more thing. I have a secret to tell you. Back when we ate meat skewers and fought... I really did eat all the skewers you ordered.


    The ones you ordered really suited my taste too much. Sigh... I just didnt want to admit it before.


    Thats it. Should I go call Puppy?


    On the field, as per their tactical arrangement, Puppy started paddling. He cherished every bullet and he didnt rush in or be reckless. He opened his scope and served as their calm eye from the back row, giving everyone timely reports.


    Sacred Sword was absolutely tortured by Free for the past two games. Their nerves were already frayed even as soon as the game started. They were ready to break the cauldrons and sink the boats to y a frontal assault against Free.


    However, they were ready to meet them head on at the start of the game when they suddenly discovered that Free wasnt charging at them. Free yed slow and steady. Evil Xuanshou who was like the King of Hell during thest game, unexpectedly went to carve out a path from the side of the map.


    Puppy reported to Shi Luo. As soon as the other partyes, Frees four yers would assemble immediately and after they beat them back, they would disperse. They wont stubbornly give chase or drag the fight on. When the enemys gone, they would continue to steal the map.


    A bit from the east, a bit from the west; they handled matters calmly and steadily.


    Puppy looked helplessly at the camera, I hate this kind of program the most. What do I say?


    First, say something to Yu Sui.


    Just... I wont praise him anymore. Everyone actually already knows how good g Man Yu is. I can only say...


    At that time, going to such a faraway ce, if it werent you, I wouldnt have followed.


    Thank you. Thanks to you, I can now have a club where I canpletely rx. A club where I can live broadcast when Im free and y with peace of mind.


    Next, say something for Chen Huo.


    I always call you brainless and stupid but I know...youre not.


    That year, when I was sold by Sacred Sword and Yu Sui was closing in on himself, we couldnt keep in touch. During that time, it was lucky you were there.


    You thought of ways to make g Man Yu happy and tried to take care of me even across half of Europe... Thanks.


    Shi Luo...


    Im going to say it sincerely this one time. Its embarrassing.


    Shi Zai, I want to tell you...


    During those hardest days...We were having a hard time in Europe but you werent having an easy time in China either.


    From the day you joined the team, I treated you the same as I do Chen Huo and the others.


    You have never been an outsider.


    On the field, Puppy reminded Shi Luo that there were yersing to surround him. Shi Luo nodded to indicate that he had heard it and quickly said, No need toe. Its just two people, I can clean them up by myself.


    Are you sure? Yu Sui and Chen Huo were guarding against Sacred Sword at the front line. Dont die, got it?


    Got it. You dont need toe over. Shi Luo was highly focused, judging the opponents position from the slight sound in his earphones. He walked slowly behind a bunker and dropped a purification dish. He unavoidably exposed his position and so moved to another bunker.


    He set up his rifle and prepared to defend against opponents.


    At the same time, at the front line of the map, Yu Sui and Chen Huo ran into Sacred Swords medic and other striker. It was a genuine two-on-two. Yu Sui repaired Chen Huos condition and then immediately started to attack. After killing the striker, he quickly retreated.


    Over at Shi Luos side, he encountered the other striker and sniper. The two slowly approached Shi Luo.


    Puppy reminded, Yu Suis already finished fighting over there, should he go over? Its safer for you to bring a medic.


    Shi Luo looked very focused. He whispered, ...no need.


    Shi Luo urately calcted the time and position. He suddenly moved his position and opened fire. He quickly knocked out the photon shield on the Sacred Sword duo that he had outnked. Shi Luo hid behind the bunker again.


    In the team voice chat, Chen Huo also said, How about if Yu Sui goes over there?


    Yu Sui healed Chen Huo, Whosmanding this game?


    Chen Huo shut his mouth.


    Shi Luo reloaded his rifle, I can do it... Stop distracting me.


    Theyve already tried and polished this strategy many, many times before the game. Every time when they y this kind of strategy and one striker has to break off to clear the fog, its Shi Luo who goes.


    There was no special reason. Yu Sui has paired up with Chen Huo for many years, and their tacit understanding when it came to the details was a little better than his with Shi Luo.


    Puppys task in the early stage of this game was to save resources and to serve as their eyes. Hes been keeping quiet for so long that he just couldnt help but interject.


    Yu Sui truly is a g man...Just to hold on to the center of the map, he would watch on unfeelingly as his little boyfriend fights one-on-two, unwilling to go and save him.


    When Sacred Swords striker heard that Shi Luo was alone, he stopped contending with him and together with his sniper teammate, directly surrounded him. Shi Luo heard the footsteps in the bushes and reacted quickly. After turning around, he opened fire.


    He fired off three shots in a row, taking one himself.


    Sacred Swords yers also grasped the details very well. The positions they chose to surround Shi Luo was just beyond Puppys sniper range. Puppy couldnt provide any support for Shi Luo.


    Shi Luos shield was already broken. Fortunately, there was no medic on the opponents side. Shi Luo held his breath and moved quickly. Without tarrying with the opponents, he quickly charged in and quickly took away the opponents striker.


    With barely any blood left, he pushed his maneuvering skills to the limit and took advantage of when the sniper was reloading to take him out.


    Puppy breathed a sigh of relief, Nice! Their entire teams out. Theres still fifteen seconds before the first resurrection!


    Shi Luo asked as he set down a purification dish, Can I go there for healing and a shield?


    In the teams voice chat, Yu Sui said, No, I cant heal you now.


    In the center of the map, Chen Huo set down eight purification dishes like he was nting rice seedlings. After Sacred Swords front row yers resurrect, they will inevitablye to interfere with Chen Huos frenzied invasion of their map. Shi Luo was at the edge of the map.


    There was only a little difference between the time it took to run to the center of the map and the time for Sacred Swords resurrection. If he went, he would just be giving away his head.


    Everything was to win and it was normal to be left alone and given full reign because of tactics. Shi Luo forced himself to keep what little blood he had left and racing against time, set down purification dishes at the edge of the map.


    Yu Sui nced across the status bars of his teammate in the game interface. He looked at his, Chen Huo and Puppys full blood state and then at Shi Luos, who was at the farthest point, extremely short blood bar.


    Sacred Swords front row were about to face Yu Sui and Chen Huo. Soon there will be peopleing at him. With Shi Luos current condition, he was going to break with a single touch. It was inevitably that Sacred Swords sniper was going to be sending him his regards.


    He was being very careful not to expose his position as much as possible. It was like walking a tightrope on a cliff. Sacred Swords first yer to resurrect really did head to the front. During the fierce battle, Shi Luo protected his measly blood bar.


    Between issuingmands, he heard Yu Sui whisper, Evil, hold on for a bit. Ill be there right away.


    Shi Luo looked at his short blood bar. After being momentarily startled, he said quickly, Just focus on your own fight. Im fine.


    On the giant screen, Yu Sui, dressed in casual clothes, looked at the camera in confusion, What do I want to say to Shi Luo the most? If I have something to say to him, cant I just tell him after the practice match in a little while?


    You want to release this publicly, right? Youre not? All right...Ill pretend like I believe it.


    ......


    What I want to say to Shi Luo the most...


    In the pre-match video, Yu Sui was quiet for a while.


    In the game.


    Free put out too many smoke bombs in the early stage. Their tactical intentions were gradually revealed once the game reached the ten minute mark. Sacred Sword began to vaguely realize  Free had adapted Sacred Swords previous tactics.


    They used guerri warfare to slowly exhaust the opponents resources. After the other party runs out of ammunition and provisions, they would directly begin their ughter.


    This strategy was originally bundled with Frees previous strategy. Once the yers were exhausted from the first two games, the wisest course of action would be to begin a rtively slow war of attrition. Sacred Sword was also very quick to adapt to the situation.


    After knowing that their economy was being consumed, they also began to live frugally. It seemed that they wanted Free to run out of resources instead. Free didnt panic and continued at their once pace to force Sacred Sword to consume their economy.


    Both sides tried to save resources and their fighting became more and more refined. The wave of fighting at the center of the map ended after a minute. Sacred Swords wounded medic and their remaining striker quickly retreated but did not go far.


    Like a tumor on a bone, they stared intently at the hard-pressed Yu Sui and Chen Huo.


    Start healing. Puppy reminded, Their sniper has resurrected and hes staring at you. Shi Luo...


    Puppy frowned, Dont move for now, or youll die as soon as you show your head. F*ck, this is a pretty good move from Sacred Sword. Their sniper isnt moving at all... I cant determine his position.


    Hes doing it intentionally to keep Shi Luo stuck behind the bunker!


    Puppy cursed at them in anger, Damn, they even found a spot outside my field of vision!


    Shi Luo reloaded his rifle. It doesnt matter, Ill go sell my head.


    That familiar rustling sound appeared once again. Sacred Swords striker, who Shi Luo had killed just now, had resurrected and returned.


    Not knowing where Sacred Swords sniper was, Shi Luo couldnt move rashly. He had very little blood remaining. Even if his one-on-one fighting ability was stronger than the opponent strikers, there was simply no way.


    The Sacred Sword striker who came to him was Sacred Swords captain.


    He was often the one who took the lead in sending out provocations before.


    Shi Luo lightly gritted his teeth gently. He would rather lose his head to the sniper than give that advantage to this f*cker.


    The sound of rustling was getting closer and closer. Shi Luo was concentrating intently, looking at the bunker in front of him and thinking of countless ways to deal with it


    But he knew it was useless.


    He had too little blood.


    If only he had just a little bit more.


    The footsteps were fast approaching. Shi Luo moved lightly and inadvertedly nced at his own map. Shi Luo was startled.


    On their own sides map, the white cursor that represented their medic, was quickly closing in on his position.


    Shi Luo had been clearing the fog at the edge of the map. It was very far from the center of the map.


    Very, very far.


    They could actually just let Shi Luo sell his head here. The off-fieldmentator was amazed by the careful tactical operation of both teams. After realizing that Yu Sui was moving towards Shi Luo, he shook his head.


    Given that theres not much pressure in the middle anymore, Yu Sui doesnt actually need to stay at center of the map anymore. But the distance between the two of them is too far. Its just one kill off Shi Luo... theres really no need to protect him.


    The othermentator nodded, The cost-performance ratio isnt that high and its also too far.


    If thementators knew then Yu Sui knew it even more.


    But looking from Shi Luos side, on his own map, the white cursor was still circling left and right, trying to avoid Sacred Swords missing sniper,ing close and closer to his position bit by bit.


    Chen Huo was in the middle of meticulously ying you fire one shot, Ill fire one shot with the opposing striker. He nced at the map and said, Why are you wasting your effort? Didnt everyone say to just sell it?


    In the map, the white cursor is still moving through trees and around obstacles.


    In the teams voice channel, Yu Sui opened his mic, Has everyone suddenly be themander now? Did I say that I wanted to sell?


    Shi Luo carefully guarded against Sacred Swords captain striker. All the while, he involuntarily kept staring at the map.


    Their medics cursor was still moving.


    Yu Sui wasmanding this game and he never said to sell.


    What Yu Sui said just now was:


    Evil, hold on for a bit. Ill be there right away.


    Shi Luo took a deep breath and reminded himself that this was a f*cking game and not to be unreasonable just because hed seen some video before it.


    Although his mind was being extremely rational, looking at that white cursor, the rim of Shi Luos eyes still couldnt help turning red.


    In the giant screen, Yu Sui was quiet for a while and then said to the camera:


    You told me before, the more you like someone, the more distressed you feel for them.


    ...I feel the same for you.


    This year... when training was the hardest and most tiring, just looking at your ID in the team interface would make me feel distressed.


    There are many things I want to say. I dont have anything I want to say the most, only things that I regret not saying earlier.


    At the beginning of the season...I should have been looking for you as soon as I returned to the country.


    In the game, the sneaky Sacred Sword striker finally locked onto Shi Luos position. Just before he could fire the shot, like a ghost that had scaled mountains and streams, Whisper sliced his neck with his dagger, taking his head.


    In the middle of the slope, Yu Sui slowly healed Shi Luos short health bar and ced a six-sided three-faced photon shield on him.


    Yu Sui said he wasing over and so he came.


    He didnt break his word this time.


    Shi Luo tried his best to suppress the choked up feeling in his throat and after Yu Sui repaired his condition, he took a deep breath and rushed out of the slope for the first time.


    The two sides have been fighting for 20 minutes. Frees remaining economy was 5600 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 4500.


    At the thirty minute mark, Frees remaining economy was 4100 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 3700.


    At forty minutes, Frees remaining economy was 2500 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 2300.


    At fifty minutes, Frees remaining economy was 1300 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 800.


    The game managed to reach a full hour, Frees remaining economy was 300 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 100.


    The two sides circled for an entire hour. The map looked like a dog had gnawed it. The purification dishes wereid down every which way. It was like a maze in the map.


    Free was no longer using their economy. They had official began cold weaponsbat. Sacred Sword was about to be sent packing from the top eight. Sacred Swords people never ever expected this oue.


    At the end of their wits, they started to imitate Free from their practice match before. They also no longer used their weapons, pretending that their own economy has been exhausted to induce Free to consume the final bit of economy.


    But Free had Shi Luo whose mental arithmetic could rival that of aputers.


    Just try and f*cking pretend.


    Shi Luo had also changed to his dagger. He was making a beeline for Sacred Swords resurrection stone, heedless of anything else. Sacred Sword originally wanted to clear Frees map to force Free back on the defensive.


    Upon seeing this, they were left with no choice and in despair, they could only go back to shooting again.


    The two teams tangled continuously. Sacred Swords remaining 100 economy ran out. They truly didnt have even a single bullet left to fire.


    At this stage, Sacred Sword haspletely retreated to the era of cold weapons.


    All of Sacred Swords weapons became no better than firewood and their medic had no economy to buy any kind of photon shield. All job-rted advantages disappeared. Sacred Sword had to take out their long daggers. They were in their death throes.


    Yu Sui looked at the daggers in the hands of the four people opposite, nary an expression on his face.


    There was no yer in active service who could beat Yu Sui on the use of a dagger.


    The unteral ughter officially began.


    Shi Luo, Chen Huo and Puppy, intentionally or unintentionally stopped fighting, leaving Sacred Swords yers to Yu Sui.


    Yu Sui took out his long dagger.


    Shi Luo looked at the camera and slowly said, Because of the interview a few days ago, everyone said I was crazy...


    In the game, Yu Suis game characters white gloves were stained with blood and his dagger stabbed Sacred Swords captain to death.


    Shi Luo said, Im not crazy, I just want to make aplete break.


    In the game map, Yu Sui killed the other striker.


    Shi Luo said, The past, always seems like theres a hurdle there... I cant make it through, and you guys seem a bit like youre unable to make it through either.


    In the game, Yu Sui continued to take the head of Sacred Swords sniper.


    Shi Luo said, Taking down Sacred Sword in the quarterfinals can be regarded as aplete end to the past, okay?


    In the game map, Yu Sui quickly and efficiently brought an end to Sacred Swords medic and then continued on to sink his dagger into Sacred Swords resurrection stone.


    It was the end of the match. Free, 3. Sacred Sword, 0.


    Two years of hardships, 700 days and nights; the shame that was difficult to wash away, the brand seared onto his career; Sacred Swords frequent provocations this past month...All those really did pass away at this moment.


    Frees yers took off their soundproof headphones. The whole audience was screaming, their voices like a tsunami. Delete your ounts! Delete your ounts!


    Delete your ounts! The sound instantly prated the soundproof room. Chen Huo and Puppy howled along with them. While chanting along, Delete your ounts, they were waving to the defeated and ashen-faced Sacred Sword yers in the soundproof room opposite.


    Yu Sui stood up and looked at Shi Luo. The two looked at each other, a thousand stars in their eyes.


    For you I can be like a stupid youngster, ying an ount deletion battle in a worldpetition with millions of spectators to serve as witness.


    For you, I can also scale mountains and ford streams, walking step by step to be by your side.


    And for you, I can wash away the dust and frost from my heart.


    Trantors note:


    Oh, darlings. This is the official end to the main story. Its been a long way here. Ill miss my babies but all good things must end.


    Theres still four extras though which I will release next week. At least some of the them for sure.


    Fortunately and unfortunately, our biggest project at work of the past two years is about tounch this week/early next week so while my main job is to monitor stuff, its really difficult to focus and trante when youre panicking if everythings gonna make it in time.


    So, please stick around for the extras and I hope to see you all in my next trantion pit.