LPL History

Chapter 137 Abu plots defection and sets a trap; Mingkai coldly observes and is caught in the crossfire.

The LPL Summer Split is in full swing.

In the Spring Split, the two teams that finished at the bottom of the regular season standings have been eliminated.

The champion and runner-up teams from the City Championship will be added to the regular season of the Summer Season, forming a new group of eight top teams to compete.

Faced with increasingly fierce competition, WE's performance in the regular season was lackluster, consistently ranking third or fourth in the standings.

According to the tournament rules, in order to qualify for the S3 China Regional Qualifier, you must rank in the top two in the regular season standings.

With the regular season reaching its final round, the fate of WE securing a spot in the S3 China Qualifier rests entirely on EDG's shoulders!
At this point, Team WE and Team PE had the same score.

Now, if EDG can defeat PE, then WE will get a chance to qualify for the S3 World Championship in China.

If EDG loses to PE, then WE will be directly eliminated from the qualifiers.

Although the rule of relying on regular season points to determine eligibility for the World Championship seems unreasonable now, that was the format at the time.

Even the LPL Summer Split Finals are held after the World Championship.

Faced with this situation, the 60e were undoubtedly in an awkward position.

Because EDG has always been regarded as their biggest enemy.

Whenever EDG plays, even if it's not against WE, they will stand firmly on the opposite side of EDG and support their opponent.

The EDG team has long been labeled as the villains of esports.

But now, they have no choice but to support EDG.

Only if EDG wins will their WE team have a chance to enter the World Championship.

In the eyes of 60e, WE is still the hope of Chinese League of Legends.

Only if WE makes it to the World Championship will LPL have a chance to win the title.

They completely ignored the fact that WE's performance had declined drastically since the start of the summer split. Not to mention facing EDG, they often lost matches against OMG, IG, and PE.

But the 60e don't care about these things.

What's even more upsetting for 60e fans isn't just the need to support EDG.

Their most pressing hope at this moment is that the man for whom they have offered countless wreaths will be able to play in this match against PE.

Zhou Li did not make any appearances for EDG during the entire Summer Split regular season.

The 60e fans all believed that EDG couldn't withstand their unity, so they chose to ban Zhou Li.

But just as much as the 60e back then hated Zhou Li and wanted to ban him, they now desperately want Zhou Li to make sacrifices and fight for a bright future for them.

In fact, under Zhou Li's tutelage, EDG has already developed strong capabilities even when Zhou Li himself doesn't play.

It's worth noting that the original Royal Club members managed to qualify for the S3 World Championship through their own abilities.

With Zhou Li's support and training in various advanced operational tactics, EDG now has a huge advantage over other LPL teams.

Of course, due to the players' abilities, EDG occasionally loses some matches because of mistakes.

There is another, most important reason for this.

That is to prevent UZI from harming others in the future, so Zhou Li will not let EDG use the four-man gank strategy unless necessary.

Overall, EDG is undoubtedly the strongest team among the eight LPL teams, but they haven't reached the level of dominance where they can crush everything with their eyes closed.

PE team's strength is actually not weak.

During the regular season, they defeated WE, IG, and OMG. Although they lost more often than they won against EDG, they did manage to beat them once.

Therefore, in the eyes of the 60e fans, EDG is likely to win, but it's still not a sure thing.

So how can we determine if something is stable?

That means bringing back Zhou Li, EDG's former star player!

The 60e are very strange creatures.

They highly acknowledged Zhou Li's strength, but because Zhou Li had hurt their favorite team, they continued to criticize his character.

To think that anyone who likes the Zhou rituals is a worrier or a weak-willed person is to be blind to power.

I wonder who came up with this kind of thought process.

In short, influenced by this mindset, even though EDG's name has spread to overseas regions, they are still universally reviled in China.

But now, for the sake of their WE, the 60e have to take action.

In order to ensure that WE could enter the qualifiers, the 60e fans united and launched a massive coup.

They launched a massive online attack against EDG and UZI, questioning why EDG didn't let Zhou Li play.

EDG Lounge.

Looking at the comments online, Lu Benwei couldn't help but sigh:
"Wow! Brother Zhou, these 60e fans are really idiots! They were the ones who got the LPL to ban you in the first place, and now they're forcing the club to let you play."

Tabe said with a smile:

"Aren't these bastards just afraid that if we lose the match, WE won't be able to qualify?"

"This is hilarious," Shenchao shook his head, "This plot is too surreal!"

Zhu Kai asked:
"So, Zhou, are you going to play today? Actually, if you play and beat PE today, helping WE secure a spot, it feels like a good opportunity to improve our relationship with WE."

Before Zhou Li could even speak after hearing Zhu Kai's words, Lu Benwei started cursing.

"Damn it, Zhu Kai, what the hell are you talking about? My brother Zhou needs to go and improve his chances with them? Seriously, don't these bastards know their own situation? They're begging our brother Zhou to play, not the other way around! EDG already has a spot, we can play any match from now on! They're all acting so arrogant, like they're giving orders!"

“Exactly,” Tabe chimed in, “They don’t even have the attitude to ask for help.”

They looked at Zhou Li and found that he was playing on his phone.

"Brother Zhou, what are you doing?"

"Oh, it's nothing, I just posted a Weibo post."

Seeing the friendly smile on Zhou Li's face, everyone knew that their Brother Zhou was probably unleashing another barrage of insults on Weibo.

Lu Benwei started looking for his phone.

"What did they send?! Hey, where's my phone?"

Tabe and others have already logged onto Weibo.

"No, Brother Zhou, didn't you send it?"

“Yes.”

Zhou Li smiled and shrugged, tossing his phone into Lu Benwei's hand.

Lu Benwei was stunned for a moment.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

"Wow, bro! You sent this from my phone?!"

Everyone realized what was happening and headed straight for Lu Benwei's Weibo account.

[All you 60e, come here and kowtow three times to me, then shout "Dad, I was wrong!" three times, and our Brother Zhou will come on stage.]

Lu Benwei's face instantly darkened.

"Wow, Brother Zhou! Are you trying to kill me, Lu Benwei?!"

Zhou Li chuckled and patted Lu Benwei on the shoulder, then said:

"What are you saying, Awei? Didn't you want to be my brother? Shouldn't you help your brother share the burden? I'm doing this for your own good, to help you build up your stress tolerance, and to help you gain some followers on Weibo."

Not long after Lu Benwei posted his Weibo, he was bombarded by his fans (60e).

However, Zhou Li also discovered some talented people in the comments section.

"Hey Wei, someone actually wants to call you dad!"

“Wow, these bastards are really outrageous,” he said, looking at Zhou Li. “What are we going to do? They’ve actually started kowtowing to me and calling me ‘father.’”

Zhou Li shrugged: "What do you suggest we do?"

Lu Benwei thought for a moment and then replied.

[Wow, bro! I was just kidding!]
-
WE Club.

Abu sat in front of the computer, looking somewhat nervous.

"Mingkai, do you think PE can win today?"

Mingkai was silent for a moment before speaking:

“It feels a bit difficult.”

Ever since returning from Yancheng with Zhou Li, Mingkai has found it increasingly difficult to look Abu in the eye.

Because he was more careful, Mingkai saw many of the disgusting things Abu did after he returned.

He just didn't know why, even though EDG and WE had gotten to this point, and Abu was even cursing EDG online like a shrew every day, Zhou Li still hadn't reacted at all.

He only remembered that Zhou Li asked him at the time:

"Xiao Ming, do you want to play in the World Championship? Do you want to prove who is the world's best jungler?"

"Then let the bullets fly a little longer."

In that one flight, an entire summer had passed.

I wonder if those bullets have already turned into fertilized eggs.

As a friend, Mingkai originally intended to remind Abu. However, he still remembered the recording of Abu's conversation with Zhu Kai that day.

"Oh, let me tell you, Mingkai is such an idiot, he's really slow! He listens to everything I say, so don't worry about him."

You idiot Abu, I'm a smart jungler, and you call me stupid?

You're just asking for trouble!

Abu was clearly unaware that Mingkai's gaze towards him had changed, and he remained lazily leaning back in his chair.

"Do you think that Zhou Li will play? Those fans are idiots. Why would they want Zhou Li to play? They've already ruined him."

Mingkai frowned.

"The fans probably want us to make it to the qualifiers."

"Haha, let us into the qualifiers," Abu laughed sarcastically. "Where were you all before? You played like shit in the regular season, it disgusted me. Pay attention!"

Mingkai was already used to Abu's manipulative remarks and remained silent.

Abu continued to ask:
"Mingkai, if EDG loses this match, what are you planning to do?"

Mingkai started to play dumb.

"What do you mean?"

"Are you stupid! If we lose this match, we won't be able to participate in the World Championship! With WE in this state, they can't compete this year, and I doubt they can compete next year either!"

Seeing that Mingkai was silent, Abu also fell silent and started watching the game.

Forty minutes later, PE pulled off a brilliant team fight, wiping out EDG and about to end the game in one fell swoop.

"Damn it! What are EDG doing?! How could they lose like this?!"

Abu let out a sharp, explosive sound.

"Mingkai, do you think they're throwing the match?"

Upon hearing Abu's words, Mingkai objectively commented:
"You can't say it was a fixed match, you can only say it wasn't played very seriously."

Abu nodded and said deliberately:
"Indeed, EDG is actually quite good."

Meanwhile, online, the 60e generation had gone completely crazy.

With EDG's defeat, the fans of 60e (EDG's fan club) are now so angry they want to rush onto the stage and blow it up.

[A bunch of bastards rigging the match, I curse you all!]

EDG, get out of China!

【EDG is a complete idiot!!!】

Even on the bus carrying the entire EDG team back, they were attacked with water bottles and eggs by the 60e fans.

"Are these bastards crazy?" Zhou Li complained. "Why don't they use this energy to attack the national football team?"

Lu Benwei shrank back, "Wow, playing professionally has become a high-ranking profession."

Everyone tensed up when they saw Zhou Li pick up his phone again.

"Brother Zhou! Are you trying to stir up trouble again?!"

"What are you talking about? What do you mean by stirring up trouble? I'm here to reason with you."

Upon hearing Zhou Li's words, everyone fell silent.

Everyone knows what the Zhou rites are all about in terms of reasoning.

On the other side is WE Esports Club.

From a distance, Abu could hear Ruofeng and the others cursing and complaining coming from the training room.

Abu pursed his lips.

"You're bad at the game, yet you blame others. If you had played even a little better, would you be sitting here watching other people's faces today?"

He turned off the game, then turned to Mingkai and said:

"Mingkai, what do you think of EDG?"

"It's OK."

Abu smiled. Since things had come to this point, he chose to get straight to the point.

"I want to take you to EDG, and I can bring Curly along too. What do you think?"

Upon hearing Abu's words, Mingkai remained silent for a moment.

Although I had received the news beforehand, I still hesitated for a moment when I heard Abu say it to my face.

The hesitation is not due to my own problem.

He'd wanted to join EDG for a long time.

He was just torn about whether, as a friend, he should help Abu.

But in Abu's eyes, this appearance clearly meant something else entirely.

"Don't worry, I've already spoken to EDG's team manager. Zhou Li has been benched and will be let go as soon as his contract expires. If we go directly to EDG now, we can still make it to the qualifiers. Of course, we can also wait until EDG has secured a spot before going."

Mingkai thought about it and still felt a little reluctant.

"Abu, if you go to EDG..."

Abu saw Mingkai's expression and clearly didn't want to give him a chance to speak.

"To be honest, you're my only close friend at WE. Mingkai, you know what kind of person I am. I've already secured all the benefits you deserve. You won't be treated unfairly over there."

He stared intently at Mingkai, displaying an acting skill that was 130 out of 100.

“Mingkai, you know, the reason I said all this to you today is because I absolutely trust you! If you don’t come with me, then I definitely can’t stay at WE! I consider you a true friend, and going to EDG is also for your sake. I feel that your abilities shouldn’t be wasted at WE. But if you insist that WE is better, then then consider me a friend who was wrong. I will leave WE.”

Hearing Abu's words, Mingkai was somewhat moved.

If he hadn't known the truth beforehand, he wouldn't have dared to imagine how he would have been fooled by Abu's combination of emotional appeal and reasoning.

He had read the information Zhou Li had given him.

Abu pulled him and Curly over there, offering them not only coaching positions but also commissions.

It's like they're being sold like pigs.

Out of a final act of courtesy, Mingkai couldn't help but ask again:

"Are we really going to EDG? WE won't let us go, will they...?"

"Don't worry about it, I'll talk to King." Seeing Mingkai's interest, Abu smiled. "If all else fails... WE's contract documents have loopholes, we can just leave without having to pay a single penny."

Mingkai still wanted to save Abu.

"But with the current tension between the two fan groups, if he goes to EDG, what will happen to WE's fans...?"

"Are you afraid of being criticized, Mingkai? Didn't you get criticized just the same way at WE? And if you go to EDG, everyone's getting criticized anyway, so it can help relieve some of the fire. When we bring back a world championship, let's see who dares to criticize you then!"

Mingkai fell silent.

He has done his best.

"How about we call Curly over to discuss this together?"

Curly was quickly called over by Abu.

Curly was initially hesitant about joining EDG.

But seeing Abu's enthusiasm and Mingkai's noncommittal expression, he nodded in agreement.

EDG Esports Club.

As soon as everyone finished the match and returned to the club by bus, Zhu Kai ran over.

"Brother Zhou! Abu sent a message!"

Zhou Li opened a bottle of cola and took a drink, casually asking:
"Oh, what do you say?"

"He said he's going to confront King tomorrow! His biggest worry is that King won't release him."

Hearing Zhu Kai's words, Zhou Li smiled:

"and then?"

Zhu Kai was stunned for a moment.

"That's it. I guess he's asking us for advice."

"Give me some advice?"

Zhou Li sighed and admonished:

"Does Abu need our advice? Since he has taken the initiative to contact you, he must have made thorough preparations."

"And he still sent me this message..."

Zhu Kai then came to his senses and suddenly realized:

"I get it, this damn eunuch, he's asking me for some benefits!"

He thought for a moment, then asked again:
"So what should we do here?"

"Give him whatever benefits he wants."

Zhou Li downed the entire bottle of cola in one gulp, let out a loud burp, and said with a chuckle:
"As long as he has the ability to eat it."

(End of this chapter)