Where the noise did not reach

Chapter 22 The Bastard Who Can't Go to Heaven
"!!! Goal! Goal!!! God is my witness, you are witnessing history! The Red Raiders' last-minute winner!"

The commentator's roar was completely drowned out by the deafening roar. TTU's substitutes and staff rushed onto the field like madmen, instantly engulfing Xu Ling, who had scored the winning goal, in a sea of ​​people. The dome of the United Spirit Arena was almost lifted off by the cheers.

Amidst the chaos, Xu Ling struggled to push through the crowd. He didn't look at the cheering audience, nor did he immediately celebrate with his teammates. His sharp gaze swept across the court, finally locking onto the figure standing motionless—Kevin Durant.

Durant hung his head, hands on his knees, a profound sense of loss draining all his strength. He had just fallen from grace; the roar of "You can't stop me!" still echoed in his ears, now sounding like the harshest mockery.

Xu Ling walked through the crowd and went straight to Durant.

The surrounding noise seemed to stand still at that moment.

Xu Ling stopped and said calmly, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I heard you." He paused, as if recalling the other's words, "You said, 'No matter how hard I try, I can't stop you.'"

Durant suddenly looked up, wanting to know what Xu Ling was going to say after the game-winning shot.

Xu Ling met his gaze, her face showing no smugness, only a calmness as if stating a fact.

“So,” Xu Ling continued, “I have no choice but to prove that there are many ways to beat you, and I simply chose the one that you find most unacceptable.”

After saying that, he stopped looking at Durant's face, which had suddenly turned ugly, and turned to walk towards his teammates who were still celebrating wildly.

The atmosphere was electric, filled with celebrations, screams, and cheers. Many professionals also remembered Xu Ling's name vividly.

※※※

"Good morning, students! Remember, the path you walk is the path Eli came from! If you want to become a future superstar like him, then take action and fight! Young people, go fight!"

The Texas Tech University's morning broadcasts resounded throughout the campus, the voices filled with undisguised excitement.

Xu Ling felt a wave of embarrassment. He knew stories of people becoming famous overnight, but he never expected it to happen to him in this way.

At that moment, Xu Ling and Roderick Craig were walking towards the teaching building, carrying textbooks. Craig, a two-meter-tall, dark-skinned man, was munching on a sandwich when he mumbled, "Eli, the 'Sports Management' exam is in a few days. Are you confident? I heard you've been busy being a hero lately and haven't had time to study?"

Just as Xu Ling was about to answer, three blonde girls suddenly darted out from the roadside. The one in the lead was wearing a number 1 jersey for the Red Raiders and was holding a cardboard "ring box" in her hand.

"Ellie, marry me!"

Xu Ling froze on the spot, while Craig burst out laughing, sending the sandwich crumbs flying three meters away.

"Hahahaha!" Craig slapped his thigh. "Bro, it seems your 'dominance on the court' has extended to the dating scene! Want me to help you collect the 'ring'?"

"Stop nagging!" Xu Ling walked around him, his face clearly saying, "Don't come near me."

Craig caught up, winking at him, and asked, "Seriously, you're really not tempted at all? She's a Texas bombshell!"

“They’re too unrestrained for me,” Xu Ling said, behaving like a seasoned player in the dating scene. “I prefer someone with more depth.”

Upon hearing this, Craig laughed and said, "If they knew that this is your standard for choosing a partner, I bet every woman you meet after that will be a lady!"

Xu Ling and Craig avoided the crowds and returned to their dorm, where they talked about NBA draft predictions again.

Craig became very animated when talking about Xu Ling's draft predictions, as if Xu Ling himself was going to make it to the NBA.

Did you know? Chad Ford updated his mock draft predictions this morning.

"Oh, is it?"

"You ranked sixth! And he even got yelled at for ranking you sixth!"

"why?"

"Because most people think you can be in the top three, but Chad Ford thinks you need to go through the March Madness test to prove you deserve to be in the top three."

The effect of defeating star players on the field is definitely real.

Xu Ling recalls that Rui Hachimura was once projected to be the third overall pick in mock drafts during his college years, as he led Gonzaga to victory against Duke University, which was led by Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish.

However, the NBA ultimately needs to evaluate players from another perspective.

Therefore, Ford's viewpoint can be said to be entirely correct.

Then, Craig talked about the draft: "Eli, after your freshman season, will you sign up for the draft?"

Xu Ling didn't hide anything from Craig: "If my draft stock doesn't drop by then, I don't think I'll have any reason to stay in school."

"Oh, so that means I can control you in NBA Live next year?"

"Probably," Xu Ling thought, "but are you sure it's not NBA 2K?"
Xu Ling really didn't know much about the history of basketball games. As a post-00s generation, he only knew about 2K. Moreover, due to the monopoly of 2K, they basically lost their ambition in the 2020s, and only steadily contributed a bunch of reskinned new games to players every year.

After resting briefly in their dorm, Xu Ling and Craig headed to the gymnasium. On the way, Xu Ling could still feel the joy of defeating the University of Texas lingering on campus. The media, teachers, and students alike were all enthusiastically discussing the game.

But at Wimbledon, head coach Knight has decided to move on.

As Xu Ling entered the field, Martin Zeno, who was sitting on the sidelines, said, "You guys had better behave yourselves and train today!"

"Why?" Xu Ling couldn't help but ask. Perhaps what he really wanted to ask was, "When did we ever misbehave?"
"The coach seems to be in a bad mood."

As soon as Zeno explained, Xu Ling understood.

Old Deng is like that, always wearing a sour face, just like that scumbag bald guy in Whiplash, looking for mistakes.

Upon seeing Xu Ling, Knight shouted, "Our hero has arrived!"

Xu Ling asked, "Do heroes have any special rights?"

Knight sneered, "If you think you'll get any special treatment, you'll be the first hero in TTU history to be executed!" Despite their victory over the University of Texas and despite the Red Raiders' current second-place ranking in the BIG 12 conference, Knight showed no signs of letting up. He personally led today's practice, and those players who thought they could relax paid the price.

"You bunch of damn bastards, do you think you can slack off in training just because you managed to beat the University of Texas by clinging to the coattails of a hero?!"

"Damn it, Daryl, why can't you ever learn to play seriously! What about your attitude? What about your professionalism? Do you expect to find a job with this attitude after graduation?!"

"JJ! You're the worst defender I've ever seen! Remember, you're the fucking worst one!"

Today's training was painful for many, but fortunately, it only lasted two hours.

Then, Xu Ling began practicing NBA standard three-pointers.

Compared to the short but still cute three-point line in the NCAA, the standard three-point line in the NBA is already considered an extremely long three-pointer.

Seeing Xu Ling's expression that said, "I'm about to play in the NBA, I don't have time to mess around with you guys," Knight got even angrier.

"Eli!!!"

Xu Ling looked over, his face saying: What's wrong?

Do you think you're special?

"It would be hypocritical to say no." TTU Jordan meant that, yes, this guy is special.

“You’re nothing special!” Knight yelled. “Compared to freaks like Kevin Durant and Greg Oden, you’re nothing special! There’s absolutely nothing special about you, you understand?”

Xu Ling isn't arrogant enough to think he's special, but Old Deng seems to have taken the wrong medicine today.

“I don’t understand,” Xu Ling said. “I think I’m special.”

TTU's Jordan successfully shut down General Knight.

Knight had to take deep breaths to calm himself. His gaze hardened. "I've had enough of you, you arrogant bastard. You better know what you're doing. I don't want to see you keep shooting those damn long-range threes; it's the worst thing on the basketball court! You either go practice in the proper positions or go run!"

"I do not accept."

"what?"

“Training time is over, and I’m free now,” Xu Ling said rebelliously. “Even if Jesus stood in front of me and made this request, I wouldn’t obey.”

"Fine! Fine! Fine!" Knight laughed angrily. "Then you can keep shooting your damn stupid long-range threes here!"

Knight turned and walked away.

Xu Ling was still confused. He looked at Pat Knight and asked, "Does his contract include a clause that he has to yell at us every day? Will he be fined if he doesn't do so one day?"

Xu Ling's words elicited a soft chuckle.

At TTU, only Xu Ling dared to criticize Knight in this way.

It can be said that Xu Ling's presence dismantled Knight's dominance, making other players realize that as long as you are strong enough, even a general can't do anything to you.

Initially, many people harbored reservations about Xu Ling—this newcomer was simply too dazzling, stealing the spotlight. But after half a season, Xu Ling has proven with his performance that he is indeed on a different level from other players.

The veterans were relieved, but what truly impressed them about Xu Ling was that this rookie dared to challenge Knight's authority.

Knight, who has records for chokeholds, kicks, and boxing, was completely helpless against Xu Ling.

They dared not follow suit, but Xu Ling's presence greatly reduced their pressure.

# # #
Knight didn't know what was wrong with him today. When he heard the school radio talking about Xu Ling's amazing move last night, and when he saw the national sports media talking about "TTU's Jordan", a long-lost, almost burning excitement rose in his body - but what followed was a deeper anxiety and panic.

The last time he felt this way was twenty years ago. He wished he were still young, still had enough energy to lead this team, transformed by Xu Ling, to victory. But the sweeter the taste of victory, the more painful the awakening. Xu Ling's actions indicated that there was absolutely no way he could stay for a second college season.

Once Xu Ling is lost, all the glory of this year will shatter like bubbles. They will return to the way things were. He will still be him, the old guy who shouts about revitalizing TTU, but knows better than anyone that he is powerless to change things.

He would never have the chance to coach another Xu Ling, and the feeling of falling from the clouds back to earth was almost overwhelming. He couldn't bear it.

Therefore, he was furious when he saw Xu Ling practicing the NBA three-point line in advance for the future. It was less anger and more a desperate, displaced anger at seeing his most precious treasure being stolen away little by little by time.

But afterwards, when reason returned, he felt some regret.

So, after the arena was cleared, he headed towards the locker room. The chaotic locker room quieted down after Knight arrived. Xu Ling had changed back into civilian clothes and was listening to the earnest teachings of Captain Jackson—a Christian who believed in God.

Then Knight appeared and walked straight towards him.

“I don’t like what I did.” Knight’s words startled Xu Ling. What was Old Deng going to do? Apologize? Impossible—“But someone has to do these things, someone has to vent their anger. Personally, I don’t think you can lead yourselves to do the right thing, so I have to push you onto the right path.”

The question is, how do we define "correct"?

Xu Ling remained silent.

Knight looked at Jackson. “JJ, you always talk about God. Okay, let me tell you something: God isn’t going to provide any guidance for this basketball team. He doesn’t care if we win or not. He’s not going to parachute down from the roof of this building and score when we need to. My father once told me that God only helps those who help themselves. And, I have something else to tell you. No, let me ask you this question first. Do you really think God will help our team?”

Jackson was speechless; he really didn't think it was a good thing to discuss things with someone like Knight, who was a blasphemer of God.

“So,” Xu Ling followed his logic, jokingly saying with feigned seriousness, “Coach, are you hoping to use this kind of ‘humane persecution’ to help JJ get a preview of hell’s burning at the stake, so as to pave the way for JJ to heaven?”

"Go to hell, Eli!" Knight was so angry at the brat's twisted logic that he almost laughed out loud, but he kept a straight face. "And I'm telling you one last time, no bastard who doesn't play defensively gets to heaven!"

That concludes today's sermon.

(End of this chapter)