NBA: Northeast China's spectacular dunks sweep the entire league.

The General Manager's Office. Mullin clutched the newly printed contract, his fingertips trembling. Last night, after leaving the iron pot stew restaurant, he drove straight back to his office and spent a full six hours with the legal department, fearing that things might go wrong if he delayed—the whole league knew that Payton had become a free agent, and countless teams were eyeing this defensive gem.

"Gary, take another look at the terms." Mullin pushed the contract in front of Payton, his voice still hoarse from staying up all night. "One year, $100 million minimum salary, player option, all bonuses maxed out. If we win the championship, you'll get an extra $50 championship bonus. I know this salary is beneath you..."

"Stop talking nonsense." Payton picked up a pen, signed his name without even looking at it, the pen tip leaving strong marks on the paper. "I said I don't care about money. If we drag this out until noon, the Lakers' contract might be delivered."

The moment he finished speaking, Payton's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, sneered, and slammed the phone face down on the table.

Lin Hao, sitting next to him, raised an eyebrow and asked, "The Lakers?"

"Who else could it be?" Payton scoffed. "They called me last night, offering me a 3-year, $1200 million contract, much more generous than you guys. They even said they wanted me to be the Lakers' starting point guard, to help Kobe win a championship."

Mullin's expression changed instantly. This was exactly what he feared most. The Lakers' "Big Four" had just disbanded, and they desperately needed an experienced point guard; Payton was definitely their top target.

"Then what did you say?" Mulin asked nervously.

Payton picked up the newly printed No. 20 jersey from the table, draped it over his shoulders, and patted the team badge on his chest: "I told them, even if I retire, I'm not going to the Lakers to be a retirement home director. Want to win a championship? They should ask Lin Hao if he agrees first."

Lin Hao laughed heartily, opened a can of yellow peaches and handed it to him: "Great job, Gary. Once we win the championship, I'll treat you to a year's worth of stewed goose in an iron pot, as much as you want."

The signing and release event started promptly at 10:00 AM.

The press conference room was packed to the brim, even more so than Lin Hao's rookie press conference last season. Dozens of cameras were pointed at Payton and Lin Hao on stage, flashes going off everywhere. Everyone wanted to know why this "Glove," who had once declared he would "never play second fiddle to a rookie," would choose to join the Warriors on a minimum contract.

Mullin briefly introduced the signing details, and as soon as he handed the microphone to Payton, a reporter in the front row eagerly raised his hand: "Mr. Payton, as far as we know, the Lakers offered you three times the contract of the Warriors, plus a starting position. Why did you reject the Lakers and choose a team that was eliminated in the first round last season?"

The question was sharp and direct, and the entire room fell silent instantly.

Payton took the microphone, leaned back in his chair, and glanced at the reporters below, his signature arrogance shining through: "Lakers? Can the Lakers give me a championship? Last season they had the F4, and they still got thrashed by the Pistons. Now that Shaq is gone, it's just Kobe left. What do they have to win a championship with? Sam Cassell?"

He paused, then pointed to Lin Hao beside him, his tone resolute: "I came to the Warriors for only one reason. Because Lin Hao is here. He's the most talented player I've ever seen, the one who knows how to win. With him, I can get that damn championship ring. No amount of money the Lakers can buy that."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Another reporter pressed further: "Would you mind playing under a second-year rookie? Many people say you've ruined your reputation by being outplayed by a Chinese kid."

"A ruined reputation in his later years?" Payton sat bolt upright, his voice rising abruptly. "My reputation in my later years is about winning a championship! Whoever can lead me to a ring is my boss! If Lin Hao can do it, I'll respect him! You guys sitting in your offices typing on keyboards, what do you know about basketball!"

"Besides," Payton changed the subject, a cold smile playing on his lips, "it's not that I beat him into submission, it's that he beat me into submission. I lost one-on-one, and I lost five-on-five. His run-and-gun offense, his passing, his defense—they're all better than mine. It's not shameful for me to submit to him."

Lin Hao chimed in with a thick Northeastern accent, "Don't listen to Gary's bragging, folks. He's mainly after our team's canned yellow peaches. The Lakers don't have canned yellow peaches, nor do they have stewed goose in an iron pot."

A burst of laughter erupted from the audience. The tense atmosphere instantly eased. Payton couldn't help but laugh too, reaching out to pat Lin Hao on the back of the head: "You talk too much."

Just then, a commotion erupted from the audience. A reporter, looking at his phone, exclaimed in surprise, "The Lakers have officially announced it! They've signed Sam Cassell! One year, $800 million!"

All eyes in the audience were once again focused on the stage.

Payton's face darkened. He took out his phone, opened the news article, and scoffed, "I knew it. They had a backup plan all along. Cassell? He's nothing special. Two years younger than me, and his defense is nowhere near as good."

Almost simultaneously, Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw tweeted: "Welcome Sam to Los Angeles. We're ready to show everyone who the real kings of the West are this season. Some teams that rely on run-and-gun offense and gimmicks won't go far in the playoffs."

This tweet was retweeted tens of thousands of times in an instant. It's obvious to everyone that this is aimed at the Warriors and Lin Hao.

The reporters immediately erupted in questions, raising their hands one after another: "Mr. Payton, the Lakers signed Cassell specifically to target you and the Warriors. What's your take on that?"

"Lin Hao, the Lakers have said they'll sweep you two in the regular season. What's your response?"

Lin Hao picked up the microphone, his smile vanishing, his eyes sharpening: "A double sweep against us? They can try. We beat the Lakers in the playoffs last season, and we can do it again this season. Whether it's Cassell or Kobe, if they want to take a victory from Oracle Arena, they'll have to ask the basketball in my hand if they agree first."

"And another thing," Lin Hao added, with the domineering air of a Northeasterner, "Don't just talk the talk. Let's see who's the best on the court. Whoever loses has to treat the entire opposing team to a hot pot stew."

Payton nodded in agreement, his tone ruthless: "Tell Kobe and Cassell that when they face us next season, I'll show them what real defense is. Cassell wants to prove he's better than me, right? I'll make sure he can't even dribble properly."

Backstage after the release event.

Payton tossed his phone to Lin Hao; it contained a text message from Lakers GM Kupchak: "Gary, you'll regret this. The Lakers will prove you made the worst decision of your life. We'll eliminate the Warriors in the playoffs and make you watch us win the championship."

Lin Hao finished reading, smiled, and handed the phone back to Payton: "Quite the boast. I wonder how good they are."

"Skills my foot." Payton scoffed. "Caselle's just a second-rate point guard. Only the Lakers treat him like a treasure. Just wait and see, in the first regular season game against the Lakers, I'll make him cry."

Just then, a crisp system notification sounded in Lin Hao's mind:

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing the [Champion Puzzle] mission! You have successfully recruited legendary player [Glove] Gary Payton!]

[Unlock Special Synergy: [Iron-Blooded Twin Guards] (Lin Hao + Payton)!]

[Effect: When both players are on the court simultaneously, the team's perimeter defense increases by 20%, steal success rate increases by 25%, and fast break speed increases by 15%!]

[Main Quest Triggered: [Western Overlord]!]

[Mission Objective: Sweep the Lakers twice in the regular season, then eliminate them in the playoffs to advance to the NBA Finals!]

[Mission Reward: +100 Talent Points, unlock the ultimate defensive skill [Death Coil]!]

Lin Hao's eyes lit up.

The effect of the "Iron-Blooded Guards" synergy was even stronger than he had imagined. With this synergy, the Warriors' perimeter defense was elevated to a whole new level. Coupled with Thibodeau's impenetrable defense and Dell Curry's offensive system, this season's Warriors are truly unstoppable.

"Let's go, Gary." Lin Hao put his phone in his pocket, patted Payton on the shoulder, and said, "See you at the gym. Let's show those kids what real iron-blooded defense is."

"Let's go." Payton picked up the number 20 jersey, draped it over his shoulders, and strode toward the training facility.

Sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall, casting long shadows of the two people.

One is a legendary defensive master who defied the odds, and the other is an emerging Eastern genius.

The two iron-blooded guards have officially joined forces.

A storm that will sweep across the entire alliance has quietly begun.