This Lee Sang-hyeok is very strong, but he lacks self-awareness.

"You guys don't really think the EDG coaching staff are idiots, do you?"

"How could a group of genuine professionals deliberately choose a lineup that is so drastically different between the first and second games?"

"In the first game, we were still playing a mid-jungle synergy strategy to create early-game momentum. In the second game, we switched to playing a carry mid laner and ignored the bot lane, which resulted in Uzi dominating the lane."

"After all, I'm an insider of the team, so it's not appropriate for me to say too much."

"You should think about it carefully."

[I get it! Someone at EDG is definitely manipulating the draft and ban phase, and their influence is so strong that even the coaching staff can't change their mind.]

[Host, there's a mole!]

"That's right!"

"As for whether this person is a Korean import from SKT, the LCK's 'Whampoa Military Academy,' or a substitute for Clearlove who just became a starter, those who know, know."

【666】

No wonder Lin Gou has been in such a good mood lately, it turns out there's some internal strife within EDG.

[You two, who know nothing about palace intrigue, actually managed to get involved, huh?]

Just as Lin Xiu took another sip of tea, preparing to delve deeper into the inside story of the players hijacking the draft picks, the chat in the live stream suddenly shifted dramatically.

[Holy crap! Lin Gou, check the trending topics! EDG's official Weibo account has released an announcement!]

[Did your jinx really come true? The announcement says Scout and Airoli will miss the next match against IG due to health reasons?]

[Physical reasons? I think it might be that she had an abortion?]

[The高手 (masters) battled it out, and the streamer got the free spot as a substitute!]

Lin Xiu raised an eyebrow and quickly opened the webpage.

Sure enough, EDG's official pinned Weibo post stated: Due to a player's personal health issues, the roster for EDG's next regular season match against IG will be urgently adjusted.

"Guys, did you see that? That's what you call professional."

I picked up my phone and saw another WeChat message from Abu.

"Go to bed early tonight, and come upstairs tomorrow morning to prepare. You and Xiao Li will be starting for the IG match this afternoon."

"Okay!"

Lin Xiu chuckled, replied, and then rapidly clicked the mouse, changing the live stream title to: Under the watchful eyes of 100,000 viewers.

[Empresses in the Palace Return, Dragon King Returns, Punches Kid, Kicks Rookie: EDG vs IG Top Preview]

The live stream chat instantly exploded.

[Where's your face? Kid may be old, but he's not someone you, Lin Gou, can punch.]

[Kicking Rookie? Do they really think Faker can carry in a professional match like he does in ranked games?]

[Lin Gou, stop bragging! If you really can beat IG, I'll do a handstand while washing my hair right here!]

"Tsk, you guys have never seen the world."

Lin Xiu leaned back in his chair and waved.

"How long has it been since Kid switched to jungling? I've smeared more minions than he's farmed jungle camps, I'm guaranteed to win."

"Tomorrow's preview: I'll dominate Kid, Lee will crush Rookie, easy 2-0!"

[Hahaha, the streamer has gone mad.]

[EDG will suffer another loss tomorrow, dropping them to third place in their group.]

Is there still a chance to see EDG participate in MSI?

Come back, my proudest factory manager!

"Alright, buddy, I'm going out for a late-night snack. Remember to come watch my performance in the official live stream tomorrow."

After turning off the live stream, Lin Xiu immediately looked at the task interface that had just popped up in the system:

[Mission issued: Help the god-like Lee Sang-hyeok return to the professional arena, win the first LPL match, and defeat IG]

[Host Mission Rewards: Divine Synchronization Rate increased by 5%, 2 heroes unlocked at max proficiency level, Mental Debuff removal trial card, and a cash reward of 50,000 yuan.]

[Godlike Mission Reward: Achieve first LPL victory, Mentality +5]

[Closing Bonus: A 2-0 sweep of the opponent will earn an additional reward of 50,000 RMB.]

[MVP Bounty: If the host or Lee Sang-hyeok wins the MVP award, an additional reward of 50,000 RMB will be given.]

"Tsk tsk, a base salary of 50,000, a shutout, MVP, and a bonus."

"Both of their carries are Korean, so Faker probably can't pull them back this time, right?"

Then, Lin Xiu turned to look at Li Xianghe, who was studying Chinese with the Chinese Dictionary.

"Brother Li, stop looking at the dictionary. We're playing IG tomorrow, and Abu asked us to come back and put out a fire."

Lee Sang-hyeok put down his book, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Palace intrigue!

He doesn't like getting involved in those complicated matters, but his experiences in the League of Legends across several lifetimes have still led him to witness quite a few palace intrigues.

Although he always ends up as the backdrop for LPL teams' championship victories at the World Championships,

In the LCK's simulation career, he was the undisputed Demon King, the GOAT of LCK.

Even so, there was a period when he was sidelined due to infighting among his teammates.

He hates Scout the most for trying to manipulate the draft, pressure the coaching staff, or even attack his teammates before he has even shown phenomenal skill.

Therefore, he wouldn't mind putting Scout in a difficult position with a brilliant performance, leaving him with no way out.

"IG's mid and jungle players are very aggressive."

Lee Sang-hyeok said in fluent Chinese,

"Just follow Nofe's draft strategy. I'll provide the strength and support that Scout can't offer in the early game."

......

The next morning, sunlight pierced through the thin mist of Shanghai, and Lin Xiu and Lee Sang-hyeok, carrying peripheral bags, slowly appeared on the second floor of the EDG base.

As soon as I entered the second-floor lobby, I saw Factory Director Ming Kai leaning against the water dispenser with his arms crossed, sporting his signature deadpan smile.

"Oh, the two great prophets have arrived?"

"I heard the feng shui on your first-floor training ground is quite good? You can even predict the outcome of a match."

"That's right, after all, you don't have to watch someone's expression while eating char siu rice, so you have a good appetite."

Lin Xiu replied cheerfully, and casually took a mint out of his pocket and handed it to the factory manager.

Meiko also came over and patted Lin Xiu on the shoulder with a grin:

"Xiaolin, your live stream title is giving the official Weibo account a real headache. A lot of fans from IG are yelling in our comments section that they're going to teach you a lesson."

"I'm just trying to make my stream entertaining. Whether I can win or not depends on the matchup between Faker and Rookie."

Meiko turned to look at Lee Sang-hyeok and said softly:

"Hey Lee, how's it going? Nervous facing Rookie?"

Lee Sang-hyeok walked skillfully to his seat, plugged in the keyboard, and spoke in a calm tone, as still as a deep pool:

"I have nothing to be nervous about. He should be the one who's nervous."

Lee Sang-hyeok had seen IG's roster in advance.

Top laner Duke, jungler Kid, mid laner Rookie, ADC Marge, support Baolan.

The three Chinese members in the team were not on his list of celebrity IDs he feared.

The remaining two Koreans are both top-tier Korean imports in the LPL.

But Lee Sang-hyeok was not afraid.

He was always so confident when facing Koreans.

Abu came out of the office and saw the two of them looking relaxed. His initial anxiety eased a little, but he still couldn't hold back his words:

"Now that you're back, show some real skill. Stop just bragging in the stream. If you lose to IG, you're all packing your bags and heading back to your rented apartments!"

Lin Xiu replied without looking up, "Don't worry, Manager, this time I'm calling it 'Dragon King Returns,' it's guaranteed to win."

Abu then looked at Lee Sang-hyeok and whispered:

"Xiao Li, you just arrived recently and haven't had time to report your game ID to the league yet. Think of one quickly and send it to me. It needs to be submitted before noon."

"My ID? I'll call it Faker."