Chapter 173

In the training match victory, there was no jubilation in DSG’s training room. Mo Yin took off his headphones, while the teammates remained seated without moving.

The coach had watched the entire game from behind the computer. The lineup chosen was unconventional and would likely be criticized in official matches, possibly leading to the coach being ousted for such a foolish draft.

There were multiple reasons for his choices:

Firstly, to help top laner Qin Kunlun change his laning style, enhance his awareness against ganks, and learn to maintain his lane advantage without being too aggressive.

Secondly, to train Guan Ming on jungle carries. Guan Ming was skilled, and the coach didn’t want his abilities to go to waste due to meta changes.

Thirdly, to give the bot lane more practice with a strong combination that could leverage their lane advantage to support the jungle, making the game more comfortable for them.

Only Mo Yin had the freedom to make his own choices, even if the coach disagreed. Previously, a coach was dismissed for disagreeing with Mo Yin’s draft choices during a match, where Mo Yin ignored the coach’s instructions and picked his own hero.

Although they won that game, the coach still erupted in anger afterward in the lounge.

According to staff, Mo Yin didn’t say a word at the time, and the coach was gone the next day.

This incident became widely circulated in the esports community, with audiences having differing opinions.

Some found it satisfying, arguing that just because a coach understands the game doesn’t mean they know better than the professional players. They felt vindicated seeing a coach who criticized despite the victory.

Others felt Mo Yin was too domineering, lacking organization and discipline. They believed in the roles of players and coaches in team games, where coaches draft and players execute. Ignoring the coach’s instructions, even in victory, was seen as disrespectful.

The esports coaching community also had varied opinions on the matter.

Some coaches were in it for the paycheck, content with high salaries from major teams, seeing the coach’s dismissal as foolish for jeopardizing their livelihoods. Others had their philosophies, aspiring to lead a champion team that embodied their ideals, swearing never to join teams like DSG that favored players over coaching.

When DSG’s team manager sought a new coach, they made it clear:

“MY is a unique player, hardworking and introspective. He doesn’t need someone to guide or mold him. If you can accept that, we’ll offer you the largest coaching contract in the league.”

The coach came, only to find himself forced to draft such an uncooperative lineup because Mo Yin wanted Fiora.

Behind the screen, he remained calm, waiting to see if the game would be lost, wondering if Mo Yin would reflect on himself.

“Take a ten-minute break,” the coach said.

Mo Yin stood up and left the training room.

Shortly after, the coach followed.

“MY, can we talk?” he asked.

“What’s up?”

“Jungle and support rotation—do you think it’s necessary?”

During the ten-minute break, while Mo Yin and the coach talked, the other players stayed quietly in the training room.

Guan Ming was ready for the rotation, Tang Qi nervously bit his thumb, clearly worried. In the last training match, his coordination with Ding Wenquan in the top lane had been good, holding down REAL’s bot lane. The problem arose from a failed vanguard formation, and the opponent’s jungle timing was too precise…

As the jungle and support anxiously waited, both the coach and Mo Yin returned.

Even a fool could see they were discussing something outside.

Guan Ming restrained his gaze and expression, quietly watching the screen. Tang Qi couldn’t contain his excitement, shifting slightly in his gaming chair.

Seated behind the computer, the coach said, “Let’s review the last training match in ten minutes.”

Being a coach at DSG meant having expertise in addressing mistakes and improving performance.

“For the second match, we’ll practice a team fight lineup,” the coach said, picking up his phone and tapping it a few times before setting it down. “Get ready, use the restroom if you need to. Game starts in five minutes.”

Guan Ming glanced back at Mo Yin, who was drinking water, meticulously sipping from a newly poured cup of hot water.

“Changed players unexpectedly?

Guan Ming knew his performance in the last match was terrible. If he played like that on the field, he’d be torn apart.

The biggest liability throughout the game was him. If not for the vanguard’s decision-making mistake, maybe the top lane wouldn’t have collapsed, and the bot lane’s advantage could have been maintained. The familiar rhythm of DSG winning matches could have returned. He messed it all up. He had witnessed firsthand how his former teammates were ruthlessly kicked out, and he couldn’t believe his luck.

Guan Ming stared at Mo Yin for a long time, only retracting his gaze just before the game started, his fingers moving up and down, resting on the mouse and keyboard.

For the second match, the coach assigned Guan Ming Blind Monk, a jungler who was considered subpar in this version but still playable. Gragas, known for his slippery playstyle, was chosen for the top lane, and the bot lane was paired with Kasha Gariel.

The mid lane remained undecided until the end.

This time, Mo Yin picked first.

The opponent had already picked Yasuo, Lucian, and Leona combo.

Their overall strategy seemed harmonious and comprehensive, in line with DSG’s lineup.

In the last match, Mo Yin had devastated REAL with his unparalleled Fiora. The REAL team discussed, ‘He’s not picking Fiora again, is he?’

‘Maybe he’ll go for Irelia,’ Chen Dong joked, ‘Mai Bao likes playing tutorial matches.’

Everyone chuckled, recalling the incident where Ye Chi was completely outplayed in the spring season.

Ye Chi laughed too, ‘Not this time. Last match was tutorial enough; this time they want team fights and teamwork. No more Fiora or Irelia.’

From the spring season encounters and Ye Chi’s daily study of Mo Yin’s games, he found Mo Yin not only strong in-game but also possessing a subtle sadistic streak.

He liked defeating opponents in different ways, leaving them no hope.

In the last match, Mo Yin had already crushed them with extreme split-pushing. This time, he wouldn’t repeat the same tactics but would unveil a completely new strategy to disorient them.

Ye Chi was excited and eagerly anticipated it.

A profile picture of a man appeared in the round frame.

Wearing a hat, head slightly bowed, you couldn’t see his hands, nor what cards he held.

Twisted Fate.

‘TF???’

‘Wasn’t TF nerfed?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous, this is Mai Bao’s TF. You better think again.’

‘Bullshit, Mai Bao rarely plays TF. Never seen him play in matches, he barely plays in ranked.’

Indeed, Ye Chi had watched all of Mo Yin’s publicly available game recordings, live streams, and some recordings of encounters in ranked games.

Mo Yin wasn’t fond of playing TF.

Twisted Fate’s lane strength is average, weak early game, and even after reaching late game, his strength is moderate compared to those super mages. His carrying ability isn’t strong enough, and Mo Yin prefers heroes who can 1v multiple.

But Twisted Fate has a terrifying mechanism in team games—he can use his ultimate to gain global vision and teleport to any location on the map from a long distance.

This skill is enough to overshadow Twisted Fate’s shortcomings for some mid-laners who prefer team support over lane dominance.

Mo Yin picked Twisted Fate.

Just as Ye Chi thought, Mo Yin wanted to defeat the same enemies in a different way.

A difficult-to-describe tremor ran through his body, excitement causing goosebumps. Ye Chi suppressed his chaotic emotions and said, ‘He flies, I fly too.’

Ye Chi locked in Silas.

In the last game, he set a trap for Mo Yin.

This time, Mo Yin challenged him.

Silas can copy any ultimate of enemy heroes across the map, making him the perfect counter to Twisted Fate, whether in lane or in team fights.

Come on, let’s see who can control the entire map better— the true Twisted Fate or the copied thief!

Ye Chi had never been so excited.

Facing Mo Yin in the spring season, his inner admiration and awe were too great, so great that it overwhelmed him. In his heart, he had already assumed he would lose to Mo Yin; as long as he didn’t lose the lane too badly, it would be okay. But now he had grown, and he believed Mo Yin could also feel his progress, eagerly awaiting their showdown.

‘I’ll be commanding this game.’

Mo Yin, who usually only said ‘kill’ or ‘coming’ in games, spoke with unquestionable certainty.

“Okay.”

“Got it, no problem.”

“I’ll follow your lead.”

Mo Yin’s teammates snapped out of Mo Yin’s hero selection and focused intently on the screen.

Guan Ming’s face was tense; the last game was a disaster for him. Blind Monk was his signature hero, but if he played this hero and got countered by the enemy jungler again, he wouldn’t need Mo Yin’s reminder to head for the water cooler himself.

The second training match was unusually intense.

Mo Yin managed his lane and commanded his team, switching screens three times a second. His top-tier dynamic vision allowed him to quickly grasp information while making tactical decisions in his mind.

“Jungle, go top.”

“Pressure bot lane.”

“They’re invading our jungle, support, retreat and ward.”

“Kill the support!”

“Take dragon.”

“Watch out top, enemy mid laner missing.”

“Silas’s ult is on a 3-second cooldown, enemy jungler has no flash, AD hasn’t used cleanse.”

“Ruil ult!”

“Kai’Sa, recall and clear top lane.”

Apart from their individual lanes, DSG’s players followed Mo Yin’s commands to the letter. Mo Yin’s leadership was so meticulous that he almost treated them like extensions of himself. His strategic commands were clear and concise, managing such extensive information effortlessly. While commanding his teammates, Mo Yin also managed to control the map, setting up ambushes and ganks.

Twisted Fate’s dazzling cards appeared on the map, his ult countdown ending, flashing into invulnerability, dodging control effects with unbelievable smoothness.

The match erupted into several team fights. Guan Ming regained his confidence with Blind Monk, kicking the enemy’s top laner out of the fight in a crucial team fight. Twisted Fate flashed in with a card above his head, instantly stunning with a gold card—

As Jax fell, Silas dashed forward, stealing Gragas’s ult, dealing tons of damage. Gragas, known as Qin Kunlun, also released his ult and activated his invulnerability. Twisted Fate cast a red card, slowing down Silas. After killing two opponents and continuously healing, Blind Monk and Ruil moved forward to intercept Silas. Twisted Fate smoothly maneuvered, stacking his passive with high attack speed, rendering Silas helpless against the combined assault from the jungle and support. Silas fell to the ground with a thunderous crash.

Nine out of ten heads turned black, with only Twisted Fate alive. Without hesitation, he cooled down his ult and targeted—enemy base.

“This time he’s really going for the nexus.”

Ye Chi sighed lightly.

“Before this training match started, I was worried about Mo Yin. My mind must’ve been playing tricks on me.”

Ye Chi took off his headphones and casually tossed them on the table, saying to his teammates, “It’s MY who’s commanding.”

Mo Yin took a big gulp of lukewarm water. After finishing, without waiting for the coach’s instructions, he took off his headphones and left. Guan Ming also threw down his headphones and chased after Mo Yin. He caught up with Mo Yin at the corner of the corridor.

“MY—”

Mo Yin stopped in his tracks. “What is it?”

“I… I…” Guan Ming stammered, looking hesitant.

Mo Yin turned to leave.

Guan Ming hurriedly said, “Thank you.”

Mo Yin looked at him.

After two years of being teammates, Guan Ming seemed to finally understand what kind of person Mo Yin was. He continued, “Thank you for not calling for a substitute just now, and for sharing the command duties in the game. Your leadership is excellent, and I’ll improve so you won’t have to bear such a heavy burden.”

Mo Yin’s expression was subtle; his eyelids lowered slightly, seemingly contemplating. After a moment, he raised them again, his gaze as cold as ever. “I didn’t call for a substitute because I believe it doesn’t matter who replaces you. I can win with anyone. There’s no need to waste time substituting. As for commanding, it’s because right now, you can’t even figure out the jungle path. Letting you command would only hinder us.”

“Guan Ming, your performance today was so disappointing that it surprised me. I also appreciate you, as you’ve opened my eyes.”

Guan Ming’s face stiffened.

Mo Yin said, “Is there anything else?”

Guan Ming clenched his fist.

Surprisingly, this was the first time Mo Yin had such a long conversation with him.

Even though the words were harsh.

“I understand,” Guan Ming’s complexion gradually returned to normal. “I’ll prove that I’m at least not worse than a substitute.”

Mo Yin didn’t say anything, turning to head downstairs.

He was hungry.

Grabbing a banana from the kitchen, Mo Yin ate while scrolling through his phone.

His underperforming teammate said nothing.

In fact, since Ye Chi added Mo Yin as a friend, apart from the initial greeting, he hadn’t said a word.

His Moments were quite active though, posting about meals, drinks, and good mornings, almost missing only a post about going to the bathroom. He just posted a new one.

— [The gap is still so big… (crying.jpg)]

Ye Chi, sitting cross-legged in his esports chair, sent this WeChat post visible to only one person. He didn’t know if Mo Yin would see it, but he now used this way of posting on Moments as a tree hole to talk to himself and someone.

Actually, it wasn’t bad.

Ye Chi continued typing.

“Strong laning, invincible team fights, even commanding…”

Before he could send the comment about himself, under his Moments, visible to only one person, an avatar suddenly appeared.

MY liked your Moment post.