Chapter 1 The Expelled Expert
“TaTaTa, Papak……”(keyboard mashing sound)
A pair of dexterous hands flying to
manipulate the keyboard and mouse, the rhythmic sounding like a light piece of
music. The sky on the screen flashed in brilliance as the opponent fell down
with blood blooming all over.
"Hoho." Ye Qiu smiled,
raising his hand to remove the cigarette butt hanging at the corner of his
mouth. Silver ash has formed into a long string, but Ye Qiu seemed to be
unaffected as he continued to wave the mouse and pound on the keyboard. The snuffed
cigarette butt was placed in a weird shape ashtray on the table, Ye Qiu’s hand
quickly returned back to the keyboard, was preparing to say something to the
opponent when the door was suddenly opened with a loud bang.
Ye Qiu did not turn back. It was as
it he was already waiting for this moment to come. He only asked: “Is it time?”
“It is time.” Si Mu Cheng
simply replied。
“Then let’s go!” Ye Qiu rejected the
opponent’s request for battle and remove the card from the dedicated logger
from the online game “Glory”. He then proceeded next to take his coat from the
hanger next to the door
It now late into the night, Jia Shi
club was still brightly lit. Si Mu Cheng and Ye Qiu had not gone
far along the corridor and then entered another room. This is a very
large conference room, entering the room you can see the wall almost filled
with displays and shown above was "Glory professional league," and
the battle record technical ranking and statistics.
Record Rank: Jia Shi team 3 wins and
16 losses, ranked nineteenth overall, second to last.
To the ones who had created a third
consecutive league top ranking, this result is particularly dazzling, but now,
what is on the wall is just a pure mockery of what it once was
However the room’s atmosphere in
contrary to being dull, there seem to be heating up. Jia Shi's players at
this time were orbiting around a person in the conference room. Everyone turned
blind eye to the entrance of Ye Qiu. All that can be seen at a glance, were
just eyes full of apathy and ridicule.
"Ye Qiu, the club has decided
that the player that was transferred over, Sun Xiang, will take over your
captain duties, the game character “A Leaf of Autumn” in future will also be
controlled by Sun Xiang." The club manager upon seeing Ye Qiu’s arrival
immediately said. Without prior communication, no tactful expression, just a straight
cold notification, ruthlessly thrown off like used toilet paper.
Si Mu Cheng opened his mouth and
wanted to voice out, but Ye Qiu lightly pulled her back, smiled at her and
shook his head, expressing himself that he did not mind。
“Brother Ye, sorry about taking your
position the moment I arrived.”
The first left seat of the conference
room table is meant for Jia Shi’ team leader. It was Ye Qiu’s seat. Sun Xian bluntly said
while sitting on it. He did not even glance at Ye Qiu. It was no longer at the
level of being indifferent but being ignored. His eyes
instead landed on Si Mu Cheng who came in together with Ye Qiu.
Truthfully, Si Mu Cheng definitely
was more eye catching that Ye Qiu. She is said to be the top beauty of the
Glory league. Even if it is not in this circle and tossed into the
entertainment industry full of beautiful woman, she would still out class most
of them.
Even though Jia Shi teammates saw Si
Mu Cheng every day, at this moment all who saw her were somewhat startled.
However, they recovered fast. They knew that at this very moment that there is
another important person worth paying attention to.
“Haha, brother Sun’s word are true,
this seat is perfect for you.” The crowd who recover quickly commented, playing
on the words just said
“Correct, someone is already old, outdated
already!”
“A Leaf of Autumn should also be operated by
brother Xiang, only then will the true strength of “God of Combat” be seen”
This is what everyone were waiting
for. Sun Xiang, one of the genius level player from the Glory professional
league. Since entry into the league last year, he won the title of king. His
record is comparable to the VIP players. In the current season Sun Xiang lead
the team to a record of 13 wins and 6 loss, ranking 8th, giving
expectations of entering the playoffs. However, he transferred into Jia Shi
club whose results are in a mess. Despite the messed up results, they have
glory’s famed “God of Combat”: Battle Mage “A Leaf of Autumn”
This youngster entered the league
barely 2 years ago and Jia Shi members are thick-skinned as to call him elder
brother as if they could see that Sun Xiang will be Jia Shi’s future leader.
Sun Xiang cosily took in these flattery then finally lifted his head and
glanced at Ye Qiu, eyes full of disdain.
“Ye Qiu, give A Leaf of Autumn account
card to Sun Xiang!” the
club manager said。
No matter how easy-going Ye Qiu is,
at this moment it can’t be help but to feel some pain. Ye Qiu (Leaf Autumn), A
Leaf of Autumn, from the name itself you can tell this account is affiliated
with Ye Qiu. It is that account that he used when he first enter the game world
named Glory. Ten year, this account has followed Ye Qiu for ten years already,
from the beginner until the textbook level player of Glory. From just a lowly
Battle Mage to the all famous God of Combat in Glory. But ever since 7 years
ago when he stepped into the professional league, upon signing to the club,
rights to A Leaf of Autumn were now given to the club. Ye Qiu knew there would
be the day of separation and today, was the day.
Ye Qiu hands trembled a little. To a
professional player stable hands a must, but now trembling can be seen from Ye
Qiu. This psychological impact still appeared on this very experienced player.
Si Mu Cheng turn her head over she could not bear to watch but there was
nothing that she could do.
In the gloating eye of everyone
around, the account card of A Leaf of Autumn was handing over to Sun Xiang.
Sun Xiang eye gleamed with greed and
excitement. He was willing to transfer over to Jia Shi even though it has been
on the decline these past 2 years all for A Leaf of Autumn this elite account.
The original account holder Ye Qiu, due to age, condition had been falling. Not
only that, he had many clashes with the club. Sun Xiang was 100% confident that
he would take over in his place.
“I got it!” upon holding on the card,
Sun Xiang felt a surge of excitement. However there was the feeling of
resistance from the card.
Sun Xiang could feel Ye Qiu’s
reluctance, smiled proudly and said:” let it go brother Ye. Look at your hands,
it is trembling to this level already. How can this pair of hands bring out the
full power of the God of Combat? Let me do it! I will revive the name of the
God of Combat in the whole of Glory. And you? Retire!”
After saying these words, Sun Xiang
saw that Ye Qiu was not even slightly affected. Only just that one moment of
unwillingness when handing over A Leaf of Autumn. He then notice that the
slightly trembling hands of Ye Qiu suddenly stopped trembling.
“Do you like this game?” Ye Qiu
suddenly asked Sun Xiang.
“What?” Sun Xiang was startled.
“If you like it, then take it as an honour
(Rong Yao) and not as a show off (Xuan Yao)”
“What are you say, what business is
it of yours? Sun Xiang suddenly lost his composure. He felt as if he was lower
that Ye Qiu. He did not want to lose to Ye Qiu in vigour. He came to replace Ye
Qiu. He came for A Leaf of Autumn.
“Keep it safe.” Just when Sun Xiang
was about to retort, Ye Qiu released the card and was about to leave without
turning his head back
“Ye Qiu!” At this moment the manager suddenly
called out.
Ye Qiu stopped and tilted his head
and heard the manager speaking from behind: “At this moment the club has no
suitable competitive account for you, go be the sparring partner for the team
in the meantime.”
Sparring partner, to have fallen to
the level of sparring partner from one who was once created a legend and won
all individual awards.
To Sun Xiang is was highly
interesting and he laughingly commented: “Brother Ye, with you level of
expertise, being a sparring partners is definitely no problem for you. The title
of being number one sparring partner in the whole of Glory professional league
is sure to be you!”
“HaHa. Sparring
partner? No need. Let’s just terminate the contract.” Ye Qiu smiled even with
this humiliation and looked at the manager.
“Termination of contract? You are
requesting termination?” The manager looked and pondered.
“Yes. I request termination of
contract.”
“Ye Qiu, don’t be impulsive! Si Mu
Cheng quickly rushed over and tried to stop Ye Qiu. The Professional League has
Professional League rules, when the contract is in effect, unless due to
special reasons, termination of contract would mean have to pay a fine. Ye Qiu and
Jia Shi still had a year and a half of contract time left. To request
termination of contract would incur a large penalty. But to Si Mu Cheng, she
was more afraid of Ye Qiu leaving
“The boss is not here yet, wait till
the boss is here then we discuss” Si Mu Cheng hoped that Ye Qiu would calm down
Ye Qiu already saw the cynical smile
on the corner of the manager. He game a bitter smile to Si Mu Cheng and shook
his head: “Mu Cheng, can’t you tell? It was the boss’s plan to make me leave. My
existence in the club has no meaning. I am just a salary burden.”
“It cannot be, how can it be a
burden? Your capabilities would not lose out to anyone.” Said Si Mu Cheng.
“It is not just about capabilities,
it is also a business, and I, was never of any commercial worth.” Said Ye Qiu.
“You originally had, you simply chose
to give it up.” The manager coldly interjected.
“That is right. This is my choice.” Said
Ye Qiu . Glory Professional League has advance to the point that there are all
kinds of sponsors. And the superstars of the Professional League would take on
the advertisement and take on the sought after roles. But Ye Qiu despite being
a top level play refused to be a spokesperson or be in any advertisement. And
he would not talk to any reporter or be in any press release. He is an
old-fashioned player. Cautiously hiding in the virtual world and not showing
his real identity
This cause the club to be extremely unhappy.
Just when they thought they had the golden goose, the goose would not lay eggs.
No matter how strong Ye Qiu was and helped the club raise to fame, with Ye Qiu being
in a state of decline, nothing would be the same.
“Professional League’s
commercialization allowed us to survive, but now….” Ye Qiu did not go on to
say. He too did not know if it was good or bad. But now the Professional League
is now money oriented. Every club’s boss’s only considered how to make use of
the players to make money. Still holding to the love of the game and for the
sake of fame striving hard, Ye Qiu missed the days when the Professional League
first started up. Now, to chase after fame is just a means of getting better benefits.
Si Mu Cheng stopped commenting. She walked
the same path as Ye Qiu, and witnessed the rise and fall of this old expert. Her
eyes shimmered with tears but she understood. Ye Qiu is truly leaving. And stopping
him will only give him more pain.
“Then, I…”
“No need.” Ye Qiu smiled and
interrupted Si Mu Cheng. He knew what she was going to say. “Don’t worry I have
yet to despair. I will be back.”
“That is right, that is the Ye Qiu that
I know. Still having the aspiration, then how about we talk about the penalty
fees. Truthfully, you have been here at Jia Shi for so many years and worked so
hard. We would not be so extreme. So let’s sit down and discuss this matter of
termination?’
“Be to the point, what is your terms?”
Ye Qiu asked
“Sweet! The terms are simple. You just
need to announce that you retire.” Said the manager.
“Retire? And you say this is not
being extreme? Si Mu Cheng was furious. Ye Qiu is now 25 and to online gaming
players he is considered old and retiring at this age is not unusual. However, Ye
Qiu had already declared that he does not intend to give up and Jia Shi’s
manager immediately declared that the term of termination was his retirement. Surely
they are doing it on purpose.
Retirement meant that the player
would not be able to join the Professional League again. Even though they can make
a comeback, in Glory Professional League, the regulation stipulates that the
retire players can only make a comeback after one year. This is to prevent players from retiring one
day and making a comeback in the next in another club. Ye Qiu is already in
occupation old age and every day is precious. And to make him waste away a
year, even if after a year, he still has not given up on having a comeback, his
age and lack of competitive playing for one year would cost him his form. Even with
his fame, the clubs still may not want him as he had a critical flaw: He
refuses to be commercialized.
It looked as if it was an unacceptable
term, but no one would believe that Ye Qiu simply nodded: “I agree.”
“Are you crazy?” Si Mu Cheng was
surprised
“Tired after so many years, resting
for a year does not seem so bad?” Ye Qiu smiled.
“You……what are you thinking?” Si Mu Cheng could
not understand。
“Nothing much.” Ye Qiu turned his head
over, the manager already had prepared the documents. Ye Qiu took them and
after looking, smiled. The other partly has truly been preparing. While
pondering, Ye Qiu signed the paper
About to leave ……Ye Qiu looked back
at the place where he was for seven years, without any pleasantries, he turned
and quietly prepared to leave.
“I’ll send you.” Si Mu Cheng was the
only one who followed after.
