ARML CH43

The next morning, Ye Shaoyang sent a message to Chi Shuo: “Captain Chi, what time are you arriving?”

Chi Shuo replied: “I just arrived at the imperial capital airport. I’ll probably reach Star City around 1 PM. I’ll head home first and then drive over to pick you up around 3 PM. Is it convenient to send me your address?”

Ye Shaoyang sent his location pin to Chi Shuo and then went to play ranked with Sister Mu and Xiao Wei.

It wasn’t until 2:30 PM that Ye Shaoyang excused himself, turned off his stream, and went to change clothes. He rummaged through his closet for a moment and found a decent set of casual clothes. To meet Captain Chi’s master, he shouldn’t dress too casually, but there was no need to exaggerate by wearing a suit either. A simple pair of jeans paired with a solid-color short-sleeved T-shirt shouldn’t go wrong.

Ye Shaoyang changed his clothes and combed his hair neatly in front of the mirror.

Seeing his brother about to head out again, Qin Rui hurriedly ran over and asked, “Brother, where are you going? Do you want me to accompany you?”

Ye Shaoyang replied helplessly, “I’m not a kid, you don’t need to accompany me every day.” He turned to look at his brother, who was still in his pajamas, “By the way, shouldn’t your university classes have started? Why are you still staying at home all day instead of going to class?”

Qin Rui smiled and said, “The courses for our major are very relaxed, and they’re all live-streamed online. I don’t have to go to school; I can just take online classes at home, go sign in once a week, and complete my assignments.”

“Then you just stay home and take your online classes. I’m going to meet a very important person today, it wouldn’t be very convenient for you to tag along.” Ye Shaoyang took out the Alpha masking spray from the entryway cabinet and sprayed himself with it. He then stuffed the pheromone blocking patch Qin Rui had given him into his pocket and smiled at his brother, “See? I remembered everything you told me to do.”

Only then did Qin Rui relax, “Brother, I’ll cook dinner and wait for you to come back.”

Ye Shaoyang waved at him, turned, and went downstairs.

As soon as he reached the entrance of his residential complex, he spotted Chi Shuo’s familiar black sedan. Chi Shuo also saw him, proactively got out of the car, and opened the passenger side door for him.

Ye Shaoyang said thanks, sat in the passenger seat, and looked at Chi Shuo, “Captain Chi, I’ve really troubled you this time. Actually, there’s no need to apply for such a high signing fee for me. I’ve said it before, I don’t care about money…”

Chi Shuo turned his head, his gaze earnest, “I’ve also said that I will fight for the best treatment for you.”

Ye Shaoyang sighed helplessly, “Alright. Since we’re paying a visit to your master later, we can’t just go empty-handed, right?”

Chi Shuo pointed to the gift box in the back seat, “I’ve brought the gift, you don’t need to worry.”

Ye Shaoyang didn’t fret over it anymore, fastened his seatbelt, and looked straight ahead.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at a small villa.

The scenery here was beautiful, with green hills and clear waters. In front of the villa was a large flowerbed and a pond, quite suitable for cultivating one’s character and health.

Filled with curiosity, Ye Shaoyang walked into the villa with Chi Shuo.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard the crisp and melodious sound of a piano ringing from inside the villa. Flowing musical notes continuously brushed past their ears. Ye Shaoyang couldn’t tell what piece this was, but the speed of the jumping notes was extremely fast; it should be quite difficult to play.

The two tacitly stopped in their tracks, not walking straight up to interrupt.

A moment later, the piano music slowly came to a halt, and a deep, gentle voice sounded from inside the house: “Has Xiao Chi arrived? Come in.”

Chi Shuo led Ye Shaoyang inside.

Ye Shaoyang saw a tall man wearing white loungewear and slippers. The man looked handsome and elegant, with slightly long hair and an outstanding temperament. Rather than an esports player, he looked more like an artist.

Chi Shuo placed the gift at the entryway and called out respectfully, “Master.”

Ming Sheng smiled faintly and turned his gaze to Ye Shaoyang. He met a pair of bright and clear eyes. Those eyes showed absolutely no nervousness or timidity; on the contrary, having come to an unfamiliar place, the young man’s gaze was incredibly confident and candid. His facial features were quite handsome, with a simple and refreshing short haircut, looking somewhat like a mixed-race child. His clothes were very clean, giving a very good first impression.

Ming Sheng asked gently, “Is this the rookie streamer you told me about?”

Ye Shaoyang smiled and greeted him, “Hello, Captain Ming. My surname is Ye, and my name is Ye Shaoyang. You can just call me Xiao Ye. My online name is Xiao Bai.”

Ming Sheng invited the two into the house, then handed Chi Shuo a fishing rod and a large bag of bait, saying, “Xiao Chi, go fish by the lake. If you can catch any, we’ll make soup tonight. I’ll have a private chat with Xiao Ye.”

Chi Shuo: “…”

Ye Shaoyang: “…”

What was going on?! Chi Shuo’s face stiffened, and he cast a worried glance at Ye Shaoyang.

Ming Sheng chuckled, “Don’t worry, I know my limits with the person you brought.”

Chi Shuo had no choice but to take the fishing rod from his master’s hands, “Then you two have a good chat.”

He turned and left, and only then did Ming Sheng lead Ye Shaoyang to the second floor.

There was a large esports room here, fitted with cool blue overhead lights. On top of the spacious desk, which was over 3 meters wide, sat two computers with extremely high-end specs.

Currently, the computers were turned on.

By sending Chi Shuo away, did he mean to duel with him 1v1? Was he worried that with Chi Shuo present, both of them would lose face regardless of who won or lost, which was why they were having a private PK match?

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Ming Sheng point to one of the seats, “Take a seat.”

Ye Shaoyang sat down. An account named [Obviously Very Helpless] was already logged into the computer in front of him, and the account had purchased all the Mid-laner heroes. As soon as he sat down, he received an invitation— Friend [Obviously Very Happy] invited you to enter the training camp.

Ye Shaoyang clicked accept and said softly, “Captain Ming, I don’t know how to play many mages.”

Ming Sheng still wore a smile, “Then just use the ones you know how to play.”

In the first game, Ye Shaoyang chose [Abyssal Lord]; this was the hero he had obtained a national server badge for. Ming Sheng also chose [Abyssal Lord].

Only a mirror match could truly reveal a person’s understanding of a hero. Ye Shaoyang immediately focused all his attention on the big screen—

Both sides began clearing waves to farm up. Until level 6 when they learned their ultimates, Ye Shaoyang struck first. However, as if Ming Sheng had anticipated his move, he instantly swapped positions with his shadow, dodging his ultimate, and then immediately counter-attacked.

First Blood!

Ye Shaoyang lost the first game. He looked at Ming Sheng in some surprise; how could a retired player, a 28-year-old former captain of Tianhuan, have such fast reactions?

Ye Shaoyang quickly calmed himself down and started the second game. He chose [Abyssal Lord] again. He played very cautiously in the second game; if the enemy didn’t move, he didn’t move. Both of them were rapidly clearing waves and farming, exchanging skills, and dodging skills. What they were competing in was micro mechanics and minion wave management. It wasn’t until he had completed his core items that Ye Shaoyang suddenly struck.

However, he was mindful this time. He sent a shadow over first, baiting out Ming Sheng’s Flash, and immediately followed by Flashing under the tower. With explosive hand speed, he stacked marks, activated his ultimate, and used his last shadow to escape. —Launching a surprise attack from a thousand miles away, killing the opponent, and leaving gracefully.

This was Ye Shaoyang’s crisp and decisive killing style when playing a mage assassin.

Ming Sheng said indifferently, “Not bad. Again.”

In the third game, Ming Sheng proactively chose [Goddess of Destiny], and Ye Shaoyang followed suit and chose [Goddess of Destiny]. Not long after the game started, he was insta-killed by an unexpected combo from Ming Sheng. But Ye Shaoyang inherently had an unyielding personality. In the fourth game, he stubbornly chose [Goddess of Destiny] again, exploded his hand speed to forcefully kill his opponent, and reclaimed his dignity.

The two continuously swapped through 5 mage heroes in a row, all of which Ye Shaoyang currently knew how to play. [Abyssal Lord], [Goddess of Destiny], [Illusionist], [Frost Goddess], [Flame Goddess]… They played a total of 10 1v1 matches, with the final result being a 5:5 draw.

Ye Shaoyang said in admiration, “Captain Ming’s game sense is still very strong!”

Ming Sheng released the mouse and smiled, “Unfortunately, my hand speed is no longer up to par. It’s fine for just a few minutes, but esports matches often last for hours. In matches lasting over 30 minutes, I wouldn’t be able to maintain this state.”

He looked at Ye Shaoyang with a gentle gaze, a hint of appreciation surfacing in his eyes: “Chi Shuo said a lot of good things about you in front of me, and he even said he wanted to give you a 10 million signing fee. Was this signing fee requested by you?”

Ye Shaoyang: “…” I am not, I did not!

Ming Sheng looked at his expression and understood, “So it was Chi Shuo acting on his own initiative.”

Ye Shaoyang coughed lightly, not knowing what to say. Although Captain Chi was fighting for his rights, he didn’t want people to think he was a greedy person who cared a lot about money.

Ming Sheng suddenly changed the topic and asked, “What is your understanding of the Mid-laner position?”

Ye Shaoyang’s expression became very serious, like being asked a question by a teacher in class. He thought carefully before answering: “In my personal opinion, if you compare a team to a person, the top and bottom lanes are like the person’s limbs; without limbs, they can’t move. The Support is like the person’s eyes; without eyes, they become blind. The Jungler is like the weapon in the person’s hand; he can be a sharp blade piercing the enemy’s chest, or a sturdy shield escorting his teammates.”

Ye Shaoyang paused, looked into Ming Sheng’s eyes, and said, “And the mid-lane, is a person’s backbone.”

A faint smile gradually appeared at the corners of Ming Sheng’s mouth.

Backbone; this was the first time he had heard such a description.

Why is the mid-lane important?

Because it’s located in the very center of the map, just like the human spine; pulling one hair affects the whole body.

The tier-1 tower in the mid-lane is a strategic location that both sides must fight for. Once the outer mid-lane tower is lost, it creates a chain reaction—we will lose vision, lose control of the jungle, lose the Baron and Dragon, and be continuously snowballed by the opponent.

Therefore, in matches, situations often arise where the outer towers in the top and bottom lanes have to be reluctantly abandoned, but the mid-lane must be defended to the death. In reality, what they are defending is not the mid-lane, but the right to control the jungle, the right to control vision, and the right to contest the Baron and Dragon.

An outstanding Mid-laner must not only learn to provide support and secure kills but also learn to withstand pressure and defend the tower.

Initially, Ming Sheng thought Xiao Bai was also a sharp and incisive player like Chi Shuo, playing mage assassins well and wanting to synergize with Chi Shuo as a mid-jungle duo to get kills. But after interacting with him personally today, he discovered—Xiao Bai was calmer than he had thought.

Whether it was his patient forbearance in seeking opportunities and decisive assassinations during their PK match just now, or his understanding of the mid-lane, this person’s macro vision was exceptionally outstanding. It was no wonder Chi Shuo viewed him in a different light.

Ming Sheng continued to ask, “If the team needed you to play a utility tool Mid-laner, asking you to hide your sharp edge and pick a hero you didn’t like, would you be willing?”

Ye Shaoyang nodded decisively, “Of course. I love playing mage assassins, but I know that mage assassins aren’t the only way to win matches. As esports players, isn’t our ultimate goal in playing matches to win? As long as we can win, what does it matter which hero I pick?”

Ming Sheng sighed softly, “Exactly. Chi Shuo loves playing [Bloodstained Assassin] the most, but he hasn’t been able to bring this hero out in a match for three whole years. He has sacrificed a lot for Tianhuan.” Ming Sheng looked at Ye Shaoyang, a gentle smile in his eyes, “Can you protect Chi Shuo well and let his jungle-core style return to the arena?”

Ye Shaoyang said frankly, “I think I can.”

“…You’re very confident.” Ming Sheng stood up and handed a drafted contract to Ye Shaoyang, “I like confident players. This is Tianhuan’s contract template for signing rookies, you can take a look at it first.”

Ye Shaoyang took it in surprise and carefully flipped through the pages.

Ming Sheng said, “The details still need to be revised. The signing fee for a rookie is usually 1 to 3 million, but you are someone Chi Shuo values highly. Having met you today, your talent and reaction speed are indeed outstanding. To be honest, although I’ve retired, there aren’t many Mid-laner players who can fight me to a 50-50 draw in a 1v1. Giving you 3 million would indeed be undervaluing your talent.”

Ye Shaoyang noticed that in the final signing fee column, it read: 5 million.

Ming Sheng explained, “5 million is the one-time upfront signing fee. There is another 5 million that will be issued to you as an additional bonus after you win the domestic championship.”

Ye Shaoyang quickly understood Ming Sheng’s intention. A 10 million signing fee was very hard for the club to approve directly. After all, Ye Shaoyang was a rookie without any match experience. Giving him 5 million was already out of respect for Chi Shuo and the price Ming Sheng could negotiate by stepping in personally.

The remaining 5 million, issued to him as a bonus reward after winning the domestic championship—this was actually splitting the 10 million into two sums.

If he couldn’t win the domestic championship, he indeed wasn’t worth an eight-figure signing fee. After all, the market value of many players on a domestic championship team was also around 10 million.

If he had the confidence to take down the domestic championship, the 10 million being split into two payments would still belong to him anyway, right?

Ming Sheng smiled and said, “Not giving it to you all at once isn’t because I’m stingy, but because I’m not the only shareholder in the Tianhuan club. There are also bosses who don’t understand esports and only provide funds. It’s very difficult to persuade them to spend 10 million to sign a rookie with no match experience. Splitting it into two payments, with the second half as a bonus, is the best solution I could think of. I hope you understand.”

He gently patted Ye Shaoyang’s shoulder, “I have confidence that after you join Tianhuan, Tianhuan can win next season’s domestic championship.”

Ye Shaoyang nodded vigorously, “Mhm, I understand. I accept this arrangement.” Such a high signing fee actually far exceeded his expectations.

Ming Sheng added, “In addition, I will negotiate another condition with the club. If you guys can make it into the World Championship and win the title, the club won’t take a single cent of the World Championship prize money; it will all be given to the players to split equally among yourselves.”

Ye Shaoyang: “…”

Giving all the World Championship prize money to the players, this was also considered extremely generous! Tianhuan didn’t lack money; what they cared about had always been that World Championship title that had once slipped through Tianhuan’s fingers.

Ye Shaoyang gripped the contract in his hand tightly and said earnestly, “Thank you, Captain Ming and Captain Chi, for fighting for these terms for me. The only thing I can give you in return—is results.”

All the words in the world couldn’t compare to solid results. Since Tianhuan treated him so generously, he would give his absolute all for this club and for his own dream.

Ming Sheng watched Ye Shaoyang’s eyes with a smile and proactively reached out his hand, “Welcome to Tianhuan.”