The contestant is too old, sister Zhou is crazy

“They’ve fallen apart.” He spoke, his voice not loud, but it silenced the entire preparation room. “Knight’s mentality has been shattered. Once a top mid laner starts to doubt himself, his mechanics become distorted, and his judgment becomes hesitant. In the next game, they won’t dare to compete with me in terms of mechanics.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the tactics board in the coach's hand: "They will pick a utility mid laner, such as Galio or Karma, to protect the team and provide support. They will put their bets on the top laner or jungler, trying to find a breakthrough from the side lanes."

The coach was stunned. Xu Mo's analysis was almost exactly what he had expected. This man not only crushed his opponent in terms of skill, but also dissected him completely on both psychological and tactical levels.

“That’s right,” the coach nodded emphatically and quickly began writing on the tactics board. “So, the core of our strategy for the next game is—invasion! Infinite invasion! Since they’re betting everything on their jungler, we’ll make sure their jungler can’t play the game from the very beginning!”

"Xiangguo," the coach said to the jungler, "Next game, pick Lee Sin or Jarvan IV. Go straight into their jungle at level one. Mo will give you mid lane priority. We'll live in their jungle from the very beginning!"

"No problem!" Xiangguo's eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty light.

Uzi nodded and said, "If we hold our ground in the bottom lane, as long as the mid and jungle get ahead, we can switch lanes and take the dragon at any time."

RNG's tactics were formed in just a few minutes. They were not arrogant because of their big win. Instead, they were like a group of sharks that had smelled blood, ready to launch the most fatal blow against their wounded prey.

In stark contrast to the exhilarating atmosphere on RNG's side, TOP's preparation room was deathly silent.

The team members returned to their seats, and no one spoke. The air was thick with the sour smell of defeat and a heavy sense of frustration. Karsa frantically grabbed her hair, while the ADC stared blankly at the ground.

Knight, the prodigy known as the "Golden Left Hand," was holding his head in his hands, his body trembling slightly.

The second game was not just a loss for him, but a public execution. King's Syndra was like an insurmountable mountain, pressing him down from the very first second of the laning phase. His proud positioning, prediction, and mechanics looked so laughable and immature in front of his opponent.

He didn't even dare to recall the scene of the celestial maiden scattering flowers; that earth-shattering scene had become a demon in his heart.

"Why..." he murmured to himself, his voice hoarse, "Why does he always know what I'm going to do?"

"Snapped!"

The coach slammed his hand on the table, the loud noise startling all the team members.

"Heads up, all of you!" The coach's voice was hoarse with anger. "Look at the way you're all behaving! What do you look like? The game isn't even over, and you've already surrendered?"

He walked up to Knight, placed his hands on the table, and looked down at him: "Knight! You are the core of our team! You are the hope of domestic mid laners! Now, just because you lost one game, you've been crushed? Have you forgotten how you made it to the finals? Have you forgotten how many world-class mid laners you've solo-killed?"

Knight slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with confusion and pain: "Coach... I... I can't beat him."

This was the first time he had so frankly admitted his defeat.

The coach took a deep breath; he knew that using reverse psychology was no longer effective. He had to find a new way forward for the team and for Knight.

“Yes, you can’t beat him right now.” The coach’s tone was surprisingly calm. “At least in the laning phase, in terms of mechanics, that guy’s condition is beyond our ability to compete head-on. So…”

He turned around and erased all the standard tactics from the tactics board.

"...We're not going to fight him."

All the team members looked up, staring at the coach in confusion.

"In the next game, we're not aiming to gain an advantage in the mid lane; we're just trying to play it safe." The coach slammed his pen on the tactical board. "Knight, you're playing Galio. Your only task is to clear the wave and then use your ultimate to support the side lanes. No matter how strong King is, can he manage all three lanes by himself?"

“Karsa,” he said, looking at the jungler, “abandon all your resources in the top half of the jungle and start from the bottom half, protect the bottom lane at all costs. Uzi is strong, but if we gank 4v2, they're going to collapse!”

"369, you take Kennen or Gangplank in the top lane. Bring Teleport and be ready to gank at any time. We're not going to focus on a mid-jungle duel, but on team coordination and support! Let's use our strength in team fights to defeat his one-man myth!"

The coach's words were like a ray of light shining into the dark preparation room. Although there was still some apprehension in the players' eyes, that despair had been replaced by a new, do-or-die tactical approach.

Knight stared at the "Galio" icon on the tactical board and clenched his fists tightly.

If I can't beat you, then I'll become a tower, a bulwark to protect my teammates. If I can't defeat you in lane, then I'll use my support in team fights to win the entire game!
The confusion in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by an almost tragic determination.

After a short break, Doll and Miller returned to the commentary booth.

"Okay, welcome back! The third game of the match, which is also RNG's match point, is about to begin! Miller, after that amazing individual performance, how do you think TOP will respond?"

“I think TOP has no way out.” Miller said with a serious expression. “They have to make extreme adjustments in the draft. Syndra will definitely be banned. I even think they might ban five mid-lane champions to limit King’s performance.”

"What about RNG? Will they continue to play around King, or will they shift their tactical focus?"

"It all comes down to the strategy between the two coaches. But in any case, I believe all the viewers, like me, are eagerly anticipating what hero King will choose in the third game to respond to TOP's challenge!"

Accompanied by rousing music, the contestants from both teams walked out of the passage again and stepped onto the stage that would determine the winner.

The RNG players couldn't hide their confidence and high fighting spirit. Xu Mo, walking at the front, still had a calm expression, but the light in his eyes was sharper than all the lights in the arena.

On the other side, the TOP team members, though their faces were solemn, walked with unusually firm steps. Knight, in particular, no longer had the confusion he had at the end of the previous game in his eyes; instead, there was a calmness and determination.

All eyes of the audience were focused on the man sitting on the throne in the middle of the field.

The final battle is about to begin.

When the BP screen finally froze, everyone's hearts were in their throats.

As RNG predicted, TOP effectively blocked King's champion pool with five bans. From LeBlanc and Akali to Syndra, all the assassins and mages that could exert extreme pressure in lane were banned.

As Xu Mo predicted, Knight locked in Galio, the Colossus. This was a choice to forgo laning and purely serve the team.

All eyes were focused on the profile picture of RNG's last pick.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xu Mo's avatar lit up and finally settled on – Card Master Twisted Fate.

"Twisted Fate! King has picked Twisted Fate!" Miller's voice was filled with surprise and understanding. "He didn't choose to go head-to-head, but instead used a hero with similar global support capabilities to counter Galio! This game will no longer be a mid-lane duel, but a global tactical battle between two top mid-laners!"

Game start.

Knight's Galio was rock solid in the mid lane. His only task was to clear minions and then disappear from the lane to put pressure on the side lanes.

However, Xu Mo's cards brought this tactic to its extreme.

He utilizes the extremely long range of his Q skill, "Wild Card," to clear minion waves faster than Galio. Whenever Galio disappears from the map, the eye above Xu Mo's head, representing his ultimate skill "Destiny," lights up simultaneously, like an invisible searchlight, deterring every TOP gank attempt.

At six minutes, TOP repeated their tactic, with jungler Karsa's Lee Sin and Galio attempting a four-man gank on Uzi in the bottom lane.

Just as Galio used his ultimate to jump and the entire TOP team rushed in, Xu Mo's calm voice rang out in RNG's team voice chat: "They're here, don't be afraid, wait for me."

Twisted Fate activated his ultimate ability, and cards filled the entire Summoner's Rift, revealing the positions of all the TOP players.

Xu Mo did not choose to fly to Uzi's side, but instead chose an extreme position - directly behind TOP's formation, on the ADC Xayah's retreat route!

Upon landing, a yellow card brought Xia to her feet!

This fatal control instantly disrupted TOP's offensive rhythm. RNG's top laner Ornn teleported in, Jarvan IV countered with EQ, and Uzi's Kai'Sa, protected by his teammates, unleashed a barrage of damage.

Cut off from their rear, TOP's formation was thrown into chaos, with their front and rear lines becoming disjointed. Ultimately, RNG managed to score a brutal team fight where TOP managed to exchange one player for three.

After this wave, the balance of the game has completely tipped in RNG's favor.

Xu Mo, the Card Master, has transformed into the commander of the entire Rift. He is no longer the core player who needs the protection of his teammates, but rather the tempo engine that uses deadly cards to create opportunities for his teammates.

Fly to the top lane and coordinate with Ornn to kill the Captain.

They flew to the bottom lane and, together with Uzi, tower-dived for a kill.

Fei Jungle, together with jungler Xiangguo, turned Karsa's jungle upside down.

Every time Knight's Galio tried to provide support, the card's "fate" would anticipate his moves and even turn the tables on him. He felt like he wasn't playing a game, but rather playing chess with an omniscient and omnipotent god, whose every intention was seen through and a trap laid in advance.

That feeling of powerlessness was even more despairing than the crushing defeat in the previous game.

At 25 minutes, RNG, with the Baron buff, ganked the city. TOP's players fought desperately, but faced with a huge gap in equipment and gold, it was ultimately futile.

When the main crystal exploded in golden light, the entire venue fell into a deathly silence for three seconds. Then, a thunderous roar of cheers swept through every corner like a volcanic eruption!
"Champions! We are the champions!!!" Uzi jumped up excitedly and hugged Xu Mo next to him. This veteran who had fought for many years cried like a child at this moment.

The RNG players embraced each other as golden rain fell from the sky, landing on their young and flushed faces.

Xu Mo stood in the center of the stage, surrounded by his teammates. He took off his headphones, and the noise from the outside world rushed in like a tide. He looked up at the golden confetti flying everywhere and the fans waving "King" light boards below the stage. At that moment, the ice called "hatred" in his heart completely melted away.

He did it. He reclaimed everything that was rightfully his for himself three years ago, for the King who lay in a pool of blood.

At the awards ceremony, Xu Mo won the Finals MVP award without any suspense. When he received the heavy trophy from the presenter, the whole audience once again chanted "King" name.

The host handed him the microphone: "King! Congratulations to you and RNG! At this moment, is there anything you'd like to say to your teammates and fans?"

Xu Mo took the microphone, his gaze sweeping over every excited face in the audience. Finally, his gaze seemed to pierce through time and space, landing on some distant place.

His voice, transmitted clearly through the microphone, reached the entire venue and every screen around the world watching the live broadcast.

"Thank you to my teammates, without them I wouldn't have gotten this far. Thank you to my fans, your cheers are my greatest strength."

He paused, and the entire room fell silent, waiting for him to continue.

A gentle smile, unlike anything King would have given Xu Mo, appeared on his lips.

"But today, the person I want to thank the most is someone. She taught me that the meaning of victory is not just revenge and glory, but also about protection. She let the King, who only lived in darkness, see the light."

His gaze became incredibly serious as he stared directly at the camera lens in front of him.

Lee Ji-eun.

Seoul, in an apartment. When IU heard her name on the screen, she froze, her heart skipping a beat.

“He’s calling you, Ji-eun…” Uncle Han Te murmured.

On the other end of the screen, Xu Mo spoke in a gentle voice that could be heard throughout the world, word by word:

"Three years ago, I lost everything, thinking my world was filled with nothing but canyons and hatred. But your appearance, like a song, a dance, a ray of starlight, filled my world again. The King's crown is heavy, and the cloak of glory is cold, but I want to spend the rest of my life lifting your skirt and holding an umbrella for you."

In front of the whole world, he raised the MVP trophy, representing the highest honor, high with one hand, while his other hand seemed to be reaching out to her through the screen.

"So, Miss Lee Ji-eun, are you willing to marry a man who isn't called King, but simply Xu Mo?"

boom--!
The whole world seemed to explode at that moment.

The audience at the scene was initially shocked, but then erupted in even more enthusiastic screams and applause than when he won the championship. Online, the comments section, social media were instantly flooded with the phrase "Marry him."

In her Seoul apartment, IU was already in tears. These weren't tears of sadness, but tears of overwhelming happiness. She covered her mouth, her body trembling slightly with emotion, yet she nodded frantically, giving a silent, powerful answer to the man she loved on the other side of the screen.

"I do...I do..."

Six months later, Jeju Island.

A wedding that was not open to the public but attracted worldwide attention was held on a lawn with a view of the azure sea.

The guests were few in number, but of great caliber. The entire RNG team served as groomsmen, with Uzi, dressed in a suit, beaming more than if he were getting married himself. Chen Lie stood a short distance away, watching all this with satisfaction. Uncle Han, as the bride's father, personally placed IU's hand in Xu Mo's.

IU, dressed in a pure white wedding gown, looked as beautiful as an angel descended to earth. Xu Mo, on the other hand, wore a sharp black suit, his "King" edge gone, leaving only deep affection and tenderness.

In the presence of the pastor, they exchanged vows.

Xu Mo looked into her eyes and said earnestly, "My world used to be all about winning and losing, black and white. Until I met you, I realized that there is another color called gratitude. I used to think I was an invincible King, but you made me understand that having a weakness is what makes a complete person. Today, I give you my weakness, my armor, everything I have. I love you."

IU's eyes welled up with tears. She squeezed his hand and smiled as she replied, "The whole world has seen your strength, but only I have seen your scars. They idolize the King on stage, but I only feel sorry for Xu Mo hiding in the corner. You tore through the darkness for me. For the rest of your life, let me be your light, to warm you and illuminate you. I love you."

The moment they exchanged rings and shared a passionate kiss, the lawn erupted in the loudest applause.

Online, the hashtag #XuMoIUWedding# has already topped the global trending charts. Netizens from different countries and speaking different languages, whether e-sports fans or music lovers, have sent their sincerest blessings.

From world champion to world groom, King, you are the true winner in life!

[A divine love story! One is a king on the stage, the other a queen; now they share a kingdom!]

[Sobbing, my youth is complete! Please be happy!]

As night fell, the guests departed.

Xu Mo and IU walked hand in hand on the beach, the sea breeze gently blowing her veil.

“Now, you are Mrs. Xu.” Xu Mo looked down at her with a smile.

"Mmm," IU nestled in his arms, looking up at the starry sky, "Mr. Xu, are you happy now?"

Xu Mo held her tightly, feeling the real warmth in his arms, and his heart was filled with an unprecedented peace and contentment. He had once stood at the pinnacle of the world, admired by thousands, but the glory of that moment was not even a fraction of the joy of holding her in his arms now.

He lowered his head and planted a deep kiss on her forehead, his voice gentle yet firm.

"With you here, my world is truly victorious." (End of Chapter)