The Old IG Playstyle

But after those two fights, JingDong Gaming really had created two monsters.

Most AD players knew just how terrifying a fed Ambessa and Akali could be in the mid game.

This game also gave the viewers what they wanted: fights over the dragons and Void Grubs, followed by a fight over the Rift Herald. Neither side would back down.

JingDong Gaming also pulled off some spectacular engages during the mid game.

Neither side seemed to care about the actual value of the dragons or Baron Nashor anymore. Whenever they found an opening, they fought.

Every objective became an excuse for the two sides to start a teamfight.

Commentator Mao Mao nearly shouted himself hoarse. Neither side would give in, and the moment they saw the slightest opening, they went at it.

Most viewers were thoroughly entertained, but plenty of IG fans still hoped for a safe victory and couldn't help feeling worried.

In the fierce fighting, every IG player had shown openings and made mistakes, including TheShy, Rookie, Uzi, and Lin Heng.

With JingDong Gaming's composition, Orianna would still be a formidable prospect if the game really reached the late game.

But IG seemed to be the same old IG. They would int, give their opponents openings, and make some rather baffling decisions and choices.

But they wouldn't back down. They could always pull off a stunning teamfight out of nowhere and win the game.

This match had that same familiar flavor.

Just as the viewers felt the game was slipping into a stalemate, a fight broke out above the dragon pit, in front of the Raptors.

Lin Heng found an opening, used E to hook onto a wall, then flashed and kicked Orianna, stunning her. He trapped her with his ultimate while using it to dodge hers, and Ambessa followed up with her own ultimate. The two melted Orianna in an instant.

Lin Heng had built Bloodsong and Sundered Sky this game, and with Hail of Blades, his damage against a squishy target was explosive.

Although Miss Fortune's ultimate and Neeko then burst him down, Uzi's Kai'Sa landed her W on Miss Fortune as she used her ultimate and decisively flew over to her.

Akali also charged into the crowd, attacking left and right. With Orianna gone, JingDong Gaming clearly lacked damage, and IG wiped them out.

That ended the game.

IG once again defeated JingDong Gaming 2:0.

That meant IG had now beaten three of the five teams with the strongest rosters in the first split—Weibo Gaming, JingDong Gaming, IG, BLG, and Anyone's Legend—by a score of 2:0.

At least in best-of-three matches, IG had shown overwhelming dominance.

Only BLG, the team whose style was most similar to IG's, had yet to face them. The match between the two sides was scheduled for three days later.

BLG had also beaten Weibo Gaming and Anyone's Legend, showing off their considerable strength in the new season.

As a result, the match three days later had already drawn a great deal of attention from viewers.

Gala had been a member of IG last year and an old teammate of their top laner, jungler, and mid laner, so after the game, he stopped by IG's room.

Lin Heng also got Gala's WeChat. As they chatted, he could tell Gala really was, just as he appeared, a very nice person.

Gala smiled at everyone he spoke to, though his smile always seemed to have a hint of bitterness to it.

For the post-match interview, everyone urged Rookie to go, since his girlfriend was hosting today, but Rookie declined, using a stomachache as an excuse.

Lin Heng was ultimately forced to do the interview.

The moment she saw Lin Heng, a barely perceptible flicker of disappointment passed through host Xiao Yu's eyes before her expression returned to normal.

Xiao Yu: "Congratulations to IG on their 2:0 victory over JingDong Gaming. Our guest today is IG's support player, Lin Heng."

Lin Heng: "Hello, everyone. I'm IG's support, Joker."

Xiao Yu: "Lin Heng, today you took down your opponents with another clean 2:0. It looks like IG are working together really well."

Lin Heng: "The veterans are all very experienced players, and everyone's very receptive when it comes to practice and teamwork. Really, all I need to do is fit into the team."

Xiao Yu: "Oh? Then how well do you feel you've fit in, Lin Heng?"

Lin Heng: "Ninety percent in everyday life, maybe sixty percent in the game," he said playfully.

Xiao Yu: "Hahaha, my second question is for you too, Lin Heng. As a newcomer to the LPL, you've played very well in these matches, and you're teamed up with veteran players. How do you relieve the pressure, or rather, keep yourself in the right mindset?"

The question the organizers had come up with was actually rather pointed. It didn't say that Lin Heng's teammates were all stars, that they attracted a lot of discussion, or that public opinion brought enormous pressure. It merely referred to them tactfully as veteran players, but everyone knew what it was really asking.

Lin Heng thought for a moment. "I don't really feel any pressure. I think my teammates are the ones under pressure. With a player like me and a coach like Danny, we often make some very risky choices on the spot. My teammates must be under quite a lot of pressure."

Lin Heng answered the question about public opinion with a joke, but he also made his attitude clear: public opinion and the like didn't matter.

Xiao Yu smiled and continued with the third question:

"As a newcomer, Lin Heng, what do you think of this year's IG, and what are your expectations for them?"

Lin Heng held the microphone and thought for a moment. "I'm not greedy. I'll just borrow a first split victory and the First Stand championship in advance, and pay them back in March."

According to the schedule, the first split finals and First Stand would both take place in March.

Lin Heng's humorous answer sent the audience roaring with laughter. It was another somewhat arrogant statement, but some viewers liked that sort of thing.

When Lin Heng said it, they found him interesting instead.

After the interview ended and the cameras were off, Lin Heng said jokingly, "Sister-in-law, we're practically family. Could you collect fewer pointed questions like that in the future? What if I get flamed tomorrow?"

It was a rare occasion for Lin Heng to act so familiar, but all he got in return was Xiao Yu's bitter smile and the faint sadness in her eyes.

He didn't know why she had reacted that way, but he didn't look into it further, because it wasn't that important to him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he hurried back to the lounge.

The second game today had exposed a lot of problems, and he didn't want to delay the review.

But when he got back, he found that the coach and players hadn't started the review and were waiting for him instead.

"Lin Heng, what do you think of the 'IG playstyle' in the second game?" Danny asked from his chair.

"As a competitive match, it was extremely risky. As a game, it was exhilarating," Lin Heng replied.

After hearing Rookie's translation, Danny burst out laughing.

"Yes, yes, yes!!! You're absolutely right, Lin Heng. I've realized you're really talented, kid."

Then he thought for a moment and continued:

"I want you to play like that, to play with that sense of exhilaration, because I saw that the preparations before each fight were done very well under Lin Heng's shotcalling. So I need you to keep your hands sharp through high-intensity teamfights and mechanical play."

"Keeping our hands sharp? I have a brilliant plan," Lin Heng said, raising his chin.