Chapter Summaries

Zhu Ding dominated Geng Shuai in their match, using overwhelming power and deliberately spectacular shots to challenge Wang Chao. After sweeping Geng Shuai 3:0, Zhu Ding left Wang Chao restless and preparing to face him.

• Zhu Ding broke a close rally with a scooping hook, then beat Geng Shuai in an extended exchange to tie the score at 1:1.
• Zhu Ding took the lead with aggressive flicks and stunned the crowd by returning Geng Shuai’s powerful attacks with an extreme-range backhand sidespin flick.
• Zhu Ding built a commanding lead as Geng Shuai’s desperate attacks repeatedly failed, then won the first game 11:3.
• Wang Chao recognized that Zhu Ding’s performance was aimed at him and memorized Luo Jiu’s recommended landing points for use against Zhu Ding.
• Zhu Ding defeated Geng Shuai 3:0, winning the second game 11:2 and the third 11:1, while Wang Chao felt driven to answer the challenge.

Wang Chao and Lu Jia faced Zhao Li'an and Ma Angxing in the crucial third match, with Poseidon exploiting Lu Jia’s weakness on the move to take an early lead. Ma Angxing revealed his Eagle Eye talent and saw the match as a secret contest between the schools behind him and Wang Chao, leaving Poseidon confident it could sweep Spade Q.

• After Zhao Li'an beat Lu Jia 3:0, Wang Chao and Lu Jia took on Zhao Li'an and Ma Angxing in the decisive doubles match.
• Brother Da Ma analyzed the teams’ strengths and noted that most viewers hoped Spade Q would win, even as many expected Poseidon to be stronger.
• Ma Angxing and Zhao Li'an repeatedly targeted Wang Chao’s side, forcing Lu Jia to move and make unstable returns, and took the first two points.
• Ma Angxing read Wang Chao’s spinless serve and feint, then attacked decisively to help Poseidon build a 2:0 lead.
• Ma Angxing recalled that Coach Wang Shou had designed the tactic around his Eagle Eye talent, which let him see through Wang Chao’s deceptive techniques.
• Ma Angxing regarded the match as an unseen clash between the Wang Clan and the Zhu Clan and resolved to help Poseidon sweep Spade Q.

Wang Chao used an unexpected paddle-and-hand switch to disrupt Poseidon Club’s doubles tactics and create an opening for Lu Jia. Spade Q tied the score at 2:2, while Ma Angxing and Coach Wang Shou realized Wang Chao’s unpredictable style had changed the match.

• Wang Chao signaled Lu Jia to prepare for a power loop after returning the serve, and Lu Jia agreed to follow his instructions.
• Ma Angxing served short backspin, Lu Jia pushed the ball back, and Zhao Li'an’s risky flick failed, making the score 1:2.
• After Lu Jia returned another serve, Wang Chao switched to his left hand, changed to a shakehand grip, and flipped his paddle to use its short-pips side.
• Wang Chao returned Zhao Li'an’s push with a strange, floating loop, and Ma Angxing chose a cautious high-arc return because he could not read the spin.
• Lu Jia power-looped Ma Angxing’s return past Zhao Li'an to tie the score at 2:2, while Wang Chao switched back to his right-handed penhold grip.
• Wang Shou realized Wang Chao’s ability to switch styles had undermined Poseidon Club’s tactics, and Ma Angxing watched Wang Chao’s paddle closely.

As Spade Q took the lead against Poseidon, Wang Chao’s short-pips attacks left Zhao Li'an unable to break through and Ma Angxing struggling to judge the shots. The chapter traced Ma Angxing’s rise from a neglected county player to the First Division, where Coach Wang Lu identified his tactical intelligence and set Dragon Team as his theoretical peak.

• At 2:2, Lu Jia sent a long serve, and Wang Chao switched hands to smash Zhao Li'an’s return with short pips, putting Spade Q ahead 3:2.
• Ma Angxing signaled Zhao Li'an to keep attacking, and Zhao Li'an unleashed a full-power shot, but Wang Chao switched hands and returned it with a sideslice.
• Ma Angxing recalled Wang Lu’s warning not to abandon judgment and play recklessly, then remembered how he had grown up in poor Wushan County and gone unnoticed by local coaches.
• Wang Lu discovered Ma Angxing, took him to the Imperial Capital to broaden his horizons, and entrusted his training to Wang Shou.
• At eighteen, Ma Angxing joined the Table Tennis First Division under Wang Shou and impressed the league with his judgment, vision, calculation, and intelligence.
• Wang Lu told Ma Angxing that Dragon Team represented the ultimate theoretical height he could reach.

Wang Chao and Lu Jia defeated Ma Angxing and Zhao Li'an in doubles, using tactics that exposed Ma Angxing’s weaknesses while he fought to understand the loss. After Spade Q took the match 3:0, Geng Shuai noticed Wang Chao was exhausted from the effort.

• Wang Chao used short-pips shots to disrupt Ma Angxing, then returned to his supporting style as Lu Jia finished rallies with short drops and smashes.
• Wang Shou concluded Ma Angxing could not overcome Wang Chao’s tactics and accepted Poseidon’s defeat, while Zhu Ding watched with a strong desire to face Wang Chao.
• Ma Angxing kept observing Wang Chao and resolved to learn from the loss rather than give up mentally.
• Spade Q defeated Poseidon Club 3:0, but Ma Angxing and Zhao Li'an resisted until the final point.
• Geng Shuai told Fan Xiaoxian that Wang Chao was tired because he had worked hard to outthink Ma Angxing.

Wang Chao reflected on how he had worn down Ma Angxing before defeating him, then reassured Fan Xiaoxian that Geng Shuai still had a chance to win. Geng Shuai and Ma Angxing began a fierce, straightforward match that thrilled the crowd.

• Wang Chao recalled spending a week studying Ma Angxing and using his unpredictable play to drain Ma Angxing's focus before winning their match.
• Fan Xiaoxian encouraged Wang Chao not to worry about the team’s record or his bonus and offered to treat everyone to dinner.
• Wang Chao told Fan Xiaoxian that Ma Angxing had only about forty percent of his condition left, while Geng Shuai’s higher ceiling gave him a chance to win.
• Geng Shuai and Ma Angxing traded forceful attacks, and the score reached 2:2.
• The crowd cheered the pair’s aggressive rallies while Brother Da Ma joined the livestream audience in reacting to the points.

Geng Shuai defeated Ma Angxing in straight games, helping set the stage for Wang Chao's anticipated showdown with Zhu Ding. As the crowd gathered for the decisive match, Zhu Zeshi and the other coaches watched the livestream and discussed his son's advantages.

• Geng Shuai won the first game 11:8, then returned to the court after eating two bananas as Wang Chao predicted his form would improve.
• Geng Shuai played more fiercely as Ma Angxing's resolve faltered, winning the next two games 11:6 and 11:4 to take the match.
• Geng Shuai celebrated wildly despite the crowd's boos, while spectators roared over the coming battle between Wang Chao and Zhu Ding.
• Wang Chao's support rate rose to 44.7 percent after his doubles win, bringing public expectations for the showdown close to Zhu Ding's.
• Zhu Zeshi brewed tea for He Jingping, Wang Lu, and Qin Huachang, then asked what advantage his son had in the battle as they watched the livestream.

He Jingping explained why he believed Wang Chao could challenge Zhu Ding, whose years of preparation had focused on He Jingping’s two-winged looping style. The match began with a straightforward rally, and Zhu Ding won the opening point by anticipating Wang Chao’s change of direction.

• Zhu Zeshi revealed that Zhu Ding had secretly studied He Jingping’s two-winged looping style for years to prepare for a match against Wang Chao.
• He Jingping explained that Luo Jiu had defeated Zhu Ding three times and had shared his analysis of Zhu Ding with Wang Chao.
• Qin Huachang bet that Zhu Ding would win, offering Wang Chao a chance to enter the cup tournament if he lost the wager; He Jingping accepted.
• Wang Chao and Zhu Ding began their match with standard serves and returns rather than deceptive tricks.
• Zhu Ding anticipated Wang Chao’s change of line, forced a weak return, and killed the ball to take a 1-0 lead.

Wang Chao used daring changes in rhythm and varied attacks to challenge Zhu Ding, but Zhu Ding’s control and speed kept turning the rallies back in his favor. Zhu Ding won the first game 11:5 after Wang Chao’s odd push seemed to invite an attack rather than exploit a weakness.

• Wang Chao switched from chopping to looping during a rally and scored with a sudden attack to tie the score at 1:1.
• Wang Chao exploited Zhu Ding’s weak serve, then used a varied two-wing attack to take a 2:1 lead.
• Zhu Ding repeatedly regained control of rallies, and Wang Chao fell behind as his risky attempts to seize the initiative mostly failed.
• At 5:9, Wang Chao switched his racket from his left hand to his right to reach a distant ball, but sent it high and lost the point.
• Wang Chao pushed Zhu Ding’s serve slowly toward the middle, but Zhu Ding attacked down the line and won the first game 11:5.

Zhu Ding revealed that he had trained with Wang Lu to overcome the weaknesses Luo Jiu had previously exploited, while Wang Chao realized Zhu Ding could now counter the tactic. Relieved that he could stop holding back, Wang Chao prepared to face Zhu Ding on his own merits.

• Wang Lu admitted that Zhu Ding had asked him in March to identify and train against placements that could disrupt his judgment, keeping the plan secret from the others.
• He Jingping, Qin Huachang, Zhu Zeshi, and Wang Lu debated why Wang Chao smiled after losing the first game, and He Jingping explained that he planned to protect Wang Chao rather than control his training.
• Wang Chao reflected on his reluctance to use Luo Jiu's advice against Zhu Ding, whom he considered flawed but compassionate, and on the pressure he felt to win for the Zhu clan.
• After Wang Chao tried Luo Jiu's subtle targeting placement, Zhu Ding reacted instantly and counterattacked, showing that the tactic no longer worked on him.
• Wang Chao recognized that Zhu Ding had overcome the weakness and felt free to play the rest of the match without relying on the targeting strategy.

Wang Chao tried to become more passionate during his match against Zhu Ding, but lost the second game despite making several spectacular shots. Afterward, Geng Shuai urged Wang Chao to cast off his inhibitions, and began dragging him toward a way to do it.

• Wang Chao asked Geng Shuai how to get excited during a match, and Geng Shuai suggested shouting and making animal noises.
• Wang Chao shouted at the start of the second game, but his awkward attempt was drowned out by the crowd as Zhu Ding kept the lead.
• Wang Chao pulled off a behind-the-back block and a remarkable defensive scoop, but Zhu Ding won the game 11:8.
• Brother Da Ma predicted that Wang Chao would lose the match 3:0 and banned a viewer who accused him of playing strangely.
• Wang Chao asked Geng Shuai how to fire himself up quickly, and Geng Shuai said he needed to act shamelessly before pulling him over the barrier.

After Geng Shuai forcibly tore Wang Chao’s uniform during a bizarre pre-match incident, Wang Chao embraced the freedom the struggle had awakened in him and began playing differently against Zhu Ding. He won the opening three points of the game through solid rallying, leaving Zhu Ding to realize that Wang Chao had deliberately drawn him into rallies.

• Geng Shuai dragged Wang Chao onto the court, tore his jersey and track pants, and was ejected by officials before Wang Chao changed into a fresh uniform.
• Zhu Zeshi and Qin Huachang inferred that Geng Shuai had helped Wang Chao liberate his nature, while He Jingping remained confused about the apparent attack.
• Wang Chao roared, warmed up with exaggerated movements, and recognized the ease he felt as the liberation Brother Geng had described.
• Wang Chao used a Sneak Long Serve to provoke Zhu Ding’s attack, then counter-looped through a rally and broke Zhu Ding’s defense to win the point.
• Wang Chao repeated the serve-and-rally strategy, returned Zhu Ding’s powerful attacks smoothly, and took a 3:0 lead.
• Zhu Ding realized Wang Chao had deliberately guided the points into rallies, despite rallies having been Zhu Ding’s comfort zone.

Wang Chao’s dominant play continued, and Zhu Ding realized that Geng Shuai’s shocking stunt had helped Wang Chao break through his psychological restraints and achieve a lasting super evolution. As the match slipped away, Zhu Ding faced the possibility that this was his last chance to prove himself to the coach who had once passed him over.

• Wang Chao extended his lead over Zhu Ding by attacking through rallies and winning a point with a flick in the short game.
• Zhu Ding tried to slow the pace with chops and short balls, but Wang Chao remained composed and kept scoring.
• Wang Chao pushed the score to 7:1, and Zhu Ding recognized that his improvement was permanent rather than a fleeting super state.
• Zhu Ding connected Geng Shuai’s earlier stunt with Wang Chao’s newfound freedom to play without caring about the watching crowd.
• Zhu Ding despaired as he realized he might lose his final chance to prove to his former coach that passing him over had been a mistake.

Wang Chao crushed Zhu Ding 11:1 in the third game, prompting Ma Angxing to urge Zhu Ding to return to his old style of play. As the fourth game began, Zhu Ding abandoned control and calculation to play his own rhythm, while Wang Chao’s supporters and family watched the decisive match unfold.

• Wang Chao read Zhu Ding’s reverse-spin serve, attacked decisively, and won the third game 11:1.
• Ma Angxing told Zhu Ding that he should stop playing control and try to play more like Geng Shuai.
• Brother Da Ma gave an impassioned speech cheering Wang Chao before the fourth game.
• Zhu Zeshi left to avoid watching his son face Wang Chao, while He Jingping stayed to watch his disciple.
• Zhu Ding changed his approach in the middle of the fourth game and focused on playing his own rhythm.

Wang Chao beat Zhu Ding 11:7 in the fourth game, leaving Zhu Ding devastated despite the Poseidon Club fans’ loud support. As Zhu Ding struggled to understand why he could not win, fragmented memories of his Little Martial Uncle began to surface.

• Zhu Ding’s wild, rule-defying attacks pressured Wang Chao, but Wang Chao’s steady fundamentals kept him ahead 9:7.
• Zhu Ding called a timeout at 10:7 and recalled rejecting offers to return to Chinese table tennis because he remained determined to prove himself.
• Zhu Ding asked Wang Shou to have the fans shout his name, and thousands of Poseidon Club supporters cheered as he returned to the court.
• Wang Chao won the next rally with a powerful change of direction, and Zhu Ding tossed his racket aside and sat blankly on the floor.
• Zhu Ding tried to remember when he met his Little Martial Uncle and began wanting to learn table tennis from him, but only fragmented images came to mind.

Zhu Ding remembered how He Jingping had been his beloved Little Martial Uncle and how the mutual-selection trial left him feeling betrayed when He Jingping chose Luo Jiu instead. After a disastrous tournament, Zhu Ding left the national team for Poseidon Club and rejected He Jingping’s later apology and offer to take him as a disciple.

• Zhu Ding recalled He Jingping’s care and encouragement throughout his childhood and youth, and how he had hoped to become He Jingping’s disciple.
• Before the coaches and players’ mutual-selection trial, He Jingping urged Zhu Ding to list Zhu Zeshi and Qin Huachang ahead of him, but Zhu Ding secretly put He Jingping first.
• Zhu Ding discovered that He Jingping had chosen Luo Jiu, while no coach selected Zhu Ding, and he felt humiliated and betrayed.
• When He Jingping tried to take Zhu Ding to Zhu Zeshi during the coaches’ adjustments, Zhu Ding threw down his preference form and walked away.
• Zhu Ding played poorly at the Denmark World Tour stop, lost to Luo Jiu, and withdrew from the national team to join Poseidon Club.
• He Jingping apologized and asked Zhu Ding to become his disciple, but Zhu Ding rejected him and told him never to come back.

Zhu Ding fought Wang Chao in the fifth game, refusing to give in despite being completely outclassed, and lost 11:0. The shutout ended his season’s defining struggle, while Brother Da Ma predicted major changes to the First Division as Zhu Ding and Wang Chao might leave their clubs.

• He Jingping watched Zhu Ding’s final game and understood that Zhu Ding was fighting desperately rather than admitting defeat.
• Zhu Ding attacked recklessly against Wang Chao, broke three balls, and received yellow and red cards while failing to score.
• Wang Chao shut Zhu Ding out 11:0, and Zhu Ding’s suicidal serve at 10:0 showed his technique had finally broken down.
• The crowd recognized Spade Q as the new dominant First Division team after Wang Chao’s victory.
• Brother Da Ma predicted that Zhu Ding would leave Poseidon and Wang Chao would soon depart Spade Q, making Jingyue Bay a favorite for next year’s title.

After Wang Chao’s victory over Zhu Ding, Geng Shuai received a suspension, and Spade Q lost its first match of the season to Jingyuewan. Wang Chao then prepared Spade Q for its upcoming match against Qiantang Tide Watching, but an uninvited guest disrupted the team’s plans.

• Hu Buming told Zhou Tingfang that he still believed he could beat Wang Chao, who dismissed Hu’s confidence during an interview with Luo Xiaoyu.
• The table tennis association fined Geng Shuai twenty thousand yuan and suspended him for two weeks; Fan Xiaofan reimbursed him and gave him an additional red packet.
• With Geng Shuai suspended, Spade Q lost 2–3 to Jingyuewan despite Wang Chao winning two points, suffering its first defeat of the season.
• Zhu Zeshi thanked Wang Chao and told him Zhu Ding had agreed to return to the national team after the season and join Imperial Capital Panlong next year.
• Wang Chao took charge of Spade Q’s lineup and training for its upcoming match against Qiantang Tide Watching, but an uninvited guest arrived and disrupted their plans.

Qin Huachang persuaded Wang Chao to leave for Liancheng City by securing his approval to compete in the T2 Diamond Match in Sakura Country. Wang Chao agreed after learning the trip had no placement requirements and headed out with Qin Huachang.

• Qin Huachang showed Wang Chao a signed leave request and an approved application for the T2 Diamond Match in Sakura Country.
• Wang Chao questioned why he had been invited despite having no world ranking, and Qin Huachang explained that the tournament needed Chinese players to attract participants.
• Wang Chao inferred that the Sakura Country Table Tennis Association had allowed China to send unranked young players because it could not afford to hold the event without Chinese competitors.
• Qin Huachang told Wang Chao that two other players, one from the First Team and one from the National Second Team, would also compete, and that none of them had placement requirements.
• Wang Chao wrote his name on the application and agreed to go to Liancheng City with Qin Huachang.

Qin Huachang brought Wang Chao to Liancheng City to persuade Sister Fan to let him train Xiao Dong, but she refused and set Big Yellow on him. After the dog bit Qin Huachang, Wang Chao discovered that the locals already knew him and his recurring troubles.

• Qin Huachang treated Wang Chao to Tan fish head and led him around Liancheng City without explaining their purpose.
• Qin Huachang visited a local woman and then took Wang Chao to Sister Fan's courtyard to ask for Xiao Dong.
• Sister Fan angrily refused Qin Huachang's request and threatened to kneel, so Qin Huachang knelt first to plead with her.
• Sister Fan ordered Big Yellow to attack, and Qin Huachang and Wang Chao ran from the courtyard.
• Big Yellow caught Qin Huachang and bit his leg before running off, while Wang Chao tried to help him.
• Qin Huachang led Wang Chao to a nearby house, where the resident recognized him and called for supplies to treat his dog bite.