EDG.Murder, Officially Connected [Request Monthly Ticket]

Xu Cheng neither agreed nor disagreed when he heard this. He felt Factory Director was exaggerating.

"Didn't you used to say my talent was average, my skill was average, and that every pro player's talent surpassed mine by a mile?"

"Ah, I was just lying to you. I can't speak for the other positions or other regions, but among LPL top laners, your talent should crush everyone!"

Factory Director still could not resist revealing his ugly true colors ahead of schedule. "Hehe, how is it? Aren't you happy?"

"...!"

Seeing that Xu Cheng had fallen silent, weighed down by his thoughts, Factory Director stopped teasing him.

The business car sped down the highway.

After a long silence in the car, Xu Cheng finally heard Factory Director speak with a soft chuckle. "You asked me why... The truth is, no matter how talented someone is, if no one uncovers or discovers them, they are just a pearl buried in dust, unseen by anyone."

"I don't want you to stay hidden among the sand, wasting all your talent and concealing all your brilliance."

"That wouldn't be good for the future development of the Esports Industry either."

"So..."

"EDG... wants to give you this stage, and it will give you a stage."

"So everyone can see you."

Just as Factory Director began relentlessly brainwashing Xu Cheng, EDG's official blog—which had been silent for half a year—quietly posted an announcement on this otherwise unremarkable day, officially revealing the addition of a new player—

[Following private discussions and negotiations between our organization and player Murder (Xu Cheng), a contract was officially signed on January 3, 2017! With sword in hand, the youth asks not when he shall return. The former "Mr. Data" will officially step onto the professional stage today. May your path stretch ten thousand miles without obstacle, and may you not betray the splendor of the years to come. Welcome player Murder to the EDG family. EDG.Murder, officially connected!]

The moment this copywriting was released, it immediately caused an uproar among EDG fans.

Murder?

Who was Murder?

It was an unfamiliar ID, but upon seeing Xu Cheng's name and the highly meaningful title of Mr. Data, their blurred memories from half a year ago gradually came flooding back.

Data Monster!

Data Monster had signed with EDG!

[So Factory Director really succeeded?]

[Father and son have successfully run toward each other!]

[I'm tearing up!]

[Although, it looks like he signed half a year ago. They're only officially announcing it now.]

[I have a question. I'm a Fiora specialist, and it seems Grandmaster hasn't even logged on in the past six months. Has he been playing scrims?]

"Scrims my ass. Insider here—Data Monster hasn't touched LOL in half a year. He only joined EDG after getting guaranteed admission.]

[??? EDG still wants him after he hasn't played games for half a year?]

[Well, he is Grandmaster... But honestly, I'm not too optimistic. Even pro players wouldn't dare waste half a year like this. What results did EDG get this year? How can they afford to play around like this?]

[Every character has eight strokes, and every year ends in the Quarterfinals. Does this garbage Club not know how awful its Spring Split results were? Aren't they holding Grandmaster back?]

[This is seriously ridiculous. Their results are this bad, and they're signing a Newcomer in the summer transfer window? Nice one. GG from another city!]

[My verdict is: just GG already! Third place in the Spring Split—can they even make the Summer Split Playoffs?]

Other than EDG's Die-hard Fans being furious at their disappointing Club, EDG's official announcement did not cause much of a stir—

After all, half a year had already passed.

In this rapidly developing internet age, Water Friends and viewers had limited memories. The buzz and sensation Xu Cheng had caused half a year ago had long faded with time.

Ah Shui, the genius AD once regarded as being on par with Xu Cheng, had joined IG during this year's Spring Split but had yet to take the stage. His popularity was now about the same as Xu Cheng's—far less discussed, with his hype plummeting.

Not to mention that WE was currently at its peak, while the fiercely contested MSI had captured the attention of viewers around the world.

Zhujiang Creative Center in Magic City.

This was the headquarters of the EDG Esports Club.

Several Esports clubs stood nearby. Aside from the central EDG building, the surrounding area was equipped with all kinds of complete supporting facilities.

Every day, EDG fans, fans of other Clubs, and young women would come by to check in and visit the players.

The Esports atmosphere was extremely strong.

Outside the base at No. 695 Lingshi Road, North Haizha District.

The business sedan came to a stop.

Factory Director led Xu Cheng out of the car and pointed at the exquisitely decorated building before them. "We're home!"

Xu Cheng looked up.

Above the small building, EDG's massive classic team emblem radiated a sense of technology. EDG team flags of various sizes were planted around it, alongside posters of the current starting roster.

"Come on. I'll show you around first."

Factory Director led Xu Cheng into the Club, up to the second floor, and into the lounge.

"This is the lounge. The health room is next door, the training room is on the third floor, and the cafeteria is on the first. Our dorms are out back... I spoke to Abu. From now on, you'll be sharing a dorm with me..."

?

Xu Cheng suddenly put some distance between himself and Factory Director, his gaze wary. "Xiao Kai, I don't think that'll be necessary, right?"

"Hm?"

Factory Director directly ignored the latter half of that sentence. Hearing himself called Xiao Kai, he broke into a grin.

He was just about to give Xu Cheng a proper "education."

"Aiya~ We've finally been waiting for you, Cheng Cheng~"

At that moment, Abu came in with a deliberately effeminate voice, leading a group of youths dressed in EDG uniforms. The moment he saw Xu Cheng, he enthusiastically came forward to greet him.

"Manager."

Xu Cheng nodded.

He sized up the group of boys in black behind him.

Hmm...

He did not recognize all of them, though he vaguely knew a few of the more famous ones.

They should be EDG's support, Meiko, their Mid Laner, Scout, and his own "rival," Mouse.

As for the other two, one had an enormous head and eyes so far apart he looked like a flounder, with a deeply withdrawn air about him.

The other looked nervous and skinny, and also... well, deeply withdrawn.

These people...

Were they going to be his future teammates?

"Data Monster! My god!"

Meiko beat the others to him. He looked Xu Cheng over with amazement, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Do you know~? For your sake, our Ming Kai couldn't eat or sleep. For the past six months, all he's thought about is you~!"

Xu Cheng: "..."

Why did that sound more and more wrong? Xiao Kai wasn't actually some fucking pervert, was he?

"Hello, I'm Scout."

Junior seemed normal enough at their first meeting, but the ever-widening grin on his face exposed his hidden mischief—Xu Cheng was the same kind of person as him. He was certain of it. There was something off about this guy!

"I watch your highlight reels all the time. That Fiora and Camille you played in matchmaking... they were so cool!"

Ah Guang, meanwhile, was completely unreserved. He came straight over and threw an arm around Xu Cheng's shoulders, flashing a bright, sunny grin. "Hahaha, I thought you were supposed to come at the start of last year. Didn't expect you'd only show up now."

Xu Cheng was a little confused.

By all rights, this guy should have been hostile toward him. After all, he was a top laner. Now that he had joined EDG, he would definitely be competing with Ah Guang, their current starting top laner.

But judging from appearances alone—especially that sunny smile—Xu Cheng could not sense even the slightest hostility from him.

Umm...

Strange!

Too strange!

Everyone in this entire Club gave off a bizarre, perverted vibe!

What kind of godly team was this?!

Brother Cheng Zi's professional career had officially begun! Please keep reading and vote!