Falk paused, his tone turning somewhat reflective. "You know, Martin, when Li decided to sign Iverson to that astronomical contract, a lot of people on the board opposed it. They believed Iverson posed too much of a commercial risk, that his image didn't fit the brand's longstanding 'king' positioning. But Li only said one thing."
"What did he say?" Martin asked curiously.
"He said, 'A mature empire needs not only a king, but also the most fearless challenger. The king defines greatness, while the challenger ignites people's hearts.' Looking at it now, he saw through everything once again."
After hanging up, Martin Campbell walked to the window and looked down at the still unending stream of people below.
Sunlight spilled across the massive billboards of Times Square. The largest of them all was an enormous poster of Li Fei and Iverson standing side by side.
On the poster, Li Fei's gaze looked down upon the world, like an emperor reigning over all beneath heaven. Beside him, Iverson wore his cap at a crooked angle, a rebellious smile at the corner of his mouth and eyes as sharp as blades.
A striking slogan ran across it:
[Choose Your Answer. Choose Your God.] [Choose Your Answer. Choose Your God.]
Martin suddenly understood.
Li Fei Brand had set the board far too wide.
They had never been selling just shoes. They were selling a choice, a belief.
And last night's historic showdown had been the finest roadshow presented to the entire world.
It told everyone: whether you wanted to become a god who ruled over everything, or the Answer who never bowed his head, here, you could find the battle shoes that belonged to you.
In stark contrast to the noise and frenzy of the Times Square flagship store,