The King Returns, Moment Card!

"Is that it?" The Turris right-back found Lu Yang during the team's celebration and spat out some trash talk. "I thought you were something special. If you've got the guts, try pointing me out again!"

Lu Yang looked at the right-back calmly, but inside, he was already incensed.

He wasn't angered by such low-level trash talk, but by the state of the match.

He was not a player who could get used to losing.

In every match he had participated in so far, he had never lost!

He certainly knew that one day he would lose. But... even if he were to lose, it shouldn't be in a match as important and critical as today's.

He refused to become a pathetic loser in everyone's eyes!

Second place is the biggest loser in any competitive game!

Checking the time, Lu Yang decided to use the random gift pack he had been holding onto.

Moment Card!

Give me a Moment Card!

Lu Yang stared at the interface.

"Ding! You have obtained a player-level dribbling skill: Bicycle Dribble!"

Lu Yang's brows furrowed tightly.

This... this probably wasn't enough to change the situation on the pitch.

In the stands.

Arthas: "Lu Yang is angry. He rarely frowns like that."

Maniero: "But it doesn't look like it's because of that right-back. Honestly, I don't think Lu Yang even took his provocation to heart. He's likely frustrated because he can't find a way to break the deadlock."

Carlisle: "He's already been outstanding, but I'm afraid it will be hard for him to score today because the defensive pressure from San Remo is too immense."

Latuidi: "Is that the highly aggressive defensive player Lu Yang? His defense is indeed excellent; without him, Turris would have scored two more."

Milan youth academy director Smith shook his head: "There's no hope. Even if San Remo scores one or two goals, it's useless. They are two points behind Turris; only a win will secure the title. Otherwise, even a draw is a loss, and besides... they aren't going to equalize anyway."

The Benevento head coach: "Turris is a Serie C team, and they are likely near the top of the Serie C rankings. Their center-forward was a semi-regular starter for a Serie B team; no one in Serie D can stop him."

The situation on the pitch became increasingly clear.

And just three minutes later, San Remo suffered the biggest blow of the match.

Turris once again passed and controlled the ball near the San Remo penalty area.

It was another cut-back pass.

The San Remo right midfielder lost his mark, and the Turris right-back fired another long-range shot.

BOOM!

Lu Yang happened to be in the ball's trajectory. He had nowhere to dodge, so he steeled himself and chose to block the ball with his face.

A loud thud echoed!

Lu Yang was hit as if struck by a cannonball and collapsed to the ground instantly.

Sophia was stunned.

"My God, this is too brutal! Lu Yang chose to clear the ball with his own face at a critical moment! That takes immense courage!"

"Lu Yang is down. That shot was powerful and heavy; I'm afraid he won't be able to get up for a while."

"Turris hasn't stopped their attack; they are still fighting for the ball."

As the commentator spoke, Lu Yang scrambled to get up quickly; he had no time to lie on the ground.

Because at that moment, the opposing midfielder on the perimeter gained possession and sent a ball into the box that was half-pass, half-shot.

The Turris beast-like center-forward jumped up and flew toward the ball with an unconventional motion.

If he made contact, it would definitely be a goal.

However...

A person's head suddenly appeared on the other side of the ball, poking it away just in time.

Then...

BANG!

That person was kicked hard in the face by the Turris center-forward.

WHISTLE!

The referee blew the whistle to stop the match and gave the Turris center-forward a yellow card for dangerous play.

In fact, his action was worthy of a red card.

But the San Remo players were in no mood to argue with the referee.

Moric rushed to the scene immediately, his eyes turning red instantly before tears began to fall.

"Oh! My God! This... heavens... this is simply..." The stadium commentator was also stunned, his voice becoming choked with emotion at a visible rate. "Lu Yang, it's Lu Yang!"

"Lu Yang is in great pain after hitting the ground; he's bleeding from his nose! Yet, he stood up at the very first moment and threw himself forward to head the ball away, ensuring the San Remo goal remained intact!"

"But he paid a heavy price for this clearance! He was kicked by the Turris center-forward, and the studs tore through his cheek, leaving a gaping, flesh-exposed wound at the corner of his eye!"

"The wound is deep and long, and the blood won't stop flowing! Lu Yang is seriously injured!"

"The Turris center-forward isn't complaining about the referee's call; he stands beside Lu Yang with a panicked expression, knowing just how dangerous his actions were. But scoring is his instinct; he simply never expected anyone to dare use their head against a boot to contest the ball. No one does that!"

"Moric is crying, his emotions running high. He glances at Lu Yang and then charges at the Turris center-forward... Moric makes a move, shoving the opposing forward, who doesn't retaliate... Moric is held back by Nagy..."

"The referee gives Moric a yellow card, and Rondo comes over to steady Moric's emotions. Friends who frequently watch Serie D matches should know that Moric and Lu Yang have a very close relationship; we can understand his emotions..."

"The stretcher comes onto the pitch, and Lu Yang is placed on it by his teammates. Blood is streaming uncontrollably from the corner of his left eye!"

"On the sidelines, Soto prepares to make a substitution."

"Wait! Lu Yang is sitting up on the stretcher!"

"He is pressing a large wad of hemostatic cotton against his eye and face, walking toward Soto, and is currently communicating something to him."

"Soto keeps shaking his head, signaling for the stretcher to come and take Lu Yang away."

"Lu Yang is extremely agitated; he pushes the stretcher away, throws the cotton to the ground, and roars at Soto!"

On the sidelines, both the Turris bench and the San Remo bench are stunned by the scene unfolding before them.

Maniero and his group are positioned very close to the bench, able to clearly see and hear the incredible things happening.

"Let me stay!"

"I still want to play!"

"I don't want to lose this match!"

Lu Yang clenches both fists, blood still streaming from his eye, covering half his cheek in crimson!

Soto is shaken.

"Trust me just like you did in the first match; I can still fight! I must continue to fight!" Lu Yang looks at Soto with determination. In this moment, his gaze sends a chill down Soto's spine.

Soto feels as if he has been transported to another lifetime.

He has seen this look before.

Fourteen years ago, when he and Maniero suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Netherlands in the European Championship semi-finals, there was a center-forward on their team who had this exact look in his eyes.

Because it was the last European Championship before that player retired, he would never have another chance to make up for the regret.

Twelve years ago, in the World Cup quarter-finals, the Italian team met the Netherlands again, defeating them in a penalty shootout to advance and eventually winning that World Cup.

For Maniero and Soto, the most thrilling moment of that World Cup, aside from lifting the trophy, was the moment they took those penalties against the Netherlands.

Especially when Maniero took the final penalty to decide the outcome, his eyes were exactly the same as Lu Yang's at this very moment.

If he had missed, it would have been the final battle for that Italian team in the World Cup, and the final battle for Maniero and Soto. Their bodies could not wait another four years.

Ten years ago, Maniero and Soto led the Italian team in the European Championship for the last time, reaching the final for the first time in sixteen years.

But in the final stages of that match, trailing two-nil, the Italian team played like madmen. In the eyes of Maniero and Soto back then, there was this same look.

They knew they would never have another European Championship to play in; it was their last major tournament.

They were unwilling to accept it; they truly did not want to lose!

At this moment, Lu Yang's gaze is just as resolute and firm.

This is not the final match of his career, yet Lu Yang is playing it as if it were his last.

If Soto had never understood what made Lu Yang so different—to the point of overshadowing even the more talented Moric, Vedian, and some top-tier youth players from Serie B and Serie A—then now, Soto has finally found the answer.

Perhaps it is because, in Lu Yang's eyes, football is simply not the same as it is for others.

In his heart, he holds his own footballing faith.

And those who possess faith are invincible!

"Your wound needs treatment!" Soto relents. In truth, San Remo couldn't find a player to replace Lu Yang's level, let alone find another player with starting-caliber quality.

"Team doctor! I'll give you three minutes! You must help me treat this wound!" Lu Yang turns to look at the team doctor nearby.

"This... but..." The team doctor is stunned.

Looking into Lu Yang's eyes, the doctor cannot say no.

That gaze, filled with such longing for the match, for football, and for victory, makes the doctor shudder, yet it also evokes a deep sense of respect from within.

Perhaps this is what it means to be someone who truly gives their heart and soul to the game.

As long as the match isn't over, he will never admit that he can be defeated!

Even if the current score is a one-to-three deficit!

"It will be very painful!" The team doctor takes out his medical kit.

"It doesn't matter!" Lu Yang immediately turns and roars at his teammates on the pitch, "Three minutes! Help me hold on for three minutes! After three minutes, I will return to the pitch and fight alongside you! We will definitely win, trust me!"

Moric wipes away his tears and shouts loudly, "Why do you say that? We can win without you!"

He wants Lu Yang to accept treatment; he is worried about Lu Yang's body.

"No, I've seen this match! We are going to win this match, and I will bring you a victory!" After Lu Yang finished speaking, the team doctor began stitching him up, right there on the sidelines.

There was no anesthetic; the stitches were applied directly, and the level of pain was unbearable. The broadcast cameras quickly panned away after a brief recording, as even the director couldn't stomach the sight.

Lu Yang clenched his fists tightly, not because he couldn't feel it.

But he had to hold on.

He had to get on the pitch; he had to play!

"Lu Yang! Lu Yang! Lu Yang!"

In the stands, the San Remo fans chanted Lu Yang's name.

They didn't know if the team should have substituted Lu Yang at that moment, but they knew Lu Yang definitely wanted to hear their support.

In the city of San Remo, at this moment, only the name Lu Yang echoed through the sky.

Sophia covered her face, her tears having long since broken their banks. She gripped Lu Yang's jersey tightly, watching him receive stitches on the sidelines, unable to utter a single word.

But from this moment on, her heart would never be able to hold anyone else but this man.

Yes, he was only sixteen, but he was the toughest and most responsible man in this world!

Beep!

The referee resumed the match.

On the pitch, the ten-man San Remo side was ignited with immense courage.

They fought for every ball as if their lives depended on it.

They didn't miss a single opportunity to challenge, they feared no confrontation, and they forged their backline to be as solid as steel.

Because they knew that as long as they held on, when that man returned, they could win!

Although this thought was absurd, at this moment, no one doubted it!

Even the Turris players were shocked by Lu Yang receiving stitches on the sidelines, and their offense unconsciously grew sluggish.

They were afraid.

At the same time, they were worried about getting injured during a challenge.

Their team had already secured promotion; they didn't need to risk it.

If they really got injured, not only would their vacation be ruined, but since the team was planning to overhaul the squad after promotion, being left out of the team's plans would be a heavy price to pay.

Therefore, for a full four minutes, Turris failed to mount any threatening attacks.

But... anyone with a discerning eye knew that this situation couldn't last long.

The San Remo players were running on the fumes Lu Yang had left them; their stamina and rage were nearly spent. Once that happened, Turris would kick San Remo even harder!

The score might not just end at three to one!

In the eighty-fifth minute of the match, the team doctor finished the temporary treatment of Lu Yang's wound.

But after the match, Lu Yang would still need further treatment, because this temporary stitching was merely a stopgap. Moreover... because of this stitching, Lu Yang would have to suffer much more later, and it might even leave a permanent scar.

But Lu Yang didn't care about any of that. He changed his blood-stained jersey right on the sidelines and prepared to enter the pitch.

When the referee signaled for him to enter, Lu Yang stepped onto the field.

"Ding! Your resolute gaze has shocked the world, redefining the belief in victory. You have obtained a Moment Card*1, Cristiano Rona!"

A Moment Card!

It had actually appeared in this way!

Without hesitation, Lu Yang crushed the Moment Card.

In an instant, his body was filled with power.

A sudden realization dawned upon him.

June 16, 2018, Russia World Cup Group B first round, Portugal vs. Spain.

He was ready!

On the pitch.

"Oh no, Vedian has lost the ball! The Turris right-back and midfielder's double-team worked! Turris has launched a counterattack, their right-back is surging forward at high speed. He has been very active in this match, having scored a long-range goal in the first half!" the commentator said. "Oh, Lu Yang, who just returned to the pitch, has charged over! His speed is incredible!"

"He's intercepted the ball! A clean and beautiful tackle! The Turris right-back didn't even have time to react! Lu Yang controlled the ball, dodged the opponent's challenge, passed to Moric, and Lu Yang is making a high-speed run!"

"The Turris right-back is tracking Lu Yang, returning to his defensive position. Vedian is cutting into the middle, but there's no opening. Moric passed the ball back to the team's left-back, who passed it to Lu Yang, who had come to support. Lu Yang has been very active during this period; his stamina seems inexhaustible."

"Lu Yang picks up speed, he uses his pace to burst past the Turris midfield... Oh, Lu Yang with a beautiful heel-flick change of direction! He faked out the Turris midfielder who tried to intercept him and completed an inside cut. He didn't pass to Vedian; he's going to dribble into the penalty area!"

"The Turris right-back is in position, defending Lu Yang while retreating. Lu Yang is not a player known for his dribbling; facing Lu Yang's attack, the right-back seems confident, after all, he had almost frozen Vedian earlier."

"Oh! Step-overs! Lu Yang is performing a series of step-overs near the edge of the penalty area. The Turris right-back doesn't dare to commit. Lu Yang has broken into the box, he winds up..."

"The Turris right-back thinks Lu Yang is going to shoot, so he lunges for the ball. Before a shot, a player often loses control of the ball for a split second."

"My god! Lu Yang didn't shoot; he performed another step-over and poked the ball away early!"

"He's down! Lu Yang was tripped by the Turris right-back inside the box! We saw it very clearly; this is an indisputable penalty!"

"The referee blows his whistle... he shows the Turris right-back a yellow card. A penalty, it really is a penalty! My god, is there still suspense in this match?"

"San Remo hasn't given up! Lu Yang hasn't given up! They are still fighting!"