Chapter Summaries

Auxerre beat Lens 1-0, then celebrated their Ligue 1 title with a trophy presentation and a citywide parade. Zhang Kuang scored a spectacular goal and spent the following days partying before Auxerre’s upcoming cup final and last league match.

• Before the match, Benoît Pedretti and Éric Chelle agreed that Lens would let Zhang Kuang score once, and Pedretti told Zhang Kuang about the arrangement.
• Zhang Kuang scored with a sideways overhead kick in the forty-third minute, then left the match as a substitute in the second half; Auxerre won 1-0.
• Auxerre received their medals and trophy, and Zhang Kuang raised the cup with Benoît Pedretti before joining the victory parade through the city.
• After the celebrations, Zhang Kuang partied through the night and then met four women introduced by Hengbart.
• Auxerre’s coach gave the team two days off before the France Cup final on May 11 and the final league match on May 15.

Zhang Kuang arranged for Hengbart to find women discreetly and focused on earning enough qi and blood points to use his upgrade cards. In the France Cup final against Monaco, he scored an early goal for Auxerre and continued to threaten.

• Zhang Kuang ordered Hengbart to stop taking money from the women and said he would pay him, while requiring strict screening and confidentiality.
• Zhang Kuang spent two days with Hengbart’s latest introductions, then kept their numbers as he worried about gathering enough qi and blood points to upgrade.
• Auxerre faced Monaco in the 2009–10 France Cup final at the Stade de France, while Liu Jianhong promoted Zhang Kuang’s upcoming interview on Football Night.
• Zhang Kuang scored a header in the sixth minute, and Auxerre celebrated as Monaco manager Guy Lacombe criticized his team’s defense.
• Zhang Kuang threatened Monaco’s goal again as Lacombe continued to complain about his defense.

Zhang Kuang helped Auxerre defeat Monaco 3-0 and win the club’s first double, then hurried to meet the study-in-France squad after the celebrations. He left the chapter looking over photos of the girls Matidal wanted to introduce to him.

• Zhang Kuang scored while carrying Cédric Mongongu on his back, giving Auxerre a two-goal lead over Monaco.
• Zhang Kuang drew four defenders in the 51st minute, allowing Valter Birsa to score and make it 3-0.
• Auxerre held on to win the trophy, and Zhang Kuang praised the club and his teammates in post-match interviews while leaving his plans for next season undecided.
• Fernandez gave the players a day off after the trophy presentation, and Zhang Kuang drove to the study-in-France squad’s base.
• Zhang Kuang saw photos of the girls Matidal wanted to introduce to him and thought they were young, fresh, and pretty.

Zhang Kuang negotiated the terms of his prospective Manchester United transfer and selected three endorsements while turning down football betting. He then met with four female reporters for an interview as CCTV-5 aired his controversial remarks, setting off a storm among Chinese fans.

• Zhang Kuang met Jonathan at the agency to review Manchester United's proposed contract and requested a salary clause that adjusted with the squad's wage structure, protection for his private life, and full image rights.
• Zhang Kuang chose endorsements with Sina Weibo, Anta, and Meizu, then abandoned plans to bet on the World Cup after Jonathan explained FIFA's ban on football-related betting.
• Zhang Kuang calculated that his endorsements could bring in substantial income alongside his savings from six months of football.
• Zhang Kuang attended an exclusive interview arranged by four female reporters and let all four interview him together while recording video and taking photos.
• CCTV-5 broadcast some of Zhang Kuang's remarks on Football Night, prompting an explosive reaction from viewers in China.

Zhang Kuang gave four female reporters bold predictions for the upcoming World Cup, naming Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Uruguay as the semifinalists. He stood by his analysis and left the interview by joking that the real “King of Sincerity” was orange.

• Zhang Kuang told Marina, Camille, Lucy, and Gilia that he regretted Auxerre missing the Champions League but was pleased with his half-season and believed he could score even more goals.
• Zhang Kuang said he would not give up his Chinese citizenship to play for another national team and agreed to predict the World Cup.
• Zhang Kuang predicted France and Italy would exit in the group stage, Brazil and Argentina would reach the quarterfinals at best, and England would fall in the last sixteen.
• Zhang Kuang predicted Germany would reach the semifinals, Spain and the Netherlands would contest the final, and Uruguay would join them in the semifinals.
• Zhang Kuang assured the reporters they could publish his predictions, then ended the interview with a joke about the real King of Sincerity being orange.

Zhang Kuang sat out Auxerre’s final match and said goodbye to his teammates before his World Cup predictions provoked a storm of reactions across Europe. As Manchester United’s transfer negotiations neared completion, reporters coaxed Rooney and Ferguson into confirming that Zhang Kuang was joining the club.

• Auxerre drew 0-0 with Sochaux as Fernandez left Zhang Kuang on the bench for the entire match, and Zhang Kuang embraced his teammates afterward.
• Zhang Kuang’s predictions about the World Cup spread through European media, drawing criticism and counterclaims from football figures including Maradona and Pelé.
• Jonathan told Zhang Kuang that Manchester United had accepted his contract conditions, and they agreed to sign a preliminary agreement before completing the deal on July 1.
• Zidane, Cannavaro, and Rooney responded to Zhang Kuang’s predictions, with Rooney saying he would show Zhang Kuang what English players could do when he joined Manchester United.
• Ferguson said Zhang Kuang’s predictions would not affect his place in the Manchester United dressing room, and the club’s leadership realized reporters had tricked them into revealing the transfer news.

Zhang Kuang arranged World Cup bets based on his predictions, signed a preliminary Manchester United agreement, and stayed in Paris after Coach Wu told him not to return to China. As the World Cup began, France and Italy were eliminated in the group stage, confirming two of his predictions and bringing him closer to proving the rest.

• Zhang Kuang persuaded the women in his France Study-Abroad Squad and other women involved with him to bet on his World Cup predictions.
• Zhang Kuang signed a preliminary five-year agreement with Manchester United, with the formal contract set to take effect on July 1.
• Coach Wu urged Zhang Kuang to stay in Europe and establish himself at Manchester United, so Zhang Kuang arranged for Weibo, Anta, and Meizu to film their commercials in Paris.
• Zhang Kuang filmed the commercials, invested in Apple and Tesla, and spent the offseason in Paris while waiting for Manchester United's training camp.
• France lost to Mexico and South Africa after a dressing-room revolt, finished last in its group, and was eliminated, prompting L'Équipe to report that Zhang Kuang's prediction had come true.
• Italy lost 2-3 to Slovakia and was eliminated in the group stage, confirming another of Zhang Kuang's World Cup predictions.

Zhang Kuang broke through to qi refining first layer middle stage, and his predictions about the World Cup continued to come true. He officially joined Manchester United and explained that he chose the club because Ferguson would keep managing it, while rejecting the idea of supporting Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi at Real Madrid or Barcelona.

• Zhang Kuang's prediction that England would be eliminated in the round of sixteen came true when Germany beat England 4-1, while Argentina and Brazil advanced to the quarterfinals as he had forecast.
• Zhang Kuang used an Upgrade Card and 1000 Qi and Blood Points to reach qi refining first layer middle stage, gaining three strands of magical power and a 20% increase in his physical attributes.
• Zhang Kuang trained to build more Qi and Blood Points as the remaining World Cup results continued to match his predictions.
• Zhang Kuang signed for Manchester United and posed with CEO David and the number 33 shirt at a press conference attended by Ferguson.
• Zhang Kuang told reporters that Ferguson's promise to manage Manchester United for at least three more years had persuaded him to join, and said he could not guarantee he would stay if Ferguson left.
• Zhang Kuang said he did not want to play support for Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi at Real Madrid or Barcelona, prompting a Sun reporter to write a provocative headline.

Zhang Kuang used a press conference to defend his role at Manchester United, explain his predictions, and promote the club while admitting he deliberately stirred up media buzz. After completing his medical and signing paperwork, he officially joined Manchester United, whose announcement triggered a surge of Chinese fan interest and crashed the club’s website.

• Zhang Kuang told reporters that Manchester United shared shooting opportunities fairly, dismissed speculation about other clubs, and denied knowing the World Cup results in advance.
• Zhang Kuang explained that he chose the number 33 because other shirt numbers were taken and said teamwork mattered more than a number.
• At Rooney’s house, Rooney, O'Shea, and Evra joked about Zhang Kuang’s interview while Manchester United teammates watched the press conference.
• Zhang Kuang told Ferguson and David Gill that he had deliberately made provocative remarks to build his profile and Manchester United’s commercial appeal, and Ferguson gave him half a season to keep it under control.
• Zhang Kuang completed his medical and paperwork, officially signed for Manchester United on a five-year contract, and took the number 33 shirt.
• Manchester United and Auxerre announced Zhang Kuang’s transfer, prompting a rush of Chinese fans that crashed Manchester United’s official website as they tried to buy his shirt.

After Brazil lost to the Netherlands in the World Cup quarterfinals, Melo blamed Zhang Kuang for using witchcraft to make his prediction come true. Zhang Kuang was left scrambling to clear his name despite having been nowhere near South Africa.

• Jonathan showed Zhang Kuang his Manchester home and gave him the keys to a white Mercedes-Benz G63, but Zhang soon returned to Paris instead of staying in Manchester.
• News spread about Zhang Kuang's Manchester United signing and his remarks about Real Madrid, Barcelona, Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo, provoking angry reactions from fans and players.
• Cristiano Ronaldo read the reports and grew irritated, while Argentina's players criticized Zhang Kuang and Messi continued practicing quietly.
• Brazil led the Netherlands at halftime, but Melo scored an own goal, was sent off, and Brazil lost 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
• Melo told reporters that Zhang Kuang had used witchcraft to ensure Brazil's defeat, and Zhang Kuang was stunned when Jonathan called to urge him to deny the accusation.

Zhang Kuang defended himself against Felipe Melo’s witchcraft accusation, then watched his World Cup predictions come true as Spain beat the Netherlands in the final. He arrived at Manchester United’s training ground to find his teammates and reporters waiting, and Ferguson welcomed him without reprimanding him for speaking to the media.

• Zhang Kuang told reporters Melo had no reason to accuse him of using witchcraft and said he would sue Melo for slander.
• Uruguay, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain advanced through the tournament as Zhang Kuang’s predictions continued to come true.
• Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the World Cup final, completing Zhang Kuang’s run of correct predictions and prompting worldwide astonishment.
• Manchester United players discussed Zhang Kuang’s predictions and wondered whether he would be just as impressive on the pitch.
• Zhang Kuang arrived at Carrington, answered reporters’ questions, and greeted his teammates.
• Ferguson addressed the squad and called for unity without reprimanding Zhang Kuang for speaking to the press.

Zhang Kuang stunned Manchester United with his physical strength and an extraordinary performance in the squad’s first training-camp practice match. After Team B beat the starters 5-3 at halftime, Ferguson considered changing his plans and targeting the UEFA Champions League.

• Zhang Kuang punched through a training bag during medical week, alarming his teammates and impressing Ferguson.
• On the flight to Toronto, Rooney asked Zhang Kuang for advice about women, and Zhang promised to help him find what he wanted in the United States.
• Zhang Kuang topped the squad’s fitness metrics during training in Toronto, then joined Team B against the starters in an internal match.
• Zhang Kuang scored twice and set up Owen’s goal as Team B took a 3-1 lead, while Rooney and Berbatov helped Team A fight back to 3-3.
• Zhang Kuang scored two more goals, including a solo run from his own half, to give Team B a 5-3 halftime lead and leave Ferguson stunned.

Zhang Kuang dominated a Manchester United training match, then urged Pogba to play with more aggression and promised to help him earn a starting place. Ferguson began planning a 4-3-3 with Zhang Kuang, Rooney, and Berbatov, while Zhang Kuang and Rooney continued sharing a room as they waited for their trip to the United States.

• Zhang Kuang scored four goals and assisted another in a training match, prompting Ferguson to make both teams run laps and consider hiding Zhang Kuang's full ability until the transfer window closed.
• Ferguson and Mike Phelan discussed how to fit Zhang Kuang and Berbatov into the team, and Ferguson considered keeping Zhang Kuang from drawing rivals' attention during warm-up matches.
• Zhang Kuang criticized Pogba for playing too softly, threatened to beat him if he did not improve, and promised to help him reach Manchester United's starting lineup.
• Ferguson saw Zhang Kuang encourage Pogba and wrote down a 4-3-3 formation featuring Zhang Kuang, Rooney, and Berbatov.
• Rooney asked Zhang Kuang when he would arrange the promised French cuisine, and Zhang Kuang told him to wait until they reached the United States.

Zhang Kuang followed Ferguson’s instructions to keep his abilities understated while scoring and assisting in Manchester United’s summer warm-up matches. After helping Rooney meet three women in Houston, Zhang Kuang left to cultivate while Rooney went with them.

• Zhang Kuang scored once and assisted Rooney against Celtic as Manchester United won 3-1, then repeated his restrained performances in matches against Philadelphia Union and the MLS All-Star Team.
• Zhang Kuang spotted Chinese fans in Kansas City and later sneaked out of the hotel to replenish his qi and blood.
• After the Houston match, Rooney asked Zhang Kuang to arrange a meeting with women, and they traveled together to a restaurant where Sophia, Emily, and Daisy joined them.
• Zhang Kuang guided the conversation so Rooney could talk about his strength and football, and Sophia and Daisy invited Rooney back to his hotel.
• Zhang Kuang left with Emily to cultivate while Rooney went with Sophia and Daisy.

Rooney’s late-night adventures and Zhang Kuang’s schemes disrupted Manchester United’s training camp, which Ferguson ended early by returning the team to Manchester. As the transfer window unfolded, Zhang Kuang reunited with his friends in Paris and learned their Middle Eastern study-in-France network could connect him with women studying in Britain.

• Ferguson doubled training after Rooney arrived exhausted, and Rooney privately showed Ferdinand a photo of the women he had spent the night with.
• Zhang Kuang suggested Rooney use a hotel staff room, and Rooney returned exhausted the next morning despite the team guarding the exits.
• Ferguson cut Manchester United’s North American tour short on July 25, and the team flew home after the summer camp ended.
• Zhang Kuang explained Chinese beliefs about gods and cultivation to Pogba during the flight, while Ferguson worked on his tactical notebook.
• Major European clubs made summer transfers, including David Villa’s move to Barcelona and Fernando Torres’s £50 million move to Chelsea.
• Zhang Kuang reunited in Paris with Lina, Aïssa, and Matidal, and Lina offered to introduce him to their members studying in Britain.

Zhang Kuang made his Manchester United debut in the Community Shield and scored within a minute, helping United build a 3-0 halftime lead over Chelsea. Chelsea adjusted to contain him and fought back to 3-2, leaving Ferguson furious and the match still in play.

• Ferguson selected Zhang Kuang to start on the left wing against Chelsea at Wembley.
• Zhang Kuang dribbled past Ivanović and Terry and scored less than a minute after kickoff to give Manchester United the lead.
• Zhang Kuang crossed for Berbatov to score in the thirtieth minute, and Rooney made it 3-0 before halftime.
• Ancelotti adjusted Chelsea's defense at halftime, limiting Zhang Kuang's threat in the second half.
• Joe Cole scored in the sixtieth minute, and Drogba brought Chelsea within one goal in the seventy-fifth minute.
• Ferguson grew angry at United's defending as Zhang Kuang watched the match with an inscrutable expression.

Zhang Kuang helped Manchester United beat Chelsea 3-2 to win the Community Shield, earning man of the match on his debut. As media attention threatened his cultivation routine, he arranged a discreet hotel base, but reporters soon discovered where he was staying.

• Ferguson brought on Park Ji-sung to shore up Manchester United's midfield, and the team held on to beat Chelsea 3-2 and win the Community Shield.
• Zhang Kuang earned man of the match with a goal and an assist, while Ferguson and Ancelotti praised his performance at the press conference.
• Rooney teased Zhang Kuang about rumors involving female reporters, and British newspapers celebrated Manchester United's attacking trio.
• Zhang Kuang asked Jonathan to find him a private place to cultivate, and Jonathan arranged a year-long hotel suite with a concealed connection to a neighboring room.
• Zhang Kuang moved into the DoubleTree by Hilton Swinton and met Lama Al-Kaabi, Alia bint Faisal, and Reem Al-Hussein.
• Reporters spotted Zhang Kuang at the hotel the next day, and he explained that he preferred its services and facilities to renting a home.

Zhang Kuang settled into hotel life while Ferguson told him to focus on scoring and keep his private life from affecting football. As Manchester United prepared to open the Premier League season against Newcastle United, Ferguson named Zhang Kuang in a 4-3-3 front three with Rooney and Berbatov.

• Ferguson questioned Zhang Kuang about moving into a hotel, then said he would not interfere with his private life unless it harmed his training or match form.
• Zhang Kuang built stronger combinations with Rooney and Pogba during training, and Pogba began trusting him with more ambitious passes.
• Zhang Kuang returned to the hotel and found Lama, Arya, and Reem working on their university studies in the adjoining room.
• Ferguson named Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov, and Zhang Kuang in Manchester United's 4-3-3 lineup against Newcastle United.
• Ferguson instructed Zhang Kuang to vary his attacking runs, Rooney to move inside, and Berbatov to drop deep to create space for the front three.

Zhang Kuang made his Premier League debut for Manchester United against Newcastle United and dominated the first half with two goals and an assist. Manchester United led 3-0 at halftime, while Ferguson worried that Zhang Kuang was showing too much of his ability.

• Ferguson started Zhang Kuang on the left wing in Manchester United's attacking lineup against Newcastle United.
• Zhang Kuang opened the scoring with a header from Giggs's corner just two and a half minutes into the match.
• Zhang Kuang held off Coloccini, beat Williamson, and scored his second goal in the twenty-eighth minute.
• Zhang Kuang crossed for Berbatov to volley in Manchester United's third goal in the forty-third minute.
• Ferguson watched Zhang Kuang's two goals and assist with concern, while Rooney asked him for an assist after Manchester United took a 3-0 halftime lead.

Zhang Kuang completed his Manchester United debut with two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win over Newcastle United, then celebrated his eighteenth birthday at a lavish banquet. The celebration paused when twenty-three women arrived, leaving the assembled guests stunned.

• After Ferguson told Zhang Kuang to combine more with his teammates, Zhang Kuang played Rooney through with a backheel, and Rooney hit the crossbar.
• Ferguson substituted Zhang Kuang in the sixty-fifth minute, and Manchester United held on to beat Newcastle United 3-0.
• Ferguson praised Zhang Kuang's performance at the press conference, while newspapers and fans celebrated his debut.
• On August 18, Zhang Kuang's agency and Manchester United prepared a Chinese-and-Western-style birthday banquet at the DoubleTree by Hilton Swinton.
• Matilda led twenty-three women into the banquet hall, and their arrival silenced the guests.