Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 80: Be a Fearless Madman

Three to zero—the Class Six soccer team extended their lead.

Once again, it was Yang Hao who scored.

He had completed a hat trick.

He had almost killed off any suspense left in this match.

Zhuo Jun watched it all unfold, murmuring, “Yang Hao in this match is simply unbeatable.”

Today, Yang Hao was truly in a league of his own.

Even though it was obvious that Class Six relied almost entirely on him, there was simply no way to keep him in check, no way to stop him. In the second half, even with Zhong Haokun and Mu Yang sticking to him like shadows, he still managed to score.

And these two were no ordinary players; they were hands down the strongest midfield defensive duo in the entire Seventeenth High School of Jinguan City. The fact that even this pairing couldn’t contain Yang Hao spoke volumes about his extraordinary talent.

The students from Class Ten in the stands were dumbfounded.

Was Yang Hao even human?

To them, Yang Hao was nothing less than the Messi of Seventeenth High.

There was nothing to be said about losing to Class Six today—their opponent was simply too strong.

Yes, the students of Class Ten had given up.

They believed there was no chance left for them in this match, that defeat was inevitable.

Meanwhile, the students from Class Six in the stands were ecstatic, jumping and cheering, shouting Yang Hao’s name with wild joy.

Yang Hao, having scored, raised his fist high, looking every bit the conqueror of the pitch.

Some of the players from Class Ten could only lower their heads, unable to meet Yang Hao’s gaze.

Yang Hao was formidable.

But Xu He would never yield.

Perhaps there really was no hope left in this match, perhaps defeat was certain, but Xu He would not give up.

Even if there was only a sliver of hope left, or none at all, he still would not surrender.

Even if he fell, he would do so on the path of attack.

Xu He clenched his fist and shouted to his teammates, “Attack! Charge forward!”

Xu He’s fighting spirit was indomitable, his resolve unwavering.

His passion stirred Zhu Ge, who had been somewhat lost, jolting him back to his senses. He also knew that winning this match was almost impossible, perhaps hopeless. But he still refused to give up—he couldn’t. Xu He inspired him, woke him up.

Even in defeat, they would lose with dignity.

Zhu Ge roared at his teammates, “The match is already this bad—could it possibly get any worse?”

Everyone froze, then shook their heads.

What could be worse than being eliminated?

Nothing!

Zhu Ge bellowed, “Since it can’t get any worse, what are you all afraid of? What’s the difference between losing by three or losing by ten? Either way, we’re out. If the result is already set, then stop carrying that weight. Just enjoy this match! Remember why you started playing in the first place—was it just for victory?”

The players paused, lost in thought.

They remembered what it was like when they first touched a soccer ball—was it for victory? No, it was for the sheer joy of the game!

Back then, there was no pressure—just pure fun.

But today, they’d put too much pressure on themselves.

They wanted victory too badly.

So much so that they’d forgotten why they started playing.

Zhu Ge’s words gradually awakened them.

Yes!

Why did they start playing in the first place?

Thinking this, a weight lifted from the players of Class Ten, and a new sense of positivity and joy replaced it. No longer burdened by pressure, they played with more freedom and began to show their best selves.

As a result, they played even better, their movements more fluid.

Seeing this, Zhuo Jun was taken aback. Suddenly, he felt a glimmer of anticipation for the match, and his confidence in Class Six’s victory wavered ever so slightly.

Xu He was advancing up front, waving for the ball as he darted into open space.

Mu Yang, in possession, had remarkable vision. With a precise, curling pass, he sent the ball right into Xu He’s path.

Zhuo Jun sighed in admiration. “What a pinpoint long pass.”

And it wasn’t just a passing thought—Mu Yang was solid as a rock in midfield, versatile, and possessed a lethal long shot. His ability was outstanding.

Moreover, Zhuo Jun could tell that this guy was different from those of them who grew up playing street football. It was impressive for Class Ten to have such a midfielder.

In this match, Mu Yang had been the most consistent, reliable, and outstanding player on the field for Class Ten.

He was always so steady.

Far beyond the ordinary player.

Zhuo Jun thought Mu Yang’s level was exceptional; facing such an attacking player would be a huge pressure for anyone. Maybe that was one reason why Zhuo Jun himself was reluctant to face Class Ten.

The ball landed precisely at Xu He’s feet, but just as he was about to move forward, a defender from Class Six came sliding in with a ferocious tackle. It was sudden and fast, catching Xu He off guard.

His heart skipped a beat.

Reacting instantly, he flicked the ball up with his toe and hopped over the sliding challenge on one leg, landing awkwardly as the defender slid past.

The crowd gasped in unison.

Xu He’s reflexes were astonishing.

Everyone had assumed the defender would dispossess him—the tackle came so fast, it seemed there was no time to react. But Xu He had managed to avoid it.

Clap, clap, clap!

Zhuo Jun nearly clapped his hands raw.

The more he watched Xu He, the more he liked him—Xu He was always full of surprises, and he was the only one on Class Ten’s team who had never lost confidence or wavered in his determination to keep fighting.

He had skill, but also an exceptional spirit.

Zhuo Jun truly admired Xu He.

He genuinely wanted to be teammates with someone like Xu He.

In his heart, Zhuo Jun thought, “I hope one day we can play together. I look forward to it.”

Xu He steadied himself after his awkward landing and was about to push forward when a second wave of defense from Class Six came at him—another aggressive sliding tackle aimed straight at the ball at his feet.

Many in the crowd cried out in alarm, fearing for Xu He’s safety.

The players from Class Six were ruthless—Xu He had barely regained his footing when they launched another tackle. Did they not care if he got hurt?

Was this soccer, or were they just trying to take people out?

The students from Class Ten were outraged, deeply concerned, and criticized the defenders for their recklessness.

Xu He was just about to make another move when, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the second defender sliding in. He was stunned—the second challenge had come so quickly.

He didn’t know what to do.

The players of Class Ten were deeply worried. Zhu Ge even shouted, “Dodge it, Xu He!”

He really feared for Xu He’s safety, urging him not to worry about the ball.

Health mattered more than anything else.

The other players echoed the call, anxiously urging Xu He to get out of the way.

Xu He clearly heard their shouts—he knew they were concerned for his safety. But he didn’t want to give up so easily.

Time was running out for Class Ten; every chance was precious.

Now was not the time to hesitate—he needed to score.

He had to inspire his teammates to attack for the sake of the team’s victory.

Fear no challenge—just attack.

Go mad, or die trying.

Come on, Xu He!

Be a fearless madman!

Xu He steeled himself. This time, he would not dodge. He would get past this damned defender and put the ball into Class Six’s net.

In a flash, his mind spun rapidly, inspiration striking in an instant.

Just regaining his balance, he suddenly slipped his foot, poked the ball lightly with his left foot, and threw himself to the right.

Everyone was stunned, fearing for him—what was Xu He doing?

Even the defender sliding in was confused, quickly pulling back his leg to avoid injuring Xu He, his heart filled with worry and guilt. But it seemed he was too late.

Only, in the next instant, his eyes widened in disbelief.

Xu He hadn’t really fallen—he executed a rolling move, tumbling swiftly past the sliding tackle, then nimbly regained his feet, changed direction sharply, and charged toward the ball, sprinting into the penalty area.

The entire crowd was dumbstruck.

Zhuo Jun let out a rare expletive. “What kind of insane move was that?”

Honestly, he’d watched a lot of matches, but never seen a move like that before—the creativity was out of this world.

He was at a loss for words to describe Xu He.

Even the players of Class Ten stared at Xu He in astonishment.

Xu He, staggering, burst into the penalty area of Class Six.

His relentless spirit deeply moved his teammates.

Even under such danger, in such adversity, Xu He never gave up. He pressed forward at the risk of injury, storming the goal of Class Six.

They were all inspired.

If Xu He could fight like this, what excuse did they have not to give their all?

As long as the match wasn’t over, they would give everything.

The players of Class Ten cheered Xu He on, hoping he could create a miracle.

Xu He surged forward, like a sharp blade slicing through Class Six’s defense, bearing down on their goalkeeper, Wang Yi.

Wang Yi was so intimidated by Xu He’s ferocity that he felt a twinge of fear.

He panicked.

He wondered what Xu He would do next—when would he shoot, and in which direction?

His mind was a blur, unable to think straight.

Suddenly, he screamed in terror.

Xu He, still running, had abruptly taken a shot.

It was a toe-poke.

The ball shot out fast, skimming the grass like a lightning bolt, arrowing straight between Wang Yi’s legs.

Before he could react, the ball slipped through and rolled into the goal behind him, sending him tumbling to the ground in front of the net.

He had conceded!

Xu He had scored!

Xu He, that fearless madman—had scored!