Chapter 139: It’s Edg That Can’t Leave Unreal!
Li Fan’s god-level performance and championship win at the Street Fighter arena in Brazil caused an unprecedented sensation in the domestic esports circle…
Other games can be said to have a foundation, but Street Fighter is one everyone watched the account start from zero.
It truly took a week of time, with the score rushing to over 20,000 points.
But they truly didn’t expect that going to participate in the match would actually win the championship, because this wasn’t an entertainment tournament; it counts toward points, and the champion gets qualification for the year-end Street Fighter World Championship!
To put it bluntly, if it weren’t really too far, quite a few people in the country would want to go participate…
It truly proved top-tier gaming genius.
However, parallel to the overwhelming memes and amazement was a long-suppressed burst, with the anger in their hearts erupting at this moment!
Many loyal EDG team and League of Legends viewers place great importance on the Mid-Season Invitational.
They had previously grumbled quite a bit about Li Fan neglecting his duties.
Going to participate in a Speed match before the playoffs, although he ultimately won the Spring Split championship, it made quite a few people sweat; after all, as the team’s core mid laner, leading by not properly playing matches properly—what exactly is he trying to do?
Now with the Mid-Season Invitational about to start, for such a crucial world-class event, he’s actually participating in these miscellaneous matches right before it—what on earth is he thinking?
They also saw the Street Fighter schedule; although it was only three days, those three days were extremely extremely important for EDG.
On the first day of flying to Brazil, while everyone was adjusting to jet lag and recovering state, he went to the Street Fighter preliminary match, which could still be explained as experiencing the atmosphere.
On the second day, with the whole team’s state recovering and entering preparation rhythm, he went and played a full day of the main tournament!
On the third day, he even battled fiercely all the way to the finals, bringing back a championship completely unrelated to League of Legends!
They also saw the match process; it wasn’t a crush but full games every time, so under those circumstances, his energy must have been greatly affected—what about the upcoming Mid-Season Invitational?
And moreover!
These three days of time were all completely wasted!
In the most critical first three days upon arriving in Brazil, the team’s core mid laner completely detached from League of Legends training and team tactics synergy for a full two and a half days—what about training matches?
What about version understanding? What about team synergy? What about the other teammates’ waiting and cooperation practice?
Now only the 10th is left for preparation time, then rushing hastily into matches—can such a state really work?
“For your one person’s interest and popularity, making the entire team halt for you for two days! Unreal, do you still have the team in your heart? Do you still have the Mid-Season Invitational?”
This suppressed anger, under the slightly misleading and inflammatory stimulation from marketing accounts, was completely ignited.
A veteran fan with considerable influence in the EDG fan circle posted a Weibo long post over a thousand words, every word dripping blood, every sentence piercing the heart:
“@EDG Esports Club, @Coach Kuaisu Xing, @Manager Abu—please open your eyes and see! How long are you going to indulge Unreal?!”
“I admit he’s a very talented player, but under your indulgence, he’s become like a giant baby!”
“League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational, a global top-tier event, representing LPL’s glory!
We EDG finally got this spot, all LPL fans are looking forward to you bringing glory to the region.
But what is your core mid laner doing?
Going to participate in a match that has zero meaning for League of Legends!
A full two days! Precious pre-match adaptation period, the team’s core player missed all team training!
Last time before playoffs, he went to play Speed, we were on tenterhooks, and in the end nothing happened—it was sheer luck.
This time, you actually still dare let him act recklessly like this? Do you have to wait until MSI group stage crashes and burns, getting crushed by other regions, before you regret it?
……
Mid-Season Invitational imminent, we don’t want it like this, but we even less want to see one person’s willful recklessness cause the whole team’s efforts to go down the drain!
Please the club immediately handle this seriously and clarify discipline!
This long post was like a giant stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up thousands of waves.
Countless fans suppressing dissatisfaction forwarded and commented in support; similarly, quite a few haters seized the opportunity to join in cheering.
They’d long been displeased with Li Fan; with veteran fans leading the charge, they could just fish in troubled waters!
Have to say this wave of rhythm is truly the biggest so far.
The discussion comments at this moment have already exceeded 100,000!
Such a massive impact has already scared the EDG Weibo operations half to death; seeing these comments, they immediately sent a message to Abu in Brazil.
When Abu saw this message and logged into Weibo, he also didn’t expect Li Fan’s Street Fighter championship to cause such huge popularity!
He hurriedly checked the official Weibo.
【Said it too well! Spoke to my heart!】
【Management wake up! For this undisciplined player, must punish harshly.】
【Scout works so hard, daily ranked time already at fourteen hours, yet no appearance opportunity at all, what soul-binding potion did that trash give you? Poisoned so deeply? Who exactly】
【Unreal get out of EDG! Selfish and self-interested!】
【Thinking of the other five desperately training in the hotel while he’s out winning Street Fighter championship, I feel bad for Mouse, Clearlove, Meiko, Zet, Scout!】
【If MSI doesn’t go well, Unreal is the number one war criminal!】
【Won’t buy your sponsors’ stuff anymore, boycott! Boycott Shuangfeiyan, Dongpeng Special Drink anyway!】
【We can’t manage the club, but surely we can manage sponsors; if you don’t handle Unreal then we’ll boycott sponsors!】
【Right!】
Public opinion’s direction dramatically shifted in just a few hours.
From the initial “Hahaha Fan Ge is awesome” to rapid denunciation of Li Fan’s selfish behavior and anger at EDG management’s inaction.
Abu looking at the phone screen constantly refreshing with insulting comments, and the inquiry from operations staff on how to handle now, felt his temples throbbing.
He originally thought Li Fan’s Street Fighter championship was at most a small interlude, even could be a nice story, adding a bit of relaxed talk to the tense Mid-Season Invitational preparations.
After all, when EDG won the Spring Split championship, quite a few people specifically brought up Li Fan’s Speed championship again to chat about.
The club also received many commercial deals and endorsement intentions.
During that time the boss was also very satisfied with the club’s development.
This time… he didn’t expect Li Fan to win the championship, more thinking of letting him relax before the match.
Once relaxed, Li Fan’s state would be very good, better facing the upcoming matches.
But he never expected public opinion to ferment to this extent!
“Boycott sponsors”… seeing these words already made Abu break out in cold sweat.
The club doesn’t value sponsors that much, but having sponsors vs not is two different things, plus now LPL seats are extremely valuable.
EDG’s sponsorship funds received are already very substantial…
This year after stripping all players’ salaries still profited a lot.
Later wanting to strengthen the bench lineup or create other divisions all have capital.
Ai De Zhu now has other ideas; able to make money with returns, he now wants to build a true esports powerhouse!
An esports powerhouse covering all games…
This is also why he wants to establish the PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds Division.
He also told Abu about this plan; at this moment Abu is truly a bit nervous.
If developing in this direction, pulling sponsors is a must.
But once sponsors waver confidence due to public opinion pressure, it’s a devastating blow to this plan.
This is no longer just simple fan dissatisfaction; it directly relates to the club’s future development.
Putting down the phone, forcefully rubbing his brow.
“Maybe… shouldn’t have let him go back then?” This thought uncontrollably emerged.
Thinking of these people’s comments online, Li Fan does seem a bit arrogant…
Casually participating in matches outside League of Legends without restraint.
Recalling Li Fan’s relaxed expression when proposing to participate, and both he and Kuaisu Xing agreed.
Now thinking back, were they too indulgent?
Is it because Li Fan’s past willfulness always brought good results, so subconsciously they relaxed management, even with a spectator mentality of seeing what this kid can pull off?
But now, the show is over but the cost far exceeds expectations.
Perhaps truly need to handle it.
Abu took a deep breath, knowing he must immediately take action to quell this storm.
He walked to Kuaisu Xing and said in a low voice: “Come over, something to discuss.”
Kuaisu Xing with translator, the three walked to the corridor corner outside the training room.
Although he did learn some Chinese during this time, the learning time was relatively short, still needing a translator.
Abu told him the current severity…
“The rhythm now is too big; we must do something to give fans an explanation, calm the public opinion.”
Then Abu stated his idea: “My meaning is group stage first let Scout start; one, Scout hasn’t fallen behind in training matches this time, we know his state; two, this shows we heard fans’ voices and punished Li Fan’s behavior, which can largely calm the rhythm; three, it can also let Li Fan cool down and realize the severity of the problem.”
Kuaisu Xing shook his head immediately after hearing the translation, opposing: “No, I understand your pressure, but this is MSI, not an ordinary league.”
“Group stage though looks like bo1 round-robin, every point is crucial; bad opening affects whole team’s morale.
“Scout… he did play training matches, but I think his state still isn’t good; Li Fan though has big rhythm, his strength and mentality are the most stable in the team now.”
Then pausing, tone even more firm: “Moreover, as long as we win matches and get opening wins, these off-field rhythms will naturally dissipate; doesn’t esports rely on results?”
“If losing matches due to subbing leads to bigger rhythm, how do we explain then? Say we put up not-the-best-state player to calm public opinion? That’s the real loss… easily becomes a joke.”
When he coached LCK, fan influence on club decisions happened easily.
If really believing it, the club suffers in the end; those “fans” will mock.
“I get what you say, but the problem is public opinion now affecting sponsors! This isn’t small… we gotta stabilize the base first!”
“Decide like this: group stage Scout starts, this is management’s decision; we need to send a signal to the outside that EDG has discipline, and for Li Fan, I’ll talk to him.”
When Abu formally announced in the training room that Scout would be the starting mid laner for the group stage, the entire room fell silent.
Scout at the instant of hearing the translation confirm this news, was extremely excited, body uncontrollably trembling.
He abruptly lifted his head, “Finally waited for this moment.”
Finally… finally another chance to prove himself on the world stage!
Sure enough you know mid lane still relies on me…
However, his almost unconcealable excitement happened to fall into the eyes of Kuaisu Xing who was full of displeasure.
Kuaisu Xing was already extremely dissatisfied with management’s decision; seeing Scout’s eager-to-take-position look made him even more furious.
Immediately glared fiercely at Scout, eyes carrying undisguised warning.
Scout stabbed by this look, like doused with a basin of cold water, excitement cooled by half, hurriedly lowered his head in panic, not daring to meet Kuaisu Xing’s gaze, now under huge pressure!
While the other teammates in the training room all had faces of shock and confusion.
Clearly Li Fan’s strength and performance are obvious to all—why temporary change on such a crucial world tournament? Just because of outside public opinion? Isn’t this too childish?
Everyone’s gazes swept over Li Fan, but seeing his expression unchanged, still giggling while playing the game.
At the same time, EDG club’s official Weibo released the MSI group stage starting lineup.
When fans saw Scout instead of Unreal prominently at mid laner position, public opinion instantly had a second explosion!
Those previously angry over Li Fan participating in Street Fighter and demanding punishment now fell into revelry.
【Good! EDG finally did something human!】
【Should have done this long ago! Make undisciplined people sit cold bench; really think no other pro players exist besides him?】
【Support management, Scout jiayou, your time to prove has come!】
【This is the attitude responsible to the match!】
【No, you people I doubt if human, watched matches? If Scout could do it regular season wouldn’t be so miserable.】
【Heaven-defying haters, heaven-defying club! First time seeing club influenced by haters.】
However, Li Fan’s longtime supporting fans were thoroughly enraged!
Although they all shouted for Li Fan not to play League of Legends pro, go play other games and popularity still explodes, but can’t accept being pinned to bench before matches even start!
Making a decision is too exaggerated for them.
【??? For real? Bench because Street Fighter championship?】
【This management brain clamped by door? Self-amputate? Don’t you know mid is true core?】
【Laugh dead, scared just because outside noise? Treat team big daddy like this? If you don’t want can terminate contract, I believe many clubs want.】
【Wasn’t it boycott sponsors? Good! You boycott, we support!】
Angry Li Fan fans quickly mobilized, surging to e-commerce platforms, frantically ordering EDG sponsor products.
Inside Shuangfeiyan’s official flagship store, keyboard mouse order volume surged shortly, many orders noted “Support Unreal”!
Dongpeng Special Drink’s official Weibo also screen-brushed, “Will drink Dongpeng from now on, what garbage is Red Bull?” “Dongpeng we believe in you, keep it up!”
In a moment, online public opinion battlefield split into two distinct camps.
One side applauding Li Fan benched, the other crying injustice for Li Fan’s situation and launching money-power counterattack, proving to club Li Fan’s commercial value won’t be affected by one or two haters.
Abu wanted to calm public opinion by changing starter, but didn’t expect pushing the opinion war to even more intense direction.
However, in this public opinion storm, someone unexpectedly harvested sky-high riches.
Shuangfeiyan and Dongpeng Special Drink, EDG’s main sponsors, after initial worry, joyfully discovered their sales data rising at amazing speed against the trend!
E-commerce platform backend showed massive new orders with support Unreal notes; Dongpeng Special Drink social media account interaction volume and positive comments soared to unprecedented heights.
Previously sponsoring RNG team never had this situation…
Market and PR departments quickly fed this situation to higher-ups.
Two internal reports almost simultaneously on two brand heads’ desks, conclusions amazingly consistent: player Unreal’s personal influence and fan group purchasing power far exceed expectations; commercial value extremely and powerfully proven in this opinion crisis.
“Turned disaster into fortune!” Dongpeng Special Drink’s marketing director looking at report, face blooming with smile, “Didn’t expect Unreal’s fans’ stickiness and spending power this strong! More effective than any regular ads we throw!”
“Tell EDG side, no pressure, we Dongpeng firmly support Unreal player!”
Shuangfeiyan side also made similar decision, even started internal discussion on launching custom peripherals for Li Fan.
Ultimately full vote passed…
……
“Hello, is this EDG’s Manager Abu?” Enthusiastic voice from phone, “I’m KPLQG club’s manager, surname Wang.”
Abu’s heart sank, ominous premonition: “Hello Manager Wang, what can I do?”
“Haha, Abu manager, straight talk no dark words.” Opponent laughed, “We saw your club’s arrangements for Unreal player… honestly, we all think it’s quite a pity. Such a genius player on bench is waste; our QG club top in KPL, whether treatment or platform absolutely matches Unreal. Wonder if your club has intention… talk transfer? Price negotiable! Very sincere.”
Abu’s face instantly darkened: “Manager Wang, what do you mean? Unreal is EDG’s not-for-sale! We EDG also have King of Glory division; if Li Fan wants to play King of Glory he can go to King of Glory division, and he has no such idea at all!”
“Aiyo, Abu manager don’t be angry.” Opposite voice turned teasing, “Your current situation… fan-ruled team, zero professionalism and boldness; Unreal such player staying there just delays him? If opportunity, he’d definitely want to leave too; we’re just calling first to express sincerity.”
“You…!” Abu choked nearly breathless by these words, opponent already laughing hung up.
But recovering, heart startled too—what if Li Fan really has intent to leave?
Just like Kuaisu Xing said, as pro player as long as guarantee own appearances and win matches is fine.
He hasn’t even appeared yet pinned to bench… what if it really comes true, now truly has transfer thoughts, clubs willing to pay the price absolutely not few.
Because of contract… these clubs can fully accept!
This made Abu regret again; seems he did something stupid.
But how many stupid things has Abu done beyond just this one or two?
In the public opinion storm and club’s subtle internal atmosphere, MSI group stage finally curtain raised.
EDG first match against LMS region’s Flash Wolves.
EDG first match Flash Wolves, Scout state seems okay, cooperating with Clearlove’s Jarvan IV exploding bot lane, ultimately 34 minutes took victory against provincial team; first win victory greatly reduced Scout’s pressure, his Taliyah also used very well—coach did you see!
Back to backstage lounge, wanting to hear coach say well done praise…
Result just nodded, this greatly disappointed Scout.
In Kuaisu Xing’s view, this match he played merely average, no standout points.
Just normal mid laner level things, following jungler’s rhythm without anything special.
Anyone mid laner could do this; if can’t, directly kick.
As for live stream room now also haters’ revelry time.
【Told you spoiled rotten really thought he saved EDG, helped EDG win championship, now lawless; facts prove Xiao Xue Di can do same.】
【Exactly! Don’t know what they’re shouting; clubs have plenty mid laners like Unreal.】
【Hahaha, EDG now most correct five, good rush for daddy!】
……
But this bullet comments by first day’s last match completely changed.
Li Fan and other game fans finally vented previous bad breath.
EDG surprisingly taken down by GAM!
Levi’s Kha’Zix killed crazily…
But Scout clearly picked LeBlanc, yet completely couldn’t play LeBlanc’s role.
Mid lane even suppressed by Lulu.
This way EDG 9:24 crushing defeat to GAM!
【Call ah! Where are those clamoring earlier? Call again!】
【Can lose to Vietnam? Good Vietnamese fermented bean curd! This your wanted discipline?】
【Laugh dead dad, Scout’s LeBlanc I could play too, anyway all OB.】
【Management continue messing! Pin big daddy to bench, sub in Vietnamese fermented bean curd…】
【This correct five? Correct five treated like bots by Vietnam team?】
【Haters speak! Why not bark now?】
【Facts prove, without Unreal, your EDG at MSI just a joke!】
Second day…
EDG’s starting lineup still unchanged.
Today’s first match facing SKT, even worse than vs GAM!
Peanut directly jungle rampage killing spree.
Faker beating sub like beating dog…
Mid jungle both countered, in this situation can’t play at all.
Merely 25 minutes speed through by SKT.
Second match also explosion!
Battled 37 minutes with frequent issues in key choices.
Result G2 decisively opened team fight!
Originally EDG first move advantage but hit counter.
This Scout first instantly killed off, team fight thoroughly exploded.
Very obviously because first game crushing defeat issue.
Second day matches done, EDG’s record surprisingly 1-3!
Except initial first win, subsequent matches all lost, three straight losses!
Someone even saw red mark on Scout’s face when EDG left venue…
Short two days time, public opinion direction thoroughly changed.
When EDG with dismal 1-3 record ended second day matches, online already another scene.
Previous voices shouting discipline and cheering Scout starting now vanished without trace, replaced by overwhelming doubt, taunt and… pleas.
EDG official Weibo filled with angry and disappointed fan comments.
【1-3! Face where? EDG’s face where? LPL’s face where?】
【Begging! Lift Unreal up! Don’t sub person swim home!】
【Now believe management really brain has hole, for so-called discipline even don’t want results?】
【Facts prove, some people only fit bench! Scout roll down!】
【No wonder Kuaisu Xing always pinning Scout, now I see, this person just trash! Just a wall-climbing mud!】
【Laugh dead, where previous Unreal haters? Why not jump now? Face hurt?】
【Management now know who daddy? Without Unreal, you nothing!】
Previous fans angry over Li Fan benched now even more elated, sarcastically outputting under various comments.
Anyway just satisfying…
【Hahaha, face-slap too fast like tornado!】
【Told you long ago, not Unreal needs EDG, EDG can’t leave Unreal!】
【Some people ah, don’t shed tears without coffin; now coffin lid closed, know shout save life?】
【Watching Scout matches torture, laning suppressed, team fight sleepwalking, this dares steal starter?】
【Management continue stubborn? See if your discipline hard or results hard! If you have guts continue no starter change, then I say you true men!】
Even people started making various emotes and meme pics, contrasting Scout’s confused match expressions and dismal stats with Li Fan’s spirited Street Fighter championship look.
Trash vs God!
Result crazily spread online.
And EDG official Weibo at this time quietly announced third day’s starting lineup.
Top Mouse, jungler Clearlove, mid Unreal, ADC Zet support Meiko…
