TuxedoTranslations

Chapter 21

Lin Mingfei was striding quickly. He rounded a shaded path and, sure enough, saw two people wrestling on the basketball court. There weren’t many people playing ball at night, so as he got closer, he could clearly smell the distinct scents of two different Alpha pheromones mingling in the evening breeze.

They were once close friends who lived under the same roof and knew each other’s pheromones well. These two guys had either decided to violate public regulations by releasing their pheromones, or they were fighting and drawing blood.

Shi Ya was usually carefree, an easygoing type who didn’t rush to drive or head home, preferring to live in the moment. He was gentle and rarely lost his temper with anyone. For Ping Shuai to anger him like this was shocking…

Lin Mingfei’s expression darkened as he jumped over the fence into the basketball court, grabbing Shi Ya and pulling him off Ping Shuai.

“Let go of me!” Shi Ya was still yelling. He pointed at the pale man with disheveled hair lying on the ground as though he wanted to rip him apart. “If I don’t beat this backstabbing scum into submission today, I don’t deserve the surname Shi!”

Ping Shuai wiped blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, his face full of malice.

“Shi Ya, you’re impressive,” he sneered, trembling as he struggled to his feet. “Think you’re all that just because your pheromones are stronger? You think I’m scared of you?”

“Oh, you’re not scared? Alright then! Let’s see if you’re brave enough to come over here!” Shi Ya laughed in anger. “You know Zero, right? He never got to play a single game for Saber-Tooth Tiger. They don’t even need a substitute like him! But do you know how much money Cai Lun offered him? Twenty million. Dylan’s contract is only worth thirty million!”

“Can you give me twenty million?” Ping Shuai snapped back, catching his breath. “If you can’t, then don’t talk down to me!”

“You think I’m jealous of you? Are you proud to sit on Saber-Tooth’s bench for that kind of money? Can’t you see Cai Lun’s true intentions? Where’s your ambition? Did a dog eat it?”

Lin Mingfei’s gaze narrowed. He understood now—Ping Shuai didn’t want to leave Saber-Tooth.

He had suspected this outcome. After all, not everyone was as loyal as Zhou Yanjun, nor was everyone willing to step out of their comfort zone like Bo Yu. But as adults, they had to respect others’ choices.

“Forget it. Everyone has their own goals. Twenty million to watch the water cooler—that’s not a bad deal. Forcing things won’t make anyone happy.” He pressed down on Shi Ya’s shoulder, speaking calmly, “Let’s go.”

“Damn it, I can’t believe Polaris would end up with someone as useless as him!” Shi Ya was still seething.

Ping Shuai, provoked by these words, sneered angrily, glaring at Lin Mingfei.

“Polaris? Please! I can’t even bring myself to tell people I came from Polaris!” he screamed at Lin Mingfei and Shi Ya, raising his voice with frustration. “Your captain went overseas to avoid a scandal after a fling turned deadly! Young Master Shi is nothing but a flirt with influencer friends. Zhou Yanjun’s always cussing people out, and Bo Yu is a damn brick wall! And you call this a team? You seriously think you’re going back to the league? Don’t make me laugh! Saber-Tooth would crush you!”

Cold fury flashed in Lin Mingfei’s eyes.

Ping Shuai, still furious, continued to lash out. “The esports world belongs to Saber-Tooth Tiger now! Zero, don’t you realize that? You haven’t played King’s Tomb in two years—how do you expect to compete with Dylan? Wouldn’t it be better to stay overseas as a legend instead of coming back to humiliate yourself? Only an idiot like Zhou Yanjun would fall for it, quitting KUQ to return to Polaris—”

Before he could finish, the air suddenly filled with the rich, heavy scent of white sandalwood.

Though it was a gentle, woody fragrance, it felt as if it carried a crushing weight, forcing Ping Shuai to the ground, trembling uncontrollably.

Lin Mingfei had pushed Shi Ya back a bit. He leaned close to Ping Shuai, crouching beside him, and released his powerful, intimidating pheromones with a blank expression.

“Shi Ya’s pheromones were too gentle on you.” He spoke slowly, each word laced with calm detachment. “I can understand your laziness and greed, and I respect your choices. But I will not tolerate you using my teammates as an excuse, nor will I allow you to insult them.”

Ping Shuai’s teeth chattered, cold sweat drenching his shirt. The high-level Alpha pheromonal pressure was absolute, driving terror into his very soul, forcing him into submission.

Lin Mingfei cast a glance at the surveillance area.

“You picked a good spot,” he said with a half-smile. “This area’s a blind spot.”

“You…” Ping Shuai stammered, unable to form a complete sentence. “Doesn’t Polaris claim to be… high-minded… respectable—”

“Aren’t we supposed to be full of villains, anyway?” Shi Ya remarked wryly, crossing his arms nearby.

“Right, it’d be a bit hypocritical otherwise.” Lin Mingfei gave a faint smile, his sharp, narrow eyes taking on a wicked curve in the dim light. His face, handsome and shadowed, was as striking as a medieval vampire’s. As he spoke, he pulled a pair of black gloves from his pocket, snapping them on with a crack of his knuckles, and delivered a final sentence.

“Ping Shuai, Polaris doesn’t need you.”

—

The White Snow Palace, true to its name, was isolated from the cold world outside. Silver-white frost covered the dark walls, snow lay piled in the corners, and the chill was almost tangible. The stone slabs in the burial chambers were painted with eerie red symbols, and coffins and scattered bones could be seen everywhere.

Zhou Yanjun and Bo Yu were regulars in this dungeon. They knew it inside out, navigating the paths swiftly. Bo Yu paused for a moment, sensing something, and glanced back.

When both the cat-eared girl and the hunter had walked past, Xia Tong’s slow-moving figure appeared at the back of the group.

“Why are you walking with your left arm and left leg moving at the same time?” Bo Yu watched him for two seconds and quickly pointed out the oddity.

“Huh?” Xia Tong, startled, snapped back to attention, his eyes unfocused. “Am I?”

“You are,” Bo Yu said, pointing at Xia Tong’s simultaneously lifted left arm and left leg with certainty.

Xia Tong: “I’m… I’m scared QAQ.”

Bo Yu looked puzzled. “It’s just a game.”

Xia Tong: “But I’m still scared QAQ.”

Bo Yu: “Then how about turning off the background music? The soundtrack is pretty creepy.”

Xia Tong: “How do I turn it off?”

Bo Yu: “Open the menu, there’s a sound settings option.”

Following Bo Yu’s instructions, Xia Tong shakily opened the menu, but a giant shadow suddenly leaped out from a corner, screaming “Boo!” right in his face.

“Ahhh!” The little mage jumped in fright, grabbing his hat and bolting in a panic. After a few steps, he was picked up by the cat-eared girl, who petted him soothingly, pulling him close to her chest.

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, big sister is here, and big sister will protect you with her E-CUPs!” She comforted him, giving a sideways glare. “Zhou Yan-jun, what’s wrong with you scaring him like that?”

The knight in disguise burst out laughing, holding his stomach. “It’s just for fun! Besides, there aren’t really any ghosts here! Why so scared?”

Xia Tong, on the verge of tears: “Fatty, I hate you, wuwuwu!”

“Omega are always such a hassle.” Zhou Yan-jun scratched his head, about to make a quip, when suddenly the ground began to tremble. Sharp icicles hanging from the ceiling shattered and rained down like arrows.

“Watch out, dodge!” Zhou Yan-jun yelled, his face changing. “Who triggered the first boss?!”

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