Volume One: Our League, Chapter 102: The Audacious Mu Yang

One apiece!

The first round of the penalty shootout was over, and Zhang Zhen had lived up to everyone’s expectations by breaking Xu Donglai’s hold.

In regulation time and extra time, Xu Donglai had been nothing short of divine, invincible. Even shots struck from point-blank range had failed to breach the goal he guarded, as though no one on earth could possibly beat him that day.

That had put a great deal of pressure on the players of Class Ten’s team. Many of them had half-consciously wondered whether Xu Donglai could even be beaten today.

Even in a penalty shootout, they had not been certain they could overcome him and send the ball into the net he defended.

But now Zhang Zhen had stepped forward and, with a shot from an almost impossible angle, shattered Xu Donglai’s legend. The pressure weighing on the rest of Class Ten’s players vanished in an instant. Xu Donglai was not invincible after all.

Zhang Zhen had given them belief.

No wonder the players of Class Ten reacted so strongly, leaping into the air.

Xu He threw back his head and let out a long howl.

Zhang Zhen, you’re incredible!

Li Jie rushed over at once and gave Zhang Zhen a huge hug. Then all the other players from Class Ten surged forward to embrace him as well.

Zhang Zhen had truly given them a perfect beginning.

Zhu Ge hugged Zhang Zhen with excitement and said from the heart, “Thank you! You were amazing! Incredible!”

Zhang Zhen smiled faintly. “Keep it up.”

Zhu Ge nodded firmly, letting Zhang Zhen know he could rest easy.

Zhang Zhen hugged Mu Yang as well, then came to Xu He’s side. “Don’t pressure yourself. Believe in yourself. You can do it.”

Xu He hugged Zhang Zhen tightly and nodded. “I’ll do it for sure.”

Then Zhu Ge suddenly shouted at the top of his voice, “The championship will belong to Class Ten’s team!”

The players of Class Ten were brimming with confidence.

In the stands, Principal Wang let out a long breath. He had been extremely tense just moments ago.

Xu Donglai’s performance today had truly been godlike, and Wang had been worried that he might be unbeatable. Fortunately, the players of Class Ten had come through and shattered that image of invincibility. With that, Class Sixteen’s team no longer had any advantage.

Now relaxed, Principal Wang turned to Song Yu and said, “Coach Song, it’s one to one. Do you still believe in Class Sixteen’s team now?”

Song Yu’s expression remained easy. He cast a casual glance at the pitch and watched Xu Donglai’s face.

Clearly, Xu Donglai’s expression had not changed at all.

He had not taken the missed goal to heart in the slightest. It was not enough to affect him. Xu Donglai looked truly composed, and his mental strength seemed excellent.

Song Yu was full of confidence.

He turned back to Principal Wang with a slight smile and said, “Of course. I’m full of confidence in Class Sixteen’s team, and in Xu Donglai as well.”

Principal Wang nodded lightly. “Then let’s see.”

“Let’s see,” Song Yu replied firmly.

Both men immediately looked back to the pitch. The second round of the shootout was about to begin.

For Class Sixteen’s team, the next man up was their number nine striker. He stood quietly at the penalty spot, his gaze drifting a little, his confidence looking rather thin.

Their attacking ability was truly hard to praise. Their forwards were only mediocre at best, and could even be called poor. Now that this striker had stepped to the spot, he probably lacked confidence even in himself.

The players of Class Ten did not think he posed any real threat to their goal.

This striker was of no concern.

Facing him, Wang Xu was also extremely confident. He even taunted the number nine striker by curling a finger at him, signaling him to come on.

But the number nine from Class Sixteen did not even look at Wang Xu. Head bowed, he fixed his eyes on the ball at the spot and waited for the whistle.

Right then, he felt the referee was taking far too long. Why had the whistle still not sounded?

The waiting was like a year and a day.

Too slow.

Zhuo Jun frowned slightly when he noticed his teammate’s state of mind. He immediately shouted, “Shen Dongyang, keep it up! You can do it. Their goalkeeper is terrible!”

Wang Xu was furious. He shot a vicious glare at Zhuo Jun, resentment surging in his chest.

If you want to encourage your teammate, fine. Why drag me into it? And why do you have to praise one by trampling another? That’s really not sporting, Zhuo Jun.

Wang Xu narrowed his eyes to slits and stared fixedly at Class Sixteen’s number nine striker, as if that gaze alone could kill him.

Principal Wang suddenly said, “Looks like your Class Sixteen team is in trouble.”

Song Yu frowned slightly. This was exactly what he had been worried about.

The players on Class Sixteen’s team were far too uneven in ability. Zhuo Jun and Xu Donglai were exceptionally strong, Song Xiang was average, and the rest were simply too weak. If these players could not all contribute, then Class Sixteen was truly doomed to lose.

Originally, Song Yu had thought that even if their skill was lacking, their mental strength might still be acceptable. And with Zhuo Jun encouraging them from the side, they should have been able to find some confidence.

Now it seemed he had been too optimistic.

Even Song Yu had lost confidence in this kick. Unease crept into his heart.

Was he really going to end up taking charge of a school team?

Song Yu glanced at Principal Wang and said, “The shootout has only just begun. No need to rush. The outcome is still unknown.”

Principal Wang smiled faintly. “So you’re the type who won’t shed a tear until you see the coffin, huh? Then let’s keep watching.”

Song Yu turned back to the pitch, silently worrying for Class Sixteen’s number nine striker.

Seeing this, Xu He was delighted. What an excellent chance.

He was convinced that Wang Xu could beat this striker and save the ball.

At that moment, the referee blew his whistle.

The number nine striker at the spot seemed to be freed at last. He took a quick run-up and swung a hard shot at the ball. With a thud, he seemed to put everything he had into it, and the ball shot away at speed.

It was struck with great force and made a tremendous sound.

But Wang Xu barely moved at all. He simply stood up straight and stared at Class Sixteen’s number nine striker in utter speechlessness, because the shot had posed absolutely no threat. The ball flew high over the crossbar and out beyond the end line.

There had been no danger whatsoever.

Wang Xu himself felt somewhat dissatisfied. This goal seemed to have little to do with him.

And yet he still leapt up excitedly, pumping his fist in the air.

“Beautiful! Wang Xu, your aura was too strong. He was scared stiff by you!” Xu He roared in excitement, also pumping his fist. He was thrilled.

The players of Class Ten were all overjoyed, bouncing in place and cheering wildly.

By contrast, the players of Class Sixteen all lowered their heads, their spirits sinking.

Zhuo Jun let out a soft sigh and said nothing.

Xu Donglai tightened his gloves, walked over to Shen Dongyang, and patted him on the shoulder. “It’s fine. I’m still here.”

With that, Xu Donglai strode toward the goal.

In the stands, Principal Wang’s smile deepened. He turned to Song Yu and said, “Coach Song, it looks like you’re going to end up as the head coach of our Jinguan City No. 17 Middle School team after all.”

Song Yu frowned slightly. That number nine striker had truly given him no surprises at all. As expected, he had failed, and failed miserably.

It seemed winning this wager today would be difficult.

Now all hope rested on Class Sixteen’s goalkeeper, Xu Donglai. Song Yu thought to himself, Young man, it’s up to you and me, Old Song. Come on. Show them what a real guardian of the goal looks like.

Turning to Principal Wang, he said, “The shootout has only just begun. No need to rush.”

In truth, he was already anxious beyond measure.

Principal Wang did not expose him, merely saying calmly, “Then let’s continue watching.”

Xu Donglai reached the goal with complete confidence. He picked the ball up from inside the net and handed it straight to Mu Yang.

Class Ten’s second taker stepped forward, and that was Mu Yang.

Mu Yang’s face was expressionless, his features cool and unruffled as ever.

He seemed to feel no pressure at all. He walked easily to the spot, placed the ball there, then stepped back two paces at a leisurely pace. Feet apart, hands on hips, he stared straight at Xu Donglai with an air of complete fearlessness.

Xu Donglai’s pupils tightened. He could sense Mu Yang’s confidence.

A player like that was not easy to defeat.

Still, Xu Donglai never surrendered in advance. He fixed Mu Yang with an equally hard stare, as if to say, Come on then. Let’s see me stop your penalty.

Xu He was deeply impressed by the way Mu Yang stood there.

Mu Yang always looked like that, and the fact that he still looked the same now meant his heart was calm and untroubled. He had not been affected by anything and had felt no pressure at all. He was relaxed, completely at ease.

“Impressive, impressive!” Xu He could not help but give Mu Yang a thumbs-up.

He was also certain that Mu Yang could easily send the ball into Class Sixteen’s net, even with Xu Donglai standing in front of it.

The players of Class Ten were all full of confidence. They all believed Mu Yang would score.

Every eye in the stadium was fixed on Mu Yang, and then the referee blew the whistle. The kick could be taken.

Mu Yang glanced at Xu Donglai, then began his run. Reaching the ball, he swung his right leg and struck it hard.

With a thud, the ball lifted gently into the air and floated lazily toward the center of the goal.

At the same instant, Xu Donglai dived to the side, launching himself toward the lower right corner.

He had been completely deceived.

With great daring and skill, Mu Yang had chosen a Panenka penalty, floating the ball into the net behind Class Sixteen’s goalkeeper.

Xu He stared wide-eyed, unable to speak for a long time.

Mu Yang had far too much nerve. He actually dared to pull off something like that at a moment like this. What a huge heart.

Xu He gave Mu Yang another thumbs-up, admiration flooding him.

The players of Class Ten were wildly excited, howling with delight.

Thrilling.

Of course, Principal Wang in the stands nearly had a heart attack thanks to Mu Yang. That kid was unbelievably bold, too willing to gamble. He was terrified Xu Donglai might see through it and save the ball.

Principal Wang shot Mu Yang a sharp glare.

Song Yu was equally stunned. He had not expected Mu Yang to do something like that. Truly daring.

Of course, he also knew this goal could not be blamed on Xu Donglai. Xu Donglai had already done well enough. If anyone was to blame, it was Mu Yang, whose nerve was simply too great.