Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 88: Legendary Figures in Martial Arts Novels

Jingguan City No. 17 High School, Principal’s Office.

Principal Wang, his face weathered with deep lines, offered a broad, ingratiating smile as he gestured toward the middle-aged man across from him. “Come, come, Coach Song, have some tea!”

The man sitting opposite Principal Wang appeared to be in his early forties. He had a square jaw and a resolute, upright air about him. His face radiated integrity. He wore a baseball cap, a black jacket, sky-blue jeans, and black-and-white striped sneakers—a curious mix of styles. In his large hand, he held a black pipe glowing with red embers, smoke curling around his eyes, making his gaze mysterious and obscured, as if he were shrouded in mist.

It was all rather enigmatic.

Principal Wang sighed inwardly. He found himself unable to see through the man before him. Why must you smoke? Of all habits, you pick this one? The smoke only veils your eyes further, making it impossible for me to read your true feelings.

Coach Song sat immovably, calm and composed, and said, “Principal Wang, you are too kind. Such courtesy—I'm unworthy of it.”

Principal Wang replied, “Not at all, Coach Song, not at all!”

Coach Song made no comment.

Seeing the coach’s steadfast composure, Principal Wang let out a silent sigh, then decided to speak frankly. “Coach Song, what do you think about becoming the head coach of our school football team? We are in desperate need of talented people right now…”

Coach Song waved his hand at once. “Old Principal, I think it’s best to forget about it.”

Principal Wang frowned. “How can we just forget it? Is there some difficulty, Coach Song? Or perhaps you have concerns about the compensation? If it’s a matter of compensation, please raise any objections—we can discuss it further.”

Coach Song replied, “Old Principal, you misunderstand me.”

Principal Wang’s frown deepened as he stared earnestly at Coach Song. “Then what is it?”

Coach Song looked up at Principal Wang and asked, “Principal Wang, is your goal in inviting me to coach your school team to reach the national tournament?”

That was precisely his intent, and Principal Wang made no attempt to conceal it. “Exactly so. Our school hopes to compete in the national tournament, which is why we sought you out, Coach Song.”

Coach Song offered a wry smile but said nothing.

Principal Wang hurried to flatter him, “Coach Song, you are a nationally renowned coach. Leading a school team into the national tournament would be effortless for you.”

Coach Song smiled bitterly again. “Principal Wang, you overestimate me.”

Principal Wang insisted, “Coach Song, you are being far too modest. You were once a distinguished and accomplished coach of the national youth team. I still remember when you led the youth team to the World Youth Championship. Your coaching ability is—” Principal Wang raised his thumb in admiration.

Indeed, Coach Song Yu had once coached the national youth team.

Though only in his early forties, his resume was impressive. He had a professional background and achieved fame early, praised as a “prodigy” by both domestic and international media and experts, and had ranked in the top fifteen for the Golden Boy Award. Unfortunately, at twenty, a serious injury forced him to leave professional football.

After recovering from his injury, he did not abandon football. Instead, he went to Europe for further study, and by twenty-three, he had earned a FIFA-recognized A-level coaching license. He spent years with Ajax’s youth academy, nurturing many talented young players.

At thirty, Song Yu returned home to join the national youth team, serving as assistant coach to the legendary Yan Wuyang. Together, they led the team to the World Youth Championship, where they performed admirably and won widespread acclaim.

The domestic media lauded the young Song Yu to the skies, proclaiming him the sole hope for Chinese football over the next twenty years. Some even asserted that if the national team reached the World Cup in the next two decades, it would be Song Yu at the helm.

After all, during the World Youth Championship, when the elder Yan Wuyang fell ill, Song Yu alone commanded the team. The youth team’s advance to the quarterfinals owed much to Song Yu’s efforts.

Hence, the media’s effusive praise.

Many even claimed that the youth team’s success was entirely due to Song Yu, whose overseas experience brought advanced ideas to the squad and led to the best results among all national teams in recent years.

There were calls throughout the country urging the Football Association to let Song Yu take charge of the men’s national team and aim for the World Cup.

But for reasons unknown, not long after the World Youth Championship, Song Yu was dismissed and left the youth team. At first, people thought he was on his way to greater things, perhaps soon to take over the men’s national team. Fans and journalists waited expectantly, but that wait stretched into more than a decade…

After leaving the youth team, Song Yu vanished from the football world. Neither at home nor abroad was there any news of him—he seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth.

No one knew where Song Yu had gone or what he was doing.

He was like a legendary martial arts master in a novel: when he appeared, he amazed everyone, and just as people awaited his dominance and the making of a legend, he drifted away as if he’d never been there—yet the legend of his presence endured.

Song Yu had become such a legendary figure.

If any journalist discovered that Song Yu was now at Jingguan City No. 17 High School, jaws would surely drop, and a frenzy would erupt, reporters swarming in with cameras and microphones.

Yet Song Yu’s expression remained undisturbed at Principal Wang’s praise, as though he hadn’t heard a word. He shook his head slightly, saying, “I was not the one who led the youth team back then; I was merely an assistant. Besides, I haven’t coached in years—I’m afraid…”

Principal Wang interrupted, “Coach Song, you’re far too modest. I have great faith in your abilities. In my view, if anyone can lead our team to the national tournament, it must be you.”

Such flattery—it was almost groveling.

If any other teacher from Jingguan City No. 17 High saw Principal Wang behaving like this, their eyes would have bulged out, and they’d have said, “Principal, your dignity is in pieces on the floor.”

Principal Wang knew how undignified he looked, but he had no choice.

He truly had no choice.

He desperately wanted to raise the standard of football at Jingguan City No. 17 High, even dreaming of making a splash at the national tournament. For some time, he had sought a renowned and accomplished coach. But he was an outsider to the football world, with few contacts. Seeking such a person was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Of course, he had seen many applicants in recent times.

But they were all mediocrities, far from what he hoped for. Even when he asked Teacher Cai Kun to contact outstanding alumni, it yielded little—no suitable candidate was found.

It was only by chance, through an old friend, that he learned of this legendary coach. Naturally, he had to seize this opportunity.

Now, he was determined to bring him on board.

He was convinced that this man could not only take their school team to the national tournament but also shine there.

Could he afford not to tread carefully?

Coach Song could see that Principal Wang genuinely wanted to improve school football. There might be other motives, but his commitment to football was real. To be honest, Coach Song admired the graying principal before him.

But admiration aside, he would still have to refuse.

Coach Song said, “I’m truly grateful for your regard, Principal Wang, but I really have no intention of returning to football at this time. I think it’s best for you to find someone else—I truly can’t help you.”

At these words, Principal Wang’s face changed. He hadn’t expected matters to be so difficult.

He said quickly, “Is it a problem with the compensation, Coach Song? Please, tell us—we can discuss it further. We will certainly ensure your satisfaction.”

Song Yu shook his head. “Your school’s offer is already quite generous, even remarkable.”

Principal Wang frowned, a chill running through his heart. If not even money could solve the issue, what else could? Was his school truly destined to have no connection to this great figure? He felt deeply disappointed.

Unwilling to give up, he pressed on, “Then do you have other concerns, Coach Song?”

Song Yu realized that Principal Wang would not let him leave without a proper explanation.

At last, Song Yu said, “To be frank, Principal Wang, I don’t have much faith in your school’s ambitions or prospects. For a school outside the established football circles to reach the national tournament—it’s extremely difficult, nearly impossible.”

Principal Wang’s frown returned as he studied Song Yu intently.

Song Yu continued, “I’m sure you know that the national tournament admits sports schools and specialist academies. You must understand the gulf between professionals and amateurs. Even in Jingguan City, there are many specialist football academies, not to mention several schools founded by former internationals in collaboration with renowned foreign clubs. For your school’s ordinary students to break through these teams is almost impossible.”

This was one reason Song Yu declined to take over the Jingguan City No. 17 team, though not the primary one.

Even so, these words unsettled Principal Wang.

What Song Yu said was nothing but the truth.

Principal Wang had thought that hiring a top professional coach like Song Yu would bridge the gap and make the school more competitive. Now, he realized he had perhaps been too optimistic.

Seeing Principal Wang’s dejection, Song Yu said, “I truly admire your commitment to developing and supporting school football, and I hope you continue to do so. But I really can’t help. Of course, if you insist, I can recommend some friends as coaches, even foreign coaches if you wish.”

Given Song Yu’s years abroad, especially his time at Ajax, his recommendations would surely be reliable.

Principal Wang considered this and thought it might just work.

Just when all seemed lost, a new path had emerged.

He quickly expressed his gratitude. “Thank you so much, Coach Song.”

Truth be told, Principal Wang was very enthusiastic about the prospect of a foreign coach. He thought that with such a coach, the school team might just be able to compete with the specialists. Even if they lost, it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.

Principal Wang was truly tempted by the idea.