Chapter 56: Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown!

From the perspective of the other four members of EDG, Lu Zi'ang wasn’t exactly exceptional. That is, as long as he didn’t gain an early lead in the lane. The earlier he secured an advantage, the sooner his opponents would be forced to wear the mask of suffering.

The first blood of the opening match came far too early.

By the time Qi Jiang returned from the restroom, he found the entire club in a frenzy of excitement, wild with joy, which left him puzzled.

“What’s going on here? The match just started, and everyone’s already celebrating? Remember what happened to RNG—tone it down, alright?”

“Lu Zi’ang secured first blood!” Chen Dong’s aged face lit up like a blooming chrysanthemum, his smile radiant.

“Chen Dong, what did you say?” Qi Jiang’s expression turned strange.

“I said Lu Zi’ang just got first blood down bottom. Didn’t you hear that ruckus?” Chen Dong responded, a bit exasperated.

Qi Jiang’s face grew even more peculiar as he tried to suppress his emotions, muttering, “I’m beginning to suspect I wasn’t just going to the bathroom for a break…”

“Ha ha ha. If you’ve got to squat, go ahead. By the time you’re back, we might have already taken the first game!” Chen Dong was ecstatic.

As EDG’s lead data analyst, he knew Lu Zi’ang’s capabilities inside out. Securing first blood before the second wave of minions even fully arrived was no small feat for this player.

“Damn! Lu Zi’ang is incredible!”

Watching the match unfold, Qi Jiang’s reaction was even more unrestrained and frantic than his colleagues’ in the room.

In the 2019 season, EDG underwent a major overhaul, transforming into an all-Chinese roster and parting ways with their former players. While this change earned them substantial praise, it also invited a wave of critics, doubters, and harsh words.

Now, the entire LPL audience and EDG’s fanbase were watching closely, and so was everyone’s gaze fixed on Qi Jiang.

To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. If EDG’s management wanted to prove their decision was right, they had to demonstrate undeniable strength—silencing the haters and naysayers with sheer prowess.

One could only imagine the immense pressure concealed beneath Qi Jiang’s seemingly calm demeanor. As EDG’s head coach and the most prominent figure of the team, all eyes and expectations fell squarely on him.

Though he was accustomed to the many rumors and nicknames thrown at him, this time he truly yearned, with all his heart, to succeed as a coach. He wanted to lead this reborn EDG to hoist the Summoner’s Cup—the ultimate symbol of honor.

This was his alternative path to realizing his dreams. If this doorway were closed, he might never have another chance.

Inside EDG’s player lounge, every staff member understood Qi Jiang’s feelings, sharing the same hopes and aspirations. Even the players on the battle bench held the same ideal, which is why they chose to join the new EDG.

Meanwhile, in FPX’s player lounge, head coach Steak’s eyelids twitched slightly after seeing Lin Weixiang fall.

“The bottom lane looks risky this round. That Lu Zi’ang playing Thresh is probably not something to underestimate…” FPX’s data analyst remarked.

Steak watched the screen carefully, then nodded and said slowly, “Have you ever seen a rookie ADC who dares not to buy any farming items right off the bat?”

“No,” the analyst replied firmly.

This was the LPL regular season—no rookie would dare mess around like that. Setting aside whether the club allowed it, the player himself would hardly get away with such recklessness.

There was, of course, another possibility: blind confidence.

But it was clear this EDG ADC was no brash fool.

“His bold item build means this isn’t the first time he’s done it. And his ability to pull that off in a match means EDG tacitly approves.”

“His skill has been recognized by the club. Everyone is confident he can dominate his lane.”

From the starting item alone, Steak deduced a startling conclusion.

The data analyst’s expression darkened. “Though it’s a five-player game, every team has an absolute core—the secret weapon!”

“Like Uzi for RNG, Faker for SKT... If I’m not mistaken, EDG’s core is this Lu Zi’ang. A top-tier horse, no doubt about it!”

“Ming Kai is playing a game of strategy with us,” Steak chuckled, “Treat the first game as a warm-up. Figuring out EDG’s true strength is more important than the win or loss.”

Had Qi Jiang been there, he would have exclaimed, “Turtle, Steak, you old fox really know your analysis!”

At this moment on screen, Lin Weixiang’s bottom lane had lost their support and was behind in level, forced to defend under the tower while keeping an eye on the minion waves. The gap was becoming painfully clear.

“This is tough. lWX is having a bad game. And the lack of experience is mainly because, though it’s early and respawn times are quick, when Alistar comes back, he’ll have lost at least two waves of farm, right?” Teacher Piao analyzed nearby. Miller nodded, adding, “Yeah, they’re going to lose that much in minions and gold, and the bottom lane advantage will grow even wider.”

“Even if Kai’Sa can catch up when Alistar returns, it won’t make much difference. Her form isn’t good. And Jhin’s not doing well either!”

“But the problem is, Jhin’s level is higher. After Alistar died, Lin Weixiang should have recalled immediately to recover, then returned to lane with Alistar — that would have been the safest, best approach.”

The commentators enjoyed a god’s-eye view, seeing everything clearly as outsiders. Under such conditions, they couldn’t fully empathize with the players’ in-the-moment confusion—only those truly playing could understand.

For example, Lin Weixiang alone knew how badly he was being crushed by the opposing ADC, who was on a completely different level.

Up top, Gong Zige was equally baffled, losing ground to 369’s Master Yi.

Inside the FPX team voice chat, Doinb finally spoke up in pure Mandarin:

“Bottom lane, hold steady. Keep a good mentality, it’s no big deal~”

If 369 had to face off against Doinb, he probably wouldn’t be so calm.

Gong Zige rolled his eyes, a bit speechless: “The current EDG is definitely way stronger than before.”

“This top laner is like a mad dog—biting anyone who comes near. Damn, I’m playing Captain Gangplank and can’t even farm properly. Seriously.”

Gong Zige’s Mandarin wasn’t perfect but understandable, with a noticeable accent.

“Really? I don’t buy it,” Doinb shook his head, “But even if it’s true, it’s fine. Consider the first game a warm-up!”

Doinb was optimistic—for now, the situation wasn’t dire enough to dampen his spirits.

...

P.S.: Fifth update, continuing!