Chapter 9: Match Data Leak Sends Clubs into Frenzy

RNG’s recent defeat left the management deeply distressed. The official apology post on their social media had already garnered over 1.5 million comments, with more than ninety percent being insults.

In an attempt to console their vast fanbase, RNG even required each player to post an apology on Weibo. Consequently, every comment section beneath their posts was flooded with relentless abuse.

A psychological counselor advised everyone at RNG to temporarily refrain from using social media accounts and to avoid using their phones as much as possible.

Various keywords related to last night’s match still trended on social media. Although the heat had somewhat cooled, netizens continued their ceaseless barrage of criticism.

Yet just as the buzz was about to fade, a fresh wave of eye-catching terms surged back onto the trending charts:

“Sun, LDL data analysis report”
“RNG management”
“UZi vs Sun”
“Sun, ousted by RNG”
“RNG lost but Sun didn’t”
“Sun, looks”
...

These search terms rapidly climbed the rankings, drawing significant attention, especially within the esports community, where they sparked a considerable stir.

The origin was a data analysis report and some little-known insider secrets about the esports scene, posted by a fan of Sun, RNG’s substitute ADC player, across multiple major accounts.

This fan enjoyed a substantial following on various social platforms. Once the content was published, it was widely shared by prominent esports influencers, triggering a chain reaction that eventually landed the topic on trending charts.

When it comes to online communities with the strongest fighting spirit, there’s no doubt—the esports circle reigns supreme. Compared to fan groups or other communities, esports veterans command much greater presence.

After all, esports is a competitive sport, one infused with passion, adrenaline, and fierce energy.

This explains why the world’s number one sport, football, often sees hooligans resorting to violence during matches.

Esports, born of the internet, rarely experiences offline toxicity, but online, the venomous insults and aggressive trolling culture thrive unabated.

***

That morning, inside the RNG club’s manager’s office, Feng’s expression was exceedingly grim. The reason was clear—someone was adding fuel to the fire over last night’s incident once again.

“I told you yesterday, Lu Ziang is a talent worth cultivating. What we’re doing now only invites criticism and damages the club’s reputation,” Feng said, pointing at the data analysis report before him, his gaze heavy with complexity. “Dog, take a look at this report yourself.”

“I won’t,” Uzi replied, turning his head deliberately to avoid seeing the document. Deep down, he sensed a foreboding unease.

But he was Uzi.

He carried his pride.

Though facing widespread online criticism now, he had basked in countless flowers and applause over the past year. Besides, this wasn’t his first time being vilified on the internet.

Uzi didn’t care about the haters—just a bunch of impotent trolls venting their rage online, unworthy of his attention.

As for Lu Ziang, Uzi was even less inclined to give him a second thought—just an academy ADC with some potential.

Over the years, countless so-called prodigious ADCs had emerged in the LPL. How many actually became legends? Most were fleeting stars, and Lu Ziang didn’t even qualify as one.

Apart from the peak era Smiles, who had once posed a slight threat to Uzi, the rest were mere colors to him.

“Lu Ziang completed his contract procedures this morning. It’s official—he’s truly left our club,” Feng continued.

“Dog, do you realize how much pressure I’m under right now?” Feng rubbed his temples. “We missed out on a genuine ADC prodigy. This might be the biggest personnel mistake RNG has made in years!”

“That can’t be, Feng,” Uzi said, stunned. Having worked with Feng for years, he knew the man wasn’t one to speak recklessly. Everything Feng said was careful and measured.

“Dog,” Feng’s expression turned cold as he raised his voice and pointed to the report. “I want you to look at this data.”

“All right... fine,” Uzi reluctantly took the report.

Before him lay dense and detailed statistics:

Name: Lu Ziang
Pro ID: SUN
Age: 17 (Birthday: November 19)
Position: ADC
Experience: Former RNG academy player (now released), Season 5/6 Korea server rank #1
Champion Pool:
Ashe, Caitlyn, Corki, Draven, Ezreal, Graves, Jinx, Lucian, Miss Fortune, Olaf, Pyke, Rakan, Sivir, Tristana, Twitch, Varus... Yasuo, Teemo, Twisted Fate, Kennen, Jayce, Azir, Thresh...

Below were Lu Ziang’s cumulative stats from 100 LDL secondary league games:

“Death rate: 1% (1st)”
“Average damage output: 34,396 (1st)”
“Average CS per game: 369 (1st)”
“Average assists per game: 16.6 (1st)”
“Average kills per game: 2.9 (15th)”
“Number of champions played: 27 (1st)”
...

After reading the data, Uzi was stunned, his expression strange.

Seeing Uzi’s grim silence, Feng sighed helplessly.

“This report has probably reached all the major clubs by now. Across the LPL, only IG might not need to recruit a new ADC.”

“Lu Ziang’s value has skyrocketed, easily increasing dozens or even hundreds of times. Meanwhile, his monthly salary at our RNG academy was a mere 3,500 yuan. It’s almost laughable.”

“To think such a talent went unnoticed for nearly two years—what on earth have the academy staff been doing all this time?”

Feng chuckled bitterly. “This has already reached the ears of the big boss. I’m probably going to be implicated too.”

“Dog, you’re not getting any younger, and your injuries are quite serious. Next year, the club might not offer you such a high salary again.”

These words hit Uzi hard, extinguishing the flicker of joy in his heart and forcing him to confront reality.

Indeed.

He seemed to be growing old.

In Season 9, could he still fight as fiercely as in Season 8?

That was a big question mark.

“Feng, you’re underestimating me. Don’t worry—I know my own condition. I can still compete for at least two more years!”

“Also, you can tell the big boss this: Lu Ziang leaving is not RNG’s loss! Because RNG has me, Jian Zihao. There’s no way we don’t need Lu Ziang! RNG is enough with me alone.”

Uzi’s words fell with conviction and arrogance, befitting his nickname “Mad Dog.” Feng was unsurprised by his tone.

What Feng hadn’t expected was that this matter would ignite Uzi’s fighting spirit and fierce will to win deep within.

***

“Ah-choo!”

In the backseat of a Mercedes MVP, Lu Ziang suddenly sneezed loudly without warning, puzzled.

“Who the hell is cursing me?”