Chapter 13: with translation of chapter title

The factory director is still the factory director.

The factory director is after all the factory director.

With such a huge disadvantage early on, the jungle completely fell apart.

"With such a big disadvantage early on, the jungle was completely ruined at one point." We'll translate: "With such a big early disadvantage, the jungle was completely ruined at one point."

If we swapped in another jungler, they'd likely start snowballing and drag the lanes down.

"If another jungler were used, they'd likely get snowballed, affecting the lanes." We'll translate: "Swapping in another jungler would likely result in a snowball, hurting the lanes."

Yet the factory director held up under the pressure.

"But the factory director withstood the pressure." We'll translate: "Yet the factory director held up under pressure."

Two levels behind? The jungle treated like a backyard? Zero stacks at 15 minutes?

"Two levels behind? The jungle treated as a backyard? At 15 minutes, zero stacks?" We'll translate: "Two levels behind? The jungle treated like a backyard? Zero stacks at 15 minutes?"

Doesn't matter, we can go all out!

"It doesn't matter; everything can be let go!" We'll translate: "It doesn't matter; we can let go of everything!"

Thresh is a snowball champion, yet he made him feel like he was playing a pig girl with a big tree.

"Thresh is a snowball hero, yet he made him feel like he was playing a piggy big tree." We'll translate: "Thresh is a snowball hero, yet he made him feel like he was playing a piggy big tree."

He built a Bloodthirster as his second item; although he had little early game presence, he didn't give Xu Dongmen a chance to kill him.

"The second item was straight Infinity Edge; although there was little early rhythm, it also didn't give Xu Dongmen a chance to kill him." We'll translate: "The second item was straight Infinity Edge; although there was little early rhythm, it also didn't give Xu Dongmen a chance to kill him."

Good vision, combined with sharp awareness and intuition.

"Good vision, plus keen awareness and sense of smell." We'll translate: "Good vision, plus keen awareness and sense of smell."

EDG's defense is practically textbook!

"EDG's defense is practically textbook!" We'll translate: "EDG's defense is practically textbook!"

Facing such an impregnable wall, Xu Dongmen could only bide his time and proceed slowly.

"Facing such a copper wall and iron wall, Xu Dongmen could only be patient and take it slow." We'll translate: "Facing such a copper wall and iron wall, Xu Dongmen could only be patient and take it slow."

Compared to their previous encounters with M3 and WE, EDG is far too calm and composed.

"Compared to previous encounters with M3 and WE, EDG is really too calm." We'll translate: "Compared to previous encounters with M3 and WE, EDG is really too calm."

QG repeatedly tried to break through, but to little effect.

"QG repeatedly sought breakthroughs, but to little effect." We'll translate: "QG repeatedly sought breakthroughs, but to little effect."

At 20 minutes, there was a 4,000 gold deficit, half of which came from the enemy's jungle lead.

"At 20 minutes, a 4k gold deficit, half of which came from the jungle lead." We'll translate: "At 20 minutes, a 4,000 gold deficit, half of which came from the jungle lead."

"The advantage isn't small, but the enemy has Twitch and Ryze this game, making late‑game team fights very hard to handle."

""The advantage isn't small, but the enemy has Twitch and Ryze this game, making late‑teamfights hard to handle."" We'll translate: ""The advantage isn't small, but the enemy has Twitch and Ryze this game, making late‑teamfights hard to handle.""

"The main thing is we can't let the dragon tempo break; if it does, things get uncertain."

""Mainly, the dragon rhythm can't be broken; if broken, it's hard to say."" We'll translate: ""Mainly, the dragon rhythm can't be broken; if broken, it's hard to say.""

"Dongmen's farm is still great; he'll have three items soon!"

""Dongmen's development is still good; he'll soon have three items!"" We'll translate: ""Dongmen's development is still good; he'll soon have three items!""

In the backstage lounge, the QG crew is watching the match.

"Backstage lounge, QG members are watching the match." We'll translate: "Backstage lounge, QG members are watching the match."

Lin Ke is nervously rubbing his hands!

"Lin Ke nervously rubs his hands!" We'll translate: "Lin Ke nervously rubs his hands!"

At 21 minutes, the third dragon spawns.

"Time reaches 21 minutes, the third dragon spawns." We'll translate: "Time reaches 21 minutes, the third dragon spawns."

EDG just let it go, not even considering contesting it.

"EDG just let it go, didn't even think of coming to contest." We'll translate: "EDG just let it go, didn't even think of coming to contest."

Xu Dongmen solo‑killed the dragon, securing every early neutral objective; his tempo was flawless.

"Xu Dongmen solo killed the dragon; he controlled all neutral resources early game, his rhythm was perfect." We'll translate: "Xu Dongmen solo killed the dragon; he controlled all neutral resources early game, his rhythm was perfect."

But given this situation, the QG coaching staff isn't very optimistic.

"But regarding this situation, QG's coaching staff is not very optimistic." We'll translate: "But regarding this situation, QG's coaching staff is not very optimistic."

Park Ryong‑yun stroked his chin and said, "If we drag this lineup past 30 minutes, team fights will be tough."

"Pu Longyun strokes his chin: 'If our lineup is dragged past 30 minutes, teamfights will be hard to fight.'" We'll translate: "Pu Longyun strokes his chin: 'If our lineup is dragged past 30 minutes, teamfights will be hard to fight.'"

"If I'd known, I should have just given Viktor to mid lane instead of picking that weird champ—I'm such an idiot!"

""If I had known, just give mid lane Viktor; why pick Ahri? I'm so stupid!"" We'll translate: ""If I had known, just give mid lane Viktor; why pick Ahri? I'm so stupid!""

The BP coach, Choi, regretted deeply: "We could have picked Bard as support; Braum's engage is too weak, and with the enemy having Thresh, we struggle to reach Twitch."

"Cui Jiaolian, in charge of BP, regrets repeatedly: 'Or we could pick Bard as support; Braum's engage is too weak, the enemy has Thresh, we can't easily engage on Twitch.'" We'll translate: "Cui Jiaolian, in charge of BP, regrets repeatedly: 'Or we could pick Bard as support; Braum's engage is too weak, the enemy has Thresh, we can't easily engage on Twitch.'"

"With three dragons and a 4,000 gold lead, we're still ahead." Aesha Jia Yi expressed full confidence in her teammates.

""3 dragons and 4,000 gold, we still have an advantage." Aishe Jiayi has full confidence in teammates." We'll translate: ""3 dragons and 4,000 gold, we still have an advantage." Aishe Jiayi has full confidence in teammates."

At 27 minutes, the fourth dragon spawned.

"Time reaches 27 minutes, the fourth dragon spawns." We'll translate: "Time reaches 27 minutes, the fourth dragon spawns."

This time, EDG finally came out to engage.

"This time, EDG finally came out to engage." We'll translate: "This time, EDG finally came out to engage."

Doinb's Ahri hid in the flank, and her two consecutive charm hits whittled down a chunk of Thresh's health.

"Doinb's Ahri lurked on the flank, two consecutive hits drained a wave of Thresh's HP." We'll translate: "Doinb's Ahri lurked on the flank, two consecutive hits drained a wave of Thresh's HP."

Pat—

"Pa-da~" We'll translate: "Pa-da~"

A spear struck the enemy Twitch precisely in the crowd, triggering the echo effect and halving Deft's health instantly!

"A spear precisely hit the rat in the crowd, triggering the echo effect, Deft's HP suddenly halved!" We'll translate: "A spear precisely hit the rat in the crowd, triggering the echo effect, Deft's HP suddenly halved!"

Xu Dongmen transformed into a cougar, flashed forward and pounced.

"Xu Dongmen transformed into a cougar, flashed forward and pounced." We'll translate: "Xu Dongmen transformed into a cougar, flashed forward and pounced."

He was playing a burst build this game and already had Lich Bane.

"He's playing a burst build this game; by now he already has Lich Bane." We'll translate: "He's playing a burst build this game; by now he already has Lich Bane."

His damage was enough to instantly kill Twitch!

"The damage is enough to instantly kill the rat!" We'll translate: "The damage is enough to instantly kill the rat!"

Xu Dongmen's mechanics were flawless—a fierce pounce followed by a knock‑up sent Tristana's health plummeting.

"Xu Dongmen's mechanics are extremely smooth; a fierce pounce plus knock‑up slashes Tristana's HP." We'll translate: "Xu Dongmen's mechanics are extremely smooth; a fierce pounce plus knock‑up slashes Tristana's HP."

But Deft reacted just as quickly, flashing away to regroup behind his teammates.

"But Deft's reaction isn't slow either; he flashed away to get behind his teammates." We'll translate: "But Deft's reaction isn't slow either; he flashed away to get behind his teammates."

Xu Dongmen took a Thresh Death Sentence, yet he still lunged forward and unleashed a second fierce pounce.

"Xu Dongmen took a Thresh Death Sentence, but he still leapt up and unleashed a second fierce pounce." We'll translate: "Xu Dongmen took a Thresh Death Sentence, but he still leapt up and unleashed a second fierce pounce."

Just give him another half‑second to swing his claws and Twitch will go down!

"If given just another 0.5 seconds to swing his claws, the rat would go down!" We'll translate: "If given just another 0.5 seconds to swing his claws, the rat would go down!"

But at that very moment, a Will of the Ancients aura appeared beneath Tristana's feet.

"But just then, a sheep spirit appeared beneath Tristana's feet." We'll translate: "But just then, a sheep spirit appeared beneath Tristana's feet."

The factory director, who had been invisible the whole game, finally felt his presence.

"The factory director, hidden the whole game, finally gained a presence." We'll translate: "The factory director, hidden the whole game, finally gained a presence."

He used his ultimate to save Twitch.

"He used his ultimate to save the rat." We'll translate: "He used his ultimate to save the rat."

Within the blessing circle, Deft unleashed full firepower, dumping all his damage before dying!

"Within the blessing circle, Deft went all‑out, unleashing all his damage before dying!" We'll translate: "Within the blessing circle, Deft went all‑out, unleashing all his damage before dying!"

"Ah, what a shame!"

""Ah, what a pity!"" We'll translate: ""Ah, what a pity!""

"If we could have instantly killed Twitch, we would have won this team fight!"

""If we could instantly kill the rat, we'd win this teamfight!"" We'll translate: ""If we could instantly kill the rat, we'd win this teamfight!""

"It was a three‑for‑three exchange; actually it wasn't that bad—the real issue was losing dragon tempo."

""A 3‑for‑3 trade isn't actually that bad; the problem is the dragon rhythm was broken."" We'll translate: ""A 3‑for‑3 trade isn't actually that bad; the problem is the dragon rhythm was broken.""

Just a little off, just a tiny bit.

"Just a little off, just that little bit." We'll translate: "Just a little off, just that little bit."

Xu Dongmen fell just short of the damage needed to instantly kill Twitch; Doinb and V tried to combo‑kill Thresh in later fights, but were stopped by the Redeemer's Blade.

"Xu Dongmen fell just short of the damage needed to instantly kill the rat; Doinb and V tried to coordinate a burst on Thresh in later teamfights, but were stopped by the savior's spirit blade." We'll translate: "Xu Dongmen fell just short of the damage needed to instantly kill the rat; Doinb and V tried to coordinate a burst on Thresh in later teamfights, but were stopped by the savior's spirit blade."

Still, just a hair's breadth of damage short!

"He still fell just short of that bit of damage!" We'll translate: "He still fell just short of that bit of damage!"

I must say, this EDG roster shows tremendous resilience.

"It must be said, the current EDG roster has strong resilience." We'll translate: "It must be said, the current EDG roster has strong resilience."

Especially in team fights, they are top‑tier in the LPL.

"Especially in teamfights, they are a top‑tier presence in the LPL." We'll translate: "Especially in teamfights, they are a top‑tier presence in the LPL."

"We lost."

""We lost."" We'll translate: ""We lost.""

"There's nothing we could do; we got out‑macroed."

""No way, we were out‑macroed this game."" We'll translate: ""No way, we were out‑macroed this game.""

"We had such a big early lead but couldn't capitalize; by the time we fought, their carry was already fully formed."

""We had such a big early lead but couldn't snowball it; by the time teamfights came, the enemy's carries were already formed."" We'll translate: ""We had such a big early lead but couldn't snowball it; by the time teamfights came, the enemy's carries were already formed.""

In the lounge, everyone felt deep regret.

"In the lounge, everyone felt deep regret." We'll translate: "In the lounge, everyone felt deep regret."

How to put it, coach—should we change players for the next round?" Lin Ke couldn't sit still.

"Change players? Change who?" Pu Longyun furrowed his brow.

Following Lin Ke's gaze, it was Swift and Dade sitting together with him.

If Dade could play, these two could indeed compete with Xu Dongmen and Doinb a bit; the problem is Dade can't get on the field.

Just substituting one jungler, what effect would Doinb and Swift's pairing have? We've already seen that in the M3 match.

We can't possibly put Borisal in, can we?

Not getting crushed by the Fat General would be a miracle!

Put Xu Dongmen in, and at least we still have a chance to win.

Put Swift in, and we might as well book a ticket home right now.

Park Ryong‑yun stated bluntly: "I don't support swapping players; this loss has nothing to do with Xu Dongmen—he did everything he could. Other positions were fine too; the main problem was our draft, which we as coaches failed to execute."

"It's my fault—I haven't faced an EDG like this in a while and treated them like WE, which was an oversight."

Coach Choi stepped forward, admitting that this draft was his doing.

"Alright, let's give them another chance."

At that moment, Xu Dongmen and the others stepped off the stage.

The two coaches went to the door to greet them, cheering each one on and taking the blame for the loss upon themselves.

At this point, the players' mentality is extremely important.

When a winning game is overturned, it most easily undermines a player's confidence.

"Well, I was still too focused on farming; I should have sped up my tempo and looked for early ganks and dragon control."

Xu Dongmen didn't blame the draft; in his view, even this lineup could have been won.

It's truly unacceptable to squander such a strong start.

"No worries, it's just one game; if we nail the draft next time, we'll surely win." Park Ryong‑yun said confidently.

"Come on, brothers, let's go!"

Before heading back to the stage, everyone linked hands and cheered each other on.

The coaching staff and five starters took the stage, leaving only Lin Ke, Aesha Jia Yi, Swift, and Dade and a few others in the lounge.

"If they lose this game too, what are you planning to do, manager?" Swift suddenly asked.

It was the first time he'd sat on the bench for so long, leaving him feeling uneasy.

"Du Xun, I know you're feeling wronged, but don't rush—you'll definitely get another chance to play." Lin Ke comforted him.

"What about me? What should I do?"

Dade, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, also looked over and said: "Manager, when we discussed my contract you promised I'd be a starter upon joining the team, yet I still haven't gotten a single chance to play."

"Do you think I want this? It's the rule, the league's rule—I can't do anything about it." Lin Ke spread his hands, sounding a bit frustrated.

If it were possible, from his perspective he'd surely prefer to put Swift and Dade together.

That's also why he insisted on bringing Dade to the venue today, just in case the situation changes.

Regarding Dade playing in the playoffs, Lin Ke still harbors a faint, foolish hope.

The investors' money can't just be wasted, right?

Even after checking with the league once and being told Dade can't play under these circumstances, he still refuses to give up.

"As far as I know, a senior from Tencent Esports will come to watch the match today; I've met him a few times before, so we're acquainted… I already greeted his assistant when he arrived, and I'll go see him shortly."

Lin Ke had an idea.

Since we can't break the official rules, why not try a backdoor approach?

He loves that in‑game saying: "Rules are meant to be broken!"

As long as the goal is achieved, he doesn't mind using any means.

"I feel… this isn't quite right," Aesha Jia Yi thought, feeling it was a bit improper.

"What do you know? You think other clubs are clean?"

Lin Ke scoffed: "Take today's opponents EDG, for example—last spring playoffs they were up 2‑0, got dragged into a deciding game by WE, nearly lost 2‑3, and then those three guys used connections to delay the fifth game by an hour, dragging things out long enough to pull the fat dad out of the hospital—do you think that follows the rules?"

"Afterward EDG won the spring crown—do you still hear people saying they lack sportsmanship?"

"Haven't you heard the saying? Fight magic with magic!"

「………」

Aesha Jia Yi was left speechless by the retort.

"Alright, I'm heading out… Du Xun, Yuzhen, keep me posted on any good news."

Lin Ke rose and walked toward the door.

"Whatever with EDG isn't my concern; I just feel it's really unfair to Dongmen." Aesha Jia Yi muttered under her breath.

Both are long‑time substitutes, and he gets along very well with Xu Dongmen.

After finally earning a spot through merit, management keeps trying to pull him down.

What the heck is this?!

On stage, Xu Dongmen had no hint of impending danger, chatting and laughing with Doinb and the factory director in the match room.

It was a genuine, hearty laugh!

Scheming, backstabbing, roster changes—none of it mattered to him; he simply wasn't in the mood to dwell on it.

The previous match lasted 37 minutes and 26 seconds.

Nothing special!

But for Xu Dongmen, the timeline has already begun to shift.

Have you ever heard of a one‑minute best‑of‑five?

Hmm... what it originally referred to was this competition.