[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-start-with-r9-template":3,"chapter-start-with-r9-template-start-with-r9-template-chapter-73":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Start with R9 Template",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1388888,1840,"Chapter 73 - 73","start-with-r9-template-chapter-73",73,"\u003Cp>The ball was dropping and Ling was watching it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time, once again, seemed to fracture into slow motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made the run, sixty yards of lung-bursting effort, and now the rebound was falling perfectly into the vacuum of space left by Tottenham's shifted defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his peripheral vision, he saw Hugo Lloris scrambling to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Jan Vertonghen throwing his body in the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his mind was elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was back in the Carrington gym. It was back in the early mornings with Zlatan Ibrahimović, practicing the unorthodox, the impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Taekwondo kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't try to control it. He didn't try to bring it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what a normal player would do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he going to shoot directly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't the difficulty a bit too high? Better to stabilize—\" The commentary cut off abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the pitch, Ling's black hair fluttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his entire body weight onto his left foot, pivoting on the ball of his foot like a dancer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, he whipped his right leg up and around at hip height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a football kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a martial arts strike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A side kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a god descending from heaven to strike down a mortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An explosive crack echoed through the stadium, louder than any sound before it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball deformed violently upon impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't spin. It didn't curve. It just flew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hurtled toward the goal with unstoppable, violent momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hugo Lloris, the world-class keeper, clenched his teeth and threw himself across the goal for another desperate save.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He got a touch. His gloves made contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before he could relish the moment, an overwhelming force transmitted through his hands, jarring his wrists, forcing them to recoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power was simply too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deflected ball smashed into the roof of the net, bouncing several times with angry energy before finally settling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2-0!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands of fans stared in stunned silence for a heartbeat, their minds replaying the fleeting yet earth-shattering shot, tracing the faint, white trajectory still hanging in the damp Manchester air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Old Trafford erupted. It wasn't just a cheer; it was a primal roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every shout seemed to burn through the atmosphere. Amid the chaos, cries of \"OH MY GOD!\" and \"JESUS!\" pierced through the celebration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martin Tyler: \"AND LING!! OH!!! OH MY WORD! WHAT HAVE WE JUST SEEN?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HE HAS ABSOLUTELY THUNDERED IT HOME! A VOLLEY OF IMPOSSIBLE TECHNIQUE!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gary Neville: (Laughing in disbelief) \"That is ridiculous! That is absolutely ridiculous! He's just Kung-Fu kicked it into the top corner! Lloris got a hand to it and it nearly took his hand off! I have played at this stadium for twenty years, and I have never seen a technique like that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martin Tyler: \"It's shades of Di Canio... it's shades of Zlatan himself! And look at the reaction! Old Trafford has gone berserk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After scoring, Ling's mind went blank for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The adrenaline washed away all thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he regained his senses, he realized he had not only scored the most beautiful goal of his career but achieved a brace in the biggest match of the season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was even more thrilling was the thought that tens of millions of fans—in England, in China, all over the world—were watching this live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't remain calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excitement surged through his chest like a breached dam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sprinted forty yards and slid to his knees in a perfect celebration right in front of the managers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Manchester United players exchanged glances, seeing the shock on each other's faces, then roared and rushed over to embrace him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ling! How did you do that?!\" Rashford screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't believe my eyes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You lucky bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Ling grinned, wiped the sweat from his face, and shouted back, \"Luck is part of skill!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was indeed a significant element of luck—and a significant element of the System—in that goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibrahimović pushed through the crowded players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed Ling by the scruff of the neck and wrapped his arm around his shoulder, beaming like a proud father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well?\" he asked domineeringly, pointing a finger at Ling's chest. \"I told you to train with me every day. I taught you the way of the lion. And now it paid off, didn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, definitely, Zlatan!\" Ling admitted without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he poked the bear. \"But speaking of which... do you think this goal would make it into your top ten career goals?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ibrahimović paused. He gave an almost imperceptible nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Top ten? Maybe number ten. Don't push it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, David De Gea stood alone in front of his goal, rinsing his mouth with water, wondering if he could have saved it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was a resounding \"no.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, the Tottenham players looked stunned, shell-shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Son Heung-min opened and closed his mouth several times but couldn't utter a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wasn't this wonder goal a bit too unfair?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hugo Lloris lay on the turf, staring at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought he was about to pull off two brilliant saves in a row, only to end up as the backdrop for a Puskás contender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that from now on, whenever fans mentioned this goal, his name would inevitably come up, forever etched into the annals of YouTube compilations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sidelines erupted into celebration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rui Faria leaped to his feet, grabbing Mourinho.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boss! Boss, did you see that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That shot was magnificent! Some players might never manage one like it in their entire careers! That technique!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourinho, usually so composed, was laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My eye for talent is still as sharp as ever! In such a short time, Ling is already delivering. He's only going to get better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faria seized the moment. \"Exactly! I knew this kid had it. I've been keeping a close eye on him, sacrificing my holidays!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You got paid overtime, didn't you?\" Mourinho shot back with a laugh. \"If you're not happy, maybe I'll assign Lalin to the job next time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carlos Lalin, the fitness coach, nodded eagerly, but Faria quickly interjected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no! Lalin is just a fitness guy. He doesn't know the tactics. Leave the kid to me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Tottenham bench had fallen into a depressed silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mauricio Pochettino felt as if the football gods were against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had adjusted the tactics. He had stabilized the game. And then... this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment of individual brilliance that no tactic could account for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What struck him hardest was the realization of the gap in quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in the starting XI, but in the moments that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood Arsène Wenger's predicament firsthand. He had painstakingly patched together a brilliant, cohesive lineup, only to be defeated by the sheer financial and individual power of Guardiola and Mourinho.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, he quickly composed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood by the touchline, clapping his hands, urging his players on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are still 20 minutes left. We are Tottenham. We fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, in the LeTV live broadcast room... Zhan Jun's throat kept bobbing as he swallowed dryly. It took him a while to resume his commentary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A SPECTACULAR, WORLD-CLASS GOAL!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both in terms of visual appeal and difficulty, it's absolutely top-tier! I believe this goal deserves to win this year's Puskás Award!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing numerous comments popping up about \"luck,\" Zhan Jun recalled a line from ancient poetry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"'A man may have ambitions soaring to the heavens, but without fortune, he cannot achieve them.' This means even if someone has sky-high aspirations, they cannot succeed without a bit of luck. I think this fits Ling perfectly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Lu, the calm analyst, unclenched his fist and added, \"The preceding line is, 'A horse may be capable of traveling a thousand miles, but without a rider, it cannot go on its own.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If one relies solely on luck without hard work, it's equally futile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does everyone remember our exclusive interview? Ling's training schedule is planned down to the minute. He practices these volleys. That's why he's earned this goal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the earlier dribble was thrilling, this audacious long-range strike was pure madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screen was flooded with comments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[TOO UNBELIEVABLE!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Sigh, look at Zlatan. There stands the 36-year-old Lion, gazing with deep affection, seeing his 22-year-old self in Ling's eyes. The torch is passed.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ling is just explosively handsome—I've got material for my dreams tonight! 😍]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I saw that training plan—Ling is brutally strict with himself! He deserves every bit of this!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And can you believe it? He still has to do homework after matches?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How dare you call him 'Little Ling'? Everyone, address him as KING LING!]\u003C\u002Fp>",1429,"2026-06-05T22:48:23.062Z",1,"novelbin.me","781c88462a2f97624050ea7082d3793d14e69affb7b0bbf6d120eae0454fe570","start-with-r9-template-chapter-74","start-with-r9-template-chapter-72",371,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstart-with-r9-template-cover.jpg"]