Chapter 71: Crushing Victory (Second Update)

No one dared to step onto the court! The tank’s presence was visually overwhelming—his physique and skills were undoubtedly top-tier.

“Boring,” the tank murmured to himself, beginning to shoot hoops alone.

Fang Huijian handed him a bottle of water. The tank glanced at him but didn’t accept it.

“Hey man, your skills are impressive. Interested in a one-on-one with some of our best players?” Fang Huijian asked.

The tank’s expression was indifferent. “Where are they?”

Fang Huijian smiled. “If you’re interested, I’ll bring them tomorrow. You can test each other out. But, just a heads up, one of them is really skilled—keep an eye out.”

At the mention of “really skilled,” the tank’s eyes lit up slightly. “I hope I won’t be disappointed.”

…

Fang Huijian was feeling quite pleased with himself. He was certain even Yuhang stood little chance against the tank. He was looking forward to the opportunity to humiliate them.

It was Friday afternoon, and many boarding students were hurrying home—the school avenue was crowded!

Fang Huijian went straight to the door of Class Thirteen’s classroom. “Ming Han, come out for a moment.”

Just then, Daxu was persuading Ming Han to relax at the internet café that night. Ming Han was firmly refusing, “Sorry, my academic aura is too strong—I don’t belong in those places.”

Hearing someone call him, Ming Han looked toward the door. Oh no! The last person he wanted to see had appeared.

“What do you want?” he asked.

Fang Huijian’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I heard your class won the grade championship. Congratulations.”

Fang Huijian’s class had performed worse than last year—at least back then they’d made it to the semifinals, but this year they stopped at the quarterfinals.

When Daxu saw Fang Huijian, his mood soured. “What’s up? Here to challenge us again? Still bitter about losing over the summer?”

Last summer’s match had been hyped by Fang Huijian, but his class lost, turning into a joke. Someone had even posted a thread mocking him.

Fang Huijian suppressed his irritation. “We lost last time, true, but I have a new challenge for you. Dare to accept?”

Daxu laughed loudly, “Have you been hanging around your group of dim-witted followers so long you’ve gone daft yourself? Who are you to challenge us? We’re the champions—ordinary opponents aren’t worth our time. You know we’re all academic elites, very busy.”

Fang Huijian secretly grumbled: I’d believe the others are academic elites, but you? Last year your grades were so poor you almost got kicked out of Class Thirteen.

“Ming Han, are you afraid?” he taunted.

Ming Han knew Fang Huijian was up to no good, but wasn’t particularly bothered. He was planning to play ball on Saturday anyway; who he played with didn’t matter much.

“How do you want to play?” he asked.

Seeing Ming Han’s attitude, Fang Huijian was delighted. “I’ve got a friend who loves one-on-one matches. Your class can take turns playing against him, wheel-style. If he loses even once, we concede defeat.”

What a boast! One person against a whole team, in a wheel match.

Daxu patted Fang Huijian’s forehead. “Kid, are you ill? Spouting nonsense.”

Fang Huijian sneered, “My friend is truly strong—just try not to lose too badly.”

Daxu was unconcerned. “Wheel match? Even our weakest player, Yuhang, could handle it. And if they all lose, I, the strongest, will anchor the team!”

Fang Huijian and Ming Han looked at Daxu in silence. The kid managed to insult Yuhang while elevating himself—shameless.

“So I’ll take that as your acceptance of the challenge. Don’t lose so badly you can’t show your face!” Fang Huijian said, laughing as he walked away.

Watching Fang Huijian’s retreating figure, Ming Han grew thoughtful.

Noticing Ming Han’s serious expression, Daxu patted his shoulder, unconcerned. “You know the level of our grade—few can beat Yuhang!”

“But he never said the challenger was from our school,” Ming Han replied.

Even as champions, they didn’t believe themselves invincible. To be honest, their last win against Class Two was luck—Lin Shan’s foot had crossed the line, so his basket was ruled invalid, not because he missed.

…

Saturday afternoon at four o’clock, the appointed time for Fang Huijian’s challenge.

The tank arrived on time. His stern demeanor and muscular build certainly drew attention.

Fang Huijian saw Yuhang was missing from Class Thirteen’s group and complained, “Where’s Yuhang? Are you that confident?”

He wanted to defeat Class Thirteen completely, which meant beating Yuhang—their strongest player.

Daxu laughed, “We’re more than enough to handle your bunch of misfits. Our captain needs to recharge so he can take care of his girlfriend later.”

Ming Han was exasperated. Was that even the right use of an idiom?

He replied honestly, “Yuhang has something to do. He might be late.”

Fang Huijian nodded—so long as Yuhang would show up.

The tank, silent until now, spoke, pointing at Daxu. “You’re quite arrogant. Let’s play first.”

Daxu, unfamiliar with the tank, wasn’t bothered at all. “Oh! Challenging me directly? You know, on occasions like this, I usually save myself for the finale.”

Daxu was fully geared up today, ready to prove himself before the crowd.

The tank said little. He started from the free-throw line—scored! He won the first possession.

Daxu scoffed, “Free throws are accurate, I’ll give you that! But taking on a master like me? You’re far from ready!”

He adopted the air of a worldly sage, making many wish they could punch him.

Ming Han spoke in a low voice, “Take this seriously.”

For some reason, Ming Han felt uneasy.

The tank remained cold. With a crossover, he left Daxu behind in a single step and scored with a layup!

“Wow…” Applause erupted from the crowd.

“Skilled!” Ming Han assessed. The first step’s speed and range were rare. The style of that play was reminiscent of McGrady in his Magic days.

Daxu was stunned; he thought he’d been tight on defense, but the tank passed him as easily as crossing an empty street at dawn.

Daxu bounced the ball back—again!

The tank dribbled right, this time relying on his strength and speed to bulldoze through for another score.

“Your defense is weak; I won’t bother breaking through anymore,” the tank muttered. Many heard him.

Few would object to calling Daxu’s offense weak, but his defense was considered decent in ninth grade.

Fang Huijian sneered, clearly enjoying Daxu’s humiliation.

For the next play, the tank dribbled and jumped for a shot, ignoring any interference.

He scored five in a row before missing his first.

When Daxu had the ball, the tank pressed him tightly—Daxu nearly lost it.

Finally, the tank slapped the ball out of bounds, decisively ending Daxu’s possession.