Chapter Fifteen: The Humbled Nine Tigers

"Are you ready? If you are, hurry over and let's begin," Du Gu Ming called out to Fu Shixiao.

Fu Shixiao looked at Du Gu Ming and thought, I'll let you live a little longer—soon you'll see what I'm capable of.

For the first penalty kick, Fu Shixiao allowed Du Gu Ming to kick first, claiming it was out of courtesy, but in truth, he just wanted Du Gu Ming to embarrass himself in front of everyone. Fu Shixiao was confident he could block Du Gu Ming's shot.

Du Gu Ming did not refuse—this was his way of life. He had never been modest, because he believed his own strength would become the force that changed his fate.

Wang Hongru stood beside him and said, "I believe in you." Du Gu Ming nodded at him.

Zhang Liming gestured with the two bricks in his hands, indicating he was ready for anything—no need to be afraid.

Du Gu Ming began his kick. He placed the ball carefully on the penalty spot, then stepped back a few paces, bent at the waist, lowering his center of gravity with an air of solemnity. The crowd around the football field held their breath; only their own heartbeats could be heard, as they watched Du Gu Ming prepare for his penalty.

He readied himself, then, like a bolt of lightning, dashed forward. His left foot planted, knees slightly bent for balance, and the muscles of his right leg bulged, sinews intertwined, his entire right leg seeming to thicken with invisible power. The rush of wind sounded almost like a sonic boom, attesting to the terrifying speed and explosive force.

In a single instant—run-up, kick, shot—everything was done in one seamless motion. The crowd felt a gust of wind sweep past, and it was all over.

Except, Du Gu Ming's kick was finished, but the ball lay untouched on the spot, unmoved. Despite his grand display, he hadn't even managed to strike the football.

The spectators let out a collective "tsk—".

Zhang Liming, still holding his bricks, approached and asked, "Brother, have you ever played football before? You practiced so much and still missed—are you too nervous?"

Du Gu Ming looked at Zhang Liming calmly and replied, "No, I've never played. That was my first penalty kick ever, just an experiment. What's wrong?"

As he finished speaking, Zhang Liming suddenly collapsed, muttering, "I always outsmart others, but today I've been tricked myself." He fell unconscious.

Du Gu Ming paid no mind to the crowd's gaze. After asking Wang Hongru to carry Zhang Liming aside, he ran to the goal to prepare to block Fu Shixiao's penalty.

Fu Shixiao stood before Du Gu Ming, mocking him, "I thought you were something special. You had me so scared earlier, but you didn't even touch the ball. How could a rookie like you hope to block my penalty? You're dreaming. Hahaha!" He laughed loudly.

Du Gu Ming seemed not to hear the ridicule, replying, "We'll see if you can score."

"You!" Fu Shixiao glared at him, determined to teach him a lesson for his stubbornness.

Fu Shixiao set the ball, stepped back a few paces, and rehearsed the penalty motion, searching for the right feeling. It was clear that his reputation as the "Golden Right Foot" was not unfounded.

He pushed off with both legs, veins standing out, and charged to the ball, swinging his right foot hard and striking the ball with a loud, crisp sound. The football traced a perfect arc through the air toward the top right corner of the goal.

At the moment of impact, Fu Shixiao noticed Du Gu Ming hadn't moved at all, and assumed he was stunned by his skill—no way could he block this shot, especially since corner shots are the hardest to save.

If Du Gu Ming had guessed the direction randomly and leapt to one side, there might have been a slim chance. But Fu Shixiao watched as Du Gu Ming remained motionless, making it impossible for him to save.

Turning away, Fu Shixiao closed his eyes, awaiting the cheers of the crowd. He was still the "Golden Right Foot" of Ningxia University. But after a moment, there was no reaction.

Opening his eyes, he saw his own supporters with their mouths agape, astonished as if they'd witnessed something terrifying.

Fu Shixiao followed their gaze and his mind thundered. What? He stared dumbfounded at Du Gu Ming, who stood nonchalantly by the goal, one hand raised, bare-handed, having caught Fu Shixiao's penalty with ease.

Du Gu Ming thought to himself, I may not score a penalty, but how could I let you? Never mind a football—even a bullet, I could catch with ease now.

Fu Shixiao was stunned, his confidence shattered in an instant. He realized that from this day forward, his title "Golden Right Foot" might be lost. He regretted provoking Du Gu Ming, but it was too late—he had to see it through.

Du Gu Ming took the ball to the penalty spot. As he passed Fu Shixiao, he said quietly, "This kick will decide everything." His voice was resolute and stern, and for Jiuhu, it was like a thunderclap—his confidence destroyed at once.

Jiuhu knew that even if Du Gu Ming didn't score today, he had already lost, for his heart had been defeated. He took a deep breath, thinking, No, though my spirit is beaten, I must block this penalty.

(Author's note: As the powerful protagonist, with a protagonist's aura, death brings instant revival, full buffs, plus ten seconds of invincibility—how could Fu Shixiao score?)

Du Gu Ming stood at the penalty spot. Fu Shixiao waited in front of the goal, bent and ready. Though his spirit was lost, he believed his football ability would not lose to Du Gu Ming.

This time, Du Gu Ming took no run-up, standing directly at the penalty spot, placing the ball, and then raising his right leg to kick.

There was no technique to this kick—perhaps Du Gu Ming simply wanted to ensure he hit the ball. After a sound like an exploding shell, the football shot toward the goal. To the crowd, the ball seemed to morph from round to oval, demonstrating Du Gu Ming's immense power.

Fu Shixiao watched as the ball flew straight toward him, inwardly smirking—such a direct kick could never score. It seemed today would be his victory. He glanced at Du Gu Ming, whose mischievous, confident smile remained unchanged.

Fu Shixiao stretched out his hands, ready to catch the ball, already envisioning his triumph. But as his hands touched the ball, he was struck by an inexplicable fear, as if a missile had been launched at him. He felt himself lifted into the air, as though he were flying.

The spectators covered their mouths in shock, staring at the scene before them. As Fu Shixiao caught the ball, his body was swept up and together with the ball, he was slammed into the goal with a loud bang.

Zhang Liming was the first to react, shouting, "It's in! It's in! The ball is in!" He dropped his bricks and ran to Du Gu Ming, embracing him with excitement.

Du Gu Ming thought to himself, With a kick powerful enough to shatter steel, how could I not score? If I hadn't held back earlier, I would have ended it with the first kick.

It turned out Du Gu Ming's first miss was intentional. As he prepared to strike, he realized he was too focused and couldn't restrain his strength, so instead of kicking the ball, he missed. Had he kicked Fu Shixiao in the first round, the man would have spent a year in the hospital.

As the crowd heard Zhang Liming's shout, they all cheered, "It's in! It's in!"

Du Gu Ming ignored their cheers and, together with Wang Hongru, walked up to Fu Shixiao. Fu Shixiao sat slumped on the ground, unable to believe he had lost. Jiuhu's group gathered to help him up, asking, "Boss, what should we do?"

Jiuhu answered despondently, "What else? Go back."

"But, boss, aren't we going to teach that Du Gu guy a lesson?" one of them asked.

"Teach him? Didn't you see I've lost all face? Let's go!" Jiuhu replied.

"You're just leaving?" Du Gu Ming asked, watching Fu Shixiao prepare to walk away.

Fu Shixiao stopped, his expression shifting, his face clouded, grinding his teeth for a long moment. He whispered to Wang Hongru, "I'm sorry." Then, gathering his men, he fled.

Du Gu Ming watched Fu Shixiao's retreating figure and murmured, "I hope he learns from today, forsakes evil, and returns to the right path." Then he turned to Wang Hongru and Zhang Liming, smiling brightly.

(Author's note: Here's the second update—there will be a third tonight. Please give more clicks and favorites! It's my first time writing a book, and I hope you'll encourage me. A simple favorite from you might change my fate. Thank you.)