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Wu Xuefeng still doesn’t quite believe it himself, up until the moment he walks into that internet cafe and comes face-to-face with reality. Reality in this case is a little older than he remembers, a little more tired—but the glint in his eyes and the rapid tap-tap of his fingers is the same as ever, memory come to life. This is the man who’d taken them to the summit again and again, and now here he is preparing to make that journey one more time.
“Hey, Captain,” Wu Xuefeng says, smiling a little as those familiar eyes find him and widen in recognition. “How are you holding up?”
They go out for dumplings.
For them, it’s a familiar ritual, this unassuming little restaurant tucked just a few blocks over. But Wu Xuefeng no longer has to worry about any fans, even so close to their old home base. The waiter brings them two steaming platters, and Wu Xuefeng lays his glasses aside.
“So… how are you here,” asks Ye Qiu. Well, it’s Ye Xiu now, according to Mucheng. That’s something he’ll still have to get used to. But remembering how reticent his captain had always been about his home situation, he can’t find himself terribly shocked.
“A little orange told me where to find you,” Wu Xuefeng says simply.
“Ah. She did mention a surprise.” Ye Xiu smiles around his teacup. “Did she reach out to you, or…?”
“I messaged her,” says Wu Xuefeng. “I messaged you, too, but it seems that even after all this time, the only way I can catch you is in person.”
To that, Ye Xiu just laughs. “Weren’t we online friends first?”
“Oh, right, how could I forget,” says Wu Xuefeng. “Let me just go back into Glory with all one billion of its users these days and find the number one…”
The dumpling in his chopsticks pauses on its way to his mouth.
“Don’t tell me you’re that tenth server Lord Grim.” Even as he says it, there’s a distant memory tickling the back of his mind…
Ye Xiu’s grin only widens. “So you’ve still been following Glory?”
“Only a little.” He sighs. “I would’ve liked to catch up with you sooner. When I heard about your retirement…”
Ye Xiu’s smile turns into a grimace—or what passes as a grimace for him, anyway; his expressions are subtle, but Wu Xuefeng has had plenty of practice in reading him. His reaction only confirms what Wu Xuefeng had already surmised, from the articles, the press conferences, everything Su Mucheng hadn’t said.
“You didn’t actually retire.”
“But I did. It’s right there in all the news articles. No more pro Glory for me.”
“Bullshit,” he says, causing Ye Xiu to jump. Wu Xuefeng isn’t given to swearing—especially back when the voice of the player behind One Autumn Leaf had been so young—but sometimes circumstances call for it. “Is this because of the sponsorship thing? They forced you to retire because of it?”
Even before Wu Xuefeng retired, he’d already seen the seeds of this conflict. The pressures of the developing industry taking its toll on someone who was once their friend. The rifts beginning to form.
Wu Xuefeng had been a front-row witness. If he’d had just a little more forethought, been a little more proactive, spoken up a bit more…
In the end, he just never imagined that it could get this bad.
Ye Xiu just shrugs it off—ah, it seems he never broke that terrible habit of his. “I’m coming back,” he says. “I’m not done with Glory yet.”
“Oh? How so?”
“You know the Challenger League?”
“Of course.” It’d only just started in his last year, but Wu Xuefeng still remembers sitting by Ye Xiu during those final months of his tenure, reviewing videos for potential recruits. “But with who…?”
“Oh, I made some friends on the tenth server.”
Someone else might have laughed at the absurdity of it—the great god of Glory, scraping a team together from spare parts in-game?
But back then, hadn’t they all come from such humble origins? What is this, but returning to their roots, the purest spirit of Glory? And besides, this is Ye Xiu. If anyone can pull off the impossible, it’s him.
“I don’t like seeing you have to go through this,” sighs Wu Xuefeng. Having finished the meal, he picks up his glasses from the table. “But I look forward to seeing you fight your way back to the top. It sounds fun.” And isn’t that what brought them all to Glory in the first place?
Ye Xiu smiles. “Want to join?”
The possibility had, in fact, flickered across his mind. For the very briefest of moments. But of course Wu Xuefeng wasn’t going to bring it up… how presumptuous to think he’d have anything left to give to his little captain—his old captain, now.
But it’s Ye Xiu who proposes it, with the same simple bold spirit of nine years ago, hey, want to make a pro team?
Wu Xuefeng replies, “What use do you have for an old man like me?”
“Your skills and experience are invaluable, especially with a team of newbies. Even among the pros, there aren’t many who could compare.” Ye Xiu’s smile turns mischievous. “After all, you have a one hundred percent championship record.”
Wu Xuefeng chuckles. “How many years has it been now? I think you’re greatly overestimating my abilities.”
But Ye Xiu’s gaze is perfectly steady as he replies, “I’m estimating you, Old Feng. Like I always have. The Challenger League would pose no problem for you, even now.”
The sheer sincerity gets to him. The utter confidence. It’s what had drawn them all together almost ten years ago; now the flame burns bright as ever. “Let me think about it,” Wu Xuefeng says, but he’s already adjusting his plans for the next few months.
You can take the player out of Glory, but not Glory out of the player… He thinks wryly.
“Of course. And in the meantime…” Ye Xiu digs around in his pockets, eventually fishing out an account card. “Want to take down some bosses? For old time’s sake?”
Had he grabbed this earlier before they headed out to eat? Just so he could invite him like this now? “Ah, you know me too well,” Wu Xuefeng laughs. “How can I say no to that?”
Chen Guo is a little embarrassed at how long it takes for her, once a self-proclaimed diehard Excellent Era fan, to recognize this old god. His name is only distantly familiar to her ears, and it isn’t until Ye Xiu gives a proper introduction that she realizes who she’s talking to.
“I was hardly a god,” Wu Xuefeng demurs. “You’ve been living with real gods right here.”
“Exactly, huh?” Wei Chen calls from across the room, slapping his own chest proudly. “With this old boss around, Boss Lady should be used to this by now!”
“Oh shut up, you.” Chen Guo rolls her eyes. But she can’t deny the excitement in her heart—with one of Ye Xiu’s talented old helpers around, won’t Happy be even better off? The possibilities dance in her vision. And he’s so reasonable and polite! What a nice change of pace, and internally she can’t help but shoot an exasperated look at certain individuals.
But Wu Xuefeng is quick to set her expectations in check. “To be honest, I probably won’t be playing in many matches. I’m just here to help out a bit.” Even if Happy makes it back into the pro league, he won’t be going with them.
In the end, this journey belongs to them. Wu Xuefeng is a supporting character, and he’ll do what he’s always done best.
Steamed Bun is all excitement as he bounces over. “Wow, you were playing soooo long ago! Old boss even older than Boss! Do you have any stories?”
Wu Xuefeng is vaguely reminded of Qin Tianran, though he’s just as sure that their old Elementalist would resent the comparison. “Stories, huh…”
“Don’t go undermining my captainly image, now,” Ye Xiu says, side-eying him, suddenly quite aware that they’d met when he was only a fifteen-year-old teenager.
“Don’t worry, you do a good enough job of that on your own!” Chen Guo calls from where she’s tidying up across the room. She adds something under her breath about ruined expectations.
Ye Xiu lets out a put-upon sigh. “See what I have to live with?” He waves his hand. “No respect in this household, honestly.”
Wu Xuefeng laughs. It’s not like Excellent Era had ever been particularly reverent with their little captain, either. Certainly not in the way that Tyranny or some other teams had been. He knows that Ye Xiu wouldn’t want it any other way, besides.
“What do you mean! I always respect you, Boss! I’ll kick the ass of anyone who doesn’t!”
“Thanks, Steamed Bun.”
“I’ll spare my poor captain from anything too terrible,” Wu Xuefeng says. However, Ye Xiu’s smug expression quickly turns betrayed when Wu Xuefeng adds, “But that could change if I catch him overworking and not sleeping enough again.”
Whatever’s needed, right?
Wei Chen squints at Wu Xuefeng as he takes the neighboring seat in the training room. “You also gonna give me shit for smoking in here?”
Wu Xuefeng smiles a little helplessly. “I was Ye Xiu’s vice-captain for three years…”
“Right, hah.” Wei Chen exhales a cloud. He’d expressed a surprising amount of non-surprise at Wu Xuefeng’s reappearance, but it seems curiosity gets the better of him now as he asks. “So what’ve you been up to these years? Didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“Shijing feared the same about you,” Wu Xuefeng comments. Blue Rain’s reluctant captain had indeed expressed some choice words about the whole situation back in Season 3. “You really vanished without a trace.”
Wei Chen grumbles something inaudible.
“But it’s good to see you made your way back,” Wu Xuefeng continues, more gently.
“Ha,” Wei Chen says, “this old man doesn’t have many chances left. We have to win. Failure isn’t an option.” He glances at Wu Xuefeng and barks a laugh. “This kind of desperation… the kids just don’t get it. You wouldn’t get it, either.”
Wu Xuefeng takes the bluntness in stride. After all, the last professional match that Wei Chen had ever fought, Wu Xuefeng had been standing on the opposing side… “Yes, I’m not in the same situation as you. But I’ll remind you, we didn’t win the championship by waiting for it to fall in our laps.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Wei Chen snorts. “Old Ye already said I’m at a great advantage now because of his winning expertise.” He taps the table impatiently. “Enough talk. Want a match?”
Wu Xuefeng sighs, stretching his fingers. He has gotten old, there’s no denying that. He was already old six years ago. Once they start going up against real pro teams, he’ll be sitting out more often than not.
“Again?” the young woman offers, but he has to shake his head.
“You’re good,” he says instead. “Especially considering you haven’t played for long.” It’s simple honesty; even before knowing Tang Rou for very long, it’s quickly clear that anything akin to purposeful flattery would slide right off her.
Actually, he’s a little surprised she’s still here. Even before the Alliance was an established organization, talent like this was scouted and snapped up by hopeful teams in an instant. Ye Xiu should know this too; he wouldn’t force her to stay. But, presumably, she has her reasons for playing with Happy. He doesn’t pry.
“Say…” Tang Rou suddenly speaks up. “Why did you come back?”
“Hm?”
“Ye Xiu and Wei Chen, they never really left Glory. But you made a life outside all this. You already moved on.” She rests her chin against one hand, drums the fingers of her other hand against the table—then, as though realizing the unconscious fidget, stops. “So what made you come back, after all these years?”
“Just because I retired doesn’t mean that I stopped loving the game,” Wu Xuefeng says, a note of amusement in his voice. “I was a pro player, after all.”
Tang Rou hums in quiet acknowledgement. “I guess I’m… I’m just not sure I can imagine that, to be honest,” she admits. “Loving anything that much.”
“Well, I think Ye Xiu is quite an exception, if you’re trying to compare yourself to him,” he says. “I don’t think he expects anyone to live and breathe Glory quite as intensely as he does. I certainly can’t compare.”
“But you still came back,” she presses.
Wu Xuefeng takes a moment. Back then, he’d readily relinquished this all. So why return? Because he could? He’s in the fortunate life position where he can take some time for himself. To relive a joy of six years that he thought he’d never hold again.
Or maybe because it’s Ye Xiu who asked him, because Ye Xiu was in need and Wu Xuefeng was in position to help. Like it always has been, so it always will be; their paths may diverge into the future but that friendship, that connection, will always be there.
Wu Xuefeng replies, “Someone I care about asked me to do something I love. It was really a very simple decision. Something about how Glory isn’t a single-player game, hm?” He smiles at her gently. “I think, everyone will have their own reasons for playing, and I think it’s alright if you don’t have some grand passion, or if you’re not sure how long it’ll last. So long as you’re enjoying your time now, that’s enough.”
“That’s fair.” Tang Rou manages a small smile in return. “I’m glad Ye Xiu found us a wise old man.”
“Haha, I try.”
For the final match against Excellent Era, Wu Xuefeng isn’t fielded. This is something he expects—would have asked for, if it wasn’t already arranged. He’s helped this far, but… in the end, his limits are there for all to see.
The night before, he finds Ye Xiu standing by the window, staring off into the illuminated city darkness. The scene is so reminiscent of a similar night, a similar final match, years ago. But this time they’re no longer within the safety of Excellent Era’s fortress. Excellent Era is now just another light out there in the distance.
“Are you alright?” Wu Xuefeng asks quietly, walking to stand beside him. Through this year of preparation, Ye Xiu treated this opponent like he would any strong opponent, and the team has followed suit. Truly, their mental fortitude is incredible. But Ye Xiu was always the type to keep his feelings close to his chest. It would be impossible to feel no sorrow at what their old home has become. And here he stands now, poised to deal the killing blow.
“We’re both too stubborn,” Ye Xiu finally says. “Something had to give. So maybe this all was inevitable.”
That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t wish for a happier ending. It doesn’t seem like so long ago, that they were all shouting and tumbling after each other in-game, cheering over boss drops and new records. If only…
For a while, the founders of Excellent Era stand there, and mourn for what once was.
“But we move on,” continues Ye Xiu. “No such thing as a never-ending feast, and all that.”
Staring at his darkened silhouette, Wu Xuefeng sighs. “You’ve matured a lot,” he says. “I’m…” He’s not sure how to word this, without sounding pitying. “You really are very strong.”
A smile tugs at Ye Xiu’s lips. “Are you saying I was immature back then?”
“Certainly not. You grew up very quickly.” He’d experienced tragedy and hardship that even plenty of adults hadn’t. “We would not have followed someone we perceived as still a child.”
Ye Xiu hums, then turns and leans his back against the window. “Wu Xuefeng. I hope you know that this wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
“The Challenger League? Or those early seasons?”
“This. The Challenger League.”
Wu Xuefeng laughs. “Of course it would have been possible. You would make it happen.”
Ye Xiu sighs. “Fine. Maybe so,” he says, crossing his arms. “But you being here made it so much easier. Helping lead and manage this new team, teaching the new players, running in-game work, looking after everyone’s mood and well-being… Everything you did was one less thing I had to think about. Because I could trust you, the burden was that much lighter.”
It’s a sentiment that he hadn’t been able to fully express at eighteen; now at twenty-six he’s found the words for his gratitude.
“Thank you. For everything.”
Wu Xuefeng is taken aback—for several moments, he doesn’t know what to say. But he eventually opens his mouth and replies, “Of course, Ye Xiu. It’s only what I should do.”
After it’s all over, on their way out of the stadium, Wu Xuefeng is stopped by a dark-haired young man in red uniform.
“Vice-captain Wu,” the young man says, and it sure has been a long time since Wu Xuefeng has heard that title, “please let me learn from your teachings.”
“You played very well today,” Wu Xuefeng says kindly. “Ye Xiu is proud of your growth, too. I’m not sure an old man like me has anything to show you.”
Qiu Fei shakes his head. “I’ve watched your videos—Captain Ye always spoke so highly of you. The best helper. How you were always where you needed to be. I want to be that kind of pillar, but I still have much to learn. And also…”
Qiu Fei pauses for a moment, then continues in a perfectly steady voice. “I would like to hear more about what this team was like. Back in the earliest days, before all this happened. How you came together and built your way up to championship.”
“Oh?”
“We may have lost the Challenge League this year, but this isn’t the end of Excellent Era." His eyes narrow in determination. "We will rebuild and return even stronger. Whatever it takes.”
Ah, Ye Xiu had told Wu Xuefeng about this mentee of his. Studious and dedicated. The way he faces this impossible difficulty head-on, chin lifted, utterly confident… it’s familiar in the best of ways.
The past of Excellent Era looks at its future, and smiles. “Of course,” Wu Xuefeng says. “I can help.”