Chapter Thirty-Two: The Sensation of Mastery Over Everything

“I know this—dealing damage—but sometimes my skills won’t respond,” said Not-a-Cheapskate.

“Your skills always respond, as long as your hands do. No matter how intense the battle gets, never panic. In public matches like ours, hand speed doesn’t differ much. Focus on precision and control your aim,” said the former Heiress, demonstrating. “Watch, aim your skills at the marksman. Look, he’s pretty bold with his movements. Perfect, a full combo—instant kill.” She went on, “Once the marksman’s down, you can handle someone like Donghuang Taiyi at your leisure.”

Fans commented: “This is a real master—live teaching, steady hands. This Daji is about to soar.”

Not-a-Cheapskate clicked “666.”

Not-Reliable added, “Hand speed matters too.”

The former Heiress replied, “That’s for pro players—or semi-pros like you. For us, precision matters more than speed. Every skill has a cooldown. If you use the combo well and all the damage lands, the effect’s much better.”

“I agree, Master. In the same time, with the same combo, maximizing damage to the enemy is what counts,” said Not-a-Cheapskate.

“Fine, fine, your master’s right. We’ve caught up economically,” said Not-Reliable.

The former Heiress noticed this too. “Yes, now the game truly begins. In the King’s Canyon, the rich always have the upper hand.”

She then directed Da Qiao to swap gear: “Their magic is strong, start with a Witch’s Cloak. Of course, Da Qiao needs cooldown reduction.”

Not-a-Cheapskate executed perfectly, and their play improved steadily.

Fans: “Not-Reliable, look at the coordination between Daji and Da Qiao. Jealous yet?”

The former Heiress said, “All right, let’s start following the marksman.” So Daji and Da Qiao trailed Marco Polo through King’s Canyon.

Besides playing herself, the former Heiress always issued precise commands to maximize Da Qiao’s skills, making Daji the carry.

Not-Reliable said, “Your Daji’s really something—captures the essence. Play more, you’ll rank up.”

The former Heiress shrugged, “All mages are similar. Mixing it up is more fun.”

“I want to try mage next round,” said Not-a-Cheapskate, itching to play.

“Sure, I’ll support you,” the former Heiress replied.

Not-a-Cheapskate felt an unexpected surge of emotion—so Master was willing to support her too.

In the late game, they began to force the mid lane high ground, gathering for a team fight.

The former Heiress commanded, “Da Qiao, put your first skill on their path ahead, and your second under the tower so we can hit it once inside.”

Da Qiao went in first, soaking up the turret damage, and just as everyone was about to teleport home, they’d taken down a mid tower and two high grounds.

This tactic left the enemy helpless, as if punching cotton—no force could land.

When the Storm Dragon King appeared, the enemy tried to force a fight. As the dragon’s health dropped, the former Heiress instructed Da Qiao to place her field in the pit.

They’d fought back from behind, and now morale soared. Even Kai forgot his anger; upon seeing the field, he ulted in to contest the dragon.

“Da Qiao, stand in front, inside the field, and before you return, place your ult beside the pit, just behind the enemy,” the former Heiress directed Not-a-Cheapskate.

Mirror followed in, and with Kai, the two smites secured the Storm Dragon King. The team was low on health but rode the teleport home, then returned at full strength.

“Beautiful!” said Not-Reliable. “Da Qiao’s kiting was on point.”

“Of course—I have a great master.” Not-a-Cheapskate’s face glowed with excitement. She’d never enjoyed playing support so much—it felt like having control of the whole map.

“See? Support is crucial,” said Not-Reliable.

“Yeah, I always thought support was useless,” Not-a-Cheapskate admitted.

“Every hero matters—it’s how you use them,” said Not-Reliable. “Right, Heiress?”

“Agreed,” the former Heiress laughed. “I thought you’d say, ‘It depends on who’s playing. If it’s me, even support is the core,’ or something like that.”

Not-a-Cheapskate chimed in, “Exactly, he’s always overconfident.”

Fans joined the banter.

With the Storm Dragon buff and full health, they wiped out the enemy in a team fight, pushed with the Lord, and destroyed the enemy’s crystal in one go.

Not-a-Cheapskate and Not-Reliable shouted “Yes!” in unison.

Kai added, “Da Qiao was solid, Daji was amazing.”

The former Heiress conceded, “You did well too, Kai.”

Not-Reliable glanced at the results: Daji was MVP, Da Qiao took silver for support, while his carry—usually MVP—came in third.

Fans: “Haha, so who’s the real deadweight?”

Not-Reliable chanted, “I saw nothing, I saw nothing...”

In the next match, Not-a-Cheapskate was ready to take mage, but another player stubbornly pre-selected Angela, insisting she only played mage.

Seeing her master had taken support, Not-a-Cheapskate asked, “What now? She didn’t pre-select earlier, now she’s being so aggressive.”

“Players like that are definitely impulsive,” said Not-Reliable.

The marksman was also picked.

The former Heiress considered, “Not-Reliable, looks like you’ll have to jungle; Not-a-Cheapskate, pick Lu Bu, then swap with me?”

“But I can’t play Xi Shi,” Not-a-Cheapskate said.

“Then pick Pigsy—he can be a tank or support,” Not-Reliable suggested.

“Two supports?” Not-a-Cheapskate was unsure.

“Pigsy’s a tank—he can take hits. If you’re underfed, play as support. Either works. My Xi Shi can deal damage too, I’ll support you more, don’t worry,” the former Heiress reassured her.

With little choice, Not-a-Cheapskate locked in Pigsy, the former Heiress picked Xi Shi, Not-Reliable took Zhao Yun to jungle, with Angela mid and Di Renjie as marksman.

At the start, Xi Shi followed Angela. Angela had the latest skin and looked fantastic.

Arriving mid, the former Heiress observed, “Angela’s pretty—and seems to have her own ideas.”

“Why? Now I’m nervous,” said Not-Reliable.

“Her movement’s bold—almost walked into the enemy tower. Maybe she’s calculating the damage? She just took a hit, not sure how that’ll end.”

“Bad lag or just bad play?” Not-Reliable wondered.

“No idea. After clearing the wave, she traded with their Xiao Qiao twice and lost two-thirds of her health.” The former Heiress sighed and called out, “Angela, be careful—the enemy’s Xiao Qiao isn’t to be trifled with.”

Angela replied, “Don’t worry, I counter Xiao Qiao. She ults, I ult, and I’m immune during my ult.”

“She knows her stuff—shouldn’t be too bad,” Not-Reliable said.

The former Heiress watched a bit longer. “She’s up to something, heading for the side brush—looking for something?”

Soon, the system announced: Lanling King—enemy jungler—had killed Angela, with Xiao Qiao assisting.

“Oh, so she was looking for death,” said the former Heiress.

Angela complained, “Xi Shi, why didn’t you help?”

“My lady, I can’t help you if you’re seeking death. I’m not,” the former Heiress replied.

Not-Reliable sensed the exasperation. Angela had clearly annoyed the former Heiress from hero selection to now.

“Ladies, let’s keep it friendly,” Not-Reliable tried to mediate.

“Who are you calling ‘lady’? How old are you, calling people that?” Angela snapped.

The former Heiress chuckled. Not-Reliable felt awkward.

Soon, Angela died mid again.

Angela called out, “Jungler, why aren’t you helping? Lanling King’s been here twice!”

“You’re not a lady, so the Jungler isn’t interested,” the former Heiress quipped.

Angela: “...With skills like yours and you call yourself a Jungler King?”

“It’s not about him being a Jungler King. At your rate of dying, even a Mage King couldn’t save you.” With that, the former Heiress ignored her and informed her teammates, “I’ll head to the solo lane.”

Soon after, Xi Shi and Pigsy teamed up under the tower, grabbing a kill on Sun Ce.

“Master, you make Xi Shi look so effortless,” Not-a-Cheapskate admired.

“It’s all about skill combos and prediction. Sun Ce was greedy for your kill—so he ended up as an assist himself,” explained the former Heiress.

Xi Shi then headed to the bot lane. Soon, the enemy support gave up a kill, and the marksman Hou Yi had to recall on low health.

Not-Reliable and Not-a-Cheapskate both clicked “Well played.”

Angela, unable to sit still, went to help bot, crouching in the enemy’s brush, unmoving.

Lanling King targeted Di Renjie, and as the fight broke out, Angela still didn’t move.

The former Heiress asked, “Angela, what are you waiting for in the brush?”

Just then, Hou Yi’s ult flew in, sniping Angela.

“Oh, you were waiting for Hou Yi’s ult,” the former Heiress realized.

“Nonsense! I was waiting for the right moment to engage,” Angela retorted.

“Well, your timing was perfect—you blocked Hou Yi’s ult for us,” said the former Heiress.

Not-Reliable sighed, “Why must women make things hard for each other?”

Now the enemy Xiao Qiao arrived, immediately ulting. Angela ulted back but aimed poorly, and by the time she adjusted, it was almost over—Xiao Qiao finished her off.

“See, Zhao Yun—you’re right. Why must women make things hard for each other?” said the former Heiress, then helped Zhao Yun finish off Xiao Qiao.

Angela protested, “You didn’t save me!”

Not-Reliable explained, “Xiao Qiao had her ult out; we couldn’t cross. Had to wait for it to end.”

Di Renjie agreed, “No way to save you.”

The former Heiress stayed silent.

Angela, unsettled, asked, “Xi Shi, you could’ve pulled her.”

“Why would I pull her?” asked the former Heiress.

“To save me!”

“Oh? Why should I save you?”

“We’re on the same team, aren’t we supposed to save teammates?”

“Of course. But you said you counter her, so you don’t need my help. But tell me, why not save yourself?”

Angela: “I’ll report you after this game!”

“Why must women make things hard for each other?” the former Heiress sighed.

In a later skirmish, Xi Shi’s skill pulled Hou Yi right onto Angela, and while Hou Yi was focused by the team, Angela died once more.

“Xi Shi, you did that on purpose!” Angela accused.

“No, I didn’t. Your skin was so pretty, I just wanted Hou Yi to get a closer look,” the former Heiress replied.

Angela: “I’m reporting you!”

“Go ahead, do as you please. You don’t need my consent for that,” the former Heiress replied lightly.

Not-Reliable said, “Xi Shi, I’m worried Angela might die of rage.”

“That’s on her. I’m trying my best to give her value—she just doesn’t appreciate it. It’s hard being the good guy; maybe it’s better to be the bad one,” the former Heiress mused.

Angela grew increasingly agitated and in the next fight, ulted at thin air.

The former Heiress couldn’t help but laugh.

Then Xiao Qiao ulted, and Angela died yet again.

Angela: “You’re all bullying me!”

“Let me comfort you. It’s nearly bedtime. You rushed your ult, trying to help Xiao Qiao remove her makeup, but her foundation’s too thick—it didn’t come off. Standing in her circle, you wanted a bath, right? Girls like to be clean, after all. Bath before bed—or rather, a bath before death—go clean and pure. That’s good,” said the former Heiress.

Angela fell silent.

Not-Reliable said, “She’s definitely fainted from anger now.”

“She won’t. People who only play mage are tough; I’ve met plenty like this. They’re mentally resilient. If she does faint, at least she won’t feed the enemy more gold,” replied the former Heiress.

Angela messaged the enemy: “Just push already. Our Xi Shi is nuts!”

“See? She’s lively as ever. If we lose, she’s not to blame, but if the enemy wins, she helped,” said the former Heiress.

Angela fell silent and stayed in the fountain.

“Don’t give up now,” the former Heiress reminded her.

“Master, will we lose?” Not-a-Cheapskate asked.

Not-Reliable rolled his eyes. With this much infighting, both the marksman and mage were useless—of course they’d lose.

“Losing’s fine—next round, we won’t be matched with players like this,” said the former Heiress.

“But I don’t want to lose,” said Not-a-Cheapskate.

The former Heiress considered. “If we don’t count Angela’s power, let me recalculate…”

Soon, the enemy pushed to their core.

Not-Reliable asked, “Have you figured it out?”

Not-a-Cheapskate waited eagerly for the answer.

The former Heiress answered solemnly, “No matter how I calculate it, we’ll only win next game.”

Fans: “I’m fainting!”