Chapter 1 Chen Yingxiong's Return

Chen Yingxiong sat in his usual spot in the locker room, a place he hadn't occupied in nine months. His jersey for the match hung on the coat hook behind him.

The red Liverpool home jersey, with the large number nine and the name "hero" emblazoned above it. Back in Russia, in the exuberance of youth, he had chosen this name on a whim, rather than using the pinyin transliteration "yingxiong" of his Chinese name. He had even faced criticism from domestic media and fans, who accused him of forgetting his heritage and being a foreign worshipper for using an English name instead of his Chinese name.

These days, such sentiments had become a joke, and were now only brought up as an amusing anecdote.

And the name "hero" had become famous around the world as he fought battles everywhere.

The word "hero" had gained a new meaning beyond its original definition: Chen Yingxiong.

In many places, even in non-English speaking countries, people would think of the arrogant and domineering number nine center forward from Liverpool when they saw the word "hero," instead of the word's original meaning.

This word had been given a special meaning by Chen Yingxiong.

His teammates around him were changing jerseys, preparing to enter the game.

They had already finished warming up, and the official match was about to begin.

Chen Yingxiong, however, didn't move. He had only changed his pants and socks. After taking off his top, he sat quietly in his place, as still as an old monk in meditation.

His teammates were confused by their captain's reaction, but no one dared to ask him about it.

Chen Yingxiong's authority was deeply ingrained in the hearts of these players. In the locker room, Hero's words were perhaps even more effective than those of their coach, Gerrard.

The locker room door was pushed open and Coach Gerrard walked in.

His arrival instantly silenced the previously noisy locker room.

Everyone knew that the match was about to begin.

Gerrard entered and scanned the room, his eyes immediately falling on Chen Yingxiong, who was still not changed.

However, he didn't say anything, and simply moved his gaze elsewhere.

Chen Yingxiong didn't need him to say anything. A seasoned veteran, he knew exactly what he should be doing. Every action he took had a purpose, and was not a mistake.

What Gerrard should do now was not disturb Chen Yingxiong.

He turned to the others.

"This is a match against the league leaders. This match is critical to our chances of winning the championship this season. Up until now, we've done well, climbing up from far behind and narrowing the gap from fifteen points to thirteen. But if we lose this match, we lose the entire season! Remember what Hero told you during the Christmas dinner?"

No one turned to look at Chen Yingxiong, but they all answered their coach in unison: "Remember! Let's play for keeps!"

"Good!" Gerrard was very satisfied with his players' reactions. He nodded forcefully. "Now, let's prove with action that you're not just good at shouting slogans!"

Gerrard and his coaching staff had already told the team how to specifically play against Chelsea through training and tactical sessions, so there was no need to waste valuable time before the match repeating it. This time was for the coaches to display their eloquence and inspire the players.

When everyone started shouting along with Gerrard, Chen Yingxiong also rose from his seat. He stood naked, turned around, and grabbed the jersey from the coat hook. The giant bear tattoo on his back was revealed to everyone.

This tattoo was also a symbol of Chen Yingxiong's power.

The giant bear tattoo covering his entire back was enough to inspire awe and fear in anyone who saw it.

Everyone turned to look at him.

Chen Yingxiong took the jersey down and put it on, like a knight donning his armor before battle.

Only then did everyone realize—for Chen Yingxiong, this was a ritual.

A ritual for his return.

After putting on the jersey, Chen Yingxiong tucked it into his shorts.

Having done all this, he raised his head and said to his teammates: "Let's go, lads."

With that, he took the lead and walked toward the locker room door. The other players followed him out in single file.

※※※

Chen Yingxiong, wearing the captain's armband, stood at the front of the line while the Chelsea players secretly sized him up.

It had been nine months since they had seen him, and many had the feeling that "this guy has retired," and they felt that if he really could just retire like this, that would be a wonderful thing.

But reality is cruel.

When they saw Chen Yingxiong in the tunnel again, they realized how dreamlike the past nine months had been for them.

Although the media kept saying that no one knew what Chen Yingxiong's condition would be like after not playing in an official match for nine months, and that he might be in bad shape, the psychological pressure that Chen Yingxiong had built up on his opponents in the Premier League over the past seventeen seasons could not be broken in just nine months.

In the past seventeen seasons, there was a period of time when, as soon as they found out that their opponent was Liverpool, they basically lost their fighting spirit before the match even started.

This was the terrifying taste that Chen Yingxiong brought them.

This psychological feeling had become a habit. Perhaps only after they could defeat Chen Yingxiong's Liverpool in this match would they be able to break through this barrier.

For now, they were still somewhat uneasy and fearful.

So they secretly sized up Chen Yingxiong, wanting to see some clues on Chen Yingxiong and find proof that Chen Yingxiong was in bad shape.

But unfortunately, they couldn't see anything.

Chen Yingxiong stood at the front of the line, not looking around like the others, or chatting and laughing with the teammates around him, or even greeting the opponents. He just stood there motionless, like a flagpole.

His appearance put even more pressure on the Chelsea players.

A silent opponent is far more threatening than a constantly barking one. The saying "a barking dog doesn't bite" makes perfect sense.

The more silent Chen Yingxiong was, the higher his threat level was in the eyes of the Chelsea players.

This psychological pressure continued until the players began to enter the field, when it eased slightly.

Because Chen Yingxiong moved.

※※※

While the two teams were waiting in the tunnel, the stadium announcer at Stanley Park was already stirring up the emotions of the fans.

And the big screen on the scene kept playing Chen Yingxiong's wonderful moments in Liverpool over the past seventeen seasons.

The emotions of the fans followed these images and sounds, constantly setting off new climaxes.

But the final climax had to land on Chen Yingxiong's appearance.

When the moment of appearance came, the live dj shouted hoarsely: "He was framed and away from the stadium for nine months! In the days when he left, we missed him every day and couldn't restrain ourselves! We have experienced many storms together in the long wait of nine months, we once painfully lost the championship, we were once confused and lost, and we finally worked hard to move forward! Now, we have finally waited for this critical moment! Nine months, a long wait, hard waiting, now finally has its value!"

Every word of this live dj could stir up the shouts of the Liverpool fans at the scene. Although there were also some Liverpool fans who were not optimistic about Chen Yingxiong's comeback, these people were in the minority after all, or even in the extreme minority, just like their self-proclaimed "minority."

These people could not affect the atmosphere of the scene. At most, they just remained silent when everyone was cheering. They couldn't do too much, either. If they dared to boo at this time, then what was the difference between their approach and that of rival fans? This was tantamount to declaring war on all Liverpool fans, and they would not be able to find a place in the Liverpool fan group.

After all, they only had some opinions about Chen Yingxiong, but they couldn't be enemies with Liverpool because of this.

They didn't think Chen Yingxiong could represent Liverpool either.

But what made them painful now was... in the eyes of most people, Chen Yingxiong was equal to Liverpool.

They watched the fanatical Liverpool fans in silence, and sadness welled up in their hearts.

Like these people, Newman. Gies was already in the commentary box, listening to the cheers, and he curled his lips.

※※※

The live dj's series of introductions finally came to an end, and the shouts of the Liverpool fans reached a new height.

At this time, the live dj lengthened his voice and shouted: "Ladies and gentlemen!! Let us welcome... the ruler of Anfield and Stanley Park! The king of English football! The greatest legend in Liverpool's centennial history! The nemesis of all bureaucracies! The archenemy of Manchester United! The one who never lets our family down... herooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo——!!!"

A roar of cheers resounded from the stands of Stanley Park.

Before, when Liverpool fans did this, people thought their cheers had reached their peak decibel level.

But now it seems that they still have the strength!

The current cheers are much louder than before!

This shows how high Chen Yingxiong's status is in the hearts of Liverpool fans!

In the shouts that were enough to cause an earthquake and a tsunami, Chen Yingxiong led the little mascot onto the field.

Seeing him appear, the shouts from the stands were slightly messy. This was caused by the excited fans who couldn't help but scream.

But the sound quickly stabilized again.

Chen Yingxiong, who was walking at the front of the line, suddenly raised his right fist high!

So those who thought that the sound of the Liverpool fans had reached its peak this time saw once again how human beings broke through their limits—the sound wave above Stanley Park actually went up another level!

This time, even if you shouted loudly in front of your face, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to hear what the other person was saying...

"Hero! Hero! Hero!!!"

Such sounds continued, uniformly. Apart from that, no other sound could interject.

Liverpool's players followed their captain into the field, holding their heads high in the face of the shouts. Although the cheers were not for them, they still felt a sense of pride in their hearts for being able to follow such a captain.

We can actually fight alongside such an amazing person!

We can actually experience and witness this historic moment alongside such an amazing person!

This life is worth it!