Jiang Chaoqun faced the center's accusation with remarkable composure.
"All my rulings are based on standard basketball rules," he stated. "If you disagree, it's simply because you don't understand the game."
"Your tone just now was a grave disrespect to my officiating. I warn you, get off the court immediately, or I will forfeit your Peach Blossom Village's match!"
"You damn it!" The center player's eyes turned red with anger. Like a wild bull, he charged towards Jiang Chaoqun, wanting nothing more than to beat him to death on the spot.
Other players rushed to restrain him, while Wang Damao, startled, hurried onto the court and pulled the center away.
"Calm down, don't be ridiculous!" Wang Damao shoved a bottle of water at him, reprimanding him in a low voice.
The center gulped down the water and then smashed the bottle onto the ground. "Village Chief, you saw it yourself! It wasn't my fault, they're being unreasonable!" he fumed. "They were clearly fouling, but I'm the one being penalized. What's the point of a game like this?"
Wang Damao sighed. "I know you're angry, and I am too. But what can I do? They're the leaders, and in the end, they have the final say."
"This is so damn messed up!" the center cursed, then fell silent.
At that moment, Jiang Chaoqun's voice cut through the air. "Village Chief Wang, you now have only four players on the court. Do you have any substitutes to bring in?"
"If not, then this match will be forfeited."
Wang Damao's expression stiffened. He suddenly remembered that they only had five players in total. If one was removed, no one else could play. However, he quickly reasoned that since the game was rigged, what was the point of sending in another player? They wouldn't win anyway, and the players might get injured.
With this thought, Wang Damao sighed. "Forget it. This kind of game is a joke. Let's just call it a day."
Just as he was about to announce their withdrawal from the match, the forward from Swan Village walked over and gave everyone a thumbs-down gesture!
In that instant, Wu Tian felt his nerves ignite. Rage surged through his mind. These guys had won through dirty tactics and now dared to swagger around? It was utterly disgusting.
Wu Tian suddenly spoke up. "Wait a minute. Who says there's no one to play? Am I not a person?"
Hearing the cold voice, Wang Damao froze. He couldn't help but look at Wu Tian and ask, "Wu Tian, can you play basketball?"
Wu Tian stared directly at the Swan Village forward. "Let me play. Some rats need a good lesson to learn their place!"
Wang Damao knew Wu Tian was quite capable physically. So, he didn't object to Wu Tian's suggestion. He was also furious, and Wu Tian was someone who created miracles. With Wu Tian on the court, there might be a chance for a comeback!
Thus, Wang Damao immediately requested a substitution, putting Wu Tian onto the court.
The Swan Village forward looked surprised by Wu Tian's entry. He eyed Wu Tian and said sinisterly, "Kid, you've been watching the game from the sidelines. Why do you have the guts to come up? I'm really worried I might accidentally kill you with my physique."
The players on the court were all over 1.9 meters tall. Wu Tian, at 1.8 meters, was indeed a bit undersized.
Wu Tian looked up at the forward and said coldly, "Who lives and who dies is not yet decided."
The forward grinned ferociously. "You really don't know your limits!"
"Fine. Since you love getting beaten so much, I'll tell my brothers to focus their attention on you later."
Wu Tian said no more. The two sides prepared for the tip-off.
A Peach Blossom Village player secured the ball, but as soon as they landed, they were surrounded.
"Pass me the ball!" Wu Tian roared.
The player immediately passed the ball to Wu Tian. Without a second thought, Wu Tian shot from mid-court!
The ball went in!
Everyone was stunned by this shot! It was a mid-court shot, and the ball went in clean. The probability of such an event was one in ten thousand!
The Swan Village forward stared in disbelief. "How is this possible? This is impossible!"
Wu Tian looked at him coldly. "Nothing is impossible in this world. If you think something is impossible, it's merely because your vision is too limited."
"You!" Wu Tian's taunt made the forward's face turn red with anger. He said sinisterly, "Kid, you seem pretty cocky!"
"Alright, I was planning to hold back a bit. But since you're so arrogant, watch how I finish you off next!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the game resumed, with Swan Village in possession of the ball.
A Peach Blossom Village guard rushed forward and stole the ball from Swan Village. Blocked from breaking through, he passed the ball to Wu Tian.
"Stop him!" the Swan Village forward roared.
Instantly, players moved on the court. All five Swan Village players blocked Wu Tian.
The Swan Village forward chuckled sinisterly. "Kid, five of us are guarding you. Let's see how you plan to score now!"
Wu Tian smiled faintly. "Five against one? That's quite a show of force."
"But have you considered what happens to the others if you're busy guarding me?"
"What did you say?!" The forward was still stunned when Wu Tian suddenly passed the ball out!
The Peach Blossom Village forward caught the ball, took a few steps, and made a beautiful layup. Peach Blossom Village scored another point!
"You're cheating!" the Swan Village forward yelled, pointing at Wu Tian's nose.
Wu Tian smiled. "Wasn't that a regular pass? Or do you think I was planning to play one-on-one basketball?"
The forward was rendered speechless. Wu Tian was right. He had expected Wu Tian to try and break through alone. But he hadn't anticipated Wu Tian passing the ball, which completely caught him off guard.
Wu Tian continued with a smile. "The court is constantly changing. If your mind is too rigid, you can't play basketball."
The forward was fuming. At this moment, he got the ball. Driven by his competitive spirit, he wanted to force his way past Wu Tian. But as he was dribbling, he suddenly saw a blur in front of him. Without him realizing it, the ball was already in Wu Tian's hands!
Wu Tian taunted, "Is this your skill? Maybe you should quit basketball and go back to farming."