Chapter 75: The Young Lady's Longing for Sweetness

The Spirit of the Game.

What is spirit? The meaning is broad: 1. Efficacy, as in a miraculous medicine; 2. Intelligence, as in cleverness; 3. Agility of the mind, as in inspiration; 4. A general notion of the soul or psyche; 5. Ghosts and deities, as in spiritual beings or coffins; 6. Quick responses, as in flexibility.

These are the familiar, everyday meanings of “spirit.” Are there others? Certainly, many more.

So, in the title “Spirit of the Game,” what does “spirit” mean? For over a month since he merged with the chip, Li Xin often sat in quiet contemplation over this question. With no clues or starting point, he went the other way, isolating the final embellishments of all ten titles for study.

There is spirit, there is soul, there is divinity, there is reverence.

What do these represent? He had no answer.

It wasn’t until he led his team to victory in the recent match that Li Xin finally grasped a fleeting insight.

Here, spirit refers to one’s mental state.

How so?

Zhuangzi once said: “One must not be confined within the spiritual terrace, nor enter the spiritual mansion.” This line, from “Zhuangzi: The Great Treasury of Virtue,” uses “spirit” as a reference to a person’s mental state, or more specifically, to one’s subjective will.

A person must have their own will and thoughts, growing according to their own subjective spirit. Like playing chess—“the onlooker should not speak”—though it seems to refer to the observer, it also subtly points to the player.

You play your game, walk your own path; you must not be swayed by outside voices.

But on reflection, Confucius also said: “When three walk together, there must be one I can learn from.”

Thus, if one is too self-centered, the outcome cannot be good. Good medicine tastes bitter but cures disease; honest words are harsh but benefit conduct. While maintaining your own subjectivity, you must also be open to good advice from others and communicate often—this is the only correct approach.

Reaching this point, Li Xin suddenly understood the meaning of “Spirit of the Game.”

Be it in the game or in real life, when first stepping in, one must not be distracted by the surrounding world. First, let your heart become steady, calm and undisturbed—this lays a solid foundation.

After that, actively consider all matters, communicate and interact with others, and thus maintain the forward momentum that a newcomer—an eager calf—should possess.

The title “Spirit of the Game”: it helps the player hold fast to themselves and believe in victory.

This quality isn’t so evident in single-player games. For example, in his previous battle with Ergouzi in King of Fighters, Li Xin’s thoughts centered on how to counter moves, how to seize victory—his focus was on mental agility. But in the team-based collaboration of CrossFire, the effect was crystal clear.

Li Xin’s guiding principle was unity, cooperation, and mutual communication to secure victory.

And when he took up the role of commander, this effect intensified, keeping him calm and confident. His voice and actions led his companions and teammates to become steadier and more self-assured as well.

It’s like a priest in some game, who can heal themselves or cast a group healing spell. Seemingly different, yet fundamentally the same.

The title “Spirit of the Game”: it makes one cool-headed, even cold.

Of this, Li Xin was certain. Though he had always been quiet, he’d remained kind and gentle toward others. Now, whenever he entered the virtual-real realm, whenever he faced an enemy, his blood would instantly chill to freezing, cold as a demon from the depths of the underworld.

Like when he faced Zhang Bao in the abandoned building, the depths of Li Xin’s eyes held nothing but icy indifference, devoid of all other emotion.

A true man neither delights overmuch in gain nor sorrows at loss, neither arrogant nor impatient. When the title makes even his blood run cold, what place is there for joy or grief, pride or agitation?

Although it was forced upon him, Li Xin found that he liked it, that he enjoyed it.

He let out a long breath and smiled calmly.

“Good job, everyone. Do you have the confidence to win the next round?”

“We do,” the other four replied in unison.

The game resumed. With composure and poise, Li Xin commanded his team, swiftly securing victory in the second round.

Then came the third round, the fourth…

Until the clock struck three in the morning, and Li Xin suddenly sobered, chuckling wryly to himself.

“I’m done for—forgot the time. It’s so late already.”

“Alright, everyone, let’s log off and get some sleep. Rest well, and sweet dreams.”

Just as he was about to exit the game, a message popped up in the bottom left corner: “Detective Shenhui requests to add you as a friend. Do you accept?”

It was the captain of the Linhang Road Tigers.

Accept.

Ding! Logged off.

Lying in bed, Li Xin tossed and turned, his thoughts in turmoil. A game like CrossFire seemed to matter little to him now. So long as he wished it, and his teammates weren’t completely incompetent, defeat was nearly impossible. He was confident he could maintain the virtual-real state at all times.

If he switched to reality, and if conditions allowed, he would be a top-tier assassin.

Comparing the two, his interests were shifting more and more toward “Odyssey.” A grand adventure game of war—if one wished to rise to command entire armies, one could not do without powerful leadership and a will unyielding in the face of failure.

With the bonus of the “King of Games” title, Li Xin—already formidable—became stronger still!

From Deathsworn to Reaper! Forever adhering to the path of death—unafraid of life and death, a harvester of souls. Li Xin believed he already possessed the makings of a Reaper; as long as his future path was solid and true, he could ascend to become the King of Assassins.

“Heh… This ‘Odyssey’ feels tailor-made for me, perfectly complementing CrossFire, allowing me to truly complete the ‘King of Games’ and become a genuine king.”

Li Xin smiled in satisfaction, his eyes clear and bright, as if he already saw the broad Roman avenue ahead.

Creak—

The closed door suddenly opened, and against the moonlit shadow, the silhouette of a graceful woman appeared. She tiptoed quietly to the bed, cautious not to make a sound.

She inspected him closely, saw Li Xin was sound asleep, and let out a few triumphant snorts.

“Hmph! Try running away now. Now that I’ve come here, let’s see what you have to say.”

It was Wang Xiaoqian.

“Hmph, isn’t she jealous and displeased? I’ll sleep here tonight on purpose, and tomorrow morning I’ll walk out openly and let her see for herself!”

“You want to compete with me? You’re still too green. Such a bunch of adorable little cuties!”

Wang Xiaoqian smirked mischievously, lifted the corner of the blanket with her delicate hand. Last night’s amorous scene was vivid in her mind—was she about to continue the prelude tonight?

Suddenly, a large hand reached out, encircling her slender waist like it was nothing. It was a bit painful, and she struggled a little.

But the hand gently pressed downward, and Wang Xiaoqian’s supple body tumbled onto the broad, bare, and slightly fleshy chest.

“Little lady, are you hungry again? Looking to gather some honey?”