Chapter Forty-Two: Trying to Act Arrogant with Me?

But that’s only if your own jungler can make it in time. Right now, Han Xin is still locked in battle with the blue buff. The minute is up, the river crab has respawned, and only Zhou Yu is there to put out the fire.

Meanwhile, Jing arrives from the blue quadrant, and with Zhou Yu lacking Smite and any real burst, contesting the river crab is almost too easy. A quick combo—first skill, a normal attack, then Smite—steals the river crab without effort.

Lin Hao doesn’t idle. Seizing the moment, he lands a skill combo—first and second skill—on Zhou Yu, then mockingly taps his recall twice.

Zhou Yu finds himself trapped in a tight circle, but with his own fire swirling around and Zhang Fei leaping over to shield him, Jing doesn’t dare overcommit to the trade.

Still, Zhou Yu loses a quarter of his health to Lin Hao’s harass. Of course, he also catches sight of Jin Chan recalling in the distance.

One has to admit, it’s downright infuriating!

“+100 rage from Zhou Yu!”

Lin Hao continues his commentary, “Jin Chan’s playstyle is simple. In the early game, just toss your skills at the enemy carry—circle, then the golden rings. The damage isn’t huge, but it’s annoying enough that they have no choice but to eat the whole combo.”

“And finally, always do as I do—after your combo, recall to taunt. Whether the damage is high or not doesn’t matter. What matters is style!”

The viewers can’t help but burst out laughing.

“Style over substance, right?”

“You’re ruthless.”

“Has Hao awakened some new, annoying attribute lately? Every hero he plays, he manages to get under people’s skin.”

Elsewhere, Ji Ran is farming jungle camps and keeping an eye on mid. He’s closely monitoring Jing’s movements.

At this point, seeing he’s a bit behind in clear speed, there’s a chance Jing might invade his red side. Still, maybe because of Zhou Yu’s presence, Jing burns Smite on the river crab and heads back to farm his own red camps.

That means the red side is safe.

Ji Ran turns on his mic and advises his teammates, “Zhou Yu, after you clear another wave, go help the side lane. We’ll play 3-2, 3-2. I’ll cover mid.”

In this meta, mid laners are worth less than dogs. Mage carries can’t hold a candle to lane-push heroes. If you see someone picking Gan Jiang, Xiao Qiao, or Zhuge Liang—those who need mid-lane gold to scale—well, that game’s going to be rough.

In a healthy, fast-paced match, the mid laner is often only the third or even fourth in team gold. The jungle usually takes over mid wave gold.

High-ranked mid laners celebrate when teammates rotate to clear their waves for them—ideally, every wave—so they can focus on living in the gold lane, pressuring the enemy marksman, taking the turret, and then rotating mid.

Lower-ranked mids, though, are still hung up on “who’s stealing my wave, who’s solo clearing mid—I’ll get mad at anyone who does.”

It’s a harsh reality: mid laners have become pure utility, rarely able to deal damage or carry on their own. Even if they had the mechanics, the gold just isn’t there.

Zhou Yu, though, has no complaints. He picked this hero to help his marksman pressure and take turrets, after all.

After both Jin Chan and Zhou Yu secure level four off the mid wave, they each rotate to the gold lane. Zhou Yu, of course, clears faster, and his fire does considerable damage. Lin Hao doesn’t contest the trade; he waits for Zhou Yu to finish, then clears the wave and hits level four.

Following the top-tier Jin Chan guide in his mind, Lin Hao also heads to the gold lane, making the same choice as Zhou Yu.

When he arrives, Zhou Yu is already there with his marksman and support, using his fire to secure wave priority and prepping to pressure the turret.

Lin Hao emerges from the red side, moving to the river.

“Han Xin will probably focus top. There’s a slim chance that, after clearing his jungle, he’ll speedrun to bot and camp for me, just to catch me out,” Lin Hao muses.

“If Han Xin’s emotional, it’s possible. But honestly, it’s more practical to gank top, then rotate mid for gold. If it’s Ji Ran, he probably won’t make such an impulsive move.”

“Even if Han Xin does try it and juggles me, I’m fairly confident I can flash away. At that point, it’ll all depend on which team’s bot side rotates faster.”

Despite these thoughts, Lin Hao ultimately chooses to stride out openly.

Han Xin isn’t in the brush waiting for me, so he must not be here.

Lin Hao feels reassured. Watching Zhou Yu spread his arms with confidence, Lu Ban strutting forward under Zhang Fei’s protection, Lin Hao can’t help but sneer.

“Trying to act cocky with me?”

Jin Chan approaches the enemy trio with an air of nonchalance, releasing skills one after another. The first skill placement is particularly precise, catching Zhou Yu, who’s closest to Lin Hao’s side.

The tightening curse binds Zhou Yu, and the Nine-Ringed Staff follows him relentlessly, exploding with each step. At the same time, Jin Chan’s ultimate, the Mark of Rebirth, is unleashed!

Suddenly, Lin Hao starts recalling again.

With even more swagger, Jin Chan moves step by step along the river, ten small orbs beneath his health bar lighting up in sequence, signaling his ultimate’s increasing power.

After being ensnared by Jin Chan’s curse, Zhou Yu drops a fire to the side, naturally igniting at Jin Chan’s feet.

Next, he tries to chain his ultimate for a Red Cliffs Inferno, aiming to stun Jin Chan and douse his arrogance.

But just then, Liu Chan seizes the moment—second skill, flash!

The mechanical claw clamps down, stunning Zhou Yu on the spot!

Marco Polo sweeps in with his first skill, then instantly dives with his ultimate!

The combined lockdown from Liu Chan’s control and Jin Chan’s curse leaves Zhou Yu utterly immobilized.

Zhang Fei finally reacts. He’d been guarding Lu Ban, but now he dashes over, swinging his Serpent Spear to knock back Liu Chan and the diving Marco Polo.

Lu Ban steps up, opening fire on the frontline Liu Chan and Marco Polo.

Zhou Yu finally gets a breather, and his frantic ultimate at last goes off. Flames surge forward, stunning Liu Chan and Marco instantly!

Marco went in solo and paid the price!

Seeing his health dropping and unsure when Liu Chan’s claw might strike again, Zhou Yu tries to flash to safety.

But to his horror, the curse still binds him tight!

A golden hand swings out—smack!—claiming Zhou Yu’s head.