CHAPTER 72: 072 I CAME AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME_1

Actually, all four of them were quite dissatisfied with this assassin.

The man’s skills weren’t up to par, and this wasn’t just their opinion—in regular training, he could barely keep up with the pace.

But why was he able to join them? It was because he had a good background.

Tang Qian, worried about the A-Rank Card issue, had sought famous Card Makers outside the association to create cards and had been taken advantage of by one of them.

That person had some connections with the Mount Flower Association and agreed to make new cards for them on the condition that his nephew be inserted into the team as an assassin.

Tang Qian naturally disagreed; his nephew was decent among ordinary Spirit Card Masters but was simply not strong enough for the professional arena. The problem, however, was that a leader had already given consent.

Fortunately, after discussing it with the top leader the night before, she had already decided to remove him.

Of course, the top leader had spoken very directly: "Since you’re adamant about Wen Jiang filling this substitute position, and while she was indeed dazzling in the B Level Group, the gap between A-Level and B-Level is far more than just one rank. If she fails to deliver results, you will bear full responsibility for any and all consequences."

Tang Qian had agreed.

Hearing this, Tang Qian said directly, "Since he didn’t show up, consider it settled. The higher-ups have already decided to replace him and find you all a new teammate. Shi Qi."

Tang Qian looked at the team’s original substitute, Shi Qi—she was actually the original assassin but had been forced to fill in elsewhere to make room for the player who got in through connections.

"The new teammate will take the substitute position. Would you like to return to the assassin spot?"

Shi Qi’s eyes lit up. "Of course, that’s no problem at all."

She had always wanted to focus on being an assassin. If it hadn’t been for that useless weight dragging them down, she wouldn’t be feeling so stifled.

"A replacement teammate?" Chen Runyu perked up. "Coach, who is it?"

Formally, he referred to Tang Qian as Coach.

Tang Qian glanced at him with pleasure. "You know her. I just asked; she’ll be arriving at the company shortly. You can get to know each other first."

While they were speaking, the original assassin, Chen Shaoning, arrived late.

He was quite handsome, but unfortunately looked pale, with two oversized bags under his eyes, visibly drained of vigor. Moreover, he didn’t return to the association’s dormitory at night—where he went instead was an open secret.

Chen Shaoning was the type who liked to mess around and had quite a few fans. Apparently, he had spent yet another night having fun with one of them.

After arriving, he yawned and offered a half-hearted apology, "Sorry, Coach, I’m late."

The team members looked at him with odd expressions as Tang Qian replied with a cold smile, "Chen Shaoning, didn’t you receive the text message? After thorough consideration, the association has decided to have you leave the first team. You’ll be sent to train with the second team for several months and play matches with them in the future."

Chen Shaoning’s smile abruptly stiffened. He looked at Tang Qian in disbelief. "Coach, what do you mean by this? At this critical moment, you’re kicking me out? You’re promoting someone from the second team?"

Tang Qian didn’t respond directly. "This is a decision from the leadership. If you have any objections, take them up with the leaders."

She would bear the final consequences, but for now, she could use the leadership as a shield.

Chen Shaoning’s face turned sour. "So, the association doesn’t want the new cards anymore, is that it?"

He clearly knew what his uncle had used to pressure the Mount Flower Association for him to get in.

But the other team members didn’t know, especially Chen Runyu. Hearing those words, his eyes twitched, and he subconsciously looked at Tang Qian.

Cards? Why was it always about cards?

Yet Tang Qian appeared relaxed, not panicked at all. "We already have a better option."

Thanks to the leader’s haste in getting Chen Shaoning onboard, the contract at that time didn’t have mandatory provisions; naturally, they could replace him if they found a better candidate.

As for the contract for the card set, it hadn’t been signed yet, but that no longer mattered.

This time, it was Chen Shaoning’s turn to be astonished.

He knew about Tang Qian’s recent frantic efforts regarding the card set, and his uncle had heard quite a bit. He had thought they would continue to have Mount Flower in a tight grip. Who knew Mount Flower had actually found another Card Maker?

Chen Shaoning instinctively disbelieved. "Did the Holy Beast Association agree to sell cards to you? Could any other Card Maker be stronger than my uncle?"

Setting other things aside, Chen Shaoning did have reason to be proud.

His uncle was a famous Card Master in Imperial City. He had collaborated with several major associations and had a wide network within A-Level. In fact, he was almost considered one of the top three A-Level Card Makers in Imperial City. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to pressure Mount Flower directly.

As for the other two A-Level Card Makers, one was bound to the Broken Heart Association and wouldn’t make cards for outsiders. The other was already elderly and had long retired from making cards. The rest of the Spirit Card Masters didn’t have his uncle’s status or position. Apart from buying cards, Tang Qian couldn’t possibly find a new Spirit Card Master who could help Mount Flower in time.

Tang Qian’s expression was cold. "Chen Shaoning, this is an internal matter of the association and none of your business. If you’re not satisfied, feel free to complain to the leaders. I’m not the only one who makes these decisions."

Seeing that she wasn’t joking, a vicious streak crossed Chen Shaoning’s eyes. "Fine. I want to see just who this new player is that can replace me."

Tang Qian paused for a moment.

Although the upper management had assured her that this matter wouldn’t affect Wen Jiang, Wen Jiang was still alone, and being resented by Chen Shaoning wasn’t a good thing.

Tang Qian turned to Chen Shaoning, her gaze icy. "Player transfers are management decisions. Chen Shaoning, don’t think that just because you have an influential uncle, you can forget where you are. Are you planning to cause a scene on Mount Flower’s territory?"

Chen Shaoning’s eyes flickered. He was aware that Ji Mo was also behind Mount Flower. Although Jimo Xiao had died, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse. He forced a smile. "How could I? Coach, you’re overstating things. I just want to see how strong this new teammate of ours really is."

He emphasized the words "how strong" quite heavily.

The team members were also somewhat anxious.

Chen Shaoning was always rather petty, and training with him left everyone fuming. Say a few words, and he’d glare at you with a vicious look.

They knew Chen Shaoning just wanted to use the team to get a chance to appear in the major competition, but they themselves were aiming for a higher ranking. With a useless member like Chen Shaoning on the team, everyone felt both frustrated and lost.

Now that they knew he was being transferred, they were ecstatic.

At the same time, they worried for the new member.

It wasn’t the new member’s fault, yet Chen Shaoning had already targeted them before they even arrived.

The first team had its own dedicated training ground. A girl’s casual voice suddenly cut through the tense and confrontational atmosphere:

"Oh, it seems I’ve arrived just at the right time. Is everyone here?"

Everyone instinctively looked towards the voice and saw a face that had recently become very popular, a face all the Mount Flower players were familiar with.