Chapter 103: Don't Compete with Me in Ruthlessness

"Nonsense, you're just selfish and heartless."
Johnson tore off his mask and began to curse outright.
If Xinghui He were to lose his composure and hurl insults back, it would only help Johnson gain notoriety.
So, Xinghui He replied calmly, "The world one sees is shaped by one's own heart. Someone who is selfish and unwilling to sacrifice will naturally believe there are no heroes in this world."
With these words, he placed the label of selfishness squarely on Johnson's head, and it sounded logical—reasonable, even.
Though this remark might inadvertently hit some people, Johnson was certainly not among them.
He was precisely the kind of person Xinghui He described: someone with a dark heart, believing all of humanity was just as cynical as himself.
Xinghui He's words were like the claws of a lecherous villain, ripping away Johnson's cloak of decency.
Enraged and humiliated, Johnson retorted, "You keep claiming it's all for the team, for the team. But in my eyes, that's just sophistry. Do you Clippers really want to win the championship? You claim every game matters—what a joke, an utter joke."
Well, with that sentence, he managed to offend every Clippers player, executive, and fan.
Are perennial underdogs not allowed to dream of a championship? Why not?
"So, you think the Clippers don't deserve a championship?"
Xinghui He asked.
"Don't try to trap me with words. I'm saying you don't deserve a championship. Championships, championships—anyone can talk big, it's just empty words, no accountability required..."
Johnson replied in a mocking, sarcastic tone.
But before he could finish, Xinghui He interrupted: "If I fail, I'll retire. Are you satisfied now? Can you shut up?"
Xinghui He had always admired Tang Rou from 'The King's Avatar'—her independence, her coolness.
At this moment, he was paying tribute to Tang Rou.
Throwing down a bold challenge: if he succeeded, so be it; if not, he'd simply say, "I don't accept that." Surely, that would be entertaining.
His words seemed reckless, but in truth, there was little risk.
He was a rookie; surely no one would actually force him to win a championship?
As long as he led the Clippers to a strong performance, his reputation wouldn't suffer—in fact, it would make him appear genuine and straightforward, without ulterior motives.
What would be considered a strong performance for the Clippers?
In Xinghui He's view, reaching the Western Conference Finals would suffice, for it was an achievement the Clippers had never attained.
A rookie leading his team to a historic milestone—no one could fault him for that.

And reaching the Western Conference Finals seemed entirely possible to Xinghui He.
If they could finish among the top four in the West during the regular season, they'd avoid facing the Spurs, Mavericks, and Suns in the first round. Against other teams, the Clippers had enough strength.
In the second round, avoiding the Mavericks and facing the imperfect rosters of the Suns or Spurs, and using a few special tools to fight, there was genuine hope.
As soon as Xinghui He uttered his vow, the entire audience erupted in uproar.
It was shocking—truly shocking.
No NBA player in history had ever joked about their career in such a way.
On one hand, there was no need; on the other, no one had such confidence.
Even Michael Jordan never declared he'd retire if he failed to win a championship—at most, he'd stubbornly claim, "I will definitely succeed."
As for making such an oath, it was simply unthinkable.
People called him the 'God of Basketball,' but it didn't mean he truly was one; even he couldn't guarantee victory in every game.
Without good teammates, he had even been reduced to tears after defeat.
Xinghui He's resolute declaration left everyone stunned—not whether it was foolish, but that it was bold and manly.
No one else would dare say such a thing.
In front of their televisions, viewers were dumbfounded.
Xinghui He's challenge was far too outrageous—there was no chance of success.
Unless Sterling traded for Duncan and O'Neal, but that was pure fantasy.
In other words, unless Xinghui He decided to save face, he would have to retire after this season.
The thought of their favorite player being forced into retirement by a reporter enraged countless fans.
They temporarily forgot his reluctance to join fights or stand up for teammates, focusing only on smashing Johnson's windows in frustration.
In their eyes, Xinghui He was the victim, and Johnson the villain.
At the press conference, Johnson sat in a daze.
He never expected this outcome—never expected Xinghui He to have such guts.
"Are you sure?"
Things had reached a point of no return, and Johnson had no choice but to see it through.
Of course, he still hoped for a stroke of luck—that Xinghui He would suddenly say, "Just kidding," like last time.

"Xinghui..."
Dunleavy and the Clippers' press officer tried to stop him from saying anything more foolish—for self-destructing with an obscure reporter was hardly worth it.
But Xinghui He raised his hand, signaling them to let him speak.
He said, "I'm sure."
With that, the vow was set in stone—irreversible.
In that moment, everyone's hearts were a tumultuous mix of emotions.
Beside him, Brand stared at Xinghui He in astonishment, as though Deidara were gazing at Itachi Uchiha, seeing an aura of divine brilliance radiating from Xinghui He's back.
Was this true artistry?
He began to doubt his own leadership qualities, for he knew he could never utter such words.
The room fell silent for a while; Johnson sat down, despondent and full of regret.
He knew he had messed things up—his reputation as a villain who forced a promising rookie into retirement was now unavoidable.
Though he was somewhat innocent—never intending for Xinghui He to retire—outsiders wouldn't see it that way.
Johnson could already imagine the flood of abuse he would face, perhaps making even a trip to the supermarket impossible.
And, in that moment, he grasped a profound truth.
Never fight with a madman—a madman doesn't play by the rules.
Reporters often humiliate celebrities, drive them to the brink—not because they are wealthier or more powerful, but simply by exploiting the rules of the game.
When everyone follows those rules, they can maneuver freely, wielding influence—even presidents can be provoked to anger.
But when someone like Xinghui He appears, disregarding reputation, millions of dollars, and dreams, breaking all the rules, reporters are left defenseless.
Why did I ever mess with a lunatic like this?
Johnson's heart wept with regret.
"No further questions, I'll take my leave."
Seeing that no one wished to ask anything more, Xinghui He rose and departed, his figure exuding a free and unrestrained elegance.