Chapter 196: 196 Can’t afford to lose?_1
"It seems like Neil and his bunch are really a group of losers. Losing to an association from Yunxia is even more unforgivable than losing to Frost Moon."
The upscale hotel was usually quiet during mealtimes, not prone to noise, and the overall environment was rather peaceful.
This sudden remark was not only abrupt but was also voiced without any attempt to conceal its volume, causing the few individuals from Mount Flower who were dining to lose their smiles.
That was because the speaker was one of the S-level Players from Shaliye.
And ’Neil,’ whom he mentioned, if not mistaken, was likely one of the A-Rank Group players from Shaliye.
After a moment of embarrassment, a hint of indignant anger appeared on the faces of Chen Runyu and the others.
Unfortunately, this was not only due to the typically humble nature of the Yunxia People but also their difference in rank. As long as the S Rank players didn’t go completely berserk on the spot, the A-Rank Spirit Card Masters could only listen.
Only Wen Jiang, as if he had heard nothing, calmly continued to look at the menu, selecting the dishes he liked.
Zero Egg, on the other hand, was especially agitated. "See, I knew it! The classic scene, though late, always arrives. These high-level Spirit Card Masters just don’t see you as equals."
It was clear that Shaliye had suffered a particularly embarrassing loss, yet the S Rank players only cared about the outcome, not the process.
It sounded like a team member from Shaliye offered a lukewarm rebuke, "Jason, a loss is a loss."
What’s more, Shaliye and Mount Flower weren’t the only ones present; members from other associations were also dining there. If word spread that Shaliye couldn’t handle a loss, it wouldn’t reflect well on them.
"Losing is acceptable, but losing to Yunxia is completely unacceptable. The cards from Yunxia..." Jason, one of Shaliye’s S-level Players, scoffed, disdain clear in his eyes. "What good cards can come out of Yunxia? Their so-called Yunxia mythological civilization that’s been hyped up recently is nothing but a joke. If those things could truly be made into cards, would Yunxia be so generous as to make them public?"
Everyone could see that Yunxia daring to release it would only prove the falsehood of these mythological civilizations.
Anyway, those S Rank players weren’t taking it seriously.
But to say these things in front of the Yunxia people, the targeted intention was obvious.
They were speaking the Sanctuary language. In this world, however, the languages of the three great empires were essentially universal. People learned them instinctively from birth. Spirit Card Masters were generally trilingual, so naturally, they could all understand each other.
Chen Runyu and the others clenched their chopsticks tighter. Having their Empire ridiculed to their faces was hard to swallow.
Seeing this, Tang Qian could only say, "Focus on our meals. Just pretend we didn’t hear."
Verbal mockery was something anyone could engage in, as long as it wasn’t illegal. Professional players weren’t likely to cause a scene here.
However, Jason suddenly brought up another topic. "I heard that the support player from Crying Angels is still in the hospital and hasn’t come out yet. Maybe something unexpected happened in the competition. Who knows what shady methods they used to win that match?"
Shaliye’s loss had been so crushing that it was hard to believe Yunxia’s Card Association could have achieved it.
"Jason!" This time, it was Shaliye’s coach who chastised him. After all, without proof, such allegations could get them into trouble. "You’re drunk. Talk less."
Jason sneered with contempt and glanced meaningfully in their direction, probably noticing Wen Jiang, who had just finished ordering. Suddenly recalling today’s rumors, he said, "Oh, I heard Mount Flower stumbled upon a genius this year. A genius... the card competition is never short of geniuses."
What he probably meant was that everyone who stood in the card competition was a genius.
His disdain for Wen Jiang was obvious.
It had been a long time since Wen Jiang had encountered someone like this—not brainless, just arrogant. It was an arrogance stemming from a long-held position of dominance.
In the realm of card competitions, Sanctuary and Frost Moon had long held a monopoly. To them, Yunxia, perennially in third place, was nothing special. Even if a genius emerged from Yunxia, they were just given some superficial acknowledgment.
After all, they were S Rank, while this side was merely A-Level, right?
Perhaps Jason’s attitude was impolite, but towards these A-Level players, they felt there wasn’t any need for pretense. Shaliye’s coach only briefly scolded Jason and didn’t truly stop him.
The Mount Flower members weren’t good-tempered either. Their hands, gripping their chopsticks, trembled slightly. Although they desperately wanted to retort, Tang Qian managed to restrain them.
Zero Egg was quite pleased. "Looks like you also know that at this stage, S-Rank Spirit Card Masters aren’t to be provoked."
This was the first time it had seen Wen Jiang take a hit and hold back.
But just as those words left its mouth, Wen Jiang slammed down his chopsticks with a crisp SNAP, instantly drawing the attention of everyone in the restaurant.
Wen Jiang didn’t even look at the other party. He could even have been called elegant if not for his utterly classless words. "Farting around here every day. If you’re so discontent, why don’t you replace the A-Rank Group and fight? Apply for a rematch with the International Association; we’re not opposed. You talk such a big game, I thought Shaliye had already won the world championship. But who is it, really? Oh, it’s Shaliye, the team that got beaten silly by the Temple of the Gods, huh."
Everyone: "..."
Instantly, the entire room fell silent.
Tang Qian made the sign of the cross over her chest, praying to God that a fight wouldn’t break out today.
She knew that with Wen Jiang’s temper, there was no way he would hold back.
The double standard was perfectly demonstrated at that moment. No one had stood up when Shaliye was making snide remarks earlier, but now that Wen Jiang had spoken, Jason slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Wen Jiang. "What do you mean by that?"
Wen Jiang smiled at him. "That’s exactly what I mean. What, don’t you understand?"
Shaliye’s other teammates weren’t particularly angry, just looking over with some bemusement.
Clearly, they hadn’t expected an A-Rank Spirit Card Master to actually dare to confront an S-Rank Spirit Card Master.
The rest of the people in the restaurant dared not even breathe too loudly. Chen Runyu and the others wanted to persuade Wen Jiang to calm things down, but considering his temper, that seemed highly unlikely.
Shaliye’s coach frowned and looked over, starting with his own snide remarks. "The genius player from Mount Flower sure is amazing. Win a few matches, and you no longer know how to respect your seniors."
"Respecting seniors? It’s as if your player wasn’t the first one here talking crap," Wen Jiang retorted, always straightforward and merciless. "You’re really good at this double-standard game. Your player can talk trash about other associations, but when I say a few words, it’s disrespecting seniors? If you have a problem with it, why not call the police and have me arrested?"
Everyone: "..."
Jason had a short temper, which was one reason he had so blatantly disrespected Mount Flower in person. Now, seeing Wen Jiang—an A-Level Spirit Card Master, from a rank their S Rank players usually disdained—actually dare to resist, Jason’s spiritual power surged. He was about to confront Wen Jiang on the spot.
But his teammates still had their wits about them. Celia suddenly acted, pressing Jason down with a displeased expression.
"Jason, are you trying to get us disqualified?"