175: Chapter 175 A New Storm! Thunderous Internal Strife!

Scarlett.

Lin Feng looked at the unfamiliar name on his phone screen and the short yet meaningful message.

A subtle curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, unnoticed by anyone.

Of course, he knew what that name meant.

The 'Black Widow' who had haunted his dreams in another timeline.

A true emperor must win the entire war... Lin Feng turned off his phone, leaned back, and submerged his entire head in the warm medicinal bath.

The tearing pain deep in his brain still hadn't completely subsided.

"The war has just begun."

...The next day.

On the team's private jet returning to Oklahoma.

The cabin was still filled with a joyful atmosphere, like survivors after a disaster.

Nick Young was excitedly boasting to his teammates about the incredible shot he made over Durant's head.

Howard, wearing headphones, swayed exaggeratedly to the rhythm of the music.

Everyone was relaxed.

They had created a miracle, avoiding the shame of a sweep.

This was enough for them to leave this series with their heads held high.

Only Lin Feng.

He leaned by the window, eyes closed, but his brows were tightly furrowed.

His temples still throbbed.

Every heartbeat felt like a steel needle fiercely piercing his nerves.

He knew that the Eye of the Heavenly Emperor - ZONE was an infinitely powerful weapon.

But at the same time, it was also a double-edged sword that could backfire on its user.

Overloading himself in Game 4, pouring his mental energy into every teammate, and even Kobe, without reservation.

He couldn't do that a second time.

At least, not in a short period.

His mental energy was on the verge of exhaustion.

In the next game, he could at most maintain the regular Eye of the Heavenly Emperor.

Trying to activate ZONE again, or even unleash the Emperors Edict to forcefully boost his teammates' status, would be tantamount to suicide.

He had to find a more efficient, less strenuous way.

A way to control the game without burning himself out.

Scarlett's message once again appeared in Lin Feng's mind.

Chess game... war... He slowly opened his eyes.

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Perhaps he should change his approach.

Instead of strengthening his own pieces.

Why not disrupt the opponent's chessboard... Meanwhile.

At the Oklahoma City Thunder's training facility.

The atmosphere was as oppressive as a volcano about to erupt.

head coach Brooks was repeatedly explaining the Game 5 defensive strategy in front of the tactics board.

But no one was listening to him.

"I don't understand! Why do we have to play so complicated?"

Russell Westbrook slammed his chair and stood up.

His eyes were bloodshot, like an enraged bull, staring intently at Durant.

"We have the best talent in the world!"

"We just need to charge in! Break through them! Crush them with our bodies!"

"Just like we did in the first three games!"

"Russell! That's not basketball! That's football!"

Kevin Durant, who had been silent, finally couldn't hold back.

He stood up and retorted in a cold tone.

"Don't you understand? We lost Game 4 not because we weren't tough enough!"

"It's because we played like a bunch of brainless idiots!"

"We were played by that number 11 like monkeys for 48 minutes!"

"We need more passing! More patience! To break their defense!"

"Break through?!"

Westbrook looked as if he had heard the biggest joke.

"Kevin! When did you become so weak?!"

"We're here to destroy them! Not to play tactics with them!"

"What do you, a selfish guy who only knows how to score for himself, understand?!"

"What did you say?!"

Durant's pupils suddenly constricted!

"Bang!"

The two of them, under the gaze of all their teammates and coaches, fiercely collided!

If Ibaka and Perkins hadn't desperately pulled them apart.

An internal conflict that would shock the league would have erupted early in the Thunder's training facility!

The loss in Game 4 was like a seed.

In the Thunder's soil, already full of contradictions and cracks, it quickly took root and sprouted... The media's stance also took a 180-degree, astonishing turn after this game.

Los Angeles Times: "The Prelude to a Miracle! Lakers Refuse to Be Swept! Lin Feng Redefines Leadership with 15 Assists!"

ESPN Headline: "Biggest Comeback in History? How Far is the Distance from 0-3 to 4-3?"

TNT Official Website: "Charles Barkley Publicly Stated That If the Lakers Complete the Comeback, He Will Kiss Kenny Smith's Ass!"

Those experts who had predicted a 4-0 sweep for the Lakers all changed their tune overnight.

Huge, mountain-like public opinion pressure.

Silently shifted from the Lakers to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They had transformed from destined victors into a potential backdrop, to be nailed to the pillar of historical shame!

...When the Lakers' team bus slowly drove into the hotel in Oklahoma City.

They were greeted by a scene even crazier and more hostile than in Game 1.

The hotel entrance was packed with thousands of Thunder fans.

They wore blue jerseys and waved various offensive banners.

"FUCK Kobe!"

"Go back to Los Angeles, yellow monkey!"

The deafening boos and curses, like solidified sound waves, violently slammed against the bus windows.

This city had gone completely mad.

They regarded the Lakers, who had snatched a victory from their hands, as sworn enemies.

Lin Feng sat in the car, expressionless, watching the distorted faces outside the window, contorted with anger.

There was not the slightest ripple in his heart.

He even felt like smiling a little.

Hell home court?

Now, this is getting interesting... In the hotel room.

Lin Feng took a shower, temporarily isolating himself from the outside noise.

He lay on the bed and picked up his phone.

There were two new messages.

One was from Yoona.

"오빠, 너무 무리하지 마세요. 다치지 않도록 조심하세요."

(Brother, don't push yourself too hard. Be careful not to get hurt.)

Looking at the Korean message full of concern, a warmth flowed through Lin Feng's heart.

He replied with a 'don't worry' emoji.

Then, he opened the second message.

The sender was Taylor Swift.

"I'm coming to OKC for Game 5. Show them who the king is."

(I'll be in Oklahoma for Game 5. Show them who the real king is.)

Looking at this message, full of queen-like defiance and provocation.

Lin Feng's face revealed a playful smile.

He slowly sat up from the bed.

He walked to the window and pulled back the curtains.

Looking down at the crazy Thunder fans who still hadn't dispersed.

His gaze became incredibly profound.

Westbrook's anger.

Durant's hesitation.

The madness of this city.

And those two women, across oceans, yet equally concerned about him.

The corners of Lin Feng's mouth slowly turned up.

This is my true chessboard.

Game 5.

It's time to show you what an emperor's game looks like.