Chapter 2: Leverkusen's Quest for the Championship

Germany, Leverkusen Club.

"This kid's vision and positioning are top-notch!"

"Idiot? How can his acceleration, ball control, and physical dueling be so terrible?"

"Ah! He's a dragon descendant; he'll definitely bring in a lot of money for the club. We've paved the way in the Dragon Kingdom market for so long; we need a Dragon Kingdom star to flourish!"

"Yes, just like Wolfsburg. They signed a Dragon Kingdom player who didn't even play, but it brought a series of commercial returns!"

"Lee Kang is a mute, I mean, has aphasia! No need for sign language communication!"

A big screen was playing a match recording.

Several technical analysts and market department specialists were having a lively discussion.

Sports Director Voller stood with his hands on his hips.

He laughed, "You can't judge this kid's skills by Bundesliga standards. I think he's fully capable of coming on during some garbage time in the match! Send a bid to Barcelona right away!"

In the eyes of this German legendary superstar, Lee Kang's ball control skills were far superior to the Dragon Kingdom national team.

"But what about the head coach?"

"That auto mechanic? I'll handle it!"

There were very few sports directors as audacious as Voller.

He was an exception.

His professional career was summed up in two words: audacious.

Barcelona.

Laughter echoed from the office.

"Voller is such a fool!"

"A Dragon descendant who represented the Spanish national team in playing, helping the Dragon Kingdom market? How ignorant!"

"Dragon Kingdom fans must look down on such unpatriotic behavior! Leverkusen has helped me solve a big problem!"

"We accept this offer!"

"What does Lee Kang want? What choice does he have? He's short of money! Leverkusen will pay him several times more than La Masia, plus performance bonuses! He may be a mute, but he's not a fool!"

"No need to arrange a personal interview; my time is precious! Just make a phone call!"

"Yes! Even if Suarez leaves Barcelona one day, I would still have the same attitude!"

Robert raised his hand, urging his assistant.

It was the summer transfer window.

The transfer process in this parallel timeline was straightforward.

The next day, Lee Kang boarded a flight to Dusseldorf with his suitcase.

When he received the transfer notice, he didn't react much.

However, Madam Sofia went into a rage, wielding a big stick, ready to confront Robert.

But when she heard the terms offered by Leverkusen, she calmed down as if she had been injected with a tranquilizer.

"So, you mean Lee Kang will earn more at Leverkusen in one year than I've earned in the cafeteria in five years?"

"Will Leverkusen reimburse his plane ticket too?"

Now it was 2015, and even though Xavi had left, there wouldn't be a place for young players at Barcelona. Dennis Suarez, who was much better than Lee Kang, was sent on loan to Villarreal.

Luis Enrique wasn't like Pep Guardiola's and Tito Vilanova's time when he promoted youth from La Masia.

Up front, there was the historic MSN trio. In midfield, Rakitic, although not the same style as Xavi, was both an attacker and a defender.

Not to mention Luis Enrique, even a blind man in the Barcelona coaching seat wouldn't give Lee Kang a chance with the first team.

On the plane, Lee Kang held a football web novel, engrossed in the story. The protagonist crossed over, started as the captain of the national youth team, and received the system mission "banished from the national team by the Football Association." But because his family had sent too much money, no matter how much he berated the coach or boycotted training, he couldn't be expelled from the national team.

The more he read, the more interesting it got. He was full of anticipation!

Three hours later.

Lee Kang exited the arrival gate and saw a conspicuous business car with the Leverkusen club logo on it.

A sturdy old man with silver hair opened his arms to greet him.

"Welcome, my little genius!"

"I have to tell you, next time, don't land at Dusseldorf International Airport. You're not joining the same-named second division team!"

A nearby staff member held a camera, ready to document Lee Kang's arrival.

At the same time, Leverkusen's PR department had made arrangements with Dragon Kingdom's football media.

The club's official Chinese website and social media accounts published an official announcement.

Other sports media quickly followed suit.

"Chinese young talent Lee Kang joins Leverkusen!"

"A sword to the throat in the Euro Youth Championship, the Dragon descendant soars!"

"La Masia's treasure officially begins his Bundesliga journey!"

Leverkusen spent a considerable sum on pushing traffic packages on various internet platforms.

But it had little effect.

There were only a few comments, and most were negative.

"Who do they think they are? Copying what Wolfsburg did after they made a mess of things? A Dragon descendant? Yeah, right!"

"Wolfsburg turned that drinking fountain into a laughingstock all over Asia, and Leverkusen is just following in their footsteps!"

"Who is Lee Kang? I've never even heard of him!"

"The Chinese Super League has money, and Europe and South America are exporting their rejects, hyping up so many 'Dragon Kingdom talents.' It's disgusting!"

"If Lee Kang ever plays in the Bundesliga, I'll eat thirty pounds of ****! This is the Bundesliga, not a friendly or a minor cup!"

"Let me tell you the script. First, they'll have a grand welcome ceremony at home, and then they'll make him wear the number 10 jersey to boost jersey sales!"

BayArena.

Voller arranged an extremely grand welcome ceremony.

Even more spectacular than Chicharito's signing.

Leverkusen had been laying the groundwork in the Dragon Kingdom market for over a decade, and they had tasted some sweet fruit.

Welcoming Lee Kang's signing was definitely worth it!

Lee Kang's medical examination was streamlined.

He quickly changed into a black jersey.

Number 10!

Sorry, Charles Aránguiz.

When he walked out of the dimly lit tunnel, hundreds of "fans" cheered deafeningly.

Camera lights flashed like crazy.

Lee Kang couldn't help but smile.

The German Thoth was very professional and dedicated.

Two days later, Leverkusen, Sports Director's office.

Two assistant coaches said with a bit of frustration, "Boss, we've finally figured out the Dragon Kingdom market's attitude. They're not buying this approach anymore, and the feedback is very poor."

Voller lit a cigar and said nonchalantly, "Why the rush? The new season doesn't start for over a month!"

"But..."

"Don't worry. Even if this transfer is a failure, Leverkusen won't suffer any losses. I highly value Lee Kang's potential!"

The two assistant coaches exchanged glances and curled their lips.

What potential?

The guy is already 17 years old, and his level isn't even as high as the Leverkusen youth team.

"The Leverkusen youth team?"

The two assistant coaches were startled. Could the Sports Director read their minds?

Voller smacked his head. "I'm too damn amateur. Let Lee Kang play games with the youth

team! Tell Top, give him the starting position in midfield!"

"Starting position? Voller is insane! Why can he make such a crazy decision? Our youth team's upcoming games are crucial!"

"This sports director is acting like a club president!"

At the Tattoben training ground.

A man with an explosion of hair and dressed in a suit shouted angrily at the assistant.

Lee Kang didn't mind it despite their argument. He started adapting to the rhythm of the German youth players.

He gradually picked up his pace and realized that he seemed to be ahead of everyone by a moment!

Turn and run!

Pass!

Receive the ball!

He always seemed one step ahead of the opposing players.

A team of youngsters from team A tried to pressure him in the front, but Lee Kang's ball control and timing made it difficult for them to stop him.

Their high-pressing tactics didn't work.

He felt like he was a step ahead of everyone!

A loose midfield defense couldn't contain him, and the B team's formation pushed deep into A team's half.

The giant central defender from A team tried to press him. He was effortlessly evaded by Lee Kang. He then passed a precise through ball into the penalty area.

Havertz instinctively kicked the ball and sent it into the goal.

That pass, that feeling of stopping, and Havertz's subsequent kick... all of it felt so satisfying!

Buzzer!

With the assistant coach's whistle, the game officially started.

Leverkusen's youth academy had nurtured all-around players with excellent intelligence. They possessed an intelligent understanding of the game.

Whenever Lee Kang received a pass from his teammates in the midfield, two players immediately pressed him, blocking his passing lanes.

Furthermore, as he moved to receive the ball, someone always blocked his path.

Their football intelligence and teamwork were outstanding.

After a few minutes, Top, the coach sitting on the sidelines, loosened his tie and said to the assistant, "It's like he's playing a game with cheat codes on while being on the youth team!"