Zhang Jue’s free skate program was “Karnigula,” with music selected from the Soviet composer Khachaturian’s “Spartacus and Phrygia.”

“We can see that the choreographer of this program, Madam. Mia Rosiyabayeva, is sitting in the front row of the audience, watching Zhang Jue with great focus.”

In the shot, Madam Mia was holding her phone, live-streaming Little Zhang Jue’s free skate to her grandson Qin Xuejun, who was far away in China.

This was the most crucial battle!

Zhang Jue skated to the center of the rink, surrounded by the deafening sounds of the crowd, and stood still, looking around. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, a fragile, nervous expression appeared on his face.

He gently grasped his neck with his left hand, where a golden ring decorated with tiny rubies was on his middle finger. His eyes lifted, gazing straight ahead, his brows and eyes full of charm and joy, as though there was someone in front of him who stirred all his love and desires.

The music began softly, even as clear as a mountain forest in the early morning, and Zhang Jue glided on the ice, the blades smoothly skimming the surface.

The commentator said: “A beautiful Lutz followed by a triple Toe loop combination.”

The first jump: 4Lz + 3T.

Zhang Jue smoothly pointed his right foot to the ice, raised both hands high, and completed the first jump. After landing, there was no pause, and he immediately transitioned into the second jump.

Unlike some skaters who show a clear re-acceleration in their second jumps during a combination, Zhang Jue’s rhythm was incredibly smooth, even when executing the most difficult combinations. He completed them in one fluid motion.

4Lz + 3T

BV (Base Value): 16.9 GOE (Grade of Execution): +2.45

CURRENT (Current Competitor’s Technical Score): 19.35 [Medium]

LEADER (Current Leading Technical Score): 131.66 [Japan]

But this wasn’t the end. His second jump was a 4Lo. Before the takeoff, he performed a lunge, his posture like a lover courting, then he crossed his legs before leaping, the black blades leaving a fleeting shadow in the air before landing perfectly once again.

The commentator: “A quadruple Lutz (4Lo), entering unprecedented difficulty.”

The judges seemed stunned by this jump and gave the same GEO.

+3, with a 4Lo of this caliber, not awarding +3 would have been unreasonable. They couldn’t find any flaws.

Though the 4F wasn’t as stunning as the previous jumps, the skater’s movements were calm and precise, earning a GOE of +1.86.

Then came a 4S + 1Lo + 3F combination, one of the most difficult combinations of jumps in the world. Zhang Jue executed it beautifully, and the audience was now completely dumbstruck.

Zhang Jue had already completed four perfect quadruple jumps in the first half of his program. Now, he was competing for the Olympic gold, and he would undoubtedly continue with quadruple jumps in the second half.

At the beginning of the program, this person had already begun challenging the limits of figure skating.

At this point, the atmosphere of the program could still be described as somewhat pleasant, just like the life of Karnigula. His grandfather was a tyrant, surrounded by people who would stop at nothing for power. He lacked security, and only in the presence of his beloved sister Drusilla could he feel safe.

Of course, this was the image of Karnigula in the film, but Zhang Jue’s interpretation of Karnigula also combined reality. In legend, Karnigula was once wise. Under the brutal rule of his grandfather, he hid his true self behind a gentle, indifferent exterior, seduced the commander of the guards, Marcros’s wife, and with her help gained Marcros’s support to eventually seize the throne.

He was a figure of cunning, skilled in seducing others.

When figure skaters perform a character, they can only express it through their bodies. They cannot recite lines or have narration, but Zhang Jue managed to portray a multidimensional image of the young Karnigula after executing four quadruple jumps—this is his skill.

Until this point, the music took a turn. His beloved sister and queen Drusilla had passed away, and a sorrow of loss appeared on Zhang Jue’s face, along with a trace of madness. Karnigula, the ruler with no care for his people and only his desires, seemed to lose his shackles, revealing his true nature.

After completing a set of Level 4 jump-spin combinations, Zhang Jue moved into the connecting steps. At this moment, the background music was filled with chaotic sounds—ancient Roman music that Zhang Jue had found from foreign teams’ reconstructions, filled with lewd and suggestive tones.

He began dancing to this music, mimicking the gesture of beating a hand drum, as though participating in the wild celebrations for the great Roman mother goddess Cybele.

These connecting steps were choreographed by Ms. Mia after two months of careful thought, during which she searched through countless materials. It even incorporated a theatrical dance imagined by her that was unique to ancient Romans.

This set of steps became one of the highlights of the entire program and had received much attention since its debut.

People described the steps as a combination of classical and modern elements. Though the music was decadent, it drew heavily from the history of ancient Rome, fitting perfectly with the hedonistic style of the Romans.

Russian figure skating coach Sarana once said: “Jue and his choreographer Mia have broken through people’s imagination of competitive sports and brought it to the level of art with this program.”

Although the chosen music and performance theme were bold and rebellious, the program was undoubtedly a classic, no less than any program in figure skating history.

Zhang Jue portrayed this segment with playful confidence without losing his imposing aura, but the more he skated, the more his madness was apparent. Perhaps Karnigula had already gone mad in the power struggles long ago.

The program reached its second half, and Zhang Jue still had four jumps left to perform, each of which would receive a 1.1x multiplier on their base value.

After completing the steps, Zhang Jue glided for a few seconds, then performed a three-turn and prepared for an Axel jump. Many were watching closely: Was this a 3A? No! It was a 4A!

With a decisive leap, the young man completed 4.5 rotations at an astonishing speed before landing with a loud thud, his blades carving a crescent-shaped arc on the ice.

Someone screamed: “Oh my god!”

From this moment on, Zhang Jue had completely lost control. After completing the most difficult jump, he had fully unleashed himself. His movements became more carefree and uninhibited, his eyes shining so brightly, it was as though he was a star hanging in the night sky.

In his eyes, people could see his unwavering determination to win, but they also saw a monarch who had abandoned all reason, a ruler of indulgence and cruelty.

He had always been the tyrant on the ice, and what was wrong with choosing a tyrant as the character he was to portray?

At this moment, the commentators exhaled in disbelief. After completing the 4A, Zhang Jue then performed a solo 4S. He didn’t land the jump perfectly, though.

In fact, Zhang Jue had intended to do a 4S + 3T combination here, but the mistake didn’t cause him to lose his composure. Zhang Jue’s reason and adaptability were still intact, and he instinctively knew how to control his body to make the most perfect movements.

Yes, he had entered that state of absolute victory. At this very moment, he felt as though he was unstoppable on the ice. His soul merged with the surface, and his steps were so intricate and complex, but he completed them effortlessly.

He entered a flying camel spin, then did a jump to side squatting spin, followed by a bent-over spin and a one-handed Biellmann.

Soon, he lifted his leg to complete a 3A, then followed it with a 3T, finishing all of his combination jumps in the program.

At some point, everyone watching had a look of awe in their eyes. Teraoka Hayato gasped, vaguely feeling the gold medal slipping away from him, while Ilya, witnessing this moment, was left speechless.

They had been competing against such a monster for so many years.

The 20-year-old Zhang Jue, with his energy still peaking, had reached the pinnacle of his skills. Coupled with his unwavering determination to win at all costs, his performance had captured the hearts of everyone in the arena.

He performed alone on the pristine ice, delivering a magnificent performance and portraying a tragic history with madness.

At the end of the performance, the tyrant Karnigula knelt on the ice, raising his left fist high. The golden ring on his middle finger, symbolizing power, still gleamed brightly, while the tyrant himself had already walked toward death.

“I won.”

Zhang Jue knelt on the ice, looking up at the arena above, breathing heavily, his heartbeat pounding in his chest. A strand of sweat-drenched hair stuck to his cheek.

He knew he had won when he finished his last jump.

He had won.

Zhang Jue lowered his head and kissed the ice, stood up, and flashed a joyful smile. He bowed to the audience, then quickly skated toward the exit with a childlike expression.

There, Zhang Junbao opened his arms and caught the approaching Zhang Jue.

The sound of applause rushed into his ears. Shen Liu’s eyes were red, and he and Coach Lu came over to hug Zhang Jue. The boy was drenched in sweat, his face so pale that even lipstick couldn’t hide his exhaustion.

The camera followed them closely. Zhang Junbao supported Zhang Jue’s arm, lending him some strength, and helped him sit down at the Kiss & Cry.

This time, the judges were quick to score, and soon, Zhang Jue’s final score appeared on the big screen.

Technical score: 137.71

Program component score: 99.15

Free skate score: 236.856 (WR)

With the 114.25 points from the short program, Zhang Jue’s total score was 351.11. He had successfully completed six quadruple jumps in the free skate, and his performance had reached a perfect level.

Even the ice skating fans could tell that the last performer, Ilya, wouldn’t win this time.

Zhang Jue looked at the score, a smile forming at the corner of his mouth. He finally caught his breath and turned to look at Zhang Junbao.

He softly called: “Uncle.”

Zhang Junbao turned around, a joyful look on his face: “Hmm? What’s up?”

Zhang Jue raised his chin, already looking like an adult. Yet, whenever people saw his expression at this moment, they couldn’t help but remember the genius little crocodile who first entered the figure skating world, so confused and innocent.

“I told you I would bring you to the Olympic stage and win you many, many gold medals. Look, I did it. Aren’t you proud of me now?”

Zhang Junbao blinked and smiled brightly, his baby face shining like a little sun.

He nodded confidently: “Yes, you did it.”

“And you’ve always been my pride.”

Zhang Jue actually had a lot more to say to his uncle. He wanted to tell him that this dream was given to him by his uncle. Thank you for bringing him back to the ice and leading him to the path he was on now. He hoped to continue walking this path with him in the future.

But Ilya’s program had started. Although Zhang Jue had scored a ridiculously high point, Ilya didn’t give up. He also landed six quadruple jumps, but he fell on two of them. Yet his performance was still amazing, making Zhang Jue cheer for him.

The glory of being champion quickly drowned them, with reporters’ interviews, camera follow-ups, and the upcoming award ceremony signaling that they were about to be busy.

The first thousandth gold medal of the Winter Olympics was finally hung around Zhang Jue’s neck, and the bright red flag rose in PyeongChang thanks to his efforts.

The long-awaited wish was fulfilled in a single day. Even Zhang Jue felt a sense of unreality. The pain of his past life had already disappeared in this moment, and what lay ahead was a whole new, wonderful story, one that would be intertwined with figure skating.

Ten minutes after the award ceremony, Zhang Jue hung the gold medal around Coach Lu’s neck. He turned to grab his bag, looking for a chocolate bar to fill his stomach, but then he heard someone calling his name.

“Zhang Jue, congratulations on becoming the Olympic champion.”Zhang Jue turned around and saw a pair of gray eyes.

He had arrived.

The young champion let out a happy shout, ran a few steps, and jumped into the warm embrace of the other person.

Uncle said that Little Jue was his pride, Little Jue said that his uncle was also his pride, and Little Jue, was the most surprising miracle he had encountered since his new life began.

Zhang Jue looked up and kissed Xuejun on the chin, about to say something to express his excitement, but then heard a “thud,” as Little Jue turned their heads together and saw Ilya picking up his little bear water bottle from the ground. The bronze medal hung around his neck, swinging back and forth.

Hayato mumbled: “So, Ilya is the only one single now?”

Ilya expressionlessly covered his chest, feeling like his heart had been stabbed.

Keiko screamed and rushed over.

“Tama-chan, tell me honestly, when did you stop being single?”

Zhang Junbao, who had just walked over, showed an expression of pleasant surprise, like a “pig rooting through the cabbage” moment: “What? My little Jue isn’t single now?”

Which cabbage?

Zhang Jue and Qin Xuejun exchanged glances, blinked, and then laughed together. He held Qin Xuejun’s hand.

There, this was the cabbage that Zhang Little Jue, the outstanding student from Agricultural University, intended to cherish for life.

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