After walking through a 45-meter-long passage, the five people finally arrived at the same space, which is the entrance to the formal game area.

"Are you okay?"

Wang Yongxin supported Cai Zhiyuan, letting him rest against the corner of the wall.

However, Wang Yongxin's condition was not good either. His former composure and confidence had completely vanished, leaving only a head full of sweat and a disheveled appearance.

His suit was also stained with blood, but it wasn't as severe as Cai Zhiyuan's.

Cai Zhiyuan shook his head, "I'm fine, nothing serious, I shouldn't die."

Wang Yongxin looked at Ding Wenqiang, hesitated to speak, and finally just sighed silently.

He indeed had no position to blame the others.

After all, in 'Blood Poker,' when Wang Yongxin re-entered the compartment and discovered the secret of the Chips Exchange Machine, he could have left the compartment to share this news with others, but he ultimately didn't do so.

Wang Yongxin looked up at the game area, preparing to listen carefully to the official rules of the game.

In the center of the area, there was a huge four-sided screen, with an old-fashioned VCR underneath it.

In front of the VCR was a locked glass cabinet containing a crown, a golden scepter, and five videotapes locked in different slots.

[Ding Wenqiang has obtained the 'King' identity, please scan the visa to continue the game.]

Ding Wenqiang originally looked in Cai Zhiyuan's direction, his expression somewhat hesitant, seemingly considering whether to comfort or apologize. Hearing the prompt, he was momentarily unresponsive.

At this moment, the tall, burly middle-aged man Gao Zhankui had already pushed Ding Wenqiang aside, extending his own wristband to the area for scanning the visa.

[Violation detected.]

A sharp electrical sound erupted, and Gao Zhankui pulled back his left hand with a scream.

"Ahhhhh—"

He convulsed all over, falling to the ground on his knees, and blue electric sparks could clearly be seen on the wristband on his left wrist.

[The violator will have 50,000 minutes of visa time deducted; a further violation will result in instant death penalty.]

Ding Wenqiang was initially a bit flustered, but now shook his head with a slight smile.

Such an idiot actually existed.

All these games had been approved by the Walkway, chosen for their quality, and lacked any obvious, low-level loopholes. To think you could exploit something like that is simply unbelievably foolish.

Ding Wenqiang stepped forward and extended his wristband to the area for scanning the visa.

With a "click," the glass cabinet unlocked.

Immediately, more game instructions appeared on the screen.

[The scepter before you is the exclusive tool of the King. When you make a legitimate request according to the game process and the other four prisoners refuse to comply, you can press the button on the scepter to punish the prisoners with an electric shock.]

[The videotapes record the crimes of each sinner.]

[In the area, there are six different prison cells, each corresponding to a different punishment.]

[You may choose to confine any sinner in any prison cell for trial, but please note:]

[Cell number 1 and 2 are unlocked by default. After using either cell, cell number 3 will be unlocked, and so on.]

[The initial time for a trial in each cell is 10 minutes, and with each subsequent occurrence, the trial becomes increasingly severe.]

[Most cells will pose a fatal threat to prisoners by the third trial.]

[Once a prison cell is bound to a prisoner, it cannot be changed. Please carefully choose a prison cell for a fair trial of the sinner.]

[The game ends when either of the following occur:]

[1. Complete 10 trials. If time remains, the King can decide to end the game immediately or continue until the countdown ends.]

[2. Any special circumstance arises that prevents the game from continuing.]

[After the game ends, you will be injected with an antidote and regain freedom.]

[And finally, a word of warning to the King:]

[No matter who you were before, or what your attitude towards this world was, after becoming King, you must learn to play your role:]

[Find the right advice amidst the chaos, and with a just and compassionate heart, decide the fates of others and yourself. Because, this is the duty of a King.]

[Now, as the King, please take out your own videotape and first publicly disclose your crimes.]

With a "click," one of the videotape's glass covers popped open on its own, revealing three words on the tape: Ding Wenqiang.

...

The speakers in Lin Sizhi's room began continuously broadcasting cues that only the audience could hear.

[Audience number 10 bets on the 'King.']

[Audience number 7 bets on the 'King.']

[Audience number 8 bets on the 'King.']

[Audience No. 3 bets on 'Prisoner'.]

More and more audience members started betting.

Evidently, with the game rules announced, the King side appeared to have a significant advantage.

To bet on the King side, one must act quickly since there are only five spots.

However, Audience No. 3 chose the Prisoner side. Lin Sizhi remembered he once sent a "Good luck" message to Cai Zhiyuan.

It might be Officer Cao, or perhaps someone with a strong sense of empathy.

Lin Sizhi looked at the betting button on the table, and after considering, still chose to press the 'Prisoner' side.

[Audience No. 5 bets on 'Prisoner'.]

After about five more seconds.

[Audience No. 2 bets on 'King'.]

[The King side has reached the maximum number of bets, Audience No. 4 and Audience No. 6 will automatically bet on the Prisoner side.]

...

In the game venue, Ding Wenqiang picked up the golden scepter.

Cold and heavy in his hand.

Grasping the scepter firmly, Ding Wenqiang felt a strong sense of security.

Then, he looked at the crown.

The rules didn't mention any purpose for this crown; it seemed to be just for show, without any actual function.

While Ding Wenqiang hesitated a bit, the thin, yellow-haired young man, Zhang Peng, quickly approached him.

"Uncle Ding, how can I let you do such a thing yourself? Let me help."

As Zhang Peng spoke, he picked up the crown.

Ding Wenqiang was startled and nearly pressed the button on the scepter towards Zhang Peng.

But in the next moment, Zhang Peng respectfully and cautiously placed the crown on Ding Wenqiang's head, then humbly bowed and retreated.

The heavy crown pressed tightly on his head, and Ding Wenqiang had an inexplicable sensation.

He instinctively wanted to take it off, but on second thought, it was just a game prop. Since his role in the game was the King, wearing the crown to distinguish himself from others seemed appropriate.

The arranged game props shouldn't just be discarded to the side.

Ding Wenqiang said nothing more, merely picking up the videotape nearby and inserting it into the VCR.

Moments later, the screen flickered with static, then switched to a first-person perspective.

An emotionless narration began.

[As a delivery driver, you work 10 hours a day, believing yourself to be diligent, yet life is still a struggle.]

[To support your family, you have no choice but to drag your weary body around the city.]

[Until that accident changed everything.]

[You may have many reasons, such as being forced to drive while fatigued to complete delivery tasks, or just being robbed and beaten by masked thugs, causing swelling in your left eye and limited vision. But no matter the excuse, you are directly responsible for the accident.]

[Though you've paid the price, do you still see that blood-covered face in your endless midnight dreams?]

The footage on the TV wobbled slightly, becoming blurry, seemingly indicating the driver was extremely exhausted, almost dozing off.

But in the next second, a yellow figure on an electric bike suddenly appeared ahead!

A screeching brake noise echoed, but it was too late; the figure crashed onto the windshield and was flung far away.

Then, the videotape's content ended, and Ding Wenqiang's file appeared on the big screen.

[Ding Wenqiang, Male, 53 years old.]

[Occupation: Large package delivery driver]

[Under the state of fatigue driving, hit a red-light running delivery rider on an electric bike, causing severe injuries, resulting in death.]

[Penalty result: Sentenced to 1 year and 3 months imprisonment for traffic accident crime, with a 2-year suspension (has compensated the family with 400,000 yuan and obtained forgiveness).]

The venue fell silent.

Zhang Peng instinctively glanced at Ding Wenqiang, then quickly looked away.

As for Ding Wenqiang, he slightly lowered his head, not meeting anyone's gaze, though his stiff expression partially revealed his inner thoughts.

Despite preparing psychologically beforehand, the long-buried wound being suddenly torn open still caused severe discomfort.

"Uncle Ding, it wasn't your fault, just an accident." Cai Zhiyuan seemed in better condition, attempting to comfort with a hoarse voice.

However, Ding Wenqiang did not respond, only sternly said to the other four: "Get up, move forward!

The game continues!"

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