After walking through the 45-meter-long passage, the five people finally reached the same space, which was the entrance to the official game venue.
Wang Yongxin helped support Cai Zhiyuan, letting him lean against the wall corner to rest.
However, Wang Yongxin's own condition wasn't much better. His original composure and confidence had completely disappeared, replaced only by sweat covering his head and a disheveled appearance.
His suit also had blood seeping through, though not as severely as Cai Zhiyuan's.
Cai Zhiyuan shook his head, "I'm okay, nothing too serious. I probably won't die."
Wang Yongxin looked at Ding Wenqiang with hesitation, as if wanting to say something but stopping himself, finally just sighing silently.
He indeed had no standing to harshly criticize the other party.
After all, in "Blood Poker," when Wang Yongxin re-entered the compartment and discovered the secret of the chip exchange machine, he originally could have left the compartment to information with the others, but ultimately he didn't do so.
In the center area of the venue, there was a huge four-sided display screen, with a video recorder below that could play old-style videotapes.
In front of the video recorder was a locked glass cabinet containing a crown, a golden scepter, and five videotapes locked in different compartments.
[Ding Wenqiang has obtained the "King" identity. Please scan your visa to continue the game.]
Ding Wenqiang had originally been looking in Cai Zhiyuan's direction with a somewhat hesitant expression, seemingly considering whether to step forward to comfort or apologize. When he heard the prompt, he didn't react immediately.
At that moment, the originally tall, burly middle-aged man with a fierce face, Gao Zhankui, had already pushed Ding Wenqiang aside and extended his bracelet to the visa scanning area.
[Violation detected.]
A violent electric current sound erupted, and Gao Zhankui jerked back his left hand, letting out a scream.
His whole body convulsed as he collapsed to the ground, and blue electric light could be clearly seen at his left wrist bracelet.
[The violator will have fifty thousand minutes of visa time deducted. Further violations will result in immediate death penalty.]
Ding Wenqiang had panicked for a moment, but now shook his head somewhat amusedly.
There were actually such idiots.
These games had all been reviewed by the Gallery, selected from the best of the best, and wouldn't have any particularly obvious low-level loopholes. To think he could exploit a loophole like that was truly ridiculously stupid.
Ding Wenqiang stepped forward and extended his bracelet to the visa scanning area.
With a "click," the glass cabinet unlocked.
Immediately after, the screen continued displaying game instructions.
[The scepter before you is the King's exclusive tool. When you make legitimate requests that conform to the game process and the other four prisoners refuse to comply, press the button on the scepter to electrically punish the prisoners.]
[The videotapes record each sinner's crimes.]
[In the venue, there are six different prison cells, each corresponding to different punishments.]
[You may choose to confine any sinner to any cell for judgment, but please note:]
[Cells 1 and 2 are unlocked by default. After any of these cells is used, Cell 3 will unlock, and so on.]
[The initial time for each cell to judge a sinner once is 10 minutes. As the number of times increases, the judgment will become increasingly severe.]
[Most cells will put prisoners in mortal danger during the third judgment.]
[Once a cell and prisoner are bound, they cannot be changed. Please carefully choose cells to conduct fair judgment of sinners.]
[The game ends when either of the following two situations occurs:]
[1. Complete 10 judgments. At this time, if there is remaining time, the King may freely decide to end the game immediately or continue until the countdown ends.]
[2. Any special situation occurs that prevents the game from continuing.]
[After the game ends, you will be injected with antidotes and regain freedom.]
[Finally, this is harsh but honest advice for the King:]
[Regardless of what kind of person you were before or what attitude you had toward this world, after becoming King, you must learn to play your role:]
[You must find correct advice among those chaotic voices, then with a just and compassionate heart, decide the fate of others and yourself. Because this is precisely the King's duty.]
[Now, as King, please take out your own videotape and first make your crimes public.]
With a "pop," the glass cover of one videotape automatically opened. The videotape had three characters written on it: Ding Wenqiang.
The speakers in Lin Sizhi's room began continuously broadcasting prompts that only the audience could hear.
[Audience 10 bets on "King."]
[Audience 7 bets on "King."]
[Audience 8 bets on "King."]
[Audience 3 bets on "Prisoners."]
More and more audiences began placing bets.
Obviously, with the announcement of the game rules, the King's identity showed tremendous advantages.
Anyone wanting to bet on the King's side had to be quick, as there were only five slots.
However, Audience 3 still chose the prisoners' side. Lin Sizhi remembered he had once sent Cai Zhiyuan an encouraging message.
It could be Officer Cao, or possibly someone with stronger empathy.
Lin Sizhi looked at the betting buttons on the table, considered it, and still chose to press the "Prisoners" side.
[Audience 5 bets on "Prisoners."]
About five seconds later.
[Audience 2 bets on "King."]
[The King's side betting is full. Audience 4 and Audience 6 will automatically bet on the prisoners' side.]
In the game venue, Ding Wenqiang picked up the golden scepter.
It felt cold to the touch and heavy.
Gripping the scepter firmly in his hand, Ding Wenqiang felt a strong sense of security.
Then he looked toward the crown.
The rules didn't mention what purpose this crown served. It seemed to be just for show, with no actual function.
While Ding Wenqiang was somewhat hesitant, the thin, blonde young man Zhang Peng had already quickly approached his side.
"Uncle Ding, how could you handle such things personally? Let me do it for you."
As Zhang Peng spoke, he picked up the crown.
Ding Wenqiang was stunned for a moment and almost pressed the button on the scepter directly at Zhang Peng.
But the next second, Zhang Peng respectfully and carefully placed the crown on Ding Wenqiang's head, then humbly bowed and retreated.
The heavy crown pressed on his head, fitting securely. Ding Wenqiang inexplicably had a strange feeling.
He instinctively wanted to take it off, but on second thought, this was just a game prop. Since his identity in the game was King, wearing the crown to increase distinction from others wasn't inappropriate.
It wouldn't be right to just leave game props lying around either.
Ding Wenqiang said nothing more, just picked up the nearby videotape and inserted it into the video recorder.
After a moment, the big screen showed static snow, then a first-person perspective appeared.
An emotionless narrator's voice sounded.
[As a courier, you work 10 hours every day, considering yourself diligent and conscientious, but life remains financially tight.]
[To make ends meet, you have no choice but to drag your weary body through 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 having just been robbed and beaten by masked thugs, causing your left eye to swell and limiting your vision, but regardless, you were the direct responsible party in that accident.]
[Although you have already paid the price for it, in countless midnight dreams, do you still see that blood-covered face?]
The image on the TV shook slightly and became somewhat blurry, seemingly representing that the driver was extremely drowsy, even dozing off.
However, the next second, a yellow figure riding an electric scooter suddenly appeared ahead!
The harsh sound of brakes rang out, but it was already too late. That figure hit the windshield and flew far away.
Then the videotape content ended, and Ding Wenqiang's file appeared on the big screen.
[Ding Wenqiang, Male, 53 years old.]
[Occupation: Large package delivery courier]
[While driving in a fatigued state, severely injured a food delivery worker who ran a red light on an electric scooter, who ultimately died from injuries.]
[Judgment result: Sentenced to 1 year and 3 months imprisonment for traffic accident crimes, suspended for 2 years (already compensated family 400,000 yuan and obtained forgiveness).]
The venue became very quiet.
Zhang Peng involuntarily looked toward Ding Wenqiang, then quickly averted his gaze.
As for Ding Wenqiang, he slightly lowered his head at this moment, not meeting anyone's eyes, but his somewhat rigid expression still revealed his inner thoughts to some extent.
Although he had more or less prepared himself psychologically beforehand, having a deeply buried wound suddenly torn open still caused serious discomfort.
"Uncle Ding, that wasn't your fault, it was just an accident," Cai Zhiyuan, whose condition looked somewhat better, offered comfort in a hoarse voice.
However, Ding Wenqiang paid no attention, just said to the other four with a stern face, "Everyone get up and move forward!"
"The game is still continuing!"