God's Imitator

Huang Shengjie instinctively wanted to retreat, but he hesitated upon seeing the contraband scattered on the ground.

If he ran away, Zhao Heng could easily grab those materials and toss them into the confinement room through the iron window.

There must be players from Community 23 waiting in the confinement room.

Though Huang Shengjie instinctively wanted to flee, according to the rules, Zhao Heng, no matter how strong or capable in fighting, cannot inflict crippling or deadly violence on him.

General violence wouldn’t be too problematic; it might even give the opponent another violation.

There’s no reason he should be scared off merely by the opponent’s size.

Zhao Heng continued to approach, expressionless, cracking his fingers with ominous popping sounds.

"This game doesn’t allow severe violence, but you can perform non-crippling, non-lethal attacks, though it constitutes a minor violation.

"Even if ordinary players see this rule, they’re afraid to do much, since those untrained and without rich combat experience can’t manage it well.

"A soft strike is meaningless, a heavy strike would bring immediate punishment.

"But coincidentally, I have quite rich combat experience.

"I have several ways to knock you out without killing you, and I am confident I can do it with only one minor violation.

"How about it, want to try?

"If you leave now, we’ll each go on our own way, and I can pretend nothing happened."

Huang Shengjie frowned tightly, trying hard to gauge Zhao Heng’s expression, though he retreated half a step, he did not leave immediately.

"You’re bluffing me, I don’t believe it.

"Knocking someone out without killing them isn’t as easy as in the movies. Even for someone experienced, it’s easy to slip up.

"Besides, this isn’t an ambush, I’m ready to fight back, your chance of error increases significantly."

"If there’s any deviation in judging the degree of violence, you’ll suffer immediate punishment. Are you willing to gamble?"

Zhao Heng revealed a confident smile.

Huang Shengjie originally thought he would say more, but in the next second, Zhao Heng seemed to launch like a cannonball, charging directly at Huang Shengjie!

His muscles were overly developed, which reduced his agility and speed slightly, but he was still far above the average person’s level.

Huang Shengjie’s pupils contracted abruptly, he hurriedly turned to escape at the first moment, but Zhao Heng was faster.

In just a few seconds, Zhao Heng caught up to Huang Shengjie and blocked his path.

Huang Shengjie could clearly see Zhao Heng twisting his body, his thick arm leading a calloused hand, seemingly about to chop at his neck with a hand blade.

Huang Shengjie’s mind went blank in an instant, only feeling a surge of blood due to adrenaline, he reflexively punched toward Zhao Heng’s face.

A muffled "bang," and Huang Shengjie felt like he hit a piece of rock; though he landed a blow on Zhao Heng’s face, it hurt his hand terribly.

The next second, nothing happened.

Huang Shengjie looked in surprise at Zhao Heng’s right arm, the hand blade halted near his neck, but its strength was withdrawn at the last moment, not touching him at all.

"You..."

Huang Shengjie instantly realized he had still fallen for the trap, and in the next second, he felt numb and paralyzed, unable to move.

Because he actively attacked Zhao Heng, he committed a minor violation.

Zhao Heng only flashed a disdainful smile, ignoring Huang Shengjie, and picked up the contraband from the ground, easily slipping it through the iron window of the confinement room.

After that, he turned and disappeared into the mist.

...

Ten pieces of contraband were being continuously stuffed through the iron window of the confinement room.

But Li Mao was still sitting, motionless.

Because Yao Yuan was sitting opposite him.

Neither dared to touch the contraband first, as once the other laid hands on it, it would trigger a violation.

So they could only stare at each other for now.

Yao Yuan said, "The confinement time is fixed at 20 minutes, almost up.

"But I deliberately controlled the time, so I entered later than you and will leave later.

"Ultimately, these contraband will be taken by me."

Li Mao remained silent.

Yao Yuan continued, "We’ve talked a lot, should be familiar with each other by now.

"I feel like you’re dissatisfied with Community 23, possibly even harboring hatred toward Zhao Heng, yet your fear of him outweighs your hatred.

"So you’re willing to share the ecology and status of Community 23 with me, but dare not engage in any outrageous actions, much less reveal Zhao Heng’s game strategy."

Li Mao hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "If you can promise to let me freely purchase and use special pharmaceuticals in Community 2, I’ll consider accepting your invitation.

"That’s what I care about the most.

"If you disagree with this point, then there’s no way."

Yao Yuan shook his head: "Sorry, but I can’t make that promise.

"The control of pharmaceuticals is a communal decision based on the majority’s opinion. Although I’m barely considered part of management, I’m not powerful enough to make an exception."

Li Mao sighed, "Then there’s nothing to discuss, I don’t believe I can endure that kind of pain, or kick the drug habit.

"Looks like we have no chance of cooperation."

Yao Yuan paused thinking before saying, "If it’s about inviting you to join Community 2, indeed there’s no chance.

"But I think we may still have other ways to collaborate."

Li Mao seemed puzzled, "How can we collaborate? Your community hasn’t shown reliable strength so far, don’t expect me to do anything outrageous."

Yao Yuan nodded: "I can see you’re a player who pursues absolutely safe strategies, never the first to attack, only following when absolutely certain of winning.

"So, what if everything is perfectly aligned, and you achieve your goal by doing nothing at all?"

Li Mao said nothing, but his attitude seemed to implicitly agree.

Yao Yuan continued, "Though I can’t guarantee 100%, you can watch, I’ll try to create such a situation."

Li Mao felt his work badge vibrate in his chest, he glanced at it, realizing his confinement time was over, he had to leave.

The confinement room is unlike the infirmary; you can’t come and go freely, intentionally delaying might trigger another violation.

And since Yao Yuan entered the confinement room slightly later than him, he could naturally leave later.

These contraband had to be handed over.

Yao Yuan said, "Later you’ll likely remain in prison, continue receiving materials, producing gold pounds, possibly unable to gain any outside information.

"Still, I hope you’ll pay attention to any possible broadcasts.

"When the time comes, you’ll know what to do."

Li Mao looked at him, said nothing more, and silently left.

About a minute later, Yao Yuan’s work badge vibrated on his chest too, signaling he could leave the confinement room.

He struggled a bit to pick up the contraband from the ground and returned to his cell.

He Qinyun was still in the infirmary, not yet out, but Yao Yuan couldn’t wait any longer.

He inserted ten thousand gold pounds into the cash slot and left the cell.