This time I chose Paladin.

Chapter 230 "I do not trade human bodies or humanity, Bai Yu".

"Trim?" Bai Yu's pure white pupils contracted slightly.

This word was like a needle, piercing the depths of his chaotic self. He stood there, stunned, subconsciously analyzing his current state. Before long, he suddenly realized a fact: "Am I... being changed by him?"

Some details that had been deliberately ignored resurfaced in my memory.

He became taciturn, not out of nature, but because every time he expressed himself even slightly, he would be met with Zhao Deming's admonition that "too much talk leads to mistakes" and the ensuing "punishment." He preferred to be alone because Zhao Deming deliberately cut off any possibility of him establishing contact with other survivors, telling him "outsiders cannot be trusted." He even felt that his thinking had become sluggish because every action he took after independent thought, if it did not meet Zhao Deming's expectations, would be subject to mental suppression and torment...

In less than a year, he had almost forgotten what kind of person he used to be. How could the boy who would laugh in the sunlight, play with his sister, and cling to his parents' hands and act spoiled have become this numb person who even has difficulty expressing his emotions?

Nie Weiyang looked at the surprise on Bai Yu's face and felt complicated.

Bai Yu's current state reminded him of the nasty 'games' that some high-charisma users loved to play in the previous game.

—By using psychological suppression, the destruction of social relationships, and psychological suggestion combined with the power of contracts, outstanding individuals with independent personalities and enormous potential are molded into pets or tools that they like and are absolutely obedient to.

This behavior was quite prevalent in the later stages of the previous game, but I didn't expect such a typical case to appear so early in this game.

In some places, what is considered terrible is indeed 'advanced' beyond imagination...

"You're used to trading because that's the biggest lesson you've learned from life. But I don't trade people and human nature, Bai Yu."

Nie Weiyang's voice was calm and gentle.

"If a person should be measured, it can only be on morality, law, a scale, and a seesaw." He raised his hand and gently patted Bai Yu's stiff shoulder. A trace of extremely weak, almost ethereal spiritual power silently seeped into the depths of Bai Yu's consciousness.

It did not touch any memories, emotions, or existing contracts; it was merely like a silent observer, lurking in the most hidden corner.

“I can help, but not in this way—” Nie Weiyang looked at him, “If you think it through, come find me again.”

After saying that, he changed the subject, bowed his head, and looked Bai Yu in the eye, his tone still gentle: "As for you, Zhao Deming..."

He gave a smile, revealing sharp, cold fangs.

“I know you’re listening. Let him make his own choice. Otherwise, I don’t mind taking a detour and making a choice for you.”

……

Somewhere far away, in a dark but comfortable underground cave.

A well-dressed, elegant middle-aged man suddenly opened his eyes, his face so gloomy it was almost dripping with water.

He was Zhao Deming. Through Bai Yu's living surveillance camera and megaphone, he clearly heard Nie Weiyang's words.

He was filled with doubt and suspicion: How did Nie Weiyang know that he was eavesdropping?
Moreover, the feeling of being seen through made him extremely uncomfortable and very annoyed...

Looking into those eyes, Zhao Deming felt like a fledgling bird being watched by a ferocious beast.

He took a deep breath, gripped a string of beads on his wrist, and suppressed his unease in the soft light.

Immediately, a glint flashed in Bai Yu's eyes, and Zhao Deming's voice, transmitted through the power of the contract, carried a false warmth and grievance as it rang out from Bai Yu's mouth.

"Mr. Nie, what makes you say that? I don't want any conflict with you, really!"
"As for Bai Yu... sigh, people our age all know that children sometimes lie and throw tantrums. I treat him like my own son, providing him with food and clothing, teaching him skills, I'm doing this for his own good..." A lie full of malice and contempt.

As Nie Weiyang listened to this explanation, a few strands of white hair at his temples swayed gently in the breeze of the forest, but the smile on his face remained unchanged, like a statue.

Zhao Deming's insight was indeed sharp. Through Bai Yu's perspective, he vaguely sensed that Nie Weiyang was his peer in some sense. Therefore, he chose to ignore Nie Weiyang's youthful appearance and tried to get close to him by saying "people of our age".

But at the same time, this guy was also blatantly using hypocrisy to deliberately provoke Nie Weiyang...

Because he is very confident.

This is a provocation.

Unfortunately, this ability to change his tune with the wind and blatantly lie might have allowed him to thrive in peacetime. But now, it's not peacetime anymore.

"This is a notification, not a suggestion," Nie Weiyang said with a slight smile, gently interrupting the performance. "See you later."

He said no more, turned around and got on his motorcycle.

The Lucky Sign's engine let out a low growl, carrying him swiftly away, leaving Bai Yu standing alone, facing the turmoil churning within him, and that distant and terrifying 'master'. No one would know that he had already appeared on Nie Weiyang's map.

If he comes looking for Nie Weiyang again, Nie Weiyang only needs to ask a few questions to find Zhao Deming's hiding place.

If he doesn't come, this will be even more convenient—as long as Zhao Deming is unwilling to give up and tries to spy on or control Bai Yu again through the contract link, Nie Weiyang's mental power can also follow the clues and locate Zhao Deming's position.

Although he was not a psychologist and could not remotely implant mental energy threads into Zhao Deming, he could easily conduct a brief sensing.

A hypocritical and cowardly villain who only dares to manipulate others from the shadows has been hiding in every way, but he has already been closely watched by someone who dislikes him... And whenever he deals with his peers—other 'crime traffickers'—he will bring this surveillance to their side.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind—it's a cliché, but it's always interesting, isn't it?

Yes, Nie Weiyang disliked Zhao Deming intensely. So much so that he didn't even bother exchanging a few words with him: dislike was reason enough!
Whether Bai Yu joins him or not, Zhao Deming's absence is still very important to him!

As the motorcycle entered the mountainous area of ​​western Pingdu, the surrounding vegetation became increasingly lush and exotic, exuding a vitality unique to this new world. Soon, Nie Weiyang stopped the motorcycle in front of a clearing in the woods that appeared natural but was actually cleverly arranged.

He saw the figure—tall and strong, dressed in a coarse linen outfit that allowed for easy movement, squatting among a patch of strangely overgrown flowers and plants, carefully transplanting a seedling with metallic-looking leaves into a ceramic pot, his movements so gentle that they were completely different from his strong and powerful appearance.

That was Bertrand Russell.

Every detail of this guy's behavior was meticulously planned; Nie Weiyang could tell at a glance how many times he had rehearsed it. He didn't even bother with greetings or pleasantries, simply striding over and getting straight to the point:

Are you interested in saving lives?

The question seemed to have no beginning or end. Russell paused, slowly raising his head to reveal a rugged, calm, and unassuming face. A flicker of surprise crossed his heterochromatic eyes, one gold and one green, before he put down the small shovel—which looked more like a spoon in his hand—stood up, and dusted the dirt off his hands.

"Who to save?" he asked simply. "How to save them?"

Faced with this seemingly random question, he actually managed to connect with her on a brainwave...

Nie Weiyang smiled. This time, it was a genuine smile.

(End of this chapter)