Chapter Three: You Block the Chips; I Buy the Rules

“We sympathize with desperate enterprises,” Cheng told the audience, “but bypassing safety protocols endangers workers. We will demonstrate the instability of unauthorized systems.” Wanqing raised the microphone. “Did Ruifeng consent to this demonstration?” “Safety intervention does not require consent from the malfunctioning party.” At zero, one hundred twenty robot arms accelerated. Workers shouted and retreated. A crane seized a half-ton steel billet and swung toward the crowd. Chenzhou closed his eyes. YaoCore’s order crossed the city like a crimson chain. Listening let him hear the machines’ fear but not reject their superior. “I request the Level-Two challenge.”