Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Zhang Yi’s declaration infuriated Xiao Honglian.

As the leader of one of Tianhai City’s largest factions, she had not risen to her position by being timid or weak. Zhang Yi’s threats made her slam her hand on the table.

“Arrogant!”

“Wipe us out? Do you even have that kind of strength?”

“I refuse to believe you have the power to command missiles. If you did, Tianhai City would already be yours!”

“Do you want me to kill those students and send their corpses back to you?”

Hearing this, Liang Yue’s heart shot to her throat. Her eyes frantically darted toward Zhang Yi, signaling her distress.

Zhang Yi adopted a grave expression, his voice stern. “Don’t do anything so foolish!”

“Those poor guys mean nothing to us strategically. Killing them won’t weaken us.”

Xiao Honglian sneered. “Your tone suggests otherwise. You seem awfully nervous about their safety. It sounds like I’ve landed myself a good bargaining chip.”

Zhang Yi frowned deeply, looking troubled—a performance that filled Liang Yue with guilt.

She knew Zhang Yi was only conflicted because he wanted to help her. He didn’t have to care about the fate of her students at all.

“Thank you, Zhang Yi. You’re such a good person,” she thought to herself.

“They’re important to my friend,” Zhang Yi said. “But they’re useless to you. Let’s talk—what will it take for you to release them?”

Xiao Honglian’s smirk grew wider. She was now certain she had Zhang Yi’s weakness in her grasp.

“Oh, I haven’t decided yet. Let me think.”

She propped her long legs on her mahogany desk, deliberating on her demands.

Demanding Zhang Yi’s life was out of the question—that would mean full-scale war, and she wasn’t ready for that. Testing Zhang Yi’s limits, however, was a tantalizing option.

After a moment, she offered her terms.

“Zhang Yi, you killed my cousin and his soldiers. Now your people are in my hands. If you want them back, trade me half the supplies you looted from the South China Warehouse.”

“That’s all I’m asking—just half. In return, I’ll release the students, and we’ll consider the matter of my cousin’s death settled. From then on, we’ll stay out of each other’s way. Deal?”

Her eyes gleamed with amusement.

If Zhang Yi accepted, it would reveal his desperation and weakness, signaling that his forces were depleted after the battle with West Hill Base. It would also show he lacked the confidence to stand against Yangsheng Base.

Unsurprisingly, Zhang Yi immediately refused.

“Not a chance. Don’t even think about it.”

Xiao Honglian’s voice turned icy. “If you won’t agree, then it’s war! Do you think this is some kind of game?”

Zhang Yi chuckled. “And do you think Yangsheng Base is stronger than West Hill Base?”

“Perhaps not,” Xiao Honglian retorted. “But you must be in tatters after your fight with them. And let’s not forget—you’ve also provoked Chaoyu Base. I could ally with them to attack you.”

“Tell me, do you think you stand a chance against two major factions combined?”

Her tone was arrogant, dripping with disdain. “Half of your supplies is a very fair price. If you wait until things spiral out of control, it’ll be too late for regrets.”

Zhang Yi’s response was calm but cutting.

“So that’s what you believe? Let me tell you—you know nothing about our strength.”

“If you’re eager to die, then come. I’ll crush your forces and shatter your arrogance.”

He softened his tone. “But there’s no need to harm the students. They’re of no value to you. Just return them to me.”

Xiao Honglian’s suspicion only deepened. If the students were truly insignificant, why did Zhang Yi keep bringing them up?

“Just give them back? That would make me look foolish,” she sneered. “Unless you meet my terms, this discussion is over.”

Zhang Yi scowled. “Xiao Honglian! Don’t go too far. Those students are innocent. If you have a problem, take it out on me!”

Kill them already! Zhang Yi silently pleaded. Do you know how exhausting this act is? Stop giving me face and just do it!

“Oh, so they’re important to you? The more you plead, the less inclined I am to release them,” Xiao Honglian taunted.

“In fact, I’ll make sure they suffer—neither able to live nor die. And it’ll all be because of you, Zhang Yi!”

Certain she had Zhang Yi’s weakness, Xiao Honglian was reveling in her perceived dominance.

“Sink into your despair and regret!”

Zhang Yi’s voice hardened. “Don’t you dare! Those students are precious to someone I care about. If you torture them, I swear you’ll pay a heavy price!”

Xiao Honglian’s gaze turned frosty. “Are you threatening me? Fine. Wait and see what I’ll do!”

With that, she ended the call.

Based on her final words, Zhang Yi was confident that Xiao Honglian intended to torment the students.

Feigning rage, he slammed his hand on the table.

“This is outrageous! If she has a problem, she should come after me—not those innocent students!”

Standing abruptly, he declared, “We can’t stay on the defensive any longer. We’re going to Yangsheng Base to rescue them!”

Turning to Fatty Xu and Uncle You, he added, “This trip won’t be like the battle at West Hill Base. We don’t have the same advantages of timing, geography, or unity.”

“I don’t want you involved. This isn’t your fight, and I don’t want you caught in the crossfire.”

His sudden declaration of a one-man rescue mission startled the group. Those who knew Zhang Yi well suspected something was off, but they couldn’t let him rush into danger.

The others hurried to stop him.

“Zhang Yi, don’t be reckless! Charging in won’t save anyone—it’ll only cost your life!”

“That’s Yangsheng Base! They’re nearly as strong as West Hill Base, and they’re prepared. You’d be walking into a deathtrap!”

Fatty Xu leaned in and whispered, “Boss, this act is a bit much now.”

Zhang Yi pretended to struggle against them for a moment before sighing dramatically.

“They’ve gone too far! Kidnapping Liang Yue’s students right under our noses—it’s an insult!”

Slamming his fist on the couch, he growled, “I promised Liang Yue I’d protect those students!”

Liang Yue, deeply moved by his resolve, approached him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Zhang Yi, don’t be impulsive. This isn’t your fault—it’s mine. I failed to protect them.”

Author’s Note