Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Chapter 622: Phoenixin’s Provocation

Zhang Yi and Baili Changqing continued chatting, probing deeper into the situation in Linhai City, especially for any intel on Moon of Corrosion.

By now, he was certain—unless something unexpected happened, he would definitely be heading to the battlefield.

And in moments like these, he needed to gather as much information as possible.

But Baili didn’t know much more about Linhai City either.

The real classified data was in the hands of top leaders like Zhu Zheng and Tu Yunlie.

Still, seeing how serious Zhang Yi was, Baili smiled and offered a bit of reassurance. “Actually, you don’t need to worry that much. You outer city folks are just here for support.”

“If we weren’t short on personnel in the investigation teams, we wouldn’t have needed you at all.”

Zhang Yi gave him a curious look. “Are you guys going?”

Baili’s gaze dimmed as he shook his head.

“Orders from the top said we haven’t fully recovered from our last mission injuries, so we’re to sit this one out.”

The battle with Yuan Kongye had left the Black Robe Squad seriously wounded.

But that excuse was clearly just that—an excuse.

With Blizzard City’s advanced medical technology, most of their injuries would’ve been healed by now.

Take Wu Di, for example. He was already bouncing around full of energy.

The truth? Without Bian Junwu, the belief was that Baili simply couldn’t hold the team together.

At least not enough to handle a mission of this scale.

“But you don’t have to worry. If nothing goes wrong, the Celestial Squad will be taking on this mission. And when they act? They’ve never failed.”

Baili smiled as he said it.

Just then, the doorbell rang—the server arrived with their drinks.

Zhang Yi took the two glasses of milk—one for Hua Hua, one for himself.

“I can tell you’ve got a lot of faith in them,” Zhang Yi said, sipping milk while keeping his eyes on Baili, waiting for the rest of the story.

Baili continued, “Among the Six Investigation Teams, no one really admits anyone else is better—it’s always neck and neck. But the Celestial Squad? Their mission completion rate is the highest. They’ve been at the top of the leaderboard for a long time.”

Wu Di muttered, “That’s just ’cause they’ve got money.”

Zhang Yi couldn’t help but grin. He wiped the smile from his lips and said, “You mean they’re backed by the Deng family, right?”

Baili nodded. “Exactly. The Deng family is a major pillar of Blizzard City. The city’s technology, especially in biotech, relies heavily on them.”

“Stuff like Origin Bullets, enhancement compounds for superhumans—that’s all from the Deng Group.”

“And Deng Shentong, as the Deng family’s direct heir, is naturally their top-priority investment.”

Zhang Yi quietly sipped his milk, catching a strange undertone.

“Sounds like they’re trying to build a god,” he muttered. “If Deng Shentong keeps this up, he might overshadow all the other teams.”

“He might even end up as Zhu Zheng’s successor.”

That was a sensitive topic.

But the Deng family’s intentions were so blatant, everyone pretty much knew it.

Baili didn’t even try to hide it. “Blizzard City is heavily dependent on the Dengs. Commander Zhu might be the top dog, but even he has to show respect to the head of the Deng family.”

“It’s not surprising they’re trying to profit off the chaos of the apocalypse.”

After that, Baili suddenly laughed and raised his glass of whiskey.

“Hahaha! What do guys like us care about all that? Whoever ends up in charge—as long as they keep the people living well—we’ll follow their orders. That’s enough for me!”

“Let’s drink, drink!”

Zhang Yi raised his glass of milk with a cheerful smile. “Cheers!”

He downed the milk in one go.

And Baili followed suit, knocking back a full glass of whiskey without flinching.

The guy clearly could hold his liquor.

At the same time Zhang Yi arrived at Blizzard City, a high-level meeting was underway in a conference room at the top of the Operations Center Headquarters.

Present were:

Zhu Zheng, Supreme Commander of the Jiangnan District,

His secretary Lan Xincheng,

His ever-present personal guard Sun Luxuan,

Tu Yunlie, Minister of Operations,

Deng Yuanbo, Chairman of the Deng Group,

And Deng Shentong, Captain of the Celestial Squad.

These individuals were, aside from the six investigation team captains who were out on missions, the most powerful figures in the entire Jiangnan District.

And today, they were all gathered for one reason:

Because of a single man who’d been sent back by Moon of Corrosion—Li Tianlong, leader of the Yunzhou faction.

During the first battle, all ten factions that had been sent were wiped out. Li Tianlong was the only one they let live.

But once he returned to Blizzard City, he rapidly lost all vital signs.

However, on the satellite phone found on him, they discovered something Moon of Corrosion had specifically sent to Blizzard City.

A message from their leader—the man in the gray newsboy cap, always dressed in a gray three-piece suit.

That important piece of footage had been immediately delivered to Zhu Zheng.

And that’s why he had urgently summoned the high-level leadership of Blizzard City.

The room was now dark, and the massive screen lit up—Phoenixin Ren’s face filled the display.

Everyone present sat upright, watching to see what this arrogant Ronin leader had to say.

A few seconds into the video, the man in his thirties beamed at the camera, waving cheerfully.

(Note: Phoenixin speaks in Neon language, but the senior officials all wore translation devices.)

“Hi there, Jiangnan District folks! Hope you’re doing well!”

“Nice to meet you all. I’m Phoenixin Ren, leader of Moon of Corrosion, very pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Looks like we’ve had a few… minor misunderstandings lately. Things have gotten a little—let’s say—tense!”

He gestured with both hands, palms down, trying to appear serious and composed.

“I think now’s a good time for all of us to calm down. Truthfully, we shouldn’t be enemies. Continuing this fight benefits neither side.”

He raised one finger, a sly and indifferent gleam flashing in his eyes.

“All we want… is a piece of land in what you call the Central Plains—somewhere we can live.”

“After all, so many of your people are dead already. You’ve got way more land than you could possibly use.”

“So why not spare a bit… for poor wanderers like us? Of course, we’d be eternally grateful for your generosity!”

He gave an exaggerated bow.

“So let’s stop this farce. If you pull back all your troops, promise not to attack us again, and hand over a slice of land—then we’ll stop slaughtering your people.”

Phoenixin narrowed his eyes, his smile as sly as a fox.

“Please think carefully. I’ll be waiting for your answer.”

“But if you do insist on fighting… well, I think you’ve already seen what happens. Those superhuman squads from before? Consider them your warning.”

Author’s Note