Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Zhang Ye looked completely calm. Commander Zhu and Deng Yuanbo had already given him a heads-up about this, so he wasn’t surprised at all.

On the other hand, Baili Changqing looked completely dumbfounded.

He looked up at Zhu Zheng on the stage, then back at Zhang Ye, who looked totally unfazed—and finally realized that Zhang Ye had known everything in advance.

He smacked his own forehead.

“No wonder you agreed to take the position of Celestial Hound Squad captain! So Commander Zhu promised you such a big reward.”

Once the Eclipse Moon operation succeeded, the reward Zhang Ye would get would be massive. He could even become a hero across the entire Jiangnan Region.

Even within all of Hua Xu Nation, stories about him would start spreading among the people.

Honestly, if Baili Changqing had such a chance placed in front of him, he’d be scrambling to seize it too.

Zhu Zheng looked toward Zhang Ye. “Captain Zhang, why don’t you come up and say a few words?”

Zhang Ye immediately stood and walked up to the stage under everyone’s gaze.

His eyes swept across the room, and he gave a standard official speech—nothing worth repeating line by line.

“I’ll do everything in my power to take down these rogue criminals and protect the dignity of the Jiangnan Region—and all of Huaxia!”

“Reviving national pride is a mission we cannot shirk!”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, and just a note—from now on, please use my title during work. No need to call me by my real name.”

After finishing the formalities, Zhang Ye stepped down from the stage calmly and confidently.

Given the timing, Zhu Zheng didn’t waste too much time with talk.

The meeting ended quickly. He then asked Gao Changkong, Tu Yunlie, and Zhang Ye to stay behind for a private conversation.

The point was simple: to have Gao Changkong and Tu Yunlie express their support for Zhang Ye’s leadership.

Tu Yunlie was very straightforward. As a professional soldier, he did have ambition—and some doubt about Zhang Ye’s abilities.

But once the higher-ups made a decision, he wouldn’t go against it.

Gao Changkong also smiled and stated that he would obey the region’s orders and fully support Zhang Ye’s work.

Zhu Zheng turned to Zhang Ye. “Next, your appointment as captain will be announced to the entire city. You’ll be promoted publicly under the codename Chaos.”

“That’s our job on the publicity end. Meanwhile, you need to start contacting your team members and begin training as soon as possible. What’s most important is getting to know your squad and earning their trust.”

Zhang Ye nodded. “I understand. But I have a question—do we have any intel on Eclipse Moon right now?”

Zhu Zheng shook his head.

“Ever since they disappeared, there’s been no movement at all. We even suspect they left the mainland by sea and returned to Nihon to recruit reinforcements.”

Zhang Ye frowned. “Back to Nihon?”

Zhu Zheng said, “That is their home base, after all.”

Then he let out a cold laugh. “With what they’ve done here, they’ve probably built up some reputation back home in Nihon too. I’m sure they’ll rally more ronin to follow them.”

“Perfect timing, too. I’ve been itching to turn this mess around with a solid win.”

Everything was still unknown.

Zhu Zheng added, “Take this time to really get familiar with your team.”

He placed his hand on Zhang Ye’s shoulder and gave it two firm pats, his eyes full of expectation.

“We’re going to build you into a hero. The hopes of everyone in the Jiangnan Region rest on your shoulders. So you need to give it everything you’ve got.”

“Don’t feel too much pressure. We’re very well prepared this time. If necessary, Tu Yunlie and the Yanyun Guard will also be deployed.”

Zhang Ye’s pupils widened slightly.

“You… you’re even sending in the Yanyun Guard?”

The Yanyun Guard was the key force protecting Blizzard City. If they left, the city’s defense would be greatly weakened.

Clearly, Zhu Zheng had made up his mind.

Zhu Zheng nodded. “There are no enemies within the region anymore. They’re all outside. I’ve made thorough preparations—no need for you to worry.”

Zhang Ye wasn’t worried about Blizzard City’s defense.

If Tu Yunlie and the Yanyun Guard, Reincarnation Squad, and their own Celestial Hound Squad were all mobilized—

Then this operation’s force would be at least three times stronger than the last one.

Based on Zhang Ye’s analysis of the Celestial Squad’s combat strength, unless Eclipse Moon found even more powerful allies, the Jiangnan Region basically had no chance of losing this fight.

Zhang Ye nodded, feeling more at ease.

“I got it.”

…

Meanwhile, Gao Changkong was drinking tea in the first-floor lounge of the command center. Sitting next to him were his girlfriend Gu Man and Baili Changqing.

As for his vice captain Ji Yushen—who had always been hot-tempered—he’d had a lot to say about Zhang Ye being made the operation lead.

So Gao Changkong had sent him away.

Baili Changqing looked at Gao Changkong and said with some regret, “In terms of ability, you’re a better fit to lead this operation than Zhang Ye. But…”

He didn’t finish the second half of his sentence—because that would’ve touched on some complicated internal politics in Blizzard City.

There wasn’t anything Baili Changqing could do to change that.

It wasn’t that he looked down on Zhang Ye.

It was just that, as a commander, Zhang Ye really didn’t measure up to Gao Changkong.

Even Zhang Ye himself would admit that.

However, Gao Changkong just smiled and shook his head, seemingly unbothered.

Still, a fleeting trace of regret in his eyes couldn’t be completely hidden.

“If that’s what HQ decided, they must have their reasons. Commander Zhu wouldn’t gamble the region’s safety.”

“No matter who takes command, I’ll do everything I can to cooperate.”

Baili Changqing smiled. “It’s just a title, really. When it comes to the actual battlefield, Zhang Ye’s going to need your help anyway.”

A sly glint flashed in Gu Man’s phoenix eyes.

“But that title does matter.”

Baili Changqing’s face turned a little resigned.

Of course that title mattered.

Leading a force that decisively defeated the Nihon ronin organization—that kind of reputation could allow someone to rise quickly within Blizzard City, gain immense prestige, and even earn a shot at entering the city’s power core.

“He’s not someone who craves fame—and he’s not really interested in joining Blizzard City either.”

Baili Changqing explained.

Gao Changkong smiled faintly. “Maybe that’s exactly why they chose him.”

Zhang Ye walked out of Zhu Zheng’s office and met up with Yang Xinxin, who had been waiting outside with a cup of coffee. The two of them headed downstairs together.

When they reached the first floor, they saw Baili Changqing already waving at them from across the lobby.

“Hey, Zhang Ye! Over here!”

Zhang Ye spotted Gao Changkong and Gu Man. He wasn’t sure what kind of attitude they’d have toward him.

Gao Changkong was bound to feel disappointed—maybe even harbor some resentment.

Zhang Ye was prepared for that. But since they’d have to work together to take down Eclipse Moon, interacting with the Reincarnation Squad’s leader was unavoidable.

Zhang Ye walked over and greeted them with a smile.

“Captain Gao, Miss Gu—we meet again.”

Author’s Note