Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Chapter 386: No Hostages, No Deal

At the shelter, after the combined efforts of Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, Liang Yue’s emotional state gradually calmed.

She resisted the impulse to grab her Tang Sword and confront the Yangsheng Base in a desperate bid to save her students. Instead, she chose to discuss with Zhang Yi how they could negotiate their release.

Zhang Yi generously assured her that he was willing to exchange resources for the students' safe return.

“Your students are of no use to Yangsheng Base. I’m sure they’ll accept my offer,” Zhang Yi said to Liang Yue.

Liang Yue sat on the sofa, averting her gaze the moment Zhang Yi’s eyes met hers, as if afraid to hold his stare.

Ever since Yang Xinxin had spoken to her earlier, a strange emotion had been stirring within Liang Yue. Even when Zhang Yi said something simple to her, her mind would wander to all sorts of thoughts.

“That would be for the best! I’m just worried they might lose their minds and torture my students,” Liang Yue sighed softly, her tone still laden with worry.

Zhang Yi quietly pursed his lips, knowing full well that those students wouldn’t survive to see Liang Yue again.

Still, he wondered how Liang Yue would react when the news of their deaths inevitably reached her.

Zhang Yi couldn’t understand Liang Yue’s inner thoughts, but judging by his own perspective, he believed it would be a kind of relief for her. At the very least, she could let go of the burden without any moral weight holding her back.

After finishing his conversation with Liang Yue, Zhang Yi patiently waited for Yangsheng Base to contact him.

Sure enough, not long after, he received a video call request from Yangsheng Base.

When Yang Xinxin called Zhang Yi to the control room, he closed the door behind them, ensuring that only the two of them participated in the conversation.

Upon answering, Zhang Yi saw the face of his adversary for the first time.

It wasn’t Xiao Honglian, the leader of Yangsheng Base, but a tall, lanky man with a cold, sharp gaze and long hair.

“Zhang Yi, a day has passed. Have you thought things through?”

“This time, we’re sending you a gift to help you make your decision,” Zhuge Qingtian sneered as he spoke, inserting a video into the call.

The footage depicted Zhuge Qingtian torturing Wu Chengyu and the other students.

Zhang Yi sat calmly on the sofa, watching the video with a placid expression. Not a flicker of emotion crossed his face.

When the video ended, he asked flatly, “Are they still alive?”

Zhang Yi’s cold demeanor caught Zhuge Qingtian off guard.

During their previous interaction, Zhang Yi had shown deep concern for the students' lives. Today, however, his tone and expression radiated pure indifference.

“They’re alive for now,” Zhuge Qingtian said darkly, “but I can’t guarantee how much longer they’ll last!”

“Zhang Yi, our leader has changed their mind. Keeping these useless people alive wastes resources, so we’re giving them back to you. But you’ll have to trade supplies for them—one ton of food per person!”

Zhang Yi’s expression remained amused despite the outrageous demand.

“That’s not impossible,” he replied. “But I need to confirm they’re alive first. It wouldn’t make sense to hand over supplies only to get back a bunch of corpses, would it?”

The amount of toxin he’d placed in their food, according to Zhou Ke’er, would take a week to take full effect. However, to be sure, Zhang Yi wanted to confirm their deaths personally before proceeding.

Zhuge Qingtian’s gaze darkened.

Most of the students were already dead, and the few who still clung to life were on the verge of death. If Zhang Yi saw them, he’d undoubtedly refuse the deal.

“You’ve already seen them alive in the video,” Zhuge Qingtian insisted.

“That was just a recording. I need to see them in real-time. Bring me to them right now,” Zhang Yi demanded, his tone resolute.

“If you let me confirm their condition, I’ll immediately arrange to provide your supplies.”

Zhuge Qingtian stared at Zhang Yi on the screen and said coldly, “Yangsheng Base doesn’t play petty games. These people’s lives mean nothing to us. Why would we kill them? Your concerns are unnecessary.”

Zhang Yi spread his hands. “Then what’s the harm in letting me see them? Just one look, that’s all I need.”

But Zhuge Qingtian couldn’t allow that. One look would expose everything.

“Mr. Zhang, I don’t see any sincerity from you…” Zhuge Qingtian tried to continue, but Zhang Yi had already reached out and ended the call.

Leaning back in his chair, Zhang Yi turned to Yang Xinxin. “They’re dead.”

Zhuge Qingtian’s behavior had confirmed it.

Curious, Yang Xinxin asked, “Brother, how did you manage that?”

Zhang Yi replied casually, “I added a little ‘tech and spice’ to their food.”

Yang Xinxin sighed in relief, a bright smile spreading across her face. “That’s wonderful! Now, we don’t have to be burdened by them anymore.”

Zhang Yi patted her head. “Spend the next couple of days working on Liang Yue’s mindset. Don’t let that foolish woman do something reckless.”

“Women need reassurance,” Zhang Yi added lightly.

Yang Xinxin tilted her head playfully, looking at him with a smirk. “Actually, Brother, if you step in personally, it might work even better.”

Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Yi teased, “You’re suggesting I enlighten her myself?”

Yang Xinxin giggled. “It’s always effective! You need to use the blade of emotion when it comes to persuasion.”

Zhang Yi responded with humor, “But I’m worried the next generation might turn out dumb.”

“Oh, and remember, keep this conversation confidential. Don’t tell anyone.”

Yang Xinxin nodded. “Don’t worry, I know what to do.”

In the following days, the shelter remained calm and peaceful as always.

The women passed the time playing mahjong and chatting, deliberately including Liang Yue in their conversations to soothe her troubled mind.

The men, on the other hand, maintained an air of casual preparedness, waiting for war to break out.

As defenders, they had already made ample preparations and had little room for improvement. If a battle did erupt, they would adapt their strategies based on their opponent’s moves.

For now, a conservative approach was the best tactic in the absence of additional intelligence.

Meanwhile, at Yangsheng Base, the students' toxins had fully taken effect, each one succumbing to a painful death.

Zhuge Qingtian reluctantly reported the situation to Xiao Honglian.

“They’re all dead now. We’ve lost our leverage against Zhang Yi.”

Xiao Honglian frowned. Though she had anticipated this outcome, she couldn’t hide her frustration.

Raising her head, her strikingly beautiful yet commanding eyes bore into Zhuge Qingtian.

“In that case, there’s no other choice but war!”

Author's Note