Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1234: Everyone's Codenames
Previously on Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies...
Zhang Yi moistened his finger with some tea and etched a "7" onto the coffee table.
"According to our deal, I ought to hand over half the portion, making it 5%. But I'm increasing it to 7% right now. That bonus 2% will surely skyrocket your output levels!"
Beneath the Qinling lay a vast Elemental Stone deposit. Just that 2% alone could sustain Blizzard City for years on end.
All they required were standard guns crafted from simple resources.
Joy flooded Zhu Zheng's face.
To them, ammunition wasn't of immense worth by itself.
Zhang Yi alone, facing powerhouses like Li Changgong, demanded vast stockpiles of arms to fuel his energy-intensive technique, King of War.
Thus, he craved an enormous arsenal.
The pair sealed the pact without any hitches; everything proceeded smoothly.
Yet Zhu Zheng hungered for additional gains. Those who snag a good deal often press for extras, and Zhu Zheng rubbed his palms eagerly.
"Bumping it by 2% is truly kind, but you control more than twenty percent of the Elemental Stone lode—can you really consume it all alone? Why not exchange for further items?"
Zhang Yi offered a mysterious grin and told Zhu Zheng, "Greed isn't wise. Our partnership isn't limited to this once. Should valuable goods appear later, we can barter anew."
"Besides, those Elemental Stones hold great value for me."
Zhang Yi kept future opportunities ajar.
He'd already pledged five percent to Deng Technology, and with seven percent to Zhu Zheng, he retained eighteen percent of the Elemental Stone vein.
As Zhu Zheng pointed out, even outfitting Tianhai City entirely with heating systems would leave Zhang Yi with excess power.
However, Zhang Yi favored stockpiling resources against unforeseen crises.
Moreover, the mechs Lu Keran envisioned would consume tremendous amounts of energy.
Zhu Zheng kept pushing, but Zhang Yi stood resolute, forcing Zhu Zheng to grudgingly accept with a nod.
Following this exchange with Zhu Zheng, Zhang Yi had no desire to stay longer in Blizzard City.
He itched to head back, for within his Dimensional Space rested his most treasured item:
the violet crystal gathered from the baffling purple pyramid in that otherworldly realm.
Regarding the Deng family, Zhang Yi skipped any official visits. He had instead forged a private accord with Deng Yuanbo.
When the Elemental Stone shipments arrived, Zhang Yi would discreetly deliver their portion via his spatial power.
Zhang Yi and Zhu Zheng emerged from the rear lounge.
They spotted Fatty Xu not at the dinner table, but tucked in a quiet nook, gazing mutely at the snow drifting outside.
Occasionally, he let out a sigh, whispering verses like, "From ancient times, passion leaves only lingering regret, this sorrow stretches on without end."
In the meantime, Lan Xincheng signaled to him, inquiring if he'd prefer to relax upstairs first.
Lately, Blizzard City had assembled fresh young women into a performance group ready to entertain Fatty Xu.
But Fatty Xu silently shook his head and turned it down.
Even Lan Xincheng felt astonished, pondering Fatty Xu's abrupt shift.
Zhang Yi comprehended: Fatty Xu remained unable to release Li Yangyang from his thoughts, yet romantic woes could only fade with passing days; no one else could meddle.
Post-meal, Zhang Yi announced his intent to depart.
Zhu Zheng, though, rallied the group and informed Zhang Yi, "While you're here, let's settle one more issue."
It emerged that numerous of Zhang Yi's allies had joined this official offensive.
Yet figures like Liang Yue lacked proper military aliases, which might complicate upcoming missions.
Thus, Zhu Zheng aimed to enroll them officially and bestow military codenames within the Huaxu Kingdom's army.
"That grants them genuine rank," Zhang Yi quipped.
He summoned Liang Yue and the rest; these chiefly included fighters requiring formal aliases.
As for Yang Xinxin and her companions, concealed in Jingwei's Shadow Space without frontline involvement, they showed little interest in codenames.
The database held abundant alias options.
After selections and deliberations, each individual settled on their personal codename.
Chunlei claimed the alias Marshal Tianpeng, a moniker that suited him ideally.
While affirming that name, Fatty Xu appeared wistful, muttering once more, "From ancient times, passion leaves only lingering regret, this sorrow stretches on without end."
The group nearly burst into laughter.
You Jiguang picked the alias Lu Wu, a mythical savage creature rivaling a tiger's might from old legends.
Liang Yue selected the alias Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, a mythical battle deity akin to a valkyrie.
Hua Hua too, owing to her remarkable feats in combat, drew notice from multiple battlefronts.
She earned her own legendary alias, Qiongqi.
Zhang Yi hoisted her up and affectionately stroked her head with a grin.
In classic western legends existed four savage beasts: Hundun, Taotie, Qiongqi, and Taowu.
With Qiongqi and Hundun both from western lore, the matching aliases for human and feline seemed perfectly harmonious.
Taotie's designation went to Demon Squad leader Lu Huang.
Merely Taowu stayed unclaimed.
All battle-ready members now bore codenames, rendering them legitimate enrollees henceforth.
Zhang Yi then assembled his crew, turned down Zhu Zheng's offers of comfort, and departed Blizzard City toward Tianhai City.
...
Before long, Zhang Yi and his companions arrived back in Tianhai City.
The journey proved brief, yet spirits soared among them all.
Ultimately, though the task carried dangers, they weren't insurmountable.
The warriors accumulated combat know-how and rewards from the clash, whereas the civilians savored the stunning vistas of the northern lands and felt uplifted.
Upon reaching the Shelter, outer snowdrifts had amassed beyond a meter high, untouched by any clearing.
Fatty Xu approached and unleashed his Blizzard power to scatter the heavy snow encircling the Shelter, uncovering the expansive plaza before the entrance.
Zhang Yi alighted from the ride and employed iris scan, fingerprint, and passcode triple verification to unlock the entrance.
Entering, the team joyfully shed their bulky jackets on the ground and flopped onto the couches and plush rugs.
"Ah! Home at last!"
"After roaming far and wide, nothing beats returning home!"
"This sofa feels amazing."
Zhang Yi headed to his chamber to switch into relaxed attire, then rejoined the lounge and casually lounged on the couch viewing the screen.
Naturally, fresh broadcasts were absent, but the digital setup housed an immense collection of old shows—plenty to last forever.
Zhang Yi favored revisiting timeless movies and dramas; each revisit unveiled fresh nuances.
The bunch sprawled across the seating, and Zhang Yi fetched himself a serving of coffee milk tea.
Positioned by the vast panoramic window, harsh northern gales wailed with descending flakes, yet indoors warmth enveloped them, the wall hearth crackling with bright embers.
Loved ones clustered close, savoring this interval of ease and comfort—this essence of pure, profound bliss.
Author's Note