Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1568: Stepping Down

In the end, Zong Yue's visit still failed to accomplish the task Qin Qigong had entrusted to him.

Zhang Yi had firmly insisted that Shengjing must provide an explanation for this matter, refusing to let the mastermind behind it all get away.

And by now, Zong Yue was perfectly aware that Zhang Yi had every right to speak such words.

He let out a helpless sigh inwardly, gave up on his final attempt to persuade Zhang Yi, and honestly reported the news back to the Shengjing authorities.

As for Li Changgong and the others, although they all tried to mediate, no one was willing to make an enemy of Zhang Yi.

After going through the motions, they each returned to their own posts.

Over in Shengjing.

The high-level officials convened another meeting regarding this matter.

After several days of deliberation, it finally concluded with Qin Qigong voluntarily applying to step down from his position.

Qin Qigong said helplessly at the high-level meeting.

In response, the various high-ranking officials seated below, the true decision-makers of Shengjing, exchanged glances with one another, then silently nodded.

If Qin Qigong was willing to step down, then that was the outcome everyone wanted to see.

What Zhang Yi needed right now was an attitude from the Shengjing district, and this was also the ladder offered to him.

From Zhang Yi's manner of conduct, it was clear that he had not gone on a crazed rampage against the Shengjing district.

Even when he had gone to Wuyou Valley and Snow Dragon City earlier, he had never once killed a single person from Shengjing.

"If you can think that way, then that couldn't be better!"

An elderly man with white hair said. He was one of the real powerholders in Shengjing, and in terms of seniority, he ranked a generation above Qin Qigong.

Someone beside him immediately spoke up: "But, after Qigong steps down, who can possibly take his place?"

The uncles and elders present were all getting on in years.

They would only come forward during major decision-making events for the Shengjing district. But managing the entire district on a daily basis was extremely cumbersome, and they no longer had the time or energy to do so.

Therefore, they had to find a "young person" like Qin Qigong.

Qin Qigong said, "Ahem! I am still the supreme commander of the Shengjing district right now, so can I recommend someone as my successor?"

The high-level officials cast questioning looks his way.

Qin Qigong said, "I believe that Meng Yuanjun can take my place!"

At the sound of that name, looks of sudden realization appeared in many people's eyes.

Meng Yuanjun was a figure from the same era as Qin Qigong. The two had once been rivals, but they had also worked together.

And Meng Yuanjun's abilities were genuinely extraordinary.

It was just that...

Everyone looked at Qin Qigong, not quite understanding his reasoning.

After all, by convention, no one would ever recommend a former rival to take their seat when stepping down.

Qin Qigong merely smiled faintly, the smile tinged with a hint of bitterness.

"The times have changed! If this were an era of peace, I certainly wouldn't let him climb above me."

"But now, the outside world is changing rapidly. Whether it's the Huaxu Nation or us, we could all face formidable challenges at any moment!"

"So the position of supreme commander must be filled by someone with sufficient capability to grasp the overall situation!"

"What he needs to consider is not just the Shengjing district alone. It's the entire world!"

One of the old men nodded.

"Well said. It's rare for you to have such awareness. We'll give Meng Yuanjun's matter careful consideration!"

...

Three days later, news came from the Shengjing district.

Qin Qigong officially stepped down from his position as supreme commander of the Shengjing district, serving as the price paid for provoking Chaos, the strongest combatant of the Jiangnan Region.

Upon receiving this news, Zhang Yi also felt a weight lifted from his heart.

Not directly triggering a large-scale conflict was the best possible outcome.

This news even surprised him a little.

Because back then, he had made outrageous demands and never actually expected Qin Qigong to step down. All he wanted was to squeeze out more benefits.

"This is perfectly reasonable, big brother. After all, you're now a precious strategic resource for the entire Huaxu Nation!"

Yang Xinxin smiled as she sat on Zhang Yi's lap, swinging her two fair, delicate legs wrapped in black stockings.

Zhang Yi smiled faintly: "I understand the logic perfectly well! I just didn't expect that he could genuinely give up the power in his hands."

Yang Xinxin said, "Circumstances dictate everything, and no one can fully control their own fate. Whether it's Qin Qigong or Zhu Zheng, they're all just representatives of a collective. When they offend the interests of the collective, they naturally suffer the corresponding consequences."

At this moment, Liang Yue, who was holding Dragon's Roar off to the side, furrowed her brows, a hint of worry flashing through her eyes.

Seeing her like this, Zhang Yi propped his chin on one hand and asked casually, "Liang Yue, what's wrong? Why do you look so troubled?"

Liang Yue raised her head to look at Zhang Yi, then glanced at Yang Xinxin and the others, and let out a long sigh.

"I can't figure out why someone like Qin Qigong would make such an outrageous decision."

Zhang Yi knew she wasn't talking about Qin Qigong stepping down, but rather about Qin Qigong having Houtu make a move against Zhang Yi.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi smiled dismissively.

"This world is just one giant circus! Those figures you think are high and mighty, without a single flaw, simply don't exist!"

He pointed toward Fatty Xu, who was playing games not far away.

"Look, even someone like Fatty Xu is already a legendary figure across the entire Jiangnan Region!"

"Those who don't know him would privately assume that, having followed me through countless battles both big and small, he must be a fearless, hardened warrior! But in reality?"

Fatty Xu looked up with an innocent expression.

"First of all, I haven't offended anyone."

Zhang Yi rolled his eyes at him: "Go play your game with your femboy!"

"You got it, boss!"

Fatty Xu scurried off to the side happily.

Zhang Yi said to Liang Yue, "Same logic. Qin Qigong has a halo around him that makes you think he must be brilliant and mighty, and that every decision he makes is incredibly wise. But in reality, no matter how smart a person is, there will always be times when they slip up."

He smiled, spreading his hands as he said, "And what's more, there's another very important point! That is, he never truly understood the extent of my real power!"

Zhang Yi's explanation brought a look of sudden enlightenment to Liang Yue's face.

"So you're saying, I shouldn't be misled by the halos around certain people, right? Everyone is just an ordinary person after all."

Zhang Yi nodded, then said to the person waiting nearby for his response, "Tell the Shengjing authorities that I'm very satisfied with their wise decision! This matter ends here. I hope we can continue to cooperate in the future. Let's work together to build the Huaxu Nation into a harmonious, prosperous, and powerful country!"