Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Zhang Yi said coldly, "Step aside. We'll discuss your matters after we board the ship."

But these people weren't fools - without Zhang Yi's promise, they refused to move.

"No! You must promise to take us with you first!"

"We don't want to stay on this island for even one more second! This place is literally hell on earth!"

Zhang Yi noticed some among the crowd growing restless, their murderous eyes revealing they'd killed many before.

A cold smile appeared on Zhang Yi's lips. It seemed some wanted to take them hostage and seize the ship.

Behind Zhang Yi, Zhu Yunque and others looked conflicted, unsure what to do.

Zhu Yunque murmured, "There are too many people. The Golden Edge couldn't possibly take them all. Otherwise..."

The Rockflow Group members felt extremely fortunate they'd followed Zhang Yi out of the caves. With so many people now begging, who would be willing to take them?

Zhang Yi drew his pistol without another word and fired two shots - "Bang! Bang!" - at those foreigners who had pretended to be from Huaxu Kingdom earlier.

The first bullet killed the guy from Neon Pirate.

Seeing someone die, fear finally appeared on the refugees' faces.

"Last warning - MOVE!"

Understanding his intent, all crew members raised their submachine guns, deliberately pulling back the bolts with a loud "clack!"

At Zhang Yi's command, they wouldn't hesitate to gun down anyone blocking their way!

Some blocking their path retreated fearfully, slowly opening a path.

As Zhang Yi stepped forward, suddenly the crowd knelt with a collective "thud!"

"Please, save us! Staying here means certain death! For God's sake!" begged a blue-eyed blonde woman, tears streaming down her face.

Zhang Yi ignored her completely - such appeals meant nothing to him.

A man kowtowed repeatedly, "I know there are too many, but could you at least take my child? He's only eight! He has his whole life ahead!"

Zhang Yi led the Rockflow Group forward through the kneeling crowd.

Strangely, he felt completely numb to these pitiful moral blackmail attempts.

Oh right, he'd experienced this before - back at Yuelu Residential Complex.

His former neighbors who'd once turned against him had begged the same way.

While Zhang Yi remained unmoved, Zhu Yunque had never faced such a situation before.

This young lady had lived comfortably in Blizzard City even after the apocalypse.

Her biggest worries had been lack of fresh vegetables and newest cosmetics.

A Huaxu Kingdom woman holding a child noticed Zhu Yunque's conflicted expression and crawled forward on her knees like grasping at straws.

A crew member immediately aimed his gun: "What are you doing?"

The woman froze but lifted her child, crying to Zhu Yunque: "We're compatriots! Please save my child!"

Zhu Yunque couldn't take it anymore. She tugged Zhang Yi's sleeve.

"Hmm?" Zhang Yi turned with icy eyes.

Clenching her teeth, she said, "At least take our compatriots! The ship should have space for several hundred more."

Overhearing this, the surrounding people erupted as if seeing their only hope:

"I'm from Huaxu Kingdom! Take me!"

"Compatriots should help each other, right?"

Zhang Yi frowned.

He'd never been abroad or interacted much with foreigners.

But he'd been screwed over plenty.

Were all those who betrayed him foreigners?

He observed the mother and child - though haggard, the mother's refined beauty still showed.

Most vacationers on Rockflow Island, whether Huaxu nationals or expats, had lived privileged lives before.

Zhang Yi wasn't heartless, but his priority was his own interests.

Taking these people would undoubtedly create complications - and he hated complications.

Suddenly, someone started singing the Huaxu Kingdom national anthem.

Soon, the entire port resonated with the solemn song.

Exhausted but determined faces stared hopefully at Zhang Yi.

Foreigners mingled among them, mouthing along badly.

Most amusing were blonde foreigners pretending to sing.

Zhang Yi considered - taking some back could work. As discussed with Zhu Zheng, they needed laborers for Tianhai City.

These people would work for just a few meals - cost-effective.

But he couldn't possibly take them all.

Zhou Ke'er, sensing his hesitation, whispered: "Take the Huaxu citizens. Tianhai City's population has dwindled - the bases need workers. They'll be useful."

She understood Zhang Yi best - he never did anything without benefit.

The reasoning was sound.

Nodding, Zhang Yi said, "True, Tianhai City needs laborers."

To Zhu Yunque he said, "As a favor to you, I'll take Huaxu citizens."

This being the first time Zhang Yi heeded her suggestion, Zhu Yunque was overjoyed.

Like a child getting candy, she happily announced: "All Huaxu citizens, report here!"

Zhang Yi declared: "Everyone must undergo verification before boarding!"

"Once aboard, follow all orders or be thrown overboard immediately!"

The crowd erupted in joy.

Huaxu citizens wept with happiness.

But most islanders were foreigners who protested angrily.

Someone pointed at White Mo among the Rockflow Group: "Why does he get to board? That's unfair!"

"Right! Unfair!"

The crowd found their rallying cry.

White Mo panicked, rushing to cling to Zhang Yi's leg.

"Oh, Mr. Zhang! I'm Huaxu in spirit! I swear to God! I'll change nationalities immediately upon return!"

Zhang Yi couldn't help laughing.

Glancing at the protesters, he sneered: "Fairness? What's that? Did you think I came here to discuss fairness with you?"

"Go beg your own countries to rescue you instead of barking here!"

The crowd grew increasingly disorderly as foreign discontent boiled over.

Several foreign men moved toward Zhang Yi, suddenly drawing guns and firing at him and his group.

But the bullets vanished without effect.

Without even looking, Zhang Yi drew twin pistols and fired rapidly into the crowd:

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Firing into dense crowds was normally dangerous due to collateral damage.

But for Zhang Yi, that wasn't a concern.

Author's Note