NOVEL WEB Chapter 825: Liu Zhengnan
In the following days, Zhang Yi heightened the ship's security measures.
His focus remained fixed on the vast frozen ocean.
A persistent intuition told him that the massive sea creature—the Fin Dragon—which he had previously severely wounded, wouldn't let them off easily.
All creatures hold grudges, especially powerful ones.
The Fin Dragon was undoubtedly lurking somewhere in the ocean's depths, biding its time to strike.
Its current inaction stemmed from fear of Zhang Yi's strength, avoiding direct confrontation.
However, should the Golden Edge encounter any mishap at sea or Zhang Yi show signs of vulnerability, the beast might surge from the abyss!
With its colossal size and terrifying strength, a single strike could capsize the Golden Edge.
Zhang Yi had no perfect countermeasure.
The ship lacked heavy artillery, equipped only with depth charges and deck-mounted cannons—insufficient to seriously wound such a monstrosity.
Though his Dimensional Space contained heavy artillery, land-based cannons were nearly useless aboard a ship.
Stabilizing them on turbulent seas would be challenging, let alone managing their massive recoil.
Yet, they weren't entirely at a disadvantage.
Zhang Yi's presence and the advanced radar system served as their best defense.
The Fin Dragon would be detected once within range, allowing Zhang Yi to prepare.
Now with a superhuman ability index of 9,600, Zhang Yi could hold his own even against an Epsilon-level superhuman at initial stages—let alone a sea creature rated at 9,000+.
Were they on land, slaying the beast would've been trivial.
His inability to dive remained his greatest limitation.
"Full speed ahead. Let's hope nothing goes wrong on our return journey," Zhang Yi silently prayed.
Meanwhile, chef Xie Changming, with Zhang Yi's permission, went below deck to select an assistant.
He eventually settled on Liu Zhengnan from the Rockflow Group.
Liu Zhengnan claimed to be a chef, and Xie Changming confirmed his culinary skills through testing.
According to the Rockflow Group, he had been their cook on the island.
His flattering tongue also endeared him to Xie Changming and the crew, quickly integrating him aboard.
Zhang Yi remained vigilant, scanning the icy waters for the Fin Dragon or other mutated sea creatures.
Fortunately, the others had learned their lesson and avoided provoking him.
Zhu Yunque kept a low profile, though she occasionally tried cozying up to Zhang Yi.
But Zhang Yi had little patience for self-important noblewomen and responded indifferently, much to her frustration.
Her attendant, Su Nuanxi, however, maintained a poorly concealed disdain for Zhang Yi.
Though she dared not speak ill, her gaze betrayed her contempt—likely still clinging to her highborn pride and looking down on a mere rescue team leader.
Zhang Yi ignored her. As long as no one courted death, he wouldn't waste time on them.
Completing the mission was his priority.
He had also contacted Zhu Zheng several times.
Warships would meet them once they entered Huaxu Kingdom waters.
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That morning, the control room crew diligently navigated while radar scanned the surroundings.
The kitchen bustled with activity.
Xie Changming lounged on a sofa chair, smoking premium Huangshan cigarettes while playing cards with crewmates.
The cigarettes were a luxury—courtesy of Zhang Yi.
Aside from alcohol, Zhang Yi provided ample food, cigarettes, and even contraceptives to maintain morale during the long voyage.
This thoughtful care earned him the crew's genuine loyalty, beyond mere fear of his strength.
The kitchen workload fell entirely on Liu Zhengnan.
Preparing meals for over a hundred people was no small task, though reheating prepackaged dishes simplified things.
Liu Zhengnan, a balding man in his fifties, worked up a sweat but never slacked.
Xie Changming flicked ash from his cigarette and played a two.
On his wrist gleamed a golden Patek Philippe worth millions—a gift from Liu Zhengnan.
"Old Liu, you don't seem the type to rough it, yet you handle a kitchen well," Xie Changming remarked, having won over a dozen cigarettes that day.
Liu Zhengnan wiped his brow and bowed obsequiously.
"My family ran restaurants. Had to learn the ropes to manage properly."
The crew knew the Rockflow survivors—especially Huaxu nationals or overseas Chinese—came from privileged backgrounds, at least middle-class or above.
Xie Changming teased, "With that soft skin, you must've been a big boss!"
Liu Zhengnan deftly opened a steamer, plated a prepackaged meal, and chuckled.
"Just a few family-owned diners, scraping by. Boss Xie, just order me around—no need to stand on ceremony."
Xie Changming and the crew smirked. They wouldn't go easy on him.
These were rescued passengers, after all.
As Zhang Yi had declared, apart from Li Zongyu and his wife, the rest would become labor hands at Tianhai City's bases.
Later, Zhang Yi strolled the deck and followed the aroma to the kitchen.
The crew hastily stood, abandoning their game.
"Commander Zhang!"
Zhang Yi waved. "Don't mind me. Just smelled something good."
"Can't deny these prepackaged meals smell tempting—almost made me hungry."
He rarely visited the kitchen and glanced around.
Steam filled the warm space.
Liu Zhengnan rushed over, wiping his hands on an apron, bowing obsequiously.
"Commander Zhang! Anything you'd like? Just say the word—I'll prepare it immediately."
Author's Note