Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies
Chapter 774: The Medium

Chapter 774: The Medium

This incident left Zhang Yi deeply shaken.

Rumors claimed that Epsilon-level superhuman in Shenjing possessed the ability to execute long-range assassinations. But this was his first time witnessing it firsthand.

What truly surprised him was that his first encounter with [Hell's Guillotine] resulted in such a massive blunder. The terrifying nature of Hell's Guillotine left him profoundly disturbed—that absolute rule-based power filled even him with deep dread.

Zhang Yi contemplated: if that power locked onto him, would there be any chance of escape?

Yet reality showed Zhu Zheng had originally intended Hell's Guillotine for Gao Changkong, only for Gao Changkong to somehow redirect it. This meant the guaranteed execution required specific conditions to activate.

A new layer of caution settled in Zhang Yi's mind. He'd need to carefully consider every demand Blizzard City made of him, especially regarding personal belongings. Those could easily become weapons turned against him.

Despite his fury and regret, Zhu Zheng felt relief at surviving unscathed. His gaze towards Zhang Yi overflowed with gratitude and admiration.

"Zhang Yi, we owe you our lives this time! Had you not arrived when you did, we'd all be dead."

Sun Luxuan and Deng Shentong also regarded Zhang Yi with undisguised gratitude. Even the prideful Deng Shentong showed no resentment at being upstaged—after all, Zhang Yi had saved them all.

Zhang Yi chuckled inwardly while maintaining a humble expression. "I merely did what any Jiangnan Region citizen should."

Zhu Zheng appreciated Zhang Yi's attitude, already mentally drafting a hundred ways to promote him. But first, other matters demanded attention.

With the battle concluded, department heads from Blizzard City swarmed the scene to pledge loyalty.

"Commander Zhu, are you unharmed?"

"Thank heavens! When news of the rebellion reached us, I nearly died from worry!"

"Commander Zhu, you can't imagine how terrified I was!"

These officials had been conspicuously absent during the fighting, yet now performed tearful displays of concern with practiced ease. None were fools—with traitors exposed within Blizzard City, Zhu Zheng would undoubtedly purge collaborators. Only by loudly distancing themselves from the Reincarnation Squad could they hope to survive.

Zhu Zheng's icy gaze swept across the assembled leadership. The rebellion couldn't have succeeded without internal support—someone here had aided the Reincarnation Squad.

From that glacial stare, Zhang Yi glimpsed the coming storm of retribution. Not that it concerned him.

Turning back, Zhu Zheng heartily praised Zhang Yi before dismissing him to rest. He similarly commended Sun Luxuan and Deng Shentong for their protection efforts.

"Return to your quarters. Medical teams will attend to you shortly."

Zhang Yi examined himself—the battle had left him completely unscathed. "No need to waste medical resources on me. I'm uninjured."

Zhu Zheng nodded and departed surrounded by Lan Xincheng and others.

Sun Luxuan clapped Zhang Yi's shoulder. "Fine work, lad!" before following his charge. With the city still unsettled post-rebellion, the bodyguard couldn't leave Zhu Zheng's side.

Medical personnel soon arrived to treat the wounded. The Reincarnation Squad's assault had left many soldiers dead or severely injured. Deng Shentong, having used Compound-5, still bled from his mouth yet conversed casually as if unharmed.

"Never realized how deep you ran. I thought Gao Changkong had finished you."

Zhang Yi side-eyed him. "Likewise, I'm surprised you survived."

Deng Shentong smiled faintly. "I live for those who didn't."

"During that mission, I sensed something wrong—there were traitors in Blizzard City. But I suspected people actually present, not Gao Changkong."

Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. Gao Changkong had been stationed at Beiting Lake during the operation—he shouldn't have received real-time battlefield intelligence or coordinated with the Reincarnation Squad. Which meant... accomplices remained within the city.

Zhang Yi inhaled sharply. The coming purge would claim many lives—the inevitable price of failed rebellion.

"Deng Shentong, how did you escape Jiangning City?" Zhang Yi suddenly asked.

Deng Shentong adopted a mysterious smile. "Nothing special really." His eyes narrowed. "Just sleight of hand."

He offered no details, but Zhang Yi understood. Deng Shentong's Great Sumeru Illusion manipulated light to affect all five senses—creating a death illusion for Phoenixin Ren and command center observers would be trivial.

Another question burned in Zhang Yi's mind as Deng Shentong swallowed medication from a case.

"How much do you know about that Epsilon-level superhuman's abilities in Shenjing?"

Ever cautious, Zhang Yi sought intelligence on potential threats.

Deng Shentong gave him an odd look. "Why would I know? You think they'd disclose classified capabilities?"

"Doesn't it terrify you? If Black and White Impermanence had marked you instead, could you have escaped?"

Deng Shentong shuddered recalling the scene. "Stop overthinking! Just stay obedient—unlike Gao Changkong—and you'll be fine."

Zhang Yi frowned at the unsatisfactory answer. "So even the Deng Family lacks intel."

Deng Shentong's expression darkened until Zhang Yi glared. "What's that look? I saved your life—is this how you treat your savior?"

Deng Shentong swallowed his retort—the accusation was undeniable. After a pause, he muttered, "My guess? Something like a voodoo curse requiring a physical medium. So... watch your belongings."

Author's Note