Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies-Chapter 1221: Dividing the Spoils

Chapter 1221: Dividing the Spoils

The anger Zhang Yi displayed left Qin Qigong with no choice but to force an awkward smile.

Being in the wrong in the first place, what else could he say?

"I swear on my identity as a soldier that we absolutely did not conceal this matter!"

"How would I dare to defy the will of the world and harm the pillars of our nation?"

Once Qin Qigong finished speaking, Zhang Yi, Li Changgong, and Han Shanzuo exchanged glances.

Upon careful consideration, Qin Qigong's words did make sense.

Even though the Huaxu Kingdom was currently divided into six major regions for administration, it was still a unified whole.

The loss of a top-tier superhuman from any major region would weaken the Huaxu Kingdom as a whole.

As the supreme commander of the First Major Region, Qin Qigong had no reason to do something so foolish.

Li Changgong furrowed his brows, his eyes fixed intently on Qin Qigong.

"We encountered an unimaginable existence in the underground world. Does Shengjing truly have no information about this at all?"

Qin Qigong shook his head.

"The mysterious entity you encountered is located nearly twenty thousand meters underground. Even with our current technology, it's extremely difficult to naturally open a passage to that depth."

"Do you think it's possible for us to possess intelligence about them?"

At this point, he shifted his tone.

"However, our research departments have indeed discovered some information about subterranean creatures in various ancient documents and records."

"Yet, over the long passage of time, many records concerning mysterious phenomena were destroyed in fires. The accuracy of our information is questionable, and the truly credible data is very limited."

Li Changgong crossed his arms and rested his chin on them, saying pensively,

"I recall that Shengjing's Institute 506 is a department specifically dedicated to the study of the occult, established for over half a century now."

"I wonder if Marshal Qin would be willing to share the information you've collected with us?"

Hearing "Institute 506," Zhang Yi abruptly looked up at Li Changgong and Qin Qigong.

He had seen some rumors about that mysterious entity online before.

At the end of the last century, a great figure in the field of science and technology in the Huaxu Kingdom founded this department.

It was said its establishment was to investigate human body science (paranormal abilities), as well as research into various occult studies.

Zhang Yi originally thought it was just a product of a special historical period.

He never imagined it had continued to exist until now.

Zhang Yi murmured to himself, "Could it be that the state discovered those special existences long ago, but never made it public?"

He was deeply shocked.

If one were to infer more deeply, perhaps the arrival of the apocalypse wasn't an accident either.

And the birth and research of superhumans might have existed since ancient times.

What exactly were those mysterious underground existences? What was their relationship with humanity?

A tangled mess filled Zhang Yi's mind, countless threads with no clear connections.

Mentioning Institute 506, Qin Qigong gave an embarrassed smile. "There was indeed such an institution. However, its establishment was too recent, and it didn't conduct particularly deep research in the field of the occult."

Qin Qigong couldn't deceive Li Changgong about this matter either.

Because Li Changgong, coming from a high-ranking background in the capital circle, was privy to just as many secrets as he was.

Qin Qigong said gravely, "Regarding the underground world, we truly don't possess much intelligence. Our Huaxu Kingdom's civilization is ancient, yet too much information has been burned away in the long river of time."

"To put it bluntly, nowadays, if we want to search for some past materials, we even need to borrow rare ancient texts from overseas."

Zhang Yi crossed his legs and said calmly to Qin Qigong,

"The underground world beneath the Qinling Mountains is vast and terrifying. Shengjing Region alone will likely find it difficult to develop and research it."

"So, if there is any relevant intelligence, it's best to let us participate in the research together."

Qin Qigong nodded. "That goes without saying. I'm even willing to share the Elemental Stone Vein with you all. You can also send people to participate in the mining. Why would I hide anything from you?"

Zhang Yi thought about it and agreed that this made sense.

When the time came for the four major regions to jointly develop the Elemental Stone Vein in Wuyou Valley, Shengjing Region wouldn't be able to secretly enter the underground and explore the subterranean world either.

It seemed that even if Qin Qigong was hiding something from them, Shengjing's understanding of the underground world wasn't extensive.

Li Changgong, however, said, "Then I demand that you grant us access to the materials in the National Archives. Including those ancient texts not publicly released, and the secrets uncovered by archaeological teams."

Li Changgong had a deep understanding of Shengjing. Some things Zhang Yi and Han Shanzuo didn't know couldn't be hidden from him.

Many secrets were held only by Shengjing's top leadership and a very few researchers.

Qin Qigong nodded. "That's not a problem. I will share those materials with you all later."

"The underground world is a massive treasure trove. We should unite our hearts and efforts to study it thoroughly. This will ensure the Huaxu Kingdom maintains its formidable strength and stands at the pinnacle of the world even during this glacial epoch!"

Next came the discussion of compensation and the division of resources.

Shengjing Region showed considerable sincerity.

After all, they were in the wrong, so they directly withdrew from the division of the Mutated Creature origin energy obtained.

Thus, it was up to the three regions—Jiangnan, Northeast, and Northwest—to divide the thirty percent share of the Elemental Stone Vein and the two portions of Mutated Creature origin.

This included the 16,000 points of the Broodmother's origin and half of the 20,000 points of the King Worm's origin.

How to divide it was now up to the three of them.

The three men looked at each other, each hesitating in their hearts.

The Elemental Stone Vein was extremely precious, and Epsilon-level origin energy was also exceedingly rare.

The former could enhance the productivity of their respective regions, strengthening the entire region's power.

But the latter could directly allow the three of them to advance another step in strength.

However, relatively speaking, Mutated Creature origin was rarer.

Because Elemental Stone was energy; it had substitutes, such as fossil fuels. For the time being, Zhang Yi wasn't in urgent need of it.

These were incredibly desirable goods that made the choice very difficult. Whichever one they gave up would probably cause heartache.

Li Changgong secretly clenched his fist, staring at Zhang Yi and Han Shanzuo as he said,

"I am willing to give up my share of the Elemental Stone Vein in exchange for one portion of the Mutated Creature origin."

After losing to Zhang Yi, his desire to improve his strength had become even more urgent.

And everyone knew just how rare Epsilon-level origin was.

If they missed this opportunity, there might not be another.

Compared to strengthening the region as a whole, it was more important to prioritize improving his own strength and solidifying his rule first.

Once Li Changgong said this, Han Shanzuo's frown deepened.

"If you're putting it that way, then I need to hear Chaos's opinion. Young man, there are only two portions of Mutated Creature origin in total, so one person must let go. What's your take?"

Han Shanzuo looked at Zhang Yi. While wrestling with his own dilemma, he intended to gauge Zhang Yi's attitude.

Author's Note