Chapter 112 Departure

"Come on, everyone, hurry up. We can't afford any mistakes with the supplies for this long journey."

Lin Qingqing gave instructions to the laborers who were moving things back and forth, her eyes precisely capturing the dazzling amount of supplies being transported, her pen moving rapidly across her notebook.

The ice surface was dented by footsteps, and tire tracks were left by wheels, chaotic yet still orderly.

Workers and carts carrying large quantities of goods moved back and forth like ants carrying food, basket after basket, cart after cart, like an exquisitely intricate network of blood vessels.

Watching the small mountain of supplies inside being flattened, and then watching the piled-up area on the ship take shape into a perfectly square cube tens of meters high.

This caused the entire ship to rise several meters higher.

She inexplicably felt a pang of pity.

Although anyone would feel anxious about an uncertain future while traveling in the dead of winter, this worry is now completely overshadowed by the booming development of the Azure.

She wanted to know if this risk was worth it.

After all, the Black Abyss Sea is an extremely terrifying demonic cave.

"How are the supplies being prepared?"

The incredibly familiar voice reached Lin Qingqing's ears, prompting her to quickly pull herself away from this inappropriate sentimentality and respond hastily.

"Food reserves are plentiful, with a total of 5000 kilograms of rye powder, 3000 kilograms of dried vegetables, and 50 barrels of algae for vitamin production."

The fuel used this time is refined black oil with a higher calorific value, which can support a voyage of 15,000 nautical miles. It contains significantly fewer impurities than before, about 50% less, and is approximately 1.5 times less impurities than an equivalent amount of coal. Simply put, it's sufficient for this long voyage.

"There are other things listed in my statistics table, which you can review at any time."

He Feng stood to the side, listening to the brief report and nodding slightly.

"That should be enough. Also, how are the initial arrangements for the shipyard construction going?"

"It's...it's alright, just a few minor issues with the shortage of building materials." Lin Qingqing's voice trembled slightly, unsure of how to put it.

After a little internal pep talk, she finally mustered up some courage, but her gaze remained fixed on He Feng, detached from his eyes.

"The steel in the stranded fortress has been completely mined out. It's hard to say whether we'll be able to get this kind of high-quality steel again."

"So, I think..."

After listening quietly to this complaint, He Feng didn't say anything more.

He was well aware of what his base in Heilonghai Bay was currently lacking.

As one of the few habitable landmasses in the icy sea, although there is no soil suitable for growing flowers and beans, its strategic value makes it worthy of investment from any power.

In a post-apocalyptic world where soil is as precious as gold, there are few usable building materials besides steel.

Upgrading the fortress requires steel, and developing the base also requires steel. Right now, it's like having two mountains pressing down on him.

And every now and then, they'd subtly hint at something to him.

During this time, He Feng also frantically refreshed the intelligence system, but even after losing all the words "steel," there was still no improvement.

After all, steel is just steel; how could it possibly be connected to a person?

So using it to find things is somewhat of a waste of time.

He Feng's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something encouraging, but he instinctively fell silent.

As a lord, he cannot offer any wishes that he himself cannot fulfill; the only thing he can rely on is to be down-to-earth.

"Do as I say, and whatever the outcome, you will have a place to live here."

"No matter what the outcome is for me and the Blue Ship, you must keep going. I have no choice, and neither do you."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to make one's mind focus.

This is a composure that comes from having disregarded one's own life and death.

How many lords on the ordinary icy seas could be as magnanimous as him?

The girl clasped her hands to her chest, lost in thought for a long time.

It's so rare...so rare that she couldn't believe such a person existed in the world.

Venturing to the open sea was a perilous journey.

If you can dodge the monsters, what if you can't dodge those lunatics in the second-tier fortress?

She wanted to speak up and stop them, but her inner reason held her back.

All this rushing around in the wind and rain, isn't it all for the sake of securing a future for the entire territory?

To abandon righteousness for selfish reasons is such a despicable act!

Besides, what she says might not even be of any use.

"Am I some kind of important person?" he thought to himself with a self-deprecating smile.

"My lord, the men, the weapons, everything is ready. We're all waiting for your command!"

A crew member carefully approached from the gangway connecting the fortress to the dock and reported this to his superior.

"Preheat the boiler, we'll be leaving soon."

He Feng nodded, facing the gangway, and boarded the Azure Ship without looking back.

The waves were calm, and there was almost no need to hold onto the railings for support. Most of the dozens of steps were quickly climbed.

The light, tinkling sound of the metal plate being stepped on made Ling Qingqing's eyes dim slightly.

This parting may be a journey of no return.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, He Feng turned around and stood straight on the central staircase, his gaze fixed on Lin Qingqing, who was secretly grieving at the helm.

"Please take good care of our homeland. Putting aside my status as a lord, I have always needed your assistance, so please."

He Feng's eyes were completely genuine, his dark pupils revealing deep contemplation, yet at this moment he showed considerable trust in one person.

Entrustment, the complete entrustment of a part of oneself.

That was the highest level of human affection, simply because I trusted you—a relationship that transcended mere mutual benefit.

At this moment, the girl's fingertips, red from the cold, clenched tightly, and her originally furrowed brows suddenly opened slightly.

The lost mindset is released, replaced by a steadfast sense of affirmation and self-confidence.

"I will, no matter the outcome."

This speech was brief and powerful; strong emotions never need any inflection or cadence, they simply need to be stated in a straightforward manner.

He Feng nodded slightly with a smile, feeling a sense of relief, and then walked down the stairs with a few steps.

It disappeared inside the massive body of the Azure.

……

A few minutes later, the Azure's whistle suddenly sounded, its deep sound echoing for a long time in Black Dragon Bay.

"Waaaaah~"

This is the clarion call to set off again, like a swallow leaving its nest, always making some cheerful chirping sounds before departing.

Leaving the dock and crossing the newly cast city wall, the second-tier icebreaker cut through the ice with ease, as if slicing melons and vegetables.

It's even a bit lighter and nimbler than before, with the speed unchanged and even more horsepower.

The outside is no longer a place for normal people to stay; the extremely low temperature can freeze a person into an icicle at any time.

Like a small train full of people, each crew member of the Azure stayed quietly inside, enjoying the comfortable temperature, oblivious to the desolation outside.

Finally, they plunged into the scene where ice and snow danced with monsters.