150: Big oil-burning machine

A full two hours after escaping that sea of death,

Vessel 0819 finally slowed down and resumed normal cruising speed.

"Captain... there's bad news."

Xia Lai ran into the captain's cabin with a long face, holding up an electronic tablet.

"Speak."

Chen Du sat with his legs crossed, idly playing with a gold tooth he had salvaged from the wreckage.

"We're almost out of fuel!"

"How much is left now?"

"167 barrels."

Xia Lai gestured with a number, "It sounds like a lot, but this ship's current fuel consumption is three times what it used to be."

"If we run into another big wave, we're done for."

Chen Du frowned.

This was awkward.

The ship was incredibly awesome, but the follow-up maintenance costs had skyrocketed along with it.

It was like being able to afford a Ferrari but not the premium 98-octane gasoline.

"Got it."

Chen Du calmly opened the system panel and switched to the [Trading Platform].

The trading area was much quieter than before. After all, those who had survived until now were either dead or busy running for their lives.

Chen Du glanced at his warehouse.

That haul from the Meat Processing Plant had made him the richest man in the entire C District.

Especially frozen meat and high-calorie foods—they were hard currency.

[Seller: 0819 Chen Du]

[Listed Item: Premium Snowflake Steak x50 pieces (vacuum-sealed)]

[Request: Diesel/Heavy Oil! 1 steak for 4 barrels of oil! No credit!]

The moment the message was posted,

the Chat Channel exploded instantly.

"Holy shit! Boss Chen Du is back from the dead!"

"Steak?! Am I seeing things? I can't even afford steamed buns right now, and the boss is selling steak?!"

"Did this guy open a supermarket? How does he have everything!"

"4 barrels of oil for one piece of meat? Why don't you just rob us! Profiteer! Absolute profiteer!"

Some cursed, but many more were physically honest.

[Ding! Transaction successful! Obtained Diesel x20 barrels!]

[Ding! Transaction successful! Obtained Heavy Oil x50 barrels!]

[Ding!...]

Oil was precious, but in the face of starvation, it truly wasn't as appealing as a mouthful of meat.

In just ten short minutes,

Vessel 0819's fuel reserves soared to over 300 barrels.

"Done."

Chen Du closed the panel and walked out of the captain's cabin.

He happened to witness a scene on the deck and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

He saw the Ghoul Mao Mao, with its two haphazardly stitched buttocks in the air, lying next to the fuel tank opening.

It held a sizzling, bloody starfish in its hand.

"Grr..."

Mao Mao carefully tried to stuff the starfish into the fuel tank.

Hearing Xia Lai say "out of fuel," this creature wanted to contribute its privately hoarded snacks.

"You idiot!"

Xia Lai happened to be passing by and smacked Mao Mao on the head with a wrench.

"That's a fuel tank! Not a trash can! Do you want the engine to blow up?!"

"Awoo..."

Mao Mao hugged its head in grievance, and the starfish plopped onto the deck.

It looked to Chen Du for help.

Chen Du was both angry and amused.

Though its IQ wasn't high, its loyalty was as clear as day.

"Alright, Xia Lai, stop bullying Mao Mao."

Chen Du walked over, flicked the starfish into the sea with the tip of his foot.

Then he fished a piece of jerky from his pocket and threw it to Mao Mao.

"Go eat this. Don't touch any holes on the ship from now on, any holes at all, understand?"

Seeing the jerky, Mao Mao's eyes lit up.

Often educated by the women to "wash hands before meals," it rubbed its hands on its thighs.

Then it snatched the jerky with an "awoo," squatted in a corner, and began tearing into it.

Chen Du was in high spirits.

"Everyone, perk up!"

He clapped his hands, his gaze sweeping over the women performing maintenance on the ship's hull.

"We have enough fuel, enough meat."

"We're going full speed ahead to find the next dock!"

The night was as dark as ink.

Only a dim yellow wall lamp was on in the captain's cabin.

Chen Du, having just showered, sat shirtless on the edge of the bed, drying his hair.

The enhancement of Bronze Skin and Iron Bones gave his skin a bronze-like texture, with explosive power underlying every muscle.

Click.

The door lock turned.

This time, without any pretense, the door was pushed open directly.

Someone else was coming?

Xia Mo stood there wearing a silk nightgown, the belt tied loosely.

She held a bottle of red wine in one hand and... a dagger shimmering with condensed ice crystals in the other.

"It's so late, not asleep yet?"

Chen Du raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on the ice blade in her hand. "Planning to murder your husband?"

Xia Mo didn't speak.

She casually locked the door.

Then she walked step by step to stand before Chen Du.

Her mature, domineering aura was fully unleashed.

This sophisticated mix of killing intent and allure was something a little girl like Lin Keke couldn't imitate.

Clatter.

She casually tossed the dagger onto the nightstand.

"I heard from Keke that last night was quite thrilling?"

Xia Mo leaned down, her slender fingers lifting Chen Du's chin. "And the day before, did Li Yaozhi serve you very well?"

A faint chill emanated from her fingertips.

It was very cold.

But when it touched his scorching skin, it sent a shiver through him.

Chen Du smiled.

He wrapped an arm around Xia Mo's slender waist, pulling her into his embrace.

"What, jealous?"

"Jealous?"

Xia Mo snorted coldly, pushing Chen Du down onto the bed.

The nightgown slipped off.

Revealing the breathtaking view she only displayed in front of Chen Du.

Xia Mo lowered her head, lightly biting his ear, her tone domineering. "I have the right to check if the 'public grain' has been delivered properly."

She suddenly raised her hand.

In her palm, a cluster of dark blue ice mist coalesced.

The entire room's temperature plummeted by ten degrees!

"Tonight, I want to explore some new games too."

Before Chen Du could react, a bone-piercing chill enveloped his senses.

Wherever her fingers passed, frost formed.

Immediately followed by the touch of her scorching red lips.

Ice and fire, two extremes!

This extreme temperature stimulation was like dancing on nerve endings.

"Sss..."

Chen Du sucked in a sharp breath, his eyes darkening. "Playing quite wild, aren't you, Teacher Xia."

"It gets even wilder."

Xia Mo's eyes were seductive as silk, her movements incredibly fierce.

It was as if she wanted to vent all the resentment she'd accumulated over the past two days.

Her nails dug deeply into the muscles of Chen Du's back.

She was really using force.

Rip—!

Against Xia Mo's nails, enhanced by her innate talent, Chen Du's Bronze Skin and Iron Bones were finally breached.

A few bloody scratches slowly appeared, seeping bright red beads of blood.

It hurt.

But it was more pleasurable than painful.

"Harder."

Chen Du growled, his ferocity aroused.

He flipped over, pinning this beautiful serpent beneath him.

His large hand clamped around her wrists, forcefully pressing them above her head.

"Since you want to play something thrilling, I'll show you who's the master of this ship!"

"Mmph..."

Outside the window, waves surged.

Inside the room, it was even more of a storm.

Xia Mo's ice-based ability went completely out of control.

The bedsheet froze and melted, melted and froze.

The bloody scratches on his back didn't make him retreat; instead, they became the most potent aphrodisiac.

Until dawn arrived.

The storm finally subsided.

In the end, Xia Mo lost, defeated by her lack of stamina.

She lay limp amidst the disheveled bedding, without even the strength to move a finger.

The flush on her proud face lingered for a long time.

Chen Du touched the burning wounds on his back, looked at the thoroughly subdued mature woman before him, and smiled.

"Want to check again next time?"

A flash of spring scenery.

Xia Mo turned over, burying her face in the pillow.

"Get lost..."

"Today... I'm sleeping until noon... don't anyone dare call me."

Chen Du laughed heartily.

He pulled the blanket over to cover that perfect, delicate body.

This battle, a complete victory.