143: Too many supplies to carry? Lu Sheng: Distribute them all to the soldiers so they can have a good meal!

The heavy lead-gray explosion-proof doors slid open to both sides, and the sound of the hydraulic System venting echoed through the empty underground space, making eardrums buzz.

Zhou Hai, Zhao Ze, and Su Li followed behind Li Han. Just as they stepped into this so-called strategic warehouse, their footsteps halted in unison.

The half-smoked cigarette in Zhou Hai's mouth fell to the ground with a 'patter'.

He rubbed his eyes and pinched his thigh hard, grimacing in pain. "Old Zhao, give me a slap. Did I kill so many people just now that I've gone dazed? Did someone move a freaking Walmart central warehouse into the belly of this mountain?"

No one paid him any attention.

What was even more shocking than the mountains of supplies was an overbearing aroma that pierced straight to the skull.

In the open space filled with ammunition boxes, an old-fashioned copper hotpot sat atop a smokeless stove, the charcoal burning bright red.

The red oil broth in the pot bubbled and rolled. The scent of beef tallow mixed with Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies instantly washed away the stale smell of desiccant in the basement.

Lu Sheng sat on a folding chair, holding a pair of long chopsticks. On the small table beside him were plates of freshly sliced marbled beef, tripe, and beef, along with a dozen iced beers dripping with condensation.

"You're here?"

Lu Sheng didn't even look up. He picked up a slice of marbled beef as thin as a cicada's wing, swished it through the red broth seven or eight times, and stuffed it into his mouth after it was coated in red oil, looking completely satisfied.

"Sit. Let's eat and talk."

"Awoo—!!"

Zhou Hai let out a wolf-like howl. Ignoring the blood splatters from his recent kills, he rushed over and sat on a small stool, grabbing chopsticks and reaching into the pot. "Boss! You're my real father! Even an immortal wouldn't trade this life for anything!"

Zhao Ze and Su Li exchanged a glance, their Adam's apples bobbing violently as they quickly sat down around the pot.

As the steaming beef entered his mouth, the spicy and fresh flavor exploded on his tongue. Zhou Hai was so moved that tears almost fell. "This is what I call living! That luncheon meat Zhang Yi gave us—was that even fit for humans? That was pig slop!"

"Shut up, that's tripe, don't overcook it!" Zhao Ze used a chopstick to smack away Zhou Hai's hand as he tried to hog the food.

Su Li didn't speak. She just silently opened a can of beer and took a large gulp. As the icy liquid slid down her throat, her usually frost-cold face softened slightly.

The group toasted and ate until their mouths were slick with oil, the atmosphere as lively as a New Year celebration.

Except for Li Han.

This dignified Level 6 Expert and former Vice President of the Hanwu City Lingyuan Association was currently standing awkwardly in the shadows a few meters away.

He didn't know whether to leave or stay.

His hands fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. Smelling that maddening aroma of meat, his stomach let out an uncooperative growl.

Back when he was at Shuangjian Peak, what food could he not have if he wanted it?

But now, he felt like a stray dog waiting for a master to toss him scraps.

Yet he didn't dare move, nor did he dare show even a hint of dissatisfaction.

The image of Lu Sheng snapping Lei Lie's neck was still playing on a loop in his mind.

"Catch."

Lu Sheng's voice suddenly rang out.

Li Han jerked and instinctively reached out.

"Thud."

A heavy can of braised beef and a bottle of mineral water landed in his hands.

"Don't just stand there, you're an eyesore," Lu Sheng said flatly, taking a sip of ice beer. "Go eat to the side. Once you're done, there's work to do."

"Yes! Yes! Thank you, Major Lu! Thank you for the food, Major Lu!"

As if granted a royal pardon, Li Han clutched the can and retreated to the darkest corner.

With trembling hands, he pulled the ring tab. Not caring that the meat was cold, he shoveled it into his mouth, his tears swallowing down along with the oily broth.

To think that he, Li Han, was once a powerful figure, only to fall to this state.

But just looking at the white-clad youth chatting and laughing over there, his sense of humiliation instantly turned into relief—at least the canned meat was beef, and at least he was still alive!

After several rounds of drinks and food...

Zhou Hai lay spread-eagled across a pile of rice bags without any decorum, patting his round belly and letting out a long beer burp.

"So comfortable..."

Zhou Hai squinted at the dusty rock ceiling, looking intoxicated. "Little Lu, how about we don't leave? Let's just live here, guard this gold mine, and be happy little rice weevils until we die. All that fighting and killing outside is just too damn exhausting."

"Bang!"

Zhao Ze walked over and unceremoniously kicked Zhou Hai's fleshy backside.

"You worthless piece of work," Zhao Ze laughed and cursed.

Hearing this, Su Li added a verbal jab without looking up: "That kind of ease is reserved for the dead. If you want to be a rice weevil, I can send you on your way right now. I guarantee it'll be painless."

"Hehe, I was just saying it to lighten the mood." Zhou Hai scrambled up. Though he was being cheeky, the drunken look in his eyes had vanished, replaced by his usual bandit-like toughness.

Lu Sheng put down his chopsticks and pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth.

"Alright, the meal is over. Let's talk business."

He stood up, his expression returning to seriousness as he pointed to the labyrinthine shelves around them.

"There are too many supplies here. The blazing flame's cargo capacity is limited; we can't take everything."

Lu Sheng walked to a wall of ammunition boxes, his fingers lightly tapping the cold iron, producing a crisp sound.

"The blazing flame will only load the highest value items: all high-explosive ammunition, high-calorie canned food, and vacuum-sealed meats."

"As for the remaining rice, flour, oil, and generator sets..." Lu Sheng turned around and looked at Zhao Ze. "Old Zhao, you're in charge of the inventory. Hand over half to General Chen Yan to replenish the Jinling Fleet's supplies."

"The other half, give it directly to Zhang Yi."

Zhou Hai was stunned and got anxious: "Give it all to them? But we're the ones who took this place..."

"We get the meat, so we have to leave some soup for our allies." Lu Sheng interrupted him, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. "Besides, the Corpse Tide arrives tomorrow. If those soldiers have guns in their hands but empty stomachs, how are they going to fight for their lives?"

"Distribute the goods. Tell Zhang Yi not to hold back tonight."

Lu Sheng's voice echoed in the empty warehouse, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

"Let all the soldiers, whether Regular Army or Militia, eat their fill tonight."

"Even if they have to die, let them die with a full stomach while fighting those monsters!"

In the corner, Li Han listened to these words, and the half-can of beef in his hand suddenly felt hot to the touch.

He had worked under Lei Lie for so long, and all he ever heard was that these commoners weren't worthy.

Yet this god-of-slaughter-like youth was actually going to distribute such immense wealth to that cannon fodder?