Chapter 56: Solving the Extreme Cold Crisis, Delivering Three Boxes of Diamonds!

“That minor issue wouldn’t trouble Commissioner Song. I have another matter to discuss with you.”

“Please go ahead, Miss Gu.”

“I need to buy 30,000 tons of coal. Give me a special approval channel.”

“30,000 tons of coal?” Commissioner Song was surprised but not overly so. “Just like the other supplies, to be sent to an unknown destination?”

The supplies entered the warehouse but never left.

To say he wasn’t suspicious would be a lie.

“Don’t ask. Even if you do, I won’t tell you now, but in the future, everything will be revealed to the public.”

Gu Man spoke quickly:

“Besides, it’s not a loss for you. I can offer the country a ‘Marine Cultivation Plan’—a blueprint for growing crops, vegetables, and even fruit trees in the ocean while also purifying marine waters and optimizing the ecosystem. Do you want this deal or not?”

The person on the other end of the call fell silent for a moment.

Gu Man patiently waited for his response.

A minute later.

“Where are you, Miss Gu? I’ll come to retrieve the plan myself.”

“Commissioner Song, you should focus on preparing 30,000 tons of coal for me first.”

“No problem.”

At the city’s largest coal storage facility, piles upon piles of coal bags were stacked high.

The entire facility had been cleared of personnel. Even surveillance cameras had been turned off.

Only Gu Man and Commissioner Song stood in front of the vast coal stockpile.

“Miss Gu, all this coal belongs to you.”

“For the next three days, no one will be working here, and no one will pass by.”

Commissioner Song stared at Gu Man’s crystalline energy suit, shimmering like diamonds, momentarily dazed.

Although he had seen it in videos, in person, it was even more dazzling.

However, out of courtesy, he quickly averted his gaze and didn’t ask any questions.

Gu Man felt slightly awkward.

But only for a second.

In the next moment, she was back to normal.

What’s wrong with dressing a little flashy?

Nothing at all.

She tossed the nano-crystal drive containing the “Marine Cultivation Plan” over to him.

“It explains everything in detail, with step-by-step 3D demonstrations. Just like controlled nuclear fusion technology, it’s designed to be foolproof.”

Commissioner Song fumbled to catch it.

His gaze grew deep and contemplative.

“This plan is worth a fortune.”

He said solemnly.

“More than enough to buy a hundred Gu Corporations.”

If the members of the Gu family ever found out that they had thrown away such a priceless treasure, the true god of wealth, they would probably cry themselves unconscious in the bathroom.

Thinking of this internet joke, Commissioner Song chuckled.

Gu Man waved dismissively.

“I know.”

“Once this plan is implemented, money will flow like water.”

“That’s a good thing. I hope the country uses this technology to generate endless wealth and truly benefit the people.”

“That… is also what the creator of this plan hoped for.”

Even in the apocalypse, their descendants still wanted to improve the lives of their ancestors.

How could she betray such kindness?

Gu Man pushed open the warehouse door.

Suddenly, Commissioner Song called after her.

“Miss Gu, a portion of the profits generated by this plan will be allocated to you—for material transportation.”

Gu Man smiled.

“Thanks. Now get going.”

Commissioner Song rubbed his nose.

“Using me and discarding me so quickly… Miss Gu sure has personality.”

But he was a man of his word. Without hesitation, he turned and left in his private vehicle.

Gu Man snapped a photo and messaged Song Lufeng.

“Prepare to receive the coal. It’s about 30,000 tons, so you’ll need a big enough storage site.”

---

“How much coal? What did the Savior say?!”

Professor Chen Huayuan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He suspected he might be going deaf.

Song Lufeng was already heading off to secure a location.

“30,000 tons of coal.”

The entire council rushed out in excitement.

Even the elderly Professor Chen, usually frail and slow-moving, ran faster than anyone.

“Coal! That’s Golden Age coal!”

“Its true value is far beyond gold!”

“With it as a raw material—good heavens! I can’t even imagine how luxurious this is!”

Coal was highly stable and could be used to manufacture mechs, armored vehicles, and specialized steel. The foundation of the Xuanwu Base would be upgraded by several levels.

The professor was overjoyed.

For years, Xuanwu Base had been completely devoid of carbon—it was practically a mythical substance.

To use carbon, they had to extract it from old relics.

Now, even those relics were running out.

But suddenly—

The Savior delivered 30,000 tons of coal!

How could he not be ecstatic?

Even those who didn’t fully grasp the significance of carbon understood its rarity and importance.

Their faces lit up with joy.

They rushed to the compression warehouse.

Song Lufeng confirmed the preparations were complete.

And then—

Massive piles of coal began teleporting in.

Like mountains of black gold!

The people stared at the enormous heaps of coal, cheering and celebrating.

The base was saved!

The citizens were saved!

Professor Chen grabbed a handful of coal, clutching it like a priceless treasure.

No, not gold—gold wasn’t even this valuable.

This was carbon!

“Hurry! Transport a batch to the furnaces immediately! Inject it into the city walls to seal the cracks!”

Time was of the essence. He personally oversaw the process, completely ignoring fatigue or cold. He rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

Everyone sprang into action, performing their respective duties and executing emergency repairs.

To reinforce the walls, workers had to endure exposure to the extreme -200°C cold.

They donned thick layers of cotton clothing, with an additional layer of carbon-infused insulation suits.

Fire-ability users stood by, providing heat.

Repairs were completed quickly.

Throughout the process, only three people suffered minor bruises from slipping—none were frozen or seriously injured.

The outer walls stopped cracking.

Even as temperatures plummeted further, there was no risk of the walls shattering.

The shields went up, stabilizing the base’s temperature.

The citizens, who had been taking refuge in the emergency hall, started to disperse, returning to their homes.

Feeling warmth return to their surroundings, they gazed at the terrifying icy black storm outside.

They shuddered, still shaken, but filled with immense gratitude.

In their hearts, they sincerely thanked Gu Man.

---

“How is it? Is the crisis over?”

At the now-empty coal plant, Gu Man asked.

She had been waiting there all night.

She had wanted to check in multiple times but feared interfering, so she held back.

As the first rays of the sun bathed her face in a soft orange glow, she finally couldn’t resist asking.

“It’s resolved.”

Song Lufeng’s response put her at ease.

“This coal has eliminated our immediate dangers. The base is about to undergo a full-scale upgrade, becoming stronger than ever.”

“Professor Chen even proposed a plan to make the base mobile—to seek out other survivors and face the apocalypse together.”

Gu Man casually remarked, “That’s great!”

Suddenly—

Three massive crates of dazzling diamonds appeared before her.

Real, enormous diamonds.

As big as fists, in all colors of the spectrum, glittering brilliantly.

“We don’t have much to repay you with. These diamonds were formed as a byproduct of coal compression. We hope you won’t find them lacking.”