Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter]

Zhang Yi held a firm principle: never involve himself in the tribulations of others unless they impact his own interests. He had witnessed the disastrous outcomes of meddling too many times to count.

"If the chieftains themselves are leading the charge in such depravity, then this entire place is rotten to the core," Liang Yue remarked, her voice laden with helplessness.

Fatty Xu’s complexion was deathly white. He had nearly consumed that macabre dish earlier that day, and the mere memory of it triggered a wave of nausea.

Zhang Yi turned his gaze to Liang Yue. "Follow the plan. Tonight, work under the cover of Mu Yan to discover exactly what kind of entity this Pagyi Family truly is. And heed this," he added, locking eyes with her to ensure the gravity of his words was understood.

"You are merely an observer. You are explicitly forbidden from taking action or interfering in any event that unfolds here. Do you understand?"

Liang Yue nodded firmly. "Rest assured, I am fully aware of my role. Rash behavior would only invite complications for us all."

Zhang Yi nodded once. "Good. The time has come; we should move."

He secured three rooms, instructing Fatty Xu to remain within his designated quarters. If any members of the Pagyi Family approached, he was to manage the situation. The others were ordered to remain inside and refrain from any unnecessary movement. To mitigate any potential risks, Zhang Yi tasked Hua Hua with guarding their location. After all, with two of their three primary combatants—Zhang Yi and Liang Yue—out gathering intelligence, a capable guardian was essential to ensure the safety of the group.

With the strategy finalized, the two departed to begin their mission.

Zhang Yi donned the visor of his Hidden Dragon armor, triggered the optical stealth, and swiftly tore open a Dimensional Gate to exit the Pagyi estate. Each spatial jump spanned three kilometers, a velocity so extreme that his exit remained entirely undetected. Having already scouted the area during the day, he exited the Pagyi territory with ease.

Hovering in the air, he glanced back at the brilliantly illuminated estate before shifting his focus toward the towering mountain range in the northwest. Looming behind the Sangha Monastery, the Great Snow Mountain stood as one of the most magnificent peaks in the Kunlun range—a landmark visible from nearly anywhere in the Snowy Region. Without hesitation, Zhang Yi engaged his spatial abilities to travel toward the peak.

According to the accounts of Pagyi Gesang, the Demon Kingdom remained sealed beneath the earth, its location hidden from all. While the four great chieftain families each held a segment of the map, necessitating collaboration to locate the entrance, such constraints were irrelevant to Zhang Yi. His rapid traversal abilities granted him the freedom to locate the legendary gate on his own.

Once Zhang Yi had distanced himself, Liang Yue and Mu Yan commenced their own operation. Liang Yue vanished into Mu Yan’s shadow, and together they navigated through the Pagyi estate, clinging to the shadows of the walls while scouting for information. Lacking sufficient supplies and energy, the Snowy Plateau kept only the inner courtyards of the wealthy well-lit; the outskirts and side buildings remained cloaked in darkness.

They moved through the complex, cataloging the terrain and the positions of the guards. Given Mu Yan’s exceptional stealth—which had even eluded Zhang Yi previously—they felt no fear of detection.

After their initial sweep of the courtyards, nothing particularly suspicious surfaced. Instead, they were greeted by the sight of the nobility’s degenerate nightlife. In this apocalyptic era, where the social order had crumbled and the future looked bleak, many indulged in excess. This was especially prevalent in the isolated Snowy Plateau. The youth of the Pagyi Family and the monks from the local temples were engaged in debauchery so cruel that it made Liang Yue long to draw her blade and dispense justice. Ultimately, she restrained her impulses, the weight of Zhang Yi’s warnings cooling her temper.

There were simply too many injustices in this ruined world to solve them all. She had to prioritize her duty first.

After thirty minutes of reconnaissance, Mu Yan spoke in a low voice: "Everything seems standard within the main courtyards. We need to probe deeper."

Liang Yue turned to her. "What is it that you wish to uncover?"

A faint, nearly invisible smile ghosted across Mu Yan’s masked features. "To see whatever it is that *you* wish to find."

They locked gazes, and Liang Yue sighed. "There are certain truths I must discern. Otherwise, I will never find peace of mind."

Mu Yan replied calmly, "Perhaps Zhang Yi accounted for exactly that."

Liang Yue looked startled. "What are you implying?"

Mu Yan continued, "Zhang Yi knows you better than any soul alive. Yet, instead of letting me handle this alone, he specifically insisted you accompany me. What do you make of that?"

Within their team, Liang Yue’s temperament was the most volatile variable. She burned with a sense of justice that Zhang Yi often mocked, yet privately respected. He had no intention of changing her; he simply wanted her to remain disciplined and keep her emotions in check. While he remained silent on the behavior of the Pagyi Family, it did not imply his indifference. By sending Liang Yue to investigate, he was testing the depths of their depravity. Ever since that meal was presented, the notion of purging the Pagyi Family had been brewing in his mind.

It was, however, merely a thought. He first needed to secure his original objectives in the Snowy Region, ensure his abilities could facilitate a risk-free purge, and confirm that the family truly deserved such an end. All three conditions were strictly required.

When one possesses the power, they may care for the world; when they do not, they must focus on personal integrity. Zhang Yi was, at his core, just a man with a measured sense of morality.

Liang Yue drew a sharp breath. "Very well, let us move forward."

The two continued their trek through the Pagyi territory. Passing a side courtyard, Liang Yue suddenly stiffened, her heightened senses picking up a discordant rhythm emanating from beneath the ground.

"There is something here. Below us," she whispered to Mu Yan.

"Then let us investigate," Mu Yan replied steadily.

The area was guarded by a handful of hired soldiers, but Mu Yan’s shadow flowed through the wall cracks, completely ignored by the dim lighting. They infiltrated the courtyard, which appeared to house only a two-story structure containing several elderly women fast asleep. A thorough check of the rooms yielded nothing, yet as they stood in the space, the faint, haunting sounds of cries rising from deep underground became impossible to ignore."