Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1226: The Epic of King Gesar

Zhang Yi felt no rush at all. With Pagyi Gesang having extended the invitation himself, the chief was bound to disclose his intentions sooner or later.

While the companions raised their glasses and savored their drinks, conversations flowed about survival tales from the era after the catastrophe and hidden aspects of the Snowy Plateau Region.

Zhang Yi and Pagyi Gesang kept their remarks broad, avoiding any deep disclosures.

Yet, the mere fragments shared by Pagyi Gesang regarding the Snowy Plateau were sufficient to make Zhang Yi's blood run cold.

That enigmatic territory had always brimmed with enigmas.

Yang Xinxin grinned and posed to Pagyi Gesang, "Chief Pagyi, I'm quite intrigued by one matter involving your Snowy Plateau's guardian deity, the Lord of the Charnel Ground, whose tales have echoed through ages. Might it be suitable to ask about it?"

At these words, Pagyi Gesang paused briefly before replying with a grin, "As long as it avoids any forbidden topics, I can certainly share with Miss Yang."

Yang Xinxin beamed. "In that case, I'll proceed. If it's too sensitive to discuss, I apologize in advance."

"It's rumored that the Lord of the Charnel Ground's lineage on the Snowy Plateau spans thousands of years, with each new Lord being the reborn form of the last."

"Furthermore, upon awakening, they can recite the entire 'Epic of King Gesar,' even without any prior education— a text millions of words in length."

"This tale circulates widely beyond the region. Having never visited the Snowy Plateau myself, I wonder if there's truth to it?"

As Yang Xinxin voiced her query, all eyes shifted simultaneously to Pagyi Gesang.

The famed Heaven-granted singers of the Snowy Plateau had long sparked online buzz, and the group shared the curiosity about its validity.

In response, Pagyi Gesang gave a solemn nod.

"I affirm this for you all; it's absolutely real. This trait serves as our surest way to identify the reincarnated Lord of the Charnel Ground."

His eyes wandered skyward, filled with deep reverence and humility.

"More than two millennia past, a legendary being arose on the Snowy Plateau's soil. He stands as our eternal champion, King Gesar!"

"He rescued myriad tormented souls from the Demon Kingdom's clutches and forged a mighty empire."

"The 'Epic of King Gesar' endures as the timeless saga of the Snowy Plateau. Every young one there chants his heroic deeds!"

At this, Zhang Yi inquired with interest, "King Gesar wasn't the initial Lord of the Charnel Ground, yet from his era onward, all following Lords could recite the 'Epic of King Gesar,' correct?"

Inwardly, he deemed it utterly wondrous. Sharing looks with Yang Xinxin and the rest, Zhang Yi saw the same doubt mirrored in their faces.

The fabled Snowy Plateau hero, King Gesar, hailed from over two thousand years back as a being beyond human limits.

The notions of reincarnation and Heaven-granted singing essentially pointed to an extraordinary superhuman power.

The Snowy Plateau held such profound mysteries that countless phenomena defied scientific rationale entirely.

Yet, following the apocalypse and the onset of the Great Mutation Era, the world witnessed all manner of odd and wondrous powers.

Viewing the Snowy Plateau's marvels through the lens of superhuman abilities suddenly made them comprehensible.

Pagyi Gesang adjusted his slender mustache tips, beaming warmly as he explained,

"It forms a poignant and sorrowful legend. Prior to King Gesar's rise, the Demon Kingdom dominated the Snowy Plateau for ages."

"Per the 'Epic of King Gesar,' the Demon Kingdom originated from the Demon Abyss, linked to the dreadful Netherworld Hell."

"The Demon Kingdom's inhabitants emerged from hell into the mortal realm. They oppressed the Snowy Plateau, dooming its folk to endless woe."

"It was then that King Gesar appeared, commanding celestial warriors to eradicate the Demon Kingdom! They confined them beneath the Great Snow Mountain, barring their return forever."

Listening to Pagyi Gesang's account, Zhang Yi sensed an odd unease stirring within.

A Demon Kingdom arising from Netherworld Hell?

Curiously, his thoughts immediately connected it to the beasts from the Mist Valley's depths and the elusive Serpent-folk under the Qinling Mountains' Dragon Vein.

Did Pagyi Gesang share this deliberately or by chance?

Pagyi Gesang went on, "Today, each year at the dawn of the first lunar month in the plateau's calendar, we celebrate a magnificent Prayer Festival honoring King Gesar's feats. Enlightened monks convene then to discuss the Dharma as well."

Pagyi Gesang inclined toward Zhang Yi a bit, speaking with sincerity,

"Lord Chaos, being a Snowy Plateau chief, I extend invitations to honored visitors for the Prayer Festival."

"Should you and your companions wish to join, I'd gladly escort you."

Zhang Yi mentally tallied the days; more than three months remained before this Prayer Festival.

He responded with a nod and smile. "My thanks for the gracious invitation, Chief Pagyi. We'll confer and let you know if we choose to attend, is that fine?"

Zhang Yi regarded it merely as courteous words from Pagyi Gesang and gave it little weight.

The Southwest Region's affairs grew overly tangled; he had zero interest in delving into another area's turmoil.

A faint smile crossed Pagyi Gesang's lips, and he let the matter rest.

Instead, he encouraged the group to resume eating with enthusiasm.

Zhang Yi and his companions obliged without hesitation. The dishes proved delectable indeed; chef Luodan possessed remarkable culinary talent.

Though unaware of the exact ingredients, the meats tasted incredibly tender and rich.

Inquiring further, Zhang Yi discovered they featured regional delicacies from the Tibetan lands: yak and wild wolf meats.

"These are typically tougher fare, yet Luodan employs special techniques to prepare them."

Pagyi Gesang chuckled. "Truthfully, even finer ingredients exist, but the long travel this time made transport impractical. Should you visit Lhasa City in the future, I'll ensure you sample the Snowy Plateau's top dishes."

Zhang Yi grinned. "Very well, with your assurance, I must make the trip next time."

The feast concluded swiftly. Zhang Yi had anticipated some specific ask from Pagyi Gesang.

Surprisingly, the chief merely conversed amiably, sharing insights into Snowy Plateau traditions and heritage, without raising other topics.

By meal's close, Zhang Yi wondered if he'd misjudged; maybe the intent was just to build rapport.

Nevertheless, as they prepared to depart post-dinner, Pagyi Gesang's towering bodyguard, Suolang Deji—standing nearly two meters like a dark iron bastion—approached, cradling a black metal case in his arms.

Curiosity drew Zhang Yi and the others' attention to the container, pondering its contents.

Pagyi Gesang directed a smile at Zhang Yi. "I've prepared a modest present, merely a memento. Seeing your interest in Snowy Plateau lore, this should suit you. It's an exclusive edition; nowhere else offers it."

With that, he unlocked the case via fingerprint. Inside lay a wooden container unexpectedly.

A single look revealed its antiquity, as though a mere breeze might reduce it to fragments.

Pagyi Gesang delicately unfastened the wooden box, extracted a faded parchment scroll, and offered it reverently to Zhang Yi.

"What's this?"

Zhang Yi questioned with intrigue.

Pagyi Gesang replied softly. "This represents a segment of the 'Epic of King Gesar' dating back over a millennium."

Author's Note