Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1259: Sacrifice

Chapter 1259: Sacrifice

The demise of the Twenty-seventh Concubine served as an awkward, jarring prelude to the arrival of Zhang Yi and his party.

Zhang Yi, who was originally looking forward to a relaxing bath, found his mood entirely ruined.

He stroked the soft fur of Hua Hua, maintaining his composure, and retreated into his room alongside the others.

Since it was still daylight, he decided against taking any immediate action. He would await the return of Pagyi Gesang to discuss the situation before solidifying his next move.

Regardless, he had taken precautions. Should the Pagyi Family attempt to retaliate for the concubine’s death, Zhang Yi was prepared not to be caught off guard.

Predictably, not long after, the chief steward Lhobu sought out Zhang Yi.

This time, however, he was not there to offer apologies for the disruption. Instead, he expressed his deepest regrets to Zhang Yi and his companions.

"Distinguished guests, we are profoundly sorry for what transpired. It was our failure in managing our staff that allowed her to disturb your peace."

"We sincerely hope this matter will not weigh on your minds."

Zhang Yi asked with a detached air, "What has the investigation uncovered?"

Lhobu bowed low and replied, "It has been verified that she used a decorative hairpin to end her own life."

Zhang Yi fixed his gaze upon the man, a subtle, enigmatic smile gracing his features. "You don't happen to believe her death is linked to me, do you?"

Lhobu let out a quick, nervous chuckle. "Honored guest, you are certainly overthinking the matter."

He paused before adding, "Even if you had intended to end her, it would be of little consequence. How could a woman of her standing compare to yours?"

Zhang Yi and his companions exchanged meaningful glances. It was abundantly clear that Lhobu placed zero value on what Pagyi Gesang referred to as his 'concubines.'

This was hardly shocking. The number of women in Pagyi Gesang's orbit was likely vast.

Even if this Twenty-seventh Concubine possessed slight beauty, to Pagyi Gesang, she was nothing more than a toy.

Based on their observations upon arriving in the Snowy Region, human life was held in very low regard here.

Even if Zhang Yi had personally killed her, the Pagyi Family would never dream of turning against him for such a trifle.

Only Liang Yue and the women hiding in the Shadow Space felt genuine anger at Lhobu’s cold-blooded dismissal.

Zhang Yi said calmly, "Regardless, this affair does not concern us."

Lhobu agreed immediately, "You are entirely correct. I am fully convinced that you, honored guest, have nothing to do with this."

He continued, "Before his departure, the family head mentioned your arrival today. However, due to a pressing meeting, he is unable to greet you personally."

"That is why he tasked me with hosting you on his behalf. Please, take this time to explore the Pagyi Family estate and enjoy the landscapes of our home."

Pagyi Gesang knew full well that if Zhang Yi were here, he would inevitably look for an opportunity to scout information. Since he could not prevent it, extending an invitation to guide them was a strategic move to build goodwill.

Zhang Yi and his group exchanged a look; it was exactly what they had intended to do anyway.

Zhang Yi gave a slight nod. "Excellent. This is my first visit to the Snowy Region, and I was just hoping to have a look around!"

The incident regarding the Twenty-seventh Concubine was effectively brushed aside.

After refreshing themselves, Zhang Yi and his team stepped out of the courtyard.

Lhobu eagerly joined them, acting as their personal guide.

Zhang Yi made no move to decline. The estate was immense and unfamiliar; aimless wandering would be a waste of time.

The Pagyi Family compound was sprawling. Across this theocratic territory, the mysterious influence of the Esoteric Buddhist Sect felt all-encompassing.

Even the structural beams of the buildings were etched with ancient Sanskrit, with images of divinities carved into every surface.

As they walked, Zhang Yi engaged Lhobu in casual conversation, attempting to pry loose information about the Snowy Region, specifically inquiring about Sangha Monastery, the Great Snow Mountain, and the Demon Kingdom.

Lhobu, however, was a cunning individual, keeping his responses guarded. The details he provided merely confirmed what Zhang Yi already knew.

Zhang Yi took no offense, choosing instead to observe the surroundings with a keen, analytical eye.

As he looked closer, the horrific nature of this region began to dawn on him.

Since the onset of the Apocalypse, the four major clans, bolstered by the power of Sangha Monastery, had established total dominance over the Snowy Region.

Driven by mass hysteria, the influence of the Esoteric Buddhist Sect skyrocketed.

Ancient, archaic customs began to resurface.

Outside, upon rows of execution racks, hundreds of people hung in plain view. Specialist executioners were busy at work, flaying the victims and removing their organs.

They worked with chilling focus, as though performing a divine ritual.

Noticing Zhang Yi’s passing group, the executioners instinctively looked them over before flashing rows of white teeth in a grotesque, haunting smile.

Deep down, Zhang Yi felt a wave of repulsion. Maintaining his composure, he looked toward Lhobu and asked with a feigned nonchalance:

"Is the culinary culture of the Snowy Plateau this eccentric? Even preparing 'white meat' is handled with such surgical precision?"

Lhobu merely smiled, long desensitized to the slaughter nearby.

"Honored guest, you may not understand. This is a sacred ritual."

"Sacred?"

Liang Yue frowned, a flicker of ice in her eyes. The display was fundamentally sickening.

She had witnessed her share of carnage, but this spectacle still induced a visceral reaction.

It wasn't just her; Zhang Yi, Old You, and Fatty Xu were struggling to maintain their composure.

Had they not been tempered by countless battles and the sight of death, they would surely have become ill.

Yet, in front of Lhobu, they had to appear unfazed to avoid showing weakness. At the very least, Zhang Yi could hear the sounds of retching coming from the women within the Shadow Space.

Lhobu chuckled. "Perhaps you are unaware, but in our Esoteric Buddhist Sect, sacrifice is a divine act. And nothing is more sacred than the offering of a believer’s physical form."

"Our most critical Prayer Festival is nearly upon us. Every clan must provide a quota of skin and organs to craft ritual instruments."

He gestured toward the corpses. "These are our most devout believers, specifically selected. Only their biological remains can produce truly high-grade ritual tools."

Zhang Yi drew a deep breath. Fortunately, his armor’s filtration system masked the overwhelming stench of blood.

"Quite a unique tradition."

Zhang Yi quickly led his group away, unwilling to discuss it further.

Throughout human history, sacrificial traditions had existed, but here, it was treated as a banal, everyday occurrence.

Some fanatics even viewed being selected as an honor.

The Esoteric Buddhist Sect taught the pursuit of the next life; sacrifice in this realm was viewed as a means to secure a superior existence in the next.

The vague promise of an infinite 'next life' was a powerful tool in the hands of the religion.

After walking a bit further from the harvest grounds, they encountered another bizarre scene.

In a plaza before a shrine, a high lama draped in red robes sat on a stone dais, presiding over a crowd of ragged, pious devotees.

The high lama held his palms together as he spoke.

"Your asceticism in this life is a way to accrue merit. The more you gather, the more assured your entry into the Western Pure Land becomes upon your death."

"When that day arrives, a host of Buddhas and deities shall descend to greet you. The path to the Pure Land is composed of gold and jewels. There, you shall lack for nothing. There is no suffering, no hunger, and eternal joy awaits you all."