Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1280: Deji's Conspiracy

The next morning at dawn, Zhang Yi rose promptly and set off to locate Pagyi Gesang.

His objective was to secure intelligence covering the whole Southwest Region.

In particular, details regarding the military power of the other three great families along with Sangha Monastery.

Superhumans, weapons, numbers of private soldiers.

Mastering this data was essential to sidestep errors during upcoming actions.

Yet prior to departing, Pagyi Gesang showed up to meet him personally.

"Mr. Chaos!"

Zhang Yi nodded. "Chief Pagyi, do you need me for something? I was planning to come see you!"

Pagyi Gesang let out a sigh, his face showing deep gravity. "This morning, Yasha Langtai Deji, acting as Khenpo of Sangha Monastery, summoned the leaders of our Four Great Families for a gathering."

Zhang Yi lifted a brow. "Do you hold meetings that often?"

Pagyi Gesang's look grew peculiar as he eyed Zhang Yi.

"Even he can't just call us together without good cause. But yesterday's odd event changed that."

Noticing the unusual glint in Pagyi Gesang's gaze, Zhang Yi paused briefly before pointing to himself with a subtle grin.

"Is this about me?"

Pagyi Gesang affirmed with a nod. "Didn't you take out a patrol team yesterday?"

"Correct, though I already mentioned it to you. What, were they untouchable?"

Zhang Yi offered a faint smile.

Pagyi Gesang hastened to clarify, "Not at all. Only their backgrounds were quite unique."

"As you probably realize, Sangha Monastery's monk soldiers have basically merged with the Yasha Langtai family's private troops."

"Still, officially, they stand for Sangha Monastery and the esoteric sect."

"Slaughtering that many monk soldiers, including the high-powered Dharma-protecting Vajra Loren, gives Deji his excuse to drag us there."

A hint of powerlessness flickered in Pagyi Gesang's eyes.

Zhang Yi grasped the tough spot right away.

The Yasha Langtai family resembled a warlord manipulating the emperor to control rival lords.

How immense was the esoteric sect's sway over the Southwest Region?

Simply put, nearly everyone there followed the esoteric sect.

Despite clashing with the Yasha Langtai family, the Pagyi Family wouldn't openly defy the esoteric sect.

Zhang Yi nodded and inquired, "Can you manage it easily? Or should I intervene right away?"

Pagyi Gesang dismissed it with a wave. "It's not so grave. Ha, we're merely a fragile pretense from all-out conflict now. The Prayer Festival looms in over a week. He won't risk bold moves against us."

Zhang Yi grinned. "Good to hear. Deal with the negotiations yourself then."

"Sure, I only came to let you know. To stop them exploiting this, please refrain from wandering outside."

Zhang Yi agreed with a nod. "Fine."

Scouting openly in daylight wasn't wise regardless. With the Prayer Festival still distant, urgency wasn't pressing.

Prior to departing, Pagyi Gesang questioned Zhang Yi, "Did you seek me out? Though I'll be away, feel free to command the servants as needed."

Zhang Yi voiced his needs.

Pagyi Gesang promptly directed chief steward Lhobu to assemble the intel and deliver it to Zhang Yi.

Following that, he farewelled Zhang Yi and rushed off with his elite guards via vehicle toward Sangha Monastery.

Having heard from Pagyi Gesang and received the sought-after intel, Zhang Yi returned home to analyze it alongside the others.

The Four Great Families' might proved far feebler than expected.

The Southwest Plateau's sparse population was a factor. Plus, high-altitude resource shortages versus other zones kept superhuman counts low.

Moreover, internal strife among these Four Great Families hindered building real strength.

Frankly, scanning the pooled forces of the Four Great Families, Zhang Yi saw they couldn't rival Jiangnan Region's power.

Without the esoteric sect's Lord of the Charnel Ground as banner and absent the Death Reaper of Love, they'd rank dead last in Huaxu Kingdom.

"Any single one of these Four Great Families, I could crush alone without issue."

"Given time and push, I might eradicate every family entirely."

Finished with the intel review, Zhang Yi gained full confidence.

Yang Xinxin remarked, "So truly, Sangha Monastery's monks are our main foes, above all the Lord of the Charnel Ground."

Zhang Yi confirmed. "Precisely that."

"Yet we must account for hidden players too."

Like those potent, enigmatic Epsilon-level figures from last night.

While Zhang Yi delved into Southwest Region powers, unwelcome visitors infiltrated Pagyi Family grounds.

Beyond the Pagyi estate walls, through the furious blizzard, three monks advanced steadily from afar.

Clad in Dharma robes, they stepped through snow leisurely. Though paces seemed sluggish, wall guards blinked and found them atop the barrier.

Pagyi private soldiers reflexively aimed rifles, but spotting the robes, they discreetly shifted barrels aside.

On the Snowy Plateau, harming a monk doomed you to hell's eighteenth layer post-death.

"Honored monks, our chieftain is at Sangha Monastery. What brings you?"

A superhuman squad leader neared warily, eyes fixed on the trio.

But nearing and discerning their faces, icy sweat drenched his back.

The three monks' looks weren't striking. Not towering, rather slender.

One elder monk appeared skeletal, mere skin over bones.

The lead middle-aged monk regarded the squad leader, voice mild and soothing:

"Yesterday, assailants struck Sangha Monastery's Dharma-protecting Vajra. Witnesses placed them entering your Pagyi Family. We've come to track them."

That usually daring squad leader stuttered, "I... chieftain's absent. Please hold, I'll notify the steward."

The middle-aged monk smiled faintly. "With Chief Pagyi away, we'll conduct our own search."

Words barely out, before the leader responded, a savage blizzard erupted nearby.

Soldiers scattered in chaos. Regaining sight, the three monks had disappeared.

A howling wind alone lingered, surging into the Pagyi Family's sprawling courtyard.

The squad leader's visage paled sharply. He urgently alerted the inner courtyard.

Chief Steward Lhobu, upon hearing, grew profoundly somber.

"Trouble! They schemed to draw the chieftain away, now aiming at our honored guests!"

With Pagyi Gesang departed, he'd brought the family's top fighters, including guard Suolang Deji.

Their void left Pagyi Family defenseless against Sangha Monastery's three Dharma-protecting Vajras!

Author's Note