Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1282: Lure the Tiger Away Tactic

Once Deji had spoken his piece, his eyes shifted to the trio seated in front of him.

“Everyone, Sangha Monastery requires your assistance. This tribute isn’t meant for mere mortals—it’s dedicated to the gods and Buddhas.”

“Who among you stands in support, and who stands against it?”

The three below looked around hesitantly, none eager to break the silence first.

A faint smile crossed Deji’s lips as he directed his attention to Pagyi Gesang.

“Chief Pagyi, my position is clear. I’m ready to provide men and resources. What say you?”

With Pagyi Gesang put on the spot, silence was no longer an option for him.

He let out a soft chuckle, locking eyes with Deji steadily—neither servile nor intimidated—and replied evenly,

“The Pagyi family’s legacy has been inherited from our forebears. As their heir, I cannot lightly surrender it.”

“Yet, with Khenpo’s words, we’ll offer additional sacrificial meat.”

Supplies they could spare, but warriors—no chance!

Deji’s face grew icy.

Pagyi Gesang’s response had caught him off guard.

In the last two years, Pagyi Gesang always seemed to yield ground against Deji.

This illusion convinced Deji that the entire Snowy Plateau Region bowed to his command.

Though the Lord of the Charnel Ground shunned outright domination, his Yasha Langtai lineage alone carried weight.

Even merely borrowing that fearsome reputation would intimidate the other three families.

Yet today, Pagyi Gesang was different.

Deji couldn’t fathom the source of Pagyi Gesang’s newfound boldness to defy him outright!

His request wasn’t excessive: a thousand warriors and five thousand serfs. It would hurt the three families, but not destroy them.

Previously, he’d employed this gradual slicing approach—whittling away bit by bit at their strength.

But what had changed with Pagyi Gesang today?

Who had emboldened him to challenge Deji so directly?

Deji’s brows furrowed, his stare sharpening with menace.

La Min Ouzhu and Xia Zha Gyatso were equally shocked by Pagyi Gesang’s defiance.

Suddenly, Deji burst into laughter.

“Chief Pagyi, this is all for the Buddha. Surely you don’t wish for Sangha Monastery to suffer disgrace at the Prayer Festival?”

Pagyi Gesang offered a subtle smile. “Gods and Buddhas are compassionate and overlook such minor matters. The Pagyi family devoutly worships Buddha—he will comprehend.”

“Amitabha!”

Deji boomed the chant abruptly.

His cold glare fixed on Pagyi Gesang. “Pagyi Gesang, do you presume to voice Buddha’s intent, or do I?”

Backed now by Zhang Yi, Pagyi Gesang felt unshakeable.

He reclined in his seat with a mocking grin.

“Khenpo, you’ve held that position merely two years. Do you already presume to speak for Buddha?”

Fury churned in Deji as he clenched his teeth against Pagyi Gesang.

“Fine, fine! It appears your Pagyi family is set on defying Sangha Monastery!”

Pagyi Gesang rose to his feet. “We Pagyi revere Buddha with true faith, yet we won’t let anyone exploit his name for selfish gains!”

With those words, Pagyi Gesang abandoned his seat and marched out of the shrine.

The onlookers were dumbfounded. Was this the bold Pagyi Gesang they recognized?

A strange glint flickered in La Min Ouzhu’s eyes, hinting at her suspicions.

Without potent backing, how could Pagyi Gesang possess such assurance?

Deji slammed the table in rage.

Pagyi Gesang’s public rebellion threatened his authority. Failure to crush it would shatter his dominance over the Snowy Region.

Abruptly, Deji whipped his head toward La Min Ouzhu and Xia Zha Gyatso, his eyes narrowing icily.

“Head of La Min, Head of Xia Zha—what are your positions?”

Deji’s wrath now blazed openly. The pair traded uneasy glances, trapped in a bind.

Their clans paled in strength against the Pagyi family.

Even absent the Lord of the Charnel Ground, Yasha Langtai forces could overwhelm them with ease.

Not to mention the Lord of the Charnel Ground’s support.

Under duress, Xia Zha Gyatso inhaled deeply and declared, “In three days, we’ll send the required personnel and supplies to Sangha Monastery.”

Deji’s expression eased somewhat before he eyed the sole female among the western heads, La Min Ouzhu.

“What about you, Head La Min?”

La Min Ouzhu’s complexion drained of color—not from terror, but fury.

Yet before Deji, she held her composure.

Through gritted teeth, she uttered coldly, “The La Min family will provide them within three days as well!”

A grin finally tugged at Deji’s lips.

“Wise choices all around. Obeying me is the smart path.”

“Mark my words—defiers of gods and Buddhas will face dire consequences!”

Hands clasped behind him, he exuded utter certainty.

La Min Ouzhu and Xia Zha Gyatso shared a knowing glance, aware Deji would strike at the Pagyi family soon.

Though loath to surrender assets, they inwardly hoped for a brutal clash between Yasha Langtai and Pagyi forces.

In silence, they pondered Deji’s next move and the origin of Pagyi Gesang’s audacity.

...

Pagyi family city.

Three Dharma-protecting Vajras from Sangha Monastery strode in as if it were their domain, beelining for the Pagyi family courtyard.

Naturally, these three couldn’t breach the Pagyi family’s ironclad defenses outright.

Not even a mighty Delta-level superhuman could endure the barrage from tens of thousands of troops.

However, hailing from revered Sangha Monastery, the esoteric sect’s holy ground, changed everything.

Upon recognizing them and learning the ambushers of the Vajras hid within the Pagyi household, the soldiers’ resolve crumbled.

Even those aiming weapons did so in show; scarce few would pull the trigger.

When steward Lhobu got word, alarm etched his features.

“A lure-the-tiger-away tactic!”

He rushed nonstop to Zhang Yi and the others’ quarters, imploring them to lay low temporarily.

“Come with me to the cellar. The Pagyi estate is vast—if they don’t spot you, they’ll depart on their own.” Lhobu urged Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi arched an eyebrow with a grin.

“They’re after me? How intriguing. But is there truly a spot to conceal ourselves?”

“But—”

Lhobu started to protest when Zhang Yi clapped his shoulder.

“If they’re hunting, hiding won’t make you disappear from their grasp.”

Superhumans included trackers and mind-probers who could extract truths forcibly.

The search party surely featured such experts. Lacking solid intel, they wouldn’t advance so boldly.

Zhang Yi avoided needless conflict, yet feared none.

Hired as a high-paid mercenary by the Pagyi family, having taken their pay bound him to act.

Author's Note