Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1283: Zhang Yi, you are a demon!

Three Dharma-protecting Vajras of Sangha Monastery, under Mukawa's lead, showed up just beyond the expansive courtyard of the Pagyi Family.

Positioned directly before the primary entrance, they insisted that the Pagyi Family surrender the culprit behind Loren and the rest's deaths.

This left the Pagyi Family's private guards in an incredibly tough spot.

As the mightiest armed force around, these guards absolutely refused to let outsiders breach the family compound.

Yet, these three Dharma-protecting Vajras ranked as elite warriors from Sangha Monastery.

With such prowess, the guards stood no chance of holding them back.

Moreover, the soldiers harbored their own hesitations and lacked the courage to strike lethal blows against them.

"Esteemed sirs, kindly deliver the killer and preserve the honor of our esoteric sect," Mukawa declared, hands clasped in prayer, his features radiating devout earnestness toward the guards by the gate.

The Grand Commander of the private soldiers, Chodak, blocked the main entrance with a Vajra pestle gripped tightly, his countenance stern.

"Revered masters, the family head is absent. Kindly depart."

Mukawa sighed gently. "Purging demons and safeguarding the Dharma remains the obligation of all in our esoteric sect. Have you forgotten?"

The old monk trailing him remarked faintly, "Do you intend to join the demons as their allies?"

Chodak's expression soured instantly.

Should that stigma attach to him, surviving in the Snowy Region would prove nearly impossible.

Remember, the Pagyi Family's dominance depended partly on the esoteric sect bolstering their prestige with the masses.

Label them demon collaborators, and severe internal strife would erupt.

Chodak clenched his Vajra pestle harder, his thoughts frozen on resolving this dire impasse.

In actual combat, overpowering these three Dharma-protecting Vajras lay beyond his reach.

He knew Mukawa's power eclipsed his by far.

Crucially, their visit carried righteous justification, leaving Chodak without pretext to attack.

Precisely then, a crisp, icy voice echoed from within the gate.

"I heard someone seeking me?"

With those words, a grim-visaged man emerged from behind the gate. Clad in a black battle outfit, he scanned the three robed monks ahead with sharp curiosity.

Mukawa and his companions fixed their eyes on Zhang Yi.

They identified him immediately as the mercenary leader responsible for slaying Loren and his group.

Mukawa's visage hardened to frost.

"Are you the demon who slaughtered our esoteric sect's Dharma protectors?"

The elder monk Tsangpo joined palms, murmuring a Buddha's invocation.

"Amitabha. This benefactor bears overwhelming demonic energy. The demon demands exorcism!"

The other monk, Ashina, intoned deeply and gravely to Zhang Yi, "Accompany us! A devil possesses you. Only through our exorcism rite can your pure heart return!"

A chilly smirk tugged Zhang Yi's lips.

Right away, they slapped the 'demon' label on him. Quite the authoritative display!

Yet in esoteric sect circles, such tactics worked wonders.

After the trio's statements, nearby onlookers started eyeing Zhang Yi oddly.

The esoteric sect's sway ran deep—even Pagyi Family guards often accepted Sangha Monastery monks' words without question.

Chief steward Lhobu lingered nearby, his face etched with concern for Zhang Yi.

Still, Zhang Yi had assured him on arrival: no need to fret, he'd manage alone.

Zhang Yi advanced past Chodak, remarking casually, "What demon? Those obstructive fiends I dispatched? Rest easy, I've cleared them out for you."

"Now, routes from the Snowy Plateau Region outward stand clear."

Ashina roared, "Demon! Lies! Your victims were our esoteric sect's Dharma-protecting Vajras! Pious guardians of the Snowy Plateau Region's tranquility, murdered by you."

"Your own confession seals it! No further words needed!"

"Follow us now for the exorcism rite. That's your sole option!"

The elder monk intoned a Buddha's name, yet Zhang Yi detected three auras covertly targeting him.

Any sign of defiance, and they'd swiftly move to eliminate him.

Zhang Yi's lips curved faintly upward.

"Oh? Exorcism rite? You wouldn't resort to summary execution, would you?"

Mukawa scolded, "Absurdity. Our Buddhist way pursues pure benevolence. Toward wretches like you, we offer mercy."

"Submit to the demon-exorcising rite, set aside your blade for instant enlightenment, and we grant repentance."

Zhang Yi scoffed silently. These sect folk adored verbose pretenses.

All knew their malice; Zhang Yi knew they knew he knew—yet the sanctimonious facade persisted.

Zhang Yi inclined his head. "Fine, I'll accompany you."

Lhobu's eyes bulged. He hissed lowly, "Honored guest, don't go with them!"

Lhobu stood stunned. He'd expected Zhang Yi to emerge and ally with Pagyi forces against the trio.

Though formidable, Lhobu sensed Zhang Yi's hidden might. With Zhang Yi's team and family superhumans, overpowering them seemed feasible.

But Zhang Yi leaving with them altered everything.

"Honored guest, don't trust them. Their 'exorcism rite' means torment, possibly death!"

Lhobu murmured urgently into Zhang Yi's ear, signaling desperately.

Zhang Yi grinned faintly. "I trust these three as true Buddhist luminaries who won't mislead me. Also, I won't let you clash with these masters."

"That would spell disaster for the Pagyi Family, right?"

Zhang Yi whispered to Lhobu:

"No battling here. It'd hand Sangha Monastery casus belli for war. Then even the Lord of the Charnel Ground would intervene over these monks."

Lhobu's heart skipped in awe. Gratitude flooded his gaze toward Zhang Yi.

He hadn't dreamed this guest weighed the family's plight so heavily.

He remained unaware Zhang Yi merely avoided revealing power amid witnesses.

Prey arriving gift-wrapped—why refuse?

Tsangpo invoked a Buddha's name: "Amitabha. Benefactor, fear not. Embrace our exorcism, turn to virtue, and we vow no harm."

Zhang Yi nodded. "Gratitude, masters. Still, perhaps we can negotiate certain issues."

The monks smirked inwardly, consenting aloud.

Zhang Yi strode boldly forward. A tangerine tabby perched innocently on his shoulder.

The trio ignored the feline.

Mukawa clasped hands. A fierce snowstorm erupted around the quartet. Instantly, they vanished from sight.

Lhobu stared after their departure. Moved by Zhang Yi's nobility, he stomped anxiously and messaged Pagyi Gesang.

"Family Head, grave news! Your invited guest was seized by Sangha Monastery monks!"

Pagyi Gesang hurried homeward.

Upon hearing, his eyes flared wide, then he erupted in booming laughter.

Author's Note