Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1286: The Battle of Sangjia Temple

Zhang Yi slew Mukawa and Tsangpo in one decisive blade strike.

With the Yasha Langtai family confirmed as foes, there was no reason to show mercy. Eliminating them was the obvious choice.

Far off, the kneeling monks and serfs of Dazhuan Temple watched the event in shocked horror. They refused to accept that Sangha Monastery's Dharma-protecting Vajras had been cut down by this wicked demon in plain sight!

Zhang Yi remained composed and steady as he slid his long sword into the scabbard on his back, then strolled off at a relaxed pace.

He didn't even bother glancing at the onlookers there.

Everyone knew three Dharma-protecting Vajras had come after him, so silencing witnesses wasn't necessary.

Yet ahead, he would probably confront the fury from Sangha Monastery and the whole Yasha Langtai clan.

"Will the Lord of the Charnel Ground step in himself?"

...

Sangha Monastery.

Yasha Langtai Deji had the two family leaders stay with him, hinting that an exciting spectacle was on the way.

Xia Zha Gyatso and La Min Ouzhu shared a look, their minds dimly sensing Deji had dispatched men to strike at the Pagyi Family.

They had no option but to drink their tea and wait patiently for Deji's promised 'good show'.

Deji's features held a gentle smile the whole time, resembling an enlightened master gripping the Southwest Region tight in his grasp.

On this occasion, he'd been extra careful. For his aim, the trio he dispatched were top experts from Sangha Monastery.

He needed the heads of the three major families to grasp who truly ruled the Southwest Region.

Whoever dared challenge Sangha Monastery or the Yasha Langtai family would face fitting retribution.

The killer of Loren had to submit to him or perish!

And soon, he'd showcase his dominance to La Min Ouzhu and the rest by parading that individual—or their severed head—before them.

Still, recalling Pagyi Gesang's unusual boldness that day stirred a flicker of doubt in his chest.

Yet thinking of the Lord of the Charnel Ground in meditation at the Great Illumination Hall swept away all his worries like scattered ash.

With the Lord of the Charnel Ground on their side, nothing could threaten the Yasha Langtai family's dominance in the Southwest Region!

Soon enough, a knock sounded at the Buddha Hall door.

Deji, La Min Ouzhu, and the other turned their gaze toward it.

A smug grin spread across Deji's face. "Looks like the good show I spoke of has reached its conclusion already."

La Min Ouzhu and Xia Zha Gyatso sensed an odd tension rising. Aware of Deji's tactics, dread crept into their hearts.

Killing the chicken to warn the monkeys—they were the monkeys in question!

"Come in!"

Deji commanded with poise.

A monk pushed open the door and entered, his complexion ashen, his demeanor panicked.

Spotting the monk's look, a chill of dread hit Deji.

"Akena, what's wrong?"

Akena clasped his hands, voice quivering as he reported. "Khenpo... disaster! Mukawa, Tsangpo, and Ashina, the three Dharma-protecting Vajras... they've been slain at Dazhuan Temple!"

*Clatter!*

Deji's cup slipped from his grasp, crashing with a shrill break.

He shot to his feet in shock, eyes bulging as he fixed on Akena.

"You... what did you just say?"

Deji wondered if his hearing had failed him.

Mukawa, Tsangpo, and Ashina stood as his strongest monk soldiers. United, few in the Southwest Region could stand against them.

Save for the enigmatic Snow Mountain Divine Eagle of the resistance, no one captured by these three ever walked away unharmed.

But now, not only had they botched the task and failed to shame the Pagyi Family, they themselves had perished!

La Min Ouzhu and Xia Zha Gyatso's faces lit up with hidden delight. They bowed their heads, suppressing grins, glee surging inside.

Watching the haughty Deji stumble, learning three elite Sangha Monastery fighters were dead—how could they not rejoice?

Just moments before, Deji had oozed assurance, like he controlled it all.

Deji's facial muscles spasmed uncontrollably.

Inside his sleeve, his hefty hand clenched the prayer beads hard. Without the two leaders there, he might have smashed the table and bellowed in rage.

Yet with outsiders present, he needed to uphold his dignity.

"Explain exactly what occurred!"

Deji swallowed his raging outburst, eyes red as he glowered at Akena.

Akena shook in terror, quickly recounting all he knew to Deji.

"So that demon the Pagyi Family harbors didn't just kill Loren, but also took out Mukawa, Tsangpo, and Ashina, the three Dharma-protecting Vajras!!"

Deji bellowed in fury.

"Yes, Khenpo."

Akena dropped to his knees, replying truthfully.

Now Xia Zha Gyatso and La Min Ouzhu grew uneasy too.

They knew the fearsome fame of these four; they ranked among the Southwest Region's elite few.

Experts at this caliber were scarce even in their own clans.

Sangha Monastery had lost four at once!

The blow was devastating, carving a massive hole in their Delta-level forces.

And this powerhouse hailed from Chief Pagyi's side.

Deep down, both realized Pagyi Gesang must have summoned an outsider mercenary.

"No surprise Pagyi Gesang acted so boldly today, defying Deji outright. He'd brought in backup!"

"We can only wonder about this enigma's origins and backing."

They pondered silently.

"Hahaha! Insolent, completely and utterly insolent!"

Deji's laugh boomed, laced only with frigid murder lust.

He ground the prayer beads fiercely in his grip, declaring icily, "The Pagyi Family harbors demons. They've abandoned their faith and turned traitor to the esoteric sect!"

Deji whipped around to face the two leaders.

"Chief Xia Zha, Head of La Min, you've witnessed the Pagyi Family's deeds, right?"

"As Khenpo of Sangha Monastery, I call on you now to rally your forces and join my crusade of justice against the Pagyi Family!"

"I trust your devotion to the esoteric sect and your allegiance to Sangha Monastery and the Lord of the Charnel Ground."

Deji's stare pinned them, his aims crystal clear.

The Pagyi Family had crossed his limit this time. War was inevitable; else his standing, Yasha Langtai Deji's authority, would crash to rock bottom.

But he wasn't naive; he wouldn't let the Xia Zha and La Min families watch from afar as tigers clashed.

He'd pull them into the fray too.

Zhang Yi's slaying of four Dharma-protecting Vajras fit the esoteric sect's definition of demonic deeds perfectly.

This handed Deji his casus belli.

Though Xia Zha Gyatso and La Min Ouzhu loathed it a thousand times over, Deji's demeanor warned that refusal might make them his next targets.

They also couldn't predict if the Lord of the Charnel Ground would intervene when Sangha Monastery's stakes were at risk.

Cornered, they clenched their jaws and consented to send troops into the battle.

Author's Note