Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1288: Satan Tattoo

Chapter 1288: Satan Tattoo

Fury blazed in Deji's heart, as he firmly resolved to launch war against the Pagyi Family.

He promptly commanded the leaders of the Xia Zha and La Min families to return to their homes, rally their soldiers, and accompany him in the assault on the Pagyi Family.

"The Prayer Festival is about to begin," Xia Zha Gyatso said with concern. "Won't starting a war now bring serious consequences?"

A cold snort escaped Deji's lips, yet inwardly he recognized that no swift victory would come from all-out war without the Lord of the Charnel Ground's direct involvement.

"Go back and muster your troops. I'll personally speak with the Lord of the Charnel Ground!"

A cold shiver gripped the hearts of Xia Zha Gyatso and La Min Ouzhu instantly.

With the Lord of the Charnel Ground stepping into battle himself, the fight's result would barely hold any uncertainty.

Without another word, the duo departed Sangha Monastery right away, hopping into a vehicle to head back to their family domains.

La Min Ouzhu's countenance stayed grim all along the road.

Deep inside, she realized her family along with the Xia Zha Family were merely being played as tools by Deji this time.

Even should they seize gains from the Pagyi Family, Deji would claim them all under Sangha Monastery's name.

Their labor and supplies would amount to nothing but waste.

No sooner had she stepped into her home than she smashed a priceless antique vase in rage, clenching her teeth while railing against Deji's brazenness.

"That brat from the Yasha Langtai Family actually dares to boss me around like this! One day, I'll force him to kneel before me!"

She tilted her head upward, fixing her eyes on the gigantic La Min Family crest displayed in the living room.

"Right under the La Min Family crest!"

La Min Ouzhu vented her wrath wildly, and not one servant nearby dared to make a sound.

Right then, a charming voice rang out from nearby.

"Miss La Min, what's got you this furious?"

La Min Ouzhu drew several deep breaths before swiveling to face the man on the staircase, amusement playing across his features.

She flicked her hand aside, prompting her two most trusted maids to comprehend and withdraw at once.

"Mr. Lancelot."

With her neck held stiff in her customary manner, La Min Ouzhu gazed downward at the lofty man standing there.

"You vowed to aid our La Min Family in dominating the Southwest Region. Does that vow still hold?"

A deep spark glinted within Lancelot's icy-blue eyes.

Exceptionally handsome, he possessed lightly wavy flaxen locks, though the tattoo marring his right cheek disrupted the flawless allure of his appearance.

The black Arabic digits "666" sprawled across his full right cheek—a Western symbol for the devil Satan, exuding a profoundly ominous aura.

One step at a time, he made his way down the stairs.

"Naturally, provided you honor our pact and assist me in securing the ancient artifact under the Great Snow Mountain."

"Your La Min Family will receive our complete backing. You remain our prime collaborator, after all."

La Min Ouzhu's agitation eased a touch at that.

She sank into the sofa, legs crossed elegantly, and proceeded to detail the day's occurrences.

"I refuse to be anyone's puppet any longer! That day must arrive soon."

Her expression icy, she articulated each word deliberately: "I will ascend as the King of the Snowy Region! Never again will I allow anyone to command me."

Lancelot's mouth curved faintly. "It will happen. For the moment, however, patience is essential. Let them drain their strength in mutual conflict."

La Min gradually composed herself. Rising swiftly, she summoned her personal guard captains without hesitation.

"Gather two thousand warriors for me! We march to Sangha Monastery!"

...

Sangha Monastery once more.

Determined not to relent, Deji arrived at the Great Illumination Hall, dwelling place of the Lord of the Charnel Ground.

The most faithful adherent, recognized at age eight as the Lord of the Charnel Ground's reincarnation, had devoted himself to Buddhist studies within Sangha Monastery.

His thoughts remained pristine and lucid, with nearly all his years immersed in Buddhist scriptures and doctrines.

Were it not for the Apocalypse granting him superhuman abilities, his hands would have touched only sutras, never raised in violence against others.

Nevertheless, even now, he had refrained from taking any life.

Currently, the Lord of the Charnel Ground occupied a side chamber in the Great Illumination Hall, diligently studying the crafting of esoteric sect Zen paintings.

These esoteric sect Zen paintings formed a cherished esoteric tradition. Prior to each Prayer Festival, forty-nine monks assembled for forty-nine days to fashion a grand mural of myriad beings venerating the Buddha, using pigments from crushed flowers and jewels.

Circular in design and structured in nine tiers, the artwork descended from the central topmost Buddha through fellow Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and throngs of common folk.

During the Prayer Festival, the Lord of the Charnel Ground would publicly dismantle this esoteric sect Zen painting.

This act embodied the tenet that all existence merges into unity, with the Buddha formless and eternal.

An vital ceremony indeed, compelling the Lord of the Charnel Ground to frequently observe and master its creation.

Deji approached and, beholding the Lord of the Charnel Ground intently focused on the painting process, declared in a solemn tone,

"Lord of the Charnel Ground, a fiend has emerged in the Snowy Plateau Region. As the esoteric sect's guardian deity, will you stand idle?"

At these words, the Lord of the Charnel Ground turned gradually.

His gaze serene and pure, he regarded Deji and inquired, "What troubles you?"

"The culprit behind the patrol team's slaughter under Loren has surfaced," Deji explained. "He's concealed within the Pagyi Family estate."

"I dispatched Mukawa, Tsangpo, and Ashina to capture him, aiming to lead him to redemption and monastic life."

"Yet that fiend proved barbaric beyond measure, slaying all three Vajra protectors!"

A subtle shift appeared in the Lord of the Charnel Ground's eyes upon hearing this.

"The Pagyi Family has turned traitor to the esoteric sect, with undeniable proof now," Deji pressed urgently. "Lord of the Charnel Ground, strike without delay! Fail to do so, and our esoteric sect may crumble!"

The Lord of the Charnel Ground pondered with head bowed before shaking it gently.

"Khenpo, the Prayer Festival approaches. War must not erupt at this juncture."

"Please consider the broader picture and shelve these family quarrels for now."

Deji's visage flushed green with ire.

"Our Sangha Monastery monks lie dead, yet you withhold action?"

"Lord of the Charnel Ground, show no bias to the Pagyi Family!"

This young superior often provoked Deji's temper.

Endowed with such formidable might, yet excessively... devoutly Buddhist—fitting for a monk, perhaps.

But mortals dwell in this realm, not as gods or enlightened ones. Who can truly lack desires or aspirations?

Had the Lord of the Charnel Ground allied with him, the Southwest Region would long bear the Yasha Langtai name.

Shaking his head once more, the Lord of the Charnel Ground replied evenly, "I won't meddle in your two great families' grudge. Only if an Epsilon-rank superhuman emerges from their side will I intervene."

"Epsilon?"

Deji's eyes bulged in disbelief, staring at the Lord of the Charnel Ground with stunned doubt.

"How could the Pagyi Family possess an Epsilon?"

The Lord of the Charnel Ground offered a smile but no reply, resuming his watch over the Zen painting.

His reluctance to act hastily stemmed from awareness of numerous hidden powers observing the snowy domain.

As esoteric sect Dharma-protector, rash moves were forbidden to him.

He needed to conserve power until the Prayer Festival's start.

In his view, the Yasha Langtai-Pagyi clash amounted to petty bickering.

Failing to sway the Lord of the Charnel Ground, Deji stomped in vexation.

"Even without your aid, our three families' alliance suffices to crush the Pagyi Family!"

Author's Note