Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies Chapter 1307: Local Customs

When the name of the Lord of the Charnel Ground came up, Pagyi Gesang immediately grew solemn.

"Mr. Chaos, the Lord of the Charnel Ground gains his power from the esoteric sect. It's a profound secret we can't comprehend."

"Likewise, his might in the Southwest Region rivals that of a god. A single look from him would leave us utterly powerless to fight back."

"Therefore... I fear we can't offer much useful information on how to confront him."

Zhang Yi pondered briefly, with the events of that night flashing back in his thoughts.

One factor was the Lord of the Charnel Ground's overwhelming strength; that fearsome Black Chariot-level combat power index hitting 20,000 points truly struck terror.

Yet what terrified even more was his capacity to draw a mysterious force from the far-off Sangha Monastery.

Any wounds he took healed swiftly, while his depleted superhuman powers got restored rapidly.

This aspect proved utterly horrifying.

In essence, without an instant kill, the Lord of the Charnel Ground remained unkillable amid the Snowy Region's territory.

But who possessed the might to instantly slay a Black Chariot-level superhuman?

Likely only a figure like the Gatekeeper of the Netherworld, or Houtu after meeting her curse requirements, might pull it off.

"Share details about this Lord of the Charnel Ground! Tell me, what sort of individual is he?"

Maybe insights from his background would reveal some vulnerabilities.

With no strangers present in the chamber, Pagyi Gesang nodded right away.

"It's no hidden matter. As the symbolic head of the esoteric sect, the Sangha Monastery openly honors his life story across the entire Snowy Plateau Region."

Pagyi Gesang shared the full account with Zhang Yi.

Frankly speaking, the so-called Lord of the Charnel Ground had served for more than a hundred years as nothing but a spiritual icon for the esoteric sect, wielding zero real authority.

True control rested with the Khenpo and the four major chieftain families.

For a figurehead like that, the ideal upbringing involved turning him into a complete incompetent.

And faith provided the flawless method to accomplish this without flaw.

Namely, immersion in Buddhist scriptures.

Pagyi Gesang continued, "The original name of this Lord of the Charnel Ground was Yasha Langtai Jue Guo. Though part of the Yasha Langtai family, he hailed from a remote side branch. His parents worked as simple herders raising livestock."

"At age eight, he awakened. Once the Sangha Monastery learned of it, they dispatched envoys to bring him there without delay."

"Since that day, he scarcely ever stepped outside the Sangha Monastery."

"During his first decade, he studied countless Buddhist texts under the guidance of esteemed monks and masters inside the temple until maturity."

"Then, they placed him in a secluded meditation chamber at the Sangha Monastery for five years of total isolation."

"Throughout that time, he never exited the room even once. Daily, attendants delivered his meals and scriptures."

At this, Fatty Xu's eyes widened in shock as he blurted, "Huh? By that count, didn't he spend a solid fifteen years cooped up in the monastery as a lama?"

Pagyi Gesang affirmed, "Exactly. He couldn't venture out freely. Even as a powerless figurehead, to the folk of the Snowy Plateau Region, he embodies a living god."

Zhang Yi scoffed, "If someone like that ever departs the Sangha Monastery and gets any wild notions, a mere gesture from him could rally thousands, with hordes ready to lay down their lives for him, wouldn't it?"

"That would make control a real hassle for you all."

Pagyi Gesang offered no denial, merely smiling and nodding.

Old You let out a sigh, "It's just... this feels a bit too harsh."

Not a soul contested that view.

A child of eight, thrust into monkhood, enduring fifteen long years with only flickering lamps and ancient Buddha statues for company.

How dull and desolate must such an existence have been?

Yet Pagyi Gesang shook his head.

"Harsh? Not really."

"Confined lifelong within the temple, his upbringing convinced him that Buddhist practice holds supreme purpose. Thus, he wouldn't envy the outer world's allure; instead, he derives true delight from it."

Here, Pagyi Gesang gave a wry smile:

"That's precisely why I call him the purest soul on earth, and the most faithful to Buddha."

Zhang Yi let out a sigh.

"Truly, to imprison someone under the banner of faith. To confine a man in a golden cage, leaving him blind to his own captivity. This technique is brilliantly cunning."

"However," he arched an eyebrow, glancing playfully toward Pagyi Gesang, "bestowing enormous power upon an excessively pure individual can be utterly frightening as well."

The wry smile on Pagyi Gesang's face intensified.

"That's why I exist in constant dread every day!"

Zhang Yi carefully mulled over Pagyi Gesang's statements, attempting to envision that figure's character based on his depiction of the Lord of the Charnel Ground.

No saints walked this world in his view. Every human carried inevitable weaknesses.

At that very instant, a guard outside announced a report.

The chef Luodan had arrived with the meal.

Zhang Yi and his companions caught the oddly captivating fragrance from afar.

Slight shifts appeared on the faces of Zhang Yi and Liang Yue.

Zhang Yi remarked to Pagyi Gesang, "This dish doesn't suit our taste."

Pagyi Gesang smacked his forehead. "My apologies, apologies. We're so used to this fare that we overlooked it for a moment."

Pagyi Gesang had explained that in the Snowy Plateau Region, only great nobles could partake of it.

Even regular days made it rare to savor.

He swiftly directed a servant, "Have Luodan deliver that gourmet treat to my rear chamber!"

Suolang Deji and Chodak immediately turned their gazes to Pagyi Gesang.

Pagyi Gesang grinned. "Our honored guests aren't accustomed to it. You two, join me later in the back to partake."

Comprehending smiles then lit up their faces.

Right then, Liang Yue, who had stayed quiet so far, could no longer contain herself.

She refused to ignore it, having seen firsthand where those ingredients came from.

Her vise-like grip had warped the silver chopsticks in her hand.

She stared coldly at Pagyi Gesang and demanded:

"Chief Pagyi, allow me to ask. With your lofty position, you surely don't lack fine foods. Why choose this specific item?"

Pagyi Gesang and his two companions, confronted head-on by Liang Yue, showed faint changes in their expressions.

Still, as a major force in crushing the Allied Forces, Liang Yue demanded their respect.

Pagyi Gesang gave a light chuckle.

"Miss, you find us savage, don't you?"

"Isn't it plain to see?"

Liang Yue replied icily.

Zhang Yi refrained from interrupting Liang Yue; he too craved the answer.

Pagyi Gesang, in no rush, proceeded to share a tale from bygone days.

"In the old days of the Snowy Plateau Region... though 'old' might exaggerate it; the events weren't so ancient."

"In those times, the deceased received sky burial: their bodies sliced and offered to vultures."

"We of the Snowy Region hold to reincarnation. Upon death, the soul leaves the flesh to rebirth elsewhere."

"Sky burial represents selfless charity, giving the body back to nature."

With gentle eyes, he regarded Liang Yue and the other four.

"Gratitude shapes our approach to this practice."

"That catastrophe hit, wiping out over ninety percent of the Snowy Plateau Region's people in one month alone!"

"Survival forced us to exhaust every desperate measure!"

Author's Note