Chapter 1283: Zhang Yi, you are a demon!

Three Dharma-protecting Vajras from Sangha Monastery, led by Mukawa, arrived outside the Pagyi Family's vast courtyard.

They stood guard right outside the main gate, demanding that the Pagyi Family hand over the murderer who killed Loren and the others.

This put the Pagyi Family's private soldiers in a very difficult position.

The private soldiers, possessing the strongest military force, certainly would not allow these people to enter the Pagyi Family estate.

However, these three Dharma-protecting Vajras were among the top combatants of Sangha Monastery.

Given their abilities, the soldiers simply couldn't stop them.

Furthermore, the soldiers had their own reservations and didn't dare to truly go for the kill against these men.

"Honored gentlemen, please hand over the murderer and uphold the dignity of the esoteric sect," Mukawa said, palms pressed together in a gesture of prayer, his face filled with pious sincerity as he addressed the private soldiers at the gate.

The private soldiers' Grand Commander, Chodak, stood blocking the main gate, a Vajra pestle in hand, his expression grave.

"Venerable masters, our family head is not here. Please, return."

Mukawa let out a soft sigh. "Exorcising demons and defending the Dharma is the duty of every follower of our esoteric sect. Have you all forgotten this?"

The elderly monk behind him spoke with a faint tone, "Do you also wish to become accomplices of demons?"

Chodak's face instantly turned extremely unpleasant.

Once branded with that label, it would be very difficult for him to continue his life in the Snowy Region.

It must be remembered that the Pagyi Family's ability to maintain their current rule also relied on the esoteric sect to uphold their authority among the common people.

Once they were branded as collaborators with demons, major internal problems would arise.

Chodak tightened his grip on the Vajra pestle in his hand, his mind utterly blank on how to handle this troublesome situation.

If it really came to a fight, he couldn't possibly defeat the three Dharma-protecting Vajras before him.

He was well aware of Mukawa's strength, which far surpassed his own.

The key point was that these men had a legitimate reason for coming to their door, and Chodak had no grounds to take action.

Right at that moment, a clear, cold voice came from inside the gate.

"I heard someone was looking for me?"

As the words fell, a stern-faced man walked out from inside the gate. He wore a black combat suit, his gaze looking over the three monks in their Dharma robes before him with keen interest.

The gazes of Mukawa and the other two fell upon Zhang Yi.

They recognized him at a glance as the leader of the mercenary group who had killed Loren and the others.

Mukawa's face instantly turned icy.

"You are the demon who killed our esoteric sect's Dharma protectors?"

The elderly monk, Tsangpo, pressed his palms together, silently reciting a Buddha's name.

"Amitabha. The demonic aura on this benefactor is too heavy. The demon must be exorcised!"

The other monk, Ashina, spoke with a muffled, resonant voice, coldly addressing Zhang Yi, "Come with us! You have been possessed by a devil. Only by us helping you complete an exorcism ritual can you recover your good and virtuous heart!"

A cold smile curled at the corner of Zhang Yi's mouth.

Straight off the bat, they pinned the big hat of 'demon' on him. What impressive official airs!

But within the esoteric sect, this approach was indeed very effective.

With just these words from the three monks, some people around actually began to look at Zhang Yi with strange gazes.

The influence of the esoteric sect was too great. Even among the Pagyi Family's private soldiers, many would take the words of Sangha Monastery's monks at face value.

The chief steward, Lhobu, stood to the side, looking at Zhang Yi with a face full of worry.

However, Zhang Yi had told him upon arrival not to worry, that he could handle everything himself.

Zhang Yi stepped forward, passing by Chodak, and said lightly, "What demon? Are you talking about the road-blocking demons I killed? Don't worry, I've already helped you deal with those fellows."

"From now on, the roads from the Snowy Plateau Region to the outside world will be unimpeded."

Ashina bellowed, "Demon! Nonsense! Those you killed were our esoteric sect's Dharma-protecting Vajras! They were devout men guarding the peace of the Snowy Plateau Region, yet you killed them."

"Since you have admitted it with your own mouth, there is nothing more to say!"

"Come with us immediately and undergo the exorcism ritual. That is your only path!"

The elderly monk chanted a Buddha's name, but Zhang Yi sensed three forces secretly locking onto him.

It seemed that if he made any move to resist, these three would not hesitate to strike and kill him.

Zhang Yi slightly raised the corner of his mouth.

"Oh? An exorcism ritual? You're not planning to use vigilante justice, are you?"

Mukawa reprimanded, "Nonsense. Our Buddhist path is single-mindedly oriented towards goodness. Even towards a villain like you, we harbor compassion."

"As long as you accept the demon-exorcising ritual, can lay down your butcher's knife and achieve instant Buddhahood, we can give you a chance to repent."

Zhang Yi inwardly sneered. These sect guys just loved to beat around the bush.

Clearly, everyone knew they had ill intentions. They knew Zhang Yi knew they had ill intentions. Yet they still had to put on a dignified and righteous front to cover it up.

Zhang Yi nodded. "Alright then, I can go with you."

Lhobu's eyes widened. He lowered his voice and said to them, "Honored guest, you cannot go with them!"

Lhobu was utterly dumbfounded. He had thought Zhang Yi intended to come out and, together with the Pagyi Family's people, confront these three Dharma-protecting Vajras.

Although the three were powerful, Lhobu could vaguely guess at Zhang Yi's capabilities. As long as Zhang Yi and his group took action, plus the Pagyi Family's superhumans, subduing these three wasn't impossible.

But if Zhang Yi went with them, the nature of the situation would completely change.

"Honored guest, you cannot believe them. The so-called demon-exorcising ritual is nothing but torture, even endangering your life!"

Lhobu whispered in Zhang Yi's ear, desperately giving him meaningful looks.

Zhang Yi smiled slightly. "I believe these three are all venerable monks of the Buddhist path and will not deceive me. Besides, I cannot bear to see you come into conflict with these three venerable masters."

"If that happened, wouldn't it bring trouble to the Pagyi Family?"

Zhang Yi lowered his voice and said to Lhobu:

"We cannot fight here. Otherwise, it would give Sangha Monastery a direct reason to start a war. At that point, even the Lord of the Charnel Ground would take action because of these three monks."

Lhobu's heart jolted with shock. His gaze towards Zhang Yi filled with gratitude.

He never imagined this honored guest would consider the Pagyi Family's situation to such an extent.

He didn't know that Zhang Yi simply didn't want to expose his strength in front of so many people.

Prey delivered right to his doorstep—was there any reason not to take it?

Tsangpo chanted a Buddha's name: "Amitabha. Benefactor, rest assured. As long as you accept our exorcism ritual and reform towards goodness, we will absolutely not harm you in the slightest."

Zhang Yi nodded. "Thank you, venerable masters. However, I think some matters can be discussed properly."

The three monks sneered inwardly but verbally agreed.

Zhang Yi swaggered over. A tangerine-colored tabby cat sat on his shoulder, looking harmless.

The three monks didn't pay the cat any mind either.

Mukawa pressed his palms together. A snowstorm instantly surged around the four of them. In the blink of an eye, the four disappeared from the spot.

Lhobu watched the direction they left in. Grateful for Zhang Yi's chivalry, he stamped his foot and hurriedly sent a message to Pagyi Gesang.

"Family Head, something major has happened! The honored guest you invited has been taken away by monks from Sangha Monastery!"

Pagyi Gesang was currently on his way back.

Hearing this, his eyes couldn't help but widen. Then he burst into hearty laughter.

Author's Note