Chapter 67: Choose One of Two
The surrounding villagers echoed their sentiments, their voices filled with fear and helplessness.
A clear, cold female voice rang out from the crowd, "I have no choice either."
The surrounding villagers immediately erupted in cheers, their voices growing louder and louder, like thunderclaps exploding in the ears of Luo Qing and his companions.
Their faces were filled with anger and discontent, as if the person standing in front of them was not their goddess, but their hated enemy.
“You are the goddess of our village, so you should dedicate yourself to us!” A middle-aged man shouted, his face contorted with rage and fanaticism, as if he had forgotten the respect and faith he once had for the goddess.
"If you weren't so useless, how come the people in our village have been unable to have children!" a woman shrieked, her eyes flashing with hatred as if she wanted to devour the goddess.
The atmosphere in the square grew increasingly tense, with the villagers' agitated emotions seemingly about to burst forth, as they continuously shouted accusations at the Fairy of Yaochi.
The fairy of Yaochi stood quietly in the crowd. Her face no longer held its usual aloofness and nobility, but only deep helplessness and weariness.
Her eyes were glistening with tears, as if she were about to break down at any moment.
"I really have no way..." the fairy of Yaochi murmured softly, her voice weak but filled with endless sorrow.
However, the villagers did not seem to hear her. Their emotions became increasingly agitated, and some even began to shove the Fairy of Yaochi.
The fairy maiden from Yaochi stumbled and almost fell to the ground. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard not to let her tears fall.
She knew that she could neither change the villagers' minds nor their fate.
The man standing in the very center had a face full of fat and a cunning glint in his eyes.
He looked around and saw the villagers' eager and expectant eyes, a smug smile appearing on his lips.
“You say you have no way? I know a way. Do you want to know what it is?” He deliberately kept everyone in suspense, pausing for a moment, as if enjoying the feeling of being in control.
The villagers nodded in agreement, some urging impatiently, "Tell us quickly, stop keeping us in suspense!"
The man then slowly spoke: "If you are willing to elect me as the village chief, I will tell you the way to ensure the village's survival and reproduction."
As soon as he finished speaking, the villagers erupted in excitement. They discussed among themselves, some looking hesitant, while others were already excitedly whispering to each other.
The sounds in the square rose and fell like waves.
The man stood in the crowd, a smug smile on his lips, as if he could already see the glory and power he would gain after becoming the village chief.
Finally, an old man stepped forward, stroked his beard, and said in a deep voice, "We can agree to your conditions, but you must guarantee that the method will really work."
A sly glint flashed in the man's eyes. He patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, I guarantee that method will be absolutely effective. As long as I become the village chief, I will definitely lead everyone out of this predicament and make the village prosperous again."
The villagers exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with anticipation and hope. They knew that although this man was cunning, he might truly know the way to ensure the village's survival.
They nodded in agreement, their anger and dissatisfaction gradually fading, replaced by anticipation and hope.
They seemed to see new hope, and a future of prosperity and flourishing for the village.
The man smiled smugly, a sly glint in his eyes, as if he could already see the glory and power he would gain as the village chief.
He raised his hand in a calming gesture, signaling the villagers to quiet down.
The atmosphere in the square gradually calmed down, leaving only the rustling sound of the breeze blowing through the peach grove. Petals drifted down in the wind, gently landing on the villagers' bodies and at their feet like pink snowflakes.
The man cleared his throat and began to slowly explain his so-called "solution." His voice, though deep, was full of allure and mystery. The villagers listened intently, seemingly captivated by his words, completely immersed in his world.
"The solution is actually quite simple. The fairy's flesh and blood can cure all diseases; all we need is..."
"The solution is actually quite simple. The fairy's flesh and blood can cure all diseases. As long as we eat her flesh and blood, we will receive the blessings of the gods, and the village will naturally prosper." The man's voice was deep and sinister, as if it came from the depths of hell.
Upon hearing this, the villagers were immediately in an uproar.
They looked at each other, their eyes gleaming with greed and fear. Some even involuntarily took a few steps back, as if the image of the fairy maiden from the Jade Pool was becoming increasingly terrifying in their minds.
The fairy of Yaochi stood in the crowd, her face as pale as paper, her body trembling slightly.
She couldn't believe her ears, nor could she believe that these villagers who had once respected and believed in her could utter such cruel words.
Luo Qing and the others, who were hiding behind the bridge, were also shocked when they heard this. They stared wide-eyed at those once-familiar faces in disbelief.
The greed and fanaticism on the villagers' faces seemed to materialize into flames, leaping and burning in the night. Their eyes were fixed on the Fairy of Yaochi, as if they were looking at a lamb to the slaughter.
Fang Tai whispered, "How could this be? Didn't the murals in the temple say that the goddess left because they were angry with their preference for sons over daughters?"
Fang Tai's words echoed in the night sky, carrying a hint of confusion and resentment.
They hid in the shadows of the bridge, watching helplessly as the villagers, driven by greed and fanaticism, gradually lost their reason.
The ancient scenes on the temple murals seem to tell a different story.
The goddess in the mural is elegant and solemn, and the villagers kneel in devout worship, filled with awe and respect. However, the reality at this moment is completely different from the scene in the mural.
The moonlight shone on the villagers' faces, reflecting their ferocious expressions. Their eyes gleamed with cruelty and greed, as if they had forgotten their former faith and reverence.
The fairy maiden of Yaochi stood alone and helpless in the center of the square, her figure appearing even more frail in the moonlight.
Her eyes were filled with despair and sorrow, as if she could already see her fate.
The villagers, some carrying knives and others carrying ropes, surrounded the goddess.
The goddess then used her magic to fly into the air, intending to leave this place.
But how could the villagers let her off so easily?
The new village chief waved his hand, and a middle-aged woman came out dragging a girl who was tied up with hemp rope.
The girl had disheveled hair, her face was covered in tears, her clothes were rumpled, and a rag was stuffed in her mouth, making her look extremely disheveled.
Luo Qing recognized her as Tao Xi, the goddess incarnation in the mural.
The new village chief laughed triumphantly, pressing the knife against Tao Xi's neck. "They say the goddess loves the world, and you've protected our village for so long. Here's what I'll give you: a choice between you and Tao Xi. I'll only spare one of you."
Under the moonlight, the new village chief's distorted face appeared even more ferocious. The knife in his hand gleamed coldly, pressed tightly against Tao Xi's delicate neck; with just a slight slash, that vibrant life would vanish.
Tao Xi trembled all over, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. Her eyes were filled with fear, but she shook her head at the goddess, as if telling her to forget about her and run away.
The fairy maiden of Yaochi floated in the air, her figure appearing so holy and fragile under the moonlight.
Her gaze darted between the new village chief and Taoxi, her inner struggle and pain beyond words.
The villagers watched, some whispering, others looking on with pity. But driven by greed and fear, they chose silence and went with the flow.
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