Chapter 58 The Summit of the Jade Terrace
Peach Creek is surrounded by flames and rage, and her life is slowly slipping away.
A resolute light flashed in her eyes; she knew she could no longer escape the judgment of fate.
In her final moments, she looked up at the sky, her voice weak yet resolute: "I curse the people of Peach Blossom Village, that they will never be able to give birth to a son!"
As these words fell, the sky suddenly darkened, as if her curse had been heard.
The wind howled, the flames flickered, and the entire temple was shrouded in darkness.
The villagers retreated in terror, their faces filled with fear and unease.
They couldn't understand why the goddess who had once protected them would utter such a vicious curse upon them before her death.
Whether the curse was truly effective or not, for more than ten years afterward, not a single male infant was born in Peach Blossom Village.
The group of people who read the story were so angry they were trembling.
Luo Qing stood in the dimly lit temple, feeling the heaviness and oppression that permeated the air.
She couldn't help but laugh sarcastically, "No wonder they're in such a hurry to find the goddess; it turns out they want to break the curse and let a baby boy be born in Peach Blossom Village again."
Her gaze fell on the girl with the innocent smile in the mural, and a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.
This forgotten goddess, who once protected the villagers, ultimately suffered such a tragic fate due to their betrayal and ignorance.
Qi Ru asked worriedly, "Since the goddess was driven away by them, what about our mission?"
Remembering the task that required them to find the missing fairy, their expressions became serious.
"If we're looking for the missing fairy, does that mean we just need to find her?" Mu Qimeng asked.
Luo Qing thought for a moment, "It should be."
Fang Tai said dejectedly, "But we don't know where the goddess has gone."
Mu Qimeng waved a piece of cloth in her hand. "Look at this."
Mo Ming took the cloth and spread it out in front of everyone. It read, "The fairies all live on the top of the Jade Terrace."
"In that case, let's go to the top of the Jade Terrace. Perhaps the fairy will be there." As Luo Qing finished speaking, a look of determination flashed in everyone's eyes.
They stood in the dim temple, the faint light barely illuminating their resolute faces.
The five of them checked the temple thoroughly and returned after confirming that they had not missed any clues.
It is now late at night, and the moonlight shines on the quiet village, draping this land in a veil of mystery.
The night in Peach Blossom Village was exceptionally quiet, broken only by the occasional barking of dogs and chirping of insects.
Luo Qing and the others carefully made their way through the village's alleyways, their steps light and quick, afraid of being discovered by the villagers.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the treetops, dappling the land of Peach Blossom Village.
Sun Pandi carried the food box and walked along the stone path to Luo Qing and the others' residence.
She pushed open the door, and a gentle breeze carrying the aroma of food wafted in.
"Everyone, this is breakfast prepared for you by the village chief." Sun Pandi smiled as she placed the food box on the table, opened the lid, and revealed steaming hot buns and side dishes inside.
Luo Qing swallowed the last bite of her steamed bun, looked up at Sun Pandi, and asked earnestly, "Pandi, we have a question we'd like to ask the village chief. When is she available?"
Sun Pandi thought for a moment and replied, "The village chief usually patrols the village square in the morning. You can go there to find him."
Following Sun Pandi's directions, Luo Qing and the others passed through the village's alleys and arrived at the square of Peach Blossom Village.
Sunlight streamed onto the square, illuminating the cobblestones and the villagers sitting or standing there.
Village chief Tao Ruonan was talking with several villagers, her face bearing a gentle and warm smile, her voice soft yet powerful.
Luo Qing and the others stood quietly to the side, waiting for her attention.
After finishing his conversation with the villagers, village chief Tao Ruonan glanced casually to the side.
When she saw them, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
She approached them with a smile and asked in a gentle voice, "Gentlemen, is there anything I can help you with?"
Luo Qing stepped forward. "Village Chief, we'd like to ask where the Peak of Yaotai is?"
A knowing glint flashed in the village chief's eyes. "It seems you've already been to the temple."
Luo Qing nodded and said frankly, "Yes, we went to the temple and saw the content on the murals."
Tao Ruonan sighed, "Since you've already seen the murals, I won't hide it from you anymore."
"Taoxi in the mural is actually my older sister. We grew up together and have a very deep bond."
Luo Qing was a little surprised, but when she thought of the face that resembled hers, she didn't find it strange anymore.
“I know my sister is innocent, but after all these years, not a single male baby has been born, and our village is going to be wiped out.”
“Now the villagers have realized their mistakes. As long as you can bring back the fairy and break the curse, we are willing to give anything.”
Tao Ruonan handed Luo Qing a map, "This is a map of the summit of Yaotai. You must bring back the goddess."
Luo Qing took the map, unfolded it, and saw a continuous mountain range drawn on it, with one peak soaring into the clouds, shrouded in mist, as if reaching straight to the heavens. That was the summit of Yaotai.
The five stood in the square, feeling the breeze on their faces, their hearts filled with determination.
They knew that the journey ahead would be full of challenges and unknowns, but they were prepared.
Luo Qing looked up at the village chief, Tao Ruonan, her eyes shining. "Village chief, please rest assured, we will definitely find the goddess, break the curse, and give Peach Blossom Village a new lease on life."
That afternoon, the five of them packed their bags and embarked on their journey to the top of Yaotai.
Sunlight dappled across the winding path, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
Luo Qing and the others walked among the mountains, feeling the tranquility and magnificence of nature.
The mountain road was rugged, but they did not back down.
Mu Qimeng held the strip of cloth in her hand that read "The fairies all reside atop the Jade Terrace," her eyes gleaming with unwavering determination.
Qi Ru silently followed at the back of the group, constantly alert to any movement around her to ensure everyone's safety.
Mo Ming and Fang Tai walked side by side, seemingly talking about something.
After completely leaving the area of Peach Blossom Village, Luo Qing suddenly stopped, turned to look at her teammates, and frowned slightly.
"Do you think the village chief's words are reliable?" Luo Qing's voice echoed in the quiet mountains, as if stirring up ripples.
Mu Qimeng was the first to reply: "I think there's something wrong with her. That's not what she told us yesterday."
Qi Ru also said, "She has been hiding a lot."
Mo Ming nodded. "Since she knows that the fairy lives on the top of the Jade Terrace and has a map of the Jade Terrace, why doesn't she go there herself?"
The entire team fell into a brief silence.
The five people stood on the mountain road, with the silhouette of Peach Blossom Village gradually receding behind them, and the mysterious and unpredictable mountains shrouded in clouds and mist in front of them.
Sunlight filtered through the treetops, dappling their bodies, but it couldn't dispel the doubts in their hearts.
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