66 The Last to Enter

By now, even Shou himself had cozied up within the group. He also wanted to find out the truth of that village and its connection to the witch. At first, he worried about spoilers, but he had realized that these people seemed to know more about the world than himself, even though that is his own memory. That fact was hugely embarrassing to him, thus he listened attentively to any new conjectures. "Si, do you know how the story will end?"

"I have a hunch, but I can't control what the others will do," the Si replied him. "That's why I told you to try the instance out for yourself. Otherwise, how will you sell something you have no idea about."

"It's been really long since I've been lectured. It's truly refreshing." Shou nodded.

...

The apothecary spoke to Mei Xue, continuing on with the story. "They were no ordinary family of course. No, people called them miracle workers, for they could heal any illness and injury through some ancient arts. At one point, more and more people gathered, and slowly, a village started to form, with that elusive family in the center."

"If they are so great, where are they now," the young lady asked her.

"Who knows?" The apothecary laughed. "Though they could save those around them, they could not save themselves. Ironic, is it not? But it is a fact that they paved the foundations for what we are now. Some say they simply moved on, but I don't believe that. No one, simply 'goes'. I think the witch has something to do with it," she said firmly. "After all, the house she now resides in is what used to belong to that family. Maybe, they have offended someone they should not have offended, and now, those that live here continue to feel that person's wrath to this very day."

Mei Xue did not reply. She was lost in thought. The story, though helpful in understanding the origin of the village, did not explain the curse that came from it. Was it the witch that placed the curse after all? The young lady wondered—no, in the first place. . . was it even a curse at all?

The apothecary waltzed out the kitchen, in her hand two wooden bowls of which white steam rose up gradually. "Eat. Don't hold back. You must be hungry."

Mei Xue did not object, even though she had just eaten in the real world. It was a free meal after all. She glanced at the food and saw it was a greenish soup, with many different herbs. When she smelled it, a fresh aroma revealed itself. As Mei Xue took a small spoonful and placed it in her mouth, her eyes widened. "Bleh," she spoke. "Why is it bitter?"

"Don't be childish," the apothecary reprimanded. "It's healthy."

Mei Xues' brows furrowed. She did not complain anymore. After all, she wasn't a kid. Yet, she felt a little crossed, as Li Yangyi had gotten (by his appearance) something delicious to eat, while she sat here, swallowing medicine. "Oh, it's not that bad if I eat more."

"Of course," the apothecary spoke and humphed. The old woman also sipped the soup, seemingly used to the unique taste.

"I'd like to know more of the family," Mei Xue spoke, while eating. She tucked her hair behind her ear, trying to not get any strands into the soup. "Is there any way I can find out more?"

"Why? It's just old history. Or maybe even just a fairytale. What could possibly interest you there?"

Mei Xue softly blew on her food, causing the steam to flow away. "Why not," she answered succinctly. "Don't you find it interesting? Even when I was small, I was interested in many things, especially those that were hard to come by. I wanted to know everything, have everything and be everything, so when a mystery like this comes up, I can't help myself." She giggled, her face incomparably charming.

The apothecary looked at her. "Well, I suppose there is some." She placed her spoon down. "There's a statue of a young man down the block, the village refers to him as the wizard. Well, there must be a reason why the village chose to erect that ancient statue of him here after all, right? If it's someone from the family, it would make sense. Some say it was him that fended off that witch before." The old woman shrugged. "But for us, he doesn't really hold any meaning, given the story is decades, or maybe even centuries, old and that man has long passed." She paused. "No that is not completely true, some of the younger ones have started revering the statue as a totem once more, as they believe it is his spirit that protects us from the witch. That's foolish though. I've lived here for so long and never saw signs of that thing. The statue is just a beautiful rock."

Mei Xue smiled. "How fascinating."

"Listen. It will be a lot harder than any other secret you have uncovered," the apothecary warned. "Do you want to know the truth? Then you have no choice but to ask the witch herself. That woman is the key to everything. But you would not be so stupid and actually do that, right?"

"Don't worry, I know my limits." Mei Xue shook her head. "Even for me, that is impossible, I wager."

After a while, she finished her soup. She also came to realize her spiritual qi had risen after consuming it all.

...

"—so that is the story," Ah Liang explained to Zhang Yong, Ran Wei, and Lin Zhuyue what he had heard from that apothecary in Mei Xues' instance.

Mei Xue had suggested for one person to watch over everything happening in the illusory world and relaying important info to those whose minds are currently inside the artifacts. By doing so, they could work together even though they were all at different places and could neither hear nor see each other. Ah Liang, as someone that did not enter the illusory world today, choose to volunteer for this role. As such, he had just as much to do as those who had opened an instance, and sweat started dripping down his forehead.

"Gotcha, thanks," Zhang Yong replied.

Ran Wei answered too. "Thank you for telling me, Sir."

Right after came Lin Zhuyues' voice. "Thank you, boss."

...

Lin Zhuyue watched the statue. For some reason, she could not take her eyes off it. Even the woodchipper had left, saying everything he had wanted, leaving her alone in this place. She felt her sight drawn to the wizard, just like how others are drawn to this village. She wondered. The curse that befell this place, allowing no one to leave, was it really the witch that accomplished it?

To those in the village, this statue represented hope, but maybe it wasn't as simple as that. ". . . Perhaps, are you the one calling these people here? Maybe you too cannot help but hold on to some unknown hope," Lin Zhuyue muttered. "A hope that someone may finish what you wished for, and come get rid of the witch for you?"

Naturally, the statue did not answer.

...

Zhang Yong wandered through the fields, while the young little girl quietly followed him. Night had already arrived, and he had urged her to go back to the village, but she did not wish to listen. Instead, the more he told her to leave, the more adamant she was to stay. Kids always had an adventurous spirit, and it was the same with her.

He wondered, from the customers in the Store of Fates, was he the only person to have seen the filed at night? Of course, there were also those that saw it through the screen, but it could never compare with the beautiful image within this place.

A soft breeze gently caressed him, while the hush of flowers and grass played a beautiful melody together with the swarming insects and fluttering leaves. The air and spiritual essence felt incredibly fresh. The bright full moon, together with many bright stars shone only upon him as if he had traveled to a world that was untouched by humankind. It was a wonderful experience to his mind and dao road, as he experienced oneness with nature—a feeling he had long forgotten after rising past the 3rd stage. Zhang Yong truly believed satisfaction came not from being an emperor or deity, but to know how to enjoy life.

Suddenly, a stiff howl broke his indulgence in the ephemeral feeling of harmony. The little girl immediately tensed up. Zhang Yong smiled, as he clenched his fist. "Found you."

...

Ran Wei was the first to return. She had a wry smile and a complicated expression. ". . .To think there was no village elder within that place." The woman looked at the core and saw a completion rate of 27%. It was rather small.

"You've found out a lot of info, don't worry about it," the bodyguard Wan Gu told her honestly. Compared to him who did nothing at all, she was definitely integral to the operation. He did not feel discouraged at all though. No, he right now, he was incredibly excited. He felt as if he were part of an utmost important secret mission, and being able to take part in this project was a privilege by itself.

"Good work," Li Yinyi told her while giving a high-five. She faced the core. "I guess it's now my turn."