Chapter 393 - Chapter 393: Chapter 380: Seeing through but not revealing it (1/2)

Chapter 393: Chapter 380: Seeing through but not revealing it

Cuiwei Mountain is not very tall or steep, yet it thrives due to the perennial mountain spring water that gently flows year-round, lending an air of vitality to the mountain. This spring water also nurtures the lush trees covering the mountain, making ‘verdant mountain and clean water’ the most apt description.

Now, viewing from the foot of the mountain, you can see these lush trees spread across the slopes, their leaves either dark green, fiery red, or apricot yellow. Layer upon layer, these create a vivid, still picture much like an oil painting, providing a feast for the eyes.

The valley echoes with the sweet melody of bird calls, the soft murmur of spring water, and the occasional splash of a small waterfall cascading down a cliff. The long-distance chants of the mountain workers also beckon invitingly, making one want to linger amidst this beautiful scenery.

After securing the horses at the foot of the mountain, the four individuals and their three servants began their ascent.

“What a wonderful mountain,” Zhuang Qingning, while going up the stairs, inhaled deeply the fresh air mixed with mountain trees, and admired the surroundings, as she walked.

“Indeed,” Fan Wenxuan chuckled, stroking his beard. “Apart from its beautiful scenery and clear spring water, there’s an interesting legend behind Cuiwei Mountain.”

“It is said that after Pangu created the heavens and earth, and Nuwa created humanity, people began to toil on this land, reproduce, and live in groups, thus forming many small tribes, each making their home in different parts.

“Nearby, there were several small tribes originally, supporting each other and living peacefully together. However, one day, disaster struck. A larger tribe from afar coveted this land’s forests and fields, attacked this area, plundered and killed, sparing no evil in their actions. They even butchered all the elderly and weak in the tribes to prevent future retribution.”

“Just after these thieves had committed their atrocities and were celebrating, the sky suddenly darkened, becoming covered in dark clouds accompanied by thunder and lightning. A whirlpool-like phenomenon appeared in the sky and in an instant, a gigantic mountain descended from the heavens, crushing all the thieves underneath it.”

“From the moment this mountain descended, torrential rain poured down for several days regardless of day or night. When the rain eventually ceased and the clouds dispersed, all that was left were the mountain and a lake. Because this mountain had come to punish evil, it was named Zuiwei Mountain, and the lake was called Zuiwei Lake.”

“During the previous dynasty, the emperor, who passed by this place, felt that although the landscape was beautiful, the name was somewhat morbid, so he changed its name to Cuiwei Mountain and Cuiwei Lake.”

“Until this dynasty, the name has remained the same, and the tellings of the legend have become less and less. Now, many people are only aware of the exceptional beauty of this mountain and the incomparable sweetness of the spring water.”

Zhuang Qingning blinked after hearing the story Fan Wenxuan told. An incredibly beautiful mountain like this had such an origin.

Zhuang Qingsui and Chu Jinzhou, who were both engrossed in the story, also felt rather contemplative.

“Heaven’s law is impartial, and evil will be rewarded with evil. Such heinous actions will certainly receive divine punishment, and justice will be restored to the people,” Chu Jinzhou asserted, his voice soft but full of conviction.

Zhuang Qingsui, after a moment’s thought, remarked, “It’s rather fortuitous to depend on the will of Heaven. It’s actions that count. If those tribes had united, they would have been able to resist the enemy and avenge their deceased relatives.”

Zhuang Qingning listened to the two with interest, thought for a moment, and then smiled without saying anything, instead turning to look at Fan Wenxuan.

“Hmm, both of your points have some merits,” Fan Wenxuan nodded. “However, one of you spoke about divine providence and the other about human effort, with each of you focusing on different aspects.”