Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 258 The lamp of hope was extinguished in an instant

"It's finally over." Wu Tao let out a long sigh and a relaxed smile appeared on his face.

"Yes, I can finally have a good rest." Hu Bugui also said, and gently took Wu Tao into his arms. They had been looking forward to it for too long, and finally they could return to their world, no longer having to face the strife of this chaotic world, and no longer having to worry about losing each other at any time.

However, at this moment, the originally radiant magic weapon suddenly vibrated violently, the light flickered, and a sharp buzzing sound was emitted.

"What's going on?" Wu Tao exclaimed, and stood up uneasily from Hu Bugui's arms.

Hu Bugui frowned and reached out to touch the magic weapon, but was bounced back by an invisible force. The light of the magic weapon became weaker and weaker, and finally went out completely, turning into a cold stone.

"No!" Wu Tao cried out in despair. Are all their efforts in vain? Are they destined to be trapped in this time and space, unable to return home forever?

At this moment, an old voice sounded in their ears: "It is a curse, a curse from the remnants of the mysterious organization."

The soul of the ancient wise man slowly emerged, his expression solemn, his tone more serious than ever before. "They had already anticipated that you would repair the magic weapon, so they cast a curse on the core components of the magic weapon in advance."

"Curse? What should we do then?" Wu Tao's voice trembled, and the flame of hope seemed to be extinguished by a basin of cold water.

"Unless..." The ancient wise man hesitated and finally sighed, "Unless a treasure that can replace the core component is found."

"What is it? No matter what it is, we will try our best to find it!" Hu Bugui asked anxiously. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, he will not give up.

The ancient wise man looked at the two of them, and with a trace of pity, he slowly said: "It is the 'Tears of the Stars'."

"Tears of the Stars?" Wu Tao and Hu Bugui asked in unison. They had never heard of this name before.

"What is that?" Hu Bugui asked, with a hint of anxiety in his tone.

"Legend has it that the Tears of the Stars is a meteorite that fell deep in the Kunlun Mountains. It possesses extremely powerful energy." The ancient wise man explained, "Only it can replace the core component of the magic weapon and help you break through the barrier of time and space."

"Kunlun Mountains?" Wu Tao's heart sank. It was a mysterious place located on the border of the Tang Dynasty, full of unknown dangers.

"That's right, but the Kunlun Mountains are steep and shrouded in fog all year round. There are also countless ferocious beasts and poisonous insects. Finding the Tears of the Stars is as difficult as ascending to heaven." The words of the ancient sage were full of helplessness.

The lamp of hope was extinguished again just when it was about to be touched. Wu Tao and Hu Bugui's mood also fell from the clouds to the bottom of the valley. They were silent, leaning on each other, but they saw the same despair in each other's eyes.

"Could it be that... I really can't go back?" Wu Tao's voice trembled, tears welled up in her eyes. She missed the prosperity and convenience of modern society, and the warm embrace of her family and friends.

Hu Bugui held her hand tightly, trying to give her strength: "No, we will definitely find the Tears of the Stars and we will definitely be able to go back."

However, he himself was also filled with confusion and uncertainty. Did the Tears of the Stars really exist? Even if they did, could they really find it?

The ancient wise man looked at them, sighed, and his figure gradually became transparent, and finally disappeared. What was left for them was only endless silence and confusion.

Just then, a cold laugh broke the silence.

"Want to find the Tears of the Stars? Wishful thinking!"

Along with these malicious words, several men in black descended from the sky and surrounded Wu Tao and Hu Bugui. They were agile and had sharp eyes, and it was obvious that they were well-trained.

"Who are you?" Hu Bugui asked vigilantly, protecting Wu Tao behind him.

"I'm here to take your lives!" The leader of the men in black sneered. A cold light flashed in his hand, and a sharp sword pointed directly at Hu Bugui's throat.

A fierce battle was about to break out... The blade of the man in black was chilling, and Hu Bugui's eyes shone, and he quickly drew his sword to meet the attack. Wu Tao had never seen him look so stern, and was extremely worried, but could only hold on to his sleeve tightly, as if that was his only support.

The battle was about to start. The black-clad man's moves were fierce and deadly, and he was obviously determined to kill. Hu Bugui was alone against many people. Although he was highly skilled in martial arts, he was outnumbered and gradually fell into a disadvantage. Wu Tao was anxious and wanted to help, but was stopped by Hu Bugui: "Don't come over! Protect yourself!"

Wu Tao was shocked by his tone and could only watch him being surrounded by the men in black. Amidst the flashes of swords and sabers, Hu Bugui gradually had several more blood marks on his body, but he seemed to feel no pain and continued to fight hard, just to protect the woman behind him whom he cherished like a treasure.

"Who are you? Why do you want to kill us all?!" Wu Tao roared at the men in black, trying to delay time.

The leader of the men in black sneered: "It doesn't matter who we are. What matters is that you all have to die today!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he seized Hu Bugui's weakness and hit him in the chest with a palm. Hu Bugui groaned, spat out a mouthful of blood, and staggered back. Wu Tao exclaimed, rushed over desperately, and hugged him tightly.

"No return!" Wu Tao's voice trembled and tears welled up in his eyes.

Hu Bugui tried to raise his hand to touch her cheek, but it fell down weakly. He looked at Wu Tao, his eyes gradually blurred, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Tao'er, don't cry... I..."

He wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter any more words. Finally, his head tilted and he fell into Wu Tao's arms.

"No! Bugui! Wake up! Don't leave me!" Wu Tao hugged the unconscious Hu Bugui, tears streaming down her face. She felt unprecedented helplessness and despair. At this moment, the sword of the leader of the men in black, with the breath of death, slowly stabbed at her... The blood dyed Wu Tao's clothes and her eyes red. She hugged Hu Bugui's gradually cold body tightly, as if everything in the world had nothing to do with her. The tip of the sword of the leader of the men in black was so close, but she didn't even have the strength to dodge. All she had was endless despair and grief.

"Stop!" A majestic voice sounded, carrying an invisible pressure, and the black-clothed leader stopped moving. Wu Tao looked up blankly, but saw a translucent figure floating in the air, vaguely showing a kind-looking old man.

"Who are you?" the leader of the men in black asked vigilantly.

"I am the one who guards the sacred artifact. You dare to hurt innocent people. Your crime is unforgivable!" The old man's voice was loud and clear, with unquestionable majesty.

The leader of the men in black was obviously a little apprehensive, but thinking of the purpose of their trip, he still said, "We are also following orders, so please don't interfere!"

The old man snorted coldly and was about to make a move, but he saw Wu Tao suddenly kneeling down and begging with tears streaming down his face: "Please, save him! As long as you can save him, I'm willing to do anything!"

The old man looked at her, a trace of pity flashed in his eyes, and he sighed and said, "Child, you are too impulsive. Do you know that what you hold in your hand is enough to destroy the world?"

Wu Tao then remembered what the old man had said before, and she took out the jade pendant from her bosom with trembling hands. This was the repaired magic weapon for traveling through time, and it was also the only hope for her and Hu Bugui to return to the modern era. But now, it was like a cold stone, and could no longer bring her any hope.

"It...it's broken..." Wu Tao's voice trembled, as if he was telling an extremely cruel fact.

The old man looked at the dull jade pendant and sighed, "Alas, it is as expected. This artifact was originally against the will of heaven, and now that it has been forcibly repaired, it has exhausted its last bit of power."

"No! Impossible!" Wu Tao shook her head desperately, tears blurring her eyes. "There must be a way, right?"

The old man was silent for a while before he slowly said, "Child, you have to understand that there are some things that are beyond human control..."

"No!" Wu Tao stood up suddenly, holding the jade pendant tightly in his hand, his eyes gradually became firm, "I don't believe it! I must take him back! I must!"

She no longer paid attention to the old man, but focused all her attention on the jade pendant in her hand, as if this could create a miracle. The old man looked at her, a complicated light flashed in his eyes, but he didn't say anything else. He knew that this girl had made her choice.