Where Blossoms No Longer Fell

After hours of checking my body, especially my lower half, the women finally relaxed."You're so pure. He will surely favor you.""Listen carefully to what we say next. This is the key to gaining the god's favor. Every step must be done perfectly."They kept me busy until midnight, going over every single detail.The next morning at eight, I was led to the ancestral hall.The hall stood at the center of the village. Normally, only men were allowed inside. Women were not even permitted to bow at the entrance. The chosen Blossom Bride was the only one who could enter.The moment I stepped over the threshold, my thoughts swirled. It was like I had experienced this same thing before, but the details were hazy, slipping from my memory."Don't daydream. Bow to the ancestors and ask for their blessing.""Yes."Half an hour later, the tedious rituals were finally complete.One of the women guided me to the backyard.She was about to help me into my bridal robes under the sun.I

"Ah!"I panicked, tumbling back and hastily wrapping myself in my clothes as I retreated to a corner.The place where people had been standing was suddenly empty. Had I imagined it?I looked up. There were a few small holes in the ceiling, which normally let sunlight in.They were now covered by thick clouds. My phone had been confiscated when we entered the mountain.The chief and the village elders had warned that no modern devices were allowed. Bringing them was considered disrespectful. Any offense could bring the god's wrath upon the entire village.After fumbling around, I finally found a hidden lighter in the folds of my clothing. A sudden spark ignited, and I set my garments on fire. The flickering flames cast light across the dark cave.I did not dare wander, so I cautiously searched the small area around me. No one else appeared, and I finally got a clear view of the figure before me.He was half-reclined in the stone chair, body trembling slightly. I lean

"Why destroy something so young and so soft? Can't I have a little fun first?"That voice haunted me in nightmares and fueled my hatred.Now, I could finally avenge my sister!…The man looked down at my thin arms and legs with contempt."Just you? How do you… Ah!"I slashed at him from behind, targeting his shoulder blades. I knew it was illegal, but it was necessary to survive and to lure the others in.Two strikes later, he was done. He lay on the ground, completely powerless.I did not want him bleeding out and dying before I got answers. I disinfected his wounds with the best alcohol I had and sprinkled on plenty of pain relief.He writhed on the ground, crying out for mercy. I could not help but laugh."This is how my sister begged you for her life. Did you spare her?"No. They did not. They killed her, torturing her both before and after death. They were no human beings. They were demons."Don't worry. I'll let you live."I crouched beside him and continued,

I explained that after my sister died last year, they found the police report, but it contained only a few fleeting lines.[A husband and wife killed each other during an argument. After her breakdown, the elder sister went into the mountains and committed suicide. The younger sister suffered a high fever and memory loss. Case closed.]In the face of online outcry, the authorities had no choice but to send in the state police and a SWAT helicopter. Three hours later, the helicopter touched down at the base of the mountain.The village chief was grabbed and shoved to the front. "Lead the way!""Sir, it's not that I don't want to, but without instructions from the god, we can't just enter the mountain. Otherwise, the village will suffer the consequences."The police officer put on a cold expression and glared at him. "There are four hours left until the bomb goes off at seven. If you don't lead us in, no one in this village will survive."Professionals were already clearing the