บท 174: Part of a Pair?

"Mercy, My Lord! Please grant us mercy! We've brought this sinner before you, so please lift this curse from us and return peace to our beautiful village!" 

While the villagers' voices rose in desperate pleas, their heads bowed in subservience, Song Zhuyu froze, disbelief coursing through him like a rush of fiery lightning. 

Before him, the murky gloom peeled away to reveal an ancient stone altar, carved with strange arcane symbols that seemed to glow as they reflected the golden flames of flickering candles. 

A broken statue loomed in the center, its head missing and cracks running all over the body. Judging from the chipped wings and stone fragments scattered all over the floor, Song Zhuyu surmised the statue should be similar to the small angel statue he had seen in the deceased Chief's residence before. However, he had a strong hunch that it wasn't the broken statue the villagers were praying to, but the small object hovering above its open palm.