1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Behind The Mask

Shuwan and his friends leave the fight because they feel unsafe and are worried that the herd of criminals will come back to make calculations.

Until it felt quite far from the place, they decided to take a break for a moment. The curious Zhang started the conversation, “Yu Hao, don't you want to show us your face?”

Zhang's question caught the attention of Shuwan and Jiao who were sitting on the tree trunk. Shuwan entered the conversation, “True what Zhang said, I was actually also curious as to what you look like without the mask. So, are you going to keep your face hidden from us?”

“I'm not sure to show this face to you,” Yu Hao replied to Zhang and Shuwan's question while bowing in lethargy.

Jiao also followed the flow of the conversation, she said to Yu Hao, “If you trust us, you can tell it and we will keep it a secret from others. But if you feel uncomfortable telling it, that's okay. We also cannot force others to do things they do not want.”

After silence struck them at that time, it was unexpected that Yu Hao immediately opened his mask. Shuwan, Jiao, and the curious Zhang were surprised by Yu Hao's actions.

His face is okay. After all he had quite a handsome look, so what was the problem? Inner Shuwan.

Zhang asked Yu Hao again, “Your face is fine, then why do you keep covering it up? Are you so fond of the mask festival that you keep wearing it?”

“All this is for a reason, and again I wear a mask not because I like the mask festival. It all started with this sad story of my life.

My real name is Chen Yu Hao, I am the eldest child in my family. I have a little brother and sister. They were young, aged 7 and 5. My family is not noble, but quite respected by the government.

At first we lived well, and were calm. Until one day my family was framed by an official who did not like my father. Our families who have always supported the maligned government have tried to rebel and fight against the government.

I tried to convince the government that my family was innocent and that there was no intention to go against the government. But everything I do is in vain. The false evidence was intended to destroy my family. Because of this, my family was put to death by drinking poison.

Both my parents chose to be executed in order to save me and my sisters. They requested that I could protect my sisters, and immediately left home to save myself.

It did not reach there our suffering. The night after my parents were put to death, my sister and I were chased by a gang of hit men. They were the officers' men.

Our efforts run, but still can be pursued by the killers. I was wounded by a sword, and I was bleeding. I couldn't save my sisters, they slashed at him right after I was seriously injured. They died before my eyes."

Yu Hao looked so sad, it did not feel like his tears were flowing just like that. The tragedy that caused him to suffer was so devastating that he was struck, even given the details. He also continued his story. As for Shuwan, Jiao, and Zhang were still seriously listening.

“After I was injured, and my brothers died I was thrown into the river by the hit men. At that time I felt, maybe this was the end of my life. But apparently fate says something else. When I opened my eyes, I was somewhere.

The people you fought against were the ones in the group who helped me. The group is known as the Black Rose. They were a group that robbed and even killed those who opposed them.

After I recovered, they offered to cooperate with me. If I am willing to follow them, then my family's grudge will be avenged. Since my heart had sunk deep in hatred and vengeance, I finally agreed to join them in seeking my family's revenge.

Right on the night of the full moon, I was with a group of trained people from the Black Rose attacking the official residence that slandered my family. We took out all the people in his house and robbed him of his property without a remnant. It feels so good to see the man who destroyed my family have perished.

When my family's grudge was avenged, I thought about breaking away from this group, but I couldn't. Other than I've bonded with them, I don't know where I'm going after that either. Eventually I continued to follow them, killing and robbing. It all ended when I was met by you, and decided to get away from them. Even if I knew, they wouldn't just let me go either.

During the action, we always wear masks so that people do not know our faces, and only know that we are the elite criminal group of the Black Rose. It is because of this that I continue to wear this mask to cover up my guilt for not being able to protect my family and continuing to commit crimes.”

“But now that you're no longer a villain, are you going to keep wearing it?” jiao.

“So, I've hurt and killed a lot of people. Will anyone look at my sinful face? Every time I remember what I did, my heart hurts. I know how painful it is to lose, but I do the same painful thing for others. I often think, how different am I from the bad guys out there?”

Silence struck them. The guilt still continued to haunt Yu Hao.

“With me being cruel at least I can cover up the wounds that are in my heart so that I do not continue to suffer. But it seems I was wrong, the more pain I endured.”

“I understand. But your life would be better if before death you could do good, at least to make up for the mistakes you have made so far,” Zhang said wisely responding to Yu Hao's statement.

“You don't have to hide behind that mask anymore, Yu Hao. Nothing's gonna change if you keep hiding there. It's time to get up and let go. Now you don't have to worry or feel alone anymore. There we are, and the possibility that will happen in the future we will go through together.”

“What Shuwan said. When we are together, even the most difficult things we can face,” Jiao said.

Yu Hao smiled sincerely as he said, “Thank you so much for accepting this despicable and sinful me.”

Shuwan, Jiao, and Zhang returned with warm smiles welcoming their new comrades.

Zhang suddenly recalled something and said, “We haven't told you our names yet for taking your story too seriously. Then introduce, my name is Zhang.”

“I'm Shuwan,” said Shuwan with a smile.

“And I am Jiao, Wang Jiao.”

A warm smile emanated from Yu Hao's face. He was delighted that his arrival was warmly welcomed in the small group.

As soon as Yu Hao remembered something, he asked a question, “Previously sorry, am I allowed to know where we are going?”

“Cloud News. Our destination is that place,” replied Zhang.

“I think the existence of trmpat is just a rumor spread by the old people.”

Zhang again explained, “No, the place really exists. It's just that it's still very far away and also hidden. The hope is that once we get there, we can start a new life, and try to rise from the past even though we cannot forget it.”

“So yes.”

“Ahem..” Suddenly Shuwan cleared his throat.

“We still have a little problem, which is the villain Black Rose. I'm sure they're chasing us right now to make the calculations. It would be better if we leave this place soon.”

“What Shuwan said. They're not gonna let me and you guys just walk away. It would be better if we get away from here soon,” explained Yu Hao.

“Alright, then we leave now,” Zhang said as he readied his horse.

Finally they hurried away from the place and continued on their way.

***

While at the headquarters of the Black Rose group, the subordinates who were defeated in the battle reported the chronology of the defeat that befell them along with the betrayal of Yu Hao.

A burly man, with side-blind eyes, grinned. Not so clear his face because of the lack of lighting in their headquarters.

After hearing the report from his subordinate, he stood up holding a wine cup and said, “People who want to escape from the Black Rose, will not be easily allowed to escape. They have to bear the consequences. Now, you guys find the fastest horse and go after them! Don't let them feel the calmness.”

“Good, Master!” Said the subordinates understanding the command the mysterious man gave them.

The man laughed, with a face still drowning in the darkness of the shadows.

The Black Rose subordinates immediately set out on a chase to capture and finish off Yu Hao, along with Shuwan and his comrades.