1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
1000 Scenarios of Destiny

It has been two weeks since Shu’er's departure, Liem faithfully visits her navel every day. The pusara was in the garden beside his residence, so that he could freely go there at any time.

“Shu’er, I'm coming. I will plant the seeds of Peonies near you. In order, you can also see it at any time when it blooms later,” Liem said as he tightly clenched the Peony seed pouch given by the holy temple monks. “In addition, I will beautify this place. Plant it with lots of plants so you're comfortable. Is.. You like?”

Liem's condition caused a rumor at Zhang's residence that the family's eldest son had gone mad because of his wife's death. In addition, Liem's condition also worsened. He did not want to eat, and continued to drink wine.

His father became unable to bear it, and asked the Lin family for help. Until that day Lin Shuwan's father came to see Liem, and asked him to speak from heart to heart.

Shu’er's father entered Liem's room. As soon as he entered, he closed his nose because he smelled a very strong wine smell. He looked at the pity of Liem who was drunk and still continued to gulp wine from his urn. 

He approached Liem and sat down next to him. He gently asked Liem to speak, “I know you are very sad to lose Shu’er. But, wouldn't it be if you continued like this that would make him sad? Don't you remember what he said last time? Well... He wants you to live happily,” said Lin Yelu, Shu’er's father.

“Didn't you also hate me? I killed your daughter. And, you still care to visit me?” liem said with puffy eyes, and an empty straight look.

“This is not your fault. I forced her to marry you. I'm the one who's selfish, and I should be the one to blame.” The look of guilt and sadness on Shu’er's father's face. “But continuing like this will not change anything either. Shu’er we have gone, and we are still in this world. He definitely did not want to see you, nor did the Lin family continue to grieve over his loss. Since childhood, it has always been like that. Trying to make the people around him feel safe and happy.”

Shuwan who was there was also filled with the words of Shu’er's father. He also realized that Shu’er's father was also the father, as well as the ancestor of his family.

“Isn't there still something you need to finish, Liem?”

Hearing Shu’er's father's words, Liem was awakened. “True. There's still something I need to finish. I have to meet him again in the next life.”

From that moment on, Liem continued what he had to finish. He planted the Peony seed around his wife's navel. Build a temple full of flowers, and also a Koi pond.

Shuwan only notices how the man works hard, with sweat drenching his shirt. 

The garden was resolved quickly, because of his persistence in trying. He returned to visit Shu’er airport. “Shu’er, I have completed this place. As the flowers and plants grow, this place will definitely become very beautiful. Therefore, I named it “Taman Anming” so that I always feel peaceful here.” He said while smiling at Shu’er's headstone.

“I have also prepared my place. Looky... I built it right next to you. We will be together again,” Liem said as he showed an empty spot next to Shu’er's pusara. His smile also expands on the face after saying ‘hal’ which he considers fun.

***

Liem went to the holy temple, met with the monks to solve the problems he faced. 

“I am so sorry for the passing of your wife,” said the monk.

Liem nodded as a gesture of accepting this condolence. He also continued the discussion. “So, how do you go to the past like you said back then?”

The monk got up when Liem finished asking. He took a box near the statue of the god, and took its contents. “These two things can take someone to the past,” he said while handing over a book, and also a goose-shaped jade pendant.

Liem then took the two things. His face looked confused. “How can these two objects can deliver travel to the past?” liem asked curiously.

“Both of those things are not ordinary things. The book, made of silk fibers, comes from nirvana. As for that jade pendant, it was made from the core of the earth that had been frozen for hundreds of years and was purified with the tears of gods. Both have the magical power to change destiny.”

“Changing destiny? That means, can I directly remove the curse?”

“It's not that easy. The two objects were intermediaries capable of opening the dimensional gates of space and time. To make it work, you have to write yourself a story about a rescue mission into the book. That way, the jade pendant would resonate and create a door to enter into that story. Each story represents one flower, and if it successfully completes its mission, then the flower will bloom.”

“Then, how can I make 1000 stories if the book only has one?” Liem was confused again. 

“The book is 1000 pieces of paper. You just write one story per sheet, with the main character being you and your wife. Then stick the paper you have written into a regular book. Then automatically the ordinary book will be a magic book that can connect with the jade pendant.”

Liem leaned his body against the temple wall. He took a deep breath, preparing to shed the weight he was thinking. “But... I'm not sure I can make 1000 stories in the rest of my life,” said Liem with a face that looked lethargic.

The monk smiled, then said, “Try as you can. Only yourself will know the limits.”

“Of course you should continue in your next life.”

“I-that means, I can meet her again?” liem said with excitement.

“Isn't that what you want?” 

Liem stared at the ceiling of the sacred temple, and responded to the monk's question. “You're right. But can such a thing happen? I am just a sinful man, who even killed his own wife. How could the sky just let me go?”

“It is precisely for that reason that the heavens want to give you the opportunity to make amends,” said the monk wisely.

Liem showed a confused expression. “How can you say this kind of thing? And how else did you get this book? Who are you exactly?” chirps Liem.

“You don't need to know who I am. I was just doing my job. Regarding what happened, everything is already determined in the predestination scenario.”

“But..”.

“Young... Rather than you wasting your time questioning me, it would be nice for you to immediately write the story in the book. Aren't you worried you can't finish it?”

Liem simply fell silent, and weighed the words of the monk. “You're right. I have to make it.” immediately Liem got up from his seat, and tightly grasped the two magical objects. “Ah... One more thing,” Liem suddenly remembered something. “Do I have to intervene alone to complete this mission?”

“Only the reincarnation of your wife, who comes from the Lin family lineage, can complete it. So, once you're done writing the story, you have to explain it to them about this.”

Liem was stunned to hear the monk's answer, “I-that means... It took a very long time to be free from this curse?”

“Only that person knows how many missions he can complete. It can be hundreds, or even thousands of years, depending on his determination and destiny.”

Shuwan had just listened to the two people talk. He became aware of the origin of the strange mission that he had to run until now.

“Then thank you for everything. I have nothing but this,” Liem handed over a black sword similar to the one Shuwan currently possesses.

That sword... Is the same sword as mine? Why did I never see him at Zhang's residence? Inner Shuwan was confused.

The monk rejected it, “No need. This is my last mission. Preferably, just give that precious item along with the goose jade pendant to the Lin family. So that the person who carries out the mission will have weapons to protect him.”

Apparently true. It was the same sword as mine. Inner Shuwan.

After finishing the conversation, suddenly the monk's body glowed. Liem who was there became shocked not dumbstruck.

“Alright, now is the time to part. I have completed my duty. Now it's your turn to fight, young man. May what you pray for be realized in the future" said the monk.

The monk disappeared in a flash of light that soared into the sky. Liem still did not understand this. But he let it go, and remained focused on what the mysterious monk had said.

***

Seasons changed, but Liem was still on the same routine. Every time he writes to complete his target. His determination was so strong, but not with his physique.

One time he collapsed, in the midst of his busy writing. The doctor who examined him said that he had liver cirrhosis. But instead of being sad, Liem smiled at her. The doctor was confused to see his behavior. Not understanding what this young man before him was thinking.

After some time off, Liem continued his writing routine. He understood that he would not be able to solve these 1000 scenarios in his time.

He eventually wrote a will addressed to the Zhang family. That the descendants of the Zhang family who will be born once every hundred years should continue their writing, and guard it until they meet the actors of this scenario.