1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Worrying

Shuwan sat on the chair that led to the window. Staring at the slowly fading spring sky, eroded by the dark night that was slowly coming.

“You keep staring out. What are you really waiting for?” ask Ying Jie.

“Waiting time to go from here.”

“Haishh... Don't you feel comfortable here? If you stay here, you don't have to fight until you get hurt like this.”

“I have my own reasons for doing this fight and journey. So, you don't have to interfere in my personal life.”

The atmosphere why is it like this? This woman is hard to guess, right? I didn't mean to make this kind of awkwardness. Ying Jie's inner self was aware that the atmosphere of the conversation there had become so serious.

“Alright, maybe you'll consider my offer again later. Then I will light a torch, and a lantern in this house,” Ying Jie added.

Just as Ying Jie turned her body, Shuwan stopped her just like that.

“Wait!”

“Hm?” Ying Jie turned back to face Shuwan. “Is there anything you need again?”

“It... Can I help you turn on the lantern?”

Huh huh? Did I not hear wrong? Lighted lanterns? Ying Jie thought hard seeing Shuwan's change in nature. 

“Why? You doubt my abilities?” ask Shuwan.

“Ah... Nope, no. I'm just confused by your change of attitude. You're a little cold, but next time you're warm. Honestly I'm confused.”

“You need not be confused. I was like this before.”

“You really are like a colorless flower, huh? It can change into any color wherever it is. Colors that look real to the eye, but not the actual color. Really hard to guess.”

“You cussed me like a flower?” Shuwan stared intently at Ying Jie, as if like a savage beast ready to pounce on its prey.

“Do you not like? Don't women always love flowers?”

“I really like flowers. But, if I'm likened to a flower, somehow I feel a little bit of a hick.”

“Why?” Ying Jie was curious.

“When someone sees a beautiful flower apparently, they sometimes can't wait to pick it right away, and have it. But as the nature of the flower is plucked, it will soon wither, and then be thrown away. In fact, the flower just wants to stay alive in the tree, then die in its place to grow as well. Do you think being a flower is always fun?”

She is a smart girl. I became more and more interested in him. Ying Jie always noticed every word that came out of Shuwan's mouth. He responded to Shuwan's words wisely.

“You are right. But not everyone is like that, right? The world is always full of pros and cons. I don't blame your thoughts. But isn't everyone behaving like that? If anyone likes to spoil, there must also be someone who likes to take care. You can't just want everything to be good. Because no matter what happens, all have their destiny lines.”

Shuwan. He no longer responded to Ying Jie's words, until he switched the inflorescence talk.

“Day is getting darker, is it not so turn on the lantern?”

Ying Jie then looked around, and sure enough, the sky was already getting darker. 

“Ah... I forgot to. Then, did you come help me turn on the lantern?”

“Of course,” Shuwan tried to get up using a stick made by Ying Jie. Although his face grimaced with pain, Shuwan did not want to give up. He will try to get used to walking with a stick.

Ying Jie only watched Shuwan who was trying. He wanted to help her, but he knew that Shuwan would reject her immediately.

After Ying Jie lit the torch outside, she went inside the house, and found Shuwan lighting the main lantern in the room. He hurried to light the other side.

There was no wind and no rain, Shuwan suddenly asked a question to Ying Jie. “Actually there is something I want to ask.”

Ying Jie simply twisted her body, looking at Shuwan's back from behind. “About?”

“Why did you choose to live in a remote place like this? I just feel, actually you are not that person.”

“It turns out your eyesight is sharp too huh? I live in a place like this because of my own desire to live in peace. No need to think of a country, nor a government.”

“So my guess is right?? You're a person from the upper class.”

Ying Jie sighed deeply, “My father is the minister of defense. He takes care of so many things. I got dizzy myself seeing it. He wants me to be his successor in the government. But I refused it. A person like me who wants to live free, how can I live in a place where there are so many rules? This is the reason I secluded myself to this place.”

Shuwan again tidied the lantern he finished lighting, but did not hang it again. His gaze was fixed straight with the light of the lantern. “So apparently. Then, what about your father? He must be very disappointed in you, right?”

“Of course. He was furious to hear my decision not to enter the government. I stick to my principles, and my father, finally he asked my younger brother to ride. Actually I feel sorry for him, but I also do not want to be a bird in a cage that lives with full rules.” 

“Well, I can only support you on the decision you made.”

The lantern on the table was then hung by Ying Jie. Shuwan just sat watching the small lantern on the table. He came to mind with Zhang and the others. Are they okay?

Not long after Shuwan daydreamed, Ying Jie's disciple arrived home.

He stood at the door of the house that was wide open, with a few people still covered in darkness.

“Shuwan?”

A very familiar voice to Shuwan. The voice that always gives it. A voice that even made his heart seem to tremble heard him. Shuwan was glued, he stood pecking with both hands holding a cane.

From that dark corner, it appeared that someone was running towards Shuwan. Until the lanterns hit the man, and displayed a face that he was very familiar with. Well, it's Zhang. He immediately ran up to Shuwan, and hugged him tightly.

“I thought you..”.

“Tenace. I'm still alive. You can calm down now.” Shuwan realized something as Zhang hugged him. She cried? Zhang, why do you always cry over me like this?

Shuwan took off the support stick he was holding. His heart was moved, his hands were trying to return the warm embrace. He grabbed Zhang's back, and patted him gently.

“Already... It'sit's okay. Now I'm fine. Calm your heart.”

“How can I feel calm?  You're hurt like this. If only, I wouldn't let you fight alone. If only I could catch up to you sooner, none of this would have happened.”

“Haish... But now I'm fine. If you hold me constantly like this, I'll be fine with asphyxiation.”

Zhang realized Shuwan's words, let go of the hug, and held Shuwan's body by holding his shoulder. “Ah... Ii'm sorry. I'm just... Very worried about you.”

“Yah's... I-i understand. Then, how did you guys find me here?”

“Ah... That's because we met them in the forest.”

The flashback

“So far, actually that horse took Shuwan to where the hell?” lament Yu Hao.

“Entahlah. We have walked very far, we rest for a while here,” Zhang said as he sat down and leaned his back on a large tree trunk that was there.

“Ahh..!”

Even the calm Zhang was aghast at the screams from the other side of the forest. “What sound is it?”

“What is clear is the human voice. Looks like it's over there!” sahut Jiao who immediately ascertained the source of the voice.

Without a second thought they immediately approached the source of the sound, and sure enough. There were two children who were being cornered by a wolf.

“Quiet, Yue. I will protect you,” cried the boy who was holding the torch to scare the wolf.

Quickly, Zhang picked up a tree branch and slashed its tip using the dagger he had brought. He made the tree as a spear. So he threw it at the wolf, and made the wolf run away in fear.

Zhang, Jiao, and Yu Hao ran up to the two children.

“Are you okay?” ask Zhang.

“I'm fine, but Brother Yin his hand was injured by the wolf's scratch,” said the girl.

“It's just a small wound. It's okay, Yue. You don't worry, soon the wound will dry.”

“Kids like you why are you still in the forest when it's late?” Yu Hao was curious.

“We are looking for firewood and also medicinal plants. Our house is not far away actually. Do you want to visit him? Our teacher is also very friendly,” Yin said with a smile.

“We want, but we are looking for our friend. Have you ever seen someone cross this place carrying a woman in white, with long black hair? Ah, he also carried a long black sword.” Zhang described Shuwan's features briefly, in order for the two children to understand what he was saying.

“Sister, isn't the person this sister said to be like the woman brought by the teacher?” chirping Yue.

“So, your teacher brought a woman to your home?” Zhang was startled, eyes wide open after hearing Yue speak.

“A day ago, the teacher brought home a woman on his horse. He said that the woman was brought from the bottom of the Abyss of Silence which he happened to pass. The woman was very badly injured. His left leg bone, and 2 ribs were broken. It was like he was going to die. But because of the talent that my teacher has, he was able to survive and go through his critical period,” Yin explained to Zhang.

Zhang, Jiao, and Yu Hao exchanged glances. It was as if he understood and believed that the woman was Shuwan.

“Then, can we go to your house to meet the teacher and the woman?” ask Jiao.

Yue smiled widely, “Of course. Anyone can come visit.”

The five of them finally continued on their way, towards the residence of Yue and Yin.

Flashback off

“So her story. That's why these brothers can get here,” explained the boy.

“So apparently. Thank goodness you're all okay.” Shuwan was finally able to feel calm after meeting up with his friends.