1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Bamboo Flute

In the eastern horizon, an orange hue ripples from behind the mountains. A sign that the sun is ready to climb its throne on the horizon.

The chirping of birds behind the lush foliage becomes a signal, that a new day must begin soon.

Meanwhile, behind the trunk of a large tree, Shuwan appears still asleep, covered in Zhang's robe that he used last night to cover Zhang's body. Nearby, it appeared that Jiao was also still sleeping soundly. In line with Yu Hao who was on the other side of the corner they were currently staying at.

They were all tired, because it was a long and very heavy night. The sleepiness that came hunting made the three become asleep like the dead.

The atmosphere of the forest was soothing, making anyone feel at home lingering there, as long as it was not through a deadly fight.

Everything seemed normal until the sudden sound of a flute could be heard within the forest. That's why Shuwan became aware. Slowly but surely he began to open his eyes. “Umm,” Shuwan woke up and stretched his muscles. “Who blew the flute early in the morning?” shuwan said in surprise.

After listening to the flute for a long time, he suddenly realized something. “Liem? Where is he?” he said while looking around with his limited views. “Has she been kidnapped? Ah no. Who wants to kidnap a troublesome human like him?” for a moment he fell silent thinking about Zhang which often upset him.

Shuwan then changed the topic of his mind, and shook his fist, “I have to look for him. He could have left even when the others were still asleep. Watch it later when you meet.” 

Shuwan tried to get up as he could. He grabbed the stick he used to help him walk. With great difficulty, he was finally able to walk, even if he had to drag his broken leg.

“Liem...” cried Shuwan trying to find Zhang's whereabouts. “Tsk... Actually go where the hell is he?” Shuwan begins to get upset about not finding Zhang, until the flute is heard again. “This distillation... Who exactly blew it in the middle of a forest like this? I have to find the source of his voice.”

Shuwan walked up to the source of the flute's sound, and tried to figure out who the person who blew it was. 

After walking around, he finally found her. A person sitting on a fallen tree trunk was focusing on blowing a flute with a sponge. Shuwan was unable to see his face because the man turned his back to face the rising sun. 

“That guy?” he said, squinting, trying to get the focus of his vision because it was against the sunlight in front of him.

The existence of the forest that Shuwan now lives in is indeed among the hills. It could be said that the hill on which they stand today is the highest among the others.

Slowly Shuwan began to approach the oran. When he was almost there, he suddenly tripped over another log and fell.

Brugg's...

Zhang realized. He looked back and realized that Shuwan had fallen. He also walked closer to her.

“Aw!” shuwan shouted that he felt pain in his leg. “Sick once. Fucking wood!”

“You should not blame inanimate objects,” ledek Zhang.

Shuwan looked up and found Zhang there. “You! I got to like this too for finding you out!”

“So are you worried about me?”

“Not just me, but Jiao and Yu Hao too,” Shuwan said trying to dodge Zhang's temptation. “Can you disappear while we're off guard? Are you satisfied to keep us up all night? Actually, why did you fall like that?”

Zhang then crouched down, and focused on looking at Shuwan. Then he smiled. His right hand also gently stroked Shuwan's head, “Iya, yes. I'm sorry for bothering you, and I disappeared in the morning. I just want to breathe in the morning air, and test the flute of this gift,” Zhang said as he showed his bamboo flute.

“Since when did you play music? It feels like during the trip with you, I never saw this flute?”

“I always hide it on my shirt. This flute was made by my father. He gave it to me when I was three. This thing was extremely precious, and became the only eye mark of him. So, I have to keep it and keep it well.”

Zhang's gaze became silent. There was sadness on his face. 

“Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up the incident that happened to your family,” Shuwan said.

Zhang shook his head, “You don't need to apologize. This was a fate line already set by the heavens. Although I have lost my family, but at least I still have you.”

He was like a dying man last night for not being conscious. But now, he seemed very healthy and kept trying to tease me. “Well, whatever you say. We better get back to where we belong. Otherwise, Jiao and Yu Hao would definitely be shocked because we are not there,” Shuwan said trying to shift the subject.

“Good.” Zhang then twisted his body, and gave his back to Shuwan. “Get on to my back. I'll carry you there.”

“A-what?” Shuwan was shocked to hear Zhang's words. “I can still walk. You don't have to bother carrying me.” Shuwan tries to reject Zhang's request. Huh, that's right.

“Obviously you fell down and said sick, how could I let you feel sicker?”

This kid is so annoying. Can't he just give up and let me walk? I just want to walk quietly. Without himself. Inner Shuwan snorted in annoyance. “T-but I can still walk, Liem. You don't have to carry me. I'm afraid, you won't be strong enough to hold my body.”

“Hah..” Zhang took a breath as if taking off such a heavy burden. “Alright then.” He then stood up, then turned back to face Shuwan.

Shuwan only looked at her with a strange and confused look.

Without a second thought, Zhang raised Shuwan's body. He took her by force.

“K-you! Oi! Lower me!” Shuwan's orders.

“I won't listen to him. You're so sloppy and stubborn. If I don't act right away, it will definitely take longer to argue with you. That's a very thing I don't like.”

“Like this, aren't we like a newly married couple?”

“Did your head just hit something? Why do you think weird like that?” Shuwan began to feel annoyed. He was very dislikeful of Zhang who kept playing tricks on him.

“I always hoped that this would come true. Later, when we get to Cloud Country, I will instantly marry you.”

Zhang's remarks made Shuwan choke on his own saliva. “A-what did you just say?” Shuwan tried to confirm his hearing.

Early in the morning Zhang said something that was never implied in Shuwan's mind at all. Well, she just wants to be a busy career woman, and doesn't want to get entangled in the intricacies of love.

“I'll marry you, Shuwan.” Once again Zhang said it so clearly.

While Shuwan, still on his expression of disbelief. “Heh, did you say you wanted to marry me? But, you didn't ask me if I agreed or not. And remember, ‘Fading Moonlight’” Shuwan again confirmed that his meeting with Zhang will be completed when he reaches the Land of Clouds.

“My goal is to marry you, not because I have fallen in love with you, but because I want to build a deeper love with you. Maybe you can't love me now, but I'm sure, when we get married, you'll start loving me. Love comes from habits. Our intense meetings and relationships will certainly form that bond, even though it is slow and takes a long time. At least, I can rightly have you before ‘The Moonlight Fades’.”

“You are indeed a learned person. Talking about love is so complicated.”

“Of course. Because you're the one who made it complicated, and forced me to think harder to get your heart.”

“Then, won't you regret marrying me? Whereas I have to leave you once our mission is complete.”

“I won't hold you back from leaving, even if I don't really want that to happen. I'm sure you have your own reasons for forcing you to leave. Right no?”

Shuwan remained silent. He no longer knew what he was going to say.

“Then I will look for you in any corner of the earth where you are. And bring you back with me."

It's ridiculous! You're really silly Liem!

Shuwan did not respond anymore. He knew that continuing to respond to Zhang would always end in another cold war between them. But that's not what they both really want.

Zhang focused on carrying Shuwan vigorously, surrounding the forest to where Jiao and Yu Hao were waiting for their return.

***

At the overnight stop, the awakened Jiao and Yu Hao were confused to find Shuwan and Zhang no longer there.

“They're actually going where the hell? The morning of work disappeared. Are they trying to leave us in the woods?” jiao.

“Do not think strangely. From my vision, they are not such people. Maybe they are dating. Just wait until they return,” Yu Hao chimed in.

“Hey, Yu Hao, I don't understand your mindset. How can you say that?”

“Haish, Jiao, your analyzing skills turned out to be very shallow, huh? Don't you feel like these times are perfect for them to date and get closer?”

Jiao also realized the meaning of Yu Hao's words, “Ah, you were right too. Hopefully there will be good news once they return.” Even the innocent Jiao smiled in satisfaction after gaining enlightenment from Yu Hao.

***

Return to Shuwan and Zhang, who are still walking, try to return to the overnight place.

“Hatchuu!”

Shuwan and Zhang sneezed simultaneously. They just throw each other glances because they sneeze together.

Shuwan then rubs his itchy nose after sneezing. “I think someone is swearing at me behind.”

“You're right. I feel that way too. It might be Jiao and Yu Hao who are upset waiting for us to return,” Zhang chimed in.

“Hei! It's because you disappeared in the morning.”

“But I just want to find the wind.”

“Stay it's your fault.”

“Hei! Do you always feel like you're right? Huh?”

“Of course I am always right,” Shuwan said with confidence.

“You!”

The two of them were fighting like children while walking down the forest road.