1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Riots in the Store

The shop was so quiet. Shuwan and the others were still focusing on their own food. Not long after, something bad happened.

Brakk...

A middle-aged man slammed into the tavern. He hit the table until he fell. Suddenly the visitors who were there became shocked and wondered about what really happened.

Zhang stood up and looked at the event with a sharp look. “Who dares to make a fuss in this public place?”  

A group of 10 people, and dressed in plainclothes led by the man with the mark on his face even entered arrogantly. 

The man who had been slammed looked terrified. The thugs were getting closer to him. Showing a cheerfulness, as if a lion was about to prey on his prey.

“Ampun, Sir. Please don't kill me,” ask the middle-aged man softly.

Krakk...

The coded leader stomped on the middle-aged man's arm until his bones broke. He smiled with satisfaction at seeing his prey in pain.

“Ah!!” the old man groaned in pain. Even her tears flowed from the pain she was suffering from.

The thugs were inexhaustibly bullying the already weaker old man. “It is better to quickly hand over the tribute you have to hand over to us. Otherwise, then the child's wife, along with this place will be forfeited!” gertak one of.

“T-but, Sir. Kedaiku is not many. The income we earn is also fixed. Just enough for daily meals, and also the operational costs of this place,” replied the old man trying to maintain his possessions.

“You think we care about your household affairs? Hurry along! Give me that tribute. Or, you can choose us to finish off your important things. Hahaha!”

Not just one. But the thugs laughed in satisfaction after successfully making the old man and also the people who were there tremble in fear.

Zhang, who had only been a silent witness, began to act. “Hei! You guys are really jerks, aren't you? How dare to bully the old man. Just make it a shame.”

“Who are you? How dare you call us assholes. Do you want us to finish off too?”

Zhang smiled cynically. “Heh, how arrogant are you guys. We'll know the outcome when the fight is over. Whether I'm the one who's going to run out, or you're the trashy whiskers,” Zhang added with a sharp gaze, as well as a high sense of confidence.

“Master, this guy looks really strong. Are you sure you'll fight it?” whispered one of the heads of the plontos to the man with a codet who had been standing in front.

“We are the number one killer in this place. How could it possibly lose to an onion boy like them?”

“A onion boy? You speak very high, don't you? Not yet fighting but already judging people at will,” Yu Hao chimed in with a stingy speech.

Zhang and Yu Hao who had strengthened his belt also threw a glance at each other. As if he could defeat those thugs with a single strike.

Jiao, who had been sitting quietly, approached Shuwan. “Shuwan, you just sit here quietly. Let this be our business. It is time, we protect you,” Jiao said as she patted Shuwan on both shoulders.

Shuwan. Now it's her turn to be a spectator of her friends' fight. Is it okay if this is so? I don't know why I feel bad. Then, I will be a witness to this match. But if you get hurt just a little bit, I'll act right away.

“Then we prove it directly. Hyaat!” the leader of the thugs immediately came forward to face Zhang, Jiao, and Yu Hao.

Zhang pushed the table before him with his right foot. But the table was successfully destroyed by a coded leader carrying a godam.

Blarrs...

The table was smashed into pieces in a single blow. 

This man is no ordinary man. I can feel his great power. Zhang's mind was filled with curiosity after seeing the way the man fought the coded man. “Yu Hao, Jiao, you must be careful!” zhang shouted at his two friends in the other corner of the room.

Yu Hao and Jiao, who were focused on fighting, turned their eyes to Zhang. They understood, and gave a nodding gesture in return.

“Wah, it looks like this will be exciting!” yu Hao said as he broke his neck left and right. Do not forget that his fingers were also rung.

Jiao just stared at the strange behavior of Yu Hao, “Your style is too conspicuous. In any case, focus, and do not underestimate them,” Jiao warned Yu Hao.

“Take it easy. I can definitely beat them. After all, there are also you fighting with me. So, I feel more confident that I can win this fight,” added Yu Hao with his seduction technique.

“Cih. Men's mouths are too sweet, and hard to believe,” Jiao's balls. “Hyaat!” Jiao again advanced against the subordinates with her sword skills.

“Women are hard to understand, huh? But I can definitely conquer you,” said Yu Hao whose imagination moved wildly in his mind.

Kinggo!

An attack aimed at Yu Hao who was off guard due to his daydream. But because of his good reflexes, he managed to avoid it by turning his body away.

“Hufft... Almost there!” yu Hao said while stroking his chest.

Meanwhile, Zhang and the coded man were still at his fight.

“Heh, it's like this, you still warn your friend huh? Truly loyal people. What if you become my follower?”

“Dream just you! I will never be your follower!” zhang said with his floor.

“I've been too soft on you. Then feel this!”

Booms! The sound was heard until it echoed in the ears. The shop floor was destroyed by the impact.

I can't destroy this place. I'd better get them out of this place. Inner Zhang after thinking of a plan so as not to destroy the tavern where they stopped by.

Zhang and Yu Hao were quite agile. As for Jiao, she was an expert in melee combat. This will be a reliable attacking team on the battlefield. If only I could dance with my sword, I would surely caress the necks of those bandits with my sword. Inner Shuwan who lamented himself was not in a good condition to fight.

The fight was fierce. Zhang felt a little desperate due to the continuous attacks of the coded man. He tried to pull him out. But his efforts were in vain. This guy, he's really strong. Maybe a direct attack would be useless on him. 

Duars...

A sudden attack almost hit Zhang. Luckily he avoided it. Damnit damnit! I can't lose. I should be able to keep my promise to protect Shuwan. All this time, I've always troubled him. This time, this time you can't lose!  “Hyaat!”

Zhang's dagger strike hit the man's disembowel. Instantly the man fell down because of the wounds he suffered.

“Ahh!” the man with the codet groaned in pain, holding onto his wounded stomach. “Bad you!” snapped it.

You did it, Liem. You can finally protect me. So, you can calm down and not have to be burdened anymore. Inner Shuwan who praised Zhang's attack to make his opponent fall.

His arrogant nature really cannot be diminished huh? Shuwan felt completely guilty already being amazed at him.

On the other hand, Yu Hao and Jiao had also managed to cripple the subordinate of the coded man. They are already under surveillance. Yu Hao had asked the village officials for help in preparing the punishment for the thugs.

“You better give up. Otherwise, I would not hesitate to finish you off,” Zhang threatened.

“Heh, that's right. I'd rather die than give up on a boy like you!”

Feeling that he had managed to defeat the herd of thugs, Shuwan and the others felt a little relieved and calm. But who would have thought that a sudden attack hit Shuwan.

Jamb....

All the eyes there were wide in shock to find someone attacking Shuwan with a poisonous needle. 

“Ugh!” Damnit damnit! I could have let my guard down.

Bruck...

Shuwan, who was still sitting at the table where he was eating, fell down after the needle hit his stomach.

‘Shuwan!” Zhang ran straight towards Shuwan. But suddenly another needle attack came over.

“Zhang watch out!” yell Jiao.

With his agility Zhang was able to dodge the attack. His eyes were still looking for the person who attacked Shuwan. And fixed on the corner that is on the roof of the shop.

Apparently she! Inner Zhang after finding the person who attacked him suddenly.

“Hahaha!” the man in disarray who had been injured suddenly laughed. “Hah, young man. I still haven't lost. You better treat your friend quickly, otherwise he'll be dead in two days' time. Hahaha!”

Zhang's face looked red with anger. He walked over to the man with the codet. “You! Quickly give me the antidote!” zhang said as he clutched tightly onto the collar of the thug leader's shirt.

“Do not hope!” The man immediately bit his own tongue. At that moment he too was killed.

While the man who attacked Shuwan with a needle, also suddenly immediately killed himself.

Bruck...

The poisoned needle attacker fell from the top of a pillar on the roof of the shop, with an incision wound on his neck.

“Sial! Who is behind all this!” Zhang was starting to be unable to control his emotions. “Shuwan!” as soon as possible he turned his attention back to Shuwan. “This needle, this needle hit his heart. Yiao! Quickly please Shuwan.”

Jiao approaches Shuwan, checking his pulse. “Shuwan is alive. But I can't guarantee how long he can last.”

The store owner who had become the moons of the thugs also approached them. “Those thugs are known to have Blood Crystal poison. Whoever is exposed to the poison, he will die soon,”.

Zhang gasped at hearing it. “Then, how... How to remove the poison?” zhang asked softly.

“Only the people of Cloud Country have the antidote,” said the store owner.

“Isn't that place far away? What if before getting there Shuwan already..”.

“That place, soon you can reach it. After the forest that fences this village, you will find a rock cliff that looks like it rises to the sky. You have to climb it to get to the road that connects Cloud Country.”

“B-really?”

The shop owner nodded. “We can inhibit the spread of the poison. But it cannot be eliminated completely. Take your friend to my residence. Let the healer check it.”

Shuwan is taken to the shop owner's residence. A doctor who had examined him.

After about 1 hour, the healer was finished. “I've slightly removed the poison. But the poison was still spreading in his heart. You must hurry to find the antidote,” the healer said to Zhang and the others.

“Who are the people we have to meet in Cloud Country to get the antidote?” ask Zhang.

“Meet an alchemist named Luo Shu. He is an expert in bidding poison.”

The four of them finally went on their way. The owner of the good shop also gave them some supplies. Like drinks, food, and some tools.

You have to be careful when you climb that cliff. One wrong step, you can fall and die. Only with strong belief, as well as sincerity can make you safe until the top. If it is smooth, in just a day you can arrive. But if not, then it could be days or even weeks. All of this depends on each one of you.

In the middle of his horse's pace, Zhang was still mingled by the tavern owner's speech. 

“Hya!” Zhang increased the speed of his horse. Shuwan you must endure!

They continued to travel in the wilderness at full speed, without worrying about themselves.

After half a day of walking without rest, they finally reached the bottom of the cliff.

Jiao was amazed to see that cliff. “This cliff really soars into the sky. The peak is completely covered in clouds,” he said in amazement.

“You're right. This is a challenge we must overcome!” Yu Hao chimed. His gaze then turned to Zhang who had just descended from the horse. “Zhang, then how will we bring Shuwan up?” 

“You don't have to worry about it. I will carry it on my back,” Zhang said.

Jiao and Yu Hao looked at each other. 

“Are you sure it will work?” Jiao tried to make sure.

Zhang nodded. “I'm determined. I should be able to. Shuwan can't die!”

“Alright then. You should be more careful. I will climb behind you, and Yu Hao will climb in front. That way, if something happens we can rely on each other,” explained Jiao.

Yu Hao and Zhang nodded in understanding.

Zhang then carried Shuwan who was still unconscious to his back. He tied the red scarf he always carried to Shuwan so that he would not train when Zhang started climbing. You should be fine, Shuwan! I'll try as we hurry up.

The heavy and steep journey finally began.