1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
A Ring

After some time, Zhang finally came out of Shuwan's room. Yu Hao and Jiao who were waiting outside were instantly distracted by him.

Yu Hao approached Zhang, “Since Shuwan is not yet aware, what are we going to do now?”

“Where is the alchemist? I want to meet him,” Zhang said.

“She was in her study. Enter from this door, then straight up to meet the end. There was a door painted with bamboo tree ornaments,” Jiao explained.

“Newly a day we are here. You seem to have understood this place well,” praise Zhang after noticing Jiao who was able to understand the ins and outs of Luo Shu's residence in such a short time.

Jiao looked embarrassed. “You're overreacting. Of course I have to understand it, especially I am his prospective student.”

Yu Hao and Zhang gasped after hearing Jiao's words .

“Murid?” asked Yu Hao curiously.

Jiao nodded. “Tadi, finished treating Shuwan, I begged him to make me his disciple. I want to deepen my medical science and also my medicine.”

“It's good. Based on the abilities you have, I'm sure you will become a reliable student,” Zhang added. 

“Thank you, Zhang.”

“Well, then I want to meet the alchemist Luo Shu first. Can I leave Shuwan on you for a minute?” pinta Zhang to his two friends.

“Alright, Zhang. Actually I also want to meet that alchemist. Who knew he would also accept me to be his disciple,” Yu Hao chimed in.

“Are you applying to be a student because Jiao is also there?”

“Of course. Besides that I also have a special reason.”

“What?”

“For I can treat myself and not trouble others.” Said Yu Hao who afternaya laughing.

“You're.” Zhang shook his head.

What are they talking about anyway? Inner Jiao who was confused by seeing Zhang and Yu Hao whispered and then laughed loudly.

Sometimes he glanced back at Shuwan who was sleeping in the room. He then breathed his heavy breath.

“If you don't have the heart to leave him, then just delay meeting that alchemist,” ledek Yu Hao.

“No. I can't postpone it. There's something important I want to ask.”

“Good. You can entrust Shuwan to us,” Jiao said calmly.

Zhang then walked straight as Jiao instructed. His eyes were unceasingly looking at the corners of the house he was passing through. Various works of art such as paintings, and various pottery crafts are displayed there. 

That alchemist, was he also an art lover? Inner Zhang was in his relaxed steps.

After walking for a few minutes, Zhang finally reached the end of a passageway. Bamboo painting door. This must be the place. He knocked on the door 3 times. 

“Yes. Who?” a voice from inside the room with a door painted with bamboo trees.

Zhang recognized the voice immediately. Although only yesterday they met, but he had already memorized the voice of the alchemist. “Master Alchemist, it's me. The young man who was carrying my sick friend earlier,” Zhang replied.

“Come in,” a voice from inside the room asks Zhang to come in.

With a slightly nervous and careful step Zhang opened the door. Then he entered the room. Once again he was amazed to find thousands of piles of books in the room. He nodded in amazement.

The alchemist then walked up to Zhang. “So, what need are you looking for me for?”

Zhang directly refocused his gaze on that alchemist, “Ah, that, I want to thank you for helping to treat my friend.”

“No problem. As long as I can, I will do it.”

“I want to repay your bud. But I don't know what to give you. Because it looks like you already have everything,” Zhang said.

Luo Shu bitterly smiled. “Do you think I am the one who has everything?” He took a deep breath. “Hah, stop. I don't need anything at the moment.”

Luo Shu was silent for a moment. He seemed to think of something for Zhang to do. “Ah, put it this way, instead, can you help me cut wood for me tomorrow morning? Firewood in the back seems to have run out.”

“If only cutting wood, I can do it. Tomorrow I'll help you. And... One over. I-I consulted you.” Said Zhang who was a little nervous.

“Consultation? If you can know, about what?”

Zhang immediately undressed his upper clothes. He showed his bruised left chest. His face turned into a sissy. “I want to consult about my disease,” he said.

Alchemist Luo Shu was stunned to see a bruise on Zhang's left chest. When I saw it, it was like I was seeing a ghost. “K-you... How can I get this disease?” asked the alchemist in stern words. “Don't tell me you drank Soul Punishing Arak?”

“You're right. I did drink it.” Zhang's gaze became blank afterwards. His gaze was only fixed on the wooden floor that looked shiny because it was cared for at all times.

The alchemist Luo Shu muttered after hearing the astonishing reply from Zhang. “What is your real name?” asked Luo Shu.

“My name is Zhang Wu Liem. You can call me whatever you like,” Zhang said as he tidied up his clothes.

Luo Shu then turned her body around, and walked towards the round guard that was in the study room. He sat down and closed both his hands. He seems to be thinking hard. Every now and then his gaze was fixed on Zhang who was still standing in front of the door. 

“You sit with me here. There are some things I want to ask you. Ah, don't forget to close the door again to make it quieter,” pinta the alchemist.

Zhang immediately closed the door of the study room. He then walked closer towards the round table where Luo Shu was sitting. After arriving, he immediately sat opposite the alchemist.

The alchemist poured the herbal tea in the teapot into each of the cups before him. “This is ginseng tea, good for maintaining health.”

Zhang grabbed the teacup. He then spent it in one gulp.

The activity was continued with a discussion between the alchemist and Zhang.

“I got it from a hermit. He also said the side effects of this wine. I understood it, and drank it consciously. I just want to be reborn and go on a journey with him. With injuries that we each bear.”

“This wine makes you tormented when you are too late in your feelings right?”

Zhang nodded. “Today I hid it from my friends. I'm just saying that I have chronic heart disease. And it can be relieved by the pills I brought.”

The alchemist bowed. He remembered the girl he had just saved. “Is that important person is..”

“You're right. He is someone important to me. But because of my mistake, he died with pain. I went crazy for it. I just hope in this life and beyond to make amends.”

“Your condition is getting worse because of it. That lady... After I checked earlier, he also had ice liver poison. He will not be able to return your feelings. Only with sacrifice and sincerity can heal him.”

“I know. He didn't say his illness, just that he couldn't love me. Everything that happened to that woman was my fault.” Zhang's eyes glazed over after talking about Shuwan.

His feelings were so deep for the woman. “You drank the poison yourself. Then, why do you want to cure him now?”

Zhang's face looked brighter. A knotty smile expands on his face. “That's because I want to be with her longer. This is his last trip. I'd really like to see him again in the future.”

“So apparently.”

“When he is freed from the curse of the ice liver poison, then I must also be healed. That way, the love between the two of us will be knitted sincerely back. If indeed he does not love me, I will fight from the beginning to make him fall in love again,” Zhang continued.

“You are so persistent in fighting for your love. Aren't you tormented through all this?”

“I have been tormented for a long time. I just want to be with him. In the past life, the present, and the future.”

“Then what if you tried but did not manage to make his heart melt? Will you let go?” The alchemist made sure. Whether Zhang will continue with his ego, or he will just take it off.

“If at the end of the struggle I still cannot melt it, then with a heavy heart I will release it. If true it is indeed able to make him happy.” Warm circles slowly fell on the silent Zhang's path.

He wants to live with his love. But no one knows whether they will finally bloom together after a thousand years of waiting. If the gods are compassionate, may they be together. In the real love. The withered alchemist's mind saw Zhang's firmness. He then sipped the ginseng tea that he had just held while listening to Zhang's story.

Luo Shu again exhaled. He put back the cup of tea he held. “The disease you and the woman are suffering from is the same kind. Equally created to punish people who love.”

Zhang only listened to the speech after speech that came out of the alchemist.

“Love and sacrifice, are two things that always go side by side. And it describes the journey you two took. I don't know what made you guys experience this. Then, has your illness lately gotten worse?”

Zhang nodded again. “I was too worried because Shuwan was dying and said goodbye before we got here. Several times I had fallen unconscious, and made everyone worry.”

“So that girl is named Shuwan? Beautiful name.” The alchemist stroked his long, white beard. He rests his back on the back of the chair. His eyes were shifted to the ceiling of the study room. “You must have been very tortured, right?”

Zhang remained silent. He did not respond to Luo Shu's words. 

“Regarding your illness, the antidote can be found in the court of the ruler. First, you have to soak in a cold pool under the moonlight for the whole night. Second, you should drink the Snow Lotus potion for a week. That way, there's a chance you'll recover soon.”

“That cold pool, where is it located?” zhang asked after being silent earlier.

“The pool is inside the temple that is in the palace. For his Snow Lotus potion, I think His Majesty has the medicine. So, to be able to get both of them you have to face His Majesty the King to be able to get it.”

Zhang nodded. “I understand. At least wait for Shuwan to realize I just went there.” 

“You love that girl so much don't you?” asked Luo Shu.

“I love him more than anyone. No matter what time will change, my love for her will not change. And... Although I had to suffer just to meet him, I did not mind at all.”

Luo Shu smiled. He stood up from his seat, and walked towards the wooden cupboard there. Retract the drawer of the closet, and take a small wooden box in white.

After taking it, Luo Shu returned to her seat. He handed the box to Zhang. “Take this,” said.

Zhang also received the box, “What is this?” tanyanya was curious.

"open up. You'll know the contents.”

After Luo Shu invited him to open the box, Zhang opened it. How surprised he was to see a ring in it. “Ring?”

“It was the ring of my late wife. The ring plate is made of meteorite fragments that once fell into the Cloud Country 100 years ago. While the black pearls that decorate it are sent from a country far from here.”

“Why did you give it to me? Isn't this a very valuable item?” ask Zhang again.

“It was the ring I gave her when I proposed to her. Don't you want to propose to her too?” 

Zhang's eyes widened to hear Luo Shu's words. How could he know?

“You can give the ring to the girl you love. My wife is no longer there, so why would I keep her for too long? The ring is just a symbol, while true love is only in each other's hearts.”

“It turns out that you are not only an alchemist who concocts medicine, but also a person who understands love,” Zhang said as he looked at the ring Luo Shu gave him.

“Uhuk!” Luo Shu choked on his own saliva. “Ah... I no longer have a son. He died a few years ago. If he was alive, he would have been like you. I wish he would live. Then I became a witness to her marriage, and had a grandchild. But apparently, fate hasn't allowed it."

Zhang showed his own glance. He felt sympathy for Luo Shu.

“Because I don't have any more sons, so I'll just give you the ring. Promise me that you won't hurt the one you love again,” Luo Shu continued.

Smile again expands on Zhang's face, “I understand. All I've done so far is to make up for it. For sure, I'll give you the whole world if he wants to.”

Luo Shu also smiled. “The day is getting late. You better get some rest. Isn't it tiring to make the long journey?”

“Yeah, I think so. Then I'll take a break.”

Luo Shu nodded, and invited Zhang to leave the room.

Luo Shu stared meaningfully at Zhang's back which began to move away from his gaze. He remembered his only son who was now dead.

My son, if you were alive, wouldn't you also ask for the ring to marry the girl you love?