1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
The Tear River

Shuwan and Zhang continued to follow the instructions contained in the map, until finally they reached a river that is not too big but has clear water and large rocks that decorate it.

“We'd better rest here. I think it's a strategic place. There were large trees to shelter, and there was a river whose water was clear to drink. What do you think, Zhang?”

“I agree. Do you know about this river?”

“I don't know.”

“This river is named Tear river.”

“Tear River? Why is his name like that?” shuwan asked curiously.

Zhang finally told Shuwan the origin of the name of the River Tears.

“It used to be said that there was a family who had twins, a boy and a girl. Both of his parents were from different elite groups of the region. Initially they were a happy family, but not long after the twins were born both parents had differences in principles and finally decided to separate, then return to their respective places of origin. Because of this, the twins must be separated. The father took the daughter, and the mother brought her son.

They educate their children in their own way, and say that the twins should not meet each other. Even so, the inner bond between the two children still could not be hidden. Finally they exchanged news through letters delivered with bird intermediaries. After exchanging news, they secretly decided to meet in a river bordering the two regions that separate them.

News of this meeting was also heard by each parent, so their parents decided to lock their children so as not to meet each other. Although the two were locked up, they did not run out of sense to run away and meet. The parents who heard her children running away checked into her child's room and found her children's exchange papers. Until here, in fact, both of their parents' hearts were touched, but because the ego each had made them blur this.

Then, the two decided to attack each other. His children who know this also try to stop their fight in the river where they meet. However, when the battle ensues the two hold back the arrows that will hit their father and mother. They became a shield for both of them and died because their hearts were pierced by arrows.

The deaths of her two children finally made both parents aware, and wept with regret. They should not forbid their children to meet even though their parents separated because of differences in principles, but rice has become porridge. Their son was killed because of his ego. This tragedy makes this river named Tears river. Where the two children meet, part, and regret both parents.”

Shuwan let out a long sigh, and was silent for a moment.

“How selfish their parents are, until their loved ones finally fall victim to their own selfishness.”

“Human is the place of wrong and khilaf, no one knows how the human heart really is. It is like a wave in the ocean that can change at any time,” Zhang continued.

They looked at the river in silence.

Shuwan broke the silence and said, “You were right. Well, then I'll meditate for a while. Don't try to be noisy let alone bother me.”

“Alright, I will sit under this tree and write,” Zhang said.

“Writing? Hah, I can't believe people like you love to write and carry a notebook on the way.”

“Hei, Miss. Even this way I am a learned young man, of course I love to read and write.”

“Yes already, it is up to you to do what is important do not disturb me while I am focusing on meditating.”

Zhang nodded in understanding. Shuwan went to the big rock in the middle of the river, and sat on it to meditate.

It had been almost two hours Shuwan meditated, and Zhang focused on his book. Suddenly Shuwan heard the swift footsteps of the horses that were getting closer towards them resting at this moment.

The sound of horse footsteps? Who will pass? It's about ten. Lothawat! Inner Shuwan.

Soon Shuwan got up from his meditation and ran towards where Zhang was sitting.

“Hey, let's hide!”

“Why are you panicking? And, why should we hide?” zhang asked in surprise.

“Have not asked much!”

Shuwan pulls Zhang's hand and invites him to hide behind the bushes. The sound of the footsteps of the horse was getting closer. Shuwan and Zhang peeked out from behind the bush.

“In this way we can satisfy the chairman. The treasures we have seized can be used to buy weapons and expand our network. That way, we will be the feared robbers on this land,” said one of the men who rode horses while laughing loosely.

“Are they robbers?” whispered Zhang.

“It looks so. We'd better get out of here soon, or we'll woe.”

Shuwan and Zhang retreated slowly so as not to make a sound. However, Zhang tripped over a rock and fell, shouting.

“Aduh!”

“Hey, you! Dad, we got caught!” Shuwan.

The robbers realized the presence of the man who was spying on them, and rushed down from the horse to the source of the sound.

Shuwan and Zhang stood up, and they came face to face with the robbers.

With haughtiness the robber said, “Heh, apparently in this wilderness there are still prey. Quickly surround them!”

Then, another robber said, “You better hand over the treasure you have, or we will finish you off here!”

“Whose do you think you are? Only lowly humans survive by taking the lives of others,” Shuwan said with a firm face.

Shuwan and Zhang turned their backs on each other. Shuwan prepared with his sword, and Zhang also prepared with his dagger.

“Young lady, your guts turned out big too huh?” said the robber.

The robber immediately attacked Shuwan and Zhang with his brutals. Shuwan was able to dodge the surprise attack, as well as Zhang. In the middle of the fight Shuwan also praised Zhang's ability.

“I didn't expect, it turns out that a houseboy like you can also martial arts.”

“Let this be like I am a man. Wanna put where my face is if it can't save a weak woman like you?” zhang.

Shuwan just smiled cynically. The robbers were defeated by Shuwan and Zhang.

Shuwan unknowingly opens a crack and makes a remaining robber stab him in the back.

“Shuwan watch out!” zhang shouted while protecting Shuwan.

“Zhang, you.”

Shuwan immediately slashed the man who tried to hurt him, and all the robbers were cleared. Seeing that Zhang's back was covered in blood, Shuwan panicked as Zhang was injured from protecting himself.

Finally he took out the medicines to treat Zhang as quickly as possible and left from there. Zhang also regained his senses as he felt someone take off his shirt and touch his wound.

“Taste cold. Have I become a cool man,” said Zhang while enduring pain.

“Stupid basis. You should protect yourself, not even protect strangers like me,” Shuwan said.

“Either why my body moves by itself, and feel that you are not a stranger to me.”

Shuwan simply fell silent and focused on covering Zhang's wound with a bandage that had been laced with herbs to speed up the healing process.

After he finished treating Zhang, he turned Zhang towards the horse left by the robbers.

“We have to get out of here immediately and find a safe place to spend the night. We'll ride this horse.”

“Are we just going to ride one?” zhang asked curiously.

“True. You're injured, what if the wound opens while riding a horse?”

“Does that mean you're worried about me?” goda Zhang's.

“Don't think too much. Quick ride!”

“It turns out you're a fierce woman of concern huh?”

Zhang smiled and climbed onto the horse while teasing Shuwan.

“You talk too much huh?!” snapper Shuwan.

Shuwan will control his horse and sit in front. Zhang sat behind Shuwan.

“Then, how should I hold on?” ask Zhang.

“Just hold my waist, because I will race the horse at full speed.”

“Is it like this?” zhang said as he wrapped his hands around Shuwan's waist.

“You better not think and act strangely. Our lives are almost floating today. Hyaaa.”

Zhang only smiled, and Shuwan spurred his horse out of the area.