1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Illusion Forest

The horse that Shuwan and Zhang were riding continued to advance deep into the forest following the direction of the map. It did not feel like the day was getting late, until they found a cave in the forest and decided to rest there.

“We rest here only,” Shuwan told Zhang.

“Alright, but safe, right?”

“We are far from where we met the robber earlier, the horse we ride is also tired. I think you also need rest so that your wounds can recover quickly.”

“I didn't think you were so attentive to me.”

“Heh, don't be too confident. Remember, we are just travel partners. Once our goal is achieved I will go straight away.”

Suddenly Zhang's face was shocked to hear Shuwan's words.

“Go? Why should I go?” ask Zhang.

“Someday you'll know why. Let's quickly get into the cave. The air outside feels increasingly cold.”

Shuwan goes into the cave first to check his condition, how surprised he is that it turns out that in the cave there are so many fireflies. Shuwan was silent to the rare sight.

Fireflies? Wouldn't it only appear in the summer? Is it still early spring? Shuwan.

“What's up, Shuwan? Why are you hin.ti?”

Zhang was also surprised to see that many fireflies were in the cave.

“Kunang-brunang? How could? Now it is just the beginning of spring, is it possible that summer will come sooner?”

“Already, the important thing is we rest here first. The firefly let it be the light inside. Then I'll look for twigs around here to make fire so we can warm up.”

“Wait, dangerous outside. What if something happens to you?” zhang said worriedly.

“Didn't you just see that I can protect myself? You don't have to worry, I'll just look for the twigs that are near the mouth of this cave. You rest first.”

Zhang just lowered his head and approved of Shuwan because the wind outside of where they were was cold.

“Good.”

Shuwan rushed to find the branches around the mouth of the cave. After the twigs are collected, Shuwan immediately returns to the cave and makes a bonfire to warm his body as well as Zhang.

Suddenly, Zhang's stomach sounded hungry.

“You hungry?” ask Shuwan.

“I-Iya.” said Zhang with a blushing face in embarrassment.

“Now we have no groceries, it's too risky to go out now. Better wait until morning. I'll hunt in the woods.”

Hearing Shuwan's words about to hunt, Zhang chuckled in disbelief.

“What? Hunting?”

“I often travel to the forest, and have often also hunted to survive. Anyway I guess your physique will not be strong to see the rugged forest terrain.”

“Alright, alright. I trust you. Actually my body already feels better because you're treating me. Thank you yes, sorry for the hassle.”

“Please say that I am returning the favor because you helped me. Already, better rest so that tomorrow has a little energy to breathe.”

“Do you think I won't breathe just because I don't have the energy? Huh, then I sleep first.”

Zhang pulled the blanket, and Shuwan smiled at Zhang's words.

It was almost dawn, but Shuwan could not sleep. He also went out to look at the situation. Zhang suddenly appeared behind him and made Shuwan startled.

“K-You! Why appear suddenly here?”

“Why? Whatever I want to do. Then why don't you sleep yourself? Though the day is almost dawn,” said Zhang.

“It is precisely because of that. I'll get ready for the hunt, and you'll have to prepare the fire.”

“We're like swapping roles huh. You are a husband who hunts for food, while I am like a wife who cooks,” Zhang said with a laugh.

“You were chatty once huh?”

Zhang still laughed at Shuwan's expression.

“I'm just kidding, don't get mad.”

While waiting for the sun to rise, Shuwan prepares a weapon used for hunting. He made a spear from wood that was tapered to the end in order to paralyze the target.

“Then I leave first. Take good care of the horse and prepare the fire.”

“Siap, Miss.”

Shuwan smiles and goes to the forest to find animals that can be hunted.

After a long time hunting in the forest, Shuwan returned to the cave with two jungle chickens, as well as fruits. Then he handed it to Zhang for cooking.

After the meal, Shuwan changed Zhang's bandage and added medicine to his wound.

As the sun rose, Shuwan and Zhang decided to continue on the horse they had driven before.

Zhang requested that he control his horse, and Shuwan sat behind him. At first they had a chance to argue considering that Zhang was still not healed.

“Let me control his horse. You sit sweetly behind me.”

“But your wound is still not fully healed,” Shuwan said.

“I'm not that weak until I have to continue to depend on women. Already, let's go up and leave soon.”

Shuwan did not reply and directly climbed onto the horse. He sat down behind Zhang and finally they continued on their way to leave the forest.

After they walked through the forest, they realized something. They felt that the forest they passed through had no end and wherever they drove, it always returned to the same place as it had been before.

Shuwan asks Zhang to stop his horse.

“Hei, Zhang. Don't you feel like this forest is weird? It feels like we keep returning to the same point, and not finding a way out.”

“You're right. I feel that way too. Does anyone play an illusion here?”

“Okay, I don't understand either. Have you seen the map correctly?”

“Of course. I'm not blind until I get us lost like this.”

Suddenly there was a mysterious voice with no form dominating within the forest.

“O young man, you are right, that here is indeed installed an illusion that can mislead passing humans. The illusion can be removed if you can complete the hermitage until sunset.”

“Only that?” zhang said dismissively.

That voice laughed too.

“This hermitage is no ordinary hermitage. You must be able to pass the various exams that arise when you are imprisoned. Many people who failed to pass through it, until finally he died because he could not get out of this forest.”

“Then.. Where should we do the hermitage?” ask Shuwan.

“Did you see that big rock under that pine tree? You guys go face up there. Remember, only people with a firm heart can pass this test.”

The voice disappeared too. Shuwan headed towards the stone indicated by the voice earlier.

“Zhang, can you get through this?” ask Shuwan.

“Trust me,” said Zhang, smiling at Shuwan and sitting on the stone.

Zhang and Shuwan also perform his hermitage. At first the atmosphere became silent, and only the rustling of leaves was exhaled by the wind. Then came the first exam.

It sounded like a child screaming for help. But Shuwan already knew that it was just a test from his hermit as well as Zhang.

Then, the trials they faced increased, almost making them waver. They were also exposed to illusions from those they longed for. In addition, the weather in the forest also changes.

Suddenly it rains without cloudy, hot, until it snows when it is not the season to fall. They tried their best to pass the test calmly, even though their hearts were troubled.

The sun that was directly above them was now on the western horizon, Shuwan and Zhang opened their eyes because they did not feel any other things were bothering them. The mysterious voice reappeared.

“Happy young man. You guys made it through the test I gave you. Now that the illusion was gone, the exit of this forest had also opened. Go towards the sunset, that's where the door is. Hurry up before nightfall, because otherwise the door will close again and you will be stuck here forever.”

“Shuwan, come!” Zhang pulled Shuwan by the hand and invited him to ride the horse.

Without saying a word they rushed towards the setting sun to find the door. Zhang was racing the horse very quickly. Shuwan could only hold on tight to Zhang so as not to fall off the horse.

After the two were far away from the hermitage grounds, a mysterious white-robed person suddenly appeared. He looked at Zhang and Shuwan who were leaving the forest. Shuwan looked back and saw the man but could not see his face.

Who is that guy? Why is he there? Honey, I could not see his face because it was covered in robes and again our distance was also far enough to be able to see clearly, inner Shuwan was curious.

Regarding the white-robed person Shuwan saw in the forest, he chose to keep it to himself and did not tell Zhang.

Finally they found the door in question, and came out of the forest. When they came out of the forest, they saw the dim lights of a village before them. Of course they immediately drove the horse towards the village, to find a place to rest and also food.