1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
The Message Introductory Man

Zhang and Yu Hao had already been in the palace for almost a week. The two of them were still busy preparing for the anniversary of Cloud Country.

“Zhang!” call Yu Hao who was running small chasing Zhang in the corridor of the palace.

The walking Zhang stopped, and turned to him. “Why?” brief Zhang.

Yu Hao walked over. “Hah.. It's okay, I just called you.” Yu Hao folded both his hands to the nape. 

“You are, habit!” Zhang snorted in annoyance. He then walked over to Yu Hao.

“You seem to have a lot of thoughts. Are you thinking about your woman?”

Zhang was silent, but his steps continued.

“How? Are you going to force him too?”

“Entahlah. Maybe I will talk about it with Shuwan first,” Zhang said coldly.

“Good then. Remember, that the most important thing in a relationship is communication,” Yu Hao added.

“Since when did you become an expert in romance?” cynical Zhang.

“Since I've been an observer of your relationship with Shuwan.” 

“What? So you researched my relationship with Shuwan?” zhang said with a squint to Yu Hao.

“Of course. You guys always spread the romance virus and fight in front of me and Jiao. Obviously I can observe the relationship between the two of you.”

“You took care of my relationship with Shuwan, then what about yourself?”

“Hah... I'm still trying to chase him with a man. You just wait for the result.” Yu Hao looked confident. He again lowered his two hands that had been folded at the nape of the neck.

“Cih.. So confident of you. What if you get rejected by him?”

“Of course I'll keep chasing him. If she really doesn't want me, then I'm looking for another woman.”

“Huh... Totally unfaithful.”

“Hey, hey, hey... I have always been faithful. But if he doesn't want me, what can I do? That love can't be forced to know!”

Zhang's steps stopped. He remembered how he had been acting towards Shuwan. 

“You why?” yu Hao asked who saw Zhang was silent.

“Nothing!”  Zhang tried to shake him off, and walked again.

He must be thinking of Shuwan. Inner Yu Hao tried to guess Zhang's mind. 

“Zhang, how about we invite Shuwan and Jiao to join in this celebration?” said Yu Hao who was trying to break the awkwardness.

Zhang stopped his steps, and looked at Yu Hao with a critical look. “You're right. That seems like a good idea. I'll send a letter home to let them know.” 

“Good! You will finally be able to let go of your longing for him?” 

Zhang blushed. He continued his pace quickly and left Yu Hao with his imagination.

“H-hey! Wait for me!” Yu Hao ran and tried to catch up with Zhang again.

***

Surya was at the top of his throne. The afternoon feels hotter towards the end of spring.

Shuwan only laid down his body in the bed after his eyes felt sleepy due to difficulty sleeping last night.

“My eyes feel sleepy now. I couldn't sleep last night. Hm... Looks like I turned into a nocturnal human,” Shuwan lamented.

Jiao suddenly enters the room and shocks Shuwan.

I'd better just walk around. Jiao also launched her action. His feet tiptoed and stepped slowly, trying to surprise Shuwan.

But who would have thought that Shuwan knew.

“Come Jiao. I just want to take a nap. Last night I couldn't sleep,” Shuwan chirped.

Jiao became embarrassed because her plan did not go smoothly. “Sorry, Shuwan. I just wanted to call you for lunch.”

“I still feel full. You eat with Mr. Shu.” Finished saying that Shuwan immediately yawned. His eyes felt heavier.

“Alright then. I'll tell Shifu.”

Jiao left Shuwan who had just fallen asleep, and closed the door slowly. He then headed towards the dining table where Luo Shu was already waiting.

As soon as he arrived, Luo Shu was confused to not find Shuwan with Jiao.

“Where is Shuwan?” 

“She is sleeping teacher. He couldn't sleep last night. Don't know what's bothering his mind until so.”

Luo Shu nodded. “Yes, already, just let him cure his drowsiness. Now let's have lunch.”

“Good, Shifu!” 

Jiao sat opposite Luo Shu and started eating the dish together. Leaving Shuwan who is now in his dreamland.

***

The letter carrier had arrived at the crown prince's residence. With a feeling of happiness that was now stirring, Zhi Qiang also took the letter.

He then casually ran to his study table. Once seated, the contents of the tube are removed. Slowly opened the roll paper with a black ink pattern that forms the characters.

To Mr. Librarian...

I've already obtained permission from Mr. Shu. But, I can only go to the palace in two days. There are some things I need to finish here. So, I hope you can understand.

This is all I want to tell you. See you at the palace in two days.

Signed: The Black Goose.

“She didn't say sweet words after I sent her a romantic letter. Ah... How unfortunate. But, nevermind. In two days we will meet. Hehe,” Zhi Qiang smiled in satisfaction, despite the reply of a letter from Shuwan directly on what he wanted to say and not in line with expectations.

Xin Ru who was watching from afar only took a deep look at her master who was chuckling to himself. Humans when in love can turn out to be as clumsy as that. 

***

“Where is this? Why is there nothing? Ah... I remembered. I was asleep, and this, this must be my dreamland. But, why so empty?” 

He then stepped his feet forward while looking around if there was anything that could overcome his curiosity. After walking for a few minutes, his net was now fixed on a pair of simple wooden swings not far from where he stood.

“Ayun? Why in a place like this is there a swing?”

Out of curiosity, Shuwan finally approached the swing. “A long time ago I was not a swing toy. Sitting here for a while is okay, right?” Shuwan said as he held onto the rope of one of the swings.

Shuwan then sits on one of the swings. He played as he pleased there. After feeling enough he stopped her and just sat quietly.

Now he is dissolved in his daydream, just like a while ago.

“Why can't I go home yet? In fact, I have sent Liem and the others safely to Cloud Country. What's problem? I'm tired of all this.”

Shuwan repeatedly exhaled. His eyes look sweet. His face now looked like a desperate man.

There is a feeling of homesickness that rises from within the soul. The will of the heart wants to meet, but what power still can not.

In the middle of his daydream, suddenly a white-haired person appeared from behind Shuwan to make him shocked

“Can I sit here?” tanyakanya.

Shuwan's eyes widened in fear of hearing the voice of a man talking to him suddenly. Shuwan immediately turned his gaze around. 

“S-who are you?”

The man was silent too. Shuwan was unable to recognize her clearly because her face was covered in a thin cloth on her caping.

Tib suddenly walked closer to Shuwan. Suddenly Shuwan was frightened to fall from the swing he was sitting on.

The mysterious man then sat on a swing beside Shuwan. He then opened his caping.

This fellow... It's like I've seen it. Inner Shuwan after seeing the man's face.

The person who is now beside Shuwan has a tall body with long white hair, light purple eyes, and also eyelashes that are in harmony with the hair color

Shuwan recalls his long journey. “You?” Shukwan chirps after remembering his encounter with the man in the illusionary forest.

The man did not respond immediately. He was smiling.

“You're right. We met twice. It was while you were in the Illusory Forest (Eps. 7) and also the Lost Palace (Eps. 24)” the man said.

Shuwan also rose from the fall. He then asked the mysterious white-haired man. “How can you get into my dreams repeatedly?” 

“I can do whatever I want.”

I don't know why I feel this guy is so upsetting. Shuwan then sat back on the swing he had been sitting on.

“My presence here just wants to tell you, that you can't return to your world because there are still other missions.”

“Other mission? Didn't I just have to deliver the pervert and the others safely all the way to Cloud Country.”

The man smiled. “This is an impromptu task. If you can finish it, then you can just go home.”

Shuwan looked annoyed. He held both ropes tightly. His body shook violently with anger.

“Why... Why does all this have to happen to me? Why is the world so unfair?” the clear circle that has emptied into the Shuwan netra was spilled. His heart felt tired and wanted to go home.

“Something that happens in this world, sometimes it does not always go according to the wishes. So did the things that happened to you. I'm sure, fate chose you because you're the right person for this.”

“Heh... Everyone says it like that. In fact, saying it is not as easy as doing it. I had to fall down and get hurt many times. I can't even enjoy my youth like a girl in general. I need to focus on fighting with the sword. I have to fight the fear of the blood red and the smell of the rancid. I feel tired like this. Really tired..”.

The man fell silent. His view is now down.

“This is the last time. After this you will be free from pain, and be able to start a new life. A life that your conscience may have wanted so much for so long. I don't understand how you are doing right now. All I can say is ‘hold on’ many people are waiting for you to return.”

Shuwan was crying loudly. He breathed out all the emotions that had been buried in his heart.

After letting Shuwan cry for some time, the mysterious man returned to reveal his presence.

“Alright, my time is almost up. I'll just tell you about the mission you have to do.”

Shuwan remained silent, ready to listen carefully to what the mysterious man was about to say.

“Your mission is to save the Crown Prince of Cloud Country.”

Shuwan is overwhelmed by the additional missions he has to go on. “What will happen?”

“Next week, when there is a Blood Moon, there will be a rebellion in the Palace to overthrow the king now. They will hold the crown prince hostage so that the king can give up his throne. And your job is to save her.”

“P-next week? Isn't that right on the anniversary of Cloud Country?” Shuwan was shocked after taking into account the day of the incident.

“True. The rebels will take advantage of this situation to launch his attack.”

“Then, did after successfully saving the crown prince I get to go home?” ask Shuwan.

“Of course. Once you complete your task, you will instantly disappear from this world, and return to your own world.”

“Good. I'll go finish it.”

The man smiled gently at her. He then stood up from his swing, holding his caping.

“Well, since my task is done, I will leave now.”

“Wait! You didn't explain your identity. What if everything you said was just to scare me?”

“I can't tell you my identity. I'm just acting as a messenger assigned specifically to you.”

“T-but.”

The Shuwan watched the man's body slowly fade and become transparent.

“Have no worries. Later we will meet again..” said the man.

Finished saying that the man disappeared from Shuwan's sight.

While Shuwan who was in bed slowly blinked his eyes. He finally woke up and realized it was late afternoon.

Shuwan put his left hand over his eyes and left face. He then recalled the mission he had to do in order to get home.

“Features of the Cloud Country huh?”