1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Wang Jiao's

Shuwan and Zhang had already walked quite a distance away from Huangshi Village. But an unexpected event happened. They were followed by another horseman.

“Zhang, it looks like someone is following us.”

“Really? Who?”

As Zhang looked back, suddenly the horseman crucified them from behind. Shuwan realizes that his goose jade has been stolen.

“Giokku! The horseman just took it. Zhang, hurry up and chase him!”

Zhang spurred the horse at full speed, but the distance between them and the thief was quite far.

“How is it, Shuwan? I still can't reach it.”

“Continue speeding, I have a plan.”

Zhang focused on controlling the horse, and Shuwan took out an acupuncture needle from his medicine bag. Moreover, he took out the short bamboo he was carrying. Then he blew the needle with the bamboo towards the horse the thief was riding on.

The needle hit the horse, but the thief's horse became uncontrollable until the thief fell off his horse. Immediately, Shuwan jumped off the horse and unsheathed his sword. He threatened the thief, “Give back the jade you stole! If not, then this sword will pierce through your chest.”

The thief finally handed the goose jade to Shuwan.

The thief then stood up and unfolded his face. Shuwan was surprised.

A lady? Is it possible that she is Wang Jiao the female figure in the red book? This should indeed be the place of his emergence, Inner Shuwan.

Right now, Zhang and Shuwan were at the Shilin Illegal Field. It is about 15 kilometers from Huangshi Village.

The woman spoke, “Sorry that I stole the item from you, I was forced to do it.”

“Why are you doing this?” ask Shuwan.

“I steal to survive. At first I stole your jade because it looks like your jade is a precious item. Then if I manage to steal it, I can get the money to eat. A person who has been banished like me can just shut up and give up. So I did something like this to stay alive.”

Shuwan just fell silent, then suddenly Zhang interrupted, “Do you have any family?”

“Family? Ever since I was sold into slavery I've thought my family was dead. Which family would sell their own children. After all I was just a adopted son of the family who took care of me all this time.”

Zhang smiled and said, “Then, instead of you just doing this job for the sake of eating, how about you come with us to explore?”

“Exploring?”

“True. Actually not an ordinary exploration. We want to visit the Land of Clouds. Maybe by traveling with us, you can open up new thoughts and new pages. Yeah, right, Shuwan?”

“What my friend said was true. I'm just afraid, if you get caught and put to death. Or if you meet an enemy stronger than you.”

Suddenly the thief cried, Shuwan said, “Why are you crying?”

“Ah... Its alright. I just feel moved, because there are still people who care about me.”

“Then maybe you can tell us your story, so you can feel relieved. But if you don't mind.”

“I'll tell my story, because somehow I can trust you guys.”

“Alright, we got acquainted first. My name is Lin Shuwan, you can call me Shuwan, and my friend this is Zhang.”

“My name is Wang Jiao. You can call me Jiao.”

“Well, then let's rest in front there. There is a river to drink, and a tree to shelter,” Shuwan said.

The three of them headed for the small river in front of them.

When he reached the riverbank, Zhang asked the horse he was riding with Shuwan. Same with the horse that Jiao rode.

“Are you hurt by the fall, Jiao?” ask Shuwan.

“Just scratched a little. Looks like the needle you blew earlier is still stuck in the horse's body.”

“Ah, yes. I almost forgot to pull it out. If you need medicine to treat your wounds, you can use mine.”

“Thank you, actually I also have a medicine bag and I have medical expertise.”

“Really? Then we can cooperate,” Shuwan's eyes sparkle.

“Of course, we are a team,” Jiao said with a smile.

Shuwan immediately pulled out the needle he had blown into Jiao's horse and said, “Sorry for hurting you, I had to do it. Because if you don't do it, Jiao will take my treasure.”

Shuwan responded, “Well, I think you're right. I have to add it to my list.”

The three of them laughed together while waiting for their horses to finish drinking.

Since Zhang was waiting for his horse to drink, Shuwan picked up the food provided by the villagers of Huangshi Village before they left. It turns out it was a sweet potato.

Apparently they've prepared this. It is good that this is at least enough to eat the next few days, inner Shuwan.

After taking some yams that felt enough to eat the three of them, Shuwan immediately made a bonfire to burn the yam.

Zhang and Jiao, who had finished bidding the horse, approached Shuwan's campfire and sat in a circle.

“This afternoon we eat here. I was burning the yam that the residents had given me before we left,” Shuwan said.

The yam that Shuwan burned was ripe. Shuwan shared it with Zhang and Jiao and the three of them ended up eating together.

Finished eating, Shuwan asked Jiao, “Maybe now you can tell me about the problem you are currently facing.”

Zhang connect, “True what Shuwan said. Maybe after you tell me you will feel more relieved.”

Jiao begins her life story.

“Good. I'm gonna start it. I was the first of two brothers. My family is neither noble nor wealthy, but just a small farmer in a faraway place. Once my mother conceived and gave birth to a son, and I loved her very much.

But, suddenly my sister fell ill, and it cost a lot to be able to get treatment. We have nothing to pay for the medical expenses. Until finally my father sold me, he said that I was just the child they picked up from the edge of the village. Only my sister was their biological child, and all the attention they gave me was the falsity they packed into a pseudo-beauty. My heart hurts to hear this.

They sold me as a slave to a rich merchant, and got medical money in return. The merchant was cruel to his slaves. At that time, I was almost tainted by him, but I managed to escape and survive until now. I don't know how my sister is doing, nor the parents who sold me out. I hate them.”

Jiao's tears flowed throughout her story. Then Shuwan hugged Jiao and said, “Already, it's okay. Now no one will hurt you anymore. The events that have passed have already happened, and what will happen we still do not know. It is time to start a new life. Life away from sad memories in the past.”

“But I feel so despicable, would you guys accept me?” ask Jiao while being sober.

Zhang replied, “Everyone must have had a bad past, there is no harm in giving them hope and a second chance to start a better life. So are you, Jiao. You are still young, can still do a lot of positive things, be it for yourself or others.”

“What Zhang said is true. Now you don't have to feel alone anymore if you face problems. Zhang and I are with you,” Shuwan said.

Jiao took off Shuwan's embrace. With tears still dripping he smiled and said, “Thank you... Thank you very much.”

Zhang and Shuwan replied to Jiao with their sincere smiles.

Finally the three of them became teammates, and decided to immediately go on a journey.

Zhang asks Shuwan to keep riding on the same horse as him.

“Shuwan, you keep riding horses with me.”

“Why should I continue with you? There is Jiao now. I can ride a horse with him.”

“Hey, don't you remember that I was hurt for saving you? So you still have to take care of me until I recover completely.”

“You...” Shuwan said annoyed at Zhang's attitude.

“Jiao is not weak like you, so I believe she can control her own horse.”

Shuwan becomes increasingly upset by Zhang's words.

Jiao laughed and said, “I'm fine Shuwan, you ride a horse with Zhang alone. Looks like Zhang is more in need of a companion.”

Eventually Shuwan agrees to ride on the same horse as Zhang despite being forced to.

“Hei, Shuang. Looks like you've gotten smarter lately,” said Zhang teasing Shuwan.

“So you mean while traveling with you I was stupid? So?”

“You just admitted it, right?”

“What did you say?”

Jiao just laughed watching her two friends teasing each other. Then he said, “Anu, are you a couple who often fight like this?”

“Not!!” zhang and Shuwan shouted simultaneously with an annoyed face.

I don't know why I feel that the relationship between the two of you is not that simple. Looks like I should be the matchmaking bureau for the two of them, Inner Jiao with a laugh.

Eventually the three of them left the place, and continued on their way.