1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Again Sorry!

Shuwan looked at the dark street. There was no illumination other than the moonlight that was now red, which seemed to be a witness of the tragedy of the Cloud Country tonight.

“Liem... Do you know the direction of the Xia river?” ask Shuwan.

“Enough by following this path, we will definitely get there. I've studied the map in this place.”

“How long will it take for us to get there?”

“Possible at dawn later.”

There was worry in Shuwan's heart. Can we get there in time? Inner Shuwan.

“You don't need to worry, Shuwan. Trust me we'll get there on time.”

“Hopefully..” Shuwan felt so scared, if he lost this opportunity, would he not be able to return to his world?

Zhang understood Shuwan's situation. He then grabbed Shuwan's hand behind him, and pulled him forward. Grasped it tightly with that cold hand. “If you want to cry, then cry. You can use your back if you want to lean.”

Zhang's words touched his innermost heart. He hugged Zhang from behind, and began to cry. Shedding all sorrow, and also the fear of his heart in the midst of the pace of the horse which became the somfony of a troubled heart.

Shuwan... I will always protect you, and be a firm pillar for your support. To me, you are the most important. Although you often make me misunderstand, but I can't always hate you. Maybe I'm selfish with you, but really, I really love you.

Zhang drove back his horse in the forest, and headed south. The Xia River was in the southernmost region of the Cloud Country. There was no life there other than wild animals, and the forests were overgrown with tall, shady trees.

***

Meanwhile in the palace, the Desert Tiger soldiers managed to defeat the treacherous palace warriors, as well as some black rose minions. Not to forget also the three officials who have now changed into captivity.

“You feel you've soared so high in space, but forget, that there is still a higher one.” Said King Li.

The three ministers were silent with a look of hatred. Even though they had been dropped, but the arrogance that was in his heart was still so high, surpassing the layer of exosphere that protected the earth.

“Heh.. Even though we have been arrested, we have not lost completely.... Your son's... He is still in our hands. Hahaha...” said Duan Jung.

“My son will definitely be fine. I believe it..” King Li seemed so optimistic about his son's safety.

“You look so optimistic, King Li. Don't know how you're gonna fall when you can only see your son's body. Hahaha.” Bai Long was still showing his arrogance. Just like Duan Jung.

“God has sent a savior to my son. I'm sure that man can save her. And it should be, you pray for the peace of your soul and body so that later when the penalty of the fountain arrives, your sin can be forgiven.”

King Li stared at the three ministers who had now been subdued with their hands tied back. Meanwhile, the three ministers began to feel anxious. Their faces looked so worried. Already failed to coup, now they must prepare to receive punishment for the failure that occurred.

“Xin Ru..” Call King Li.

Xin Ru walked over to King Li. “Ya, Your Highness.”

“Send troops to help my son's wife. And, finish off the remaining rebels.” The King Li's.

“Good, Your Majesty,” Xin Ru pays homage to King Li.

“Let us both come, Your Majesty!” Yu Hao and Jiao presented themselves while paying their respects to the king. 

King Li nodded. “Good. You all go, and bring back the crown prince and his beloved wife.”

When did this misunderstanding end? It seemed like King Li really liked Shuwan as his son-in-law. Inner Yu Hao.

Yu Hao and Jiao bowed. “Good, Your Majesty!” jiao and Yu Hao said simultaneously.

Finally, Jiao, Yu Hao, and Xin Ru went following Shuwan and Zhang towards the Xia river to save Zhi Qiang.

***

On the banks of the Xia river, Zhi Qiang was seen being tied up in a tree that was there. His consciousness slowly recovered. He looked like he was opening both of his eyes.

“Ugh... Where is this?” Zhi Qiang shook his head trying to focus his vision. So conscious, he looked around. There was only a group of people who were holding themselves hostage with a tall, burly person who looked like their leader.

Huh... In the end, I was the only one held hostage. Will someone come to save me? What if it doesn't? Is this the end of my life? Inner Zhi Qiang felt resigned, but also did not want to die just like that.

Zhi Qiang's stomach suddenly sounded from hunger. Damnit damnit! I'm hungry!

It turned out that the sound of his stomach attracted the attention of the bandits, so they immediately turned to the source of the sound. 

“Our beloved crown prince is hungry. How's sisters? Are we going to feed him?” said one of the.

“I don't think it's necessary,” said Zhi Qiang. “Even if you give me food, I will not be willing to eat it,” ketus Zhi Qiang.

“Huh... So confident of you. Who will share your meal with you?” knock someone else.

“Already, we just ignore him, and focus on eating. We wait, whether the foolish king will hand over his token before sunrise, or will defend it and watch his son die. Hahaha.”.

Zhi Qiang was silent. He cursed those who kidnapped him and now laughs over his suffering.

***

Time just goes by. The moon appears to be moving from its throne. Shuwan and Zhang are still raising their horses.

“Liem... Are you hard to be okay? Yesterday you just had a fever, and now you have to go out these nights,” Shuwan said.

“I'm fine. As long as I'm with you, I always feel fine.”

“You're always good at saying sweet. Looks like too much to eat sweets.”

“Sweetness? I actually wanted to ask you out after all this misunderstanding. We'll eat as much sweets as you want, and spend the night together.”

Shuwan suddenly became sad. When this is over, you should know that I will definitely disappear from this place.

“Shuwan...” call Zhang.

Shuwan awakens from his daydream. “Iya.”

“After this, how about we just get married?”

Shuwan choked on his own saliva upon hearing Zhang's words. “M-married? Are you having a fever?” ask Shuwan.

“I have no fever. I-i'm.... Just want to be your official lover, and the only one who can have you. That's why I want to marry you.”

How do I answer this stupid question? Liem, why do you always put me on such a hard choice? You made me shaky and fragile. Shuwan returned to daydreaming.

Meanwhile, Zhang was still waiting for Shuwan's reply. What makes you doubt, Shuwan? Can't you say yes? “I will wait for your answer once we finish completing this mission.”

Shuwan didn't respond. This made Zhang a little upset. He had said expectantly, but there was no response to what else. I have to be patient. Inner Zhang.

“Hyaa!” Zhang increased the speed of his horse. His mood is not very good. It's time to vent Zhang's feelings on the horse race.

It did not feel they were close to hiding the enemy. The two then got off the horse and tried to sneak to a place where they could lurk.

Shuwan and Zhang finally find a suitable place to scout. A large tree, and a shrub that covers its roots in a position that is on top of a hill. Not far from the hostage. The two then observe the enemy's movements from there.

“Number is about thirty people. If it was just the two of us, would it be able to solve it? We better wait for reinforcements to come,” whispered Zhang.

“But soon the sun will rise. As for now, there is still no sign of the troops that are following us,” Shuwan added.

“You relax. They will surely come soon. We just have to observe them and wait for the right time to attack them.”

“When that time comes, the crown prince will not be helped.” Shuwan looked at Zhang with a serious, meaningful gaze.

“Shuwan, you have to believe that everything will be fine. We just have to be patient.” Zhang tried to calm Shuwan down.

“But timburat east sky suda ter.”.

Shuwan could no longer continue his words. His lips were held in Zhang's hands. “Relax Shuwan, please, calm down..”.

Shuwan tried to calm down, but his heart could not. Liem, sorry... I don't seem to be able to get you down to the battlefield. You need to stay safe and be okay. Shuwan prepares a stratagem to make Zhang stop blocking Shuwan from moving forward.

“Then, let me hug you to calm down.” Shuwan said with a downcast look.

Zhang immediately smiled, then spread out his hands. Prepare to receive a hug from Shuwan. 

Shuwan hugged her straight away. Liem, I'm sorry. Shuwan directly stuck an anesthetic needle on Zhang. 

“Shuwan... You...” Slowly Zhang began to lose consciousness. He falls in Shuwan's arms.

“Sorry, I was forced.” Shuwan leaned the unconscious Zhang onto the tree trunk. “You should be fine, at least until I leave here.”

Shuwan then got up, and prepared for an attack. One in thirty, will he be able to save the crown prince in time?

Just then, Shuwan unknowingly dropped his goose jade near Zhang's hand. He just left without realizing that his valuables were left in that place.

“I've prepared myself for the possibility of what happened. The needles along with the dope I had taken from Mr. Luo's residence, should be enough to subvert these people.” Shuwan begins to convince himself back, to begin his final dive mission.

Shuwan headed back to his horse, which had accompanied him on his way to the palace, even getting to the battlefield. “Thank you for bringing me up until now. This might be the last time we're together. So, I beg your help once again.”

 “This time, it's time to dive back into the ocean of battle.”