Peace

As Li Hua continued her journey up north, she finally reached a small town. Upon examination, she found that this was a modern town.

In the world that she lived in now, there were two eras cohabiting. One was full of technology and science. The other was full of astronomy and hierarchy.

One spoke in mandarin that was simplified while the latter focused on intricate traditional writings. The differences were huge, but the leaders of both sides were somehow able to create a treaty.

Li Hua as she was, was a smart female who had nothing else to do other than reading, so of course, she knew the language of the modern people even though she came from the latter.

In this way, when she spoke to someone of the modern origin, they had no suspicions of her background. Even if she was wearing ancient apparel, her dialect totally hid her origin. Another thing would be that there was inter-mixing between the two eras, so it was common to see some wear hanfus and others wearing uniforms.

Going up to a native, Li Hua asked, "Excuse me, sir."

The man stared at her, but couldn't make out her facial features as it was covered by a mask and hat. The only thing he could make out from her was her soft, soothing voice and small figure.

"Yes?"

"I'm not a native here and do not know many of the landmarks here. I was wondering if there is a special garden somewhere."

"Miss, are you sure you are not a native here? Not that many people know about the garden here. It is rare to see someone un-native to this place know about the garden."

Li Hua had on a surprised, but nobody knew as her face was covered with red satin.

"I can assure you I am not a native here. However, I have dreams that help direct me on my journey. Lately, I've been having a constant dream of a special garden full of flowers."

"Miss, just from your voice, I can tell you're a kind person, so I'm going to help you. If it was another, they might have lied to you."

"Thank you very much, kind sir!"

"Just follow the dirt path. After that, it should change from dirt to green lush grass. After that, you should start seeing a path made from fitted concrete designs. If you continually follow the path, you will see the garden eventually."

After hearing the directions, Li Hua thanked the man once again and headed off the small dirt path he showed her.

She continued on the path and after walking for what seemed to be forever, she could finally notice a change in the path material like the man had told her. While she was walking, in the garden, the news was flying to someone.

"My lord, someone is heading towards this garden. A female it seems."

"Let her in."

"Yes, my lord."

The man addressed as "lord" took off his mask when his servant left to only show his face that was beyond words to describe.

He had long black hair of which looked like the sea, and his brows that were in a sword-like shape accented his eyes of which were in the color of purple lilac. He had a straight nose and his lips were pale like cherry blossoms. He stood tall like Mount Tai and he exuded dangerous confidence. He was the exact definition of handsomeness.

He then minimized his presence and stared at the girl that was coming through the entrance.

Although he showed no emotions on his face, in his mind was surprise and curiosity.

It was known throughout the town that this garden was named Hangging as a pretense, however, the real name was Within Ashes. The reasoning was that anybody who entered without privilege would be burned into ashes upon entering the entrance. Although some could not even make it past the paths, the ones who did, died a silent death.

However, although he was surprised, he continued his silence and listened to the girl who was singing a song in quiet peace.

"I don't want to get involved in what's right and wrong"

"The flower in my heart has withered and it can't go back"

"I hope to wash away the vanity and get rid of the dust"

"I will toast to you and talk until we're drunk"

"I don't want to get involved in what's right and wrong"

"The flower in my heart has withered and it can't go back"

"Memories go back and forth"

"It hurts my heart"

"I wish there is no regret for the rest of my life"

"A pot of wine, a dusty ash"

"I have no regrets for the rest of my life"

"Spring comes, autumn goes"

He wondered why the girl would sing such a sad song in such a wonderful area. It was dampening the mood the garden. However, it was not as if Li Hua had not thought of it also. When Li Hua had finished singing her song, she had already come out of her trance from seeing the garden and instead, asked herself, "Why sing such a sad song Li Hua?"

Nobody was able to hear those words out of her, so nobody would know that in that question, contained many emotions that were unknown to Li Hua. That one line had sadness, pain, and longing and it passed onto Li Hua. By the time Li Hua had come out of her thoughts, she had already spoken the words, "Damn it! What am I doing dampening the mood of this garden? It was so beautiful a moment ago and now it just looks like someone was forced to forget their love here.

The man who was observing Li Hua, chuckled to himself at the moment that Li Hua spoke those words. He was laughing at how the little girl was scolding herself. However, he didn't know why, but that pouting face of hers was just so cute and he couldn't stop looking at it.

It was unfortunate how he was caught by Li Hua, though.

"Who's there!?" Li Hua spoke in a cautious tone. That person that was laughing just now, totally ruined her mood. She was still admiring the beautiful flowers that had such a sweet scent just now.