Death Flute
Departure Plan

Chien Wan listened to her mother's words seriously. His mother informed him of his grandfather's decision which was expressed a moment ago. Kui Fang was near them, not saying a word.

“Both Brother Sung and your grandfather are sure that the God of Medicine will heal your wounds,” Sui She said.

Chien Wan nodded. “I will obey everything Grandpa said, Mother. Just pray for me.”

Sui She bit her lip. “Mom will always pray for you, My child.”, he said, withstanding the fall of tears. “You are my first child, my very special son. I missed you so much for the first twenty years of your life. I don't want to lose you again..”.

Chien Wan clasped his mother's hand tightly. “Mother don't worry. I'm not leaving Mom. You won't lose me.”

Sui She stroked Chien Wan's hair gently. His son's voice sounded slow and raucous. His breathing was heavy and slow. But his words were so full of seriousness. And it was so heartwarming for Sui She. To Sui She, the words of her son sounded exquisite.

“Aibi..,” greet Kui Fang. “When Sister Wan leaves, I..”.

Sui She looked over. “You're coming too, Son.”

The face of Kui Fang who had been grim since now looked radiant.

“Means Mother?” Chien Wan was astonished, and also relieved. He thought he would only go with his grandfather. He was actually not happy to imagine having to part from Kui Fang.

“Your grandfather invited Siu Hung and Kui Fang to take care of you during the trip. Your father asked your grandfather to bring Sen Khang and Ping-er. Actually we have long had plans for Ping-er..”.

Sui She's words were cut off as several people entered the room. She turned her head and saw her husband coming in with Ouwyang Ping who was carrying A Lee.

“Mother,” greet Ouwyang Ping delicate. It's approaching the bed. “Kak Wan, how are you doing?”

Chien Wan said with great difficulty, “Good.”

“You've packed, Ping-er?” ask Sui She.

“Already, Bu.”

“Me and Kui Fang have also prepared the needs of Chien Wan. But Kui Fang himself hasn't packed.” Sui She smiled at Kui Fang. His heart was touched to see how much the girl paid attention to Chien Wan to the point of forgetting her own self-interest.

Kui Fang blushed. “After I did not know that I was invited too,” he said embarrassed. “Then I pack first, Bi.” He stood up and approached Chien Wan. touched Chien Wan's arm briefly to tell her his departure. Chien Wan smiled at him.

After Kui Fang left, Sui She looked at her son. “Truly good girl, Chien Wan. I really like him.”

Chien Wan smiled. “I know.”

A Lee felt everyone was ignoring him, then he started acting up. He jumped in his brother's arms. “Mother! Mom!” exclaims jolly.

“Aduh, A Lee!” Ouwyang Ping hassles.

Sui She immediately grabbed him and hugged him. For these few days he was busy taking care of Chien Wan so rather ignored A Lee. Fortunately, there was Ouwyang Ping and Siu Hung who replaced him to look after and nurture A Lee. However, they are not the same as their own mother. A Lee misses his mother. He was a little confused because his mother was far away from him.

“A Lee, Darling.” Sui She kissed the youngest's forehead affectionately.

Ouwyang Ping smiled as he turned to his father who was also smiling alone without saying a word. Then the girl approached Chien Wan and sat down on the edge of her bed.

Chien Wan looked at him. His sister's face revealed a light that had never been seen again. Chien Wan's heart was happy and relieved to see it. He was happy to see her again. It was just that this time the twinkle in the girl's eyes was not fixed on him. Time has changed their feelings.

***

“Yakin won't invite A Te?” ask Pendekar Sung to his wayward daughter.

Siu Hung shook his head with a wrinkled nose. “A Te is like a leech that keeps sticking to me! A little bit ‘don't, Miss! Danger!’ or ‘Yes Lord!’ I was tired of hearing it for a long time! Not to mention, he always catches me if I want to go somewhere!”

Swordsman Sung held back his smile. All of his guards always uttered the same words when they were near Siu Hung. How not? The stupidity of Siu Hung has exceeded the fairness, sometimes even reaching the limit of harm. Which to others is terrible, to him ordinary.

It was just that A Te was indeed the most steadfast in facing Siu Hung. He was often frightened if ordered to escort Siu Hung— as well as other bodyguards. But he never let Siu Hung be in danger. He has been working for Pendekar Sung since Siu Hung was two years old. He was one of the people who took care of Siu Hung, because that was unfortunately not playing. A Te is only 28 years old, twelve years older than Siu Hung.

“You must not dispute the words of your teacher. Can't be rude to him!” press Pendekar Sung. I don't know why he felt his advice was useless. That Siu Hung really likes to have a fight with anyone.

“Do not worry, Father!”

“Serious father, Siu Hung! He is your teacher. Anyway, why don't you call him a teacher, anyway?” ask Pendekar Sung to astonishment.

“He didn't tell me!” siu Hung replied.

Swordsman Sung bobbing his head. He was very worried about his daughter's future. Siu Hung can never act like another girl. He's too wild and naughty. I don't know who would accept her as a wife. Swordsman Sung knew he couldn't hope to have a son-in-law, let alone a grandson. Because Siu Hung could never get married.

“Siu Hung—“

Swordsman Sung sighed. “Yes Lord!”

Siu Hung looked irritatedly. “Daddy is the same as A Te!” his gerrick.

Want to not want Swordsman Sung to laugh.

***

The next day the group of Mr. Ouwyang left the Bamboo House. They left early in the morning when the sun had not yet risen. Shortly thereafter, Swordsman Sung and Mr. Chang left the place. They were accompanied by A Ming and A Te.

Mr. Chang did not have time to say much to A Ming, nor did Swordsman Sung. They were actually very upset about their nephew's behavior. But they also knew that A Ming could not be blamed entirely. He was only consumed by sedition and seduction from people who are very good at doing it.

Regarding incitement, Mr. Chang himself is experienced. For twenty years he was consumed by the incitement of Cheng Sam, giving his trust to the wrong people. Then he understood A Ming's feelings.

But their concern was the baby in A Ming's womb. The baby A Ming recognized as Chi Meng Huan's child. What should they do with the baby?

The journey to Bukit Merak they do with silence.

A Ming did not say a word. His face was frozen cold. Hatred struck his heart. He hated Chi Meng Huan who had used him. He hated Luo Sen Khang who had rejected him so that he was consumed by sedition that he had to endure a disgrace of this magnitude. And most of all, he also hated himself who was so easily trapped by circumstances and hatred.

All the teachings planted by the nuns turned out to be useless to him. The eyes of his heart were blinded by hatred so that he could no longer discern what was good and what was bad.

He hates himself!

They arrived at Merak Hill.

Pendekar Sung did not immediately return to Lok Yang City. In accordance with his agreement with Mr. Chang, they had to talk first with A Ming.

A Ming sat silently in the middle room.

Mr. Chang sighed. “A Ming...”.

“Please Uncle both scold me,” said A Ming coldly. “I know I've embarrassed and disappointed you. You must have regretted your request two years ago so that I would stay here. If only you had obeyed my will to return to the convent, this would not have happened!”

“A Ming!” Swordsman Sung looked angry. “You can't bestow everything by saying ‘if only’, ‘if only’, and more! That is not a responsible act!”

“I know!” A Ming looked away.

“You have done it, then you must take responsibility! Don't blame anyone else! Our request two years ago was solely because we cared about you and your father! Not to make you miserable,” added Pendekar Sung.

“The most important thing now is your plan for your condition,” interrupted Mr. Chang seriously. “Do you want to let the child be born without a father?”

A Ming gulped. “I... I don't know!”

Mr. Chang and Pendekar Sung looked at.

“You don't have a plan?” ask Pendekar Sung. His voice wasn't that loud.

A Ming was silent.

“Aih!” Mr. Chang sighed wearily. His energy was drained to travel. Now added to this conversation.

“You want to give birth to it?” ask Pendekar Sung again.

A Ming raised his face and looked at the faces of his two uncles. Now his face was not as cold as before. He knew he was behaving inappropriately. Both his uncles deserved to scold him for his disgrace, but he did not deserve to be angry with them. They had been so understanding that they had not committed any wrongdoing to him regarding his father's death.

“I don't know, Uncle. I don't give a shit. It's up to both Uncle's. If you want me to drop it, I will. If you want me to give birth to her, then I will do it.”

“Why did you leave the decision to us? That's your son,” Mr. Chang said.

Swordsman Sung said nothing. He also did not understand Mr. Chang.

A Ming turned his face back.

“Already!” Mr. Chang stood up. “Today we are still tired. Tomorrow we just continue.”

Swordsman Sung nodded.

The two middle-aged men stood up and left their niece bowed in the room. They were tired of facing the freezing of the woman's heart. They felt very sad because it turned out that their upbringing could not quell the hatred that had been entrenched in the heart of the girl.

***