Death Flute
Happy in the Valley of Tones

Time passes by so much. Three years Chien Wan studied in Nada Valley. During that time, it never occurred to him to leave this place he loved. A place that always caused a feeling of peace in his heart, making him happy just by listening to the sound of the wind that flowed like music.

He is now nineteen years old. Overall, his appearance has not changed much. He still likes to wear black. He was quiet and didn't talk much. He still doesn't like to show himself. But now his ability in terms of music is amazing.

His relationship with Ouwyang Ping who was then sixteen years old was getting closer and closer. They never talk about their feelings openly. Chien Wan was always silent and said nothing. The girl never exaggerated in showing feelings, but her eyes could not lie. Anyone who sees will be able to easily see their love.

After three years, Mr. Ouwyang Cu felt that he had taught enough of his knowledge to Chien Wan. Currently, Chien Wan's ability is quite high, both in silat and music. Especially in terms of music, Mr. Ouwyang Cu feels confident that the current ability of Chien Wan has almost exceeded it.

What is lacking now is experience.

A few days ago, the Nada Valley had the arrival of a courier who delivered an invitation letter from the Head of the Press. In the letter, the request was made that the Valley of Nada would send its representatives to attend the meeting of the warriors held every five years.

Usually, Nada Valley always ignored the invitation letter, and only sent an apology letter for not being able to attend. But this time Mr. Ouwyang Cu had already negotiated with his son to send Chien Wan as a representative.

“Three years you've been practicing. Now that your abilities are good enough, it is appropriate to represent the Valley of Nada. I sent you to represent the Valley of Nada to attend a meeting of warriors held in Lok Yang City next month. Here's the invitation!” Mr. Ouwyang Cu extended that yellow invitation.

Chien Wan accepted it obediently even though her heart was heavy. Not because he will do his first job. He will gladly fulfill the task given to him no matter how heavy. But he felt sad to realize that he would part with Ouwyang Ping.

Mr. Ouwyang Cu took something from under his cloak. Chien Wan is devastated. The thing his teacher took out was his Black Bamboo Flute! For three years, he never forgot it. He didn't dare to expect to see his flute again. But now....

“With your ability now, there's no way you're going to keep wearing that iron flute. I purposely kept this flute because you weren't worth having a flute this good. Now your abilities have increased and this flute is already worthy of you. Take!” Mr. Ouwyang Cu extended the Black Bamboo Flute to Chien Wan.

Chien Wan looked at Mr. Ouwyang Cu in disbelief. Currently, the face of Mr. Ouwyang is still as sinister and as haughty as before. But something changed from the look in his eyes. It looks more friendly and sincere. Chien Wan also received the flute with slightly trembling hands.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Good. Go face my son now!” ask Mr. Ouwyang.

Chien Wan saluted. Heart's moved. All this time, his teacher never praised him once. Now Mr. Ouwyang is so kind to him. Chien Wan's heart was truly happy.

Chien Wan did not know that when he turned around, Mr. Ouwyang Cu looked at him with teary eyes accompanied by a proud smile. He never had a student like Chien Wan. Of the many people who had come to Nada Valley to learn from him, only Chien Wan was so diligent and had such an incredible talent. He is convinced that Chien Wan will one day have a reputation far greater than himself.

Meanwhile, Chien Wan stepped out of his teacher's ascetic room. He was confused at the thought of the words he would say to say goodbye to Ouwyang Ping. What's he supposed to say? He would not leave the Nada Valley for long, just a few months. But Ouwyang Ping once said he would always go wherever Chien Wan went. What does he say if he knows he's not invited?

“Kak Wan!” call the girl he was thinking about. A charming smile fell on her lips.

Chien Wan looked at the girl with a warm feeling. He has always been with Ouwyang Ping. Change after change that happens in the girl did not escape from her observation. Ouwyang Ping had gone from being an agile and slightly mischievous child to a graceful and beautiful teenage girl. The longer it gets beautiful and charming.

Ouwyang Ping's smile grew wider looking at Chien Wan's gaze. “Kak Wan, why look at me like that? Is there something strange on my face? Is my face dirty?” he asked while holding his face.

“No,” buzz Chien Wan with a small smile.

Ouwyang Ping reached out and held Chien Wan's arm. “Kak Wan, let's go to the foot of the hill!” bring him.

“Shortly, Ping-er. There's something I want to show you.” Chien Wan plucked the Black Bamboo Flute from her belt. It was given to Ouwyang Ping.

Ouwyang Ping stared at him wide-eyed. Face beaming. “You got it back! Grandpa gave it back to you?” exclaims happily. He thought the flute and held it gently in his chest, expressing his joy.

“Now I can blow better.”

Chien Wan smiled. Received his flute while glancing at Ouwyang Ping. Presumably the girl's jealousy towards the white silk rope was gone, she thought in relief. He did not like it if Ouwyang Ping was sad and angry at him.

They stepped together towards the foot of the hill. The breeze blew silently echoing the beautiful faint sound of music. Their clothes fluttered. Ouwyang Ping was dressed in gold and Chien Wan was dressed in black.

Ouwyang Ping sat on a grassy mound while holding a harp on his lap. “Kakak Wan..

Chien Wan understood what the girl meant. He lifted his flute, then he emotionally pressed the tip of the flute to his lips. Slowly Chien Wan blew it, then a beautiful voice resounded. Chien Wan closed her eyes to the sound she made, a melodious sound she had not heard for three years. Now the sound of the flute is getting clearer and better. Chien Wan was amazed, thinking that his teacher had perfected the flute. In fact, Mr. Ouwyang never did anything to the flute. The sound is getting better because Chien Wan's own ability is now getting higher.

Ouwyang Ping plucked his harp. The girl is getting smarter too. His harp quotes really captivated the hearts of anyone who heard. Complicated tones are played easily. His pliable and pliable fingers plucked the harp so skillfully that it produced music capable of freezing the soul.

The combination of the two musical instruments is truly extraordinary! The song was created by Chien Wan and perfected by the accompaniment of Ouwyang Ping's harp as if it had indeed been blessed by the gods.

Nada Valley seemed to drift in the rhythm of their music game. The birds stopped chirping, the gurgling of the springs stopped flowing, the leaves made no noise as they rubbed against each other, the butterflies dared not flap their wings. The rhythm of life in the Nada Valley stopped for a moment.

It was as if life had vanished and had only returned when they had finished their game.

Ouwyang Ping looked at Chien Wan feelingly. “Kak Wan, someday we will be together. We will stop for a moment in the beautiful and quiet places to play this song. You with your flute, me with my harp. We will always be together,” said the girl half-dreamed, her eyes closed.

Chien Wan sighed. Now he is getting heavy to convey the news of his departure to the girl. Ouwyang Ping always thought they would never part even for a second. They will be separated for a while.

“Kak Wan doesn't like my idea?” asked Ouwyang Ping disappointed to hear Chien Wan shut up.

“Not it.”

“Then?”

Chien Wan's eyes looked glum as she looked at Ouwyang Ping. “Teacher told me to represent the Valley of Tones to the swordsmen's meeting next month. Since the distance of the Nada Valley to the meeting place is far, I have to leave in these few days,” he said.

Ouwyang Ping gaped. “So we'll split?”

“Only for a few weeks, Ping-er. Two months at most.” Chien Wan tried to calm down.

“Two months?!” yang Ouwyang Ping. “That was a long time!”

Chien Wan will not smile. “The two months were not long, Ping-er,” he said patiently.

But Ouwyang Ping seemed to not listen. He jumped to his feet and ran away from Chien Wan. Chien Wan sighed. He knew where the girl had gone. He stepped up following her.

Ouwyang Ping went to his grandfather's tapa room.

“Grandpa! Grandpa where?” yells.

Hauw Lam, the fourth person of the Four Silver Plumes appeared from inside the room. “Nona Ping-er, your grandfather is in the main room with your father,” said.

Ouwyang Ping directly went to the main hall leaving the dumbfounded Hauw Lam.

Seriate.