Death Flute
Adventuring Together

Mr. Ouwyang Cu and Ouwyang Kuan were talking.

“According to Dad, Chien Wan is already capable enough of this task?” ask Ouwyang Kuan.

“I wouldn't tell him if he couldn't!” grunts father.

Ouwyang Kuan already knew his father very well, so he just kept quiet with a smile.

That was when Ouwyang Ping came in.

“Grandpa!”

Ouwyang Kuan frowned at the behavior of his daughter that was not as usual. “Ping-er, what's up?”

“Sorry, Dad. I want to talk to Grandpa,” said Ouwyang Ping while looking intently at his grandfather.

Mr. Ouwyang Cu smiled at his grandson but was replied with the girl's sullen face. He felt astonished. “Ping-er, why is your face so sour? You don't want to return Grandpa's smile?” tanyakanya.

“Grandfather told Sister Wan to go to Lok Yang City, right?”

“Indeed,” nod Mr. Ouwyang Cu. “He told me to represent the Valley of Nada in a meeting of warriors. Counting looking for experience.”

“Bad grandfather!” accuse Ouwyang Ping.

“Lho? Chien Wan can't stay here forever. If he didn't go to the outside world, what was the point of him training all this time?” protest Mr Ouwyang Cu.

Ouwyang Ping folded his hands in front of his chest. “Then, I also go!” broken steady.

“Cannot,” by Ouwyang Kuan. “You're still too young.”

“Kak Wan is also only three years older than me. Why is he leaving and I'm not?” exclaim Ouwyang Ping was annoyed. “I want to come with Sister Wan! I don't want to stay here alone!”

“Ping-er..

“Let him if he wants to go, A Kuan!” cut Mr. Ouwyang Cu.

“But, Dad...”.

Mr. Ouwyang Cu stood and ruffled his waist. “Your son is so spoiled! He even dared to scold me. Me! Grandfather himself! It's because you're always spoiling him. Let him go. I want to see if he can be independent without his father always protecting him.”

“Kakak Wan will protect me,” pout Ouwyang Ping.

Grandpa just grunted.

Ouwyang Kuan let out a heavy sigh. “Ping-er, you are stubborn indeed.”

“Dad?” call Ouwyang Ping heartily while looking at his father.

“Ya, stop. If that's what you want.”

Instantly Ouwyang Ping's face beamed. He approached his father and grabbed his arm. “Thank you, Father.”

Mr. Ouwyang Cu snorted. “Just to your father? You're not thanking your grandfather?”

Ouwyang Ping blushed, then approached Mr. Ouwyang Cu. His grandfather looked at him with great affection. “Thank you, Cake.”

“Still saying your grandfather is evil?” sindir Tuan Ouwyang Cu's.

Ouwyang Ping's face flushed red. “No, Cake. Grandpa is a very nice person. Best in the world!”

By then, Chien Wan had already arrived at the room. He was glued outside the door listening to the talk of the three people surnamed Ouwyang. His heart was overjoyed to hear Ouwyang Ping was coming with him.

Mr. Ouwyang Cu saw him and waved him in.

“You should leave tomorrow morning only,” the order.

“Pack, Ping-er,” Tell Ouwyang Kuan.

“Iya!” Eagerly, Ouwyang Ping ran away. A look at Chien Wan's face. He flashed a smile full of happiness that amazed the young man's heart.

“Chien Wan.”

Ouwyang Kuan's voice shocked him, making him turn his head. “Ya, Uncle?”

“Uncle need not ask me to do it. Without Uncle asking for anything, I will keep Ping-er well because I am indeed in charge of her,” Chien Wan replied.

Chien Wan's reply was a great relief to Ouwyang Kuan's heart. He believed in Chien Wan. During his stay in Nada Valley, the young man had proven his responsibility and honesty. Chien Wan's affection for Ouwyang Ping was beyond doubt. Ouwyang Kuan could feel that Chien Wan was so sincere about loving her daughter. And he blesses them.

***

The next day, Chien Wan and Ouwyang Ping left the Nada Valley. They brought enough clothes and money.

Chien Wan slipped a flute in his belt, so the existence of the thing became somewhat hidden. But Ouwyang Ping could not keep his harp everywhere because of its size is quite large. He always held it in his hand.

Due to those golden harps, their appearance became rather striking and inviting. But even so, no one expected that they were actually young people who had high intelligence. The people who passed by them thought they were street artists.

They stepped towards Lok Yang City. The city is located quite far from the Nada Valley, therefore it can take days. Moreover, they decided to just walk, not ride horses. They know that a new meeting will take place next month. What's the rush for?

The road they walked was a lonely road. There was not a single house, let alone inn. At first they walked on in the hope of finding a place to stay, a temple or whatever, as long as they have a roof so they do not get wet if it rains. None of the houses or temples are visible. There are only shrubs and large shady trees. They gave up and were forced to sleep under a leafy tree. Fortunately, not far from where they decided to spend the night, there was a small pool of clear water.

Chien Wan gathered the scattered dry twigs, then made a bonfire. The fire was burning quickly because the twig was very dry. The flames warmed the atmosphere of a clear night. The black sky was filled with stars twinkling.

Ouwyang Ping looked at the sky with pleasure. “See, Brother! The sky is full of stars. It means tonight it won't rain.”

Chien Wan nodded.

Ouwyang Ping opened their package and took out two loaves of bread. “Let's eat, Sister Wan.”

They eat in silence. Chien Wan remained silent as she chewed her bread. Ouwyang Ping did not bother him. The girl already knew Chien Wan too well, and understood her aloof nature. If Chien Wan was standing still, the girl never bullied him.

“Ping-er,” finally Chien Wan is the one who broke the silence, “you're okay to sleep in this place?” Ouwyang Ping was used to living comfortably because she was a big lady, the daughter of the owner of the Nada Valley. You will suffer if you sleep in such a place.

Ouwyang Ping smiled sweetly. “It's okay, Sister Wan. I want to come with you, then I won't complain,” he replied sincerely. “Again...,” he added shyly, “when with Sister Wan, whatever the circumstances, it does not matter. I'm willing.”

Chien Wan was stunned. He took a breath and put a smile on his lips. How much love the girl had for him, he would be guilty of hurting her. Chien Wan whipped out her flute.

“Eating you already?”

Ouwyang Ping nodded.

“Sleep. I'll blow the flute for you until you fall asleep,” tell Chien Wan gently.

Ouwyang Ping nodded, then he laid his body on the grassy ground covered with blankets. His head was clad in clothes. The harp was on his side. He did not go to sleep, instead looking at Chien Wan who began to blow his flute chanting a soft song.

How great and dashing Brother Wan is! ouwyang Ping thought full of admiration. Chien Wan's face looked so radiant, exuding an incredible amount of affection. Ouwyang Ping's heart was so warm that it permeated the rhythm of the song played by Chien Wan. At that moment, he wanted time to stop spinning.

Shortly after, his eyes felt heavy. He also fell asleep.

Chien Wan put up her ear and caught the rhythm of Ouwyang Ping breathing which was slow and regular the sign of the girl was already sound. He stopped his flute and slowly approached the girl. Carefully, he covered Ouwyang Ping's body with his black robe.

He did not sleep because he was not sleepy at all. Even if he is sleepy, he will not sleep. He has to take care of the girl. He had to make sure that no one would bother the girl.

Time passed and morning came. The sun shows its light in the eastern horizon. Little by little as if reluctant to wake up and carry out their duties. The light that slowly appeared was amazing. How beautiful the view was that morning. But for Chien Wan, there was nothing more beautiful than the sight of a sleeping girl illuminated by the light of the morning sun. Sunlight bounced when it hit the gold-colored Ouwyang Ping's clothes. The girl looked so radiant, as if the rays were coming out from all over Ouwyang Ping's own body.

Chien Wan looked at the girl without the slightest intention to disturb her sleep.

Ouwyang Ping wriggled, then opened his eyes. The first figure he saw was Chien Wan who was sitting not far from him, staring at him. He blushed. How long has Chien Wan been looking at him like that?

“Sister Wan, you've been awake for a long time?”

Chien Wan nodded. He's honest. Of course he had been awake for a long time, he had not slept at all.

Ouwyang Ping stood up. “Kak Wan, I want to wash my face in the pool first,” part. Then he stepped towards the small pond that was located not far from where they had spent the night. He found a rather hidden place behind large stones and shrubs. The very clear water made him want to take a bath because he felt not fresh and dusty.

While waiting for Ouwyang Ping to clean himself up, Chien Wan hunts and easily manages to catch a rabbit. He skinned the rabbit and put it on a branch. He started burning the rabbit on the fire.

Suddenly....

“Aaaaaa!!”

There was a panicked cry from the pool.

“Ping-er!” Chien Wan jumped to her feet and thoughtlessly ran towards the pool. The rabbit's not being rubbed anymore.

Seriate.