Death Flute
Towards the Bamboo Guesthouse

Chien Wan and his friends did not chase.

“Ting Ting, are you okay?” sen Khang asked worriedly at his sister, then without waiting for a response he turned to look at Meng Huan. “How about you?”

“I'm fine, Brother.” Ting Ting smiled soothingly.

“I too. Fortunately, these two officers helped us. Otherwise we've been wretched before you guys came,” said Meng Huan as he pointed at the two members of Nada Valley.

Ouwyang Ping exclaimed happily, “Uncle Kam Sien! Uncle Hauw Lam!”

Kam Sien and Hauw Lam saluted Ouwyang Ping. “Nona Ping-er,” greet them. “Chien Wan.”

Chien Wan nodded politely as she put on a small smile.

“How can both Uncle be here?” ask Ouwyang Ping in wonder. “Did Grandpa or Dad tell?”

“Indeed,” replied Kam Sien. “Big Master told us to tell you that you do not have to go straight home after the meeting. You are given permission to go anywhere for three months.”

Ouwyang Ping's face was beaming. “Really?”

Sen Khang, Ting Ting, and Meng Huan were delighted. They immediately approached Chien Wan.

“Then you can come to the Bamboo Guesthouse, Chien Wan!” said Meng Huan excitedly. “Teacher and Aunt must be happy to see you.”

“Of course he will return to the Bamboo Guesthouse!” Sen Khang punched his best friend slowly on the shoulder. “He will have to introduce Miss Ouwyang to everyone there. Especially on Uncle Khung.”

Ting Ting lowered his head to hear her brother's words.

Kam Sien and Hauw Lam looked at the three young men with interest. They had heard that the beautiful girl was Master Luo's daughter. Of course they are friendly with Chien Wan because Chien Wan used to live in the Bamboo House.

“O yes, Uncle both. They came from the Bamboo House. Luo Sen Khang and Ting Ting Ting are Mr. Luo's children, while Chi Meng Huan is Mr. Luo.”'s student Ouwyang Ping introduced them.

“Sen Khang, these two people are two of the four protectors of the Nada Valley who are titled Four Silver Ponds. His name is Kam Sien and Hauw Lam,” Sen Khang said.

“How are you?” hauw Lam.

“We've heard about all of you from Chien Wan,” added Kam Sien.

Sen Khang and the others returned the homage in a friendly manner.

After the introductory event was over, Kam Sien and Hauw Lam implored themselves. They were only in charge of conveying the message, after which they had to immediately return to their respective posts in the Nada Valley. They did not want to leave their guard for too long because they were very responsible people.

After the two men died, Sen Khang invited them to leave the place.

***

The atmosphere in the Bamboo Guesthouse was very quiet after Sen Khang, Ting Ting, and Meng Huan had left for Lok Yang City. Indeed, the only ones assigned to Lok Yang City to attend the meeting of the warriors were Sen Khang and Meng Huan. But Ting Ting whined to his father and mother to be allowed to participate. The girl reasoned she was old enough to gain experience in the outside world. After all he could die of boredom without his brother and Meng Huan. With a heavy heart, his parents let him go.

“It has been almost a month they left home, My husband.” Madam Luo placed the embroidery she was working on onto the table.

Master Luo raised her face from the book she was reading, smiling. “You missed them?”

“Of course,” sigh Mrs Luo. “During this time, those kids never went away from us. I miss them, and I am very worried. Are they okay?”

“Of course they will be fine,” her husband said. “Didn't we give them enough silat education? After all, they only went to attend the invitation of the Chief of the Army. Nothing will happen.”

“Actually it's not just that.”

The wife's tone of voice made Master Luo frown. He closed the book and put it on the table. “What's up?”

“What if instead they are interested in life in the martial World and feel bored with life in the Bamboo House? Those children, especially Sen Khang, would definitely want to wander someday.”

“Isn't that good? They can get valuable experience.”

“But they can get in danger!” protest Mrs Luo.

Master Luo sighed. “My wife, our children are adults. They deserve to experience the world. We must not be selfish by blocking their desires. One day, however, they will have to escape our scrutiny. We won't live forever for them either.”

Madam Luo looked down embarrassed. “I know. It's just, it's hard to be airy when it comes to our kids.”

“Not only our children,” seduce her husband. “When Chien Wan left you cried the night before he left.”

Wife blushes. “I think of him as our own son. Of course I'm sad because he's going to leave us,” he said defensively. “By the way how it is now, huh? Since leaving, not once has he come to visit us.”

“Of course he can't visit. The distance of the Nada Valley to the Bamboo Guesthouse is quite far and difficult. After all, his teacher would definitely not allow him to leave without permission. The rules in the Nada Valley are quite strict. It used to be when Sui She studied there, not once did she come home. Until the last moment he came home already suffering from such pain,” said Mister Luo gloomily.

“In your opinion, do they treat it well?”

“It should be. Otherwise, I won't forgive them!”

Her husband's tone of voice made Madam Luo shudder. Her husband was always friendly and thoughtful, but when it came to his sister and the Nada Valley, he always looked scary.

Just then, the bedroom door slammed open and Ting Ting entered. The girl looked rather shabby and her clothes were dirty from the dust. His face was red from a long trip. His body was slightly thin, yet he looked bright and radiant.

“Mother! Dad!”

“Ting Ting!”

Master and Madam Luo stood up in surprise as well as happiness. Ting Ting rushed to hug his mother longingly.

Tears were dripping down Madam Luo's cheeks, tears of joy and relief. She hugged her daughter tightly before letting go to look at her face critically. “You're skinny!” he laughed half, though his eyes were wet.

“Ah, Mom! Don't cry like this. You don't like to see me, do you?” Ting Ting wiped away her mother's tears.

Mr. Luo walked over and stroked his daughter's hair. “Where's your sister?”

“In the living room, with Brother Huan,” replied Ting Ting. “And guess who else came with us!”

“Who?”

“Kak Wan!” exclaimed Ting Ting happy. “She came to visit Dad and Mom!”

“Chien Wan?” the trunk of Lady Luo.

“How can he be with you guys?” ask Mr. Luo.

“Wah, the story is long! We'll tell you later. Let's go there!” Ting Ting pulled on her father and mother's arms.

***

Chien Wan and Ouwyang Ping sat in the living room with Sen Khang. Meng Huan went to her room to put her clothes on, but soon returned.

“Just relax, Chien Wan.” Sen Khang laughed seeing that Chien Wan looked somewhat tense. He knew what his friend was worried about. For sure Chien Wan was busy thinking about the information she had to pass on to Master Luo.

“Iya, Brother,” timpal Ouwyang Ping without knowing the meaning of Sen Khang. He thought, Chien Wan is agitated because she is worried about getting scolded by Mr. Luo for not visiting for a long time.

A moment later, Master and Lady Luo came along with Ting Ting.

Chien Wan stood up. His face is unreadable.

“Dad, Mother.” Sen Khang approached his parents, followed by Meng Huan who greeted him like a student to his teacher.

Master and Madam Luo greeted her son and disciple warmly before their attention turned to Chien Wan.

“Master, Mistress. I'm back,” Chien Wan said softly as she saluted politely.

“Chien Wan.” Madam Luo directly walked up to him and squeezed his arm warmly. He noticed the young man who for three more years he had not seen with curiosity. Chien Wan hasn't changed much. In addition to his height and his face that looked more sturdy, he was almost exactly like before. “You stay as you used to. We're so glad you're home.”

“Thank you, Mistress.”

Mr. Luo was also very happy to see Chien Wan, but he was not as expressive as his wife in expressing feelings. He just smiled and patted Chien Wan on the shoulder.

Chien Wan turned his head towards Ouwyang Ping. “Master, Madam, this is Ouwyang Ping. She is.. daughter of Uncle Ouwyang Kuan.”

There was little doubt when Chien Wan said the name Ouwyang Kuan. But only a little so that no one noticed. No one but Mr. Luo.

Ouwyang Ping immediately saluted with admirable manners.

“Receive my respect, Mr and Mrs Luo,” the girl said. “Sorry if my arrival troubles the family here.”

Master and Madam Luo returned the respect well. They were impressed by the girl's manners, as well as her beauty and appearance. “Do not hesitate, Miss Ouwyang. Consider it your own home,” reply Mr. Luo.

“Call me Ping-er,” said Ouwyang Ping, who always felt uneasy when called Miss Ouwyang.

“Alright, Ping-er. You can also call us uncle and aunt,” said Mrs Luo.

Ouwyang Ping nodded politely.

“Sit.”

Master Luo uttered it while she herself sat on the chair she used to sit on. His wife sat beside him. Others occupy their respective places while enjoying tea and small meals.

“How's the story you guys got together?” asked Mister Luo curiously.

“Long story, Father.” Sen Khang grinned before starting to tell her everything.

Sen Khang told a good story while occasionally being teased by Ting Ting, Meng Huan, and Ouwyang Ping. Master and Madam Luo listened to him with widened eyes, amazed at the sheer number of events they had experienced. They were especially shocked by the incident that befell the young people in Bukit Merak. Their hearts were relieved to see the children were nothing less.

Chien Wan was silent, as usual, just a good listener. He even wanted the story to end so he could look for an opportunity to meet Uncle Khung. He was eager to recount the education he received in Nada Valley to Uncle Khung.