Death Flute
Meet Uncle Khung

That afternoon Uncle Khung was sitting in the front of his cabin. He blew his bamboo flute without intending to play any song. He did so half daydreaming about his past.

Thinking of Chien Wan.

He lowered his flute, sighing. The burden in his heart was agonizing. In a moment, he thought. Any minute....

Suddenly he was shocked. He lifted his head.

Chien Wan stood before him.

Uncle Khung got up with his heart beating fast.

“Chien Wan?”

“Uncle, I'm back.” Chien Wan smiled slightly. He was happy to see his Uncle Khung had not changed at all.

Uncle Khung managed to ease his rumbling feelings. Follow his heart. He was very eager to hug Chien Wan. But before he did, he managed to control himself. He nodded small. “You okay?”

“Ya, Uncle.”

“Successfully become a disciple of Mr Ouwyang Cu?”

“True.”

“Then your abilities now exceed me.”

Chien Wan did not answer. He did not know where his abilities were according to Uncle Khung's eyes.

“Just play your song for me.”

Chien Wan's heart was relieved. For him it is much easier to show his ability through actions than through talk. He is not a man who is good at words. It is easier to express his heart through music. Without saying much he began to blow his flute. Uncle Khung sat back down.

Her amazingly beautiful song began to reverberate throughout the originally silent Bamboo Forest. Beautiful music that is very sweet and touches the heart of anyone who hears it. The wind stopped blowing because it was worried that it would not be able to rival that incredible sound.

The extraordinary rhythm of the song made Uncle Khung's eyes wide. Holy wow...! The ability of this brat had even exceeded that of Mr. Ouwyang Cu himself, he thought in astonishment. Chien Wan used to amaze him. But Chien Wan's former ability is nothing compared to now. That flute sound somehow sounded much more beautiful and clear. Uncle Khung knew it was not because of his flute, but because of Chien Wan's already highly advanced abilities.

Uncle Khung's heart was as if it was sliced to hear that heart-touching music. Without realizing it, his eyes were teary. He never felt touched like this. His hands clenched tightly. This is destiny!

When Chien Wan ended his flute play, Uncle Khung could no longer hold himself back. He got up and approached Chien Wan, embracing her tightly. Chien Wan was a bit surprised by the behavior of Uncle Khung who was not as usual, but not until the heart refused.

The old man was surprised by his actions. He quickly let go of his embrace and retreated back to his place.

Chien Wan was sitting next to Uncle Khung.

“I don't need to ask for your progress. Your flute showed it.” Uncle Khung leaned back quietly. “Are they being nice to you?”

“Ya.”

“What about Mr Ouwyang Kuan? Did he notice you?”

“Yes. He is very good.”

Uncle Khung breathed a sigh of relief. “Good,” murmured. “Dan... his wife?”

“Uncle Ouwyang wife died in childbirth, Uncle.”

Uncle Khung's body straightened up. “What?”

Chien Wan frowned. “Why, Uncle?”

Quickly Uncle Khung was acting ordinary again. “Tak what. Then Mrs Ouwyang?”

“Mrs Ouwyang?” chien Wan asked doubtfully.

“Your teacher's wife.”

“He is also dead. I don't know about him if it wasn't for Brother Kam to say it,” Chien Wan said.

“Kam Sien's? One member of Four Silver Tambur?”

“Uncle knows him?”

Although confused, Chien Wan did not want to tease him. He guessed something was weighing on Uncle Khung. It was possible that Uncle Khung had dealt with the Nada Valley more seriously than he admitted.

Finally Uncle Khung stopped pacing. He approached Chien Wan who immediately stood up. Now they stand facing. Uncle Khung put both his hands on Chien Wan's shoulder. He has made a decision.

“Listen, Chien Wan—“

“Kak Wan!”

That clear and melodious voice cut through Uncle Khung's words. With a huff, the old man turned his head and was instantly stunned.

Ouwyang Ping came with Sen Khang. Her beautiful face was radiantly happy. He was very excited to meet Uncle Khung. According to the story he heard from Sen Khang, Uncle Khung has become a kind of adoptive father to Chien Wan. He wanted to go with Chien Wan when Chien Wan said that he would go for a while to see Uncle Khung. However, he refrained from realizing that Chien Wan might want to talk to Uncle Khung. But after a while he could not hold back. He asked Sen Khang to take him to Uncle Khung's cottage.

“Ping-er,” smile Chien Wan. His stiff face turned soft looking at the girl. This change was noticed by Uncle Khung, making his old face moody.

Ouwyang Ping approached them happily.

Chien Wan introduced the girl to Uncle Khung. “Uncle, he is Ouwyang Ping. She's Uncle Ouwyang Kuan's daughter.”

Ouwyang Ping saluted politely.

But Uncle Khung just nodded stiffly. He turned back to Chien Wan. “We just continue that conversation tomorrow,” he said.

The cold welcome of Uncle Khung to Ouwyang Ping made the girl astonished and sad. Sen Khang also realized, so he immediately approached with the intention of changing the attitude of Uncle Khung. “Uncle, how are you?”

“Young Master, long time no see,” said Uncle Khung—still with a stiff tone.

Smile Smile Khang expands. “Uncle knows not? Miss Ouwyang is her lover Chien Wan. And because Chien Wan is arguably Uncle's adopted child, then Miss Ouwyang will be Uncle's adoptive daughter-in-law,” told him in a seductive tone. He glanced at Ouwyang Ping whose face was instantly flushed red. Chien Wan also seemed a bit embarrassed to hear it.

But Uncle Khung's rigid attitude increasingly becomes. He did not even want to look at Ouwyang Ping. “I go in first. My body is so tired. See you later, Chien Wan, Young Master.” And he did not even say goodbye to Ouwyang Ping.

To his astonishment, the three young men stared at Uncle Khung's departure. And as the door of Uncle Khung's cottage closed, Ouwyang Ping let out a disappointed sigh.

“Uncle Khung doesn't like me,” he lamented.

“Don't take heart, Ping-er. He is so.” Chien Wan felt very bad. He knew that Ouwyang Ping hoped that Uncle Khung would like him when they met. Getting such a cold reception certainly made the girl sad and disappointed. He himself did not understand why Uncle Khung behaved so.

“Uncle Khung is indeed a stiff and cold person. You remember Chien Wan? His attitude towards Meng Huan used to be very cold as well. Though we all like Meng Huan,” says Sen Khang is soothing.

Chien Wan nodded.

Ouwyang Ping took a breath, yet felt relieved. He looked at the door of Uncle Khung's cottage with a gloomy face. Why doesn't Uncle Khung like it? Though clearly Sen Khang introduced her as the future wife of Chien Wan. Does Uncle Khung not want him to be with Chien Wan?

“Already, Ping-er.” Chien Wan touched the girl's arm. “We'd better get back to Wisma Bambu.”

Sen Khang nodded vigorously. “True. We'd better get back. It's almost dinner time. My mother must have prepared a special meal to celebrate our return!”

Though distraught, Ouwyang Ping nodded and stepped in following the two young men.

***

Uncle Khung walked back and forth inside his cottage with a troubled heart. Her feelings had been very chaotic since the first time she met the girl. Especially when hearing the special relationship between Chien Wan and Ouwyang Ping.

“Ouwyang Ping's... Ouwyang Ping's..”.

Uncle Khung's mouth muttered Ouwyang Ping's name.

The girl was so graceful and charming. Her face was shady and very alluring, also beautiful. Perhaps Ting Ting was a little prettier than her, yet his elegance and attractiveness were clearly very outstanding. That girl is the kind of girl that people don't forget easily!

There is no denying that Chien Wan is in love with him! Where might not? But....

“No. This cannot be allowed!” furious Uncle Khung.

When he proposed to send Chien Wan to the Nada Valley, this matter never crossed his mind. Who would have thought that in Nada Valley there would be a teenage girl who dropped Chien Wan's heart?

“I won't let it!”

Uncle Khung's eyes narrowed.