Death Flute
Towards the Bamboo Guesthouse

Mr. Ouwyang Cu stood opposite Sen Khang. They looked tense and alert. All the residents of the Nada Valley who were around them scattered closer to see closer. Four Silver Plumes flashed closer thinking there was an enemy attack. How amazing they saw Sen Khang and Mr. Ouwyang were preparing for battle.

Chien Wan had arrived near them.

“Teacher, please!” chien Wan.

“Do not interfere! This brat dares to refute my words. He has to fight with me! I wonder how far Luo Siu Man taught him! Is he that great that he would dare to brag in front of me!” mister Ouwyang.

“Mr Ouwyang, please don't rile. I don't mean to be presumptuous,” said Sen Khang trying to calm down. He was astonished that his words had just been deemed so outrageous that Mr. Ouwyang felt the need to challenge him to a fight.

“You don't want to fight?!” mister Ouwyang. “Are you a coward?!”

Sen Khang's young blood boiled, yet he tried to restrain himself. “Mr Ouwyang...!”

“Receive this!”

Mr. Ouwyang jumped to attack Sen Khang with a typical punch of Nada Valley. Sen Khang was shocked, but he was able to dodge the attack. He had no choice but to respond to the attack.

They fought very hard. Their bodies moved so fast that all they looked was the white and golden shadows of their clothes. The sound of the battle looked like the buzz of war music due to Mr. Ouwyang's shrewd movements.

Ouwyang Kuan and his daughter arrived there as the battle had been going on. They're very worried.

“Aduh, Dad!” lament Ouwyang Kuan worried. However he fell silent and watched the battle with interest.

Ouwyang Ping approached the silent Chien Wan. “Son, why didn't you stop them?”

Chien Wan looked calm. He even gave a small smile. His teacher was truly amazing!

“Kak?”

“Swimming, Ping-er. Your grandfather didn't want to hurt Sen Khang at all. You take a good look.”

Ouwyang Ping focused his attention towards the middle of the match.

Mr. Ouwyang deployed the most skillful Nada Valley moves, but he did not use all his energy. His attack on Sen Khang was also nothing deadly. Each hit he held his hand an inch. Each kick he held his leg one cent. Also each exerting energy within, he deflected the direction of his punch as thinly as possible. People who are not really experts will consider the fight to be real, when in fact it is not.

In his own way, Mr. Ouwyang was consoling Chien Wan. He did not like to see the cloudy expression on Chien Wan's face when he heard the news. So he pretended to be angry with the news anchor and challenged him to a fight to calm the atmosphere.

Sen Khang himself immediately realized that Mr. Ouwyang had not been serious since the first attack. But because Mr. Ouwyang did not stop, he was forced to serve the game of Mr. Ouwyang.

The battle had been going on for a long time and all the inhabitants of Nada Valley were now there to watch the fight. They were amazed to see the greatness of their master. Age can be old, ability does not fade in the slightest!

Because it had been too long, Ouwyang Kuan felt that it was enough. He jumped into the middle of the battle and separated them. “It's been quite a joke, Dad. Now Chien Wan must get ready to leave for Wisma Bambu.”

Mr Ouwyang folded both hands in front of the chest and said pongah, “Who said I allow it?”

“Dad,” says Ouwyang Kuan patiently. “Khung's uncle regards Chien Wan as his own son. For sure he wanted Chien Wan to be by his side at the moment. Chien Wan herself would also want to take care of him when he was sick. It doesn't change me. I'd regret a lifetime if I couldn't take care of Dad. So we'd better let him go to the Bamboo Guesthouse for a while.”

“Father is right, Cake,” timpal Ouwyang Ping says.

Chien Wan is approaching. “Teacher...”.

“Alright! Alright!” exclaim Mr. Ouwyang, surrender. “If you all gang up on me this way how could I possibly survive?!” His sharp eyes glared at Chien Wan. “You can go but don't be long!”

Chien Wan looked at her teacher. His face at that moment was so grim and exuded a million sorrows. “Thank you, Master.”

Ouwyang Ping looked at his father expectantly. “I can come, right?”

But his father frowned. He objected to his daughter leaving again when she had just returned. “You just got home. I still miss you. Never mind, don't come. Chien Wan won't be long either,” turn it down gently.

“But...”.

“Do not argue, Ping-er!” tukas Mr. Ouwyang.

Ouwyang Ping had to comply even though his heart was upset.

“Quick pack!” tell Mr. Ouwyang Cu.

Chien Wan went to pack her clothes.

Sen Khang had been silent since. He was stunned and did not understand what Mr. Ouwyang Cu meant to challenge him to fight earlier. I don't know what the old man's purpose is! But somehow, it made his heart's annoyance turn into admiration. The science of Mr. Ouwyang is extraordinary. If he wanted to, the old man could easily defeat him. But he even felt he had extraordinary silat training.

He also saluted. “I am very grateful that Uncle and Mr. Ouwyang would allow Chien Wan. After Uncle Khung recovers, I will deliver Chien Wan myself back,” he said.

“He is a small child until he needs to be delivered home!” tukas Tuan Ouwyang sharp. However his eyes gleamed strangely, as if holding back a laugh.

***

Chien Wan had finished packing and by then everyone had returned home. The residents of the Nada Valley who were engrossed in watching had also returned to their respective tasks.

“Teacher, Uncle Ouwyang, I go first,” farewell to Chien Wan.

“Be careful on the road, Chien Wan. Give my regards to Mr Luo and Miss Sui She,” Ouwyang Kuan said.

When Ouwyang Kuan said ‘Nona Sui She’, Mr. Ouwyang turned his head quickly with a look of shocked eyes. This did not escape the sight of Chien Wan and Sen Khang— who were also surprised. Unexpectedly after all this time, Ouwyang Kuan still remembered Sui She.

“I'm sorry, Uncle, Mr. Ouwyang,” said Sen Khang.

After that, they left the room followed by Ouwyang Ping who planned to deliver them to the gate.

They walk while silent.

Arriving at the front gate, the Four Silver Fountains were already waiting to bid farewell. Chien Wan and Sen Khang say goodbye to them.

Ouwyang Ping waited with a troubled heart. He wondered why Chien Wan hadn't said a word to him. The young man did not even look at him in the slightest as he stepped away. He did not know that many things were raging in Chien Wan's mind.

Chien Wan could not say anything to Ouwyang Ping because he was afraid of mispronouncing. He did not say goodbye to the girl because he was afraid that her farewell would make the girl cry.

Sen Khang turned to Ouwyang Ping. “Ping-er, see you.”

Ouwyang Ping nodded.

Chien Wan lowered her head and stepped away. Sen Khang was surprised and immediately followed.

Ouwyang Ping was shocked. For a moment he was unable to do anything. But when he saw Chien Wan was a bit far away, he could not control himself. He immediately ran after Chien Wan.

“Kak Wan, wait!”

Chien Wan stopped and looked over. He saw the figure of the girl he loved running towards his place. The girl had been carrying her treasure. That thing was never once left out. The girl's face flushed from running.

“Kak Wan, why not say goodbye to me?” sue Ouwyang Ping.

That question made Chien Wan somewhat misbehaved. “Eh, i...”.

Ouwyang Ping's smile expanded. “I'm not angry,” he said while holding Chien Wan's arm.

Sen Khang watched them with a bad feeling. “Chien Wan, I wait in front, yes?” said. Then he left without waiting for Chien Wan's response.

After Sen Khang's death, Ouwyang Ping was relieved. Now he is free to express his feelings for the young man without shame. “Kak Wan, actually I want to come. But Dad and Grandpa forbid me,”.

“I won't be long, Ping-er. After Uncle Khung recovers I'll be home as soon as possible,” Chien Wan promised.

Ouwyang Ping smiled sadly. “I know. It's just that I'm always with you. I could never have imagined having to go through my days without you. I can't even remember my life when you haven't come.”

“Ping-er Chien Wan really doesn't know what to say.

“Kakak Wan will definitely wait until Uncle Khung recovers properly. It will definitely take a long time,” sighed Ouwyang Ping. But he quickly continued, “But you don't misunderstand me! I don't mind you taking care of your foster father at all. I'm glad you're so devoted. Only...”

Chien Wan did not bother him. He waited patiently for what the girl would reveal.

“How about... Uncle Khung still dislikes me and tells you not to come back to me?”

Chien Wan sighed. “Ping-er, it won't happen.”

“How about yes?”

“I've left my leaflet to you, haven't I?”

Being reminded of the hong bird's pictorial leontin made Ouwyang Ping's face radiant. Aye! Chien Wan had given his precious leontin to him, meaning he was extremely valuable. Trust is so big it means so much! He took out the locket from his pocket and held it tightly.

“I will take care of him with all my heart, Sister Wan.”

Chien Wan glanced forward and saw Sen Khang waiting for him in the distance. “Already, Ping-er. I have to go now. Sen Khang was waiting for me,” he said as he lifted his bundle.

Ouwyang Ping swallowed his tears, then nodded. “Goodbye, Sister Wan. Careful,” he said.

Chien Wan looked at Ouwyang Ping once more before turning around. The girl looked at Chien Wan's back sadly. Then he grabbed his harp and sat down on the green grass. His bouncy fingers began to pluck the strings of the harp, playing a beautiful song to accompany Chien Wan's departure. Beautiful tones flow throughout the Nada Valley.

Chien Wan closed her eyes to enjoy the enchanting song. He wanted to turn around again to see the girl pluck her harp. But he realized that if he came back, he wouldn't be able to leave. So he steadied his heart and continued to step away from Ouwyang Ping. Leaving Nada Valley to Wisma Bambu.