Death Flute
Luo Sen Khang Meet Ouwyang Ping

At Wisma Bambu, Luo Sen Khang was with her parents and sister in the sitting room in her father's workroom. They are discussing a serious problem. The future of Sen Khang.

During these two years, Sen Khang time is divided between Wisma Bambu and Nada Valley. For the first few months after her aunt's wedding, she lived in the Valley of Nada. He did not come when his parents and sister returned to Wisma Bambu. He stayed with Chien Wan in the Nada Valley. And it wasn't in vain. His talent caught the attention of Mr. Ouwyang Cu so the old man taught some great bare-handed science.

But even though Sen Khang felt very violent in the Nada Valley, he could not dodge when his father called him home. However, Wisma Bambu is his home. So he went home after six months of living in the Valley of Nada.

Time passed so quickly and it changed. He transformed from a rather mischievous and jolly young man into a friendly and wise young man. He did not lose his mischievous and jolly nature, only that he was now better able to control it.

So long not meeting with his best friend makes him miss. He decided to say goodbye to his parents to visit Chien Wan in Nada Valley. He also decided to wander after that because he wanted to expand his experience.

His parents objected because they really wanted Sen Khang to immediately find a mate. Sen Khang is almost twenty-two years old, it is appropriate to have a companion. Some beautiful girls from good families have been shown to her. But none of them hit his heart.

This time, her parents were trying to soften her heart.

“What kind of girl do you want Sen Khang?” ask Mr. Luo. “You have rejected all the girls shown by the matchmaker, even though they are all beautiful and come from good families.”

Sen Khang sighed. “Dad, I don't want to marry a girl I don't love. I didn't know the girls that the matchmaker offered me. I want to find my own soul mate,” he said in a tone of voice that could not be bargained again.

“But that love can grow by itself, Nak.” Lady Luo mediated.

“No to me, Mother. For me, love is something to have in the first place. Love is a solid foundation for a marriage. From there everything can arise; friendship, respect, trust. If from the beginning there is no love, how can others appear?”

Hearing this, both of his parents looked at him.

Ting Ting was stunned to look at her brother. During his life with his brother, he never expected that his brother had such a strong concept of marriage and love. How wonderful her sister's description of love and marriage is.

“So?” Master Luo looked back at his son.

“Let me find my true love first, then I will think of marriage,” said Sen Khang steady.

“Is there someone in your heart already?” urged Mr. Luo.

Sen Khang. Someone in his heart? Of course there is. But he knew this was not the right time to unlock the secret of his heart. So he shook his head.

“I'll say it at the right time.”

Again, both parents looked at. And they gave up persuading Sen Khang and the persuasion turned to Ting Ting.

“How about you go first, Ting Ting?” said Madam Luo. “Supposed a sister did not step over her brother. But we don't look that narrow. We don't mind if you get married first.”

Ting Ting's face flushed red. As a girl, being able to marry the person she loves is what she dreams of. And he loves Chien Wan. She should marry Chien Wan!

“Ting Ting, how about you Dad mate with Meng Huan?” ask Mr. Luo.

It was just then that Meng Huan was behind the door, listening to the conversation. He did not mean to eavesdrop, but when he passed by he heard the matchmaking problem and he was interested. His heart was delighted to hear the words of his teacher. She had loved Ting Ting for a long time, of course she wanted so badly to marry the girl. But how shocked and upset he was when he heard Ting Ting's reply.

“No, Dad!” reject Ting Ting firmly.

“Why?” asked Mister Luo confusedly. “Aren't you and Meng Huan close to each other?”

Ting Ting bit his lips. “Dad, I am indeed quite close to Big Brother Huan, but I only consider him a big brother. I don't love her at all, let alone wanting to marry her!”

Sen Khang looked at his sister with concern. “You still expect Chien Wan apparently.”

Ting Ting's face turned red, yet he did not refute.

Master Luo frowned. “Chien Wan is indeed a good young man. I really like it. But he's my brother's son. That means he's your cousin. Your blood relationship is pretty close and I object that you marry him.”

Ting Ting pouted. He forgot his embarrassment and said somewhat defiantly, “Abviously a cousin cannot marry?”

“Not allowed. You guys are different clans, of course it's okay. But I disagree with the thought of having to message my own sister. It feels a bit strange.”

Ting Ting's face grew increasingly sour. “If Dad says so, I won't argue. But I still don't want to marry Brother Huan. I don't even feel interested in marriage anymore!”

“Ting Ting!” hardik Mr. Luo.

Meng Huan clenched her fists furiously mixed with sadness. She was deeply offended by Ting Ting's attitude, but what else.

Meanwhile, Master and Madam Luo felt despair at the decision of her son and daughter. But they can't do anything anymore. They were no longer trying to get in the way when Sen Khang said goodbye to visit the Nada Valley.

Sen Khang left.

***

Luo Sen Khang walked in the middle of the city crowd. He stepped leisurely and was completely unaffected by the hustle and bustle around him. His appearance attracted the attention of people, especially girls. His handsome and charismatic face, as well as his neat and beautiful clothes made people suspect he was a son of nobility.

He deliberately took a big road on his way to the Nada Valley because he did not want to rush. He wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of the big city before arriving in the Nada Valley.

Suddenly, he saw a commotion in front of a brothel.

A woman was being pulled around and beaten with a stick by a rude man. The woman looked disheveled and wounded. His hair was messy and he was crying wailing. A little boy ran beside her screaming, “Mother! Mama! Don't beat my mom!”

The people around them just kept watching because they didn't want to interfere in their affairs. Moreover, they knew who the rude man was. The man was a ruthless brothel bouncer.

“Mother!”

Buk up! The stick in the man's hand hit the boy's back until he fell.

“Shut! Your mother's been sold to a brothel! Go there!” snarl the bouncer.

“Jangaaan!!” The woman attacked her son and grabbed him. “A Siong! A Siong!” her cries panicked at the sight of blood flowing from her son's mouth.

“Ibuuuu!”

“A Siong—jangaan!!!” The woman tried to fight back when her hand was pulled hard.

“I don't want to! I don't want to be a whore!” The woman thrashed while her son cried screaming, “Mother! Mom!”

“Basic bastard son of a bitch!” The bouncer's kick hit A Siong until the boy bounced and rolled near Sen Khang's feet.

“A Sioooong!!”

Sen Khang quickly bowed to check on the boy. He lifted the boy's body and moved to beat the bouncer. He was furious to see the cruelty unfolding before his eyes. But before he had time to act, there was a rhythmic twang sound that was very melodious as well as creepy.

And along with that clinking sound, a golden shadow floated up close to them.

Sen Khang almost shouted happily to see him. But he was stunned and canceled his intention because the familiar face was so cold and mysterious.

That golden figure was Ouwyang Ping. It had been the past few months that he had bid farewell to the Black Bats. He went wandering alone and somehow there was a desire in his heart to return to the Valley of Nada. As he passed by this place he saw the injustice that was happening in front of his eyes and he could not remain silent.

He stepped so fast that it seemed to float closer to the tormented woman. With a quick movement, he grabbed the woman's arm. The bouncer was shocked until his grip loosened. It was easy for the woman to get out of her hand and she immediately ran to her son who was being carried by Sen Khang.

A moment later, the bouncer woke up.

“Bigger! Whoareyou? How dare it bother me!” snapped it.

Ouwyang Ping looked at it so coldly that he would not want the bouncer to shudder. “Laki-men cowards! How dare it be only for women!”

“Shut! Don't interfere with you! My employer bought the woman at a great price. But he doesn't want to work. It was fitting that he was hit!” exclaim the bouncer.

“Man is not merchandise,” says Ouwyang Ping.

“He's not human!” snarl the bouncer. “He belongs to my master!”

“I won't hand it back.”

“Busty!” The man raised his staff to attack Ouwyang Ping. But before the man touched him, he had already managed to knock the man down. The movement is so fast that it is barely visible to the views of ordinary people. Suddenly the man fell down and groaned in pain.

People swarmed over them and applauded. They were all afraid and hated of the bouncer, yet none of them had dared to fight him all along. Seeing that the bouncer was defeated, of course they were happy not to play.

“Good, Miss! Just beat him up!” exclaiming a man.

“Yes, he's a villain!” greet the others.

As the crowd swarmed the bouncer, Ouwyang Ping flashed away and left only the sound of a harp clanking that was very impressive to the townspeople. Now they are no longer afraid of the hitter who was paralyzed. They took him to the city court. The bouncer had been targeted by the government for a long time, but no one had managed to defeat him. All the government officials in the city were rendered helpless by him. Now with the helplessness of the bouncer, it was easy for them to reward him with punishment.

Secretly, Sen Khang slipped from the crowd while carrying the mother and son who were temporarily ignored by the citizens of the city.

***

“Now the Madam just go home and take the Madam's child away,” Sen Khang said.

The woman had stopped crying and was now embracing her son with gratitude. “Thank you very much for the help of Mr. Swordsman. Somehow I can return the favor both you and Miss earlier..” she said faltered.

“Don't talk like that, Mistress.”

“Only...” The woman returned. “I don't know where to go. I was sold by my stepfather. I'd be a wretch if I went home.”

“Whatever Madam has no husband?” ask Sen Khang in wonder.

The woman is getting sad. “My husband passed away, Sir. We are poor people. Ever since my husband died, I went home to my mother and stepfather. They don't like me there. They want me to go, then I am sold,” the story is heartbreaking.

Sen Khang. Then he took out a bag of copper money and handed it to the woman. “Go to the Bamboo Guesthouse and meet Mr and Mrs Luo. You can ask them for a job. Use this money for travel costs.”

The woman was dumbfounded. “But... how about we get rejected?”

Sen Khang shook his head. “You just call it that you were told to come by Luo Sen Khang, then tell me about the incident earlier. Surely they will accept you.”

The woman received a bag of money and thanked him repeatedly. Then they left.

Sen Khang observed their departure and shook his head. Then he turned his body and stepped away about to look for Ouwyang Ping.

“How are you, Brother Luo?”

The melodious voice made Sen Khang's steps stop. Quickly he turned his body. His face was beaming at the sight of Ouwyang Ping standing before him. That girl is thinner than she used to be. It looked even more graceful and mature despite the rays of bitterness that stained its beautiful eyes.

“Ping-er!” exclaim Sen Khang happy. He approached. “It's been two years we didn't see.”

Ouwyang Ping smiled gently.

Sen Khang closely watched the girl. “So,” he said, “ka who has been electrifying the martial world with your mysterious gestures, and famous as Harpa Kencana!”

“That's just the name of a number of people I met. Not at all as thrilling as you say.”

“You still stay as you used to. I don't know about Chien Wan. I haven't visited her in over a year. And he never visited me either. Too!” Sen Khang shook his head. But he suddenly woke up and stared at Ouwyang Ping. Wretch! He has given up the name Chien Wan!

However, there was no change in Ouwyang Ping's calm face. Apparently the girl had recovered from her pain two years ago. Maybe two years was enough to change Ouwyang Ping's feelings.

I don't know why Sen Khang was relieved.

“Where are you going, Ping-er?” tanya Sen Khang switched the conversation.

“I want to go home.”

“Ke Nada Valley?” exclaim Sen Khang happy. “Continues! I'm going there too. How about we go together?”

Ouwyang Ping nodded without saying much.

Actually Ouwyang Ping was just having a show. He did not reveal his true feelings in front of Sen Khang. Sen Khang must not know that he is still sad and hurt. Now he is very good at pretending. He was getting better at hiding the wounds in his heart.