Death Flute
Mission to the Nada Valley

Two weeks later, Mister Luo returned with Meng Huan.

At first the family insisted that Meng Huan stay with them. But Meng Huan herself decided to go with her teacher. He does not want to live in a place that reminds him of his sweet memories with his parents. After all, he wants to study silat diligently so that he can later avenge his parents.

So Mr. Luo took him to the Bamboo Guesthouse.

Meng Huan's arrival was greeted lovingly by her friends. Meng Huan was deeply moved by their welcome. They made him forget a little bit the sadness of his heart.

The friendship between the four of them was very close. Each is willing to sacrifice for the other. And since Ting Ting was the only daughter, the other three always tried to protect her.

Master Luo trained them hard, and they trained hard. Their intelligence is increasing day by day. Mr. Luo is not favoritism in giving knowledge. Each is trained with a style that is in accordance with his character, and,

Sen Khang has the most inner power. He is more talented with bare hands than with weapons. So Mr. Luo emphasized the empty-handed exercises on him.

Meng Huan nimble. He is talented to use his feet in every movement. Balance awesome. His kick was hard and sharp. So Mr. Luo trained him with the science of kicks.

Ting Ting was trained with the science of using weapons. He is gifted with a pair of swords.

Only Chien Wan makes Mr. Luo dizzy. Chien Wan diligently trained, but his spirit was lacking. He also showed no interest in anything related to sharp weapons. His bare-handed science is good, but not as perfect as Sen Khang. The kick was good, but not as good as Meng Huan. Only his perseverance alone makes him able to exercise with his friends.

Neither Mr. Luo nor Uncle Khung ever again touched on their disconnected conversation during Meng Huan's abduction. They seemed to assume that the conversation had never existed.

\*\*\*

Time passes very quickly. Without notice, the children are teenagers. The typical innocence and innocence of young children turns into the warmth and joy typical of teenagers. Changes that are commonly experienced by anyone, but do not change the basic nature that has become the character of each person.

Sen Khang and Chien Wan grew up to be sixteen years old. They have different looks and characters, but that doesn't deter them from being good friends. Their differences became a joke themselves among the residents of the Bamboo House.

Sen Khang has a cheerful nature and likes to joke, but shows the charisma of a leader because he is also firm and passionate. His handsome face and sharp eyes softened by his habit of always sharing a friendly smile. His body was tall, yet his movements were light and graceful.

At first glance, Chien Wan is not as special as Sen Khang. He was tall and somewhat skinny, and his face was also somewhat pale. He is handsome if he smiles more often. He is quiet and does not talk much. It never shows excessive feelings. No one could tell if he was angry or happy.

This contrast is also evident in their appearance. Sen Khang likes to wear everything white. While Chien Wan prefers to wear black or gray clothes, in accordance with his nature that does not want to be the center of attention.

Chi Meng Huan was fifteen years old. He is a dandy type of youth, likes to wear clothes that are made of smooth like silk and use fragrances. He likes to look clean and neat and fragrant. His face is handsome and soft. His height was the same as Chien Wan, slightly shorter than Sen Khang. It is friendly and pleasant. Everyone who has ever spoken to him has loved it.

Ting Ting was already in his early teens, thirteen. But because he is the smallest, he is often not considered a teenager. His parents treated him like a perishable flower, because it was carefully protected. Especially because he was so beautiful.

In her new age of thirteen, Ting Ting's beauty had indeed already stood out greatly. It has an amazingly white skin and blushes in certain places, adding to the glow of its beauty. His eyes were clear and shining. Her nose was beautifully shaped, and her pair of tiny lips were red in color. His body is slim with a pair of legs and flexible hands with pliable fingers.

Ting Ting liked to wear red clothes that intersected beautifully like noble princesses. He likes things that are unique and unthinkable to others. Her nature is spoiled yet adorable. He does not like to fight with others, but sometimes can be very stubborn. If he likes something, he will insist on having it.

Lately, Mr. Luo has often looked pensive. Apparently, his sister's illness is no longer curable. Over the years he has invited dozens, even hundreds of healers and smart people to treat the mental illness Sui She suffered. But the result is nil. He's already desperate.

Lately he often thought of his conversation with Uncle Khung four years ago, about sending people to investigate the events when Sui She was studying in Nada Valley. He thought more and more seriously about the truth of Uncle Khung's words. A new mental illness can be cured if the root of the problem is found and solved.

But sent Chien Wan?

Mr. Luo had never once seen or heard Chien Wan play a musical instrument. Uncle Khung said Chien Wan was talented, but until now Chien Wan had never blown her flute in public.

If it is true that Chien Wan is able and talented to play musical instruments, can he carry out such spy duties? He knows the character of Chien Wan. The young man never liked to interfere in matters that were none of his business. How do you convince him to be an investigator for him?

In his turmoil, Master Luo stepped out of his study.

It was dusk, even at night. Before this he had never been out of his study at a time like this. People at Wisma Bambu do not like to go out at night, including himself. This time he deliberately went out to clear his mind.

It was then that he saw Chien Wan coming out of his room and walking lightly towards the narrow path, which was a shortcut to the Bamboo Forest.

He was curious, then followed Chien Wan.

What he did not realize, Sen Khang also followed Chien Wan.

Sen Khang has long been suspicious of the behavior of Chien Wan who likes to go out at night. At first he didn't care much about it because he felt it wasn't his business. But because Chien Wan does it almost every night, his curiosity is intrigued also in addition to his regret for not being included in the secret of Chien Wan. For him Chien Wan is his best friend, and among friends there are no secrets.

Sen Khang tried to move very carefully so that Chien Wan would not hear him. Because Chien Wan's sense of taste does not work, the other senses become more than twice as sharp as—, including his sense of hearing. But the steps are trained so that the movement becomes very light.

But suddenly, he heard a twig not far from him. Surprised he looked. His eyes widened.

Mouth open about to call, “Dad!” but the father put his index finger on his lips and shook his head slowly. Sen Khang was silent. Now the two of them are together.

Chien Wan did not suspect in the least that he was being followed. Unwary, he did not put an ear. He calmly walked towards Uncle Khung's hut. It's been a year since their meeting was held over night. Lately, Chien Wan's movements are limited according to the growth of his body. He could not easily hide himself if there were people, as he had done before.

“Uncle Khung,” said when he saw Uncle Khung who was standing in front of his hut.

Uncle Khung gestured for Chien Wan to stand beside him. Then he glanced at Chien Wan, a faint smile on the corner of his lips.

“Play your song!”

Chien Wan nodded. He has become accustomed to the attitude of Uncle Khung who does not like to mince words. He lifted the flute to his lips and began to blow, playing the song of his creation that was increasingly perfect.

Mr. Luo and Sen Khang who were hiding behind a dense bamboo grove were flabbergasted to see him. They were amazed to hear such a beautiful rhythm. The rhythm that seems able to bring them to the imaginary realm that can never be reached. The rhythm that cradles both their ears and their minds. What an incredible rhythm!

Sen Khang's mouth gaped. Of all the things he thought about his best friend's secret, music never crossed his mind. He did not expect at all that Chien Wan could blow the flute, let alone play a song like that.

And Chien Wan finished playing the song.

Uncle Khung nodded in satisfaction. “Good.”

Chien Wan's face was glowing hearing that.

Suddenly Uncle Khung turned his gaze towards the lush bamboo grove that covered the secret path that Chien Wan used to sneak out of the Bamboo Guesthouse. His lips smiled knot.

“Do you agree with me, Big Master?”

Chien Wan looked surprised.

Master Luo sighed. He signaled Sen Khang to come out.

“Sen Khang,” muttered Chien Wan slowly.

Sen Khang grinned. “It turns out this is the secret you're hiding. Why didn't you ever tell me, anyway? I'm your best friend!” his protest.

“Sorry.”

Master Luo looked at Chien Wan with a new look. “It turns out you're musically talented, Chien Wan.”

Chien Wan did not reply, only looking down with an uncomfortable feeling.

“So, Mister already considered my proposal four years ago?” sela Uncle Khung.

With a long sigh, Master Luo nodded.

Sen Khang looked at Chien Wan with raised eyebrows. His friend just shrugged his shoulders.

“Chien Wan,” Mr Luo started, “I will escort you to Nada Valley to deepen the music.”

Chien Wan's heart seemed to stop beating. Nada Valley is a place that he always wanted since he heard his name for the first time. Studying music in the Nada Valley was his dream. It turns out that his dream will come true!

“But, Yeah..!”

“It is in vain if Chien Wan continues to be here while in the Valley of Tones he can learn a lot. I don't have the slightest ability in music. Someone with talent like Chien Wan deserves a chance,”, Mr. Luo.

“I can come?” tanya Sen Khang enthusiastically. “I can train with Chien Wan!”

Master Luo laughed. “What can you train there, Sen Khang? I know you can't even tell a harp from a lute!”

Sen Khang scowled.

Mr. Luo turned back to face Chien Wan. “You'll be there in three days, Chien Wan.”

“Thank you, Mister,” said Chien Wan is down.

“But I also want you to do something for me upon your arrival there.”

Mr. Luo's tone turned even sharper and more serious. Chien Wan was immediately on guard to hear it.

“You've seen my sister Sui She, haven't you? You saw his suffering. Now I'll explain. His suffering was caused by the people of Nada Valley!”

Chien Wan.

“Really? Aunt hurt by the people of Nada Valley?” sen Khang. “Then why did you send Chien Wan there? What if they also hurt Chien Wan? No, Dad! Don't take Chien Wan there.”

“Not like your shadow, Young Master,” interrupted Uncle Khung fast. “People in Nada Valley are not cruel people like your shadow. They are civilized and wise men. But there was something that happened to cause Miss Sui She to lose her mind. The incident happened about seventeen years ago and until now no one knows.”

“Nah, Chien Wan's job is to investigate the events of seventeen years ago. What makes my sister like that,”, continued Mr. Luo in a calmer tone.

Chien Wan bit her lip. This task is very heavy.

“How, Chien Wan? Will you do it for me?” ask Mr. Luo.

For the sake of Mr. Luo. For the sake of his soul-shelper.

He raised his face so that his eyes were fixed with Master Luo's eyes. Mr. Luo took him in when he needed a place to stay, fed him when he was hungry, treated him when he was very sick, taught him everything he needed to know. And far above all, the Luo Family had given him a sincere and unbeatable friendship. Now they need his help. But this help is also not a useless thing because he also got the opportunity to learn the music he loved so much.

“I'm ready, Mr.”

Master Luo heaved a sigh of relief.

Seriate.