Death Flute
Four Silver Tamburs

Master Luo will escort Chien Wan to the Nada Valley. His departure this time drew many protests from Sen Khang, Meng Huan, and Ting Ting. Especially Ting Ting. The girl whined to her father so as not to take Chien Wan to the Nada Valley. But of course his whining was not responded to by his father.

Chien Wan was packing her clothes when Ting Ting walked into her room. Ting Ting looked sad and upset. He doesn't like Chien Wan to go.

“Kak Wan.”

Chien Wan looked over. He smiled at the beautiful teenage girl. “Miss Ting Ting,” sweep.

Ting Ting did not smile sweetly as usual, he pouted. “Why does Sister Wan have to go?” ask her in a demanding tone.

“I have to study there, Miss.” Chien Wan folded her clothes.

“What lessons from Dad are not enough?”

Chien Wan took a breath. “I want to learn music, Miss.”

“But Sister Wan will be far away from me!” tuk Ting Ting.

“Nona...”.

“I don't want Sister Wan to go!” cut Ting Ting. “If Sister Wan leaves, she will definitely forget me. I don't want that!”

Chien Wan shook her head. “I won't forget you, Miss. Also Sen Khang and Meng Huan.”

“But still Brother Wan will leave me!” accuse Ting Ting.

Chien Wan was silent.

“Big Wan!” Ting Ting cried in annoyance as he slammed his feet. Then ran away from Chien Wan's room. He barely collided with Meng Huan at the door of the room, but he dodged and ran away.

“Why Ting Ting?” meng Huan asked Chien Wan.

Chien Wan shrugged her shoulders in resignation.

“He likes you,” says Meng Huan. “He feels lost to you. Why the hell do you have to go? Just tell Master that you want to stay here.”

“I have to go.”

Meng Huan hissed annoyed. “Why the hell have you always been like that? You don't feel sorry for Ting Ting?”

“Nona will be fine.”

“Huh!” Meng Huan snorted. “You never change!”

Chien Wan looked at Meng Huan's departure. Meng Huan and Ting Ting would not understand. Going to Nada Valley was his dream. Even the task that burdened him would not be able to hinder him.

Enter Sen Khang. He grinned at the clothes bundle above Chien Wan's bed. Chien Wan's determination to leave seems to have been unanimous. Any effort could not prevent his departure.

“So Ting Ting ran over crying. He persuaded you not to go, right?” sen Khang Terka.

Chien Wan nodded.

“It didn't work, did it?”

Chien Wan nodded again.

“You are indeed a stone head.”

Chien Wan lifted his trunk. “I've been waiting for your father.”

Sen Khang followed Chien Wan who walked out and headed straight for the front room. Chien Wan's conjecture was right, Mr. Luo and his wife were sitting in the front room and were talking about something.

“Master, Mistress,” greet Chien Wan.

Mr. Luo stood up. “You ready?”

Chien Wan nodded.

Uncle Khung approached. “Peach yourself well.”

Chien Wan looked at the old man she loved as a substitute for the father. Then he looked at Sen Khang. “I ask for help.”

“Tell me.”

“After I leave, please take care of Uncle Khung. You want?”

Uncle Khung's eyes blinked and held back tears. He was moved by Chien Wan's words. Neither he nor Chien Wan was a person who liked to show feelings. But with one sentence, Chien Wan showed how much he loved her. He loved that boy too. He also had a hard time parting ways with Chien Wan. But Chien Wan has to go! It is closely related to his future.

“Learn well,” said Uncle Khung.

Chien Wan nodded.

“Take care of yourself, Chien Wan,” said Mrs Luo softly. “And never forget that you are still a member of Wisma Bambu.”

“Ya, Mistress,” sahut Chien Wan in a soft voice.

Sen Khang patted his best friend's shoulder. “Come back when everything is done!” his orders while looking at Chien Wan meaningfully.

Chien Wan nodded again.

Mr. Luo grabbed Chien Wan's arm. “Come to leave.”

Chien Wan carried her bundle of clothes and stepped following Mister Luo. However her footsteps were stopped by Ting Ting's shrill voice.

“Kak Wan!!”

Chien Wan turned her head and saw Ting Ting running over with a gasp of breath. His tiny hand held something.

“Where's your flute?”

Chien Wan frowned at Ting Ting Ting's question, but he also took his flute from his belt. Inwardly he wondered in wonder, how could Ting Ting know about his flute?

Ting Ting grabbed the flute, then he tied the lower end of the flute with the thing he had been holding so tightly. It turned out to be a white silk rope that had been woven in such a way that it formed a beautiful frayed braid. Ting Ting tied her up with a dead knot so that it could not be removed at all. After it was over, the girl returned the flute to Chien Wan. Sharply, he looked at Chien Wan. His pair of clear eyes glazed over.

Chien Wan stared at her flute which did look good after being given a knot of white silk rope. It was completely unaware that Ting Ting had expressed his feelings through the conclusion of the rope—that his white and holy love had been given to Chien Wan.

“Thank you, Miss.”

Ting Ting looked at Chien Wan sadly. Then he turned and ran away. Chien Wan was silent with a bad feeling.

Mr. Luo clenched his shoulder, taking him away.

***

Master Luo and Chien Wan traveled to the Nada Valley on foot. The road that must be passed to be able to reach the Nada Valley is quite difficult to pass. They must pass through thickets and steep hills. That's why they don't use cars or ride horses.

They had to eat and sleep. Nada Valley is a rather remote area and rarely visited by people. Because it is rarely found a stopover place. Even if there is, only a very simple tavern. Not even the inn. They had to sleep on the road— by the river or under shady trees.

A few days later they arrived at the Valley of Nada.

Mr. Luo wiped his sweat. “This is Nada Valley, Chien Wan. It's north gate.”

“North gate?”

“There are four entrances in Nada Valley. The location of the Nada Valley is indeed very remote, but people can reach it from anywhere as long as they know the way. All roads are just as difficult as the ones we have been on these few days. But the road we are on is the closest to the Bamboo Guesthouse,” explained Mr Luo.

Chien Wan looked at the path before him. On the left-right of the trail there are thick and thorny bushes that are impossible to pass, about two meters thick. The only way to get in is through the trail.

They stepped in. But just a few steps they walked, the sound of rumbling tambur was hit. A shadow appeared following the voice.

“Stop!”

A man in his forties stood firmly against them. The man wore all-silver clothing, from his headband to his shoes. He carried a small tambour on his back. His bearded face looked handsome.

Mr. Luo saluted in a swordsman's way, which was to wrap his hands together in front of his chest. “I'm Luo Siu Man from the Bamboo Guesthouse, this is my student Chien Wan. We want to see Mr. Ouwyang Cu.”

Hearing Master Luo's name, the ferocity of the person in silver clothes diminished.

“Oh, it turns out Mr. Luo from the Bamboo Guesthouse. Forgive rudeness. I am Fu Ming, one of the four protectors of the Valley of Tones,” the man said as he retorted in respect.

“How I faced the first person of the famous Four Silver Ponds. I'm so lucky to meet you,” smile Mr. Luo.

“So you said you wanted to see Mr. Ouwyang Cu. It's a pity that Mr. Ouwyang Cu has been in self-imposed exile for the past ten years. He now travels somewhere. Now Nada Valley is represented by Mr. Ouwyang Kuan, his son.”

“It's okay. With Mr. Ouwyang Kuan can also.”

“Good. Follow me.”

Seriate.