The youth then blew his flute, and a fine, melodious, piercing flute sound was heard, which then formed a strangely unique rhythm. At first, the rhythm was difficult to grasp, difficult to appreciate, but the longer the flute sound played, the more it enveloped all of Kwi Lan’s thoughts and feelings, causing the girl to sit lost in thought like someone unconscious, lulled by the sound that brought a sense of calm and peace to her heart. All will, all desire, all feeling vanished, like the state of a person sleeping while conscious. After the youth stopped playing his flute, the echo of the sound still hummed and captivated Kwi Lan’s soul, leaving her silent and gaping. Finally, she recovered and took a long breath, then looked at the youth with admiration.
"Aiih, it turns out you are extremely skilled at playing the flute. Amazing!"
The youth’s face grew even more cheerful. He bowed and said,
"It is not because I am skilled at playing the flute, Miss, but because the melody itself is truly formidable; it simultaneously pierces the heart and dominates the soul. Compared to Suling Emas, my skill at playing the flute is not even one-tenth of his, and furthermore... rumor has it that Suling Eemas received his knowledge from the esteemed Bu Kek Siansu."
Kwi Lan grew even more amazed and astonished. A desire arose in her heart to meet Suling Emas, if only to hear his flute playing, which was ten times more formidable than this youth’s.
"Wah, how foolish of me!"
The youth, who had already put his flute away, jumped up, slapping his head. Kwi Lan was startled and jumped up as well.
"What is it now?"
The youth laughed.
"How foolish I am. Look, we have been talking for half a day, I have introduced many figures from the black and white worlds, I have even played the flute for you, and you have placed complete trust in me. Yet, we still haven't introduced our names to each other."
In fact, I feel as if I have known Miss for years, as if we have been close friends for a very long time. May I know your noble and great name, Miss?"
Kwi Lan smiled. It was impossible for her to dislike a youth like this. This youth was indeed a rogue, and strange too, but there was no hint of impudence in his words or in the way he looked at her. His martial arts skill seemed high, he had extensive knowledge of the world of kang-ouw, his character was good, and on top of that, he was skilled at playing the flute.
"Why ask again? Am I not Mutiara Hitam, and are you not Setan Berandalan?"
The youth chuckled, then said earnestly,
"Although we are not weak people, we are not yet like those old men and women who like to use nicknames and hide their own names. Good Miss, please introduce your great name and your esteemed she (clan name)."
"Who are you yourself? You are the one who wants to get acquainted; you should introduce your name first."
The youth nodded repeatedly.
"Miss is right. Forgive my forgetfulness. Well, my name is Hauw Lam, she Tang. Tang Hauw Lam, a fine name, fitting for the person, isn't it?"
As he spoke, the youth deliberately struck a pose, shaking both his shoulders. Everything he did was done humorously.
However, this time Kwi Lan did not find it funny; instead, she was immensely shocked. If she did not possess strong inner composure, the shock would certainly have shown on her face. Yet, her beautiful face remained calm; only her heart pounded fiercely. So, this was Bi Li’s son? The son of Tang Sun and Phang Bi Li, who was thought to have vanished after his master, the abbot of the temple on Kim-liong-san, passed away? Was this the person Bi Li had been searching for, the one she had promised Aunt Bi Li she would help find? It was truly unexpected. Nevertheless, she felt happy that Aunt Bi Li’s son, who was so fond of her, turned out to be a highly skilled individual, good-natured like his Mother, and humorous like... she didn't know who passed down this humorous trait to the youth. However, for the time being, Kwi Lan would not reveal this secret.
"I am alone in the world,"
Hauw Lam continued.
"and my last Master was a powerful and strange old man who was formerly second only to Bu Kek Siansu, an old