The Golden Flute Chapter 19

"Bah, you are an extraordinary young man. In my entire life, this is the first time I've met a youth like you. Only twice in my life have I truly been happy to engage in a match. First against Pat-jiu Sin-ong Liu Gan, and the second is with you! Heh-heh-heh! Young man, I heard you were taken as a disciple by Bu Kek Siansu. That divine human is said to be the most powerful, but why is his disciple only like you, an ordinary human whom I can fight?"

"I did not receive the great honor of becoming his disciple; I was only fortunate enough to receive his guidance. You need not bring up the sacred name of Bu Kek Siansu. If you truly wish to fight, let us continue."

Kwee Seng now rose first. He was starting to feel challenged facing such a tough and tenacious opponent.

"Heh-heh-heh, until death, arrogant brat!"

Ban-pi Lo-cia lunged forward and now he bent his whip, striking with a movement from the *toya* martial art style. This mighty blow could no longer be evaded. Kwee Seng was forced to parry with his flute, simultaneously thrusting his fan forward.

"Brakkkk!! Uh-uh"

Kwee Seng staggered backward, his flute shattered! However, Ban-pi Lo-cia also staggered backward, his stomach struck by the tip of the fan, causing a sudden stomach ache! If anyone else had been struck by the tip of the fan containing *sin-kang* energy, their stomach would surely have been pierced or their internal organs ruined, resulting in instant death. But Ban-pi Lo-cia, who was already invulnerable, only felt his stomach churn, like someone who had eaten too many chili peppers!

"Serrr.. serrrserrr!"

A dozen arrows whistled toward Ban-pi Lo-cia. Quickly, the old man flicked his sleeve, and the arrows scattered and fell. From the left and right, a dozen fully armed people leaped out. These were the evil *hwesio*! Attack! Surround him! Apparently, these dozen people were five martial arts experts along with their friends, while behind them dozens more people, forming a security squad, were visible. It seemed the incident in the middle of the lake had been reported by the wealthy Lim, who requested assistance from the authorities, while the five martial arts experts had invited their friends to help.

Kwee Seng, realizing that so many people were no match for Ban-pi Lo-cia, quickly lunged again at the bald giant with his fan. Ban-pi Lo-cia also realized that Kwee Seng was an equal opponent, and if he were now assisted by dozens of people, he could be in danger. Laughing heartily, he leaped, and in a single jump, he cleared the heads of those who intended to surround him. Suddenly, seven of the attackers fell consecutively and died instantly because their heads had been struck by the force of Ban-pi Lo-cia's blow as he leaped away. His voice was heard from afar.

"Eeh, Kwee Seng. Our match is not over yet, we shall continue next time!"

"We can do it now!"

Kwee Seng also leaped and chased, growing more frustrated, especially seeing the giant leave while killing seven people. However, after chasing for some time, the giant's shadow was nowhere to be seen. Kwee Seng did not want to return to the previous location, as he disliked meeting those people who would only complicate matters for him. He then took a quiet path away from the lake. He regretted that his flute was shattered; it could not be used for playing, let alone as a weapon. Wearily, he threw away the broken flute and felt how soaked his body was with sweat. He needed to rest and restore his strength. He intended to find a quiet place so as not to be disturbed by others.

"Kongcu"

If this voice had been hoarse and rough, Kwee Seng probably would not have paid attention. But it was precisely the opposite. The voice was soft and melodious, and this made him feel as if he had been bitten by a snake, and he quickly turned to the left.

She herself was there! Who else but Ang-siauw-hwa, her clothes still entirely pink, from the ribbon adorning her hair to her shoes. However, it was clearly not the clothes from last night, as these were both dry and very clean. Her hair was styled in a beautiful bun, decorated with a golden and jeweled Phoenix (*Hong*) ornament. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling, her lips curved in a sweet smile. However, that beautiful face appeared doubled or tripled in Kwee Seng's dizzying vision. The half-night-long fight had clearly taken a heavy toll on the young man.

"Kongcu, what is wrong? Are you injured?"

Kwee Seng forced a smile and shook his head. But the woman had already stepped closer and held his hand.

"Ah, you must be injured. That *hwesio* was truly evil. You look weak and exhausted, Kongcu. I deliberately waited for you here, and coincidentally, you passed by. Isn't this fate (*jodoh*)?"

"Ooh"

Kwee Seng asked weakly, these words surprising and astonishing him. Ang-siauw-hwa pulled his arm.

"Of course it is fate. Kongcu, please come with Ang-siauw-hwa, you need to rest, let Ang-siauw-hwa take care of you."

With these affectionate and melodious words, the woman took Kwee Seng's hand and led him away.

"Why, why are you so kind to me?"

Kwee Seng still tried to refuse. But Ang-siauw-hwa pulled his hand and shook it gently.

"Why? Because you saved my life, you saved my honor. Kongcu, because—because I want to learn how to play the flute from you."

"Playing the flute?"

However, Kwee Seng's condition grew weaker. This encounter disturbed his heart and mind and was greatly detrimental, as he should have been resting to recover the internal energy (*tenaga dalam*) heavily exerted during the battle. Like someone dreaming and dazed, he allowed himself to be held and led by Ang-siauw-hwa, and he was barely aware of where the woman was taking him. When Kwee Seng opened his eyes, he was lying on a warm, clean, and fragrant bed. The room was beautiful, and beside the bed, he saw Ang-siauw-hwa sitting, massaging his shoulders and arms. Seeing a candle covered by blue silk on the table, he was surprised and realized that it was already night. But seeing the beautiful woman sitting so close to him and wearing only thin clothing, he closed his eyes again.

"Fetch the porridge and vegetables, then you two leave this room, I intend to serve Kongcu his meal."

Ang-siauw-hwa was heard speaking softly. From behind his eyelashes, Kwee Seng saw the two maidservants who had been sitting below rise to their feet. Not long after, they returned carrying a tray filled with a meal for him.

"Kongcu, you must eat first. You have slept for a full day."

Ang-siauw-hwa said, pulling back the blanket covering Kwee Seng's body. The young man sat up, looked around, then spoke, full of nervousness and shyness.

"Ah, it seems I unconsciously fell asleep here, causing Nona trouble. Allow me to leave—"

But Ang-siauw-hwa embraced him.

"Why so, Kongcu? Are you unwilling to accept repayment of kindness from me? Do you, like other people, look down upon me, a courtesan?"

The woman was still hugging him while crying! Kwee Seng sighed deeply. He liked this young lady, who was not only beautiful but also gentle in speech and kind-hearted. However, he certainly did not want to involve himself in a relationship with a courtesan.

"Enough, Nona. I absolutely do not look down on you. You are very kind."

The young lady lifted her face, and although tears still wet her cheeks, she smiled happily.

"Please eat, Kongcu."

She said melodiously. Kwee Seng did not refuse again; his stomach was extremely hungry. Sleeping for a day had greatly benefited him, restoring a portion of his strength.

After eating, served very affectionately by Ang-siauw-hwa, he felt his body refreshed again. Ang-siauw-hwa clapped her hands, and two maidservants arrived, whom she immediately ordered to clean the bowls and plates, then told them to leave again. Then, with graceful and intimate movements, without hesitation or shyness, Ang-siauw-hwa approached Kwee Seng and sat down on his lap!

"Ah, Nona, this, this..."

Kwee Seng stammered.

"Kongcu, your kindness is too great. I do not know how I should repay your kindness, other than by surrendering myself to become your servant, your slave, and doing anything to repay your favor. Kongcu, may I know your name?"

Kwee Seng's heart felt chaotic. His head even felt dizzy, and gently he pushed the young lady's body off his lap.

"Nona, please sit properly and let us talk. You want to know my name? I am Kwee Seng, a failed scholar who has no place to live, poor and worthless."

"Ah, Kwee-kongcu, why speak like that? You are a gentleman, brave and extremely valuable. If you want to talk about someone worthless, that would be me—"

Again, the young lady cried, and she now sat on a chair, covering her face with both hands. Kwee Seng saw tears dripping through the gaps between her white, smooth, and small, tapering fingers.

"Nona, I see you are no ordinary person. You are educated and do not look like a foolish girl. Why did you end up—"

He could not bring himself to continue his words and mention "courtesan."

"End up becoming a courtesan?"

Ang-siauw-hwa lowered her hands, and her face became extremely red, tears dripping down both her smooth, flushed cheeks.

"Ah, it is a long story, Kwee-kongcu. Know that in my childhood, I was of noble blood. My father was a prince from the Tang Kingdom."