Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 34: A Heavy Duty

His body was getting stiff and cold. But the blood in his throat was still warm. Cio San examined the wound on that neck. A sword thrust. One prick. One life. Not many people were able to kill Sih Hek Tiauw in just one stab. Other than Ang Hoat Kiam Sian, Cio San could not imagine anyone else who had such a powerful swordsmanship.

The window near the room was wide open. The killer must have escaped from there. Cio San inspected the windows and the surrounding area. No trace left. Cio San tried to figure out what the killer was doing after he finished doing it. Running out the window was the most reasonable path. He tried carefully to pay attention to the land he was treading. Just a little scratch on the ground. A small line that is faint, and may only be considered a regular line above the ground. It's just the tip of a nail. But that was enough to make Cio San suspicious.

Carefully, he traced that small line. He found again an almost identical line of several spears from the first line. And find the next one, and the next one. Understand Cio San that it's a footprint. The foot is rare. The distance between one site and another was almost a few spears. Meaning the owner of the footprints was a person whose science of lightening his body was very high. The steps between one foot and the other are so wide. Carefully, Cio San calculated the distance of that foot.

The people in Sih Hek Tiauw's house no longer care about what Cio San is doing. They are now mourning for their master. Cio San was astonished as well when he saw that there was not a single member of the family. Just a waiter. He then understood, Sih Hek Tiauw does not seem to be married and have a family.

The footprints end at the back wall. With a single jump, Cio San was already standing on top of the back wall. A market!

Very crowded market. He was disappointed and immediately returned to the main house.

After requesting himself from there, Cio San escorted Hong Sam-hwesio back to the temple. Until all night he stood guard in the room of the Hwesio. The murders that have occurred make him unable to sleep. Once asleep, his life or the lives of others can be lost.

The next morning, two brave Hwesio men came. Apparently they were sent to guard Hong Sam-hwesio. Without Cio San's heart, he can leave Hong Sam-hwesio without having to be overwhelmed with worry.

After asking and getting a little advice, Cio San finally left. All sorts of thoughts were raging in his head, trying to relate the whole event that had happened. His body was tired, but his mind was fresh. A little, he has begun to find the common thread of this problem. His meeting with Beng Liong and Hong Sam-hwesio began to make him understand. He was also more excited.

Cio San decided to go to the inn. He needs rest to restore all his strength. He needs to eat! A silat expert filled with magic power was able to survive for several days without eating and drinking. But for Cio San, the power must be fully charged. The problem he faced was not a trivial one. For this reason, the mind and energy must be in the best condition.

Cio San stopped by for a while at a stall on the river bank. This shop is on the outskirts of town. A small shop that is not so crowded. The owner is an old married couple. They kindly let Cio San in.

“Tea, rice, vegetables, and meat order,” Cio San said with a smile.

“Soon, Loya (Master)!”, says the male.

Not long enough to wait, the order arrived. The shop only contains 4 people. Cio San and three other guests who were there at the time. Cio San ate so well. For almost three days he had not eaten.

“That's it, ‘kan?”

“Ya, right. That's it.”

Cio San heard the three guests talking. They're talking about him. In his heart he lamented, why can't a second of his life calm down.

“You're Cio San, right?” said one.

Cio San lifted his head and nodded.

Just as he nodded, an attack had targeted his head. A black chain with the tip of a spiked ball. With a slight bend of his head, the ball of chain passed beside his left ear. Then with the chopsticks in his left hand, he struck the chain. The stricken chain then coiled in its chopsticks. Cio San lowered his head knowing the thorny ball was twisting behind him.

This incident was only a split second!

Now the chain and ball are fully bound and coiled in the chopsticks. The attacker pulled as hard as he could, but the chain did not move at all. The chopsticks were not broken either. With every effort, he pulled back his chains. But all his efforts were in vain.

A friend of his who had been silent since then, had now pulled a machete from his back. With a single leap, the tip of the machete had targeted Cio San's head as well. Facing this, Cio San calmed down. He raised his left hand which held the chopsticks. By using a chain whose ends are tied in chopsticks

that, he repelled the attack of the cleaver.

As soon as the cleaver hit the chain, Cio San immediately turned his left hand. The hole is also tied in a chain. Same with the first attacker, the second attacker was trying to pull back the goal. But still in vain.

The third person, who was also sitting there, was just stunned. He did not expect the attack of his two friends faced Cio San without standing and moving at all. Even Cio San's right hand was holding a tea bowl. He drinks with gourmand.

“You don't want to join?” ask Cio San relax.

The third man stood up, and bowed in fear.

“Greetings to the Chairman! May the Chairman live long!”

Even Cio San's dream did not expect there to be an incident like this. The two people who attacked him did the same. I bowed many times and said the same.

“Sam-wi (Three of you) wake up. And explain to me what all this means,” said Cio San.

These three men then rise.

“Sorry for our unwillingness to attack Kauwcu (Chairman). We just want to test if it's true that you are the person in question,” is obviously the person whose weapon was a chain ball.

“Since when did I become your chairman?” ask Cio San.

“Evening the news has spread. Does Master not know?”

“What news?”

“Lord the new Ma Kauw-kauwcu!”

It was like hearing lightning in broad daylight.

“How can it?” tanyanya.

“Master really doesn't know?” ask the chain ball.

“Do you think I look like someone who knows?” he asked with a smile. Shock disappeared. He's starting to understand.

“Does this all come from Cukat Tong?” tanyakanya.

"Yes, Kauwcu. Last night the Unmatched Mutant King came to our secret headquarters. He handed over a warrant written and stamped the old Kauwcu.”

As he said ‘Kauwcu the old’, his eyes were already glazed. How deep, the love and loyalty of the members of Ma Kauw to his old chairman.

“What is the contents of his order?”

“He handed over all Ma Kauw's business to Tuan. In essence, if something happened to him, he handed over Ma Kauw's leadership to Tuan. The complete order is in his letter, I do not memorize,” explained the chain ball.

“That command letter is in your base isn't it?” ask Cio San.

“True, Sir. Located in our headquarters.”

“Take me there.”

“Ready!”

They left after not forgetting to pay.

Ma Kauw's branch headquarters in this city are at a: Brothel House!

Although he had once come to the headquarters/brothel with Bun Tek Thian, inevitably, Cio San bobbles his head too now. As soon as he set foot in front of the door, a fragrant smell was already smelled. Fortunately the fragrance used is a gentle fragrance. Cio San immediately felt comfortable. There are a lot of people who like to go to brothels.

That just smells.

Entertainment for the eyes is much more fun. When he arrived, he was welcomed by beautiful women. Their clothes were tight and thin. Showing her beautiful curves. Cio San is an admirer of beauty, and he is not a hypocrite. Looking at this kind of scene, he just smiled.

“Hai handsome, welcome.”

“New first time huh?”

“How could he be new for the first time, it looks like his face has been very experienced.”

Cio San just smiled. Fad thoughts in his head. He said, “Nona all this beautiful, I got confused choose which one.”

The ladies laughed together. One said, “Why not choose us all?”

Others chimed in, “Indeed he was strong ‘resolving’ we all?”

Cio San smiled cuek, and kept walking following the three people ‘anak fruit’ new. They got to the top floor. Then climb the stairs again until level four. Business like this, crowded and large, of course fortunately a lot, thought Cio San.

Up to level four, they continued to enter a small passageway. The hallway went into a small room. The chain ball pressed a secret button. The small cupboard in the room was open. It was a secret door.

Behind the secret door, there was a hall. There were some people inside.

“Greetings, Kauwcu. May you live long!”

They all stood up and bowed in respect.

Cio San did not know what to answer. He then said, “Thank you, stand up, gentlemen.”

They stood. “Please sit down, Kauwcu,” says they welcome.

“You already know the incident on the dock?” cio San asked while sitting on a chair.

“Already, Kauwcu. The King Maling Without Tanding who told us,” said one of them. He answered with a mixed face. Angry, sad, vengeful.

“Ah, almost forgot, cayhe name Cio San. Please introduce the names of Brothers all.”

They all introduced names. Apparently, they're all brothers. There are 7 people. Their faces are nothing alike.

“When last night Cukat Tong came and told me what happened, we were shocked. Like not believing what happened. At first, we heard that a ship containing members of Ma Kauw was on fire. But we don't believe it, because if Kauwcu would come to this city, surely we were told in advance.”

”When Cukat Tong came and explained everything, we just believed. We all went to the dock. After we checked, it was true that it was Kauwcu's ship. The bodies have been buried by dock officials. We dismantle the tomb, then we move the bodies.”

“Now where are the bodies? Can you guys recognize?” ask Cio San.

“All we have sent to Serpent Palace. That's where all Kauwcu are buried. There are some bodies that we can recognize. Other bodies can no longer.” He spoke while shedding tears and clenching his hands.

“You recognize Kauwcu's corpse?” ask Cio San again.

He continued, “We do not know should be angry or happy to Cukat Tong. He dared to steal Kauwcu stuff. But it was because of him that Ma Kauw was saved. He saved a very important box. Here's the box, Kauwcu. Please open Kauwcu and see the contents.”

A simple wooden box. Cio San opened it.

In that instant, dozens of extremely thin needles attacked his eyes!

But Cio San is faster. It's been ready since. He just tilted his head. Dozens of needles passed behind him, hitting the three people who had brought him. They all died on the floor.

The seven people sitting in front of him, simultaneously attacked him. Seven guns, seven deadly spots. But a middle-class silat expert attack like this, could it hurt him? Once snapped with his left hand that made a rattling sound, the seven weapons he caught and seized.

The seven men were gawking!

Where could one possibly catch a sword, cleaver, clurit, and small spear with just

empty handed?

With a right-handed move, Cio San had already spotted the seven people. His alertness had already peaked, he did not want to be fooled again this time. Therefore, Cio San already knew when there were dozens of poisonous needles attacking those seven people.

His right leg stomped to the floor, instantly the table in front of him floated upwards. His right hand then ‘sentil’ that table. Dozens of needles were directly stuck entirely on the table!

Cio San then shot towards the needle was patched. The attacker fled through the window. He jumped down. The science of lightening his body was great as well. But when compared to Cio San of course too far. Cio San was already in front of him.

The Nahkoda!

He was the captain of Ma Kauw's ship that burned yesterday.

No time for the captain to make a sound, Cio San has already spotted him. That afternoon the streets were crowded. Seeing the show, people were interested.

But those who gathered were not just ordinary people who were passing by. Out of curiosity, 5 masked men appeared. I don't know when they were there.

“Ah, come too. Greetings, ngo-wi (Fifth Master),” said Cio San with a faint smile.

The five did not reply. Just pull out each other's weapons. The people who were huddling, are now even away. They know it's a life-and-death fight. No one dared to come closer.

Accidentally, Cio San's eye-sight caught someone on the roof opposite the brothel. He is Cukat Tong!

He sat down smiling. Cio San returned his smile. At a time like this, it is not appropriate to smile. But Cio San does have a habit of smiling. Smile at moments that don't fit.

Five swords appeared. Shining brightly in the sunlight.

Cio San understands, they are not easy opponents. These are the masked killers who have shaken the world of Kang Ouw.

A fight like this was a high class fight. Every little thing is very influential in this. The condition of Cio San who has almost 3 days of not sleeping, is clearly a weakness. Before the fight he had already lost one step.

He was also outnumbered. For this matter Cio San has lost two steps.

He also did not understand the science of these five people. In a fight, understanding the opponent's situation is very important. Their strengths, their shortcomings. So that in the fight, someone can be better prepared to face various things. For this matter, Cio San had already lost three steps.

But he kept smiling. His right hand was toying with his long hair that passed under his ears. His left hand was folded backwards. This is the position of bhesi (horses) that most favored Cio San, if indeed the position is arguably the horses.

Five piercing swords. More precisely ‘menghempas’. Because the wind of his attacks alone could push people. Cio San flashed following this puncture wind. One step back. But the sword kept chasing him. The five swords formed a single thrust towards the perch.

Cio San was already on alert. He knew that a single prick could turn into hundreds of changes. Sure enough, the attack then split into dozens of sword shadows. One sword had already carried out seven strikes!

The total of all those attacks led to 35 points on his body!

If people can see this attack, of course they will recognize its beauty. The sword light was beautiful, forming lights that encompassed Cio San's body. But indeed, if people could really see it, surely they would shudder in horror at the devastating and cruelty of the attack.

Cio San dodged the thirty-five attacks by jumping upwards. It could only be done if one had a speed that was much faster than the thirty-five attacks. Of course Cio San is faster. It's just a little faster. But that ‘sit’ often saves lives.

When it floated, its head was below. Cio San developed his hand to fend off the rain of swords that were already chasing him. His left hand made a rattling sound. He caught a sword with two fingers. The sword made of special steel that had been forged for months was broken, like a twig

dry.

The other four swords he greeted with a right hand that made a gentle gesture. This is a typical Thay Kek Kun movement. A style that uses the power of ‘soft’ to dispel the hard. This energy makes use of the enemy's attack impulse to be returned to the enemy itself.

It is conceivable when the four mighty sword forces were returned to his own assailant. That combination of forces hit them alone!

How shocked they were when they saw the tip of the sword was pointing to their own throat. The only way to stop him, was to throw away the sword and dodge. That's what they do.

Although their faces were covered in masks, fear and wonder could be clearly seen from their faces.

“Never dare to lift your sword.”

A voice came from behind Cio San. The voice was cold and calm. It felt so calm it felt like freezing. Without looking, Cio San knew whose voice it was.

Ang Hoat Kiam Sian!

“The sword was created not to gang up on people.” He walks while talking.

For some reason, when this person spoke, the world stopped. No one in the crowd moved. Even the birds that floated in the sky, would probably be silently pecking if this person spoke.

“People who lost a sword from his hand, do not deserve to hold a sword forever.”

He continued, “If any one of you I find holds a sword again, I will kill you.”

His words were very calm. There is no anger. There's no growling. There is no sadness. There is no pride. There's no sense of pleasure. There's nothing!

Unexpectedly, the five people then raised their hands hitting each other's heads. But before their hands were hit by the head, the rays from Cio San's left hand had already floated up against their bodies.

The thing is, their bodies are not touched, and their hands remain to the destination. They collapsed with their heads broken!

Cio San was just a head bobble.

“Hahahaa... I just found out that you can't use your weapon!”, heard Cukat Tong laughing from the roof.

“Never practice, how can be proficient?” answer Cio San.

Cio San was apparently not good at throwing weapons.

Intelligence can only be obtained from serious and repetitive exercises. All this time, Cio San had never practiced his throwing skills. He also laughed.

Ang Hoat Kiam Sian said, “We meet again, Sir. What a clever thing. Will you fight with me?”

His hand was already holding the tip of the sword.

But then he said, “I thank you Master for clearing my name of slander.”

Cio San understood.

“Will you invite him here?” ask him to Cukat Tong.

“True,” he's already drifting down.

“You know her home address?” ask Cio San astonished.

“In this world, I know everyone's address. Otherwise, how can I steal their stuff?”

Cio San laughed, he turned to the captain who was in his totok. The nahkoda is dead. He died standing by a very thin poisonous needle. Cio San sighed. Of course, the seven people he had been talking about had all died.

*****

They were sitting together under a tree. Enjoy wine and fruits. Hearing Cukat Tong tell a story.

“As soon as I met you, I sent a letter to Ang Hoat Kiam Sian, telling him what had happened. I then wondered what the contents of Ma Kauw-kauwcu's box were, because it was given a vicious secret weapon trap. After successfully solving the secret of the weapon, the box was finally opened. It contained a warrant, containing that you had been appointed as the new Kauwcu. Feeling the letter was important, I took the box to the nearest Ma Kauw headquarters.”

“They received me well, because I knew some people there. I told you everything that happened. The thing is, they're not so surprised. I was suspicious. Fortunately, as I walked home and passed in front of one of the brothel rooms, I saw the bastard. The room was slightly open, when a woman came out. From that little gap, I can see it being ‘happy’.”

“I finally understand that he's the traitor. That's why, before long, I'm back at the brothel. This time in secret. Hehe... I heard their plan to frame you. The entire brothel headquarters had fallen into the power of the masked group. Hence, in secret, I stole yet another warrant from Ma Kauw-kauwcu. I'm afraid if they destroy it.”

“Oh so...,” says Cio San. “Then, when you knew they were going to set me up, why didn't you tell me?”

“If you get stuck by those crocoes, then you don't deserve to be Chairman Ma Kauw. And you don't deserve to be ‘enemyku’, hehehe..” Cukat Tong replied with a laugh. “I proved right, didn't I?”

Cio San was just a mangosteen with a smile.

Ang Hoat Kiam Sian was just silent from earlier. Not a sound. He just leaned against that big tree. Cio San wanted to ask him something, but he paused his intentions.

“There is still one more letter written specifically for you,” Cukat Tong told Cio San.

“Please save. I'm sleepy. I want to sleep!” cio San Exclamation. He lay down and closed his eyes.

Cukat Tong simply smiled and looked at him for a long time, then said, “Thank you.”

Cio San just smiled anyway.

He knew the reason Cukat Tong was grateful. If Cio San dares to sleep soundly, it means that he considers Cukat Tong as a friend who will protect him when the enemy arrives.

Amongst friends, there are many things you do not need to say.