Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 36: Someone Scary

It was fun to ride in a vehicle like this!

Cio San felt this was the best vehicle he had ever driven. He asked, “Where did you learn this cleverness?”

“There are secret things that should not be told to others,” Cukat Tong replied with a laugh.

“Hass secret? Hmmmmm..” Cio San thought.

“Wah, if you've started thinking, my secret could be discovered. Hahaha..,” Laughter Cukat Tong.

“I've understood a big secret. But not your secret,” replied Cio San.

“Lantas, whose secret?”

“The secret of the masked killers. How can they be overpowered and ruled by the brain behind them,” said Cio San.

“What? The secret of why those honorable and powerful men want to be masked killers?” ask the King of Maling.

“True.”

“Hey, tell me what's the secret?”

“There are secret things that should not be told to others,” Cio San mocked Cukat Tong by imitating the words Cukat Tong himself.

“Satan bulk! Hahahahahahahahahaha.

“Let me guess,” said Cukat Tong was still curious.

“Very abundant wealth?” tanyakanya.

“Most of them are even richer than anyone. Border Swordsman for example,” replied Cio San.

“The most beautiful woman in the world?” ask Cukat Tong.

“You've seen any women like that?” Cio San asked.

“Mighty silat scripture?”

“Maybe. But the book of almighty science ‘kan is being held by Bu Lim Bengcu (Chairman of Persilatan World) who is now. Do you think, if the brain behind the masked killer has mastered it, he will want to share that knowledge with others?” cio San asked. “Of course, everyone involved in

this group, already understand it.”

“Departure in the palace?” ask Cukat Tong again.

“Why kill people? They just register with the palace, it is definitely accepted,” replied Cio San.

“Ah, I'm confused. I don't know!” hatch Cukat Tong.

“In this world, what moves people the most besides positions, possessions, big names, and beautiful women?” ask Cio San.

Cukat Tong thought for a long time then replied, “I really don't know.”

“Shame,” replied Cio San calmly.

“Aih's... Right too. So you mean, all these people want to be slaves of the ‘big brains’ because of worry, there are deeds in the past that if exposed will make them feel embarrassed?” cukat Tong.

“True. You can imagine if these people had a very embarrassing secret when it was exposed. All their lives, they will live with shame and humiliation. Isn't that worse than death?” cio San said.

“Absolutely. Moreover, these people are honorable people who have good names. Once their shameful actions are exposed, I can imagine how much they do not want to live again,” Cukat Tong said.

“You're right. Honor and good name, sometimes so valuable, that people prefer to undergo falsehood to get it,” said Cio San.

“So you mean, the ‘big brain’ knows the darkest secrets of these honorable people, then uses them to enslave them?” ask Cukat Tong to make sure.

“That's right,” replied Cio San short.

“In this world, who has such power, so as to be able to extract the hidden secrets of others?” ask Cukat Tong.

“I know one person,” replied Cio San with a smile.

“Who is he? Such a great person indeed deserves to be king.”

“More precisely, ‘ratu’,” says Cio San.

“Hah? You mean, she's a girl? Who?”

“Consecret!” Cio San replied with a laugh.

“I would steal any item you ask, if you say his name,” Cukat Tong said solemnly. “I've never stolen for anyone else, but just this once, I'll do it.”

“You're really going to steal stuff for me?” cio San asked, seeming to be interested in Cukat Tong's offer.

“Whatever you ask for! Even though it was the emperor's panties that he was wearing though!”

“Good. His name is Khu-hujin,” Cio San said.

“Hah!! Khu-hujin??? The world's richest big lady?”

“True.”

“Ah, I did not expect that he ‘big box’ behind all this,” said Cukat Tong still do not believe.

“I didn't say he was ‘big brain’ his.”

“Satan bulk! You said earlier, he has the ability to do all this,” said Cukat Tong half-angry.

“I'm just saying, he has a very great ability to do it. But I didn't say he did it,” Cio San said with a smile.

“Hahahahaha...., I've been fooled! Demon bulek!”

“And you must keep your promise.” Cio San and Cukat Tong laughed.

“Do not be afraid. Once said, it is very unclean to be licked back. What did I steal for you?” ask the King of Maling.

“I haven't thought about it. Maybe later. Hehehe...”.

“In this world, if anyone says he is the smartest, it must be because he has not met you,” said Cukat Tong.

“And in this world, if anyone says he can do anything, it must be because he has not met you,” reply Cio San.

The view along the river is beautiful. Especially in the afternoon. The sunlight falling on the river is beautiful. Many ships and boats passed by them. All gawked and gawked at the sight of the strange vehicle. Many praised the admiration. Cucat Tong and Cio San replied with a smile and nod.

“How long is the trip to Snake Palace?” ask Cio San.

“If use a regular boat, it can be one and a half days. But if you use this bird, tomorrow morning we have arrived,” replied Cukat Tong.

“Ah, means we can catch up with the traitorous entourage,” said Cio San.

“Hopefully. You keep your energy. Battle and fight is still long.”

“How about while eating?” answer Cio San.

It sits on the edge of that weird ‘rakit’. With a little flicking of fingers, two-three fish had been caught.

Cio San then jumped. With the science of lightening his body he floated on the water. Then landed on the river bank. At that time, the path of the river they passed was not too big. On land, he picked up some dried tree branches and picked some leaves. He then returned to use ginkang (science lighten his body) to float again on the water and followed ‘rakit’ Cukat Tong.

Once back, he immediately used the twigs as a bonfire. Cio San is not afraid that ‘rakit’ is burning, because before, he had wet the first floor ‘rakit’ with a lot of water. When the fish roast

just that it was ripe, its fragrant smell spread and stirred up tastes.

They both eat deliciously while sitting on ‘rakit’. The Tong cucat eats with one hand, because the other hand must control the birds.

“I still have wine in the bundle I carry,” said Cukat Tong.

Arak. Delicious fish. And a close friend. What else does a man need?

You'd probably say ‘female’. But actually for men, there are times when the presence of the woman feels disturbing. That's when men get together with their best friends.

“You said, Khu-hujin as a person who can do this. What's your reason?”

“He has a very wide network. Every city has its branches. Each branch contained a great silat expert. All the news that happened in a city, they must know immediately.”

“But Kay Pang (Beggar Party) is also like that,” rebut Cukat Tong.

“But Kay Pang doesn't have as much money as Khu-hujin. Anyway, according to my vision, Kay Pang's movements are still losing fast to the movements of the Khu-hujin people. They are swift, agile, and never waste time,” replied Cio San.

Furthermore, “I myself have met Khu-hujin. The guy's very smart. I can see many hidden secrets. It might even be able to ‘read’ people's thoughts.”

“Where do you know he can read people's minds?” ask Cukat Tong.

“This ability to think, a little, there is a share of him,” said Cio San.

“Hahaha..” Cukat Tong just laughs.

“You don't believe it? Enough to see you, I can know a lot of things.”

“Oh yes? Try to prove.”

“You have a teacher whom you have great respect for. Perhaps he was an indigenous people in the western end of the Tionggoan. Most likely, he is dead. You also have a lover. You love her so much. He loves you very much too. But somehow, you guys have split up.”

"You.you.. How can..” Cukat Tong is almost mute.

“My guess is right, right?”

“Really,” replied Cukat Tong.

“How did you know? It was a secret I never told anyone else.”

“I just noticed,” replied Cio San with a smile.

“Try explaining. I really can't say.”

“Your speech black. People who are black, mostly because they often prostrate. Prostrate to whom? You are not someone who easily prostrates and respects others. Surely you bow down to someone you respect a lot. Certainly not to parents. Because looking at your situation, you are a person who has been adventuring since childhood. You should have been an orphan. So bow down to whom? Surely to your teacher.”

“Then, who is your teacher? He is the one who taught you a lot. Including teaching you to control these birds. I looked at your fingers. Many circles of thread are on your fingers. The circle has blackened and hardened. Surely the circle was created because you learned a lot

control those birds. And in Tionggoan, only people in the famous Sianjing (top western border of Tionggoan) were able to control the animals. So, surely your teacher must be from the west.”

“Then about lover?” ask Cukat Tong.

“From your shoes. Your clothes, pants, and body are dirty. But your shoes are not. I noticed that you often clean those shoes with your hands. When you drink wine, sometimes you glance at your shoes. So it should be, those shoes are things that are very valuable to you. Giving someone who is also very valuable to you. Surely, it was not your teacher who gave it to him. Because usually, teachers prefer to give away things that are much more useful, such as weapons, scriptures, or maybe a bone splash that you use to call the birds. Shoes, as well as clothes, are a gift that is ‘full of love’. These things are given, because the man is watching you. So who's that guy? Surely he's your lover.”

Cukat Tong was silent. Everything Cio San explained was true. He just shook his head and said, “If Khu-hujin really does have this ability, then surely he is the brain behind all the incidents of masked murder.”

“I don't know if Khu-hujin has this ability. But it was the youth who taught me to continue to pay attention to the slightest thing. To use my mind as hard as possible. Because the greatest human power resides in his wits.”

“He has taught you a lesson, and you still suspect him?” ask Cukat Tong.

“I'm suspicious of anyone. Even to the fish that we ate earlier,” laughs Cio San.

“You don't suspect me?” ask Cukat Tong.

 “Surprisingly,” replied Cio San short.

“Then why do you still want to take the boat with me?”

“I could have killed you.”

“If you want to kill me, you can do it while I was sleeping.”

“At that time ‘kan no the Sword God. You could have thought he would protect you,” Cukat Tong said.

“I was suspicious of him. How can I trust him?” ask Cio San relax.

“Then why do you casually sleep until snoring like that?”

“I'm sleepy,” said Cio San.

“You're not afraid I'll kill you while you sleep?”

“Takut.”

“Then why did you sleep?”

“Because I'm sleepy.”

Cukat Tong was silent. Can't believe there's anyone like Cio San. He could only scratch his head full of scabies.

“So you think of me as your enemy or your best friend?” ask Cukat Tong.

“As long as you haven't proven to be my enemy, of course you are my best friend.”

“But what if I consider you an enemy?” sahut Cukat Tong's.

“I'll still think of you as a friend.”

Cukat Tong smiled with satisfaction. “I believe,” said.

The two of them sat staring at the blackened river. The sun has started to disappear. Red streaks over the sky accompanied their journey. There is worry, there is pleasure, there is interest, there is curiosity. They don't know what they're going to face. But they live it. Apart from living, what else can be done?

A tough life, other than you live, what else can you do?

Crying out? No one cares.

A laugh? People will think you are crazy.

Then just go with a smile and relief.

Problems and trials are just the wind in the course of life. Would men like them have a fever and become ill, just because of the wind?

So when Cio San faced so many things in his life, he lived it with gratitude, because he could still live until now. He's learned a lot of lessons. The lessons that will make him a full human being.

Man is useful to his neighbor.

That is the true meaning of life. Unfortunately, not many people realize. Their lives are spent just pursuing empty ideals. Fake big name. And insatiable wealth.

Wouldn't it be much happier to be a simple person. All they need is air, water, and food. A little bit of clothing and a roof. Live freely without having to be burdened by thoughts and dreams. People like this are very happy people. They never

being a slave to anyone. And any slave.

At a very young age, Cio San has lived it. He did not understand the true meaning of life. But he has lived it.

He really lived it.

If someone hurts you, they will forgive you. If someone wronged him, he would not retaliate. For him, every action has its own fruit. Therefore, he was never afraid to live life. He does nothing wrong, he does not offend people. He didn't take what wasn't his. Nor does he want to belong to anyone else.

His life is light and free!

Cukat Tong controls the birds very well. Cio San just watched. In his heart, he greatly admired Cukat Tong. It wasn't easy being the King of Maling like him. In this world, there was nothing he could not steal. But he is still poor. Dirty clothes. Full head scabies anyway.

Indeed, there are some people who, even in a great position and power, still do not want to harm people. Still not taking advantage. Not to harm others.

That was why Cio San admired Cukat Tong so much. Their ages are different. Meet for a few days. But the match and the similarity of heart, make them feel they have been friends for decades.

Along the way, they were joking and laughing. The boat and boat that passed by them, in addition to being astonished by the vehicle, also wondered why these two people could laugh so happily like there was nothing in this world that could make them sad.

The night is getting late. Stars and moons appear in the sky. Two friends told me about life. They laugh. Not laughing at others, but laughing at yourself. If people are able to laugh at themselves, then any kind of sadness will be lived with a smile.

“Your birds are not eating?” ask Cio San.

“They're eating soon, just wait. Interesting show” replied Cukat Tong.

“Oh, so they have a specific meal?”

“The animal's life is much more orderly than human. They have time to eat, have time to sleep, have time to wake up, also have time to mate and give birth.”

Cio San nodded in agreement.

“About, how much longer will the birds eat?” tanyakanya.

“Maybe another hour.”

“Then, while waiting, we can exercise for a while,” said Cio San smiling. He stood up and looked ahead. There's a small boat going through. The ship was several spears in front of them.

“Ah, your ears are sharper than mine.” Cukat Tong shook his head in disappointment.

“You just concentrate your mind on organizing your birds. I'm looking for sweat for a minute.” The last word of his sentence already sounded far away, as he had already floated away from it.

With just one foot in the water, he had reached the ship before him.

“Goodnight all, cayhe name Cio San.”

He just said a name. Hundreds of swords had struck, aiming at all the scraps of his body. Everyone here is masked. Everyone here attacked him with all sorts of weapons. Everyone here numbered in the tens.

How powerful this attack is, until every inch on his body there is an attack of the opponent's weapon. Cio San fought them with only the burnt wood twigs. He channeled his energy into the wooden branch, so that the strength of the branch far exceeded the strength of even the hardest steel.

Body floated. Turn like a gas. The right hand straight forward repels all attacks by using a wooden branch. The left hand made a rattling noise repelling all attacks. Legs straight back. Cio San was like flying around like a spinning top through that gigantic line of attack.

All his attackers were thrown scattered. They had never faced such a powerful attack. It felt like their attack power was like flipping against themselves. This is the true awesomeness of Thay Kek Kun!

Cio San himself did not know what he was doing. It only moves according to the opponent's attack. Receiving a wave of their attack power, then returning it. That is the main core of Thay Kek Kun science of Tay-uhu Thio Sam Hong. Cio San never learned it until it was over. He has even just learned the stage

just breathing. But he had been able to use Thay Kek Kun very well and was very proficient. If any of Bu Tong-pay's students see this, of course they will bow respectfully to Cio San for thinking of him as ‘tua’ Bu Tong-pay. Only elder Bu Tong-pay could use Thay Kek Kun so beautifully and powerfully.

Science is basically the same. If you understand the basis of his thinking, then all silat science will look the same. Cio San has understood the basic thought of Thay Kek Kun. The point is to use gentleness against violence. Using weakness as strength. So without learning the style of Thay Kek Kun, he can

using it.

Because if the heart is clean and calm, without all kinds of knowledge about horses, moves, defenses, and attacks, then the mind will find the core of silat. So without any skill, it will produce a style. Without horses, they will produce horses. Without an attack, it will result in an attack.

Is not empty content, and is empty?

Everyone has heard this.

But very few people understand it.

When people talk silat. What is being talked about is the style. If the moves are removed from the silat, then there is no silat. This mistaken understanding will make people hampered by silatnya science. The course is only the development of the actual silat core. If there is no style, then the silat core will develop into anything. Be any style.

Silat will be pure. Without being colored by style, flow, or anything else.

Cio San doesn't understand this.

But precisely because he did not understand it he was able to do it.

Because doesn't the more understanding it also mean the more clueless?

And not understanding that also means you understand?

From incomprehension comes understanding, and from understanding comes incomprehension.

How many millions of times have we listened to it, but how many of us actually see it in reality?

Cio San did not know if he was using Thay Kek Kun. He just shined around it. Follow wave. Like before, when he was shining in the face of the floodwaters in the cave. In that ignorance of his, he had chanted the highest level of the Thay Kek Kun. The most perfect level.

Mind empty. Clean from prejudice. Clean by all sorts of rules. Science flowed from his body naturally. It is like water flowing from a mountain to the sea. Like the wind that blows from the valleys to the beaches.

That's how his science really is. Without ever knowing or knowing.

The attackers were destroyed in one attack. Those who used the most powerful force to attack him suffered the most devastating injuries. Because the more powerful the opponent's power, the greater the power that turns to the opponent itself.

This is the awesomeness of Thay Kek Kun!

Unfortunately, none of Bu Tong-pay's current disciples were able to do so. Even the chairman.

Unfortunately, the one who was able to do so was a weak little boy who used to be humiliated and ridiculed. A child whose breath is always wheezing when practicing silat. A child who is despised and slandered.

Here's the kid.

Cio San stood up agape at the results of his manager.

Dozens of shattered bodies were torn apart, blood splattered everywhere. The stomach contents, bones, and head contents scattered.

For God's sake, Cio San never intended to do this. He does not even understand the power of his own knowledge. It wasn't all his fault. As the more ruthless people attacked him, the more ruthless the attacks turned to themselves.

He finally fell down and cried. All this time, he never killed anyone. Once killed it turned out to be that way. Feelings crumble. In his heart he promised never to kill anyone again. To never pull out like that again.

Blood and scattered body parts flooded the floor of the ship. But his body and clothes remained clean untarnished in the slightest.

Cukat Tong stand watch from above ‘rakit’nya. Never in his life has he witnessed such a great, terrible, and thrilling style.

All his life from birth until now, he had never felt fear. This is the only time he felt it. Fear is so unpleasant!

He's afraid. If a person as smart and claustrophobic as Cio San chooses to be ******, then there is no hope left on earth.

Once jumped, Cio San has got to ‘rakit’ Cukat Tong.

“What is it?” ask Cukat Tong.

“I myself do not know,” replied Cio San. Tears still flowed down her cheeks. “I will never use such science again.”

“Where did you learn it?” Cukat Tong asked again.

“You think I learned it from the book of magic?” He seemed to know the thoughts of Cukat Tong “I just move carelessly. Following the wave of opponent attacks.”

“If it is just a careless move, it is unlikely that the result is that big,” Cukat Tong said.

“When you remove all moves, then you will shine in the rhythm of nature. Your movements become limitless. The changes you make become countless. The true essence of silat.., perhaps, is not in the style. But moving following nature,” explains Cio San.

Cukat Tong mangosteen. At least, he could understand his point. But to live it, certainly not an easy thing. He said, “You seem to have reached the highest level of silat science. You have understood the true essence of silat.”

“I just don't understand anything,” Cio San shook his head.

He really does not understand.

It just moves!

Long time it just pensive above ‘rakit’. The night is getting darker. The river they passed through was getting narrower and smaller. They have now entered the dense forest. It was getting darker, because the moonlight was covered in the shadow of the trees.

They both remained silent.