Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 40: Guest and Letter

In the afternoon, the scenery in the Snake Palace was no less beautiful. Cio San is in the back garden. He was enjoying the wine and the scenery around him. There's a beautiful little pool. Inside there are various kinds of fish. Seeing them swim and play, is already an entertainment in itself for Cio San.

Around the pool there is a walkway with beautiful colorful rocks. Around the path was also covered with ornamental grass cut neatly. In the corner of the garden, there is a small pavilion. There is a small table and

a big khim (harp). Cio San once played a large lute at Khu-hujin's house. Now he sits playing it.

Whether because of the declining musical talent of his father, Cio San plays khim very beautifully. Ang Lin Hua who was in his room at the time, said to hear the sound of khim and the singing of Cio San. A beautiful but sad song.

A sad song is often more fun than a song about happiness.

People who are happy are sometimes sad when they hear a sad song. While people who are sad, rarely anyone is happy when they hear a song about happiness.

Does that mean that sad people have more heart than happy people?

I don't know.

But how many happy people have you met? Most people feel that their lives are sad and boring. Even though he is the richest man. Because, if you consider happiness to be in a lot of treasure, then your life will only run out chasing treasure. When will you enjoy your treasure?

Money is important. But money is not happiness.

Happiness is when you are able to accept yourself for who you are. Be yourself. Living in your own way.

How can you live your own way, if you continue to be enslaved to desire?

The twang of the strings of the khim penetrates into the soul. The man whose soul is drunk not by drink or by food, surely his drunkenness is the most beautiful. Drunk like this is always more fun.

Ang Lin Hua once heard such beautiful music, actually did not dare to come out of his room. Indeed, people say, something beautiful should be enjoyed little by little. He prefers to enjoy the sound of the sound.

The whirling of the afternoon breeze, the twang of the strings, and the melodious singing. If you can't enjoy these three things, there's probably nothing in the world that can make you happy.

Leaves fall from the shoots of branches. Maybe because autumn has come. Maybe also because the trees also grieve listening to songs as beautiful and sad as this. Because indeed, the separation of two lovers is much more sad than the story of death.

This fuse leaf, time can fuse a lonely human heart?

This wide pool, time can hold the tears of a wounded lover?

Rocks as hard as this, even though deaf, may also cry to hear sad stories about human life.

Who then will his heart that will not be touched hear this sad song?

Not feeling Ang Lin Hua's tears coming along.

If the listener were to cry, wouldn't the one telling the story have far more tears?

Cio San knew tears were pouring down his cheeks. But he enjoyed it. He enjoyed every tear. For him, every drop of his tears, is a rebuke from the lover he longs for.

How are you, Mey Lan?

Do you miss me there too?

Are you there always waiting faithfully for my return?

Will you always look at the front door of your house, as I also stare at the skyline?

This farewell is just a moment. But that moment was precisely the most painful.

A man of any strength, if parted with a lover, would definitely be weak as well as his heart.

Because tough does not mean without tears. Steady means facing anything, even if you have to be hurt, hurt, and sad because of it.

Ang Lin Hua now understood why he did not want to come out of his room. He knew Cio San was sad. Therefore, he did not want if his presence would disturb Cio San.

Sometimes, crying is much happier than laughing.

I don't think the song has stopped.

I don't think all that's left is silence.

The red afternoon sun. Leaves fall. Wind blows. The sighs of tree branches whispered melodiously.

What's more beautiful than all that?

But the thing is, people who claim to be happy, just can not find the beauty. It is precisely those who are sad that can enjoy its beauty.

Ang Lin Hua lit the candle and the light torch. Inside the palace it was getting dark. Then he went to the back garden. The Pavilion where Cio San was located was already bright. Cio San sat there.

When he saw Ang Lin Hua coming carrying a torch, Cio San smiled. But Ang Lin Hua could see traces of elation there. He returned Cio San's smile and nodded slowly. Then he illuminated some torches around the garden.

The atmosphere of the back garden became very beautiful.

“Let's sit here, Siocia,” says Cio San.

“Wait, I'll get you some wine, Kauwcu,” Ang Lin Hua said.

Before long, he returned with a wine jar and two cups.

He sat down in front of Cio San, then poured the wine into the cup gently. Its fragrant smell spread warmth in the pavillion. Cio San instantly knew what wine was.

“Arak Lin Sam? Special!”

“Siocia (Miss), it is smart to choose wine,” he said.

The wine has art. It's not just drinking it. You must know the types, characteristics, properties, proper storage materials, also the dosage and how to drink it. And last but not least, you also have to be able to sort and choose for the right time. There is always a different wine to enjoy at different times.

Art like this, if not a wine drinker, would not understand.

Sip by gulp has been swallowed. There is only warmth. They sat facing each other, not saying a word. Like being immersed in each other's thoughts.

“We have guests,” said Cio San broke the silence.

In the blink of an eye, he had already disappeared from before Ang Lin Hua. The lady finally followed.

As soon as he arrived at the front door, a voice came from the gate,

“Greetings to Kauwcu, good luck.”

Ang Lin Hua pulled a lever that was near the front door where he was standing.

Blunggs..

The sound of the front gate opening. The gate was made of a large iron that was several feet high. A very sturdy gate, because indeed that place used to be a fortress.

Dozens of people then entered. Their clothes and makeup are weird. Just one look, Cio San knew that they were members of Ma Kauw.

As soon as he arrived before Cio San, immediately the men knelt down and returned saying the same sentence.

“Greetings to Kauwcu, good luck. Also greetings to Seng Koh (Holy Virgin).”

“Stand,” replied Cio San. Inwardly, he was amazed as well by Ang Lin Hua's nickname. Holy virgin! He wants to smile.

But Cio San realized, that this time is not the time for Cio San whose smile is witty and misbehaving.

The current Cio San is a Ma Kauw-kauwcu.

“What brought you here?” tanyakanya.

“We heard that the old Kauwcu has died, and the Master has been appointed as the new Kauwcu,” replied one of the.

“It's true. I'll tell you a story. Please Brothers listen.”

Cio San also told me. A story similar to the one he told Ang Lin Hua.

Dozens of people listening were down. They all shed tears. One of them asked, “Can we see the old Kauwcu grave?”

“At this time I have not searched for his body and the bodies of the other brothers. In these few days, hopefully I can find it.”

“Is there any chance the bodies are still kept by traitors from brothels?” ask one of the.

“Maybe. But give me some time. I'll find him.”

“Let me alone, Kauwcu,” one of the advanced and volunteered.

The man was old enough and his hair was almost completely white. Cio San seemed to have met him. He vaguely remembered.

“The name of the servant Hing Liok Tay, the servant is the head of the Sichuan regional branch. Miss Hua has known servant.”

Cio San turned to Ang Lin Hua.

“Ah, if Hing-susiok (Uncle Hing) is handling it, let us all be happy,” Ang Lin Hua said.

“Currently, if ordered, I'm leaving right now,” said Hing Liok Tay.

“Susiok can leave tomorrow morning. Now let all you brothers come in and enjoy wine,” said Cio San.

The voices of all of them were cheering.

Since there were no servants, these people served themselves. Thankfully, there were a few women from this group. These women prepared food, drinks, and of course hard wine.

If crowded, the hardest wine is the most suitable!

Cio San talks about many things. He familiarized himself with ‘anak buah’ new it. Ang Lin Hua had already shown Cio San's appointment letter, therefore these people became even more convinced.

Although the atmosphere is being overwhelmed by the loss of the old Kauwcu, no doubt they are also amazed by Cio San. Ang Lin Hua told me everything. How Cio San defeated the science of Sucking the Sun and trying to cure it.

The most respected thing in the world of Kang Ouw is indeed the science of silat and the science of the devil. Cio San has both at a very high level.

After the dinner and wine show was over, Cio San said,

“LISTEN TITAH KAUWCU!”

“Because of the many horrendous events in Kang Ouw's world, so we can't distinguish between friends, opponents, and traitors, so I command you to return to your respective positions tomorrow. Only a few people I asked to stay here to take care of all the necessities in Snake Palace.”

Cio San when he was chatting with these people, had tried to dive into their nature one by one. With the knowledge he had read from the book of Khu-hujin, he was able to explore human nature and what they hid in their hearts.

Then he mentioned the names.

“Hing Liok Tay, Sie Peng, Hok Jin, Goan Say Tan, Yan Tian Bu, Lim Tin, and Cua Cin Sin please stay. Other brothers, please come home tomorrow. I will give a special task to the Brothers who come home tomorrow.”

“We heard and we executed!” yell out all the members.

“Please all rest. For those who want to chat first, please go ahead. For those who want to sleep, please choose their own room. Command completed. Please disperse,” said Cio San. Sounds strong and powerful. Like he's been a Kauwcu for years.

He himself did not immediately go to sleep, but rather returned to sit in the back garden pavilion. He sat and watched the other members. Someone continues to eat. Some people talk to friends who haven't seen each other in a long time. Someone just shut up. There are also those who are showing silat.

Maybe he is showing new ways to his friends.

“Hing Liok Tay-susiok, please come, someone wants to cayhe talk” Cio San talk casually, but his voice has filled the entire Snake Palace. This is a great Khikang show.

It wasn't long before Hing Liok Tay came to see him.

“Greetings, Kauwcu,” he said as he.

Cio San nodded and smiled, “Please sit down, Susiok,” he said.

“Dare not.. Kauwcu please do not call susiok servant (uncle).”

“I call you with a call I like, Susiok,” replied Cio San smilingly.

“Ahhh... Kauwcu is truly a humble person,” said Hing Liok Tay.

“Youwcu have any clue what?” tanyanya politely.

“I want to ask you something.” said Cio San.

“What question, Kauwcu?”

“Did a few years ago susiok disguise himself as a farmer, and meet a pale-faced and strange young man?” ask Cio San.

“Increasing and undercover work is the work of servants, being a farmer is also frequent.”

“This incident happened at the foot of Bu Tong-san mountain. At that time Susiok gave the strange young man a pair of shoes.” Cio San.

Hing Liok Tay's eyes sparkled, he remembered something. “Ah, I remember, when that servant met a strange young man, he wandered without shoes. Servant gave him shoes” he said.

“And in those shoes there's some kind of trace marker right? So that Susiok can scoop it up?” ask Cio San.

“Truely, how did Kauwcu know?” ask Hing Liok Tay.

“I am that strange young man, at that time I was undercover anyway” Cio San said with a smile.

“Hamba then got an order from the old Kauwcu to settle there. Some members did get orders to settle in some areas around the foot of Mount Bu Tong-san.”

“Oh.. You were ordered by the old Kauwcu to find out about Cio San who reportedly took the holy book, right?”

“True, Kauwcu! The servant was ordered to pay attention to anyone who was around Bu Tong-san at that moment. Therefore, the servant gives a trace marker in the shoe, so that it is easy to stalk”

“Then after I arrived in Liu Ya city, the two people who were stalking me were your men?” ask Cio San.

“True, Kauwcu.”

“Then why did they die?”

“The one who killed them was the chairman of Ma Kauw's Liu Ya branch, Kauwcu. They both had to be killed, so as not to divulge the secret, that Ma Kauw was interested in finding out your secret, Kauwcu.”

“Oh, I understand now. Where is the chairman of the city branch Liu Ya?”

“He hasn't arrived yet. Might be on the way.”

“You understand about this Kauwcu changeover, is it from Cukat Tong?”

“True, Sir. He sent a letter to some of our branches, saying that Master is in Serpent Palace.”

“Good. There's still one more thing I want to ask you, susiok”

“Please, Kauwcu?” hing Liok Tay.

“Usually, how do our parties send each other news?” ask Cio San.

“We usually use pigeons. In just a few moments, the news had already directly reached all the branches. Depending on the distance between cities,” replied Hing Liok Tay.

“So... Alright. I will write a letter to all our members. Can Susiok send it to some branch? There are a few things I have to tell some branch chiefs.”

“Read More, Kauwcu.”

Cio San then dictated the contents of his letter. In essence, asking that each branch use its efforts to investigate about the masked killers, be careful of the new poison is very powerful, and as much as possible do not clash with other parties, he said, both the big and the small.

As soon as he finished being dictated, Hing Liok Tay then copied it into several letters, then sent them out. Cio San then asked him to rest, because tomorrow morning, Hing Liok Tay must immediately go to carry out the task of investigating the existence of the body of the old Kauwcu and other members.

Cio San is alone again. He wanted to play the khim, but felt it would disturb other members who were resting. Not yet sleepy, Cio San planned to sit there until late at night while drinking wine.

Until late at night, only he fell asleep soundly in the pavilion. Though he knew, there were several pairs of eyes that were watching him in the darkness.

When I woke up, it was not so early. The smell of cooking from the kitchen was already dancing on his nose. When he got up, there was already a hot urn of tea and a plate of pastries.

“Enak also so Kauwcu. Everything was served by others. It's worth it that a lot of people want to be leaders,” thought Cio San.

Cio San enjoyed a cup of tea and picked up one cake. After that, he got up and went to the kitchen. It turned out that Sie Peng, Lim Tin, and Cua Cin Sin were already there. They cooked a lot of food for dozens of members who were there.

“Hey, are you awake? Here, I help you cook,” said Cio San.

“Ah Kauwcu, where do we dare?” they all prevented Cio San from intervening. But what power, Cio San already use his flagship words, “This command!” With a smile, he just pounded the seasoning. The three female members of Ma Kauw were speechless.

When the sun had started to rise and the ground looked already bright, the cuisine the four of them had prepared was ripe. All good food. Apparently, last night there were some members who went hunting into the back forest and managed to catch some deer, a partridge, and a snake. The catch was made by Cio

San very well. The three female members were astonished. They just can't cook as well and as delicious as that.

The whole group then ate voraciously. Their whole life, they may have never eaten that particular meal. When they found out that the dish was the result of Cio San's cooking, they all trembled no one dared to make a sound.

“Ma... matipun..., where dare we eat?”, said one of the.

“Pardon...we.., Kauwcu, ..we,” they were all wrong.

Cio San just smiled, he said, “A good leader is the one who pays the most attention to his men. I actually feel proud to be able to prepare food for Brothers all.”

As soon as they heard this, they knelt down and prostrated themselves,

“Kauwcu is so good and fair! We are willing to lay down our lives for Kauwcu and Ma Kauw!” yell them loud.

“Already, you stand up. We have not yet enjoyed the wine,” said Cio San.

Shortly after they drank, a voice came from the front iron gate,

“Cukat Tong comes to Ma Kauw-kauwcu!”

“King Maling has arrived. Hmmm.., it turns out faster than originally thought,” Cio San's inner. In his heart he was amazed too. Cukat Tong's steps were not heard at all by him. Even though at this distance, he could usually hear if there was someone else at the front gate.

Cio San himself welcomed Cukat Tong at the front door.

“Greetings to Kauwcu. Servant Cukat Tong brings news and delivers mail,” Cukat Tong said.

 “Salam, Cukat-tayhiap (Big Swordsman Cukat),” said Cio San while smiling and yelling.

Both of these people are acting customarily, of course, because there are many people there. Otherwise, they might have hugged each other and joked.

“Let's go back, we talk there only.” Cio San then took Cukat Tong to the back pavilion.

All eyes looked at Cukat Tong. Didn't expect that the King Maling Without a Match turned out to be the same appearance as them. Dirty and chaotic.

They both arrived at the back pavilion. “This, the poison I've brought.” He pulled out a small bottle. It is a liquid like ordinary water. Clear and odorless.

“I also brought a letter from Beng Liong for you. I met him on the road.” He pulled out a letter. Cio San then read it.

Greetings Respectfully,

As soon as I heard from Cukat Tong that San-te had become Ma Kauw-kauwcu, I was very happy. Thian (sky) is indeed very fair and understands the journey of human life. But this happiness feels like a bargain

when I imagine you will take on many affairs.

Right now, I have to ask for your help. The movement of the Mongol army at the border made the royal army very desperate there. Recently, the Emperor announced a request for assistance to all the Kang Ouws to intervene to help the kingdom.

This, coupled with the Masked Killer affair, made the Kang Ouw also more desperate. Therefore, Bu Lim Bengcu's election meeting was advanced from next year, to 3 months. The meeting will be held at the top of the Thay San mountain.

I hope that San-te and Ma Kauw you lead will be able to intervene in both of these matters. Again, I apologize for having to trouble you. Hopefully we can meet at the top of Thay San in 3 months, the 15th.

Your brother, your,

Beng Liong's.

Cio San folded back his letter. He thought for a long time. Cukat Tong remained silent, as he knew Cio San was thinking about a very important matter.

Cio San then smiled widely.

“You're here, if I don't cook wine until it's finished, don't say my name is Cio San.”