Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 41: Getting Started

They both drank until noon. Back then, the members of Ma Kauw were already preparing to return to their respective positions. They may be reluctant to disturb Cio San who is drinking, so wait until it is finished first.

But isn't the most boring job waiting for a drunken man to drink wine, and waiting for a beautiful woman to preen?

Therefore, the members of Ma Kauw waited until noon. They have wanted to leave since.

When Cio San and Cukat Tong finished, the members of Ma Kauw dared to come to Cio San to ask for their own sake.

“We're leaving, Kauwcu! All orders Kauwcu, we will do!”

“Good. Goodbye, Brothers. Is your supply enough?” ask Cio San.

“More than enough, Kauwcu!”

“Good. Be careful on the road.”

“Keep Kauwcu's heart we don't forget. We beg of you!”

They rode in front of him, and Cio San retorted. Then dozens of people left. There were many voices laughing and joking. Cio San really likes that kind of atmosphere. He smiled and watched them leave from a distance.

“You didn't tell them the contents of the letter?” ask Cukat Tong.

“No need, ‘kan invited only me.”

“That invitation is for the whole Ma Kauw. If their chairman is invited, then it means an invitation to all its members.”

“Oh, so...,” Cio San said.

“Hey, in these two days Ang Lin Hua looks younger. Have you started healing her?” ask Cukat Tong again.

“Iya. Thankfully, the treatment worked. But it took months for him to fully recover.”

Ang Lin Hua came. From a distance they could see her carrying a tray of cookies.

“Please, Kauwcu and Cukat-tayhiap,” he said as he placed the tray on the table.

“Thank you,” answer them both.

“It's not long before lunch time arrives, do we still have food?” ask Cio San.

“Still much, Kauwcu. The rest of this morning is still there,” replied Ang Lin Hua. He turned and turned away. But Cio San held him back.

“Siocia, in these few days, will you accompany me to the top of Thay San?” tanyakanya.

“Well, Kauwcu,” the lady nodded.

“Good. Thank you, Miss. Please go,” said Cio San smiling.

Cucat Tong stared at Ang Lin Hua's back from a distance.

“He didn't even ask where he was going,” he said. He continued, “For members of the silat party, the chairman's decree was like the emperor's. Being told to jump into the fire, they will happily do it.”

Cio San was just daydreaming. Then he asked,

“During the multiple elections of Bu Lim Bengcu (Persilatan World Leader), it was always Siau Lim-pay who won the fight. What do you think their tiers are compared to the old Kauwcu Ma Kauw?”

“In my opinion, the old Ma Kauw-kauwcu is still a little under the Chairman of Siau Lim-pay. But when compared to Chairman Bu Tong-pay, the old Kauwcu Ma Kauw is still slightly above,” replied Cukat Tong.

“Every election Bu Lim Bercu, do you always come?” ask Cio San again.

“I came twice.”

“How's the fight?”

“Very exciting. All people who feel part of the martial party can go down into the pibu (fighting) it. But since it was a high-level fight, only the party leaders were involved. Also some silat mare and some members of the leading families in the martial world. Unfortunately, Ma Kauw never joined, even though he was always invited,” explained Cukat Tong.

“Ma Kauw never came?” ask Cio San. He's a little surprised.

“Iya. The old Chairman Ma Kauw felt that he did not need to follow the affairs of Bu Lim Bengcu. I don't know what the reason is, I don't know.”

Cio San pondered for a moment. His mind wandered far away. Her eyes twinkled. Then he said,

“It feels like, I have started to understand all these events clearly.”

“You.., you have managed to solve the secret of the ‘big box’?” ask Cukat Tong.

“About 8 out of 10 parts, I've got it,” said Cio San smiling.

“And you have no intention to tell me?”

“Not yet. Because now is at lunch.” Cio San said so because he saw three members of Ma Kauw who had come carrying trays filled with food.

They eat with gourmand. After eating, Cio San asked to work for a while. Cukat Tong had no idea what Cio San was doing. Because he hesitated to ask, he chose to stay in the room that Ma Kauw members had prepared for him.

Cio San himself went to the medicine room. Apparently, he tried hard to solve the secret of the great poison. From noon till midnight, he worked hard. He's just out for dinner. At dinner together, Cukat Tong did not ask anything, because he now knew what Cio San was doing.

“Do your best,” so said Cukat Tong. Cio San only replied to her with a nod and a smile.

Indeed, if two friends already understand each other's abilities, most of them will be more silent and smile at each other.

If you pay attention, friends who are very familiar and deep, most are not too much to talk. They just kept quiet more. This is because they already understand each other's hearts. Unlike the friends who are not too deep, who mostly chat, laugh, and joke.

Cio San returned to his booth and started working again. He did this until the light of the ground. By then, the female members of Ma Kauw had already woken up and prepared breakfast. Once out of his room, Cio San appeared with a bright smile.

“Good morning, Kauwcu,” the three women members of Ma Kauw were greeting.

“Good morning too, The Miss.” Cio San nodded with a smile. “Si Raja Maling is awake?” ask them.

“Seems like already. It's on the front page. Conversing with Seng Koh (Holy Virgin).”

Cio San smiled again. Somehow every time he heard the word ‘Seng Koh’, he always smiled. Then he moved forward.

The front of the Snake Palace was no less beautiful than the back garden.

As soon as Cio San came, the two of them smiled and nodded.

“It's done?” ask Cukat Tong.

“Already,” replied Cio San.

“Can I try it?” ask Cukat Tong again.

Cio San said nothing, and only offered two bottles.

“The clear bottle is the poison, the black bottle is the antidote,” said Cio San.

Leisurely, Cukat Tong straightened up a bit of poison. Not long after, he vomited blood. Then quickly, he downed a bit of the antidote.

Cio San just looked at it. Ang Lin Hua. He didn't think anyone was that brave. So trusting in others. Cukat Tong did this, as he did the simplest things in his life.

“Howto?” ask Cio San.

Cukat Tong closed his eyes and regulated his airway. Shortly after, his pale face looked refreshed. He opened his eyes and said,

The two of them smiled at each other and patted their shoulders. Ang Lin Hua smiled.

There is one thing that men in this world can make women amazed and fed up with at the same time, namely friendship between men.

“Siocia, get ready. Maybe we're leaving tomorrow. The distance from here to the top of Thay San may take 3 months on foot,” said Cio San.

“You're going on foot?” ask Cukat Tong.

“You forgot, can't I ride a horse?”

“I did not forget. But you can take Miss Ang on foot too?”

“Wherever Kauwcu goes, I will join you,” this time Ang Lin Hua replied.

“We'll walk first. If it feels better to wear a horse, we will look for a carriage. You can drive a train, right?” ask him to Cukat Tong.

“Of course. But why are you so sure I'll come with you?”

“You don't want to know the secret of the ‘big box’?”

Cukat Tong just laughed out loud.

The next morning, they were all getting ready. Cio San, Cukat Tong, and Ang Lin Hua had finished breakfast. On each shoulder there is a bundle that contains clothes and daily equipment. Ang Lin Hua carried a very beautiful sword. They invited two members of Ma Kauw to join

go too. One man and one woman. The remaining members were ordered to guard the Snake Palace.

“Siocia, isn't the small raft in the back shed wearable?” cio San asked Ang Lin Hua.

“Can, Kauwcu.”

“Good. We set off on a raft first to get to the other side. Approximately, how long do we get to the other side?” this time Cio San asked Cukat Tong.

“Huang Ho River is quite wide. Maybe midday, we just got across,” replied the King Maling.

Cio San nodded.

They're goin. Cio San, Cukat Tong, Ang Lin Hua, and two members of Ma Kauw, Sie Peng and Yan Tian Bu. Sie Peng was a fairly beautiful and agile woman. From the very beginning he had come, Cio San had already noticed him. He considered Sie Peng suitable to accompany Ang Lin Hua.

While Yan Tian Bu was a man of great height and did not say much. His movements are also agile and intelligent. Cio San needs a member who is able to carry out his commands if needed.

The journey across the river was completed at noon. They landed

in a thick forest. Cukat Tong who chose this place, because he is the most familiar with the areas.

After walking through the forest for about a drink of tea, they arrived at the outskirts of Kun Tau. A very crowded small town. They arrived at the gate of the city, and were stunned to see the large number of royal troops that were there.

“These forces are definitely preparing to leave for the border,” Cukat Tong said.

“So severe is the situation at the border, so troops from the east must be pulled to the west?” ask Cio San.

“According to the news I heard, the Goan (Mongol) team is getting stronger. Our royal forces are very desperate, so inevitably, the Emperor ordered a massive troop delivery,” said Cukat Tong.

Cio San nodded and watched. In his entire life, he had never seen an army gather this much. There were thousands of soldiers lined up neatly. The war clothes made them look more gallant.

“Let's Brothers, we accelerate our journey,”.

When he reached the city, Cio San decided to use the train. They then found a horseman. After a long time of choosing, they finally bought the two best horses that the horseman had. Two western horses are famous for being sturdy and strong, although the run is not so tight.

They also bought a carriage that would be paired to the two horses. A simple car that is not expensive. But it's pretty comfortable and cool too. The inside is not contained, so the entire group can fit in it. Yan Tian Bu was in charge of being his coachman. Cio San chose to sit down

next to it. Whereas usually, a Kauwcu is always in the car. But Cio San refused. He wants to enjoy the ride with fresh air and wind.

The journey was done with pleasure and cheer. Sometimes, Cio San tells funny stories that make everyone laugh. Only Ang Lin Hua was not frowned upon, although he smiled widely as he listened to Cio San's stories.

Sometimes, a pleasant trip is much more exciting than the destination. This is where we understand the nature and nature of people. Cio San was delighted to be able to chat a lot with Yan Tian Bu. Although quiet, Tian Bu was quite pleasant to chat with.

Those who were feeling rattled were of course Cukat Tong. He was in the car with two women. Although the train section penetrated directly to the position of the coachman, inevitably, he still felt bad too. Moreover, Cio San was busy chatting with Yan Tian Bu, while Ang Lin Hua was chatting with Sie Peng. He finally chose to sleep.

It does not feel like the journey has reached 2 days. Because it is done casually and not in a hurry, this group does not feel tired or tired. Along the way, they enjoyed the view. Sometimes Cukat Tong who became a coachman, sometimes Cio San also learned to ride it. Of course it must be accompanied by Cukat Tong or Yan Tian Bu. If not, the train can run or enter the river.

They do it cheerfully and happily.

Cio San also used this opportunity to visit Ma Kauw's secret headquarters scattered in the cities. Most of them already know, if Cio San has become their new Kauwcu. In fact they were abuzz to go to the Snake Palace, and see for themselves their new chief, but

the task of Cio San delayed this.

Cio San promised to hold the best funeral, if the bodies of the old Kauwcu and other members were found.

Visits to these secret bases made Cio San understand Ma Kauw's affairs even more, as well as making him more familiar with the other members. Indeed Ma Kauw is a party that is a little different than other parties. Ma Kauw is more loose and flexible, so there are not too many rules and compaction like the parties

others.

In addition to visiting secret headquarters, this opportunity also used Cio San to see the world. Take a walk to a famous place, and enjoy the beautiful places.

Cukat Tong himself was astonished and asked Cio San about this.

“You are not worried about what will happen? Big business is waiting ahead, you are still leha-leha and even cruise.”

“Urusan has not happened yet, why should I think?” cio San hatch.

“But your enemy, the ‘big box’, is now drawing up a big plan. The plan is mature, and full of intrigue and secrets. If you don't get ready, you'll lose steps with him.”

“In fact I have won a few steps from him,” said Cio San lightly.

“How can that be?”

“Si ‘big box’ is now busy preparing his plans. His mind, his energy, all his resources, he poured out. Even maybe, the night does not sleep, and less eating during the day. From here alone, I've won one step.”

Cio San continued,

“People who plan something, of course, all the efforts he put in so that the plan does not leak and run well. But is he facing all kinds of changes? Natural changes, changing circumstances, changing everything?”

“If it is ready, means he has to think of hundreds of possibilities, hundreds of changes. This one alone, will make someone difficult to sleep and worry a lot. If he has already, am I not in a superior position?”

“What do you have a plan for?” ask Cukat Tong curious.

“I just don't have any plans to deal with it. Whatever happens, I will deal with it when it happens. I don't have to bother worrying about everything I don't know. So I can sleep quietly and eat well. That way, my energy will be fully charged.”

Hearing Cio San's explanation, inevitably, Cukat Tong nodded his head. He began to understand, people like Cio San is not a lazy person and his life is just fun. It is precisely a free man like Cio San, who accepts everything that happens in his life, boldly and with

the open mind.

It is not life without planning. He lives with alertness to all changes. He did not have to bother planning anything, because he was sure everything was decisive!

Life just needs to be lived, why should we cry?

Why do we have to think so much and be so hard-hearted?

The ones who could truly live like this, were the ones whose souls were completely free. These people can really be called happy people!

Inevitably, Cukat Tong had to be amazed at this youngster in front of him. Anyone would not want to, should be amazed to Cio San.