Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 57: On the Edge of the Bamboo Forest

“Where are members Kay Pang and Ma Kauw?” ask Cio San.

“As your command, they go towards the east gate,” replied Cukat Tong.

“Good, let's find them.”

Not until how long it flew, it was seen a group of hundreds of people were running quickly to the east. “That's them,” said Cukat Tong.

Soon they swooped down.

Using his sink, Cio San glided beautifully down. He had appeared before hundreds of his men.

“Brothers, I'm sorry this has to happen. Do you still believe me?”

“Trust fully, Sir!” answer them all out loud.

“Good. From today on, we are all separated. Please split up yourself. The hypocritical humans who had accused me, might have been looking for an excuse to attack Kay Pang and Ma Kauw. Our party has experienced all sorts of things and trials. We will not lose just because of this problem, right?”

“Tever!” answer them simultaneously.

“Good. I'll see the brothers again soon. Wait for my orders. Cun-tianglo, please Tianglo immediately to the city. Bring some of the people you trust the most. Wait command. Do not leave town before there is an order from me.”

“Ready, Pangcu!” answer Beggar Cun.

“Yan Bun Thian, you are in charge of continuing your journey to the top of Thay San. Bring some brothers with you.”

"Ready, Kauwcu!” yan Bun Thian replied.

“Chairman Ma Kauw in this city, please go forward,” said Cio San.

A handsome young man came forward. He wasn't drunk because there was some business for a while. He came alone to Khu-hujin's house to hide his identity. Now, when Ma Kauw was having a hard time, he rejoined.

“Gouw Sam received the order,” said the handsome young man.

“Jaga don't let Ma Kauw in this city fall apart. Keep people ready to strengthen our defenses. I will order members from other cities to help you.”

“Siap. Anything else, Kauwcu?” ask Gouw Sam.

“The spies of Khu-hujin and its members. I need news about their movements.”

Everyone is shaken. Khu-hujin ‘kan just raised a child to him?

Cio San apparently understood the contents of the hearts of his members, he then smiled and said,

“Do not worry. Trust me.”

For some reason, this smile of his could be so convincing to everyone. There is something about him that makes people quickly believe and feel close.

“Alright, Brothers. Please split!”

As soon as his words were finished. Everyone disappeared from before him.

There's only one person left.

Ang Lin Hua's.

The beautiful girl looked at him.

There is one advantage of women. That when he looks at you, he can make you feel like the most sinful person on earth.

Cio San doesn't know what to tell this lady. He was afraid, if he opened his mouth and uttered the wrong words, this lady's gaze would even pick up his tribe.

“Cukat Tong! Can you bring another one?”

“Can't! Bringing two people alone is very bad,” replied Cukat Tong.

“Good. We split up here. We meet in a few days.”

“Good.”

Cukat Tong left immediately. He did not ask where and when.

But soon he asked, "What about Suma Sun?"

"Suma Sun is Suma Sun," replied Cio San lightly.

"Haha.. Right too." Tong's gibberish just laughed and disappeared from there with the birds.

Cio San turned to Ang Lin Hua.

“Nona, come with me.”

Ang Lin Hua nodded.

Cio San had clasped his hand. They run very fast.

When it was dark, they reached a forest.

“We take a short break,” said Cio San.

Ang Lin Hua nodded.

Sometimes, the most pleasing thing about a woman, is not her beauty or makeup. But it was the moment when he nodded and confirmed all your words.

Cio San immediately jumped to the top of the trees and picked some fresh fruits.

“Please, Miss,” said.

“Thank you, Kauwcu,” says Ang Lin Hua.

They eat well and quietly.

“Nona, why have you been silent since?”

“It's okay, Kauwcu.”

If a woman silences you and says there is nothing. It means you have made a big mistake with him.

Cio San understands this.

“Tell me, Miss.”

“Ma Kauw is a big party, and so far no one has dared mess with us,” said Ang Lin Hua.

“You're angry because I didn't fight back?”

The lady just kept quiet and looked at Cio San.

“I just don't want to kill people,” said Cio San.

“But they all want to kill Master,” says Ang Lin Hua.

Cio San just smiled and played the tip of his hair.

“So lowly people like Lim Gak Bun that too, I can even kill with one punch,” said the lady.

Cio San's smile grew wider. He just remembered, it turned out that the wounds on his body were severe as well. But why is the pain now reduced entirely?

“Why did you let him humiliate you?”

A beautiful woman, if angry, usually her beauty does not disappear. But you're more afraid of him than of the mountain devil.

Therefore, Cio San remained silent.

“Is it because of his wife?” ang Lin Hua.

Indeed in this world, the only beings who can understand the feelings of women, are only women themselves.

Cio San could only stare at Ang Lin Hua.

The smartest man in the whole world is sometimes the dumbest man in front of a woman. So why do some people think men are stronger than women?

“True, right?”

Cio San could not answer.

“Master, if it's your personal business, I won't interfere. But Tuan brought Ma Kauw's big name on Mr.”'s shoulders

“I understand, Miss. Sorry, I do have a lot of flaws.”

If a man wants to admit his mistakes, he will say that.

“Actually who is that woman? Is the old lover Mr?”

“Ya.”

“He left Sir?”

“Ya.”

“Why not find a new one?”

“Finding lovers ‘kan is not as easy as finding members Ma Kauw or Kay Pang,” said Cio San with a laugh.

Ang Lin Hua did not laugh.

“Why does he hate Mr?” so much

“I myself do not know.”

“Did you ever betray him or lie to him?”

“Together, never.”

“There are only two things that make women turn away from men. Male betrayal, or the presence of another male.”

“In your opinion, my business is in which part?”

By itself Ang Lin Hua did not need to answer. He then switched the conversation.

“Master already knows no, who is this ‘big box’?”

“Already.”

“Why not just kill?”

“I ‘kan already said, I won't kill people anymore,” Cio San said.

“But not if you kill him, it can stop the many crimes he will inflict?” ang Lin Hua asked.

Cio San could not say anything.

He was just afraid, the burden was too heavy for him to carry.

There are some things in this world, which everyone on this earth believes, that you can do and only you can do it. But in your heart, you know that you really have no ability.

“I have no right to prosecute or punish anyone. If I do it anyway, I should have solid and real evidence,” said Cio San.

“Master, stop being gallant and holy. Sorry if I have to say this. But it is you who have always been slandered, continue to be sacrificed, and continue to be hurt. Why not stand up and go challenge him? With your knowledge and abilities, there is not a single human being that you cannot face.” There was a hint of anger in Ang Lin Hua's eyes.

“And what if I'm wrong? That my guess was wrong, and I mistakenly killed an innocent man?” ask Cio San.

“I'm fully convinced of Mister. Why are you not sure of yourself?” ang Lin Hua said in reply.

“I am not the God who is always right, who is always just in his judgment. I just believe that the person who made a mistake, will one day receive the results of what he planted.”

“Once again I apologize. But to me, those words are cowardly words.”

In this world, it is only one person who dares to call it ‘coward’.

Sometimes you get angry when someone says this to you. Your anger arises, because deep down you know what he's saying is true.

But Cio San wasn't angry. He just smiled and said,

“I'll stop him in time. If that time comes, he will not be able to kink and run again. But not at the moment.”

“And you willingly, see many victims who will fall, when you let him roam?” ang Lin Hua asked.

You know the weight of being a leader?

It was a time when everyone you led felt he was right, and all the decisions you made were wrong before them.

Cio San knows he is not fit and does not deserve to be a leader. It prefers to live freely, without thinking of any****-whack of world affairs. If he could choose, of course he would choose to live alone on top of Bu Tong-san, accompanied by a khim.

True leaders are not created, raised, elected, or championed.

They're born.

Therefore, it is foolish and *****, if anyone feels that he deserves to be a leader. Applying to be elected as a leader. Because the true leader comes, at a time when the world needs his presence.

You may be destined to be born emperor, but not necessarily leader. Because the emperor is only a position, while the leader is a gift.

A gift from heaven to man.

The emperor changes all the time. But true leaders, only come at certain times, only to make the world a little brighter and more beautiful, amid gloom and injustice.

Cio San truly understood that he had no such destiny.

Who would have thought, a sickly skinny child capable of becoming an adult man whose silat science is so amazing?

Then they continued their journey. The goal of course is the summit of Thay San. But they choose a path that is rarely taken by others. Steep hiking trails, through dense forests, and through nameless valleys.

During the trip, Ang Lin Hua continued to train the knowledge he learned from Cio San. Her beauty was completely restored even though her hair was still white.

On the ninth day, they rested on the edge of a bamboo forest. Autumn has crept in. Although the bamboo is still yellowing, the leaves have begun to scatter beautifully.

They lean under the pine tree. Enjoy the cool and gentle mountain breeze.

Then suddenly someone appeared before them.

I don't know where he's from.

He appeared like a demon in front of the two of them.

The person who could suddenly appear before Cio San, could probably only be counted with the finger next to the hand.

“You named Cio San?”

He is an old man who still looks handsome at the age of about 80 years. Her hair is simple. The clothes are simple.

Cio San and Ang Lin Hua stood up and joked,

“Boanpwe (young me) is Cio San and this boanpwe friend is named Ang Lin Hua.”

“Select your weapon,” said the old geezer.

“Boanpwe does not carry weapons,” said Cio San.

“I know. People like you can wear anything. Take anything!” the old man said firmly.

Cio San went and broke a tree branch. He came back and said,

“Boanpwe only found this.”

Somehow, in the hands of the grandfather was already a twig that was the same length as the twig in the hands of Cio San. He himself did not know when the grandfather moved to take the twig.

“If you have a last request, say it now. As much as I can do after you're dead.” The grandfather said that lightly, as if Cio San was indeed about to die.

“No,” said Cio San lightly anyway.

“Good. I gave him the chance to attack three times. Please.”

“Cianpwe (You older) won't attack before boanpwe attacks?”

“You doubt my words?”

“Of course not. Alright.”

He said ‘alah’ but did not attack. He instead sat quietly, opening the supply bundle that Ang Lin Hua usually brought.

“Let's have a drink first, Cianpwe,” said he smiled as he opened the jar of wine that was very fragrant in its contents.

"I came to kill you, not to drink.”

“Please, Cianpwe. But didn't Cianpwe himself promise not to attack the boanpwe, before the boanpwe attacked 3 times?” he said with a smile. He got up and offered a cup of wine to the old man.

Grandpa just stared at the wine cup and the words,

“I'm amazed by your intelligence. But why do you wear it to do depraved things?”

“Cianpwe traced the boanpwe trail over the past few days, was it because of hearing the commotion at Khu-hujin's house?”

Grandpa was silent. Because sometimes silence means to agree.

“Verily nothing can prove the innocence of Boanpwe. But if the Cianpwe does want to kill the boanpwe, fine. Please pay attention to attacks.”

With a wooden twig, he attacked the old grandfather's shoulder three times. But the attack was strange. There was nothing in the attack. Only 3 times the touch to the grandfather's shoulder. A polite and smooth touch.

“Well. If today the boanpwe dies, the boanpwe simply begs Cianpwe to investigate who is really responsible for all this, then punishes him. In this world, maybe only Cianpwe deserves to do it.”

Finished saying so, he turned to Ang Lin Hua and smiled.

“I go first.”

Ang Lin Hua could only stand staring at him and shed tears.

Cio San then went back to the grandfather and said,

“Please, Cianpwe.”

He sat on his knees and his head looked up with a smile. Right now, it felt as if the entire burden on his shoulders was lifted completely. If the great grandfather in front of him is willing to intervene, of course the state of Kang Ouw's world will improve completely.

Grandpa was pensive and unable to say anything. He was silent for a long time, then said,

“Stand. My life has gone through things, so I know which people are honest and which are not.”

Disappointed, Cio San stood up. In this world, the one who was disappointed not to die, was probably just a Cio San.

“You know who I am?” ask the grandfather.

“Boanpwe knowledge is superficial. But if boanpwe is not wrong, Cianpwe is the Swordsman of Kelana, Can Liu Hoa-tayhiap.”

Grandpa just nodded.

“Show your silat,” said.

If an older and admired person in Kang Ouw's world asks you to show your silat, it means that he praises you.

Cio San then moved. Move whole heartedly and whole soul. The movements are straightforward, flexible, agile, and full of energy. He moved like he was fighting with his nemesis. But he shined alone.

I don't know how many. I don't know what style. I don't know how long.

The grandfather watched in awe, and occasionally praised.

“Good!”

“Great movement!”

“Smart once!”

As soon as Cio San finished his sparkle, the grandfather smiled happily. Then ask,

“You created those movements yourself, didn't you?”

“True, Cianpwe.”

“Indeed. Such silat science will not be able to be studied by humans. Such a silat is only born of intelligent thought. Learn a thousand years, no human being can master it.”

“Cianpwe too praised,” said Cio San menjura.

“For decades I have been looking for people to pass down my swordsmanship, thank goodness today I found the man,” said the grandfather.

Then he continued,

“But I won't make you a student.”

“With your understanding, you don't need anyone to teach you. Precisely if there are people who teach you, you will not be able to understand.”

With his eyes and experience, the grandfather could understand the person of Cio San. Things that the teachers at Bu Tong-pay could not see. Because indeed in this world, there are people who, if they learn on their own, progress is faster than if taught by others.

“Can I ask you for help, Cio San?” ask the grandfather.

“Whatever, Cianpwe,” replied Cio San respectfully.

“See my sword game.”

“Good, Cianpwe.”

“This sword science is very deep, but also very shallow. You don't have to learn it. Just look at it and think about what the movements mean. I will only show you once. How far your soul mate with this swordsmanship is, only Thian knows,” said the grandfather.

Soon the grandfather shined. He only uses tree branches.

Simple movements. But beautiful. No free movement. Almost like Suma Sun's swordsmanship. But it looks more beautiful, more supple, and more powerful.

“You've seen?”

“Already, Cianpwe.”

“How deep do you understand?”

'Don't understand at all,” said Cio San honestly.

“Hahaha…. Goody. Now I'm going to attack you. Watch for attacks.”

Grandpa attacked fiercely.

Cio San welcomed him in the same way.

Two people flash with the same style, but also look like different styles from each other.

Hundreds of them went through. For Cio San, this was the longest battle he had ever fought. For the grandfather, this was the most fun battle he had ever experienced.

They both fought happily.

When he finished, the grandfather said,

“Now you have mastered my sword. I don't think of you as a student and you don't call me a teacher. I'm just asking you to keep this swordsmanship. If you find someone who is talented and has a straight soul, teach him my sword.”

“Boanpwe promises, Cianpwe. Boanpwe has a very talented friend in swordsmanship.”

“You mean Suma Sun?” ask the grandfather.

“True, Cianpwe.”

“Your sword will not develop again.”

“Ah..”

“You pity him? His swordsmanship will not develop, because he has chosen another path.”

“What path, Cianpwe?”

“He chose the science of killing.”

Continue the grandfather,

“Behold, if a person is too talented in swordsmanship, then over time he will lose his identity. He changed over time, from man to a sharp cold iron. Though the sword should remain the sword, and man remains a man.”

“That's why I chose you to be the heir. Because you don't have the soul and talent of a swordsman as big as Suma Sun. In the end, your swordsmanship will far surpass it.”

“I mean Cianpwe, boanpwe will be able to beat it?” ask Cio San.

“Yes. You'll be able to defeat him. But you won't be able to kill him. It is precisely what will probably kill you.”

“Boanpwe understands.”

“You understand?”

“’Sword Science’ and ‘you kill with sword’, are two much different things, though there is no visible difference. Anyone who tries to understand, of course one day will see the difference,” said Cio San.

“Haha.. Good.... I'm not wrong to leave this swordsmanship to you. You have the talent of being a great swordsman. It's just that you don't have the talent to be a swordsman,” said the grandfather. “But it is precisely people who do not have great talent that sometimes succeed. In this world, such events, I have seen very often.”

Then the grandfather said,

“I rarely go into Bu Lim's affairs (slips). But at any time, if there are depraved humans running rampant, I will just intervene. I disappeared south for a very long time, and only this time back. This masked murder business must be solved immediately, so that I can sleep and die peacefully.”

These words hit Cio San's chest. He knew when farewell would come. That was why, tears flowed down her cheeks.

“Good. Goody. You have a soft heart. That's a sign you still have a conscience. My eyes didn't choose you wrong.”

“Cio San, maybe get here our soul mate. We're not meeting again. But this several-hour meeting was enough for me. Satisfying my search all this time. There you are, I can disappear quietly.”

“Cianpwe, please allow boanpwe to serve you. Although a small thing, at least can satisfy boanpwe.”

“Please.”

Cio San then knelt down and cleaned the grandfather's shoes. This he did with tears in his eyes. Even the shoes were soaked with tears. He bowed and kissed the grandfather's feet.

Why do people like this always disappear so quickly from my life?

He then stood up, cleaning the clothes of the person he respected so much from the fallen leaves.

The grandfather looked at him with a smile, but his tears were still burning.

“Really I was not wrong. I'm not wrong,” so terbesit in the heart of the old grandfather.

They finally embraced. Two people who had only met for a few hours, but when separated really touched their conscience.

And they also separated. The grandfather walked quietly and disappeared behind the trees. Cio San prostrated himself until I don't know how long.

The humans. If he shows affection and love, then he becomes a whole human being. Because of a person's humanity, it is not really measured by his rank, position, wealth, or all his pride. A person's humanity can only be measured by how sincerely he loves others. How much he means to others, even if he has nothing.

Besides love and compassion, what can a human be proud of?