Dragon and Phoenix
Chapter 72: A Request

Cio San and his comrades moved out of the palace walls. A terrible war is underway. Despite the hard walk, Cio San still forced to join the fight. Seeing that he was about to make a move, Cukat Tong immediately held him back.

“You just sit here,” said Cukat Tong.

“True. With your current situation, you will not be able to do anything,” Suma Sun confirmed.

Thinking for a moment, Cio San then said, “Alright. Please take me to the top of the fort walls.”

Once it moved, the three of them had already arrived above its high peak.

On top of the great wall surrounding the imperial palace was an army of archers who were busy repelling the attack.

“Ah, welcome to Tayhiap,” someone said.

Cio San did not know who he was, but Cukat Tong immediately replied, “Thank you, Goanswe (General). I want to leave Cio-Tayhiap here. What can?”

“Of course, Tayhiap.”

Quickly, he issued an order. Two of his subordinates had already come to pick up Cio San, and another was taking care of his injuries.

“You sit quietly there, me and Suma-Tayhiap will be back soon,” Cukat Tong said with a smile.

Cio San smiled. Soon the shadow of his two best friends disappeared.

The General could only say, “If I had an army of people like you and your friends of as many as 100 people, I could certainly conquer the world.”

Cio San smiled.

Why do so many people want to conquer the world?

Conquering yourself, there are still not many people who are able to.

“Goanswe (General) is the son of pride Khu-hujin?” ask Cio San politely.

“True. Broad is also your view,” answered while menjura.

Cio San also retorted.

“Please rest. Cayhe should lead the army,” Khu-goanswe said.

“Thank you, Goanswe. Happy fighting,” said Cio San.

The General nodded, immediately returning to his position. Out of his mouth came thunderous commands.

“Empire Sing! Close the right side! Don't let the enemy creep up!”

“Answers To! Watch your men's arrow supplies!”

“Left side of open opponents! Fast forward!”

Cio San watched her in admiration. It is not easy being a general.

Taking a long time to notice, Cio San began to understand the situation. The imperial army was already on the verge of victory. Perhaps within an hour or two, this rebellion could be broken entirely.

From above the wall, he saw how fierce Cukat Tong and Suma Sun fought. He also saw Ang Lin Hua and Luk-locianpwe each leading their men. Ang Lin Hua led Ma Kauw, and Luk-locianpwe led Kay Pang.

It was Cio San himself who ordered them. In the middle of the night on the top of the mountain Thay San, by secretly he ‘kidnap’ them. Put them on the train in a stamped condition and face covered. Choosing the person he could trust the most from the thousands of Ma Kauw members present on the mountain as his coachman, to send them secretly back to the city. This all had to be done in order to avoid the suspicion of the other party.

He also had to do this to save their souls. If Ang Lin Hua and Luk Ping Hoo continued to follow him to the peak of his fight, then the two of them might also perish up there.

He then wrote a warrant that he had written in a special cipher, which only a few people in Ma Kauw could understand. The letter contained an order to Ang Lin Hua and Luk-locianpwe to lead their men secretly, and move into the city.

“Wait for my next command.” Such are the closing words of the warrant.

Ang Lin Hua who was able to read the secret writing was of course astonished, why the chairman had to go through such a strange way. Couldn't he have lowered the order plainly, without having to perform such a kidnapping charade?

“Maybe that's how Cio-pangcu works,” Luk Ping Hoo said.

Such is.

These two men then each chose his most trusted men to move to Kotaraja. There, they gathered again the men from the branches in Kotaraja. In total there are about 1000 best people from Ma Kauw and Kay Pang who are ready to move at any time.

Cio San had indeed thought of everything. He had sent Cukat Tong back to the city, as well as his two men, for two purposes. Rescue them, and execute his own plan to trap Beng Liong and his gang.

“You can archery?” khu-goanswe's thunderous voice breaks Cio San's daydream.

“Can't,” he replied with a laugh.

Soon he asked anyway, “What's up, Goanswe?”

“The enemy has a great archer in the tower up there,” he said as he pointed at a tower that was located quite far away. “The archer has killed many soldiers and important officers.”

Cio San then closed his eyes. He healed his wounds. With the care of the soldiers, his wounds had closed well. Staying to recover the deep wounds from being hit by the energy in the terrible Beng Liong.

It was fortunate that his internal organs were protected by the Thay Kek Kun and the efficacy of the magic mushroom. Within a few minutes, the power has returned 4 out of 10 parts.

Face bright. Eyes pushing.

With his throne, he sent a voice to Cukat Tong,

“Your pet birds are ready for action?”

There was a long scream from inside the battle arena. Before long, a black shadow appeared from the sky. Tong's chicature had in recent times bouncy in front of Cio San.

“Where?” tanyakanya.

"The tower,” Appoint Cio San.

They both flew there immediately.

“You go back to the arena. Send your bird back,” said Cio San as he jumped and landed lightly on the roof of the tower.

As soon as his new legs arrived, immediately an arrow with an extremely awesome power almost pierced through his chest.

But what thing or creature on the face of this earth, is capable faster than Cio San?

Instead the arrow was pushed back and slid twice as fast as it came.

He stuck it right in the archer's throat.

Cio San looked down regretfully. Too many people have died today. Many lives were taken by his hands. His movements occurred instinctively, not even killing people.

Once inside the tower, it was realized that this place was the perfect place to attack.

He decided to stand guard there, lest the tower be taken over again by the enemy.

Until dusk, the terrible battle was over.

The view of Kotaraja is much more frightening than any slaughterhouse. Because the number of slaughtered is thousands of times more than any slaughterhouse. The slaughtered are not animals, but humans.

The humans.

The only creature capable of giving birth to perfect beauty and perfect horror.

On top of the tower he was pensive and stunned.

The twilight wind blew his body.

Even though his body stood strong and did not waver,

Who can read his heart?

The weak heart of an ordinary human child.

Who in ignorance is dragged into the vortex of destiny.

As powerful as any human being, no matter how great he is,

Is it not subject to destiny?

On top of the tower, Cio San cried. All his feelings poured into every clear drop of tears. Grief, loss, disgust, and weakness. He was glad all this was over.

But in the future?

Isn't life just a dot of peace in the middle of the color vortex of life?

As long as man has desire, will not all sorrow and the most tragic stories continue to occur on this earth?

Didn't all the problems and darkness of human history occur, only because of a simple word called ‘Keingin’?

You might say, “As long as there is still love, then the world still has hope.”

But is not the story of the bitterness of human life happened due to the word named ‘Cinta’ it?

How many thousands or millions of people die or suffer for love?

For thousands of years, hasn't it happened?

To this day, doesn't it still happen?

For thousands of years, it will continue to happen.

Then if life is this dark, does humanity no longer have hope?

There's still!

Hope is in yourself.

If you are able to control yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings, then humanity still has hope for a better life.

If you want to give up a little, understand people's feelings, and are willing to sacrifice yourself, then that's where hope will shine again.

The history of this world is not written by great and valiant people. The history of the world is written by ordinary people, whose names are unknown to people. Written by simple acts, based on the desire to sacrifice.

Have big and big dreams? You may.

But doing simple good deeds is mandatory!

He continues to stand. Until dark comes greet the light. Until the stars began to fill the sky. Cukat Tong did not dare to bother him either. He understood what his friend felt. He and Suma Sun were finally on their guard downstairs. Sometimes they help soldiers clean up the bodies.

Until the day was completely dark, the new Cio San floated down.

“You okay?” Ask Cukat Tong.

“You two are the ones I should have asked. Haha….. Are you guys okay?” ask her while smiling.

Of course they just smile at each other.

A little smile may make us forget the suffering and darkness of life.

Might as well.

“I want to see my brothers first,” said Cio San.

“Need company?” ask the King of Maling.

Immediately he moved to a large building where the wounded were gathered. There, he helped as much as possible. With his medical knowledge, there are so many people he can help.

Then he met Ang Lin Hua.

The beautiful woman is nothing less. Even if it is injured, it is only an external wound.

“Sorry, I didn't see you soon. I have to help the injured brothers first.”

“Nothing, Kauwcu. Is Kauwcu okay? I heard from Cukat-tayhiap, Kauwcu was injured,” Ang Lin Hua said.

“You saw yourself ‘kan?” He smiles.

Ang Lin Hua smiled back.

This smile.

Cio San only realized, how beautiful Ang Lin Hua's face was when he smiled.

He also realized that he missed this smile.

“Nona rest.”

“Good, Kauwcu. Kauwcu himself please rest immediately.”

“Soon,” Cio San replied. He then returned to treating the victims.

Not felt, the sun has returned to greet the world with its light that is slow but sure.

Cio San was finally relieved. Everyone has been handled well. The court physicians and healers in the city all worked hard to treat these brave men.

Once again, the Han people were able to defend their homeland from the Goan invaders. This joy is shahdu, because it is overwhelmed by the high national spirit, pride, and also sadness for the loss of the heroes. All these feelings melted into one.

Cio San walked out of the room.

Although outside the air still smells bad because it is mixed with fishy corpses and burnt, it still feels fresher compared to the atmosphere inside earlier.

Seen far away, Suma Sun and Cukat Tong were having a conversation with an officer. It turned out that officer was Kao Ceng Lun.

“Ah, you!” cio San said.

“Greetings, Tayhiap,” Kao Ceng Lun said as he.

“Haish...! Make what ‘Tayhiap-Tayhiap’ all. Haha... Are you all right?” ask Cio San.

“Good, Tayhiap.”

“Haha…. Just call me koko,” said Cio San while patting Kao Ceng Lun on the back.

“Boanpwe where dare?” said doubt.

“Eh remember, my age and your age ‘kan not much different. This time I force,” Cio San said.

“Ah, well then.., San-ko (San's sister),” said Kao Ceng Lun still awkward.

“It turns out you're a royal, huh? All this time I've been suspicious. But don't dare to talk,” explains Cio San.

“San-ko is suspicious? Well, which part made San-ko suspicious?” ask Ceng Lun.

“Your stout stature, it doesn't seem to be forged by silat practice. Because your family's science relies more on the blow of inner energy than external energy. So I suspect your stature was forged by army training.”

“Hah? From that simple thing alone, San-ko can draw such a conclusion?”

“Sometimes the problem is complicated and large, the answer is actually very simple.”

“True once.”

Suddenly a man appears in full armor, it turns out that he is Khu-goanswe. Everyone got up and yelled, Khu-goanswe just smiled and retorted.

“Cio-tayhiap, cayhe has important news for you. Please come along for a while,” he said politely but fully authoritatively.

Cio San stood up. “Save the wine for me,” he said with a laugh.

“Do not expect.” Suma Sun who had been cold before spoke up first.

“Hahaha They all laugh.

“What's the news, to the extent that Goanswe himself delivered it?” cio San asked as soon as they walked into a room.

“Secret to not leak. I don't want any more Emperor assassination attempts,” he said really.

“What's up, Goanswe?”

“Emperor want to see you.”

Cio San raised eyebrows, “When?”

“Currently also.”

“Indeed ‘Yang Mulia’ is awake at dawn-shubuh like this?”

“In times of war like this, where is there an Emperor who can sleep well?”

It's true. In times of peace, an Emperor could have slept unpleasantly. Confused by a lot of work, a lot of affairs, a lot of intrigue, and a lot of danger. Especially in times of war.

“Now too, servant goes to the palace,” said Cio San.

“No need,” Khu-goanswe.

Cio San was going to ask ‘Why not need?’ but soon he realized, the Emperor must have been there.

The door behind him opened. Cio San felt a fire burning down his back. Soon he turned around and wanted to prostrate his greeting ‘May the Emperor live a long life’, but the Emperor himself has been banned.

“Not necessary. I'm undercover.”

Cio San was silent.

“I, on behalf of this empire, owe you a great debt. Because of your merits, this crazy rebellion can be overcome.”

Silent emperor. Cio San was silent and listened.

Then the Emperor connected, “My question is only one, what do you want from all these services?”

Cio San was shocked as well. The Emperor was not a person who liked to make small talk with twisted language. His words are always on target.

Cio San also understood, against people like this, he did not need to speak stale.

“Hamba only requests one request. Please the emperor release young Bwee Hua.”

“He is ready?” ask the Emperor.

“She's the most loved friend of the servant, Cukat Tong.”

“Why do you want him free?” ask Emperor.

“Because I promised a friend.”

Companions.

You know how deep that means?

How heavy is responsibility?

If you knew, you wouldn't arrogantly feel you're someone else's ‘friend’.

Only the person who can truly give a sincere friendship, then he deserves a sincere friendship. These kind of people are the luckiest people in the world.

Unfortunately, their numbers are very small.

“That's all your request?”

“That's it,” replied Cio San while bowing his head solemnly.

The Emperor looked at him for a long time.

Like not believing what he is listening to.

Then the Emperor laughed.

“Good.”

The emperor then turned around. Cio San and Khu-goanswe could only bow respectfully.

Long time ago too Cio San fell silent.

Then he heard the voice of Khu-goanswe, “I don't know, Tayhiap is a really stupid person or a really smart person.”

Cio San just looked at him with a questioning look.

“Tayhiap does not ask for property, office, or anything in the presence of the Emperor. If it is not a fool, it cannot be so,” and then he continued, “But it is a very clever act.”

“Inny how?”

“Emperor is a person who is good at judging others, and he values you very high.”

“Cayhe understands,” said Cio San while smiling lightly.

“You understand?” now it's Khu-goanswe's turn to ask.

“If Your Excellency to humble himself just to come meet cayhe, of course not just ask the news.”

“Continue,” pinta Khu-goanswe.

“He wants to see for himself, what kind of person cayhe.”

“Good. That's a good thought. And I think Tayhiap's request is just right. Therefore I said Tayhiap's answer was very clever.”

“Ingenious?”

“What Tayhiap does not know, although Tayhiap only asks for the release of a rebel, the act is already considered unlawful?” Further, “Based on State Law, the punishment is equal to being considered part of the rebellion.”

“Then where is the ingenuity?” ask Cio San.

“Because of Tayhiap's request it further raised the value of Tayhiap in His Majesty's eyes. I'm sure His Majesty considers Tayhiap as a loyal friend and reliable.”

“Since the beginning, it was only one that was cayhe's request. Either His Majesty will grant it or not.” said Cio San.

“If not?” ask Khu-goanswe.

Cio San knows the answer.

Khu-goanswe knows the answer.

Slowly Khu-goanswe realized how frightening the person in front of him was.