JAYABAYA: The Journey of Being a Legend
Invading the Valley of Ghosts (part 1)

News of Raden Natawirya's death at the hands of Rikmasena Mpu Resi hit the entire palace. Although in the end Resi Mpu Rikmasena also committed suicide by using the Besur sword, but the real mastermind is still free to roam without the slightest burden. This is of serious concern to Duke Natanegara.

Together with Jaka Umbaran and his followers as the main force, the courtiers of the Duchy of Matahun began to devise a scheme to confront the people of the Ghost Valley. That night they gathered at the Grand Duchy of Matahun to discuss the plan to raid the headquarters of the Ghost Valley.

"We must not be reckless in our actions. They are located in the Duchy of Hujung Galuh. If until we use the name of the Duchy of Matahun, there could be a big war between Jenggala and Panjalu" said Patih Mpu Kariti while staring at all the people in that place.

"Uncle Patih was right..

Even so, we cannot trigger a war between the Kingdom of Panjalu and Jenggala. So this grand plan must be really neat", the Duke of Natanegara soon said.

"Therefore, we must disguise ourselves as students of one of the silat colleges so as not to create the impression of war lure.

Patih Mpu Kariti, in this Matahun Duchy area, which silat college has many students?", Jaka Umbaran stared at Patih Mpu Kariti who sat opposite him.

"Hamba Rasa, the University of the Cretaceous Hill only has many students, Gusti Pangeran.

Coincidentally, the main leader of Perguruan Bukit Kapur is a good friend of the servant. So I'm sure that they will never mind if we borrow their names to storm into the Ghost Valley headquarters. Moreover, Mpu Waskita, the leader of Perguruan Bukit Kapur, also has a personal vendetta against the Prince of Ghost Valley. With our intentions, surely he will be very supportive of this plan", replied Patih Mpu Kariti while respecting the Swordsman of Mount Lawu.

"Then, prepare the chosen soldiers who have the ability of qualified martial arts to participate in our plan.

At least prepare 500 people just in case the Ghost Valley people have a large number. Also highly capable army officers. We must not leave even one of them to prevent the reappearance of Ghost Valley in the future" said Jaka Umbaran, who immediately made the Matahun army officers nod in agreement.

The next morning, as many as 500 selected soldiers were lined up in the square of the Duchy of Matahun City. But this time they did not wear warrior-style clothes, but the typical clothes of the students of the Cretaceous Mountain School with white headbands and sleeveless clothes in black. They also did not carry the green flag embossed with gold thread with a picture of an elephant that became the symbol of the greatness of the Duchy of Matahun, but carried a black flag with a small white hill that is the symbol of the Kerguruan Bukit Kapur.

While the Matahun army officers who participated were only wearing ordinary clothes like a martial world swordsman. Some were armed with twin swords, some were carrying large machetes, some were armed with short swords and some were carrying sharp jagged iron shields while holding large hammers.

These Matahun warrior officers were already prepared to battle it out against the Ghost Valley people.

Duke Natanegara himself did not participate in the preparations for the raid, fearing an impromptu attack on the palace. Only Patih Mpu Kariti followed this movement.

Jaka Umbaran emerged from behind the side door of the Duchy of Matahun palace and stepped towards the rows of soldiers in disguise. There was nothing special about his appearance, just wearing a dark blue sleeveless shirt like his usual when traveling in the martial world. The four bodyguards: Gendol, Besur, Baratwaja and Resi Simharaja remained in their modest attire. While the soldiers of his duty guards wore clothes similar to those of the Matahun soldiers.

Led by the leader of the Matahun warriors, Senopati Setakuning, who paved the road leading to the Valley headquarters as a guide, they moved quickly with the chosen horse towards the northeast. The dust of the streets flew with the footsteps of their horses breaking the streets.

After a long time riding, they arrived at the edge of a small forest that became the boundary of the Duchy of Matahun and the Duchy of Tujung Galuh.

"At the end of this small forest, was the headquarters of the Ghost Valley. This small forest is quite haunted because of the many strange things that exist in this place. We have to be careful if we want to get there" Senopati Setakuning said before they began to enter the small forest. Jaka Umbaran nodded in understanding.

Slowly they entered this dense little forest. Because the path that can be passed only enough for one horse, finally they make the Matahun soldiers walk one by one like a slow-moving centipede. The atmosphere of this small forest was indeed frightening. There was no sound of birds chirping like most forests in general, only occasionally the sound of wild apes screaming from a distance. And this is pretty scary.

The more they entered into the small forest, there appeared a mist that enveloped this entire small forest. Increasingly, the fog that enveloped the entire place was getting thicker until visibility became very limited.

After quite a distance they entered the small forest, suddenly...

Hehehehehehe.....

There was a sound of laughter echoing which made Senopati Setakuning stop her horse footsteps. Everyone behind him stopped their steps.

"Devil base! Get out, show me your form! Do not just laugh to scare people!", said Senopati Setakuning loudly.

"You're entering my territory!

Jaka Umbaran who rode behind Senopati Setakuning, quietly rubbed the red-eyed ring on his ring finger. White smoke emerged from within the ring of the heirloom that transformed into a great red-furred ape.

"The master calls the servant. There is an order for servants?", said the great red-furred ape who can only be seen by Jaka Umbaran. Yes, he is Pancer. The great ape demon from Mount Lawu who became the conqueror of Jaka Umbaran at the beginning of his adventure.

"Remove anything that tries to get in our way. Departing", hearing that answer, Pancer the red-furred great ape demon immediately saluted before he shot southward.

Suddenly there was a loud sound like people were fighting fiercely.

Pllaaaakkkkk dhhaaaassshh..

Bhhuuuummmmmmhh bhhuuuummmmm!!!!

Several loud booms were heard several times before disappearing on their own. Of course this adds to their fear even for those who are not afraid of ghosts.

Besur and Baratwaja look quite wary of this place. Gendol immediately held tightly to the handle of his flagship weapon while Resi Simharaja continued to look towards Jaka Umbaran who still looked calm.

Slowly the thick fog that covered the path in the middle of this haunted small forest disappeared along with the reappearance of Pancer the great ape demon with red hair beside Jaka Umbaran.

"Had done the Boss. Only genderuwo wants to be beaten.

Is there any other duty for the servant?", asked Pancer while respecting the young prince.

"That's enough, thanks for your help Pancer..

You can rest back at your place" said Jaka Umbaran immediately. Pancer, the red-furred great ape demon, immediately saluted Jaka Umbaran before turning back into white smoke which slowly entered into the red-eyed heirloom ring on Jaka Umbaran's ring finger.

After the white mist disappeared, their journey resumed. Shortly thereafter, the small forest ended and a verdant valley on the banks of the Wulyu River lay in plain sight. Some places look mediocre like most river valleys in general, but on the east side of this valley there is a small rock hill with a cave with a shape similar to the appearance of creepy creatures. The mouth of this cave is even clearly visible from a long distance.

Senopati Setakuning immediately raised his right hand until all his followers stopped their horse footsteps. The main leader of this Matahun warrior immediately jumped down from his horse mount. After that he immediately approached Jaka Umbaran.

"We've reached the Valley of Ghosts, Gusti Prince.

From the news that I get, the small hill with cave is their headquarters" Senopati Setakuning said while respecting.

Mmmmmm...

"In that case, we don't have to be careful. All right, our horse mounts are moored here. From here we will walk towards the headquarters of the Ghost Valley", Jaka Umbaran's order that immediately gave to 500 more soldiers who were disguised as disciples of the Cretaceous Mountain School nodded in understanding. They immediately rushed to follow the leader's steps and hid their horses behind the lush trees around the place.

Everything then moved swiftly in silence towards the Ghost Valley. In a short time, they managed to get close to the Ghost Valley headquarters but stopped their steps after seeing several guards seen wandering around the gates of the Ghost Valley headquarters that fenced in logs as big as an adult calf.

"Gusti Prince, what should we do? This place is heavily guarded by the guards" Senopati Setakuning said immediately.

"For the army to be 3 parts. You lead the army to turn to the right and you Patih Mpu Kariti is also the officer who armed the great machete to the left. I will instantly create chaos at the gate of their headquarters.

When their great army comes, you two advance from two different sides. You understand?", Jaka Umbaran immediately looked towards Patih Mpu Kariti, Senopati Setakuning and Tumenggung Margana immediately.

Two high-ranking officers of the Duchy of Matahun and Patih Mpu Kariti immediately saluted Jaka Umbaran as he said,

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prince.."