The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Sacred Tomb of Mount Budeg 2

Ki Renggos who had just returned from his friend's house to buy some chickens and two rice ties with his wife, he said, a little surprised to see Panji Tejo Laksono who was surrounded by 4 village girls. The couple looked at each other for a moment before they smiled meaningfully.

"Waduh...

Rara Gendhis, Rara Kusuma.. You kog in my house have any interests? Is there something important from Ki Lurah?", asked Ki Renggos who made the two village chief's daughters immediately turned to look at Ki Renggos who had just put down his luggage.

"Ah anu Ki, this is a little market snack from Kanjeng Romo.. Kan crooked rice fields have just been harvested, so we were assigned to distribute market snacks to residents around the house.

It just so happened that I met Ki Renggos' nephew, so we gave it to him", Rara Gendhis reasoned with a timid smile.

"Nephew?", Ki Renggos and his wife looked at each other at Rara Gendhis's words.

"Lha isn't this Ki Renggos' nephew? Or did I mispronounce?", Rara Gendhis immediately looked towards Ki Renggos and wife.

Not yet Ki Renggos replied, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately moved and stood beside Ki Renggos. This young prince immediately smiled widely before speaking.

"Yes I am indeed Ki Renggos' nephew. I just came today from Kadiri. So of course you never see me here, right Ki?", Panji Tejo Laksono blinked one eye at Ki Renggos. The old man immediately understood and hurriedly replied.

"Hehehe... Yes, this Taji Lelono is indeed my nephew from Kotaraja Kadiri.

Yes you guys continue your chat, we want to bring our groceries in first yes", said Ki Renggos with a thin smile.

All afternoon that day, the four village girls continued to try to attract the attention of Panji Tejo Laksono but the young prince only responded to them to be appreciative. Meanwhile Gayatri was more silent while occasionally glancing towards Panji Tejo Laksono who was in the crowd of four young girls.

By dusk they returned to their homes. With the style of the centile of fans impromptu Panji Tejo Laksono say goodbye to the young prince. After they left, Panji Tejo Laksono breathed a sigh of relief. Gayatri also smiled triumphantly to see the impromptu fans leave.

The night soon descended once the orange hue of dusk in the western sky horizon disappeared. The sound of night birds sounds earthy accompanying the bats looking for food. The boisterous sound of crickets and earthy grasshoppers made the night feel quiet. The almost perfectly round night moon looks beautiful in the eastern sky.

On the outskirts of Wanua Sumping, in a large enough house, some people were talking about many of the warriors who began to arrive at the place while enjoying the treats of boiled cassava and ripe bananas.

Among them are Nyi Sekar Mirah, Ki Kagendra and Wicitrawirya. In addition, there were a couple of young people who joined. They were both Adijaya and Arini, disciples of Wicitrawirya who was one of the elders of the Yellow Bamboo Padepokan in North Kotaraja Karang Anom Duchy.

"Our move will be even harder to get the heirloom, Wicitrawirya..

Last afternoon I saw a pair of South Sea Weird Demons coming to this place" Ki Kagendra said as he looked at the young-looking face of Wicitrawirya with his thick moustache.

"That's not all, old bird..

I had seen the presence of Demon Bungkuk Gunung Katu in the food stall. The big black faction likes to slaughter people for no reason. Even if we manage to get the heirloom keris next our opponent is them. It's certainly very dangerous.

My intelligence is no higher than that old devil. If it can defeat him, it will also be seriously injured" said Nyi Sekar Mirah who looks like he is thinking about something.

"Therefore, we must work together to be able to get the heirloom kris as well as face the challenges of the black figure..

I'm sure we can together beat them" Wicitrawirya said, twisting the end of his thick moustache.

"We will also help the teacher" said Adijaya who also got a nod of the head from Arini.

"Well what about those two bamboo-clad people, the Red Scarf Goddess?

Are they siding with them or are we?", asked Ki Kagendra aka Pendekar Rajawali Selatan while staring at the beautiful woman who was sitting next to him.

"I don't know, old bird..

Hopefully they come from the white stream as well so that we do not have to bother looking for a way to deal with them", said Nyi Sekar Mirah who seemed to let out a long sigh.

****

Far away in Kotaraja Kadiri, in Katang-katang Palace..

In the private room of Panji Watugunung, the Maharaja of Panjalu is facing his three consorts. The Watugunung banner sits on the seat of his greatness while the three empresses namely Dewi Anggarawati, Ayu Galuh and Dewi Naganingrum sit on the third lower seat. The four concubines of the king, Ratna Pitaloka, Sekar Mayang, Dewi Srimpi and Cempluk Rara Sunti also attended and sat down beside the empresses.

Two young princes namely Prince Jayawarsa and Prince Jayagiri are also not left there.

In front of him, Senopati Warigalit, Senopati Narapraja, Senopati Tunggul Arga, also some mainstays of the Kingdom of Panjalu such as Tumenggung Landung, Tumenggung Ludaka, and others, Tumenggung Sindupraja and Tumenggung Jarasanda were seen sitting cross-legged on the floor of the king's private room. The two main Demungs, Demung Gumbreg and Demung Rajegwesi, appear to be at the very end of the line. Some Mahamantri such as Mpu Rakai Kepung, Mpu Saketi and Mapatih Jayakerti also appear to be present among them. Some officials such as Dang Acharya Ring Kasaiwan, Dang Acharya Ring Kasogatan, Sang Pamgat and some Juru were also present at the venue.

Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana or also known as Prabu Jitendrakara seems to sigh long before speaking.

"The purpose I gathered all of you tonight is to hear my decision regarding the replacement of Uncle Jayakerti who wants to resign from his post as the warangka paja of Panjalu.

I previously thanked Uncle Jayakerti for his devotion to the Kingdom of Panjalu, since he was still in the leadership of Gusti Prabu Samarawija until now. As my tribute to Uncle Jayakerti's service, half the land in Pakuwon Watugaluh will pay his tribute to Uncle Jayakerti as his full-time severance duty", panji Watugunung said as he raised his right hand towards Mapatih Jayakerti.

"Thank you for the gift Gusti Prabu Jayengrana gave to the servant", Mapatih Jayakerti gave his prayers to the Watugunung Panji.

"Next Uncle Jayakerti will remain the center of the Kingdom of Panjalu with the position of Mahamantri because I still need his advice to run the wheels of government in the future..

As for filling the position of Mapatih, I have decided to appoint Kakang Warigalit as the next Mapatih of Panjalu Kingdom. This is based on my consideration as well as the advice of some members of the Sapta Prabu Council on who is Uncle Jayakerti's successor.

.

Kakang Warigalit has been instrumental in helping me in defending this Panjalu kingdom from the attack of the Jenggala Kingdom as well as the support of the regional rulers who want to rebel against the central government of Panjalu", continued Panji Watugunung with a smile.

"Warigalit thanks Dhimas Prabu Jayengrana for his trust. All my energy and thoughts will be dedicated to helping the Kingdom of Panjalu in the future", Warigalit directly worshiped at the Watugunung Panji.

Everyone seemed happy to hear the words of Patugunung Panji except for three people who seemed less like the decision of the Maharaja. But they did not dare to dispute the word of the king.

That night some officials shifted from their posts. In addition to Warigalit and Jayakerti, Senopati Narapraja was appointed Commander-in-Chief of Panjalu soldiers replacing the position left by Warigalit. While Tumenggung Jarasanda was appointed to senopati Kingdom of Panjalu because the deputy Commander-in-Chief had to be filled by two people. The leadership of Garuda Panjalu Team was then held by Rajegwesi with a new position as a tumenggung.

"I heard from a cryptic report in the Port of End Galuh, that several Song Dynasty-flagged ships in mainland China had docked. According to reports, they want to establish friendly relations and trade with the state in Jawadwipa land.

What do you think we should do? I want to hear your opinion", Panji Watugunung stroked his mustache while circulating his gaze around the person in the King's private room.

"Please forgive Gusti Prabu,

Jika mereka ingin berdagang dengan negeri kita, itu akan meningkatkan kemakmuran rakyat di masa depan. Asalkan saling menguntungkan, kita tentu saja tidak boleh membuang kesempatan ini", ujar Mahamantri Jayakerti sembari menghormat pada Panji Watugunung.

"Right said Jayakerti's Uncle Dhimas Prabu..

.

In addition to being a qualified trading partner, their support for the Kingdom of Panjalu can increase the strength of Panjalu so as not to be underestimated by other royal kingdoms in the archipelago. As a large government that controls more than half of Jawadwipa Land, we also need to establish this cooperation. Not only with the Song Dynasty, but also other kingdoms such as Srivijaya in Swarnabhumi, Surasilulu on the island of Bali, Tanjungpura in the Land of Borneo, the Malay Kingdom in the Land of the Malacca Peninsula, Champa Country in the North Mainland, also with the State of India and Persia", continued Mapatih Warigalit immediately.

.

Mmmmmm..

"Then, you all listen to me..

Prepare everything wisely. I don't want them to be disappointed with our attitude if we get here" Panji Watugunung ordered immediately.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prabu", everyone present in the King's private room honoured simultaneously at the Watugunung Panji. One by one began to retreat from that place after worshiping at the Watugunung Panji to leave the Watugunung Panji and his seven wives.

"Prabu Kangmas, please,

It's been a while like we're not adventuring, is it? Hah I miss our youth" said Dewi Anggarawati with a thin smile.

"It's not just you, Anggarawati..

I also want to travel like I used to. I want to visit the grave of my parents in Bojonegoro", said Ratna Pitaloka immediately.

"Eh Kangmbok Pitaloka and you Anggarawati and Cempluk Rara Sunti,

You guys are like a boy yesterday afternoon just use the show sulking on Kakang Prabu Jayengrana. Kakang Prabu it's a lot of duty yes, as a protector of the Kingdom of Panjalu. Don't overload Kakang Prabu Jayengrana's mind with your whining.

Kakang Watugunung's,

Don't listen to their babble. You better think of something more important. Oh yes Kakang Prabu, when do we visit Wanua Padelegan again?", Sekar Mayang smiled sweetly at Panji Watugunung.

"Ehhh Mayang kumaha tea ieu?

The others were told to refrain, while he himself instead invited Akang Kasep to Padelegan", the nagging of Dewi Naganingrum immediately. Dewi Srimpi smiled faintly hearing the scolding of Dewi Naganingrum.

"Indeed so custom Kangmbok Sekar Mayang, Naganingrum..

Cook you still haven't memorized too?", said Ayu Galuh with a faint smile.

Panji Watugunung smiles at the babble of his seven wives.

The night is getting late. The moon shines brightly in the night sky as if to drive out the darkness of the night that covers the entire universe.

****

The next morning, the morning sun shone brightly in the eastern sky of the Karang Anom Duchy. Birds prenjak and tekukur chirping merrily on the branches of large sapodilla trees in the yard Ki Renggos.

Panji Tejo Laksono who just finished cleaning himself saw Ki Renggos and his wife were talking while sweeping the yard of the house that looked dirty with dried leaf leaves falling. The banner of Tejo Laksono immediately approached them.

"What's the problem Ki? Looks like something serious huh?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono immediately.

"This is Denmas Taji.. My wife just got home from the market. He said he had seen a group of soldiers of the Duchy of Karang Anom coming towards the Wanua Sumping hall. He said they were led by Ganggadara, the son of Duke of Windupati and Tumenggung Walungan.

It seems like the heirloom problem in the sacred tomb is getting more and more widespread", replied Ki Renggos with a heavy sigh.

"Well not if someone has gotten, the problem will be solved Ki?", Panji Tejo Laksono frowned.

"It's not that easy, Denmas...

Once anyone manages to get the heirloom keris, they will attempt to seize it. No matter in any way will be taken" said Ki Renggos quickly.

Mmmmmm..

'This heirloom search is attracting more and more attention. I must take it so as not to be a disaster for the warriors', Inner Panji Tejo Laksono.

Throughout the day, Panji Tejo Laksono and Gayatri prepared themselves. Despite the disturbance from the four village girls who continued to try to seek attention from Panji Tejo Laksono, the rest were no significant problems.

Towards dusk dozens of warriors from both black and white groups moved towards a hill called Wanua Sumping residents as Mount Budeg.

The rocky hill is quite steep and difficult to climb. Only a swordsman who has the science of relieving a tall body can easily reach his peak.

An old mausoleum with moss-covered bricks is at the top of Mount Budeg on the east side. A large banyan tree shaded the old tomb as if to shade it from the wind and sunlight. The impression of haunted and creepy was so felt when staring at the sacred tomb that made my feathers stand up.

From under dozens of warriors and soldiers of Karang Anom Duchy led by Ganggadara and Tumenggung Walungan rushed up the stone steps leading to the summit. Only 8 shadows are easily shot towards the top of Mount Budeg when the sun sets on the western horizon. A reddish orange tinge of twilight indicates that soon the night will come.

The eight figures were Nyi Sekar Mirah, Ki Kagendra, Wicitrawirya, a Pair of South Sea Strange Demons, and the, Devil Bungkuk Gunung Katu and a pair of swordsmen with bamboo are none other than Panji Tejo Laksono and Gayatri. They all stood around the sacred tomb with a distance of about 2 to 4 spears.

As soon as the full moon appeared in the eastern sky, a golden yellow light appeared above the sacred tomb. The first person to rush towards the sacred tomb was Wicitrawirya who stood closest to the tomb. Wicitrawirya's hand immediately grabbed towards Nagasasra's heirloom keris that emitted a golden yellow light.

Whhhuuuutttthhh...!!

Not that it can be sought, but Wicitrawirya's hand even penetrated through Nagasasra's heirloom keris. Back Wicitrawirya tried to reach the heirloom but did not succeed.

.

"Hehehehe..

Wicitrawirya, you think that heirloom keris is a match with you ha? The heirloom keris is mine" said the Humpback Devil of Mount Katu while grinning widely.

Wicitrawirya retreated, allowing the Humpback Demon of Mount Katu to try to obtain the heirloom. But the result is nil. Time and again the efforts of the hunchbacked man did not bear fruit.

Everyone changed trying to grab the handle of the heirloom keris but nobody managed to get it. Only Panji Tejo Laksono has not tried it. All eyes were on Panji Tejo Laksono who was slowly advancing towards Keris Nagasasra.

The banner of Tejo Laksono worshipped at Keris Nagasasra, before advancing his right hand to the handle of the heirloom's dagger. When Panji Tejo Laksono managed to touch the handle of Keris Nagasasra, suddenly all the time stopped in the area of Mount Budeg.

From inside the sacred tomb appeared a white smoke which then turned into an old man in white clothes like a hermit with a long beard. The old grandfather immediately smiled broadly at Panji Tejo Laksono who was confused by all the things that were going on.

"Who is this grandfather really? What the hell is going on right now? Why did time suddenly stop?", asked a question from the lips of Panji Tejo Laksono. The old man smiled faintly before speaking.

"I am the Maharesi Sanata Dharma"

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Ebez and his family wish the Eid al-Fitr 1 Syawal 1443 H to all Muslims throughout Indonesia..

If there is a wrong word or behavior that is not pleasant, please be forgiven.

Once again Minal Aidzin Walfaidzin apologize born and inner 🙏🙏🙏