The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Dragon Flag Escort Services

The loud shout from the mouth of one of the palace gate guard soldiers immediately made a stir all the inhabitants of the Bojonegoro Duchy. The sound of the barreling kentongan or also referred to as the titir by the people of Jawadwipa, woke up all the inhabitants of the palace. They were all running towards the fart in the shade.

In the courtyard of the guest hall of honor which is the residence of Mapanji Jayawarsa and the members of the bridesmaids from Katang-katang Palace in Kadiri aka Dahanapura, they surrounded the body of Selasih the famous tledek dancer who was killed by an unknown person. They all asked each other questions because no one saw the murder.

Bekel Warrior of the Duchy of Bojonegoro, Randusongo, immediately approached the soldiers of the palace gate guard who first saw Selasih's corpse.

"Did you see anything suspicious when you heard this scream from Selasih?", asked Bekel Randusongo as he looked at the two soldiers who had first come.

"Please forgive Gusti Bekel..

When I came here, this Selasih was lying dead with wounds like this.

Moreover, we who were on guard also did not see anyone suspicious enter the palace. Maybe the soldiers who were patrolling saw something, I know less", the palace gate guard soldier saluted Bekel Randusongo. Hearing that answer, Bekel Randusongo immediately turned to the head of the patrol squad that had gathered at the place.

"Did you guys see anything unusual while on duty?".

"I'm sorry Gusti Bekel...

We saw something like flying over our heads. We thought that it was just a big night bird or a cantaloupe", replied the head of the patrol squad quickly.

"Hmmmmmmm... Apparently there was a high-scientific killer who became the perpetrator of this murder.

You immediately report this to Tumenggung Sudana. The rest secure this place, do not even move Selasih's corpse before Tumenggung Sudana comes. Me and the head of this squad of patrolling soldiers will be trying to catch up to the killer. Immediately leave!", said Bekel Randusongo immediately.

"Well Gusti Bekel", replied all the soldiers in that place. After giving the order, Tumenggung Sudana immediately rushed out from inside the palace followed by the soldiers patrolling to chase after the assassin.

The uproar at the guest hall apparently woke Prince Mapanji Jayawarsa. When Prabu Jayengrana's second son woke up and came out of his bedroom, he was told that Selasih the tledek dancer who accompanied him to bed that night was killed in the palace courtyard. Immediately, Mapanji Jayawarsa immediately rushed to the place where Selasih was found. And sure enough, once Mapanji Jayawarsa arrived at that place, he saw that the beautiful woman who was last night to make love to him had been stiffened with a body drenched in blood.

"Fuck !!

What are the work of the soldiers of the palace guard until a murderer is free to roam in the palace without being discovered ha?", maki Mapanji Jayawarsa with riled. This handsome young man who was the son of Second Empress Ayu Galuh was really angry to see the death of Selasih.

"Please forgive Gusti Prince..

We all keep watch according to our habits. Looks like the killer who killed Selasih's life is a high-scientific man. The patrolling soldiers who had seen a black shadow flying out from inside the palace were currently chasing him right now", reported the palace gate guard soldier with a frightened look down.

"Huhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. If the killer is not found, do not expect all of you to be released without punishment.

Now remove Selasih's body and take care of her funeral. Hurry, don't make me even more upset about your stupidity! ", Mapanji Jayawarsa orders while glaring at the soldiers.

With swiftness the soldiers of the Duchy of Bojonegoro immediately transported Selasih's corpse out of the Duchy of Bojonegoro Palace while Mapanji Jayawarsa returned to his resting place with a sour face.

From the corner of the translucent door to Keputren, Dewi Rara Muninggar and Surti looked at each other for a moment before a smile was engraved on the beautiful face of Dewi Rara Muninggar.

"You do your job well Surti".

*****

The banner of Tejo Laksono continued to pound his horse mounts followed by all his followers after a night in Qi City. After traveling for 2 days last night they finally arrived at the city of Zhou located on the banks of the Yinghe River. During the trip there were hardly any disturbances. Friendly and friendly residents also become an addition to new insights for Panji Tejo Laksono.

Zhou City is famous for its city of freedom. As one of the places that became a river port which was a trading vein in Mainland China at that time, this city also increasingly developed into a city with its freedom. Law and government have less influence in this place so that the business of obedience such as gambling houses, gambling houses, brothels and taverns also thrived in places that also served as a stopover for traders who wanted to go to Kaifeng or other cities in the south. There were many bandits and villains who often made a mess in this Zhou City so that this city was not completely safe even though it was already inside the city wall fortress.

Not only that, Zhou City also became the place of some famous escort businesses. Perhaps because of the security factor that makes this business can grow rapidly in the city of Zhou. Although many escort services exist, there are only two who are so in control of escort services in this city. They are the Dragon Flag Escort Service and Tian Ming Escort Service.

Tian Ming's escort service was led by a large middle-aged man named Chow Tian Ming who had more than 200 bodyguards wearing black uniforms. Actually, this escort service is Chow Tian Ming's attempt to get the perfect cover as a hide from the efforts made by him. His average men are former robbers and thieves who are now groomed as honorable people to attract the sympathy of the people of Zhou City. But they also sometimes do not hesitate to rob themselves people who hire their escort services if they know that the people who rent it are rich people. They had their headquarters in the eastern city of Zhou, near a famous brothel on the banks of the Yinghe river.

While the Dragon Flag Escort Service itself is led by an elderly man named Long Wu. This retired former army officer of the Song Empire, left the Song capital to live together with his wife and their only daughter, Long Lian in his hometown. They then established this escort service as an effort to connect life. Slowly but surely, the Dragon Flag Escort Service grew to have around 150 bodyguards consisting of former soldiers, weary wandering warriors and some college students who wanted to try to find work. They built a headquarters of Dragon Flag Escort Services on the west side of Zhou City, precisely on the side of the confluence of two Yinghe tributaries which are the trading veins in this city.

For a long time, Chow Tian Ming had hated Long Wu because so many of his escort service tenants had moved to the place of Long Wu's Dragon Flag Escort Service. In addition, Long Wu was closer to the Mayor of Zhou, Jiang Wei because Long Wu's wife was Jiang Wei's cousin. Despite hating Long Wu, Chow Tian Ming did not show his true face in front of Long Wu. He instead tried to bring his second son, Chow Yun closer to Long Wu's only puppet daughter, Long Lian. Although Long Lian did not show any interest towards Chow Yun, but the thick-faced Chow Yun continued to try to get close to Long Lian who had a pretty face.

Currently Long Lian was enjoying the food she ordered in a restaurant located north of Zhou City along with two bodyguards assigned by Long Wu to accompany the young miss. The thick-faced Chow Yun continued to try to attract Long Lian's attention while inviting Long Lian to chat even though the beautiful girl did not seem to respond too much to Chow Yun's words when Panji Tejo Laksono's entourage entered into this eating house.

"Lian's sister, Lian,

Do you know, recently my father came home from Kaifeng City and brought a lot of good stuff. Are you interested in seeing her?", Chow Yun said as he continued to smile at Long Lian. But the one who was spoken to was looking at Panji Tejo Laksono who was talking to the owner of the restaurant to prepare a lot of food for his followers.

Seeing that, Chow Yun felt annoyed because he felt ignored by Long Lian and immediately turned to look at Panji Tejo Laksono, who had been taken for granted, Song Zhao Meng and Luh Jingga were walking towards one of the dining tables located in the corner of the room.

Feeling furious that Panji Tejo Laksono stole Long Lian's attention, Chow Yun immediately stood up from his seat and walked up to Panji Tejo Laksono followed by two of his personal bodyguards.

I just saw the first time you came to this town. Are you not a resident of Zhou City?", asked Chow Yun as soon as he was near the table of the Panji Tejo Laksono.

"True Young Master Chow, I'm Thee Jo.

I just happened to cross this city after traveling far away from Kaifeng. Why did Young Master Chow?", Panji Tejo Laksono tried his best to Chow Yun because he had previously been told that Zhou City was very unsafe for foreigners.

"It's only fitting that you can still be this arrogant to me. Everyone in this Zhou City knows me very well, Chow Yun son of Chow Tian Ming, the head of the Tian Ming Escort Service who was so famous that it reached the Capital of Kaifeng.

If you are a self-aware person, you should immediately pour tea for me as a sign of your respect for me, Young Master Thee", Chow Yun said with his bow. Just as Song Zhao Meng who was upset with Chow Yun's arrogant attitude was about to answer Chow Yun's words, Long Lian who was enjoying her lunch instantly kicked down the dining table in front of her while glancing sharply towards Chow Yun.

"Chow Yun, please,

Do you want to always disturb every new person who enters Zhou City using the name of your Tian Ming Guard Services? What kind of person are you?", cried Long Lian as she stood up from her seat and walked towards them.

"Lian's sister, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to.", Chow Yun did not finish speaking, Long Lian first cut his words.

"Just what do you want? Just want to annoy her and brag about you?

Remember Chow Yun,

The one with the Tian Ming Guard Service is your father, not you. Don't be a useless man who just hides behind his father's big name", Chow Yun's face immediately reddens upon hearing a word from Long Lian.

"Sister Lian, watch your talk!

Lest I forget that you are a girl", hardik Chow Yun as he pointed towards Long Lian.

"Do you think I'm afraid of you, Chow Yun?

If you're a real man, let's prove it by fighting in the yard. For too long I've been patient with your silly attitude trying to get close to me" Long Lian challenged immediately.

"You..."

"Young Master Yun, you better give up for now. The wise man said, succumbing today to win tomorrow ", whispered one of Chow Yun's two personal guards immediately. He was fully aware that if forced to fight against Long Lian, then some people outside the restaurant who were Long Wu people would definitely rush in to help their master's child.

Mmmmmmmm...

Chow Yun immediately let out a cold snort as he was also aware of the situation they were in. After all, he was not a fool who could not read the situation.

"Lian's sister, Lian,

This time I let you lower my dignity in front of everyone present in this place. But remember I won't stand idly by for the humiliation you've done.

And you're Young Master Thee,

You better be careful in this Zhou City if you still want to live longer ", after saying so, after saying so, Chow Yun immediately stepped away from the restaurant followed by two loyal bodyguards accompanying him.

After Chow Yun left, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately paid his respects to Long Lian.

"Thank you for the help, Young Miss, uh what was Miss's name?".

"My name is Long Lian, Young Master.. My parents called me by the name of Lian Lian while my loved ones called me by the name of Lian Er" Long Lian said with a shy smile. This made Song Zhao Meng and Luh Jingga look displeased with Long Lian's attitude.

"Oh yes Miss Lian. My name is Thee Jo.

Once again I thank the lady for helping us" Panji Tejo Laksono said immediately.

"Ah there's no need to condone Young Master Thee..

Oh yes I suggest that all of you should come with me to the Dragon Flag Escort Service headquarters to rest. I memorized Chow Yun's way of thinking especially if he had already issued such a threat" Long Lian added offering help. Hearing that, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately nodded in agreement as he also did not want any more trouble on his way home.

After enjoying lunch, Panji Tejo Laksono's entourage followed Long Lian towards the Dragon Flag Escort Service headquarters. Song Zhao Meng who was less fond of Long Lian, immediately whispered to Luh Jingga who was now sitting next to her in a horse carriage,

"Sister Gang Er, Er,

We must be on our guard with this Young Miss Long".