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While the situation in Panjalu is heating up due to the alleged attempts of rebellion in Rajapura, far to the North precisely in the Hefei Governorate in the Song Dynasty Empire, Panji Tejo Laksono who had all day rest in the big city wanted to immediately continue the journey. For some reason, there was a strange feeling that was encircling the mind of the young prince from Kadiri.
After recovering his strength after fighting against the Three-Legged Crow Devil Pair, Panji Tejo Laksono visited his subordinates who had been injured in the face of two dedengkot of the Chinese Land in Chengguan Village.
"Uncle Ludaka, how are you? Is it better?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono to Tumenggung Ludaka who was sitting in the front seat of his bedroom. While in Hefei, Song Zhao Meng brought the large entourage to spend the night at the Hefei Governor's place.
"With the blessing of Gusti Prince, the servant is already much better.
Only Rakryan Purusoma is still a little less fit, while Demung Gumbreg and Tumenggung Rajegwesi have recovered as usual Gusti Pangeran", Tumenggung Ludaka ended his talk while respecting the Banji Tejo Laksono. The three people in question seemed to smile hearing the description of them from Tumenggung Ludaka.
Mmmmmm..
"I'd love to get to Lin'an soon, Uncle..
Somehow there is a feeling of longing in our hometown in Panjalu. I've missed the grilled fish in Kalingga" Panji Tejo Laksono said with a faint smile.
"Huh, very clever Gusti Prince licked his tongue..
Just tell me you're missing Nimas Ayu Ratna. There is no need to make grilled fish as an excuse", said Luh Jingga who suddenly emerged from the hall next to the building where they rested. Next to him, Song Zhao Meng stared at Panji Tejo Laksono.
"Ni Mas Ah Yu??
Who is Luh's brother? Brother Thee?", Song Zhao Meng asked Luh Jingga who was walking beside him. Hearing Song Zhao Mengs question, Luh Jingga immediately turned her head towards Emperor Huizong's daughter.
"Listen to me Princess Meng Er, please,
Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono who you usually call this Big Brother Thee, besides I also have several other future wives. One was named Gayatri and the other was Ayu Ratna. Well so as long as we are still in this Land of China, Gusti Prince Panji Tejo Laksono is indeed only for the two of us but once back to Kadiri, he said, you should also be able to give time to his other future wife. From now on you must accept this fact, Princess Meng Er ", Luh Jingga said with a meaningful smile.
Song Zhao Meng immediately turned her head towards Panji Tejo Laksono who was smiling his own smile hearing Luh Jingga's words. Rakryan Purusoma who was still a little pale his face also nodded as if he agreed, as well as Demung Gumbreg, Tumenggung Ludaka and Tumenggung Rajegwesi. That means the talk of Luh Jingga is not mere nonsense.
"It turns out it wasn't just my father who had more than one wife. All the kings of this world will also have many wives" Song Zhao Meng muttered soon.
"That's not important, Princess Meng Er..
What is important is that Gusti Prince Panji Tejo Laksono is able to protect and protect all of us, as well as being fair to all women. Isn't it true that my words Gusti Prince?", Luh Jingga blinked one eye at the Panji Tejo Laksono after speaking.
"Of course it is..
I promise to always look after and love you all equally. And I hope you Luh Jingga and Meng Er also understand about my situation like this" Panji Tejo Laksono said with a faint smile.
That afternoon, the group of Panji Tejo Laksono left Hefei City after finishing preparations to continue the journey. Some dry foods such as dry bread, dried meat and some water jars are arranged in such a way that it becomes the perfect food supply for them. The group of about 100 people headed south, down Lake Chao precisely towards Zhang Village which is the port dock of the Yangtze River. This was the fastest route to head towards Lin'an.
Along the way, they are all treated to beautiful natural scenery on the side of Lake Chao. Green trees in the forest south of Lake Chao also look beautiful although soon spring will end in the Song Empire region.
Gumbreg and Ludaka, two retainers of the Kingdom of Panjalu who rode side by side continued to argue until the atmosphere of the trip became crowded by their actions. Rakryan Purusoma, who had not recovered properly, had to join in a horse carriage carrying gifts from Emperor Huizong.
By late afternoon, the group of Panji Tejo Laksono arrived at their destination. Zhang village located on the southern edge of Lake Zushi is so beautiful with the crowds of residents who are working to cultivate their farmland. At that time, Zhang Village was harvesting wheat until all the young old people poured into their wheat fields. Only a few people could be seen passing by on the path of Zhang Village. Apparently they were traders who were busy buying the produce of the residents to be traded in the area south of the Yangtze River.
But the peace of the people of Zhang Village that day was disturbed by the commotion that occurred near the pier crossing. Two men were fighting against a beautiful woman dressed in white and light blue. Nevertheless, it seems that this beautiful woman is superior compared to the two people who are gnawing at her. It is proven that two people dressed as students of a kung fu college have received several blows and sword cuts that tore their clothes.
Some residents of Zhang Village were seen huddling to watch the fight when Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends arrived there. Buru hunt Panji Tejo Laksono, Tumenggung Ludaka, Tumenggung Rajegwesi and Demung Gumbreg jumped down from their horses to see the commotion that occurred. Panji Tejo Laksono immediately approached one of the slightly fat men who was engrossed in seeing the fierce fight.
"Excuse me sir, what is really going on here?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono politely. The slightly fat man glanced at Panji Tejo Laksono's face before answering the question.
"The two people, who were wearing black and white clothes, were students from Huashan College. He said they were looking for a woman suspected of being the killer of one of the college students. Well, the beautiful woman they accused as her perpetrator, so they ganged up on her after having had a fight in the restaurant.
Listen to the beautiful woman whose name is Zheng Ruo Shi, a female swordsman known as the Phoenix Sword Goddess. If that Huashan College student I don't know. Do you know the two of them, young man?", the slightly fat man asked.
"Ah I don't know them, sir..
My entourage was passing by this place, wanting to cross the Yangtze River to head towards Lin'an City. We had to wait until the fight was over so we could hire a ferry boat. Thank you for your explanation", Panji Tejo Laksono saluted the slightly fat man before turning to his three followers.
"What's Gusti Prince? What is going on?", asked Gumbreg curiously.
"There are people fighting. We better not bother meddling in their affairs. We just wait until they are done ", Panji Tejo Laksono said as he sat in a wooden chair nearby. Hearing the answer, the three high-ranking Panjalu soldiers obeyed and joined Panji Tejo Laksono to watch the fight.
On the other hand, the Phoenix Sword Goddess Zheng Ruo Shi appeared to be smiling widely as he stared at the two opponents.
"Are my valuable lessons enough to awaken you, Huashan College students?"
Hearing that remark, these two Huashan College disciples named Xuan Zhong and Kang Ru Ji instantly blushed red his face holding back anger.
"Women's magician,
Even though we've received some incisions of your rotten sword, but you haven't been able to take us down. If you're great, make us helpless and we'll call you ancestors.
You demonic woman, your arrogant attitude should teach us a lesson!", cried Xuan Zhong as he brandished his sword towards Zheng Ruo Shi.
"Huhhhh basic not knowing yourself...
Well, you're the one who asked me to be rude. Don't blame me for being cruel", after saying so Zheng Ruo Shi immediately shot towards those two Huashan College disciples.
His thin sword seemed to glitter as it was struck by the sunlight, swinging rapidly towards Xuan Zhong's neck.
Shreeeeetttthhh !
Xuan Zhong quickly fended off Zheng Ruo Shi's saber with the sword in his right hand. The clanking of clashing weapons sounded loud along with the sparks of small sparks. On the other hand, Kang Ru Ji directly thrust his sword towards Zheng Ruo shi's feet. But as quickly as possible, the Phoenix Sword Goddess immediately bounces high into the air avoiding the saber of the opponent's sword aiming at his feet until Kang Ru Ji's weapon only hits empty air.
From above, Zheng Ruo Shi instantly thrust his sword towards the opponent's head. The unprepared Xuan Zhong, could only roll onto the ground to dodge Zheng Ruo shi's sword slash. Xuan Zhong survived, yet Zheng Ruo Shi sang had just set foot on the ground quickly turned his left palm and struck Kang Ru Ji's back violently.
Dhhaaaassshhh !!
Aaaarrrgggghhhhh !
Kang Ru Ji instantly roared loudly as the impact of Zheng Ruo Shi's left palm force heavily struck his back. The young man immediately fell to the ground with fresh blood vomit. While his sword detached from the grasp of his hand and plugged deep towards Panji Tejo Laksono.
Shrrrie!!
Seeing the stray attack towards him, Panji Tejo Laksono quickly grabbed a small pebble nearby and threw it towards Kang Ru Ji's sword.
Whhhuuutth!!
Thhraaaanggggg !
As soon as the pebble hit Kang Ru Ji's sword, it instantly turned around and circled around as it shot towards Zheng Ruo Shi. Immediately Zheng Ruo Shi turned his left hand and struck Kang Ru Ji's sword.
Blllaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrr !!
There was a loud explosion as Kang Ru Ji's sword was struck by the deep power released by Zheng Ruo Shi until it slashed far away and fell into the Yangtze river. After grounding the incoming attack, Zheng Ruo Shi immediately stared intently at the crowd watching as he did not have time to see who the perpetrator was attacking him.
"Who's the coward attacking me from behind? Confess quickly! ", shouted Zheng Ruo Shi loudly. Everyone watching the fight was instantly frightened to death hearing Zheng Ruo shi's voice.
"It's not me. It's not me swordsman".
"I can't kung fu, so where could I be?".
"I didn't move a bit from where I was here. Obviously I'm not the one who did it ".
The boisterous voices of the villagers of Zhang Village were watching because they were afraid of Zheng Ruo Shi. It was then that Panji Tejo Laksono got up from his seat and walked up to Zheng Ruo Shi followed by his three bodyguards.
"I did it, Madam. The sword nearly injured people so I was forced to stop it", Panji Tejo Laksono directly saluted Zheng Ruo Shi in a typical Chinese Land way of respect.
For a moment Zheng Ruo Shi was stunned looking at the handsome face of Panji Tejo Laksono. In his mind, this young man was like a student of a college or a young master of a noble family but his martial arts skills could not be underestimated.
"What do you really want, young man? Do you want to defend these two Huashan College grandchildren?", asked Zheng Ruo Shi as he stared intently at Panji Tejo Laksono.
Hearing the accusation, Panji Tejo Laksono smiled faintly as he said, "Not like that, Madam. I asked Madam not to directly judge that as a defense for the two people.
Please don't misunderstand ".