The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Ten Ring Bond

"Uncle Jarasanda, please,

Your respect I have received. Now tell me, what brings you to this place? Are you on a job with Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana?"

Consecutive questions are heard from the mouth of Jayagiri Mapanji. Hearing the question, Senopati Muda Jarasanda smiled knots while saluting at Mapanji Jayagiri. He knew that Prabu Jayengrana's third son adored his father very much.

"Hamba came here indeed on the orders of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana, Gusti Pangeran Jayagiri..

This is closely related to the rumor that the Duchy of Rajapura is trying to gather forces whose ultimate goal is to rebel against Kadiri", Senopati Muda Jarasanda replied immediately.

Mmmmmm...

"I guessed it before.. For the day I faced the superior soldiers of the Duchy of Rajapura. If I knew I would rebel against the rule of Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana in Daha, I would have killed them all.

Uncle Jarasanda, involve me in the task that uncle has received. I will obey uncle's orders" Mapanji Jayagiri said without hesitation.

"But Prince Nakmas, we must return to Kadiri as soon as possible. I'm afraid the Third Queen's Gusti will be furious if we don't get home in time" Resi Tandi said.

"I know it's Master..

But maintaining Kadiri's sovereignty over his territory was an important task that every knight and son of Kanjeng's son Father Prabu Jayengrana had to undertake. And I can't just sit still. The affairs of the Third Queen Mother, let me face her myself later" said Mapanji Jayagiri with confidence.

Everyone smiled faintly hearing this remark from Prabu Jayengrana's third son. So that afternoon, the plan was put together to get the latest news and news from the border of Kalingga by Senopati Muda Jarasanda and Tumenggung Landung. Duke Aghnibrata fully supported this plan and quickly arranged for the soldiers of the Duchy of Kalinga to assist in any need.

Meanwhile, news related to the efforts of the Duchy of Rajapura is making a rebellion against the power of Kadiri has reached the hands of Senopati Agung Narapraja. So that day, the soldiers of Panjalu who had been prepared before also went to the Duchy of Rajapura to quell the Rajapura rebels led by the Duke of Waramukti.

In the army, there is also Prince Mapanji Jayawarsa who was assigned as the main leader of the Royal Army of Panjalu. They're moving west.

"Uncle Senopati Narapraja, the,

How long will it take us to reach the Duchy of Rajapura?", asked Mapanji Jayawarsa as he continued riding beside Senopati Agung Narapraja.

"At least we need about two weeks if our trip is not interrupted, Gusti Prince.

But if there is a disruption it will be longer" replied Senopati Agung Narapraja while respecting Mapanji Jayawarsa. This thick-bodied middle-aged man looks dignified like a full-time noble who is experienced in the field of warfare.

"Huhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. Only a small Duchy dared to disturb the authority of the Government of Panjalu. I won't let them do anything. Our team will definitely be easy******croco kroco kroco it as soon as possible.

Isn't that so Uncle Senopati?", returned Mapanji Jayawarsa staring towards Senopati Narapraja.

"Although it is only a small Duchy, we cannot underestimate their power just like Gusti Prince..

Rajapura has many tough and high-scientific officers. Anyway, I heard they were helped by black warriors. This of course should not be rash to face them ", said Senopati Agung Narapraja while respecting after saying so.

"Allah, Uncle Senopati Narapraja is too exalting them. I believe in the abilities of the Panjalu warriors..

Arriving there, we immediately assault them and the head of the Duke of Waramukti. I do not want to linger in that place" said Mapanji Jayawarsa as he kicked his horse to step first in front of Senopati Narapraja. This high officer of Panjalu soldiers only shook his head to see the attitude of Mapanji Jayawarsa who looks contrary to the attitude of Prabu Jayengrana. He was so haughty, arrogant and felt the truest of the others. This makes him different from the four other Prabu Jayengrana sons such as Panji Tejo Laksono, Mapanji Jayagiri and Panji Mandala Seta. The banner of Tejo Laksono tends to be firm and authoritative very similar to the attitude of Prabu Jayengrana when he was young. Mapanji Jayagiri although a little recalcitrant and spoiled, but he obeyed the order in every word of the Maharaja of Panjalu because he idolized it. While Panji Mandala Seta, the son of Dewi Srimpi prefers to stay away from all the hustle and bustle of palace affairs, likes to learn and learn to some sesi people around Kotaraja Kadiri but never broke the rules set by his father.

So the competition to become the crown prince of the kingdom of Panjalu only conical on Panji Tejo Laksono, Mapanji Jayawarsa and Mapanji Jayagiri. However, it seems that there are only two candidates left because Mapanji Jayagiri has been planned to be paired with princess Prabu Langlangbumi who is none other than because all the children of the Tatar King Pasundan are all women to continue the throne Galuh Pakuan Kingdom, Mapanji Jayagiri is the only person from Galuh Pakuan palace relatives who are still in close contact.

The purpose of Mapanji Jayawarsa in an effort to extinguish the fires of rebellion in Rajapura is to test the extent of Mapanji Jayawarsa's ability to become a leader. The Second Queen of Panjalu Kingdom, Ayu Galuh was so enthusiastic in this way that she also placed some highly-scientific personal guards to escort her son in this task.

Panjalu's forces continued to move towards the Duchy of Rajapura.

"Meng Er, after passing through this forest we should have reached Lin'an right?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono while enjoying the dry food that became the provision of their journey after leaving Hefei City. Now they are busy enjoying lunch on the edge of a small river located on the side of the road that divides the vast bamboo forest.

"Not Brother Thee..

After this bamboo forest we will reach the banks of the Xijin River. We still have to travel one more day to get to Lin'an through the Nameless Valley. That's the fastest line.

But we'd better not go down that road because I heard the end of the valley was overrun by vicious robbers who called themselves the Ten Rings. We have to make our way through Mount Dao. But it will take longer than about 2 days to travel", Song Zhao Meng replied with a faint smile.

"We can't waste any more time, Meng Er. We'd better keep passing the road in the Nameless Valley to get to Lin'an in time. Soon the spring will end and it will be the only chance that I can return to the Land of Jawadwipa as soon as possible. Otherwise, I could have to wait until 6 full moon again", Panji Tejo Laksono put down the plate that became his food container after saying so.

After lunch, the group of Panji Tejo Laksono resumed the journey. After passing through the bamboo forest, by late afternoon the group arrived on the banks of the Xijin River. Because it was getting dark, then Panji Tejo Laksono ordered his followers to start setting up tents as a place to spend the night for them.

The atmosphere tonight feels so beautiful with the appearance of a full moon that looks perfectly round in the eastern sky. Tumenggung Ludaka arranged a night watch turn between the Panjalu soldiers who accompanied the journey of Panji Tejo Laksono. The night passed quickly and was soon replaced by the morning along with the unpretentious roosters.

After crossing the Xijin River, the group of Panji Tejo Laksono continued to move towards the direction of the Nameless Valley before entering the territory of Lin'an City from the North.

The Nameless Valley is a beautiful place. Located at the foot of the towering high Dao mountain, the valley looks green with the dense trees that thrive. Various flowers with various types and colors, this valley looks beautiful. But behind the natural beauty of this place is stored a terrible danger. This place is the headquarters of a sadistic band of robbers by the name of the Ten Rings Bond. The group was led by 10 elders wearing a silver ring with carved human skull heads. The main elder or can be called as the Head of the Ten Rings Association wearing a gold ring with a similar engraving image. He was Lin Kai Sang, who in the martial world of the Land of China was known as the Thousand Lives Demon.

Lin Kai Sang was sitting on the wooden chair of his residence when a man dressed in all black hurriedly approached him.

"Chairman, there is a group of people who enter our territory. Should we move now?", asked the man who was one of the many members.

"How many are they? It looked like the rich man didn't?", Lin Kai Sang stared at the man immediately.

"It seems they are a group from Kaifeng Palace. There was a flag with a golden dragon on one of the horse carriages in the entourage, Chief", replied the Ten Rings member quickly.

Mmmmmmmmmm...

"The Kaifeng Palace people apparently...

Whoever it is I don't care. As long as they carried a lot of precious items, it was worth it if it were to go against the imperial people. Gather everyone together ! We intercept them at the rock cliff!", orders Lin Kai Sang immediately.

Hearing the order, the men quickly rushed to gather all the members of the Ten Rings Association. After everything was gathered together with approximately 200 people in the courtyard of Lin Kai Sang's residence, they immediately rushed towards the rock cliffs which were the narrow lanes of the Nameless Valley.

The Panji Tejo Laksono troupe continued to move across the road that split the Nameless Valley. They moved with caution because they had received a warning before about the possibility of a robbery in this place. As he approached the rock, suddenly..

Shrrriiiieinggg shhhhriiiieingggg !!!

Several arrows shot quickly towards the group of Panji Tejo Laksono. Ludaka's fist in the front row immediately pulled out his short sword while shouting loudly, "Review there's an attack!"

The loud cries of Tumenggung Ludaka instantly made the Panjalu soldiers accompanying Panji Tejo Laksono's journey quickly prepare to face the possibility of an attack by raising their shields. While other high-ranking officers such as Demung Gumbreg, Rakryan Purusoma and Tumenggung Rajegwesi immediately revoked their respective weapons to survive.

Thrraaanngggg!!

Chhreeppppppph chhreeppppppppph !!

The arrows that shot towards them were immediately restrained by the shield they were using, while the officers fended off quickly until several arrows clashing turned directions. From the direction of the rock cliffs that flank the road, appeared hundreds of people dressed all in black with unsheathed weapons and immediately surrounded the group of Panji Tejo Laksono. One of them, floating down from the top of a rock cliff like flying and landed on a large rock on the side of the road.

Panji Tejo Laksono who was behind Tumenggung Ludaka immediately moved his horse to advance and stared intently at the figure of a burly middle-aged man who wore all-green clothes while saying,

"You want what you guys?!".