The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Blood Crescent Group

But the presence of Prabu Jayengrana and Dewi Anggarawati makes Maheswara husband Dewi Anggarasari only growl in the heart. He knew that making trouble this time would definitely be dealt with firmly by Prabu Jayengrana. The atmosphere of sorrow will make the King of Panjalu will not hesitate to crack down on every action that triggers a commotion. But his desire to occupy the throne of the Duchy of Seloageng also did not subside.

The atmosphere in the private room of the Seloageng duke instantly became silent. Everyone tried to digest every utterance from Nararya Candradewi, the widow of Duke Tejo Sumirat in their own minds.

"I'm sorry, Biyung..

The issue of the successor of the Duke of Seloageng should be discussed after the purification ceremony of the soul of Kanjeng Father Duke Tejo Sumirat was carried out. At this time we are still in a state of grief, so this problem is not appropriate if we talk about it now" said Dewi Anggarawati immediately.

Hearing the words of Goddess Anggarawati, everyone can understand. Maheswara breathed a sigh of relief. Nararya Candradewi nodded in agreement with her daughter's opinion.

Then Nararya Candradewi invited Panji Tejo Laksono and his four wives to sit together waiting for the body of Duke Tejo Sumirat with other relatives. Dewi Anggarawati returns to the side of Prabu Jayengrana while Dewi Anggarasari sits back next to her husband Maheswara.

"Dinda Anggarasari, I want to go out for a while. My stomach hurts like I want to poop", Maheswara whispered in his wife's ear.

"Duh Kangmas, why at a time like this do you even heartburn your stomach?

Yes it's there, don't be long. Later everyone will realize your absence", replied Dewi Anggarasari in a whisper.

After obtaining the consent of his wife, Maheswara immediately edged back leaving the ducal private quarters. Once outside the room, the thick-bodied man with the thin mustache immediately walked in a bit of haste leaving the palace filled with signs of grief. With quick steps, Maheswara soon arrived at his residence located in Seloageng's son.

Immediately he removed a horse from the deck to the right of his house.

"Eh Gusti Prince Maheswara has returned. Kog is very fast show?", asked a pechatik aka horse caretaker once saw Maheswara jump on his horse's back.

"Shut your mouth, Nggol. Take care of your work" Maheswara said immediately as he kicked his horse through the side gate of the Seloageng Duchy palace. The black-colored horse quickly broke the rocky road that became the road leading to the east of Seloageng Duchy City.

"You're just a son-in-law who has no rights in this palace. It is fitting that Gusti Adipati Tejo Sumirat did not give an important position to you. Your behavior is bad. Huuuu...", the nagging of the pekatik so Maheswara was no longer seen while continuing his work of giving fresh grass to horse in the stable of Keputran Seloageng.

Maheswara was the son of Akuwu Randu who was married to Dewi Anggarasari, the second daughter of Duke Tejo Sumirat. Although it can not be said ugly, but among the three daughters of Duke Tejo Sumirat the other, Anggarasari is the least attractive appearance. Far when compared with Anggarawati mother of Panji Tejo Laksono and Fergarasasi mother of Gayatri. Maheswara was willing to be married to her for aiming for the post of duke of Seloageng, because Tumenggung Sindupraja husband Anggarasasi was not willing to be a successor to the Duke of Sepuh Tejo Sumirat because he preferred not to leave his position as a guardian in Daha. While the other daughter-in-law, Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana, also has a much higher position than the position of the Duke of Seloageng who should be his. This is what makes Maheswara handsome and dashing willing to marry a girl who is said to be not too beautiful.

Although Maheswara was the only son-in-law who may be the successor of Duke Tejo Sumirat, but until his illness the other day, the Duke did not show any desire to raise Maheswara as his successor. This is because Duke Tejo Sumirat suspected that Maheswara was involved in a group that had been only a bedtime story of children but had influence in the Jenggala region which borders directly with Seloageng. Therefore, Maheswara was only given the position as Rakryan ring Amancapraja or high officials of foreign affairs of the region who did not have any authority in the local governance in Seloageng.

Maheswara continued to race his dark horse towards the east of the city of Seloageng. His black horse mounts continued to accelerate across the highway leading towards Wanua Panumbangan which is east of Kali Aksa.

Finished crossing Kali Aksa which is only limited to the knees of adults, Maheswara continues to pound his horse towards a hermitage in the Wanua Panumbangan region. Immediately he jumped down from his horse and rushed towards the main residence of the Archery Hermitage.

An old man dressed as a hermit with gray hair and a long beard appeared to be teaching some cantrik who was studying. Although it looks like a pious person, but the sight of the old man with a thick body implies a very strange meaning. Upon seeing Maheswara's arrival, he immediately beckoned his cantriks to disperse. Submissively, the cantriks immediately gathered their belongings and left the portico of Panumbangan Hermitage.

Maheswara, who was eager to catch his breath, immediately sat cross-legged in front of the old man.

"Resi Kelaka Mpu Wisesa..

All our plans are in danger. You must report this news to our leadership immediately" Maheswara said immediately.

"What do you mean, Maheswara? Just tell me everything. Don't beat around the bush", the snapped old man called by the name of Resi Mpu Wisesa was a little loud.

"Duke Sepuh Tejo Sumirat entrusted the throne of the Duchy of Seloageng to his grandson, Panji Tejo Laksono Prabu's eldest son Jayengrana as his land. This is all beyond our expectations, Resi Mpu Wisesa.

And I'm sure no one will dare to oppose Duke Tejo Sumirat's last will. In this way, failed is our leader's plan to destroy Panjalu from within" Maheswara said immediately.

Ehehehehehe..

No need you say that the leadership plan must have failed because the Panji Tejo Laksono was chosen by Duke Tejo Sumirat as his successor. That's for sure, because you're just a son-in-law and Panji Tejo Laksono is his biological grandson.

But you don't have to worry, Maheswara. I will keep reporting to our leader. He will definitely not stay silent when Panji Tejo Laksono gets his land. Now go back to Seloageng. Act like there is nothing. Do not add to the suspicion that there are members of the Blood Crescent Group inside the palace of the Duchy of Seloageng", said Resi Mpu Wisesa with a big grin staring at the disappointment on Maheswara's face.

"Alright, I trust you, Resi Mpu Wisesa. Hopefully the leadership will take action immediately on this matter.

Then I beg you to say ", said Maheswara who immediately got up from his seat and walked away from the Archery Hermitage. Immediately he jumped on his horse and again kicked his horse riding it towards the Duchy of Seloageng City.

As soon as Maheswara left, Resi Mpu Wisesa flicked his finger twice and a shadow flashed rapidly approaching him. When we arrived near Resi Mpu Wisesa, the flashing shadow that turned out to be a person dressed all in black with a half-face iron mask engraved with a red crescent moon upside down on his forehead was immediately saluted to Resi Mpu Wisesa. From a part of his face that is not covered by a mask, it is certain that he is a thin mustachioed man.

"What task is there from the seventh leader?", said the masked man immediately.

"Take some of your men to harm Panji Tejo Laksono. Don't kill him, just hurt him. Do it tonight too. Go now", Resi Mpu Wisesa ordered in a cold tone.

Without answering, the figure of the sturdy man immediately respect the Resi Mpu Wisesa and then darted back quickly to leave the place. The science of lightening his body is so high that it hardly makes any sound other than the wind that ripples.

Resi Mpu Wisesa flicked his finger again but only once. This time came again a red-clothed shadow who also immediately saluted to Resi Mpu Wisesa.

"Demit Ireng has already gotten his assignment. Now it's your turn, Demit Abang..

Report to the main leadership to speed up the meeting of our group leaders on Mount Kawi. Ask at the latest the end of this full moon must be implemented. The direct appointment of Panji Tejo Laksono as the successor of Duke Tejo Sumirat will have a major impact on the appointment of Yuwaraja Panjalu next. Execute" Resi Mpu Wisesa ordered as she gazed towards the blue southern sky.

Like the black shadow before, the red shadow that got the nickname as Demit Abang was immediately saluted to Resi Mpu Wisesa and quickly darted towards the North leaving Panumbangan Hermitage which became the disguise of Resi Mpu Wisesa as a religious leader the Duchy of Seloageng.

The Blood Crescent Group was a mysterious group that was founded after the split of the Kahuripan Kingdom into two equally large parts. It is said that the invasion of Jenggala to Panjalu led by Maharaja Mapanji Garasakan was also because of the help of the movement of this group that moves behind the scenes. The defeat of Mapanji Garasakan of Prabu Jayengrana made the strength of this group decreased but still able to make many parties careful with them, especially on the movement of this group that is barely sniffed by the spies and telik. Their existence is so difficult for many parties especially for Lowo Bengi troops led by Tumenggung Ludaka who always look for news related to their strength in the region of the Kingdom of Panjalu.

In this group there are 7 group leaders who each supervise several high-science warriors and thousands of members who are ready to move at any time as they wish. If one of the leaders is killed or killed, the next leader will appear immediately. One of the seven leaders of this group is Resi Mpu Wisesa, a former officer in the era of Prabu Airlangga who did not go to Jenggala or Panjalu.

He was included in the Blood Crescent Group after the previous seventh leader, killed by Prabu Jayengrana at the battle of Kali Aksa. This is also what makes Resi Mpu Wisesa choose to disguise as a religious leader for the Seloageng community who live around the slopes of Mount Kawi southwest to make it easier to monitor the movements of the Panjalu people.

While Resi Mpu Wisesa was still struggling with all his plans, Demit Ireng who became his manoeuvre had already moved towards the Duchy of Seloageng City. Together with ten subordinates, the messenger has now reached the boundary of the Duchy of Seloageng.

As the evening began to approach, all members of the Seloageng Duchy Palace have now returned to their respective resting places to prepare for the purification of the soul of Kanjeng Adipati Tejo Sumirat. Panji Tejo Laksono and his four wives occupy the honorary guest hall of the Duchy of Seloageng. While Prabu Jayengrana and Dewi Anggarawati occupy Keputren Palace which is about 200 spears away.

In the porch of the guest hall of honor, Panji Tejo Laksono was busy chatting with Song Zhao Meng and Luh Jingga. They are reminiscing about their journey in China. Gayatri was accompanying Dewi Anggarawati in Keputren while the exhausted Ayu Ratna was already sleeping soundly in the bed.

Just then, Panji Tejo Laksono stopped his chatter and turned to the east. Curious Luh Jingga immediately asked the husband.

"What's Gusti Prince? Is there something strange going on?", Luh Jingga looked in wonder at Panji Tejo Laksono who continued to look eastward. The dense murderous Eve was moving rapidly towards them.

Without taking his eyes off the direction the killer was coming from, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately stood up from his seat as he said,

"Be careful, Dinda,

There's an uninvited guest on the way here".