The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
New Friend

That morning, Panji Tejo Laksono and his entourage left the house of Ki Jagabaya Kusumo to head towards Pakuwon Tumapel. After cleaning all their merchandise, the group immediately said goodbye to the owner of the house.

Ki Jagabaya Kusumo who was happy with their presence, advised that if through Wanua Pucung, they were welcome to stay again. Gayatri as the leader of the group promised to do it if they pass the place again.

Slowly the company left the place. Rara Lestari the third wife Ki Jagabaya Kusumo stared at the horse carriage that was riding Gayatri, Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana with a cynical look.

Passing the rocky road that became the main road leading towards Wanua Siganggeng which is in the east of Wanua Pucung area, Panji Tejo Laksono continued to look around. Visible house roofed dry weed leaves with keris leaves scattered just like that seem to be a disturbing sight to his mind. Only a few houses look well-kept. On the big road it was also only a few twists of people who were seen passing by.

"It looks like the population in this area is very little Uncle?", said Panji Tejo Laksono who rode beside Tumenggung Ludaka.

"Actually not so, Gusti Prince. Most of the population of Wanua Pucung spend their time in the field, in the fields or hunting animals in the forest.

I heard from the talk of some people yesterday that the earth tax imposed by the government Pakuwon Tumapel quite suffocating the neck. When the servants asked them, all of it was to finance the needs of the new soldiers who were prepared by the Duchy of Kanjuruhan on the orders of Sinuwun Prabu Samarotsaha", said Tumenggung Ludaka while patting his horse on the back.

"Hmmmmmmm..

Apparently this is suspected by Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana. The ambition of Prabu Samarotsaha to conquer Panjalu was done by way of tormenting his people. Absolutely outrageous", muttered Panji Tejo Laksono.

"This is why if war is only called to torment the little people, Gusti..

People are only used as tools to gain power. They are squeezed out of energy and his possessions just to fulfill the wrathful angkara ambitions of their king who wants to rule Jawadwipa's Earth", connect Tumenggung Ludaka who continues to run his horse slowly behind the horse carriage.

"I don't actually like war, Uncle Ludaka..

But I will also never retreat a bit if anyone dares to disturb the peace of the people of Panjalu. For me, the people are obliged to receive guidance and protection because they are a major part of our kingdom. Panjalu will prosper if the people live in a state of adequacy" said Panji Tejo Laksono while continuing to pay attention to the situation on the left right of the highway.

Tumenggung Ludaka smiled meaningfully hearing the speech of Prabu's eldest son Jayengrana. 'My support for you to become the next king of Panjalu turns out to be not wrong, Gusti Prince', the inner Tumenggung Ludaka.

After passing through the Wanua Pucung boundary, the small group entered the highway that divides the small forest area that separates the Wanua Pucung and Wanua Siganggeng regions. Birds chirping merrily as if welcoming the arrival of Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends.

Just a few spears entered this small forest area, the sensitive Panji Tejo Laksono ears immediately heard the sound of a fight ahead. Queen Anggarawati's son immediately turned towards Tumenggung Ludaka.

"Uncle Ludaka, it seems that in front of the fight is going on. I'll check her out. Please take care of them for a while before I return", Tumenggung Ludaka immediately nodded in understanding. Using Ajian Sepi Breeze, Tejo Laksono's banner bounced high into the air and perched on the branch of a large tree. A moment later he darted fast like flying at the top of the small forest trees and immediately disappeared from the eyes of Ludaka Tumenggung.

With the agile body movements of the kite, Panji Tejo Laksono moves between the tops of the trees that grow in this small forest. It didn't take long, he saw a man being rocked by 4 thick-bodied men. The banner of Tejo Laksono immediately slid down and hid behind the forest trees to observe the situation.

When he saw the man in the crackle was going to be killed, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately grabbed two pebbles as big as pigeon eggs under his feet. Using a hint of his inner strength, he threw a pebble as big as this dove egg just before the blade of the thick-bodied man's sword slashed at the neck of the man who was in a wiggle.

The battle between Panji Tejo Laksono and the four people with thick bodies soon occurred.

"Nakedown..!!!

Are you tired of living?!", hardened one of the four thick-bodied men out loud. Yes, they are Danarjati and her comrades from the Demon Serpent Padepokan.

"Bored living? Not particularly. I still like to eat rice and roasted chicken. But I will not let you oppress others as you see fit before my eyes" said Panji Tejo Laksono no less fierce.

"Not much to say.. Just beat him up!", cried Danarjati who made his three friends immediately charged forward towards Panji Tejo Laksono. The young prince of Kadiri immediately threw a pebble as big as a pigeon egg in his hand towards one of them.

Whhhuuugggh..

Plllaaaackdick...

Aaauuugggghhhhh!!

One of Danarjati's friends immediately fell over after a pebble as big as a pigeon egg hit his jaw. He fainted at that moment. While two of his friends immediately poured their swords towards Panji Tejo Laksono.

That one-on-two battle was about to happen.

A bearded Danarjati comrade thrust his sword towards the foot of Panji Tejo Laksono. Calmly, Panji Tejo Laksono raised his foot until the sabre was only striking the wind. One other Danarjati comrade quickly swung his sword towards the prince's neck. Panji Tejo Laksono instantly ducked while twisting his body. As fast as lightning, the ruler of this Seloageng Duchy hit the waist of the opponent who had just attacked him.

Dhiieeeessshh says..

Oouugghhhhhh!!

The friend Danarjati immediately took a hard turn when his ribs were hit. It seems his left rib was immediately broken after being hit by the prince's right hand. He immediately staggered backwards while grimacing withstanding the pain. One of his friends again attacked Panji Tejo Laksono with a rapid attack bertubi towards the feet.

Shreeeeetttthhh shreeeeetttthhh shreeeeetttthh..

The banner of Tejo Laksono continued to retreat to avoid the sabetage of the sword that uses the science of stealth of the Snake Demon Paddle. This nimble movement similar to the movement of a snake chasing its prey looked extremely frightening. Upon finding the footrest, Panji Tejo Laksono stomped his legs hard until his body bounces high into the air and salted twice then landed behind the opponent's back.

The opponent turned back and again hunted the young prince from Kadiri with the same style. Panji Tejo Laksono faced her with his White Padas silat style. In just two moves, Danarjati's friend fell over after receiving a hard blow to his shoulder.

Dhhaaaasshhhhhhh..

A roar of pain rang out from the mouth of friend Danarjati. Seeing his friend dropped by Panji Tejo Laksono, Danarjati immediately lowered Sriati's unconscious body to the ground. While twisting the White Snake Sword in his right hand, the son of Mpu Sawer the leader of the Snake Demon Padepokan immediately jumped towards Panji Tejo Laksono while swinging his sword. A dim white light with cold air rushed towards the prince.

Shreetthhh...

Panji Tejo Laksono immediately turned to Danarjati with a faint smile. His body was already in the golden yellow light. Without even flinching from where he was standing, he greeted Danarjati's attack.

Blllaaaaaarrr !!

Loud explosions rang out as the chill of the White Snake Sword struck the body of Panji Tejo Laksono. Thin smoke billowed from the cold place in the body of the ruler of the Duchy of Seloageng. Danarjati who had felt that she would win, immediately glared wide when she saw that the figure of the man with bamboo in front of her was not hurt at all. Naratama who was still sitting on the ground was also surprised by the incident that happened before his eyes.

"Do you still want to continue this dispute?", the heavy voice of the man in bamboo clothes instantly made Danarjati aware of his surprise. While grunting loudly, he held tightly the handle of the White Snake Sword in his right hand.

"I haven't lost yet, motherfucker! Don't jumawa just yet. I admit that I underestimated you earlier, but this time I will mean it!", Danarjati said as she channeled all her inner strength into the White Snake Sword. The white light that was once only dim, is now getting brighter as the amount of energy in the channeled by Danarjati increases.

"Hope within will only bring doom to anyone who wants to try to impose his will.

If it wants you, I will not hesitate anymore", after saying so Panji Tejo Laksono immediately shot towards Danarjati. Mpu Sawer's son was shocked to see the prince's high speed. Hurriedly he swung his sword towards Panji Tejo Laksono.

Shreeeeetttthhh !!

The coldness rippled furiously following the dim white radiance of the Danarjati sword slash. The banner of Tejo Laksono instantly shifted his body movements and continued to accelerate towards the thick-bodied man.

Seeing his attacks can be avoided easily, Danarjati again swung her sword bertubi towards Panji Tejo Laksono.

Shhrreeettthhh shreeeeetttthhh!!

Five streaks of dim white light with cold air rushed towards Panji Tejo Laksono. Not yet had the light touched the skin of Panji Tejo Laksono, the young prince from Kadiri had already disappeared from the eyes of everyone. In the blink of the next eye, Panji Tejo Laksono appeared to the right side of Danarjati while smashing his right palm.

Dhaaaasshh...

AAAARRGGGGGGGHHHHH!!

Danarjati roared loudly as the impact of the right hand palm of the Tejo Laksono Panji which was being consumed by high energy levels hit her ribs. Mpu Sawer's son from the Snake Demon Padepokan was slammed far to the left side and suckled the ground violently. Her clothes and face were full of grass.

Huuuoooggggh!!

There was a sound of people vomiting and from Danarjati's mouth was seen the remnants of fresh blood coming out from between the corners of his lips. The White Serpent Sword that was released from Danarjati's hand grip stuck into the ground not far from where she was sitting.

"I don't want to kill you, Kisanak. This time I forgive you. But if the next time I see you spread the angkara again, by then I won't hesitate to kill you.

Now get out of my sight before I change my mind" Panji Tejo Laksono said flatly but filled with warnings. Danarjati immediately tried to get up from her seat and by staggering, she left the place. Two of his friends who were full of bruises after being beaten by Panji Tejo Laksono immediately greeted their fainted friend. Trickering, they followed towards the departure of Danarjati.

After the four men left, Panji Tejo Laksono turned his attention to Naratama who was still sitting on the ground. The sword slash wound he suffered continued to drain blood. The banner of Tejo Laksono immediately approached the young man and poked a path of blood on Naratama's ribs until the bleeding experienced by the Wind Glider's Swordsman stopped.

"Thank you for your help, swordsman. If you hadn't, I might have died at the hands of those Snake Demon Lords. I am Naratama, the martial world knows me as the Wind Glitter" Naratama said, nodding as a sign of respect to the young prince from Kadiri.

"Already, Kisanak. Fellow practitioners of kanuragan science, we should help each other.

My name's...."

Panji Tejo Laksono had not had time to finish his talk, from the back came the sound of horse footsteps. Along with that appeared a group of horse-drawn carriages approaching them.

"Rear of Tejo, are you okay?", Luh Jingga's voice sounded soft and an instant later the beautiful woman jumped down from the horse carriage and landed beside the Panji Tejo Laksono.

"I'm fine, Orange. Do you have any supplies of medicine for this wound of yours?", hearing Panji Tejo Laksono's question, Luh Jingga nodded and immediately reached into his pocket. A bamboo tube as big as an adult's thumb with a lid made of wood sticks is directly handed over to Panji Tejo Laksono. Soon Panji Tejo Laksono unscrewed the bottle and sprinkled the yellow powder onto Naratama's wound. The burly young man grimaced with the pain that had run through his body as the yellow powder hit his wound.

Gayatri and Dyah Kirana immediately got off her horse. Demung Gumbreg and Tumenggung Ludaka.

"Who's the girl, Kisanak? Your lover or your brother?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono as he pointed towards Sriati who was still lying unconscious.

"He's none of me, my brother. I was trying to help her when the Snake Demon tried to kidnap her. It seems like the corpse of the old man over there has something to do with the girl" Naratama replied immediately.

Panji Tejo Laksono immediately ordered Demung Gumbreg and Tumenggung Ludaka to dig the ground as a grave for the bodies of Sriati's parents while Gayatri and Dyah Kirana tried to resuscitate the woman. As soon as Sriati came to her senses, the girl immediately retreated in fear of death.

"Who are y'all? Are you friends of Danarjati?", asked Sriati immediately. Hearing that question, Gayatri and Dyah Kirana smiled faintly. Gayatri immediately answered Sriati's question,

"We're your new comrade, Nisanak"