The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Challenges

Gayatri was surprised not to play to hear the words of the thick-bodied old grandfather named Warok Suropati. He had never met before with that thick-bodied old geezer.

'Where does this old man know who I really am? Is he guessing? Or have a science that can see secrets?'

Questions flashed across Gayatri's head. The more he thinks the more things that make him confused.

"Not to be confused, Gusti Putri Dyah Gayatri..

I know you must be wondering how can I know your secret, right? Well, I'll open up a little bit of your secret so you can be sure that I really know everything.

Your full name is Dyah Gayatri. You are the grandson of Duke Tejo Sumirat of the Duchy of Seloageng. Your mother, Dewi Anggarasasi is the elder sister of the first empress Prabu Jayengrana Dewi Anggarawati. Your father is Tumenggung Sindupraja, Tumenggung Kulon Kotaraja Kadiri Palace. You're the second child. Your brother's name is Sindupaksi.

Is it still not enough to convince you Gusti Putri Dyah Gayatri?", said Warok Suropati with a smile.

"I believe in your words, Warok Suropati..

You are indeed a person who has the ability of a linuwih kebatinan. I admire you", Gayatri immediately bowed respectfully to Warok Suropati.

Gayatri's confession left Panji Tejo Laksono flabbergasted as well.

'This means Gayatri is my cousin's brother, Inner Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Bopo, you start again..

It is not good to open the secrets of random people. There are some things that should remain a secret" said Singo Manggolo while staring into the face as old as Warok Suropati. Panji Tejo Laksono immediately breathed a sigh of relief at Singo Manggolo's words.

"Hehehe... I'm just testing my skills, Manggolo..

You're a good boy, come here!

I want to have a four-eye talk with you. Manggolo, bring Gusti Putri Seloageng to rest. I have something I want to talk about with this nice boy", Warok Suropati smiled meaningfully.

Realizing that something was important, Singo Manggolo immediately invited Gayatri into the house while Panji Tejo Laksono approached Warok Suropati and sat down cross-legged in front of the old man.

Warok Suropati smiled before speaking softly.

"Before I say welcome to you, Granddaughter of Prince Panji Tejo Laksono.

You're my son-in-law and daughter-in-law Prabu Jayengrana so I call you Granddaughter Prince hehehehe...".

"So this is Kanjeng Father-in-law Prabu Jitendrakara?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono immediately.

"The Grandchild of the Prince..

I am your father-in-law from his concubine Cempluk Rara Sunti. Dewi Kencanawangi is my grandson, Nakmas", Warok Suropati replied with a deep smile.

"Worship me Kanjeng Eyang..

Sorry if I do not recognize Kanjeng Eyang because of the low level of my insight", Panji Tejo Laksono immediately prayed to Warok Suropati.

"Hehehehe your mouth is as sweet as your father's, exactly. But I like your attitude..

Are you still undergoing your topo ngrame, Prince Nakmas?", asked Warok Suropati while stroking his beard.

"True Kanjeng Eyang..

This is my form of devotion to my teacher, Begawan Ganapati from Mount Kelud", Panji Tejo Laksono nodded quickly.

"Hemmmmmmmm, that's pretty good of you..

But Kedaton Kadiri is not doing well, Prince Nakmas. Although now looks calm, but there are some parties who began to organize themselves for their purposes. Don't you know about this yet?", Warok Suropati stared at Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Actually I understand that a little Kanjeng Eyang, the assassination attempt against me the other day is one proof that Kedaton Kadiri is not okay.

But to stand tall on my own feet, I have not been able to Kanjeng Eyang. So I accepted the condition of Begawan Ganapati to forge myself in order to become the enforcer of Panjalu kingdom through this topo ngrame experience. I don't want to just be a weak prince hiding behind the big name Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jitendrakara" Panji Tejo Laksono said with a long sigh.

"Haha...

It is true that the son of Panji Watugunung. I love your attitude, Prince Nakmas.

I am willing to pass down the science of high power to you like I put it down to your father but I have conditions that you must meet", Warok Suropati smiled meaningfully.

"Well, use the terms again.. Kanjeng Eyang is right calculation with me", Panji Tejo Laksono complained. Shown in his mind will add more time topo ngrame her even though she already misses her mother Dewi Anggarawati.

"Hey nice boy..

Of course all that science must have something in its place. You think you can get all that for free? Huh just delicious", Warok Suropati's scolding heard the limp sound of Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Yes yes Kanjeng Eyang yes..

So what exactly are the conditions that Kanjeng Eyang asked of me?", a resigned voice sounded from the young prince's mouth.

"Well, his name is a real man.

I ask that you take care of your sister Dewi Kencanawangi from every possible problem that may occur in Kotaraja Kadiri Palace. Also if you want later I introduce Singo Manggolo's son hehehehe" said Warok Suropati while chuckling.

"For the first condition I can get Kanjeng Eyang, because Kencanawangi is my brother.

But the second condition I did not promise because now my mind is still on my self-development, not looking for a wife" Panji Tejo Laksono replied immediately.

"Hahahaha.all right then..

Starting tonight I'll drop Ajian Waringin Sungsang and Ngrogoh Sukmo on you. Your father became a swordsman chose a match because he mastered these two body and soul studies. I will see if you are as good as your father in the speed of mastering Ajian that I lower ", Warok Suropati said as he stood up from his seat.

Panji Tejo Laksono immediately performed prayers on Warok Suropati which then passed leaving the porch of his residence.

After that Panji Tejo Laksono immediately stood up and followed towards Gayatri and Singo Manggolo in the building next to Lurah Wanua Pulung's residence.

A beautiful girl with mature brown skin and clear sparkling eyes is seen sitting with Singo Manggolo, Gayatri and a woman who is quite old under a shady sapodilla tree. For a moment he was stunned to see the good looks of Panji Tejo Laksono coming from the front. But he quickly bowed in embarrassment while glancing at Panji Tejo Laksono who immediately sat near them.

"What are you talking about with my Bopo, Taji? As if there was something important", Singo asked Manggolo as soon as the young prince had sat on the wooden chair.

"Ah nothing important uncle. Just asking a few things", Panji Tejo Laksono was forced to lie for the good of all.

"Baguslah kalau begitu..

Oh yes Taji, introduce this my wife Nyi Gandini and this is my daughter Endang Patibrata", continued Singo Manggolo introduced his family to Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Greetings aunt, greetings Endang Patibrata..

I am Taji Lelono from Kadiri", Panji Tejo Laksono smiled faintly at them.

Must have known Aunt Cempluk Rara Sunti. Is that so, Taji?", asked Endang Patibrata with a sweet smile.

"Nobody does not know the name Gusti Concubine Rara Sunti, Nimas..

But if he says he knows I can't say that. Gusti Concubine Cempluk Rara Sunti mostly silent at his own Great Castle in Katang-katang Castle. A man is prohibited from entering the territory without the permission of Gusti Prabu Jayengrana ", replied Panji Tejo Laksono politely.

"Like him you know a lot about the ins and outs of the palace, Taji.

Do you often go into the palace?", Endang Patibrata who immediately made Panji Tejo Laksono realize that he was a little embarrassed to mention the ins and outs of the palace.

"Eh not so, Endang Patibrata..

This is an open secret that many people know in Kotaraja Kadiri. Everyone knows it" Panji Tejo Laksono said quickly.

Throughout the afternoon of the day, they talked warmly about many things.

The night before arriving in the Wanua Pulung area. Night bird chirping sounds unpretentious from the dark branches of the tree. The sounds of crickets and grasshoppers go hand in hand signifying that the rainy season is happening.

After dinner together, Panji Tejo Laksono was directly in the midfield by Warok Suropati.

Endang Patibrata who still want to be close to Panji Tejo Laksono followed the steps of the young prince. Also Gayatri who had been a lot silent after his secret in dismantling Warok Suropati also followed them.

"Kanjeng Eyeang,

Kakang Taji where are you going?", asked Endang Patibrata to his grandfather.

"Little children do not go into the affairs of parents. Let's have a good boy go", replied Warok Suropati while holding the hand of Panji Tejo Laksono. In just the blink of an eye, they had already disappeared from the eyes of Endang Patibrata and Gayatri.

The two beauties looked at each other for a moment before they returned to their respective resting places without saying much.

Panji Tejo Laksono can only resign his right hand by Warok Suropati. They darted fast like flying toward the North of Wanua Pulung which is the foot of Mount Wilis.

On one of the slopes called the Bull Patuk, Warok Suropati stopped its movement. On a large rock, Warok Suropati told Panji Tejo Laksono to sit cross-legged.

"Your breath, Nakmas.

Clear your mind and don't get distracted by anything. I will send Ajian Waringin Sungsang to you", Warok Suropati ordered immediately.

Submissively, Panji Tejo Laksono carried out Warok Suropati's orders. Slowly he set his breath, focusing his five senses while closing his eyes. Until empty all his thoughts and inventiveness to receive Ajian Waringin Sungsang.

Warok Suropati stands tall in front of the Tejo Laksono banner. His mouth is about to cast a spell. The instant the bluish-green light appeared at the foot of Warok Suropati, the longer the faster it rolled up until it gathered in both hands of the long-bearded old geezer immediately.

Quickly, Warok Suropati's right hand was placed on the ubun Panji Tejo Laksono. A bluish-green light instantly enveloped the entire body of Panji Tejo Laksono.

Zzzzzzrrrrrrrrttttttthhhhhhh!!!!

Hot air penetrated into the body of the Panji Tejo Laksono as the bluish green light continues to surround the body of the Panji Tejo Laksono.

Sweat as large as soybeans one by one began to drip from the young prince's forehead.

Slowly Warok Suropati hand was lifted from the ubun Panji Tejo Laksono but the bluish green light still continues to cover the entire body of Panji Tejo Laksono. The half moonlight hanging in the western sky illuminated the Panji Tejo Laksono and Warok Suropati at that place.

While waiting for Panji Tejo Laksono to absorb all of Ajian Waringin Sungsang, Warok Suropati sat down not far from where Panji Tejo Laksono sat cross-legged.

By midnight, all of Ajian Waringin Sungsang, which was handed down by Warok Suropati, successfully fused with the body of Panji Tejo Laksono. This young prince woke up from the top of a boulder and gazed towards Warok Suropati who was still immersed in his meditation.

"Kanjeng Eyeang,

I've absorbed all the Ajian Waringin Sungsang that I could give" Panji Tejo Laksono said quickly.

"Hehehehe, you are indeed as smart as your father Nakmas Prince..

Today was enough to get here first. Tomorrow night you must train to control the power and abilities of this Ajian Waringin Sungsang.

Let's go back home" Warok Suropati said as he stood up from his seat. Not yet had time, Panji Tejo Laksono replied, Warok Suropati has grabbed his arm and darted quickly like flying towards Wanua Pulung.

Then every night for the week, Panji Tejo Laksono practiced using Ajian Waringin Sungsang. Not only that, Warok Suropati also dropped Ajian Ngrogoh Sukmo on the Tejo Laksono banner. A high level of knowledge that is able to make the owner release the succumbs from his body and return as he pleases.

During this week, Endang Patibrata got closer to Panji Tejo Laksono until Gayatri who had been accompanying his trip snorted annoyed with jealousy seeing their closeness.

That morning, a thick cloud hung in the sky. The cold weather mixed with the roaring strong wind felt bone-chilling. Last night heavy rain flushed the Wanua Pulung area until almost morning. Even Panji Tejo Laksono and Warok Suropati who returned from training at Patuk Banteng must be drenched by rainwater that fell heavily when returning to the residence of Warok Suropati.

Water is flooded where, until people are lazy to get out of the house. That morning Endang Patibrata and Nyi Gandini were seen busy in the kitchen of the house in aid of Gayatri. Two of their servants helped the Lurah Wanua Pulung family prepare food for their family members.

While Panji Tejo Laksono, Singo Manggolo and Warok Suropati were seen sitting in conversation in the porch of their residence.

From the back, Gayatri, Endang Patibrata and Nyi Gandini headed to the porch of Lurah Wanua Pulung's residence while carrying a tray containing several pieces of boiled bananas, boiled cassava, boiled cassava, wedang ginger also keeps the ketela of the tree mixed with brown sugar.

Warmly, they all had breakfast together.

"This is who's cooking? You are Gandini?", asked Warok Suropati as he stared at his son-in-law with a piece of wood in his hand.

"Not Bopo..

It was Endang Patibrata and Gayatri who made it. I was pounding rice in the mortar with Sumirah and Cikrak in the back", replied Nyi Gandini politely.

"Tumben once your cooking is delicious, Endang..

Mbok who often cook like this hehehe", praise Warok Suropati while chuckling.

"Huhhhhh Kanjeng Eyang insulted that my cooking has not been good?", grumbled Endang Patibrata with a grunt annoyed at his grandfather's speech.

"Haha..

Virgin child do not like angry anger. Later his soul mate far loh, Endang Patibrata", Warok Suropati seduce while glancing towards Panji Tejo Laksono who is fun to enjoy the pieces of ketuk ketela tree.

Endang Patibrata was about to answer the words of Warok Suropati but suddenly..

Shhrrie!!!

A small keris quickly shot towards Endang Patibrata. Warok Suropati's sharp hearing immediately grabbed his washing body until the small keris stuck on the pole of the house. Everyone was shocked to see the rapid happenings. They immediately rushed to their feet to look out of the house but Warok Suropati prevented them.

"No need to bother chasing. It's a letter of challenge".

Hearing that everyone turned towards the small keris that stuck on the pillar of the house. And sure enough, on the handle of the little dagger was a roll of white cloth. Singo Manggolo immediately grabbed the small keris and unrolled the white cloth immediately. After reading it, he turned his head towards Warok Suropati.

"Bopo, do you know Gunosecho?

He's challenging you"