The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Pulut Karang Wanua

That afternoon, Panji Manggala Seta who was looking for some medicinal herbs for the purpose of making his medicine accidentally arrived near the Profound Lake which became a large campground of Jenggala soldiers.

Looking at the fire mushrooms he had been looking for for days around the border of Hantang and Black Mountain region, the eyes of Panji Manggala Seta immediately sparkled twinkle instantly when they saw some fire mushrooms or brama mushrooms growing under the base of a dead aging rootwood.

But when you want to take the mushroom, there is something that blocks the eyes of Panji Manggala Seta. An invisible veil that confuses anyone who wants to enter its territory.

As a disciple of Begawan Mandrakumara from Harinjing Hermitage which is nicknamed as the God of Medicine of All Diseases, of course Panji Manggala Seta has been taught all the ways that must be done to deal with problems like this. Because basically, some kind of medicinal plant that has special healing abilities there must be something keeping in its place.

The mouth of the young prince from Kadiri is directly komat-kamit spell reciting. For a moment he had passed the magical protective veil that had blocked him. Princess Dewi Srimpi or Dewi Sasikirana, the third concubine Prabu Jayengrana immediately smiled widely when he managed to approach the medicinal plants that had been in his car.

But the smile on the handsome face of Panji Manggala Seta instantly disappeared as soon as he saw the scenery plastered across from Telaga Mendalan. Tens of thousands of Jenggala soldiers were busy arranging hundreds of tents where they spent the night.

'Hemmmmm...

So this is the main cause of the magical protective veil installed in this place. I must immediately report this to the Daha court in order to immediately prepare for battle.

I will also inform Kangmas Tejo Laksono di Seloageng', Inner Panji Manggala Seta.

Soon he picked up some fire mushrooms or brama mushrooms carefully and put them in a bamboo basket on his back and then he immediately came out from inside the magical protective veil that was put on by him Begawan Mpu Supa and his sister Resi Sempati. Using the Ajian Step Centipede Sewu learned from his mother, Panji Manggala Seta darted quickly away from the place. His body movements were light and agile, making him feel like flying above the ground.

In just 10 breaths, he had arrived at a small village located between Pakuwon Kepung and Pakuwon Kunjang.

The place was once the residence and tomb of Mondhosio aka Kelabang Koro, adoptive father who also became the teacher of Dewi Srimpi. After Dewi Srimpi in boyong to Katang-katang Palace, the management of the small village was handed over to Mpu Tolu, the loyal servant of the Koro Centipede. Prabu Jayengrana bestowed Sima land to the inhabitants of a small village named Wanua Karang Pulut that until the people who inhabit it can live prosperous and not become criminals anymore.

This past week, Panji Manggala Seta occupied the old house of Dewi Srimpi which for many years was empty to honor the founder of the small village. Mpu Tolu continued to take care of the house even though he did not occupy it. When he found out that the son of Dewi Srimpi came and wanted to stay for a while in the house, Mpu Tolu was very happy.

Panji Manggala Seta who is trying to find a high level of antidote to poison, using the old house of Dewi Srimpi as a place to try various concoctions of drugs made.

But this time, unlike usual who always check every search results for medicinal plants after arriving home, he said, Panji Manggala Seta directly put a bamboo basket on his back near the wooden cot on the veranda of his house. The handsome young man immediately rushed towards the residence of Mpu Tolu next to the house.

Seeing the arrival of Panji Manggala Seta, Mpu Tolu immediately welcomed his arrival.

"Nakmas Prince, please,

Kog doesn't usually just come straight to my place? What's the Nakmas Prince?", Mpu Tolu was a little surprised by the attitude of Panji Manggala Seta.

"Ki Lurah Mpu Tolu..

Lend me your two pigeons a letter. There are important things that I must immediately announce to Kanjeng Romo Prabu Jayengrana and Kangmas Tejo Laksono. Hurry up, this is urgent" Panji Manggala Seta said immediately.

Although he did not understand the intent of Panji Manggala Seta, Mpu Tolu immediately rushed towards the side of his house. Coincidentally, there were two letter pigeons in the cage beside his residence.

Soon the Panji Manggala Seta tore the white cloth into two pieces and wrote a few words on it. After Mpu Tolu came, the son of Dewi Srimpi immediately tied the letter to the foot of the dove. These two news-carrying birds immediately flew west and south.

Mpu Tolu, who could not help himself anymore for his curiosity, immediately asked the young prince from Kadiri.

"What's really going on, Prince Nakmas? Why do you seem to be so nervous?".

Mmmmmm...

"Look at Ki Lurah.. I had just seen tens of thousands of Jenggala warriors camped beside the Mendalan Lake. It seems like they are planning to attack Kotaraja Kadiri.

This is very dangerous for our kingdom. Because Panjalu's forces are being divided to the North and South. Only a few soldiers defended the capital. If until I do not immediately report this news, fear that the Kingdom of Panjalu will be destroyed because it is not ready for this surprise attack" Panji Manggala Seta replied immediately.

Surprised Mpu Tolu heard the answer. He who had fought together with Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana against the Black Mountain Robber Horde led by the Robber God immediately bubbled his blood. Although not as young and strong as that time, but his love for this country never changed.

"That can't be left alone, Prince Nakmas..

The late Eyang Mu, Ki Mondhosio who is also the leader of this village before, once told me that no one should step on the dignity of this nation even though our lives are the end of it. This is the life grip for everyone in Wanua Karang Pulut.

Tonight also we must move quickly to block the way of the Jenggala people the Nakmas Prince before reinforcements from the Kadiri government come" said Mpu Tolu as he rose from his seat. Immediately he headed to the kentongan that was hanging in front of the veranda of his house.

Thoongg thoongg!!

Titir kentongan timidly heard. In just a few moments, about 2000 residents of Wanua Karang Pulut gathered. This has indeed become an open secret that the small village is inhabited by high-scientific warriors.

"What is Lurah e? Why are you beating the danger sign so?", asked Mpu Wuye, a loyal servant of the Koro Centipede who is now an elder of Wanua Karang Pulut. This question seemed to represent the question of everyone present.

"Nakmas Pangeran Panji Manggala Seta has just seen the arrival of an uninvited guest from Jenggala camped next to Telaga Mendalan, Mpu Wuye. This can be confirmed that they will attack Kotaraja Kadiri from there.

We as citizens of the Kingdom of Panjalu, close relatives of Her Majesty Consorts Goddess Srimpi, loyal followers of Ki Mondhosio the Koro Centipede, certainly will not let foreigners like them trample the land of our birth, right?", Mpu Tolu stared at the residents of Wanua Karang Pulut. Everyone was shocked by this news.

"We beat them up, Ki Lurah..!!"

"I don't want any invaders in my country!"

"Those Wolves must be expelled!!"

Loud cries sounded from the crowd of Wanua Karang Pulut residents understated. The old as educated directly from the Koro Centipede bequeath the spirit of love of the homeland to his grandchildren through teaching ethics and sportsmanship so that all both old and young are equally prepared to bet life defied the great army of Jenggala.

That same night, about 2000 people moved to leave Wanua Karang Pulut with various preparations that they would use to inhibit the movement of Jenggala soldiers. Thousands of torches moved like fire snakes splitting the darkness of the night.

After crossing the forest-splitting path in North Wanua Karang Pulut, precisely on a highway on the edge of the forest and a small hill that will cross Kota Kecil Kunjang, they stopped their steps.

Mpu Tolu who poult properly with the ins and outs of this region directly divide his people to make a trap around the highway that passes a small but deep river. The wooden bridge that connects the highway is what they are targeting.

"Our number is indeed not comparable to the soldiers of Jenggala, Nakmas Prince.

But if we want to disrupt their journey, we don't need a lot of people. Enough with the sense" said Mpu Tolu with a thin smile.

Panji Manggala Seta nodded in understanding what the words meant. They could not possibly defeat the Jenggala warriors with their large numbers, but at least their journey towards the Daha Capital would falter when there was outside interference.

That night, the people of Wanua Karang Pulut continued to work hard to make various traps around the wooden bridge between Kunjang and Hantang.

By midnight, their work was complete. Mpu Tolu ordered them to be divided into two parts. One section in the North of the highway to provoke the attention of the Jenggala soldiers by raining down on them with arrows, while another part waited in the dense forest area that would be used as a place to escape after messing with the Jenggala soldiers' journey. The ones in the forest will release the trap rope so that it will make Jenggala soldiers difficult to chase after them.

After everyone understood the ordinance to interfere with the journey of the Jenggala soldiers, everything immediately moved in a predetermined place.

While the people of Wanua Karang Pulut prepare to become a disruptor to the journey of the Jenggala soldiers, the, that night also Panji Tejo Laksono directly ordered the Panjalu soldiers under his leadership to move towards Pakuwon Kunjang because it was the only place that might be passed by the Jenggala army before reaching Kotaraja Kadiri. Although a little doubt with his own estimates, the calculation of the oldest prince is based on the image of the trident which became a signal of Jenggala war this time. If the target of the North end is the Duchy of Bojonegoro and the south end is the Duchy of Seloageng, then the third end of the trident must be targeting Kotaraja Daha.

Hearing the command from the leader, everyone immediately prepared themselves as best they could.

"Please forgive Gusti Prince Duke..

In accordance with the orders, the Panjalu soldiers are ready to move" Senopati Muda Jarasanda said after checking the preparations made.

Mmmmmm...

"I will try to contact Dhimas Manggala Seta first, Uncle Jarasanda.

Wait a few more moments" Panji Tejo Laksono said while sitting cross-legged with his hands in front of his chest. Although Senopati Muda Jarasanda did not understand what Panji Tejo Laksono wanted to contact his half-sister, but the high-ranking officer of the Panjalu soldier immediately retreated a few steps as soon as he saw his lord holding hands and closed his eyes.

Suddenly a strong wind blew around the body of Panji Tejo Laksono. Fly dust and all light objects that are nearby.

Panji Manggala Seta who was sitting in the hiding place of the Wanua Karang Pulut people was shocked when a voice sounded along with a strong wind that suddenly appeared.

"Dhimas Manggala Seta, can you hear my voice?"

Of course Panji Manggala Seta is very familiar with the heavy voice nan full of authority. Immediately he knelt down with a single hoe on the ground. The palm of his left hand is open in front of his abdomen while his right hand is mudra-like in front of his chest.

"Kangmas Tejo Laksono's.. Is this really you Kangmas?", asked Panji Manggala Seta immediately.

"True Dhimas, this is Tejo Laksono..

Try to explain what the great danger is like?", added Panji Tejo Laksono's heavy voice.

"They numbered no less than 60 to 70 thousand soldiers, Kangmas. They are now camped next to Telaga Mendalan. You could say they are just one step away from Kotaraja" replied Panji Manggala Seta as he continued to work hard to survive the heavy winds.

"My forces won't be enough to face them head-on, Dhimas..

We will think about how later, but now I ask you to come to Kota Kunjang. We meet there", continued the heavy voice again.

"I understand Kangmas", Panji Manggala Seta replied immediately. A moment later the strong wind disappeared somewhere along with the loss of Panji Tejo Laksono's voice. Panji Manggala Seta breathed a sigh of relief. However, the strong wind hit Ajian Bayu Swara owned by Panji Tejo Laksono really drained his energy.

In the Panjalu fortress located on the edge of Kali Aksa..

Panji Tejo Laksono took a deep breath after stopping Ajian Bayu Swara who he had just released. Immediately he turned his head towards Senopati Muda Jarasanda and the high-ranking officers of Panjalu warriors who were standing a little away from him.

"Uncle Jarasanda, Uncle Ludaka, Uncle Gumbreg..

Lead the soldiers of Panjalu towards Pakuwon Kunjang. Create a defensive line near Pakuwon Kunjang Palace. Ask Akuwu Kunjang to help. Others, lead troops from your respective areas to follow the Kotaraja Kadiri soldiers", Panji Tejo Laksono orders immediately.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prince", replied all the high-ranking officers of Panjalu and Lodaya soldiers who were at that place.

Demung Gumbreg immediately raised his right hand. Panji Tejo Laksono immediately looked towards the tall officer Panjalu soldier who was fattened.

"What's Uncle Gumbreg?"

"Please forgive Gusti Prince. I and the officers went there without the presence of Gusti Prince Kog it feels there is less. Shouldn't Gusti Prince leave with us?", Demung Gumbreg stared at Panji Tejo Laksono.

"You take it easy, Uncle Gumbreg..

What matters is that you leave immediately. Business later, we meet again at the place we have agreed upon", Panji Tejo Laksono smiled meaningfully. Imbiby, imbibnya,

"Trust me, I've been waiting for all of you to come,

When you get to the Kunjang"