The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Wanua Karang Pulut 2

The Panjalu soldiers immediately moved quickly to leave the fortress near Kali Aksa towards Pakuwon Kunjang which is located in the Kayuwarajan Kadiri region. Kotaraja Kadiri buffer area was once the direct power of the Watugunung Panji aka Prabu Jayengrana when it was still Yuwaraja. After Panji Watugunung ascended the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu, this region should be the territory of the crown prince or the next Yuwaraja Panjalu but until now, this region is still empty no man. The absence of regional leaders made the affairs of local government handed over to Patih Kayuwarajan Kadiri who ruled outside the walls of Katang-katang Palace.

Four Pakuwon which became its territory namely Kunjang, Kadri, Kepung and Watugaluh enjoyed equitable prosperity. This is the buffer area of Kotaraja which is so noticed by Prabu Jayengrana directly. In Pakuwon Kadri there Ksatrian Kadiri which became the residence of the Kotaraja soldiers. Watugaluh became a food barn, Kunjang became a producer of livestock and Kepung donated abundant produce.

So even though only a small area consisting of only 4 pakuwon, Kayuwarajan Kadiri has the most important role in the life of Kotaraja Daha compared to other Kotaraja buffer areas such as Bracelets, Seloageng, Anom and Anjuk Reef.

Panji Tejo Laksono who used his Ajian Halimun quickly arrived near the palace of Pakuwon Kunjang. Together with Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana, the young prince from Kadiri immediately rushed towards the direction of Pakuwon Kunjang Palace.

His arrival surprised the soldiers who were standing guard in front of the gate of the pakunwon palace. One of them who had recognized Panji Tejo Laksono, immediately knelt before the young prince from Dahanapura.

"Worship us, Gusti Prince Duke.

If there is any need to make Gusti Pangeran Adipati visit this Pakuwon Kunjang Palace?", asked the head of the guard squad with great respect.

"I want to meet Manik Badra the Akuwu Kunjang, now.

Have him meet me", Panji Tejo Laksono ordered immediately. The leader of the soldier immediately saluted the Panji Tejo Laksono before rushing into the palace.

Not long after, a thick-bodied man with a thin mustache and dreadlocks without being bound came with the leader of the palace gate guard squad. He is Manik Badra, the ruler of Pakuwon Kunjang. Beside him was a burly man with sharp eyes and thick eyebrows who was the second-highest leader in Pakuwon Kunjang who organized the soldiers. His name is Bekel Yawana. The two immediately saluted the Panji Tejo Laksono because they had previously been told about the arrival of the oldest prince in the Kingdom of Panjalu by the gate guard soldiers.

"Worship us Gusti Prince Adipati", said Akuwu Manik Badra immediately.

"Thank you for your respect, Akuwu Kunjang. But I didn't come here to accept your manners.

There's something very important to talk about", replied Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Then, we should talk about it in the Gusti Prince. Come please enter", take Akuwu Manik Badra while inviting Panji Tejo Laksono, Luh Jingga and Dyah Kirana into the palace of Pakuwon Kunjang.

They all immediately entered the pisowanan hall Pakuwon Kunjang.

"My arrival tonight is to ask you for help, Akuwu Manik Badra..

Kotaraja Daha is in great danger. There were tens of thousands of Jenggala warriors camped beside the Delaga Mendalan. Tomorrow morning they must be moving towards Kotaraja Daha", said Panji Tejo Laksono after all gathered at Pakuwon Kunjang pisowan hall.

How shocked Akuwu Kunjang and Bekel Yawana heard that remark.

"Haaahhhhh??!!

B-how could that possibly happen Gusti Prince Duke? Hasn't the Panjalu password investigated their entire movement? W-why did this one escape the observation of the telik cipher?", a lot of questions were thrown from the mouth of Akuwu Manik Badra.

"Obviously this is not the fault of the telik coden Panjalu, Akuwu..

There was something beyond human reason that enveloped their movements. So we are lucky to know early before they reach the goal. Since this is their path towards Kotaraja Daha, then I will restrain the movement of the Jenggala warriors here" Panji Tejo Laksono said immediately.

"What should I do to help Gusti Prince?", back Akuwu Manik Badra asked.

"Tonight, also, let the residents of Pakuwon Kunjang slightly away from their homes. Let the Panjalu soldiers disguise themselves as ordinary citizens and ambush them. The number of our troops is less, so if we want to defeat the Jenggala soldiers, we must use all means", replied Panji Tejo Laksono who immediately made Akuwu Manik Badra and Bekel Yawana nod in understanding.

With a fast movement, the soldiers of Pakuwon Kunjang, numbering about 1000 people, moved to evacuate the residents of Kunjang to a woman who was about 2000 fathoms from this small town. That blind night there was a big change in the small town of Kunjang.

After midnight, Panjalu soldiers under the leadership of Senopati Muda Jarasanda, Tumenggung Ludaka and Demung Gumbreg came with about 30 thousand soldiers. Help from Lodaya a number of 17 thousand soldiers led by Tumenggung Pandu and Ki Juru Mpu Krepa were also present.

Panji Tejo Laksono immediately shared the duties with the high-ranking officers of Panjalu and Lodaya soldiers. Tumenggung Ludaka arranged the disguise of the Panjalu soldiers to inhabit the houses of the residents. Demung Gumbreg arranged various traps and obstacles that will be used to divide the ranks of the Jenggala soldiers, and, Senopati Muda Jarasanda divided his troops into several small groups that were used to attract the attention of the Jenggala soldiers while Panji Tejo Laksono, Luh Jingga, Dyah Kirana, and others, Tumenggung Raditya from Karang Anom and Senopati Gardana along with Tumenggung Pandu and Ki Juru Krepa will act as the main troops who will fight directly against the Jenggala soldiers.

Akuwu Manik Badra who had just evacuated his family members joined the Panjalu army along with all Pakuwon Kunjang soldiers. They do not want to miss participating in the effort to defend their country's sovereignty.

It was the longest night in Pakuwon Kunjang.

Morning to arrive at Pakuwon Kunjang. But heavy rain poured down on the earth as if spilling from the sky. But it does not reduce the tension experienced by the people of Wanua Karang Pulut who hide near the wooden bridge connecting the highway between Kunjang and Hantang. They hid behind the lush trees that grew around the place. Everyone was prepared to pit their lives against the Jenggala warriors.

From the east, tens of thousands of Jenggala soldiers moved in neatly arranged rows. They were divided into several groups with a middle officer as the leader. Although heavy rain continues to pour around the region, but it does not stop Senopati Mpu Balitung's intention to reach Kotaraja Daha as soon as possible. In his mind, he stood gallantly while watching the collapse of the Panjalu Kingdom.

As soon as the Jenggala soldiers approached the wooden bridge, about 200 fathoms away, from the North side appeared 500 men armed with arrows. Quickly they released arrows towards the Jenggala warriors.

Shhhrriegg shhrriegg shhrriegg!!

The rain of arrows directly rained down on the Jenggala soldiers who did not expect that there would be an ambush in that place.

Chhreeppppppph..

Aaaarrrgggghhhhh!!!

Several hundred Jenggala soldiers were immediately knocked down by arrows released by the Wanua Karang Pulut people. The leader of the Jenggala army, Ki Jambu survived death. He immediately pulled out his sword and kicked his horse towards the Wanua Karang Pulut people while shouting loudly.

"Pursue them!!!!"

Thousands of Panjalu soldiers immediately chased towards the people of Wanua Karang Pulut who after firing arrows at them, immediately moved towards the wooden bridge connecting the highway.

Mpu Tolu, the Lurah Wanua Karang Pulut raised his right hand as a sign that the people who were tasked to tear down the wooden bridge connecting the road to prepare.

As soon as the people of Wanua Karang Pulut passed the wooden bridge, thousands of Jenggala warriors continued to chase behind him. Some of the Jenggala soldiers who managed to pass through the wooden bridge, Mpu Tolu immediately shouted loudly.

"Tear down the bridge!!!!"

Hundreds of stocky men quickly pulled the huge rope hidden behind the leaves. Their great energy instantly made the wooden bridge's stake uprooted from its place.

Krrraaaackkkkk...

Kkkkkkh !!!

But there were at least about 500 Jenggala soldiers who managed to cross the bridge. Ki Jambu one of the few Jenggala soldiers who survived.

Seeing that there were Jenggala people who managed to escape their death trap, Mpu Tolu immediately ordered the citizens of Wanua Karang Pulut who were armed with arrows to aim at them.

"Tembaaaakkkk...!!!!!"

Shhrrriinnggg shhrriegg!!!

Hundreds of Jenggala soldiers became moons of arrows released by the residents of Wanua Karang Pulut. Ki Sambu immediately took cover behind the body of one of the men when the rain of arrows came.

Jllleeeeeeppppphh!!

Aaauuugggghhhhh!!

Ki Juru Sambu's men gulped loudly as the arrow pierced through his body. While growling loudly, Ki Juru Sambu threw the bodies of his men and darted quickly towards the residents of Wanua Karang Pulut while blasting his sword.

Shhrreeettthhh shreeeeetttthhh!!

Two residents of Wanua Karang Pulut immediately fell down after the sword of the middle officer of this Jenggala soldier rampaged. Although they have martial arts skills, but the residents of Wanua Karang Pulut is not a match for a military officer. In the blink of an eye, dozens of people died at the hands of the middle officer.

Mpu Tolu who was furious to see his people on the beach without being prevented, wanted to move but a white shadow flashed quickly towards Ki Jambu and hit his right hand.

Ki Sambu quickly crossed his sword blade covered in fresh blood in front of his chest to withstand the violent blow that was quite shocking.

Dhaaaasshh...

Hardness hit the right hand of the shadow flashed quickly which was none other than the Panji Manggala Seta immediately made Ki Juru Sambu receded several spears backward.

Hoooeeegggh!!!

Ki Sambu directly vomited fresh blood a sign that he was suffering from internal injuries. However, it seems he is still able to survive. The proof is that he is still able to stand even with a grimace to withstand the pain in his chest.

"Ki Lurah, bring your men back! Now!!", shouted Panji Manggala Seta without turning towards Ki Lurah Mpu Tolu.

"But Nakmas...."

"No buts!!

Quick retreat!! Let me take care of them!!", said Panji Manggala Seta as he reached into his pocket.

Mpu Tolu nodded in understanding. Immediately he gave a signal to the people of Wanua Karang Pulut to immediately leave the place.

"Don't expect you to leave!! My soldiers, kill those hamlets!!", cried Ki Sambu. About a hundred surviving Jenggala soldiers immediately ran quickly to chase the people of Wanua Karang Pulut who entered the forest.

Panji Manggala Seta instantly twisted his body and quickly flicked his hands towards the Jenggala warriors who were running towards the Wanua Karang Pulut people.

"The Storm of Hell's Centipede Needles...

Hiiyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat..!!!

Shhrrriinnggg shhrriegg!!!

Dozens of red-black needles instantly shot towards the Jenggala warriors. Only twenty of their fathoms arrived at the edge of the forest where the Wanua Karang Pulut hideout when the needles of poisonous needles belonging to the Panji Manggala Seta penetrated their bodies.

Chhreepph chhreepph!!

Aaaarrrgggghhhh !!!

Twenty Jenggala soldiers immediately fell to the ground with foul-smelling blue wounds and foaming mouths as a sign of poisoning. The Manggala banner of Seta continued to throw the needles of the Hell's Centipede Poison needle towards the remaining Jenggala warriors. In just a matter of a few eyes, a hundred Jenggala warriors were killed by the poisonous needles belonging to the Panji Manggala Seta.

Ki Juru Sambu's eyes glanced wide at the incident. But from behind, there was a boisterous sound of horse footsteps approaching the place. Ki Sambu immediately grinned widely.

"You are great, warrior!

But you alone will not be able to fight tens of thousands of our soldiers" said Ki Juru Sambu full of arrogance.

"Who said I want to fight the Jenggala soldiers? You're really stupid, aren't you?..

But before they come, I still have enough time to kill you, bastard!", replied Panji Manggala Seta with a faint smile. Not yet had Ki Jambu reply to the remark, Panji Manggala Seta has moved quickly towards the middle officer of the Jenggala soldier. His right hand had unsheathed the Hell's Centipede Sword which was a pair of Ajian Step Sewu Centipede taught by his mother, Dewi Srimpi.

His lightning-like body movements, instantly slashed at the left hand of the Jenggala officer who had no chance to dodge his opponent's swift attack.

Chhrrrraaaass..!!

Aaauuugggghhhhh!!

The Guests Ki let out a loud scream as the reddish-blue short sword cut through his left arm. Fresh blood flowed straight out from the wound. But there was a pungent heat that quickly spread throughout the body of Ki Juru Sambu.

"You're babing.an be..Ra.cuuunnn..!!!

After saying so, Ki Juru Sambu's body collapsed to the ground. Out of his mouth came a white foam that was a sign that he was poisoned to death.

Panji Manggala Seta stared briefly at the corpse of Ki Juru Sambu before darting quickly away from the place towards the west while saying,

"That's the result if people like Jenggala you dare to try to disturb the tranquility of our kingdom.

You're gonna die".