The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Great Danger
Panji Tejo Laksono had not had time to answer him, Dyah Kirana who was upset with the rude attitude of the gatekeeper Kotaraja Kahuripan was directly staring intently at the face of the Jenggala warrior who was about 3 decades old.
"Is this how the Kotaraja Kahuripan treat the guest of honor? Really do not know manners.", said Dyah Kirana.
"What honor are you?
Chuuuihhh..
You're all just wandering swordsmen claiming to be guests of honor? Honorary guest of your grandmother ha?", said another soldier holding a spear.
Upset with the disrespectful attitude of the Kotaraja Kahuripan gatekeepers, Ki Jatmika who began to be familiar with Panji Tejo Laksono and his two women were about to charge forward but the heavy hand of Panji Tejo Laksono directly blocked the left wrist of the Bloody Tread Swordsman. Ki Jatmika immediately turned his head towards Panji Tejo Laksono and saw the young prince shaking his head as a sign that Ki Jatmika would undo his intentions.
Dyah Kirana who was assigned to carry a silver badge with the image of a garuda bird as the official sign of the Royal envoy of Panjalu immediately reached into his pocket and pointed the silver badge in front of the Kotaraja gate guard soldiers Kahuripanese.
"Open your eyes wide and see what is in my hand?!", cried Dyah Kirana immediately.
These eight figures of Kotaraja Kahuripan gate guard soldiers were immediately surprised instead of playing to see the objects in the hands of Dyah Kirana. They all know what that means.
"Pardon us Du-duta..
Please follow us to enter the Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace", while stammering, the leader of the Kotaraja Kahuripan gate guard squad immediately invited Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends to enter Kotaraja Kahuripan.
Two soldiers guarding the city gate immediately escorted Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends into the Kotaraja Kahuripan area. They headed straight to the middle of Kotaraja where the Jenggala Maharaja Palace stood.
In front of the gate of Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace, the leader of the city gate guard soldiers whispered to one of the palace gate guards. The soldier was stunned for a moment, then he nodded in understanding. Soon he stepped inside the palace, leaving Panji Tejo Laksono and his comrades in front of the palace gate.
A thick-bodied middle-aged man with a short beard mixed with gray looks dashing sitting on the throne of the Kingdom of Jenggala. The King wore red velvet clothes with gold thread on each edge of his clothes. A crown made of gold with some adorning gems, perched sweetly on top of the head. Several necklaces of pearl and gold also appear to hang around his neck.
He is Prabu Samarotsaha, the third King of the Kingdom of Jenggala. He was made king after the sudden death of Prabu Mapanji Alanjung Ahyes at a young age. Rumors had circulated of bad news about the death of the young king. Some say that Mapanji Alanjung Ahyes was killed by subtle means using the science of the mouth, some say that the son of Mapanji Garasakan is killed by means of poison.
Since the crown prince is still an infant and the throne of the Kingdom of Jenggala should not be left vacant, then according to the agreement made by the close relatives of the Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace, the, Rakryan Samarotsaha who was the uncle and father-in-law of Mapanji Alanjung Ahyes in crowned the next King of Jenggala.
Only one full moon after Emperor Samarotsaha ascended the throne, the infant crown prince was killed by an unknown person. This further strengthened the position of Emperor Samarotsaha on the throne of the Kingdom of Jenggala. It continued with political upheaval within the palace which led to the assassination of the Mapanji empress Alanjung Ahyes and several concubines.
But there was one Mapanji princess Alanjung Ahyes who survived the incident. The princess disappeared not knowing where the jungle was with the palace lady who took her to escape until now.
After this political upheaval subsided, the Samarotsaha Emperor became the absolute ruler of the Kingdom of Jenggala. If previously he was a regent then now he is a king who has full power over the throne of the Kingdom of Jenggala.
That afternoon, in the Grand Pendopo of the Kingdom of Jenggala, Prabu Samarotsaha was leading the pisowan of the courtiers and high-ranking officers of the Jenggala soldiers.
Beside her was the Empress Dewi Tapa. Four of the king's concubines also sat down on the left right side of the throne. Several sons and daughters of the king were also present. One of them was Princess Uttijana.
It appears that Mapatih Mpu Rakeh Janur who had just been adopted as a Jenggala warangka government after having previously been beheaded after the defeat of Jenggala soldiers in the raid on Panjalu yesterday, he was seated to the right of the king. The former Mahamantri I Siri sits cross-legged quietly.
Several retainers such as Dharmadyaksa, Sang Pamgat, Rakryan, Rangga and Prosecutor appear to be sitting neatly in line with their respective ranks. On the other hand, high-ranking army officers ranging from Senopati Bratajaya, Tumenggung Mahawira and other officers with the ranks of Tumenggung, Demung, Juru and Bekel participated in this pisowanan.
They were talking about the state of the whole kingdom after their attempt to storm into Panjalu when a guard soldier of the palace gate entered into this grand pisowanan hall. The soldier immediately worshipped the Samarotsaha Emperor and sat cross-legged on the pendopo floor.
"Tell me, why are you facing without being called?", asked Prabu Samarotsaha immediately.
"Please forgive Gusti Prabu..
There were four people who claimed to be ambassadors of Panjalu wanted to meet Gusti Prabu", the soldier worshipped before speaking.
To all the people in the Grand Pendopo Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace heard the words of the soldier. They all looked at each other as if asking the person beside him but did not dare to make a sound.
Mmmmmm...
A long sigh rang out from the mouth of the Jenggala king as if breaking the silence.
"Persilakan mereka masuk.. Akan aku lihat apa yang ingin di bicarakan oleh orang-orang Panjalu ini", Maharaja Samarotsaha mengangkat tangan kanannya sebagai tanda ijin. Sang prajurit segera menyembah pada sang Maharaja Jenggala sebelum mundur.
Not long after, he returned together with Panji Tejo Laksono, Dyah Kirana, Song Zhao Meng and Ki Jatmika. Princess Uttejana was surprised not to play to see the arrival of Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends.
After paying homage to the Emperor Samarotsaha, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately sat on the floor of the pendopo pisowanan agung followed by his followers.
"You are the messenger of Daha?", asked the Samarotsaha Emperor as if in disbelief to see the makeup of Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends who were more like a traveler.
"Yes, Gusti Prabu Samarotsaha.
Me and my comrades in disguise clothes for not wanting to attract attention. Sorry if this is considered rude.
As proof that we are indeed really messengers from Gusti Prabu Jayengrana is this newsletter", Panji Tejo Laksono took out a letter from the pontar leaves wrapped in blue cloth. Then set it with both hands.
Mapatih Mpu Rakeh Janur immediately stood up from his seat and walked up to Panji Tejo Laksono. Soon he took the letter in the prince's hand and presented it to Prabu Samarotsaha.
The Bengal Emperor immediately opened the blue cloth and spread a series of palm leaves in it.
May Hyang Batara Agung always protect us,
O Lord of the Kingdom of Jenggala,
The Emperor of Samarotsaha,
I need you to make a decision, though,
About the Jenggala soldiers who were prisoners,
Do you want to release them with a ransom, please,
Or let me take them to the realm of eternity?,
Maharaja Panjalu Prabu Jitendrakara Parakrama Bhakta '
Prabu Samarotsaha trembled holding the letter. The anger that is so great makes the Maharaja of Jenggala is furious not playing. It was like he killed the messenger from Daha who was in front of him so angry. But acting so would definitely trigger an invasion of the Kingdom of Jenggala because in accordance with the old agreement, a messenger should not be harmed. They just lost to Panjalu. And if until the invasion of the Kingdom of Jenggala occurs, it can be ascertained that Jenggala will be finished history.
"Tell your King, I am Royal Emperor Prabu Samarotsaha..
Will give you what he asks. One more full moon, there will come a messenger from Kahuripan who will bring a ransom for my soldiers", Prabu Samarotsaha said immediately.
"Thank you for the answer Gusti Prabu Samarotsaha gave.
In that case, I beg to resign" said Panji Tejo Laksono who immediately respected the King of Jenggala and then inching back out from within the Pendopo Agung Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace.
After Panji Tejo Laksono and his comrades left, Princess Uttejana immediately saluted Prabu Samarotsaha.
"Ananda please resign Kanjeng Romo Prabu.
Ananda's body does not taste good" said Princess Uttejana immediately. Prabu Samarotsaha immediately raised his right hand as a sign of approval. The beautiful woman immediately retreated and returned to the Keputren Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace.
"Please forgive Gusti Prabu..
Will Gusti Prabu Samarotsaha just let this humiliation go? If Gusti Prabu allows it then I will give a lesson to the arrogant envoy immediately", Senopati Bratajaya said while respecting the king of Jenggala.
"You must not be foolish, Senopati Bratajaya..
If you do so in this palace, the entire kingdom in Nusantara will strongly condemn our actions. But outside the walls of Kotaraja Kahuripan, anything can happen to the messenger from Daha", Prabu Samarotsaha who is famous for his cunning, grinning widely at the officer's words.
"Hamba understood Gusti Prabu", after saying so, Senopati Bratajaya immediately worshiped the king and hurriedly came out of the palace.
Arriving at Ksatrian Kotaraja Kahuripan, Senopati Bratajaya immediately invited 500 soldiers of his choice to intercept Panji Tejo Laksono and his comrades outside the south side gate of Kotaraja Kahuripan because it is a commonly used road if you want to go to direction of Panjalu or Lamajang.
Once at the intended place, they immediately formed preparations to trap Panji Tejo Laksono and his comrades.
Meanwhile, Princess Uttejana who pretended to be sick immediately changed clothes at Keputren Jenggala. The beautiful woman now wears clothes like a warrior. With Keswari who always accompanied him, the beautiful woman nicknamed the Silver Masked Angel immediately darted quickly over the walls of the Kotaraja Kahuripan Palace as high as 3 spears with ease. In a moment, both of them had disappeared from sight.
Panji Tejo Laksono is unaware that there is a great danger waiting for him outside the walls of Kotaraja Kahuripan, riding slowly while enjoying the crowded city scenery and bustling people and pedati goods that pass by.
"This city is big, right?
Although not as many as Kotaraja Daha but much bigger than Seloageng" said Song Zhao Meng who rode beside Panji Tejo Laksono.
"The big cities in Jawadwipa Land are usually the center of government, Meng Er..
In addition, several other major cities are large ports for the entrance to the territory. For example, Kalingga or Galuh End. They grew into a big city because of the trade between nusa in the archipelago", replied Panji Tejo Laksono.
"I feel so too.. Most major cities in China are also located on the banks of large rivers such as the Yangtze River or other major rivers. The river lane is indeed a trading vein in China", continued Song Zhao Meng as he circulated his gaze to the crowds of people passing by on the Kotaraja Kahuripan highway.
They continued to move towards the southern Kotaraja Kahuripan gate.
Eight Kotaraja Kahuripan gate guard soldiers stared at Panji Tejo Laksono and his comrades as they passed through them. One of them rushed to jump on his horse and take a detour, ahead of the movement of Panji Tejo Laksono, Ki Jatmika, Song Zhao Meng and Dyah Kirana. Apparently he was the one who was assigned by Senopati Bratajaya to report in case Panji Tejo Laksono passed through the place.
Quite far from the boundary of Kotaraja Kahuripan, at the end of a wide rice field with several large trees that become shade, the, the soldier immediately jumped down from his horse and immediately ran to meet Senopati Bratajaya who had been waiting at that place for a long time.
"They are moving here, Gusti Senopati", reported the soldier after respecting the main leader of this Jenggala Warrior.
"good.. All of you quickly hid behind the big tree. Hurry!!", orders Senopati Bratajaya. The five hundred Jenggala warriors immediately moved quickly to hide behind the trees and lush plants in this rice field.
While several pairs of eyes continued to observe the situation around the place. It seems that they also want to try out the young prince's martial skills from Kadiri after one of the Blood Crescent Group's most feared elders, Nine Raga Satan, was killed by Panji Tejo Laksono. This was already reason enough for Princess Uttejana the Silver Masked Angel, Keswari, Mpu Jiwan the Mysterious Ghost and his disciple to take revenge.
From the North, Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends appear at the end of the road. Senopati Bratajaya grinned broadly at them.
"Time to teach them a lesson!!"