The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Duke of Arya Natakusuma

The ten thick-bodied tile men immediately moved forward towards the group of Panji Tejo Laksono. Seeing this situation, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately turned his head towards Song Zhao Meng and Dyah Kirana.

"Meng Er, Kirana..!!

Protect Dyah Sawitri and Anggana. Let them face me..!!".

Dyah Kirana and Song Zhao Meng immediately nodded in agreement. While growling with annoyance, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately jumped towards one of Mahananda's temples. A loud grunt on the opponent's jaw from the Panji Tejo Laksono instantly made the thick-bodied man fall to the ground.

His other friends immediately surrounded Panji Tejo Laksono once their friends were dropped easily. Two men armed with a machete immediately jumped towards Panji Tejo Laksono while swinging their respective weapons towards the young prince's body from Kadiri.

Shhrreeettthhh shreeeeetttthhh!!

The banner of Tejo Laksono leapt back towards the two people who were about to move forward. While twisting his body, Panji Tejo Laksono quickly floated two consecutive hard kicks towards their stomachs.

Dhhaaaassshhh dhhaaassshhh!!

Aaauuugggghhhhh!!

Two Mahananda tile people immediately fell down while holding his stomach that had just been beaten by Panji Tejo Laksono. Once tracing the land, Panji Tejo Laksono directly lunged forward towards the Mahananda temples. The lightning-fast movements of his body made the Mahananda temples like little boys who wanted to fight with adults.

In just a matter of a few eye jolts, all of Mahananda's men lay helpless on the ground. There were robbed of his teeth after a hard punch Panji Tejo Laksono hit his face, there were broken bones after the pounding of the young prince's hand targeted their arms. Some people even fainted because they were beaten by Panji Tejo Laksono.

The high speed of the prince's movements made Dyah Sawitri and Anggana dumbfounded at his sight. They could say nothing more than gawking at the greatness of the prince's kanuragan science.

Mahananda moreover. Akuwu Kumitir's son immediately limp his legs so scared. Especially when Panji Tejo Laksono stepped closer to the pock-faced man while glancing at Mahananda. The young man immediately fell down while sucking away trying to stay away from Panji Tejo Laksono as much as possible.

"Ja-don't come...

Far away from me. Do not approach k-kau.", Mahananda stammered while looking at Panji Tejo Laksono's face with fear.

"You still want to continue your ambition to bring Dyah Sawitri with you??

You are really ready for me to beat?!!", said Panji Tejo Laksono as he clenched his hands in front of Mahananda's face. A rumbling sound was heard from the fingers of Panji Tejo Laksono's hand. This really scared Mahananda to death.

"T-no no...

I-I will not take Sawitri with me, Swordsman. Please, do not hurt me.!!", Mahananda's tears slowly flowed out from the corner of her eyes. So afraid, did not feel his pants wet by urine that came out unconsciously.

Indeed, Mahananda does not have a capable martial ability. All this time he only relied on the power of money and power from his father to do arbitrarily against the people of Pakuwon Kumitir. His personal temples are the protective shields for each act that often makes the residents restless. And when they were all dropped easily by Panji Tejo Laksono, of course the confidence of a son Akuwu Kumitir collapsed instantly.

"Don't let him go that easy, Swordsman..

The bastard often raped the women in Pakuwon Kumitir for fun. Give her a lesson she will remember her entire life!!", a loud cry from Dyah Sawitri made Mahananda pale. Especially when he saw Panji Tejo Laksono grinning widely staring intently at him.

"Forgive the swordsman..

I swear never to repeat my depraved deed again. I will be struck by lightning if I repeat it again.", Hiba Mahananda said.

Mmmmmm..

"A rotten criminal like you won't stumble until he's maimed. Feel the blood-busting kick from me!!", said Panji Tejo Laksono as he threw a hard kick towards the sidelines of Mahananda's thigh.

Bhhuuuuugggh..

Aaaarrrgggghhhhh!!!

Mahananda screamed loudly as Panji Tejo Laksono's hard kick beat up her bird's egg. The pock-faced man was thrown far back and suckled the ground violently. He fainted instantly.

After which, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately stepped towards his horse mount and took the drinking water tied to the horse saddle. Dyah Kirana who was curious about Panji Tejo Laksono's attitude hurriedly asked, "You why Kangmas? Kog hastily washed your feet?".

"The bastard's wetting the bed. My leg got pissed. You son of a bitch, I want to beat him up again because he soiled my legs.", scolded Panji Tejo Laksono while pouring water on his right leg that was hit by Mahananda urine.

Dyah Kirana and Song Zhao Meng boasted her smile at the husband's grumbling. While Dyah Sawitri and Anggana breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Mahananda was already sprawled on the ground. At least now they can live a quiet life.

After clearing the Mahananda group, Panji Tejo Laksono jumped on his horse and led the group to move towards the west.

When the western sky has been reddened in the western horizon, they have entered the edge of Kali Lawor which is the natural boundary between Jenggala and Panjalu. The small river that had been a silent witness about the ingenuity of Panji Tejo Laksono defeated the Blambangan army under the leadership of Prabu Menak Luhur was gurgling his water. Some fishermen who had just finished looking for fish on the edge of the small river had turned to the group of Panji Tejo Laksono who passed near them.

The group continued to move towards the west. Because it's gonna be dark soon, anyway, Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends who had just entered Pakuwon Lawor City headed straight towards a large building on the side of the highway towards the west. Panji Tejo Laksono recognized the place as Akuwu Lawor Palace, Mpu Subali.

Four soldiers guarding the gates of Pakuwon Lawor palace instantly crossed their spears upon seeing their arrival as a sign of prohibition for them to continue their intention to enter this palace territory.

"Stop you!!

Those who have no interest are not allowed to enter the palace of Pakuwon Lawor. Gusti Akuwu Mpu Subali is not feeling well!", said one of them immediately.

Mmmmmm..

Two soldiers of the palace gate guard half ran into the palace of Pakuwon Lawor. Mpu Subali, the Akuwu Lawor was sitting relaxing enjoying the beautiful afternoon scenery while sipping a cup of siddhu and a roasted banana snack as the two men approached.

"What's this about? Why do you two look like you just saw a ghost like that? Don't you see I'm relaxing?", snapped Akuwu Mpu Subali while sipping siddhu.

"Please forgive Gusti Akuwu..

I-it was in front of the palace gate, there was a person who claimed to be Panji Tejo Laksono came to visit", reported the palace gate guard soldier immediately.

Brreewwwwwrrrrrrrrh...

Siddhu in the mouth of Akuwu Mpu Subali instantly spurted out from within his mouth and gushed towards the two palace gatekeepers. The Akuwu coughed a few times because it choked on the liquor.

Uhukkk uhukkk uhukkk!!

"W-what did you say?

Gusti Prince Duke of Panji Tejo Laksono came to visit??!!

Shucks...!!! Why didn't you tell me from earlier? You son of a bitch, if Gusti Prince Duke gets angry because of your insolent attitude, I will make you all suffer!!", yelled Akuwu Mpu Subali while rushing towards the gate of Pakuwon Lawor Palace. The two gate guards immediately followed the leader.

As soon as he arrived at the gate of the palace, the eyes of the Akuwu immediately bought wide when he saw Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends were sitting on their horses. Akuwu Mpu Subali immediately rushed over to the prince.

"Worship of servants, Gusti Pangeran Adipati Panji Tejo Laksono.

Please forgive me for the brazen attitude of the soldiers of the gate guards of this palace" said Mpu Subali while kneeling and worshiping at the Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Of course, it's not their fault. This was their duty, so it was fitting that they should have happened that way.

I came this time to hitchhike overnight, Ki Kuwu. Make room for all of us", Panji Tejo Laksono ordered immediately.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Pangeran Adipati" replied Akuwu Mpu Subali with great respect.

At the direction of Pakuwon Lawor's leader, Panji Tejo Laksono's entourage entered Pakuwon Lawor's palace. Soon all the inhabitants of this palace were preoccupied with the welcome of their great guest.

"Ja-so the swordsman Tejo is a Duke?", said Anggana stuttering because he did not expect that this kind-hearted fellow traveler was a regional ruler.

"That's not all, Anggana..

Kangmas Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono is also a candidate for the next king of Panjalu because he is the eldest son of Prabu Jayengrana", said Dyah Kirana who made Dyah Sawitri and Anggana increasingly surprised to hear this reality. They were further amazed by the attitude of Panji Tejo Laksono who remained humble and big-hearted despite not receiving any respect when he first entered Pakuwon Lawor's palace.

****

Far in the west, in the southern central region of the Kingdom of Panjalu, precisely in the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara Mataram which is one of the regions with a large population.

That night, a meeting was held by the Duke of Bhumi Sambara, Arya Natakusuma, to discuss about a plan that has long been the mind of everyone. Arya Natakusuma is a handsome young man. This burly man with a thin mustache became the ruler of the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara Mataram in place of his father Rakai Kumara who died 3 years ago.

In Balairung Pendopo Agung Palace Duchy of Bhumi Sambara has gathered the Duchy's top officials, including Patih Tundungwaja, Senopati Danuraja, Tumenggung Sindunegara and several vredamantri as well as justice officials and religious leaders. They sat cross-legged quietly waiting for the decree of the ruler of the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara.

"Are you sure of what you just said, Uncle Patih Tundungwaja?", Duke Arya Natakusuma stroked his chin. The young Duke's eyes were fixed on Patih Tundungwaja, a courtier who had been a royal warangka since the reign of Duke Rakai Kumara.

"Fully I am sure, Gusti Adipati..

Panjalu certainly wants to strengthen its position by different in its territories. Take the example of Kalinga. Daughter of Duke Aghnibrata is not already a son-in-law of Prabu Jayengrana? I understand the purpose of the marriage is to strengthen Daha's relationship with the surrounding areas.

If Gusti Adipati Arya Natakusuma to propose Dewi Sekar Kedaton, this of course will open the steps Gusti Adipati Arya Natakusuma to become one of the candidates for the next king of Panjalu? Although there are still Prince Panji Tejo Laksono, Prince Mapanji Jayawarsa, Prince Mapanji Jayagiri and Prince Panji Manggala Seta, what is wrong if we participate in the competition to sit on the Daha throne? Until now, Gusti Prabu Jayengrana has not decided whose choice will be adopted as the next Yuwaraja Panjalu is not it?", said Patih Tundungwaja while smiling meaningfully.

"Hamba agrees with the opinion of Kakang Patih Tundungwaja, Gusti Adipati..

This is a good opportunity for Gusti Adipati Arya Natakusuma. After all, Dewi Sekar Kedaton is a beautiful woman. In addition, she is the daughter of Prabu Jayengrana of Gusti the First Queen of the Kingdom of Panjalu, Nararya Ayu Galuh. With this position, of course the opportunity to get the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu through marriage will be easy", continued Senopati Danuraja while respecting Duke Arya Natakusuma.

Duke Arya Natakusuma seemed to frown deeply in the sign that he was thinking hard. Many considerations are in the head of the Duke, considering that he also wants to immediately foster a household.

"My advice, Gusti Adipati..

It is not good for a regional leader to be alone for too long. Mumpung Gusti Adipati is still young, the future is still long. Remember that Gusti Adipati Arya Natakusuma must also have descendants to continue the task of leading the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara. Please forgive if Gusti Adipati is less pleasing.", added a Wredamantri named Mpu Wirya.

Mmmmmm...

There was a long sigh from Duke Arya Natakusuma before the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara spoke.

"All right, I'm taking advice from all of you. I will propose to Dewi Sekar Kedaton to be my escort to lead this Duchy of Bhumi Sambara.

Uncle Patih Tundungwaja, prepare everything for the invitation to Kadiri. Do not embarrass the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara Palace even though we are from the area.

Tomorrow we go to Daha.."