The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Traveling from Far

"You don't need to know where this heirloom sword came from. This is your last chance to leave this place, old man.

If you leave now, I'll let you. But if you insist on defending your insolent student, do not blame me for acting decisively" Panji Tejo Laksono said as he stared intently at Mpu Selawana.

Ohhuuiiiiiihhhh..!

"You think that by carrying that heirloom sword you've won over me. I haven't lost to you, you stinking brat!".

After saying so, Mpu Selawana immediately turned his iron rod and quickly swung it at the Panji Tejo Laksono. A strip of blackish yellow light followed by a fragrant wind immediately penetrated rapidly towards Panji Tejo Laksono.

Whhhuuuugga!

At once, the body of Panji Tejo Laksono bounces high into the air. Until the blackish yellow light hit the big rock behind the Panji Tejo Laksono.

Bllaammmmmmm!

The rock as big as a buffalo's body instantly exploded into pieces. Meanwhile, the Tejo Laksono banner landed on a palm leaf midrib that grew on the edge of the highway. Immediately Devil Picak smashed his blackish-blue left hand from Ajian Smelting Cloud Soul towards the Banner of Tejo Laksono.

Shhiiiuuuuttt!!!

Seeing that, Panji Tejo Laksono directly slashed the palm leaf midrib until he slid down to avoid the blackish blue light released by Mpu Selawana.

Bllaaaaaarrr!

Kraaatttaanakkk....

Brrruuaaaaaakkkkh!!!

The tip of the coconut tree exploded and broke due to hit by the impact of Ajian Cloud Melting Soul belonging to the Devil Picak from the Wulyu River. Meanwhile, Panji Tejo Laksono slid down towards Mpu Selawana with coconut leaf midribs to attack him.

Mpu Selawana quickly went back and forth repeatedly avoiding the palm leaf slash that the young prince was riding on. Once there was empty space to attack, the Devil Picak from the Wulyu River immediately slammed the handle of his black iron stick towards the palm leaf midrib that attacked him.

Whuwh!

Bllaaaaaarrr!!

The banner of Tejo Laksono immediately bounces high into the air, salted once and landed as far as two spears behind Mpu Selawana. This time he had already felt quite satisfied fighting with the Crippling Demon of the Wulyu River. Soon he chanted Ajian Tameng Waja to protect himself. As fast as lightning, a golden yellow ray wrapped around the young prince's body.

Seeing the Panji Tejo Laksono who stopped moving, Mpu Selawana immediately shot towards Panji Tejo while smashing his black iron rod into the young prince's body.

This time Panji Tejo Laksono made no attempt to evade or fend off the attack.

"Modar kowe, that smelly boy!"

Thrraannngggg!!

Jllleebbbbpph!

A loud clink rang out as his black iron rod struck the body of Panji Tejo Laksono who was wrapped in a golden yellow beam. The eyes of the Devil Picak from the Wulayu River widened to see his flagship weapon in Ajian Mawa Geni not able to scratch the skin of Panji Tejo Laksono.

At the same time, he felt something hot pierce his heart into his back. As he realized what was happening, Panji Tejo Laksono grinned broadly as he unsheathed the Fire Dragon Sword that pierced the old man's stomach.

"You cunning bastard!!!"

Mpu Selawana staggered backwards while smothering the gaping wound on his stomach. The wide ripped wound continued to shed fresh blood. Shortly afterwards Mpu Selawana collapsed to the ground. His body twitched violently for a moment and then remained silent forever. That day the Devil Picak of the Wulyu River, a great figure of the black faction of the martial world of Jawadwipa Land, died covered in blood at the hands of Panji Tejo Laksono.

Seeing the death of his teacher, two disciples of Devil Picak from the Wulyu River escaped. Bengkol himself died at the hands of Demung Gumbreg with his head crushed in his magic club.

The banner of Tejo Laksono instantly sheathed the Fire Dragon Sword back and wrapped it in a black cloth that it carried.

"Thank you for your help, Nyi Kinanti. Without notice of maybe I am dead at the hands of the old Devil" Panji Tejo Laksono said with a faint smile.

"That's not something that matters, Kisanak.. After all you guys have helped me secure my food stall from the actions of the Beggol, so we break even now", replied Nyi Kinanti while nodding in understanding. As they were conversing, Jaluwesi dashed towards Panji Tejo Laksono and Nyi Kinanti.

"Gusti Prince.. Wretched Gusti..

Luh Jingga was exposed to poison while fighting against the old demon student's son" Jaluwesi said quickly.

Hearing those words, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately ran towards Nini Luh Jingga who was being laid down under a shady tree. Nyi Kinanti immediately followed the young prince's steps towards the pale-faced Luh Jingga. A sword incision wound on the left upper arm of Luh Orange appeared black and continued to bleed black.

"Rear Tejo, please,

How'this? Luh Jingga Kakang", a panicked look on Gayatri who held the head of Luh Jingga.

"We must quickly bring Luh Jingga to the city to find a healer. Come quickly!", Panji Tejo Laksono ordered immediately.

"Wait, you won't have time to save her life when you get to Pakuwon Randublatung City.

He was exposed to Red Beetle Poison. His life will not last more than a quarter of a day. I can help him if allowed", Nyi Kinanti quickly.

"Well, hurry and help Luh Jingga, Nyi..

Please save his life" Panji Tejo Laksono said immediately.

Hearing the request, Nyi Kinanti quickly checked the pulse on Luh Jingga's right hand.

"It's a good thing that the poison hasn't spread for too long. Please help him to sit cross-legged, hurry up!", Nyi Kinanti ordered. Gayatri who held the head of Luh Jingga immediately helped Luh Orange to sit cross-legged.

Huph!

Thukk! thuk!!

With a deft and nimble movement, Nyi Kinanti immediately struck some of the main pulse points on Luh Jingga's body. Then the beautiful woman immediately sat cross-legged behind the back of the daughter of Resi Damarmoyo while looking at some path of blood on the back of Luh Jingga.

Then Nyi Kinanti immediately reached into her shirt bag, taking out a small ceramic bottle clad in a wooden stretcher. Immediately he took out a red pill from inside the small ceramic bottle immediately.

"Please get some water. Then take the poison pill to him" Nyi Kinanti said immediately. Demung Gumbreg who came closer, immediately rushed to take the bamboo roof that he used to store water during the trip and then reached out to Panji Tejo Laksono who was crouching in front of Luh Jingga. Immediately, Panji Tejo Laksono drank water and poison medicine given by Nyi Kinanti.

After Luh Jingga drank the antidote to the poison, Nyi Kinanti directly channeled her inner energy on Luh Jingga's back.

Huuuoooggggh!

Luh Orange vomited blackish blood a sign that the blood contained vile poison. Nyi Kinanti continued to poke some pulse points on Luh Jingga's back. Princess Resi Damarmoyo was continuously vomiting black blood repeatedly. The longer the black color disappears. After vomiting the last blood looking as fresh as ever, Nyi Kinanti immediately released her tootokan. All the toxins in the body of Luh Orange have been removed. Even the cut on his left arm only looked like an ordinary cut.

Gayatri tore off her scarf to bandage the wound on Luh Jingga's left arm. Meanwhile Panji Tejo Laksono replaced Nyi Kinanti channeling her inner energy on Luh Jingga to treat her internal injuries.

It seems we can't continue the journey anymore. Soon the night before, we should rest in this place alone", said Tumenggung Ludaka while respecting the Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Kalau begitu, carilah tempat untuk kita bermalam Paman. Lagi pula Luh Jingga sedang lemah, kita tidak bisa memaksakan kehendak untuk terus bergerak", jawab Panji Tejo Laksono sembari mengangguk mengerti.

After getting an order from Panji Tejo Laksono, Tumenggung Ludaka immediately find a place to spend the night. Not far from their place, there was an empty building that seemed to often stop by people who lived on the street. Tumenggung Ludaka decided to invite Panji Tejo Laksono to spend the night at the place. While the guard soldiers had finished taking care of the corpse of the Devil Picak from the Wulyu River by throwing it into the ravine to fall prey to wild animals.

The night quickly changed. A bonfire lit up the entire empty building. Tumenggung Ludaka has set a guard turn to protect everyone. Meanwhile, Gayatri was helped by Demung Gumbreg and Siwikarna to prepare food that became the provision of their journey in the form of dried meat jerky and white rice. Before dark Jaluwesi had plucked two cassava trees growing wild near the place to become their dinner enhancer.

"How is Luh Jingga, Nyi?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono to Nyi Kinanti who was wiping the sweat that soaked the forehead of Luh Jingga.

"Children don't have to worry about this woman. Soon it will be conscious. He was only a little weak due to the influence of that Red Beetle Poison.

There's something I need to ask you. This question from earlier bothered my mind", Nyi Kinanti looked at the handsome face of Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Ask only Nyi. You have helped my people, of course I have to pay for your help" Panji Tejo Laksono said immediately.

"Your followers call you Gusti Prince. Are you really a prince?", asked Nyi Kinanti as she stared at Panji Tejo Laksono as if looking for honesty in every answer.

"He was a prince, Nyi...

He was the eldest son of Prabu Jayengrana from Kadiri", said Gayatri who came carrying a wooden plate containing dinner. Nyi Kinanti gasped at Gayatri's words.

"The eldest sons of Prabu Jayengrana?

I-that means he's the son of the king of Panjalu? Jagat Dewa Batara, what have I done?

Gusti-Prince, I'm sorry I've been disrespectful to you. Please forgive me, Gusti Prince", Nyi Kinanti immediately knelt down and worshiped at the Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Hey what have you done Nyi?

Don't be like this, stand up. Don't be too much customary to me" Panji Tejo Laksono said as he shrugged Nyi Kinanti.

"Thank you for Gusti Prince's kindness", Nyi Kinanti immediately sat down in front of the Tejo Banner. They sat together and talked about many things.

The night is getting late. Panji Tejo Laksono has laid his body in a place that has been prepared, as well as Gayatri who chose to sleep near Luh Jingga. The cold weather mixed with strong winds that roared carrying water vapor signifies that the rain will soon fall.

Along with the lightning and the sound of thunder rumbling, heavy rain flushed around the place. Demung Gumbreg who had fallen asleep was forced to wake up because the roof of an empty building on his bed was leaking. While grumbling, he moved next to Ludaka Tumenggung which was still awake by the fireplace.

"You've woken up, Mbreg? It's not your turn to guard" asked Tumenggung Ludaka as he shifted his body position to make room for Demung Gumbreg who was in front of the bonfire.

"How can I sleep if rain soaks my body, Lu? You have nothing", said Demung Gumbreg who immediately grabbed the burnt cassava in front of him.

"Yes already, you're replacing me on guard. I was so sleepy hooooaaahhmmmmmmm", Ludaka Tumenggung yawned widely while rushing to lay his body near the fireplace.

"Huhhhhh basic unfaithful friend. I woke up in my sleep", grumbled Demung Gumbreg. He immediately threw the dry wood he had collected earlier this afternoon to keep the flames from burning. Siwikarna who was in charge of guarding them also close the blanket cover his body because the air getting colder pierced the bone.

From the direction of the door of the building that opened, 3 people appeared who were drenched in rain water.

"Kulonuwun, Kisanak!"

Khyyaaaaaa....!!!!

Shocked Demung Gumbreg and Siwikarna heard a voice suddenly appear in the direction of the building's door. So shocked, Demung Gumbreg jumped from his seat and stepped on the foot of Tumenggung Ludaka who was asleep. As a result, Tumenggung Ludaka who had just fallen asleep for a while immediately woke up while complaining of pain.

"Ohhh my leg was stepped on by a kebo!"

After seeing Demung Gumbreg standing near him, Tumenggung Ludaka immediately swerved towards the fattened officer.

"Hey Kebo, please,

Why are you stepping on my foot? You have a grudge with me?", said Tumenggung Ludaka while stroking his sick leg.

"That's Lu.. There was no ghost", Demung Gumbreg directly pointed towards the door of the empty building. Soon Tumenggung Ludaka turned his head in the direction indicated by Demung Gumbreg. Sure enough there were three white-clothed figures that looked drenched.

"Your horny ghost, that,

That's a rained-out man. Look at his feet on the ground. Basic kebo coward", maki Tumenggung Ludaka while standing from his bed. Hearing those words, Demung Gumbreg looked towards the three people immediately.

"Ah asshole scares people away.

Heh who are you guys? Why is it that on a night of heavy rain like this wandering in the middle of the forest like this? You are robbers huh?", Demung Gumbreg said with a snort annoyed at their presence.

"Hey Kisanak, watch your words.. We're overnight on the road, and confused looking for a place to shelter.

Accusing people", said one of them who was a young woman.

"Irawati, take care of your attitude..

Forgive us for interrupting your rest, Kisanak. We were really looking for a place to shelter. We spent the night at the end of the same forest but because of the rain, we were forced to move places to shelter. I beg Begawan Suradharma please ask your compassion to allow us to take shelter here", said a man as old as a long white beard who claimed to be named Begawan Suradharma politely.

"Please go ahead, Begawan Suradharma. This place is still big enough to shelter you. If you want, you can be cheerful to warm the body" replied Tumenggung Ludaka politely.

Hearing that answer, Begawan Suradharma bowed respectfully to Tumenggung Ludaka. Together with Irawati and a male student named Sujiwa, the three of them immediately sat down by the burning bonfire to dry their wet clothes.

"Where are you going, Begawan Suradharma? Why did the three of you get to this place?", asked Tumenggung Ludaka who immediately sat cross-legged on the floor. His drowsiness disappeared instantly due to the footsteps of Gumbreg earlier.

"We are from Bojonegoro, want to go to Mount Damalung in the west of Mount Lawu to attend a swordsman meeting organized by the Cloud Sword Padepokan.

Currently the leader of the white stream is empty after leaving Maharesi Purnamasidi from Mount Mandrageni died a few months ago. There are some warriors who are ambitious to replace his position, so fear there is bloodshed there.

I personally have asked the government of Kembang Kuning Duchy to send representatives as mediators between them. May it succeed in dampening the upheaval after the death of Maharesi Purnamasidi", replied Begawan Suradharma with a smile.

"There is an unwritten agreement received by all parties that the Panjalu kingdom will not interfere in the affairs of the martial world, but if the upheaval of the election of the white flow leadership disrupts the security of the country, then the Katang-katang Palace will act decisively.

Isn't it like that, Begawan Suradharma?", Tumenggung Ludaka added dry wood to the fireplace with a smile.

"Children understand the rules. Who are you guys?", asked Sujiwa, who had been watching around the place.

"Oh of course we understand because we are.", Demung Gumbreg has not had time to finish his speech, a voice telling Demung Gumbreg from behind.

"The Journey from Away"