The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
The Kadiri Palace Envoy

"Huh Tapak Naga from Bukit Walang,

Let me represent the God of the North Wind to talk to you", said a hunchback man holding a wooden stick with a round-shaped hump the size of an adult's fist. His black robe looks gloomy closing until it touches the eyes of the feet. His face was not clearly visible because his hair was fussy only in the original loop. But his eyes look sharp like the eyes of an eagle.

Although he looks like a weak person, but he is a warrior who has a big name in the martial world. His name was Wasesodirjo, but the people called him the Swordsman of the Rock of Pulut Cave. In the territory of the Duchy of Mataram, his name is very well known even more because the Duke of Mataram, Rakai Panumbangan is his brother.

The Duchy of Mataram is a former territory of the Duchy of Bhumi Sambara that was forced to relocate the capital after the eruption of Mount Mandrageni destroyed most of the old capital. The Duchy of Mataram shifted northeastward from the old capital as it avoided the danger of repeated eruptions of Mount Mandrageni. Now the Duchy of Mataram became one of the largest rice producing areas in the Kingdom of Panjalu, after Kalingga and Seloageng. They were transformed as a great power in the western region.

"The North Wind God wants you to side with whom in this white-flow leadership election?

If you side with the North Wind God, there is of course an advantage that you get Suradharma. Each year you will receive 200 gold pieces that you can use to raise your college. Most of the leaders of the silat college had already expressed their willingness to support the North Wind God to become the leader of the white flow. Stay your silat college some others who have not provided support" said Wasesodirjo as he stared intently at Begawan Suradharma.

"Thank you for your offer but frankly, we have not given any support to any party in this election, Wasesodirjo..

I will reveal who I support at the meeting. But not for now" said Begawan Suradharma while staring at Ki Gendar Pekik aka the God of the North Wind.

"You must not be stubborn, Suradharma..

Quickly make your choice before the previous deal is lost and you will definitely regret it" Wasesodirjo said in a threatening tone.

"Sorry Wasesodirjo..

I won't regret making any decision to make a choice. Just look tomorrow at the meeting I will support whom" said Begawan Suradharma firmly.

Wasesodirjo snorted loudly nearing the stubbornness of Begawan Suradharma. However as it was about to make a move, the hand of the Northern Wind God raised blocked it.

"The Suradharma worker is right, Wasesodirjo..

No more talking about tomorrow's election. Those wise people are certainly the best for the future. We'd better get back to our resting place.

Begawan Suradharma, Rishi Linggajati..

We withdrew first. Excuse me", said Ki Gendar Pekik aka Lord of the North Wind while smiling thinly and turning his body and stepping out of the resting place of the Begawan Suradharma group. His followers immediately followed the leader's steps to leave the place.

"God of the North Wind, why did you just release Suradharma and Resi Linggajati?

They have already slaughtered the Demon Eye Bats which are our strongest allies. If they turn hostile to our group and we leave it alone, we must have difficulty getting support from all the warriors", he said", wasesodirjo said as he walked beside Ki Gendar Pekik as they moved away from the resting place of the Begawan Suradharma and Resi Linggajati groups. The long-bearded old man immediately stopped his footsteps. Everyone followed the leader's steps.

"Do you think I'd salute those two old jackass panditas if I didn't need their support? If I don't need to, I've made them into stray dog food in the woods because of their arrogant attitude.

One thing you need to know, Wasesodirjo. Behind the two rotten panditas there was a young warrior who kept watching our movements. Something was wrong with the young man. He was able to suppress his inner strength so I could barely feel how high his abilities were. We need to be careful with him" said Ki Gendar Pekik while grunting coldly.

"Do you mean Ki Gendar Pekik, what is the yellow-skinned young man who wears a blackish blue shirt earlier?", asked Wasesodirjo aka the Hunchback of Goa Karang Pulut full of curiosity.

"Yes, Wasesodirjo..

That handsome young man was very suspicious. If he can investigate it is certainly better", replied Ki Gendar Pekik immediately.

"I'll do it Ki. Just wait for the good news from me", said Wasesodirjo while respecting Ki Gendar Pekik before leaving. Seeing that, Ki Gendar Pekik aka the North Wind God immediately stepped towards the residence reserved for him. His followers followed behind him.

The air around the slopes of Mount Damalung or also known as Mount Pamrihan at night was so cold to bone. Everyone who attended the meeting of the swordsman mostly chose to stay in the resting place provided especially the warriors who came from the North coast of Java island who were accustomed to warm air.

At the resting place of the Begawan Suradharma Group and the Linggajati Resi, a burly man with a thin mustache but an authoritative look was seen sitting cross-legged in front of the blazing fireplace along with Panji Tejo Laksono and Gayatri as well as Luh Jingga. Demung Gumbreg and Tumenggung Ludaka also participated there. The age of the man was more or less identical to the Watugunung Panji, but the red clothes with dark green color seemed to flutter in the wind blowing lightly.

He was Wirotama, a student of Mpu Sasi who is now the leader of Padas Putih Padas, after the gilders of this plaster such as Mpu Sakri, Mpu Sasi and Mpu Narashima died of old age. At dusk, he who also attended the meeting saw the presence of Panji Tejo Laksono intend to greet him, however, it was prevented by Tumenggung Ludaka and requested that the leader of Padepokan Padas Putih meet Panji Tejo Laksono after nightfall. Although a little surprised by the attitude of Tumenggung Ludaka, Wirotama chose to approve the request.

"I didn't think you'd be in this show, Gusti Prince..

I see your martial skills are much improved after a few months of not meeting" said Wirotama with a smile.

"Uncle Teacher,

Sorry if I was sassy. But I am in disguise so please Uncle Master not to call me Gusti Prince so that my disguise efforts are in vain" Panji Tejo Laksono said immediately.

"Oh so that's the reason why Gusti Tumenggung Ludaka asked me not to see you immediately..

Well, I'll call you Denmas Panji anyway because you're Gusti Prabu Jayengrana's son.

Oh, haven't you explained to me your reasons for attending this show? Didn't the Katang-katang Palace not interfere in the affairs of the martial world?", asked Wirotama later.

"We did not interfere in the affairs of the martial world, Uncle Master. But we also have to supervise the warriors so that all can be in harmony without dropping each other.

Uncle Master himself will choose who to be the leader of the white flow in the future?", Panji Tejo Laksono stared at Wirotama.

No time had Wirotama answer the question, Resi Linggajati and Begawan Suradharma came to approach the two of them.

"Herband Pendekar Maseng Emas also know Tejo Laksono this yes?", said Resi Linggajati call the nickname Wirotama while smiling thinly.

"He was one of the disciples of Padas Putih, Resi..

How could I not recognize him?", Wirotama smiled meaningfully.

"Oh I deserve to see this Tejo Laksono take out the Fire God's Palm Ajian while defeating the Devil's Eye Bat yesterday. It turned out from Padas Putih.

Your students are very great Wirotama", praise Begawan Suradharma while staring at Panji Tejo Laksono.

"He is not my disciple, Begawan Suradharma..

The two old men were amazed to hear Wirotama's answer, but quickly controlled themselves and nodded in understanding.

The night is getting late. The cold, bone-chilling air of Mount Damalung makes the atmosphere even more silent.

The rooster crowed loudly from inside the cage of the Cloud Sword. Indicates that soon morning will arrive at the slopes of Mount Damalung. Slowly the dark night was driven from the sky, changing with the clear sky in the eastern horizon. The story of finches and braids sounded low earthy boisterous from the branches of trees around the place.

That morning there was preparation for the election of the new white leadership. The disciples of the Cloud Sword Paddle swiftly and deftly arranged a place in the portico of a large joglo that became the venue for the election event.

Various leaders and chairmen of silat college were present at the place according to the place that was prepared beforehand.

A man with a long beard was seen sitting on a wooden chair at the end of the place. His face is full of wrinkles and his facial water looks traveled despite his age is more than a century. The old geezer's eyes were seen sweeping across the entire audience present at the meeting.

"Kisanak everyone, you know,

Today will be held the election of white flow leaders for the future. I hope this election is not a place to seek personal fame and fortune. As the successor of Maharesi Purnamasidi, please make your choice.

The Cloud Sword as the host will be neutral in this activity" said the old grandfather who is the leader of the Cloud Sword Padepokan, Resi Mpu Wasista. A stocky man carrying a large axe weapon stood up from his seat as soon as Resi Mpu Wasista finished speaking.

"I am Baleman from Padepokan Gunung Kendeng, proposing the God of the North Wind as the leader of the white stream to replace Maharesi Purnamasidi" said the man who claimed to be named Baleman loudly.

Seeing that, a burly man in blue clothes with a thin mustache and curly hair immediately stood up. He also spoke directly.

"I disagree with the Bronze Axe Swordsman's opinion. I Setaguna of the Blue Sword College expected the Rishi Guru Jnanabajra of the Monastery of Mount Ungaran as a replacement for the returning Maharesi Purnamasidi", having said so, after saying so, Setaguna bowed her body to a middle-aged man dressed as a religious man on the right side of Resi Mpu Wasista.

"Well what is the great hermit from Ungaran Mountain, Setaguna?

He was just a hermit who did not know how to taste the bitter bitter heart of the martial world. The North Wind God is more suited as a leader" Baleman said quickly.

"Dragon's talking, Baleman..

The Rishi Guru Jnanabajra is wiser in deciding things. Being the leader of the white stream must not only be highly knowledgeable but also must be able to be fair and wise in protecting the white school warriors who are subordinates. Unlike the North Wind God who even allied with the black school to force to join his group" Setaguna said not to lose.

"Your mouth is poisonous, Setaguna..

In a grand gathering like this, how could you spread such vile slander to bring down the North Wind God? Is it appropriate to say that by the leader of the Blue Sword College like you?", a thick-bodied man with a plontos head who is the leader of the White Tiger Padepokan from the Paguhan Duchy.

"It's not a mere vile slander, Gopala.. Everyone here also knew that Ki Gendar Pekik was working with the Red Bat College and the Flower Poison School to block the path of the Rishi Master Jnanabajra's supporters to the Cloud Sword School.

Your bald head is indeed empty" said a middle-aged man while staring intently at Gopala, the leader of the White Tiger Padepokan from Paguhan.

"Bad you, old man!

You think I'm afraid of you ha? Your Sriti Scissors are just a bunch of cowardly gibberish who fear death. Let's fight who is better in this martial world?", said Gopala while holding his iron claw weapon.

As the atmosphere grew hotter with the fierce debate between the two supporters and almost turned into a clash, Resi Mpu Wasista immediately stood up from his seat.

"Aren't you all looking at me?!"

The heavy voice full of authority from the Misi Mpu Wasista instantly made the exchange between the two warring groups stop instantly. The atmosphere immediately turned silent.

"Now I determine the procedure for choosing the leader of this white stream so as not to be a disaster for white warriors.

One college is only eligible for one vote. The title fighter I admit also has one voice. Now let's just count the votes who gets the most choice from you" said Mpu Wasista immediately.

The vote count was soon. Each group feels that their group is superior to the other group.

After counting it turned out that the number of supporters between the Guru Jnanabajra and Ki Gendar Pekik was the same. This further aggravates the atmosphere that had been cold finally re-heated. Even though it was recalculated, all representatives from all silat colleges were also present at the event.

Resi Mpu Wasista until his wrinkled temple massage because of dizziness looking for a way out that fits all.

When all was still noisy with the problem solving, one loud voice immediately made everything stop rowdy.

"Please pay attention to all!!"

All eyes were immediately fixed on Panji Tejo Laksono who stood behind the entourage of Begawan Suradharma and Resi Linggajati. Slowly the young prince from Kadiri walked in front of Resi Mpu Wasista.

"I'm sorry for being so presumptuous by asking for your time.

I'm just a young swordsman who doesn't have a big name like you but allows me to talk.

Look, I have a proposal to solve this election problem" Panji Tejo Laksono said as he looked around the meeting place.

"Young man, quickly tell me what proposal you have. I've been dizzy thinking about it", said Resi Mpu Wasista immediately.

"Because both of them have the same supporters, how about they both fight martial skills?", Panji Tejo Laksono said, making everyone surprised to hear. Never before has the election of a white-flow leader been completed in this way. The group of Ki Gendar Pekik who did not want his champion to lose, immediately shouted loudly.

"You're crazy, aren't you? I disagree with your opinion", Wasesodirjo said quickly.

"Again or not, this is the only way that all groups are satisfied with the results of this meeting. If until your commotion is heard by the Kotaraja Kadiri Palace, what will happen?", Panji Tejo Laksono stared intently at Wasesodirjo aka Swong Swordsman from Goa Karang Pulut.

Surprised everyone heard the words of Panji Tejo Laksono. They immediately looked at each other for a moment before one of them spoke.

"How dare you threaten us. Who are you?", shouted Gopala while pointing at Panji Tejo Laksono. The young prince reached into his pocket and took out a golden badge with the image of Candrakapala and held it up high for everyone to see.

"I am the envoy of the Kadiri Palace"