The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Battle at Kalingga Palace (part 1)

"What tasks will you receive Kanjeng Romo?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono as he looked towards Panji Watugunung who was turning his back.

"You I sent as Panjalu's ambassador to China. It's a big task that will be a valuable experience for you later after you become a leader.

In your duties this time, you should establish good relations with the Song Dynasty Empire side. Do not embarrass the Kingdom of Panjalu. Be humble so that everything goes perfectly", Prabu Jayengrana seemed silent for a moment before continuing to talk.

"You know this matter is not just about being an ambassador, my son.

But it also relates to who will be appointed as the next successor to the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu. So Father Prabu hope you don't blame Romo for taking care of you leaving for a place you don't know at all" Prabu Jayengrana said, sighing heavily. In his heart he was not willing if his hopeful son should be far away to the Land of China.

"As the eldest son of Prabu Jayengrana and Queen Dewi Anggarawati, I am ready to be assigned by the kingdom of Panjalu.

Kanjeng Romo does not need to worry about my safety, I believe I can take good care of myself. Tejo Laksono will always obey the orders of Kanjeng Romo Prabu", Panji Tejo Laksono saluted Prabu Jayengrana by bowing his body.

Mmmmmm..

"Before you leave, Father will send down Ajian Halimun to become your mainstay of science when the situation is critical. This science can make you move as far as you want.

Later in the night, come to this place again. Now your mother must be worried if she doesn't find Romo in the pamujan hangar.

Half a full moon again, the Tumenggung Sindupraja group will arrive at this place by bringing gift items for the Song Dynasty Empire. Rakryan Purusoma will be your ship's captain later. Benefit from the time you have to learn Chinese so you can understand their speech later.

I went back to Kadiri" said Prabu Jayengrana as he walked away from the Panji Tejo Laksono. Simultaneously, white smoke appeared that covered the entire body of the Maharaja of Panjalu. A moment later he had already disappeared from the sight of Panji Tejo Laksono's eyes. Leaving the bengong Panji Tejo Laksono saw the greatness of high-level canuragan science possessed by his father.

"Kanjeng Romo Prabu is not a king. He sakti mandraguna", muttered Panji Tejo Laksono.

From the west, Tumenggung Ludaka came by riding his horse also pulled a horse belonging to Panji Tejo Laksono behind him. By then, the sunlight had shifted from overhead. Arriving at Tumenggung Ludaka in that place, Tumenggung Ludaka immediately jumped down from his horse and worshiped at the Panji Tejo Laksono.

"Worship of Gusti Pangeran's servant..

What was it until Gusti Prince Panji suddenly came to this place? Did I miss anything important?", asked Tumenggung Ludaka immediately. The high officer of Panjalu soldiers of Prabu age Jayengrana circulated his gaze around the place.

"Kanjeng Father Prabu Jayengrana just left here Uncle", Panji Tejo Laksono replied immediately.

"Huhhhh??!!

Gusti Prabu Jayengrana just got out of here? Isn't Gusti Prabu at Kotaraja Palace?", Tumenggung Ludaka was surprised not to play.

"This park is like just getting to know Kanjeng Romo Prabu..

He could move as he pleased Uncle. Cook Uncle Ludaka forgot anyway?", said Panji Tejo Laksono with a thin smile. Hearing that answer, Tumenggung Ludaka immediately patted his own eel.

"Oh yeah, how can I forget things like that huh? Hehe..

It seems like I'm old" Ludaka's clenched his head which suddenly felt itchy.

"Where should Gusti Prabu Jayengrana bother to come here Gusti Prince? Is there anything important?", Tumenggung Ludaka asked.

"Huuuff..

I got a job from Kanjeng Romo Prabu as the ambassador of Panjalu to the Land of China, Uncle..

Said his father, Tumenggung Sindupraja has departed from the palace Kadiri. So we have about 10 days to prepare ourselves", Panji Tejo Laksono replied with a long sigh.

"The Prince's Gusti must always be ready to carry out the tasks that Gusti Prabu Jayengrana gave. It's a big task, Gusti Prince. Only a person who can be trusted is able to carry out a task of this magnitude. This is the form of trust that Gusti Prabu Jayengrana gave to Gusti Prince.

Servant Ludaka, always ready with Gusti Pangeran in carrying out the tasks as heavy as anything given by Gusti Prabu Jayengrana" said Tumenggung Ludaka with confidence.

"Thank you very much for your support Uncle Ludaka.

We'd better get back to the Duchy of Kalingga. Afraid his Ayu Ratna would be worried if we go too long", Panji Tejo Laksono immediately jumped on his horse as well as Tumenggung Ludaka.

The two of them immediately kicked their horses each heading towards the Duchy of Kalingga Palace. Dust flew with their horse's footsteps through the streets.

By late afternoon, Panji Tejo Laksono said that he had received a big task from Prabu Jayengrana to go to China as the ambassador of Panjalu. Everyone was shocked to hear the news and Ayu Ratna was no exception. Sekar Kedaton Kalingga was immediately moping durja. He still wants to linger together with Panji Tejo Laksono but with the orders from Prabu Jayengrana, of course he will not be allowed to come.

Two other beautiful girls, Gayatri and Luh Jingga were also troubled by the news. Their hopes of continuing together with Panji Tejo Laksono are dwindling. Even if you have to wait, it takes at least 6 full moons to meet again.

That night, Prabu Jayengrana came again to the boundary of the Duchy of Kalingga as promised. Prabu Jayengrana also lowered Ajian Halimun on the eldest son.

The intelligence of Panji Tejo Laksono is indeed above average. Quickly he was able to master the science of high-level canuragan even though it was still not as perfect as his father's.

"Tejo Laksono, please,

Now try to make a move quickly by using your Ajian Halimun", ordered Panji Watugunung while looking at the handsome face of his eldest son.

"I'll try, Kanjeng Romo".

Panji Tejo Laksono's eyes immediately closed for a moment with his mouth slurring the mantra. Slowly thin white smoke covered the entire body of Panji Tejo Laksono and the next instant the young prince had disappeared from sight. Then it appeared in a different direction quickly.

"That's great, Tejo Laksono..

Although you still have a lot to practice, you are already quite proficient in this Ajian Halimun mastery. You are indeed smart", praised Prabu Jayengrana while smiling knots.

"This is all the teachings of Kanjeng Romo. Without guidance from Kanjeng Romo, I couldn't possibly learn this fast", Panji Tejo Laksono bowed respectfully to Prabu Jayengrana.

"Your mouth is so sweet..

It's been quite a night. I need to get back to Kadiri. Take good care of yourself, Tejo Laksono. We are all waiting for your arrival at Kotaraja Kadiri Palace", after saying so, after saying so, Panji Watugunung aka Prabu Jayengrana slowly disappeared from the eyes of Panji Tejo Laksono along with a thin white mist and cold wind that blows slowly.

Panji Tejo worshipped at the departure of Prabu Jayengrana before turning his body towards the Kadipaten Kalingga Palace. The thin white mist again covered the entire body of Panji Tejo Laksono and a flash later he had reached the honorary guest hall of Kalingga Palace.

Fad, Panji Tejo Laksono appeared on the wall of Keputren. In the dim light of the full moon, he saw a lamp from a castor oil lamp lit in the middle of the sari garden. It was obvious that a beautiful girl was staring at the clear night sky. Panji Tejo Laksono smiled in a knot and then appeared quietly behind Ayu Ratna.

"Tonight the moon is so beautiful huh Gusti Putri?"

The sudden appearance of Panji Tejo Laksono was a shock to Ayu Ratna. The daughter of Duke Aghnibrata was jumped from the teak chair in the middle of the sari garden.

"Ah Gusti Prince, b-how could you suddenly appear here without a sound?", nervous Ayu Ratna saw the arrival of Panji Tejo Laksono.

What made Gusti Putri grieve like that?", Panji Tejo Laksono sat beside Ayu Ratna.

"That's ...."

"That's what Gusti Putri? Is it because I am going to China as the ambassador of the Kingdom of Panjalu?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono. Ayu Ratna did not answer but bowed without a sound. Slowly the tears dripped from her beautiful eyes.

"Hey why are you crying?

What is Gusti Putri afraid of? I'm not coming back? Gusti Putri should not think like that. I am only an ambassador, not going to war" Panji Tejo Laksono said as he lifted Ayu Ratna's chin. The tears of the daughter of the Duchy of Kalingga were still coming out soaking her white cheeks.

"Had enough of his cries, Gusti Putri. Oh no, from now on I will call you Dinda Ayu Ratna.

Dinda,

Kangmas will definitely be back for Dinda Ayu Ratna", Panji Tejo Laksono slowly wiped away the tearful veins that drenched the princess' cheeks.

"Kangmas promised to go home for me?", Ayu Ratna held out her right-hand pinky towards Panji Tejo Laksono. While smiling, Panji Tejo Laksono immediately hooked his little finger on Ayu Ratna's finger.

"Kangmas promise" Panji Tejo Laksono said quickly. Hearing that answer, Ayu Ratna's smile was etched beautifully on her beautiful face. The Duke of Aghnibrata's daughter immediately leaned her head on the chest of the Panji Tejo Laksono.

That night the full moon witnessed the promise of two people who were drunk on love.

After a long time together, Panji Tejo Laksono said goodbye to rest. Ayu Ratna immediately went to her bed. Tonight was the most beautiful night she had ever experienced during her nearly two decades of life journey.

In the morning, Ayu Ratna invited a number of people from China to teach Panji Tejo Laksono Chinese. One of them was the Tang He Merchant who the other day defended by Panji Tejo Laksono during a fight with the Pandya Merchant from Chola India.

"So Lord Prince wants to learn owe? What did Lord Prince learn for?", asked Merchant Tang He as soon as the two of them were together.

"I will sail to the Land of China soon, Tang merchant.

So it would be nice if I could learn the language of your country so that I understand what you are talking about", Panji Tejo Laksono replied with a faint smile.

"Owe understand then..

The Prince need not worry. Owe will tell you all the various oral and written languages in the land of owe", said the merchant Tang He while respecting Panji Tejo Laksono with his right hand clenched while the left hand closed the right hand and bowed. This way is a typical way of respect in the style of China.

While waiting for the arrival of Tumenggung Sindupraja, for almost two weeks Panji Tejo Laksono continued to learn the language and customs of the Land of China at the Tang He Merchant. His relationship with Ayu Ratna also gets sticky until sometimes Gayatri gets angry because of severe jealousy. Luh Jingga is always the mediator if there is a commotion between Ayu Ratna and Gayatri.

The ninth day of the Panji Tejo Laksono in the Duchy of Kalinga....

The night had just changed. The breeze of cold wind rustled gently stroking the leaves of the sour tree beside the guest hall of honor. The sound of night birds collides with the noise of crickets and grasshoppers singing cheerfully.

Panji Tejo Laksono was sitting with his followers on the porch of the guest hall of honor when he felt the murderous air hidden behind the darkness of night. Immediately he stood up from his seat while gazing westward.

"What's Gusti Prince? Did anything disturb Gusti Prince's mind?", asked Luh Jingga immediately.

"There's two killers approaching here. You better keep chatting as usual. Let me see who came here", after saying so, Panji Tejo Laksono rushed straight to his bedroom while his followers included Demung Gumbreg, Siwikarna and Jaluwesi immediately carried out the prince's orders but with full vigilance. Once inside the bedroom, Panji Tejo Laksono directly grabbed the Fire Dragon Sword and used Ajian Halimun. On that night, Panji Tejo Laksono had been lurking towards the two approaching killers.

Two figures dressed in blackish red flashed quickly like flying between the roof of the supporting buildings that dwelled around the Kalingga Duchy Palace. Their movements are so light as to have no body weight at all. Although wearing bamboo caping, but when the moonlight that lives half in the sky shows that they are people who are old enough.

Yes, they were a pair of warriors watching the match between Panji Tejo Laksono and Danapati the other day.

They are known as Ki Galajapu and Dewi Gomati. In the martial world, they are both famous as a pair of Red Ghosts from Trenggulun Hill in the Duchy of Paguhan. A pair of poor black figures across the martial world was very famous for his cruelty of slaughtering opponents indiscriminately.

"Rear, man,

I think we're close to Kalingga's palace. Are we going straight to the prince from Kadiri's place? I could not bear to beat him up" said Dewi Gomati who darted beside Ki Galajapu.

"Yes Nini Goddess,

I've also been holding back my resentment since our son was beaten up the other day. Let's hurry up and get revenge Danapati", said Ki Galajapu while staring fiercely at the guest hall of honor in front of him.

Once jolted, the two bodies of the black faction's great figure bounced high into the air and landed in front of the 4 palace guard soldiers who were in charge of guarding the west door of the Kalingga Duchy Palace.

"Hey who are you? What's it like tonight here?", scolded a gate guard soldier while looking suspiciously at the two people dressed in black red.

"I am the lifeline!"

Ki Galajapu immediately shot towards the gate guard soldiers. Five streaks of bluish black light instantly shot out from Ki Galajapu's finger.

Whhhuuugghh !

Bllaammmmmmmmm !

The four guard soldiers did not at all suspect that their opponent was a great warrior of the martial world. The bodies of the three front guard soldiers were instantly cut off by a bluish-black glow of hot air that rushed towards them. Screams of pain mixed with fresh blood spurted out from the place. A rear gate guard soldier survived but his guts were already a cat's earlobe. He shuddered in horror and hurriedly jumped up to escape.

Nyi Gomati who saw that instantly whipped her whip that had a poisonous sharp iron tip.

Cttaaarrrrr!!

The sharp iron tip shot rapidly towards the back of the palace gate guard soldier. But a white shadow flashed rapidly towards Nyi Gomati's whip and quickly struck the iron tip of Nyi Gomati's whip with a silvery-white sword.

Thrraannngggg!!

The iron tip of Nyi Gomati's whip mentally and quickly Nyi Gomati pulled her whip while staring intently at the white shadow figure who turned out to be a white veiled girl. Although only visible eyes but can be sure that she is a beautiful girl.

"Sat!

Why are you meddling in my affairs, Angel of the South Wind?", hardened Goddess Gomati quickly.

"In every crime, I will always appear to challenge you, Ghost Girl.", said the beautiful girl in white clothes immediately.

Panji Tejo Laksono who was about to move, immediately motionless watching the arrival of the white-veiled girl. Not in the nyana, the white-veiled girl turned to the direction of Panji Tejo Laksono was located.

"The child on the roof of the building, the,

Do you want to keep watching?"