The Return of the Fire Dragon Swordsman
Prince Suryavarman

The Khmer Empire, also known as Kampujadesa or the Land of Cambodia, was a royal dynasty that controlled the entire area around the Gulf of Siam at that time. Based on history, Prince Jayavarman of the Syailendra Dynasty in Central Java, fled from Jawadwipa Island, Indonesia, severed ties with the Syailendra Dynasty and elevated himself to Devaraja with the title Chakrawartin (world ruler ) on Mount Mahendraparvata after building a city in the North of Tonle Sap Lake named Hariharalaya it means home to Harihara (the god of unity between Vishnu and Shiva).

Prince Jayavarman or better known as Dewaraja Jayavarman 2 is developing the Khmer Kingdom or the Land of Cambodia into a large area with Hariharalaya as the center of government.

The success of the King of the Syailendra dynasty continues until his descendants rule. During the reign of Yasovarman 1, the seat of government of the Khmer Empire shifted to a new city. The city was named Yasodharapura or Angkor which later became the center of the wider government.

In 1100 AD, the first Khmer King was Draranindravarman. The Khmer Empire expanded rapidly throughout the Gulf of Siam. They were neighbors to the Champa Kingdom in the East, the Song Dynasty in the North, the Pali State in the West and Langkasuka in the south.

Since the reign of the previous king, the Khmer Kingdom or Cambodia built its navy admirably. They control almost all trade traffic passing through the South China Sea near their territory. This agrarian country was so prosperous with trade and agriculture.

The only security intruders in their ocean waters are a group of sea pirates called the Black Flag Pirates. Therefore they are very ambitious to crush the pirate group to its roots. This is an absolute requirement if they want to be recognized as rulers in the South China Sea.

The large jung ship with yellow triangle-flagged light green edges continues to approach the place of battle between the group of Panji Tejo Laksono and the sea pirates led by the Red Beard.

A well-built man of the age of Panji Tejo Laksono, thin-moustached and handsome-looking face appears to be standing at the bow of the ship while continuing to watch the fierce fight between Panji Tejo Laksono against the Red Beard. From the clothes he was wearing, it was clear that he was a noble.

"Who is that young man? Why is he able to fight on balance with the Red Beard?"

Questions flashed through the handsome young man's head as he continued to watch the life-and-death fight between Panji Tejo Laksono and the Red Beard.

The Red Beard continued to hunt the Panji Tejo Laksono with a deadly streak of large sword attacks. At that time the Red Beard managed to lock the movement of Panji Tejo Laksono. One large sword of the Red Beard was directly aimed at the neck of the young prince from Kadiri.

Shreeeeetttthhh !

Suddenly a thin white mist covered the entire body of Panji Tejo Laksono. When the great sword blade of the Red Beard almost touched the skin of his neck, Panji Tejo Laksono's body disappeared into the wind. The Red Beard was surprised to see it all. Moreover, the Panji Tejo Laksono appeared two spears behind the Red Beard.

"You-how did it show up there? I-this is impossible", said the Red Beard who was immediately groggy at that time.

"Of course, move quickly. You're too slow, Red Beard.."

Hearing the words of Panji Tejo Laksono, The Red Beard growled for a moment. The big tall man immediately jumped high into the air and slashed a huge sword towards the Panji Tejo Laksono. Again, the Panji Tejo Laksono disappeared just like that until the big sword of the Red Beard hit the deck floor of a large junkyard belonging to the group of Panji Tejo Laksono.

Bruuuuaaaakkkkhh!!

The floor of the deck of the large junkyard was immediately broken into a large hole. The banner of Tejo Laksono nimble to and fro avoiding the sabetage of the great sword of the Red Beard. The longer the more radishes are created on the floor of the deck of the ship due to the attack of the great sword of the Red Beard.

Panji Tejo Laksono who saw it immediately realized that if the Red Beard was left too long it could be the deck floor of the Jung ship would be destroyed for him. As fast as lightning, Panji Tejo Laksono chanted his Fire God Ajian Tread. Suddenly a red glow of hot air rolled up on his right arm. The young prince from Kadiri immediately lunged forward towards the Red Beard who had just turned around.

The sudden appearance of Panji Tejo Laksono in front of him made the Red Beard nervous. As powerful as he was, he slashed his greatsword towards the opponent's head.

The banner of Tejo Laksono slightly lowered his body and then hit the right chest of the Red Beard with the palm of his right hand that was bright red .

Bllaammmmmmmmm !

Aaaarrrgggghhhhh !

Byyuuurrrr.r.r.r....!!

The Red Beard let out a loud scream as Ajian Tread of the Fire God lashed out at his right chest. This big tall man who was about 4 decades old bounced far back and fell into the ocean. Not long after that his body floated with his mouth spitting out fresh blood. He died with his chest charred like a burning fire. His body soon becomes a shark's meal lured by the smell of blood.

The death of the Red Beard made the rest of the Black Flag Pirates who fought weaker especially when the naval forces of the Khmer Kingdom came and interfered. One by one began to fall at the hands of the soldiers of Panjalu and the Khmer kingdom.

The last 10 sea pirates chose to throw their weapons and kneel before the banner of Tejo Laksono and friends.

The young man with a handsome face and a thin mustache immediately walked up to the Panji Tejo Laksono who had just slaughtered the Red Beard, the leader of the Black Flag Pirates.

"I'm sorry if I bother you, Knight. In view of the way you dress and the martial arts you use, it seems you are not Srivijaya or Langkasuka.

If you may know, where did you come from?", asked the handsome young man dressed like a noble politely.

"Ah I'm really disrespectful. I haven't introduced myself but I've asked for names.

My name is Suryavarman. What is your name knight?", added the handsome young man with a thin mustache who claimed to be named Suryavarman.

"My name is Tejo Laksono, an ambassador from an island in the South Sea. My country is called Panjalu, on Jawadwipa Island", Panji Tejo Laksono immediately bowed his body a sign of respect to Suryavarman.

"Ah Jawadwipa Land huh? I heard from people's stories that my great-grandfather also came from Jawadwipa Land, precisely from Mataram Country because he was a prince of the Syailendra Dynasty. It was great to meet a friend from my ancestral homeland..

Where are you guys going? It seemed like it was about to travel a long distance", Suryavarman asked with a smile.

"We are the ambassador of Panjalu to the Land of China. We were sent by Prabu Jitendrakara Parakrama Bhakta, Maharaja of Panjalu", Panji Tejo Laksono replied immediately.

Mmmmmm...

"Your martial skills are really great. The Red Beard was a disease in the trade traffic by sea, many merchant ships were victims of their violence. Representing the Khmer Empire, I thank you Mr. Tejo Laksono..

You're still half the way. Still far if you want to go to the Land of China.Then, stop first to Prey Nagara to repair your ship. If you force yourself, your ship will not be able to pass through the big waves in the South China Sea.

Think of this as a thank you for easing my duties as a sea keeper of the Khmer Kingdom", suryavarman said as he pointed towards the deck of the large junks of Panji Tejo Laksono which were damaged by the fight with the Black Flag Pirates.

Tejo Laksono's banner did not immediately respond to Suryavarman's offer. His eyes ventured towards the deck of his jung ship which was indeed damaged in some places. Not to mention there is a main screen that was torn because of the fight.

"Uncle Purusoma, please,

Is our ship still able to continue the journey?", asked Panji Tejo Laksono immediately.

"Please forgive Gusti Prince,

Looks like we need to get to the nearest port for repairs. There is some damage severe enough to be repaired immediately", Rakryan Purusoma respect to Panji Tejo Laksono.

Mmmmmm..

"Alright, I accept your offer, Mr. Suryavarman. Our jung ship does need to be repaired immediately", Panji Tejo Laksono immediately turned to Suryavarman while nodding in agreement.

Hearing that answer, Suryavarman smiled faintly and immediately ordered his men to escort a large junkyard belonging to the group of Panji Tejo Laksono to Prey Nagara or Tree Randu City which is a large port city of the Khmer Kingdom.

Prey Nagara or Prey Nokor is a major port city in the southern Khmer Empire where the ruler of Ksitindraditya, Suryavarman's father was the king of the region. Ksitindraditya himself is a distant cousin of one great-grandfather with the current 1st Dewaraja Draranindravarman in Kampujadesa or Cambodia. Ksitindraditya became king of the southernmost regions for political reasons. He was afraid that he would claim the right to the throne of the Khmer Kingdom which should be his right because from the order of succession to the throne, he was more entitled to become the Khmer Emperor than his cousin Draranindravarman 1. This was also the basis of Suryavarman's later rebellion.

Upon arriving at Prey Nagara, a large junkyard belonging to the group of Panji Tejo Laksono was immediately put on the dock. While the crew made repairs, Panji Tejo Laksono and his 20 bodyguards were immediately provided with a place to stay at Prey Nagara Palace by Suryavarman. The prince who was knocked out of the place that should be his right was so fond of Panji Tejo Laksono because besides Panji Tejo Laksono was humble, he was also polite to him.

"So Mr Tejo Laksono is also a prince in the land of the lord?", asked Suryavarman while staring at the Panji Tejo Laksono once they have reached the resting place provided by Prey Nokor Palace, a city at the level of a duchy in Java.

"True Prince Suryavarman..

Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono is the eldest son of Prabu Jayengrana, King of Panjalu in Jawadwipa Land. Although the eldest son, Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono had to try hard to become the successor to the throne of the Kingdom of Panjalu because the level of nobility of his mother was slightly lower than the second Queen. This was also the reason why Gusti Pangeran Panji Tejo Laksono had to become an ambassador to the Song Dynasty Empire. In addition to seeking experience, we must also seek recognition from the Saptaprabu Council in order to assume the position of Yuwaraja in our Panjalu Country, Prince Suryavarman", he said", said Rakryan Purusoma who participated in the conversation that afternoon.

Hearing that, Suryavarman fell silent for a moment. Apparently Rakryan Purusoma's speech gave a little enlightenment to his thinking.

"Mr Panji Tejo Laksono just to occupy the position of Yuwaraja alone must try hard to risk his life.

Then I won't lose either. I will fight hard also to take the right to the throne of the Khmer Kingdom because the throne of the Khmer Kingdom is the right of my father, Ksitindraditya who was seized by Uncle Draranindravarman", he said", Suryavarman immediately clenched his hands tightly as he gazed towards the slightly reddish-colored Northern sky as he stared at the Draranindravarman Devaraja standing there.

Panji Tejo Laksono and Rakryan Purusoma looked at each other to hear the remark and did not respond to it as if this was just nonsense.

Ksitindraditya and his wife, Narendralaksmi, are delighted that their son has finally made a like-minded friend. They entertain the best group Panji Tejo Laksono at Prey Nokor Palace.

During their three days at Prey Nokor Palace while waiting for the repair of the big junks, Panji Tejo Laksono and Prince Suryavarman talked a lot about many things. They exchange thoughts and personal experiences. Both of them admire each other because they have their own advantages. Prince Suryavarman admired the figure of Panji Tejo Laksono because of the high martial arts and intelligence, while Panji Tejo Laksono admired the figure of Prince Suryavarman for his shrewdness to build friendship and the breadth of his stately insight.

On the fourth day at Prey Nokor, Panji Tejo Laksono's entourage bid farewell to Prince Suryavarman as well as to Ksitindraditya and Narendralaksmi to continue the journey to China.

Prince Suryavarman escorted them to the port of Prey Nokor.

"If you are finished in China, stop by Prince Panji Tejo Laksono..

Prey Nokor will always be wide open for you" Prince Suryavarman said with a smile.

"Thank you for all your kindness, Prince Suryavarman. All my life I will never forget it.

I'm pampering. Take good care of yourself and hopefully all your dreams will be achieved" Panji Tejo Laksono said as he bowed respectfully to Prince Suryavarman.

After saying goodbye to Prince Suryavarman, Panji Tejo Laksono and his friends immediately went up on the deck of their large junkyard. Slowly the large boat left the Port of Prey Nokor heading towards the North.

After along the coast, the big jung ship using wind power drove towards the North.

The next day, after a day of traveling, arrived their junks surrounded by dozens of red-flagged ships with white middle stripes. They look like they are suspicious of the presence of an alien-flagged jung boat they have never met before.

A ship that was the largest immediately moved closer to the junks belonging to the group of Panji Tejo Laksono. A stocky man with a thick mustache with a face with several scars from the fight was seen standing at the bow of the large ship while staring intently at the large foreign-flagged junkyard with a slight hint curious. From her grooming like her she was an important person from the group of siege boats.

On the deck of the jung ship, Panji Tejo Laksono stood while staring at dozens of red-flagged ships with white middle stripes.

"Gusti Prince, Prince,

It looks like this is the warship of the Champa Kingdom. The white middle-striped red flag was a sign that they were from the kingdom", whispered Rakryan Purusoma who stood beside the Tejo Laksono banner.

"Ask them, what do they want?

If they are like that, I will not hesitate to face them all" Panji Tejo Laksono said immediately.

"Sendiko dawuh Gusti Prince".

After saying so, Rakryan Purusoma immediately saluted to Panji Tejo Laksono and walked to the left side of the deck of the junks and shouted loudly.

"Sorry sir, what do you mean to behave like this?

We are ambassadors passing by here" Rakryan Purusoma said quickly.

The thick-bodied man slightly scrunched his forehead hearing Rakryan Purusoma's speech. His speech log was unfamiliar and had never been encountered before. After breathing out, he said quickly.

"Any foreign ship that crosses the sea area of the Kingdom of Champa, must report to the head of the port of Vijaya.

Now you're coming with us".