True Martial Arts
Little Girl Does Not Drink Tuak

“This is the most delicious wine in all of Java. I bought it in the Black Moon region, so this wine includes illegal goods.” Walageni smiled proudly as she looked at her old cup.

Kala smiled faintly and shook her head slowly. Had Walageni tasted Tuak Kunyuk Mountain, then surely he would not have dared to say so. But unwilling to offend the old man, Kala chose silence.

“Old Man, if I may know, who is the group of people who attacked this store earlier?” Kala shifted the direction of the conversation.

“Hmph! They were mercenaries from Geowedari. They knew that we, the Laskar Progo, would be involved with the war. You know the conflict that recently happened, don't you?”

Kala nodded. “Ya, I know.”

“Well, Laskar Progo will be a big threat to them. We are a mercenary force that famously very rarely fails in duty, besides we also have a lot of information to sell. Of course, we will be on the full side of the Mandate. It is very natural if they attack us.”

“Why do Progo Warriors intervene in that conflict?” Kala felt herean because as he remembered the mercenaries would not get involved in political conflicts that did not benefit them.

“We have our own reasons, son. The stone quarry is a source of income for all of us who live in the Mandataran Kingdom. We do not want people to go hungry. Although we are mercenaries, we do not necessarily become blind to humanity because of the treasure.”

Kala smiled happily, but the question was still not resolved. “Why Laskar Progo did not take the mine alone with the Pandataran army?”

Walageni shook his head slowly while sighing deeply. “If only it could, we have done it since long ago.”

Kala scratched her head then smiled awkwardly, realizing her question was very strange. “I just got off the mountain after a long workout. I don't know much about such a matter. So if Old Man doesn't mind, please explain to me how energy stones become a fair medium of exchange other than gold pieces.”

Walageni smiled warmly. Without feeling any objection, he took out three energy stones from the interspatial ring.

“Take one of those stones and observe.”

Kala picked up one of the stones before looking at it carefully. This stone is translucent red, there is a symbol of the Mandatory Kingdom in it though vaguely.

“In the stone there is a symbol of the kingdom of Pandataran, right? Well, the stone is a legitimate medium of exchange. You can buy good stuff with that energy stone.” Walageni. “Now, try to take the other two stones.”

I obeyed that order. The two stones were the same size, but the pieces looked untidy and there was no royal mark in them.

“So, if a certain group or college controls a stone quarry, he must deposit it on the kingdom. Many universities are competing to find new mining sources because they will get a share of the kingdom.

“We are a large group moving in secret. For us, mining is not something tempting.” Walageni closed the explanation.

“Ah, as it ...” Kala stroked his chin. “Thank you, Old Man!”

Walageni nodded steadily, coinciding with that Kaia appeared with a fresher look.

Kaia's body shivered a little, bathing in the rain was not something good enough. When Kala had just wanted to buy Kaia a blanket, Walageni suddenly snatched with her words.

“Hey, little girl, you seem to be cold. Tuak can warm your body, come here and drink with us.”

He stared coldly at Walageni. The old man shrugged his shoulders to question Kala's gaze. That look contained no guilt at all.

“Thank you, Old Man. However, warm blankets and tea are much nicer for a little girl like her.” Kala got up and took out the blanket from the interspatial ring then said to Kaia, “Take this and go to the room, do not ask Alang to light a fire for you if you do not want this inn to burn.”

Kaia nodded then went to her room with a blanket in her hand.

“What's wrong with wine?” Walageni asked after seeing the girl's back disappear.

“Old Sister, she is a good woman, I try to keep her so. Don't let him get hooked on wine and end up bothering me.” After saying that, Kala said goodbye to go to the kitchen, but again Walageni held him back.

“Wait first. What are you doing in the kitchen?”

“Make him a warm drink. I'll pay for it later.”

“Your attention to it is too much for just a friend.” Old Man Walageni squinted his eyes, staring at Kala full of probing. “Is she your wife?”