Fall into the Trap

"I am assigned to the city's border post," the Bekel replied, as if he knew what Jagat was thinking. But his eyes were full of curiosity, just as Jagat's eyes were wildly scanning the atmosphere around him. "Do you have a problem?"

The Bekel followed the same direction as Jagat. It made him suspicious, but he quickly smiled back and patted Jagat on the shoulder.

Jagat didn't answer right away because he remembered his bad experience with this Bekel. He also noticed some strange movements of people around the entrance to the city.

"Come. That was just a misunderstanding. It turns out that you're not the thief. I already know. The students from Sawung Bumi also became my soldiers in Kediri."

His face looked friendly. His soldiers also seemed unconcerned by Jagat's presence here.

"I just need a place to rest," Jagat replied. He tried to believe that his work to meet Wisesa was not yet done. Darka had betrayed him. Wisesa had to know.

"There's a nice inn near the square," Bekel replied, but once again his warrior security instincts kicked in. "Are you being followed?"

"Did Tantra send a message to this post?" asked Jagat. He wanted to double check before taking cover.

"Bekel Tantra? He's rising fast in her career. I don't know. If you want, I can ask the others. Should I ask you now?"

"Yes. Hurry."

The Bekel went back to the post and talked to one of the soldiers.

Jagat had chosen this place to stop the movement of those who were following him. Whoever they were. Whether from the white or black sects, they would never want to deal with the kingdom unless they joined a strong group.

And at this point, Jagat was surprised by the courage of Wisesa and Mongol to look for trouble in the royal territory, especially to Mandana as a high-ranking Majapahit officer. of course, they were not alone in carrying out their plan. There must be people in the palace involved.

Ranggalawe's rebellion may also have been instigated by a handful of people who did not like him. The seeds of animosity have been planted since the new kingdom was established and continue to take root with a waterfall of hatred.

Like Bekel's joke earlier about the promotion of Tantra. Whether it was cynicism or not, Jagat judged that this Bekel who was helping him was not someone to be trusted.

He would rest here for a while and then continue his journey in the morning.

Jagat had rested many times at Ki Wardiman's house. In addition, Gendis always catered to his needs by preparing food and clothing. This was his most precious treasure.

However, exhaustion had gone to his head. The two pairs of warriors who had clashed with him earlier might have other motives outside of Mandakini Clan affairs.

And the question was, who was the one chasing him out there?

Exhausted, Jagat fell asleep and slept soundly through the night until he was awakened by Bekel, who invited him to breakfast.

It was an offer Jagat couldn't refuse, since he was leaving immediately to meet Wisesa.

On the way to the village, Jagat inquired about the kidnapping of the children rescued by the mysterious warrior.

The Bekel explained that the mysterious warrior had single-handedly defeated the Mountain Alas group and eliminated all of their followers.

"What was his name?"

"The Swordsman of the Cursed Poem."

It was a nickname. The universe needs a name, because nicknames can be made up by anyone, and sometimes nicknames are not as powerful as the swordsman's knowledge.

"Poetry? Does he use poetry?" asked Jagat.

"Hahahaa ...., I don't know, Jagat. The martial world has many varieties and nicknames of its warriors. I also heard it from the soldiers who were sent to inspect the place. But the little ones were all saved.

With four soldiers escorting his men, the Bekel took Jagat to a village that was said to have good food and wine.

How was it possible to enjoy wine so early in the morning? The offer was too much. And at the time of the offer, Jagat began to be suspicious, especially of the formation of the horses that his members had issued.

There were two horses in front and two in the back. Jagat and the Bekel were in the middle. As a leader, a Bekel should be in the front.

They walked rather leisurely for war horses. As they passed the village gate, the Bekel told the story of the white sect warriors who refused to join Majapahit. The warriors felt hurt because Ranggalawe was accused of being a rebel when he was clearly a hero.

Jagat did not pay much attention to these stories. He silently watched the unnatural behavior of his members. They talked to each other in front of him, but the corners of his eyes and ears seemed to be looking at him.

Finally, the trap was discovered when Bekel and his four soldiers suddenly stopped at the edge of a forest. It was far beyond the village gate.

Jagat saw no sign of a house or even a shop. Only the smile on Bekel's face confirmed Jagat's suspicion.

"Bastard!"

Jagat could only curse under his breath as the ten men emerged from the bush. They were not just any men and were well trained. You could tell by the way they trod the ground. A great warrior would look different from where he stepped.

One of the ambushers was Iron Tread Swordsman, a disciple of Old Tread. This young man was dedicated to the white class, the successor of his old master. He also attended yesterday's warrior gathering.

"Jagat Wengi! Our fight will not take long, and your life can be forgiven if you surrender now. Get off your horse and come with me!"

What's going on? Why did this young warrior seem to have a grudge against Jagat? He had never had anything to do with the Old Tread sect. The book was in the mind of his great master. It was unwritten and left no trace.

"Iron Tread... Iron Tread. You came all the way here to scatter gold. Do you know how much gold I gave that dog Bekel?"

Jagat was already too angry with this Bekel to compare him to a dog. And he began to play with the Bekel's emotions.

The Bekel laughed out loud after Jagat compared him to a dog.

"Hey Wengi! You are still too green to play this game. Never mind. Don't take it personally. It's just a matter of work."

"What work? Licking?"

The defender suddenly became angry at Jagat's taunt. With a twitch of his eyebrows, he ordered four of his men to pull Jagat's leg by force.

And Jagat didn't let go easily. He responded by jumping off the horse and swinging his right leg. The result was that their heads were trampled by Jagat's feet and he continued to charge towards Bekel.

But before Jagat's feet hit the ground, Tapak Besi had already greeted him with his famous Tapak move. The knowledge he had inherited from his teacher, Old Tread.

"Hiiiaaat!"

Of course, Jagat was able to dodge easily. His scream was like a bell signaling an attack that brought Jagat to his senses. Jagat slipped a little punch to provoke a left-handed parry. But the real blow came from the right hand.

The opponent was fooled, but was quick enough to evade the decoy attack. It wasn't long before his friends surrounded Jagat from all sides.

Bekel and his men had already stopped. Away from the siege circle. It wasn't long before he turned his horse back toward the palace. Jagat's eyes couldn't escape the grin on Bekel's face.

A new enemy was stored in his memory. One day he would avenge today's incident.

He wouldn't fight the people of the White Sect completely, but a little lesson might be in order.

Jagat returned his focus to the fight, for the sharp, alert, wild gaze had caught him like a fisherman's net. Wherever Jagat moved, one of them would try to harass him. There was no way to escape.

Even using the Thousand Step Style was difficult, because their intelligence and numbers would easily overcome them.

There is no other way but to use Tongue Martial Arts, because Sawung Bumi's science is very hurtful to the opponent, not to mention Arya Mandana's Hasta Geni style.

"Iron steps ... Whatever you have in mind is just slander. "

"You caused Ranggawan's death. You must be punished, Jagat Wengi.

Ranggawan had a companion named Druwangi. They were called the Warrior Couple of the Brantas River. At that time Jagat was confused. Who had killed him?

"His death has nothing to do with me. We are on the same side as Lord Mandana. They must have been instigated by Bekel earlier."

Several of them had already grabbed ropes and thrown them at his hands, feet, and neck. Then Jagat was pulled in all directions. And then he was dragged by a horse.

This was a tremendous humiliation for him. Even he had never been treated like this when he had stolen in the past. This was going to be an arduous journey.