Messy Plan

Before Marini could launch her attack on Bengal, two of his members stepped forward to intercept. Marini had to roll forward and grab a small knife from the ground.

The ground was shredded in an instant as Marini's clutching hand managed to retrieve the knife. The handle was already firmly gripped and ready to strike.

She intended to stab Bengal with the knife, but a swift slash from his machete met her first. The clash of metal echoed loudly. Marini had no choice but to deal with the two opponents before anything else.

But what followed was not just two opponents; the entire gang closed in on her. Marini swiftly adjusted her strategy from attack to defense.

She leaped, dodged, rolled, and seized the weakest of the nine attackers. A fundamental rule in a fight against multiple opponents—choose the weakest and neutralize them.

Bengal himself had moved further back. He leaned casually against a wall, observing the beautiful woman about to attack him. He simply smiled and peeled a banana in his hand. His hired interpreter stood beside him, trembling with fear.

Jagat continued to watch from a distance, observing each of Marini's opponents, then rushed forward with a shout that startled all the members of Poison Kala.

He embraced Marini, shielding her. Speaking in Mongolian, he issued a stern warning. "Fool. She belongs to Ulagan. If her skin gets a scratch, it means war against us!"

Jagat drew closer to Marini, their backs pressed together. But the struggle continued, with Marini's left hand attempting to push Jagat away while her right hand thrust the knife at the attackers.

The interpreter relayed Jagat's warning, but there was no sign that the siege would end.

"Where is the book?" Bengal asked, the target of the question unclear. But for Manggala, the alcohol had already spilled, and there was no point in crying over it. There was no way out but to fight.

Jagat then stepped back, pulling Marini along with him. This movement forced the Poison Kala members behind them to follow suit, stepping back as well.

In that brief moment, Jagat whispered to Marini, "Quickly, escape and secure the book."

"No! Let's finish this together."

"I will personally bring Bengal's head to you. I promise. Hurry!"

Without waiting for Marini's response, Jagat turned to deliver a surprise kick to one of the Poison Kala members behind him. His chest hit hard, and Jagat took advantage of the opening by pulling Marini's hand away and pushing her back.

"Go now! Hurry!"

Two members chased after Marini, but Jagat was faster, pouncing on one of them like a tiger on its prey.

Another member who still stood freely attempted the same, giving Marini no time to decide whether to run or not. She briefly felt for the book hidden under her clothes. She had to decide quickly before the Poison Kala members attacked.

Since Marini remained in place, Jagat swiftly rolled towards the attacker, then leaped back while attempting a kick, but the opponent was too quick, easily evading the blow.

"Why are you still there? Hurry, run!"

Jagat grabbed the edge of the opponent's collar as Marini finally decided to flee. Bengal wasted no time joining the fray, pursuing Marini as Jagat was still preoccupied with his own opponents.

He had no opportunity to help Marini escape Bengal's pursuit. Nine opponents awaited him. One of them was Gawuh. Their eyes met with intensity.

"I thought we could be good friends, Gawuh."

"You're amazing. Who are you really?"

Jagat had targeted several opponents he wanted to take down—the weakest ones, those with irregular breaths coming from their abnormal heartbeats.

His foot feigned a kick, startling two members, and Jagat realized that they were still inexperienced in combat. Before the nine of them could advance together, Jagat shouted to the interpreter in Mongolian.

"Interpreter! You are free now. Go to the village and inform the Majapahit soldiers you meet there. Tell them that Arya Mandana's friend is fighting against Poison Kala. Hurry! You won't escape from them. This is your chance!"

"Beast! What are you saying?" Gawuh yelled, his face pale as he had been completely deceived by Jagat's disguise. He stepped forward to attack, indirectly commanding the others to do the same. But Jagat's next kick was no longer a feint; it targeted the two weakest members.

Head held high, Jagat deftly evaded and pressed forward, attacking the weakest opponent. For those with swords, they swung their blades towards the same target.

Jagat shifted his heel back about a foot, leaned his body to the side, then dropped his body onto the unarmed member behind him, grazing his elbow and face with a sharp strike.

The opponent's head dropped, his hands went limp, and Jagat quickly changed position, turning his back to the fallen member as he retreated from the crowd.

The interpreter was no longer in place. Apparently, he had heeded Jagat's request. Now, Jagat just needed to bide his time, using the fallen member as his cover— a tactic often employed by those in a tight spot. But Jagat didn't feel trapped; he just needed space to pursue Bengal, who was chasing Marini.

If the book fell into their hands, everything would be in vain. He had deceived two significant powers in Java— the Mongols and the Poison Kala.

Today would be Bengal's last breath in this world.

Jagat took random steps, ensuring he remained in front of his enemies. Gawuh and his comrades seemed to anticipate his movements, leaving no openings for Jagat to escape.

However, upon closer observation, he didn't need a clear path in the same direction as when Bengal pursued Marini. Although these members served as a shield for his safety, it wouldn't last long. He didn't need an ideal position to escape from this place.

A strong push forward would suffice as a distraction. And dealing with one person behind him.

That's what he did now!

Jagat pushed back, but he was still too far from the encircling member behind. The opponent's sword swung, but Jagat quickly closed the gap, stepping forward with his right foot and drawing closer to his opponent.

With a slow swing from his left, the opponent was sent crashing down hard. Before he could get up, Gawuh and the others retaliated, but Jagat had already started running.

Gawuh pursued him, and a few steps later, he shot an arrow. Jagat heard the arrow flying towards him and lowered his head. It whizzed past his ear and embedded itself in a tree trunk.

He activated the "Thousand Steps Technique" again, trying to stay calm while searching for Marini's sound cues. He recalled and reviewed the images in his mind of Marini escaping Bengal's pursuit.

Jagat doubled his speed, hoping to catch a glimpse of Marini's trail. Meanwhile, Gawuh continued to chase with three others accompanying him. It seemed not all members were skilled in the Thousand Steps Technique, and only a few could master it.

This gave Jagat enough distance to take a moment and open up his senses fully. However, the sounds of battle from behind caught his attention, and he hoped it was the Majapahit soldiers coming to assist him.

He continued running, utilizing his newfound ability to swiftly and accurately assess his surroundings. He noticed a torn piece of fabric as he passed a broken branch, giving him a clue and direction for his escape.

Muffled shouts and admonitions were faintly audible, originating from his right shoulder. Jagat swiftly glided in that direction, climbing a tree and leaping from sturdy branches.

Within a few breaths, the Thousand Steps Technique led Jagat's eyes to Bengal, who was almost within reach of Marini's back. Both of them were beneath the tree where Jagat was perched.

While still running, Jagat snapped a branch and forcefully thrust it against the tree trunk, sharpening its tip. He then hurled it at Bengal's back with all the inner power he could muster.

The sharpened branch swiftly and accurately pierced Bengal's back just as his hand was about to grasp Marini's clothing. Bengal screamed in pain as his body fell to the ground. Swiftly, Jagat retrieved the branch and threw it away.

Without giving his opponent a chance to fully recover, Jagat leaped down, intending to step on Bengal's body. Bengal rolled to the side, his face contorting in pain from the wound on his back.

Before he could complete the roll and stand up, he kneeled slightly to fend off Jagat's rapid attacks, which consisted of kicks aimed at his body from all directions.

In the following block, he somersaulted backward and then stood upright, facing his disguised adversary.

His breaths came in rapid bursts, as he focused on his familiar enemy, concealed by the black paint around his eyes.

"Marini, I ask you please leave immediately. Let him become my concern. I will avenge you right away,"

This was the umpteenth request and warning she had heard, Marini could no longer refuse.

"Be careful," she managed to say briefly before she ran away, leaving Jagat to face Bengal alone in combat.