Warriors Meeting

A meeting of the martial arts figures of the White School will be held on a mountainside. That's what Jagat heard from Tantra when the Bekel came to Ki Rapala's house.

He had been sent by Arya Mandana to deliver an official invitation to Ki Rapala and Marini. But of course it was refused, for after the tragic death of his disciple and the fall of Singosari, he had no reason to remain in Java.

From his horse, Jagat looked around for signs of the bridge Tantra had told him about before entering the forest. The bridge came into view after Jagat passed a stream that turned to the left. It was a wooden bridge with strong ropes made from roots.

Jagat had learned from Tantra while talking to Rapala that several names of warriors would be present at the gathering. Names such as Kebo Galungan and Ki Bentrang were mentioned, as well as the typical warrior nicknames, such as the Warrior of the Vulture Land and the Warrior of the Iron Tread, and the Couple of the Brantas River.

What caught Jagat's attention was the story of a couple of warriors who defeated the Mongols while trying to escape from the Brantas River.

The couple's name became famous among the white sect's warriors.

After entering the forest, Jagat hid his horse as a precaution. A person without a horse would be underestimated and disregarded, which was exactly what he wanted.

He was present at the meeting to get answers from Mandana about the Book of Demons, which led him to Wirahasa and Wisesa. Two people who were equally cunning and skilled.

His closeness to Wisesa is limited to work, not personal matters or life. Only Gendis and Ki Wardiman had managed to enter his circle of life. And they were waiting at his house when this business was over.

Jagat had reached the edge of the forest when he saw a large grass-covered field with several mountain stones in the center, arranged in a circle of ten. All these stones were neatly arranged, as if this place had been prepared by Arya Mandana beforehand.

On one of the stones a man and a woman were sitting side by side. Stones that are normally spaced apart are now specially arranged so that these stones are close together.

Perhaps they had moved the stones to make room for the woman who had been seen leaning on her husband's shoulder before the group arrived.

Jagat confidently guessed that they were a warrior couple from the Brantas River. Familiar faces were visible. Most were young, except for one middle-aged man who stood looking at him. His body was swollen, and a small jar hung from his shoulder.

Pointing his index finger at Jagat, the man shouted.

"Jagat Wengi! You must die today!"

Without further explanation, the bloated man suddenly ran forward and charged at Jagat. His heavy belly didn't seem to affect the lightness of his body as he rushed at Jagat.

A fight between the two was inevitable. Everyone present was still silent, contemplating, trying to understand what had happened, but remained in a tense silence.

"Kebo Galungan! Stop it! Settle your fight later!"

The cry came from Arya Mandana. He called out the name of the figure that had attacked Jagat. The call only succeeded in dampening the warrior's attack.

Kebo Galungan. The Grand Master of Kentabuana finally came face to face with the man who had always been at odds with his students.

"Why did you have to take the lives of my students? What did they do wrong?" As it turned out, that was the crux of the matter. Kebo Galungan stepped forward with his massive body.

Jagat gasped in shock. He hadn't killed anyone. He had left his four disciples in Wijen Village in peace.

"Jagat Wengi, feel my anger!" Kebo Galungan shouted in anger. His movement began with a decisive step forward, followed by the release of his inner power. The release was aimed directly at taking Jagat's life.

It was clear that Kebo Galungan had no intention of prolonging the fight. There were no physical attacks such as punches or kicks, but he gathered inner strength from the energy concentrated in his palms.

Jagat Wengi also raised both hands with open palms and tried to build up a defense. His heartbeat was racing and he was trembling as he tried to resist the magical power unleashed by Kebo Galungan.

He had previously learned many important lessons from Ki Rapala about the Book of Sawung Bumi, although he was initially surprised at how he could master the book in such a short time.

Ki Wardiman explained everything, and Ki Rapala was amazed at Jagat's unique ability. Eventually he gave a full explanation of the core teachings of Sawung Bumi.

And here he was now.

With deep breaths and unwavering concentration, Jagat had begun to gather the energy vibrations just as the first scream came from Kebo Galungan's mouth.

Energy vibrations emanating from the roots, penetrating the layers of earth and reaching the center of the earth's smoldering core.

After a moment, amidst Kebo Galungan's screams accusing him of murder, Jagat felt a deep warmth in the center of his chest. He felt as if he had become one with the pulsing heat of the earth's core. With firm determination, he imagined this energy flowing up through his meridian system and gathering in his clasped hands.

Finally, Kebo Galungan stepped forward with his right arm wide open and struck the side of Jagat's body. The force of the energy was so great that it staggered Jagat's body.

"Aaargh!" Jagat cried out loudly. His stance was already wobbly, but his right hand tried to support his body from falling to the ground.

He was up against a Grand Master. It wouldn't be easy to deal with him. His mouth was tightly shut, his eyes were red, and sweat was pouring down his forehead. Moments later, with the help of his right hand, he jumped up and rolled to Kebo Galungan's side.

The fight continued at close quarters, forcing Kebo Galungan to retreat. For a moment, his magic stopped to counter the downward attack from Jagat Wengi's feet.

An attack to Jagat Wengi's head was the only way to withstand his opponent's leg attacks.

*Thud!

Jagat Wengi managed to parry the attack, then quickly clenched both hands into fists like a crushing sledgehammer that quickly flew towards his head.

*Buzz!

Another two-handed parry was performed to block Kebo Galungan's attack. If it wasn't for Sawung Bumi's protection, he would have been destroyed by now.

However, it wasn't easy to dodge the attack on his chest. The attack was extremely powerful, and everyone watching realized that a novice warrior who was hit by such an attack was in danger of bleeding to death.

Jagat Wengi nimbly rolled backwards to absorb some of the force of the kick. Even though he managed to absorb it, his chest still felt hot. He rubbed his chest with his hands.

Without giving his opponent a chance to recover, Kebo Galungan lunged forward again. The jug at his right waist wobbled rapidly. With his right fist ready for the next attack, it was opened, and so on.

The warriors watching the fight immediately broke into a murmur, revealing the move Kebo Galungan was about to use, the Face-Breaking Slap.

This was no ordinary slap. His right hand was already filled with great inner power, ready to finish the opponent.

"I didn't kill your disciples, Kang Kebo Galungan. During the last battle..."

"Hiaaaah!"

Kebo Galungan didn't want to listen to Jagat Wengi's explanation. Jagat Wengi was still too weak to retreat, let alone dodge an attack.

*Deesh!

No one saw as Arya Mandana stepped into the middle of the fight and held Kebo Galungan's hand.

Everyone was stunned as the Majapahit officer easily withstood the ultimate blow that had become famous everywhere.

"Let's hear from Jagat Wengi first!"

"You should not interfere in my personal affairs, Mandana! He killed my disciples!"

"But first listen to the explanation, Kebo Galungan. You will regret it when you hear the truth."

Kebo Galungan finally calmed down. If he refused Arya Mandana's request, it would mean that he would have to face all the warriors there.

"Now explain what really happened, Jagat Wengi."

"How did the three disciples die?"

Jagat Wengi slowly shook his head. The witnesses spoke only of the battle they saw. And because of that, Kebo Galungan immediately concluded that Jagat was the main culprit.

"Hey guys!" Three soldiers came quickly in response to Arya Mandana's call. "You will investigate what happened in the village. Gather the information you find and report back to me. You two have done enough."

"We will do so quickly, sir!"

The two soldiers quickly mounted their horses and headed for the village in question.

"While we await the results of your investigation, let us first calm our minds and hearts. Although I still respect your three disciples, there is a greater and more complicated threat lurking in the land."

"What is it, Mandana?"

"The Mongol has gathered martial artists from the Black School to join him. And one name is involved in helping them."

"Who?"

"Wirahasa."

Jagat was not too surprised to hear this news. Not like the other warriors. But at least it was clear. He wanted to withdraw from all this feuding. He wanted to change.

"Jagat! You can't be such a mute."

Mandana's face looked serious as she delivered her sentence. It was like a warning. "You can't run away from this circle. Unity is better than separation. "

"What do you mean, Mr. Mandana?" asked Jagat, as if Mandana already knew his intentions.

"Wirahasa and his group are after you. You must stay with us.