Sawung Bumi Arrival

Jagat had already received the teachings given by Ki Besat, learning various languages including Mongolian and Chinese. This ability impressed Ki Besat, who expressed his desire to Ki Wardiman.

"Have you ever heard of a book that can resurrect the dead?"

"It's terrifying. I can't imagine how such a book could exist in this world, Ki Besat." Ki Wardiman was slightly concerned, seeing his friend still holding onto the bodies of his deceased family members.

"As long as the breath remains in my body, I don't want to be separated from them, Ki Wardiman. I await my own death, but it never comes. Have you ever thought about death? Didn't your wife and child also perish at the hands of the Mongols?"

"Yes, that's true. My wife and child were killed by the Mongol soldiers. I grieve for that, but there's still Gendis. She is the light that illuminates my life now. And this young man has shown me a path. If my knowledge and abilities can still be of use to others. And you, Ki Besat, find the light in life. Look, you have already brought light to this young man. Language proficiency. Isn't that delightful?"

Ki Wardiman patted his friend's shoulder and observed Jagat, who was attentively watching the entrance to their training hut.

"Until now, you still don't know the background of this young man. His origin? Does he have a family? Haven't you ever asked him?" Ki Besat tried to change the subject.

"Light will reveal the truth, my friend. Even if he comes from the land of demons, the path of light will guide him towards virtue."

Ki Wardiman's attention was momentarily diverted as Jagat's body language seemed to imply something.

"What's the matter, Jagat?" Ki Wardiman called from a distance.

"It seems someone is coming, Ki."

"Perhaps it's Gendis," Ki Wardiman replied. However, Jagat's behavior was unusual. Gendis regularly came to this place to deliver food and supplies for her grandfather.

"What's happening?" Ki Besat, who had previously hidden inside the house, also felt uneasy. "Could it be Lady Nanta's men?"

"They couldn't possibly know this place. It's highly unlikely."

The sound of approaching horses became increasingly audible. Racing swiftly, it became clear that uninvited guests were approaching the hut.

Gendis was the first to emerge from the dense foliage, wearing a bright smile as she led five individuals with her. One of them was a woman, her face stern and sweeping every corner within her reach.

When her gaze fixed upon a man standing in front of her, she paused. That man was Jagat, who stood motionless, observing the five individuals entering with Gendis leading the way.

Ki Wardiman approached Gendis with a face full of questions. His granddaughter explained that she had brought five warriors from Sawung Bumi for sparring practice.

Jagat Wengi was taken aback by this news. He tried to conceal his unease by turning his body and walking towards the hut.

Every move he made did not escape the attention of the two women. They ordered the two men accompanying them to keep a close eye on Jagat. Naturally, Ki Wardiman became suspicious.

"What are you doing?"

"We want that man!" The woman brought by Gendis walked arrogantly, her eyes challenging Ki Wardiman.

"A disrespectful woman. Coming to my place without manners. Who are you?" Ki Wardiman asked. Then his gaze shifted to Gendis. "Gendis! Who are they?"

"G-Gendis doesn't know, sir. They claim they can assist in your and Jagat's training," Gendis replied. She was starting to feel frightened, especially as the woman approached closer.

"Don't blame your granddaughter, Ki. In fact, we are grateful to her for bringing us face-to-face with the villain who killed our fellow sect members."

"Which villain do you mean?" Ki Wardiman asked. Ki Besat had walked to his friend's side, trying to understand what was really happening.

"Jagat Wengi. He has also stolen our sect's book."

Ki Wardiman seemed unsurprised by the woman's answer, but his granddaughter reacted differently. Gendis confronted the woman directly, with her back turned to her grandfather, and spoke up.

"You're lying. Brother Jagat is not what you think. He is polite and educated. He quickly learns from various books and is now studying different languages."

"Step aside, little girl. It's no longer your concern."

Gendis was easily brushed aside by the woman with shoulder-length hair. "Bring that man here!"

The two Sawung Bumi members who were ordered to capture him entered the hut where Jagat Wengi was last seen. However, as the two men attempted to enter, Jagat Wengi emerged holding a bundle of cloth. His steps were firm, as if he paid little attention to the tension that had just unfolded.

"Ki Wardiman." Jagat Wengi immediately knelt before him. "I express my gratitude to you for the teachings and training you have provided me. I owe you a great deal, Ki. But I have a dark and troubled past. I don't want to involve everyone here. Allow me to settle it outside."

"Foolish student. Your past actions won't change our perception of you now. Stand up, young man. Redeem yourself! Give this woman what she wants!"

Ki Besat suddenly interjected from Ki Wardiman's side. His words contradicted what he had previously said to his friend about Jagat's past.

"We only want his life today, all of you!"

Jagat Wengi remained in his position as the arrogant words came from the woman who had two swords tucked at her waist. For a moment, he considered taking those swords and resolving the situation through combat.

But he still thought of Gendis, who was nearby.

"What did you say? Are you judges who can determine guilt or innocence?" Ki Wardiman protested the woman's demand. The four people accompanying her immediately moved to capture Jagat Wengi.

"Marini! It's better if we capture and take him now!" one of the members said to the woman named Marini.

Seeing the movement of the four Sawung Bumi members, the two elderly men swiftly unleashed their best techniques.

Although they were not martial arts experts, their knowledge and experience far surpassed that of the five guests.

Gendis quickly moved aside when Marini attempted to grip Jagat's shoulder from behind. However, her intention was thwarted by a kick from Ki Wardiman directed at her.

Marini jumped back, drawing two swords from her sheaths. Two elder warriors had intervened in the conflict. She became more cautious.

"I know your teacher, Ki Rapala, as one of the respected elders of the white sect. But why are his students behaving so rudely?"

"Criminals are unworthy of respect. If you still want respect, don't interfere."

"Miss Marini, let's discuss everything in a civil manner. We can ask—"

"No need! Everything is clear. There are plenty of eyewitnesses," Marini replied.

"I didn't kill your comrades. It was Kala Poison who did it. I can prove it. In fact, I expelled them from your sect."

"Lies! You're not the victims' kin who have been played by him. Including Brother Sangkih. You pretended to be a student to steal our book."

"Is that true, Jagat?" Ki Wardiman asked.

Jagat remained in a kneeling position, lowering his gaze, and with his usual gesture, seemingly confirming the accusations directed at him.

"But I changed my mind when Poison Kala arrived in full force. They also wanted the book, Ki."

"Rise, my child. Stand up. Hold your head high to convey the truth." Ki Besat approached with a sharp gaze, looking at the two members of Sawung Bumi whom he had fought with.

"Now you've heard the young man's explanation. What else do you want besides evidence?"

Marini felt conflicted with that question. She came here to punish his crimes, not to negotiate like this.

"You return to your sect and discuss it with your grandmaster. In the meantime, Jagat will stay here. Of course, you can keep an eye on him. What do you say, Ki Wardiman? Do you agree?"

Ki Wardiman nodded in agreement, but the members of Sawung Bumi seemed to disagree with such a proposal. Marini felt pressured to give an immediate response.

"Ki Besat. Let me go with them. I am guilty of intending to steal their sect's book. But if you give me time, allow me to prove that I am not guilty of your comrades' murder."

"Marini... What do you think?" whispered one of the members. Marini was still hesitant in making a decision.

"Miss Marini, please grant Brother Jagat's request. He wants to prove himself."

"Fine! But on one condition."

"State your condition."

"We will keep this girl in our sect while you search for that evidence."

It was Ki Wardiman's turn to flare up in anger upon hearing Marini's condition. "It's better if you take me instead!"

"Agree or not at all," Marini retorted. Within two steps, she swiftly placed a sword against Jagat's neck.

It seemed there would be no solution to this problem unless Jagat Wengi resolved it through a little game. He wouldn't allow Gendis to be held captive by Sawung Bumi without a fight.

With his newfound proficiency in Mongolian, Jagat communicated to Ki Besat.

"Ki Besat, I will run from here so that they chase after me and move away from this place. Convey to Ki Wardiman that I will always remember this debt until the end of my life."

Ki Besat nodded slowly, though he wasn't sure whether to agree with the plan.

"Hey! What are you saying! Don't even think about it."

In a split second, Jagat Wengi swatted away the sword around his neck and kicked one of the members within his reach. Before Marini could retaliate, Jagat swiftly swung the same leg to widen the distance and start running.

"Forgive me, Gendis." Those words were softly spoken but audible to Gendis.

Jagat sprinted away. Marini and her four members immediately chased after him, disappearing into the thick bushes.