Bamboo Flute Swordsman

Chapters 36. Rescue Mission

"Stone Fruit Hill? Where is Ki?" ask Jaka.

"The hill is in the east direction of this village. Does the swordsman intend to go there?"

"Yes Ki.. "

Ki Tama shook his head slowly then looked back at Jaka, "I suggest you don't go there, it's very dangerous.. "

Ki Tama suggested so is not without reason, he and the villagers had tried to climb Bukit Buah Batu but always failed. Not to mention the number of people who fell victim so they did not continue to do the search.

Ki Tama again reminded Jaka to undo his intention, "Master is still very young, love the life that is just a sheet on the body."

"Thank you Ki for the advice, but I will still go there" said Jaka steadily.

Ki Tama took a heavy breath and took it out slowly, "Alright if the master's decision is already round, this old one can only pray for the safety of the master."

Ki Tama then advised Jaka to leave his horse at his home because the trip to Bukit Buah Batu is very steep, difficult to take by riding a horse. After saying goodbye to Ki Tama, Jaka went eastward.

***

Jaka moved quickly towards Bukit Buah Batu, occasionally jumping from one tree branch to another. His movements were so fast as if they only looked as big as his shadow.

After a long run, Jaka has arrived at the foot of Buah Batu Hill. Jaka looked at the hill while shaking his head, as the name implies this hill is full of rocks that spread up to the top.

As far as Jaka's eyes could see, there were still many trees growing on this hill. Jaka started moving towards the top of the hill, his body moving very agile. Occasionally he hid behind a large enough rock while checking the conditions around him. After feeling safe enough, he went back on his way.

It did not feel like the sun was reaching the western horizon, leaving behind reddish rays. By then Jaka had almost arrived at the top of the hill, but Jaka stopped his steps. He was waiting for nightfall to make it easier to do reconnaissance.

"Now that night will come, I better take a short rest on this tree." murmured Jaka.

From the top of the tree, Jaka can see the top of the hill quite clearly. Faintly he saw the shadow of a large hut. In front of the hut were several torches lighting up the front yard.

The night is getting late and the wind that blows quite strong makes Jaka's body feel a little cold. Jaka then drained the power in his body to eliminate the cold.

Long enough Jaka was on top of the tree, but there were no suspicious signs yet. Finally Jaka decided to sneak to the top of the hill.

After the distance Jaka with the hut only stayed dozens of spears, there began to be sounds of people chatting. Jaka slowly approached the hut and the voices of the people chatting became clearer, occasionally accompanied by laughter from them.

At the door of the hut were two men standing guard, both wearing black clothes. Their stature was like those of a normal person yet their face was covered in a head covering.

Jaka jumped on top of the hut, perfect movement. He stayed on top of the hut without making a sound. Jaka opened the roof of the hut made of woven weed leaves, now Jaka can see ten people who wear the same clothes with both guards. Not to be mistaken, they were members of the Black Cloak Group.

"You must be patient.we are just men who always move when they get orders from the leader." replied the man.

"Huh..is it our job to just sit quietly guarding those little boys?" he said again while looking towards the corner of the hut.

Jaka who witnessed it also looked at the corner. In the corner of the hut there is a wooden cage in which there are dozens of small children. The age of those children was probably around eight to ten years old. Their bodies were so thin as they rarely got food, the look of fear was clearly drawn on their faces. Among the dozens of children there were groaning in pain.

Jaka sharpened his vision, now Jaka can see a child who is moaning, his body is full of lash injuries. Not only is he alone, but also in the bodies of other children.

Jaka growled furiously and then jumped down through the roof of the hut. People who were looking at the roof of his hut was broken could not escape when a single blow was aimed at their bodies very quickly.

One by one their bodies hit the wall of the hut and were thrown out. They tried to get up and look for who would dare to attack them.

"Devil base! Who're you?" shouted one of them while pointing a machete towards Jaka.

"I am the angel of death." replied Jaka as he attacked. Jaka does not want a lot of pleasantries to them, the sooner he kills them the better.

The person who was attacked did not stay silent, he intended to welcome Jaka's attack but had not had time for him to swing a machete, his body again bounced out with a shagged chest. The man moved for a while and then remained silent forever.

The other members then attacked simultaneously, including two guards at the entrance. Jaka was showered with very fast sambang-samburan, he swerved his body to avoid the attack.

When it got a gap, Jaka attacked back and managed to knock out two to three people in one attack. In just a few breaths, those people had now collapsed without lives. Jaka left one person to scrap important information.

But Jaka had not had time to ask for any information, the man bit something from his mouth. Not long his face turned blue and the man died quickly.

"Poison." muttered Jaka. He did not expect that this person would act that hard. Choosing to die rather than divulge his group information.

The condition of the hut that became a battleground was almost formless, the roof and the walls were broken down here and there. Fortunately, the children in the cage did not get hurt because when Jaka fought while protecting them.

Jaka untied the cage and took the children out. They looked at Jaka with meaningful gazes. The look implies fear and pleads for protection.

"Don't be afraid.you're free now." said Jaka reassuringly.

The children no one answered, they just bowed withered. Then they followed Jaka's steps out of the hut.

After the children were far enough away from the hut, Jaka immediately set the hut on fire. The red flame momentarily illuminated the dark peak of the Fruit Stone Hill.

Jaka turned to his right when he felt someone was watching him. Behind a sizable boulder, Jaka faintly saw the shadow of a human.

"Hey..who's there?"