The Fragrant Soul

Chapter 24: In a Small Village

People are leaving. They pretended not to know if any bodies had fallen from the top of the tree. If they know they are approaching the corpse, fear being accused as a relative or friend of the corpse. Hanung Koswara picked up the gravels that had been proposed by Sukma Harum. The pebbles were pierced by poisonous needles by half. How great is the throwing power of that man.

When Hagung turned her head, she saw that Sukma Harum was far ahead, examining the corpse. Hagung went there with a torch to examine the corpse.

The age of the dead is more than half a century. Black-black clothes. Wearing a headband from batik cloth. No scars or blood splashes. It was just that the person's face was purplish-black.

“If a fool, would think Kujang very powerful swordsman is smeared with poison that is very dangerous, so that his victims can die under these circumstances,” Hagung Koswara said.

Sukma Harum said nothing, he just waited for the famous opas to continue his words.

“But for those whose eyes are observant, will certainly be able to see one small line on the neck of the victim.”

Sukma Harum smiled. He admired the ability of the opas in assessing the situation.

“That little line is the one I left behind. He did not cut the wound. But the steak cut off the veins from the heart to the head, which was in the neck. The veins are broken from the inside, not because of the wound from the outside, The result is the blood of the muzzle into the head. Fulfill the batok, eyes, and head contents. The victim must have felt as if his head was exploding from inside.”

Yep. That's how the victim feels. Unfortunately, he was unable to tell a story.

“Kujang Arka Kencana has a wide range of parts. There are sharp parts, some are blunt. Some are straight, some are straight. Each part has its own impact on the victim,” explained Sukma Harum.

“So master swordsman chose how to die for this person..,” this is not a sentence of question but rather as affirming.

“The vile people who hide behind the darkness deserve to die this way.” Sukma Harum sighed. He dislikes killing people, but often it is the people who force him to do so.

“Lord opas knows who he is?” ask Sukma Harum.

Hagung nodded. “Yes. He is the Needle of Hell. His ability to throw needles and poison people is very difficult to find a match in this world.”

“Yes. The needles are so vile. The victim who died in his hands can not be counted,” said Sukma Harum.

“Does master swordsman feel that he is certainly a member of the murderous conspiracy group?” ask Hagung.

“Yes. He's certainly one of them. Going forward later it looks like they will take revenge.”

“Good. Let them show up!” hagung Koswara exclaimed excitedly. “Tonight we had to be on guard.”

“Tonight I thought they weren't coming. Losing one of the mainstay heroes makes them have to grieve for a moment and have to rearrange their steps. I guess we will be able to sleep peacefully tonight,” Sukma Harum casually said. He had put a special cloth that he always brought for bedding in the open. Not long after he slept like a kitten.

　

***

Early in the morning they had left after having breakfast with leftover meat last night. Halimun still filled the small valley where the forest was located. The morning dew on the foliage still reflects the light of the sun that just shone.

The reddish lines in the sky had already faded. The world is starting to light up. Human life is like this. When darkness and hardship end, what comes next is a hopeful light. And then the dark will come again to fill the universe. So next.

In understanding life, Sukma Harum always has this understanding. That difficulties and ease will come in turn. Happy and sad take turns coming to people to teach them a lesson about gratitude.

Is it not for one breath that man should give thanks very deeply?

Hagung Koswara looked at the handsome man from his horse. He saw not a single worry emanating on his face. His small smile floated thinly. Feels haughty, yet feels warm.

“Have you always been like this, master swordsman?” ask Hagung.

Sukma Harum chuckles. He said, “We had a life and death experience last night, why is the opas master still so saddened by mentioning as the master swordsman?”

“Tuan himself still refers to me as the opas master,” kekeh Hagung.

“Good. Starting today we call each other quite by name, or ‘aku’ and ‘kau’.”

“Akur,” Hagung. “Well now may you answer my question.”

“I just love life so much.”

Anyone who has a fate like Sukma Harum will certainly love his life. Anyone who is handsome and rich, has talent and expertise, will certainly be a grateful human being. It has become a formula.

Sukma Harum continued, “But many people think that a lot of wealth will make people more grateful. But they are mistaken. I have often seen those whose wealth is countless, still live in distress.”

“How is it possible?” ask Hagung in wonder.

“Because they never feel enough. Every day think about how to add wealth. Adding wife. Adding gendak. Also adding to the soil. Add anything that can be added. Therefore, all methods must be done in order to add. These are the real poor people. Life is not calm because it is struggling with cheating and tactics that are culas.”

Hagung Koswara nodded. He was silent for a long time, then he asked, “What are you looking for in this life?”

Long time ago Sukma Harum thought almost Hagung Thought the man did not listen to his question.

Finally Sukma Harum then raised his face and said, “I think I just want to enjoy life.”

“If you just want to live, why have to adventure in this harsh martial world? Everything you have, why not enjoy it quietly?”

“Life is not just good food, beautiful women, a magnificent house, and dashing mounts. Staying alive is also trying to understand the difficulties of others. Come to all corners of the earth created by the great God. Meet humans with all kinds of characters, see various kinds of plants, animals, rivers, mountains. Until death all that will not be finished enjoyed.”

“Oh, so the point is you want to adventure?”

“If I could enjoy all that without having to adventure, then surely my life would be much happier,” laughter Sukma Harum.

“In your adventures all this time, what things make you happy the most?”

Sukma Harum was silent for a while, then he replied, “If I could help the trouble of others.”

Some people are born with this impulse. They want to be heroes. Sometimes people accuse them of being heroes of misfortune. I like to interfere in other people's business. Difficulty living by yourself.

“I understand.”

Of course Hagung Koswara understood. Because he also seemed to have this kind of impulse.

Is there a wound in them that can only heal if they help others?

Maybe only they can answer it.

　

***

Midday is approaching.

They have passed through 2 villages. Less than 1 more village they will arrive at the destination. Cipandana Village. The place where all these secrets and massacres began.

They rode horses quite casually while chugging the young coconut water they had just picked up in the middle of the road.

“I wonder, why is this plot still not in action today?” said the opas.

“Because they know we're ready to wait for them.”

“Hmmmm...., This plot is very large but very dangerous and moves in secret. Their goal was to overthrow Sri Baduga. They have more than enough power. Why don't they dare to face us both?” hagung Tukas.

Sukma Harum sighed. “There are only two possibilities. First, they think we are too good. The second, we who think they are too great.”

“About which one is correct?”

“Both are pretty good. At least we can still eat, drink, and sleep quietly for a while.”

“Betul also. Hahaha.”

“Of course!” hagung Smile.

　

***

By late afternoon they had arrived in front of the gate of the village of Cipandana. The sun is starting to move west. The gate looks quite bright but rather shabby because it is a bit less maintained.

There are residents who then walk or ride a freight train. Apparently they are farmers who have just returned to work on rice fields and fields. Sukma Harum smiled at one of the farmers who looked friendly from his movements. The man smiled widely from afar.

“Sampurasun, Ki Sanak,” reprimand friendly Fragrant Sukma.

“Rampes,” replied the middle-aged farmer while still smiling kindly.

“Is this really Cipandana village?”

“Betul, Aden (sometimes commoners use a raden/aden to people with higher social strata). Aden looking for who?”

“I'm looking for brother.”

“Eh? What's aden's sibling's name if you know?”

“Name Sri Murti Trianti,” replied Sukma Harum.

“Oh Den Ayu Tria? Aden's brother?”

“Betul Ki Sanak. I'm brother Den Ayu from far away.”

Seeing the appearance of Harum Sukma who was handsome and refined like royalty in general, the farmer believed it. People who look rich and attractive are always more trustworthy. From the beginning until the world ended.

“Den Ayu Tria has long moved from this village, den.”

“Oh so? Where to move Ki Sanak?”

“Entahlah. Since the sad incident at his home. The family poisoned people. Only Den Ayu and Den Bagus survived because they happened to not be at home. He said all his possessions were ludes. He sold their fields and fields and moved out of the village. Out of nowhere,” that friendly farmer jleas.

“Home is already on sale too?”

“The house is sold, but you want to buy. Tau itself, den..,”

“Ah so yes. I forgot to introduce myself. The name of the servant (me) Raka,” said Sukma Harum while menjura raised.

“Ah I also forgot, den. My name is Sadiman.”

“Good Mr. Sadiman. Can a servant (me) ask for help?”

“Of course. Ask for help what, den?”

“Did you Mr Sadiman deliver the servant to the old house Den Ayu Tria?”

There was doubt on Mr. Sadiman's face.

“Abdi knows the house is haunted. Mr. Sadiman simply drove up to his area. Mr. Sadiman can go. Of course the servant is a little bit of a reward. Hows it? Would you like to help me?”

Looking at the piece of gold money, of course Mr. Sadiman would.

“Alright, den. Let's follow me.”

They chose to walk. Harum and Hanung Sukma tethered their horses so that the animals could rest. Along the way they also enjoy the beautiful and beautiful atmosphere of the village. It feels a bit lonely because [villagers prefer to stay at home. There was even one or two residents peering out from behind the window.

Realizing this, Mr. Sadiman immediately said, “Well understand, den. The village rarely has guests. If there are also usually people who have often come here to trade. Rarely does anyone from Kotaraja drop by.”

Sukma Harum just smiled while nodding. He noticed that Hagung Koswara had been silent. But he himself refused to ask. Perhaps the opas themselves have already started their own investigation.

They walked long enough. Sometimes meet farmers and villagers who happen to pass by. They were friendly and smiling all the same. This village although it feels quiet but feels warm because of the warm smiles of people who are met along the road.

It's getting late. Finally they arrived at their intended place. From far away the house looks huge. Park extensive. But that grand mansion looks shabby and unkempt. Plus there is no adequate lighting when the day is getting late.

“I just seem to get here, huh den? Is that okay?”

“Surely it's okay, Mr. Sadiman. Father may go. Thank you so much for delivering. Was the reward enough? Here I add again.”

Mr. Sadiman left with a happy heart.

Harum Sukma stared at the house with a thumping heart.

“You're afraid of ghosts?” hagung Koswara asked with a laugh.

“Fear not anyway. I'm just confused.”

“Why confused?”

“Because I have never met a ghost once. If I meet later, I'm confused how to behave.”

“If the ghost is male, I will invite him to drink wine and enjoy grilled antelope,” Hagung Koswara said.

“If female?”

“I'll give it to you. From the story I heard, Sukma Harum is the female expert.”

“Hahahahaa.”

They finally entered the house. Hagung lit the torch she made from the dry twigs scattered in the front garden.

There was not a single clue they found. The house was empty.

“Actually what are you looking for?” ask Hagung.

“The storage warehouse of their treasure.”

“Why are you looking for him?”

“I wonder how people can drain the contents that are said to be a lot of it, without even being caught by the villagers.”

“True too!” exclaim that opas. “Possible means there is a secret path to the warehouse. That's how the culprit drained the treasure. I am interesting. I'm getting curious!”

Long Hagung searched the secret warehouse until she finally found it. she found a small lever hidden behind a torch hangers on the wall. When the lever is pulled, the floor of the board not far from it opens. Something appeared behind the floorboards.

Sukma Harum laughs.

“Why are you laughing? You already know this secret path?”

Sukma Harum did not answer he immediately headed for the underground door. They both went inside and found a huge space. Empty churning. Hanung checked all corners of the walls and floors. He did not find the lever he expected.

“Free. Indeed there is no secret path,” Sukma Harum ensure.

“Knowing you for a few days, I can conclude that you already know how to transport the treasure,” Hagung's whine with a whimper.