The Musafir

The Challenge of Fighting

Twenty-five of the warriors darted down the cliff. After successfully descending the hill, they darted back into white shadows.

This time they did not go too fast, as it would be a huge waste of power within. They are traveling at medium speed, not too slow nor too fast.

The estimated time needed to reach the destination is around the early hours of the morning. Indeed it can be considered not meeting the challenge of the fight due to delays, but Mantingan instead hopes so. Hopefully the swordsman who challenges him can not wait and go from there, so there is no need for blood to be spilled.

***

Two dozen White Mask Swordsmen hid within the lush grove of trees scattered around Mantingan. With the Wind Undergraduate Science they possessed, their existence could barely be sniffed by an opponent. That science allowed their body odor to be not smelled, it could also disguise the sound of their breath as the sound of an ordinary wind.

As for Mantingan, in the early hours of that day had advanced a step closer to his enemy. The distance with his opponent was only a few fathoms left. The mantel took a deep breath.

His guess was wrong if he thought his opponent was an impatient person. The braver who challenged it was actually quite patient waiting for Mantingan. However, the Mantingan still had to accept the harsh curses from his opponent.

“There is no need to talk much anymore,” said Mantingan who was getting tired of hearing all the insults directed at him. “Now I want you to convince yourself again, does this fight really have to happen?”

“Fucking young man who doesn't know himself, you're late and now ask for the fight to be cancelled. I stick to my choice. You join the Getih Asin Padepokan or fight me to the death. Keep in mind that you killed the disciples of Padepokan Getih Asin last night, I cannot just set you free.”

Mantingan exhaled his breath. “The warriors who attacked and endangered my life, of course I have to protect myself, especially I bring a girlfriend. If you were in my position, you would definitely fight back, wouldn't you?”

“Of course I will fight for my own safety, but I am not like you who do not have the courage to account for what you have caused.”

“What do you mean? You already said that the bodies were you taking care of.”

“They are just bodies, no longer worth. But you have frowned upon their lives which could be said to be of value to the Padepokan Getih Asin. Of course you have to replace them, with you joining us.” The warrior then laughed. “I've made sure you will get many benefits in Getih Asin Padepokan. For a swordsman of your level, you can get a lot of drugs, gold pieces, heirlooms, slaves, and do not forget about beautiful virgins.”

It was very desirable for Mantingan to spit at that person. With deep strength, Mantingan could injure that person just by spitting on him. However, he remembered the message of his teacher who said not to be easily provoked by his anger.

The mantan can only withstand the turmoil of his anger by bluffing his teeth. He is still human, he still needs to learn to be able to face all situations calmly.

“My answer remains the same.”

“Ya already then, just fight!”

There were not many other options, the Mantingan finally accepted the fighting challenge officially. Before they started the fight, in accordance with courtesy, they were saluting each other's weapons.

Opponent Mantingan directly pairs the horses, his hand preparing to pull the long sword on his back. The mantel does not put up the horses, it stands firm. Although he looks like he is not ready and underestimate the opponent, but actually the Mantingan is in a ready to fight condition. The horses are standing straight, like the knowledge handed down by the Kiai Guru Kedai.

The mantle that had originally stood firm also started to move. It does not move backwards, but moves forward to immediately welcome the opponent's attack. With an invisible speed, they met in mid-air, pitting swords against each other once.

Their bodies were separated by distance. From the exchange of attacks, the Mantingan could tell up to where the strength of his opponent was. It is true that the strength of his opponent is balanced with his strength. Mantingan's hand felt numb and his sword shook lightly as a result of the exchange of attacks.

Without Mantingan knowing, the swordsman who became his opponent also experienced such a thing, even worse. His palm turned blue and his sword trembled violently. Even he started to worry about not being able to win the battle after seeing for himself the power of the Mantang.

They turned around, darted, and re-swapped the attacks in mid-air. This time they did not do it just once. In one eye shock, they had exchanged over twenty attacks!

Now it is known that the strength of the two warriors is not balanced. The mantle in terms of strength is much larger. However, in terms of experience, the swordsman who became his opponent was much higher. Mantenan did not have much fighting experience, whereas his opponent had won many battles. That makes this fight more balanced.

“Who is your name, Young Swordsman?”

“Who is my name that doesn't matter.” His reluctant attention mantle is split.

“If if I were defeated by you, I would not die curious.”

The mantle did not answer. He clearly knew the whereabouts of the dozens of warriors who surrounded him, his opponent had no intention of losing at all. He asked Mantingan's name was to know who his relatives or brothers, which they would kill to the root so that the flames of vengeance would not burn.

The fight continues. At least they had exchanged over a hundred attacks.

The mantang instead of being cornered, he even mastered the fight. The coat does not directly defeat his opponent, he wants to make it as training material. Mantingan aware that lack of experience is a pretty detrimental thing, he intends to increase the experience by extending the fight.

Of course this is seen by dozens of warriors from Padepokan Getih Asin others. They were unable to resist his growl against Mantingan, instantly darting forward helping his comrade.

The mantant who noticed the move immediately took action by killing the opponent before him. With a single stab in the heart, the person still unnamed was dead.

Seeing the Mantingan kill his comrade so easily, the dozens of low-level warriors tasked with protecting him became trepid. They can no longer retreat, already the bladder is advancing.

While the two dozen White Mask Swordsmen restrained themselves. They are only assigned to help if the Mantingan is in a desperate condition.

The mantle flipped his body, facing the warrior closest to him. He gave a cruel smile.

It was such an invisible battle. A mantle in one fell swoop could cripple more than five black-ranked warriors. His movements were lightning fast, unable to be fended off by the dozens of warriors who were his opponents.