The Musafir

The Corpse that Lays among the Shrubland

SO WAKE UP Kana to continue the journey. Soon, it will be day. The sun had risen high between the gaps of the green hills. However, Mantingan did not want them to be late which would certainly delay the voyage to Champa. Moreover, the Angel of the North River had to take Cana along on a voyage to her native land.

Kana was still half conscious and half sleepy when Mantingan woke her up. Apparently, the boy was not happy if his sleep was disturbed, but however he knew that a swordsman should not laze too long.

After breakfast a few pieces of tasteless but filling pastries, Mantingan and Kana again continue their journey to the White Wind College.

Mantingan put his caping on to protect his head and eyes from the scorching rays of the sun, but he lent the robe to Cana so that the boy would not overheat. Walk the two on the edge of the wide road where the ground has been cracked.

This time, the wind was not as fierce as the previous days. Only a little wind felt on his face. Until Mantingan thought, not a single wind that blows that day. The leaves remain in place, unless one or two squirrels or birds pass through which the leaves drift to the ground. The bush bushes are equally silent, except if one or two garlands or monitor lizards pass quickly.

The sky was so bright and clean. Not even a cloud. Only the blue sky alone, which would dazzle anyone if it raised its head upwards even with its eyes closed.

The bushes were rustling, the leaves were broken from their place. It all sounds like an animal act, but it is very different from the meaning of Mantingan who considers it a threat of distress!

His feet continued to move even though the sounds kept popping. The Sword of Kiai Kedai. Encouraged his hearing using the Science of Hearing Dew Drops. While Kana did not seem to realize that the voices were not caused by animals, she continued to walk casually.

Mantingan still has not acted but is always in a state of planning. Not all greatness, rustling in trees or shrubs, can be interpreted as a movement of warriors who want to find a tantrum with him.

However, Mantingan could not rule out the possibility that the warriors passing nearby had other interests that had nothing to do with him.

As long as he still took Kana on an important journey, which he should really protect, the Mantingan would not be so easy to interfere in the affairs of other warriors.

He remembered his teacher who had said that, once plunged into the martial world, it would be difficult to escape from it.

If Mantingan is too busy meddling in the affairs of other warriors, then all the planning of his life can be changed.

In the martial world, all events that seem unexpected can have a relationship with previous events. Creating a long chain that will not be broken even if the swordsman is dead.

Mantingan also remembered when his meeting with the Red Sanca Swordsman who turned out to have a connection with the killing of thousands of warriors he did.

That's what makes Kiai Guru Kedai's words feel right. However, every human being has a charcoal of revenge that will demand revenge if it is ignited. That is the martial world, where the path is always soaked in human blood which is briefly then burned to the ground by the fire of vengeance, even so the road is never dry.

Although the rules are not written in the martial world, death in battle is the greatest achievement that cannot be equated with murder. If murder leads to abomination and inhumanity, then death in battle leads to honor.

But indeed, sometimes it still created embers of revenge from the closest people, colleagues, or students due to the loss of the swordsman. Those who demand revenge do not mean disrespecting the unwritten rules of the martial world, because they have challenged the opponent first before starting the fight—which even if attacking without challenging is not a problem, and the death of any party when the fight is taking place can be interpreted as the peak of perfection of a warrior's life.

Such was the life of a swordsman who was indeed not much different from a sword-wisher. Wherever his feet step, battle and death are likened to dust floating in the dry wind.

***

THAT AFTERNOON. Mantingan blocked the path of Cana with his hand. His eyes stared intently at the thicket under the orange rays of the twilight sun. Kana who knew that something had happened that was not right was immediately alert her sword.

Mantingan took a deep breath before saying, “Do you have enough courage to look at the corpses of people, Kana?”

Can be seen by Mantingan, Kana is nervous but on the other hand she looks curious. Presumably the boy had realized that it was not the threat of distress that Mantingan saw, but rather the result of the distress itself.

“What is the swordsman usually see ...”

The mantle cuts first. “A swordsman makes his decision based on his own considerations.”

Kana was silent for a moment before sighing deeply. How he knows, sooner or later he will be faced with something like this. If not now, then tomorrow. The difference, if now with Mantingan, and if tomorrow not with Mantingan.

“I feel the need to see it, Kakanda.”

The mantang nodded his head. “Stay waste your sword and courage.”

Mantingan walked slowly in the direction that his eyes were aiming at. Kana was snuggling right behind him. While walking, Mantingan thought.

Was his decision to allow Kana to see a corpse that could be said to be dead horribly justifiable? Remembering that, Kana was still a teenager. It is very unusual for a child of his age to have seen the abominations of the martial world. It's too early.

But then Mantingan also realized that this was indeed he should have done. For if Kana wanted to protect Kina— as she had been assigned, and if the boy had to launch a bloody attack or even murder, then he would first have to have the courage to face blood.

Mantingan remembered the real stories experienced by a number of warriors, who were killed helplessly despite having trained in college for a dozen years. When facing an opponent, those warriors could only tremble. Raised his sword, but did not have the courage to swing it.

Mantingan did not want that to happen to Cana.

So when they reached among the thickets, there was a sight that was not at all unsightly. The mantle exhaled a very long breath, as if that was the longest breath he had ever taken. Kana could only endure her nausea even though her eyes could not stop staring at the scene.