The Musafir
Debates that Don't Reach an Agreement
“Mendayu Leaf Swordsman, it is a great honor for all of us to be able to meet such a famous swordsman as you are!”
“Bloody Kellewang Swordsman is too complimentary. Compared to you, I am nothing.”
“Hahaha! Would this me who is so weak and helpless be worthy of comparison with a warrior who is able to kill hundreds of opponents with just a leaf?”
“And can your speed be compared to something, O Bloody Swordsman? You were able to kill a hundred opponents in just the blink of an eye.”
***
MANTINGAN continues to see and listen to pleasant conversations between people referred to as Bloody Kelewang Swordsman with Kartika who is in fact a swordsman titled Mendayu Leaf Swordsman, until he arrived when he heard whispers of sound from inside one of the tents of puppet players.
“Those who were talking to the elder brother were one of the groups from the Six Kelewang Guild.”
“Ah, Six Kelewang Guild. I know that fellowship. They are black, right? Well, those who come this belong to the group which?”
“They are part of the Blood Kelewang Group. Of the other five groups named Kelewang Api, Kelewang Angin, Kelewang Mega, Kelewang Tanah, and Kelewang Kayu, only those who do not take the natural element as its name, are, because all his actions have indeed reflected his name.”
The conversation continued in a quiet whisper.
“So, those who come here love human blood? Ssssh, Brother, if that's true then it would be terrible, I'm afraid ...”
“But that doesn't mean they like to drink human blood or anything like that, sister! They just caused too much bloodshed everywhere. And from the news of the birds that spread, their kelewang never clean of blood.”
“Stay I'm afraid, Brother.”
“Okay, is there anything that can drive away your fear?”
Mantingan took off his hearing from the two women who presumably will soon have an unnatural romance in a moment. He turned back to the conversation between Kartika and the Bloody Kelewang Swordsman.
“You have come all the way to this place, don't you want to enjoy just a small banquet from us?”
“I don't think it's necessary at all. It's good if we immediately implement what we have promised before.”
“Pardon me, O valiant Bloody Mink Swordsman, but the information you sell we must make sure in advance the truth before we actually pay you.”
“The beautiful and graceful Mendayu Leaf Swordsman is like a moon, haven't we worked together before? And has it not been proven that we are a group you can trust?”
What kind of information do they sell to Kartika? Mantingan continued to listen even though he did not seem to listen at all.
The atmosphere became silent for a moment. Mantingan began to feel the breeze of the killer coming from the person called the Bloody Kelewang Swordsman. How hot it was without many realizing it.
“Then what should we do, O Kartika? If we have to prove that the statement is not a scam, then we have to expose the information to you, while there is no guarantee at all that you will pay.”
The mantan can understand his condition. The two warriors had met a stalemate, which presumably could always end up in a fight if the atmosphere heated up. And how Mantingan also knew that he would be involved if the fight was to actually happen, because no matter how many dozen people who were members of the Blood Devouring Group were certain to attack.
May he protect those who are weak and helpless like the puppet cast. For is not the duty of every warrior to protect the weak who are oppressed by the strong? However, it is certain that the black warriors were excluded, because they did the opposite by oppressing the weak and flattering the strong.
And did not Mantingan also promise Kartika that he will prioritize the safety of the puppet cast over all its interests? If it is in his interest here to extract the most profound information about what happened to Tapa Balian, which he did in disguise as a lay swordsman, then all such efforts must be thwarted by him. Currently, Mantingan only thought hard to find a way that could prevent a fight, but how later Mantingan realized that he had no control over this situation. His hopes soon focused on Kartika, who still continues to have hot negotiations with the Bloody Kelewang Swordsman.
“If indeed a deal cannot be created, then suppose this meeting never existed. We can still cancel this agreement, O mighty Bloody Mancier Kelewar
“Can't be like that!” In Mantingan's hearing, the swordsman's lewd began to lift. “We came from Koying just for this agreement. You can't undo it so easily, Kartika! Remember that I am the main student of our grandfather!”
“Why should?” Kartika said it in a flat tone, although the sentence was clearly challenging. “If it is true that you are the main disciple of the Bloodsucking Grandfather, then surely you can show a little authority.”
“From yesterday I refrained from slashing this kelew into your neck, Kartika! What more do you want to take from me?!”
“Decars, I have given the best path for all of us. You must know that in the underground world, all purchases can be canceled at any time if a deal is not reached. Forget this deal. I'll give you a little money for damages.”
Apparently they come from the underground network of the martial world. Mantingan nodded his head in his mind. For him it was quite satisfying, although he did not know what kind of information they were selling.
“Kartika, you must know that the exchange rate for the information I sell is not a piece of money, so you can not also replace all our losses with pieces of money!”
The mantas are getting more and more astonished. Now even his forehead has shrunk. If in the purchase agreement between them does not use the money as an exchange rate, then it is certain that the information sold by the Bloody Kelewang Pendekar is a very important information, he said, for it is included in something invaluable.
“We will indemnify one Stone, which you know is worth a thousand pieces of gold. But if you don't want ...”
There was doubt in Kartika's speech until the sentence had to stop.
“If I don't want to, then what?”
“We will present the Fall Leaf Dance to you guys!”
