The Thousand Mask Warrior

Reading Opponent's Movement

Khaung stood up again and grabbed his pair of dha that had slipped out of his hand. A burning sensation in some parts of his body hit by Jayaseta's rattan cane earlier.

"I'm honored to fight you, Jayaseta. As long as you know that your name is the subject of study and discussion for all members of the New World. We're all crammed with stories about you and how you're supposed to be part of the New World. Look at your life, Jayaseta. You're a kara. Your father, mother, grandparents were victims of the power that leaders, sunans, sultans, and kings wielded. Throughout the history of your life, you have been treated to battles and conflicts between countries. Mataram, Giri, Betawi. On the island of Tanjung Pura, Sukadana was split. On the Malay island of Samudra, every Malay kingdom attacked each other. Not finished there, you see the relationship between Malay and Siam yourself," said Khaung at length.

"Then, what do you mean exactly?" jayaseta's low voice sounded.

Khaung. "Join us, Jayaseta. Stop this meaningless journey. You spent time fighting various warriors and engaging in state disputes that you did not understand correctly. We will stop the quarrels of the nations and create a new world order."

This time it was Jayaseta who chuckled softly. "Your group's dream is too big. And if you look closely, you also actually have no difference, unlike the group that lusts the ruler. Hasn't there ever been Srivijaya and Majapahit in the history of the archipelago? Is that really your dream?"

Khaung. "Well, Jayaseta. You don't have to force me to give you an explanation of who we really are. So, what is the point of our fight?"

"I don't know. You can still go and not disturb my entourage or the other traders and travelers to continue the journey. Or do you feel better about taking my punishment?" Jayaseta.

Khaung chuckled, then laughed loudly. "Or, lest I have a chance to kill you. It is useless to persuade people who have no value at all in this movement, Jayaseta!"

Khaung roared forward, then held high ready to read out his dha splitting Jayaseta's skull.

The one under attack shifted sideways quickly and played his two rotational rods brushed off the first dha attack and the second and third dha attacks.

Before Khaung continued his attack, Jayaseta first quickly crossed each other with both hands.

PRAK!

PRAK!

PRAK!

It could have been the result of Jayaseta's counterattack. Khaung was jolted backwards due to Jayaseta's incessant assault. Both his arms and shoulders were beaten. He did not expect two rattan sticks could be as rich and scary as that.

Both of his arms were still intact, although his skin, flesh and bones seemed to be hot and smashed apart. If Jayaseta had not let out two rattan sticks, he would have been able to take his hand off my shoulder, Khaung thought to himself.

But, the funny thing is, why did the Daap that he held earlier was instead exchanged for two rattan sticks? How soon can Jayaseta kill him? Thought Khaung was back.

"I'll use the superiority of this pair of dha to actually kill him."

Khaung forgot the pain in various places in his body. He attacked with two cross-attacks.

Jayaseta had already read the movements of his opponent. Before the cross-legged attack hit the target, he had already advanced, turning the rattan stick over the dha, then another one went in to lock the arm of Khaung's hand holding the dha.

From there, Jayaseta freely beat Khaung's thighs, hips, shoulders and neck with rattan in his free hand. Added to the slight inner strength, the final strike slashing through Khaung's chest made him flinch and flung backwards.

The sprawled khaung endured the pain as the bones inside his body cracked in many places. He is still conscious, but the pain will not make him able to last long to not semutur.

Jayaseta turned and walked towards his entourage and returned the pair of rattan to Katilapan.

Apparently many pairs of eyes witnessed the lunge of Jayaseta facing the robbers earlier. Not all traders and travelers and travelers immediately fled when Jayaseta came to help. Many of them remained in hiding and behind trees and shrubs to watch Jayaseta beat up the robbers who attacked on horseback. They also heard Jayaseta's call that he was the Swordsman of the Thousand Masks.

"Jayaseta, I don't think we can continue our journey by land. Too many people have noticed this. They will only follow our entourage and may be too curious" said Siam.

Jayaseta realized that what he had done earlier was too prominent. "Then, what should we do now, Siam?" reply Jayaseta.

"We will go to the river and continue the journey through the water so that it is not tracked by others" Siam replied.

Jayaseta who was still covering her mouth with a cloth complained softly. "Damn. We have to go through the water again?" he imagined suffering on the boat.

In the distance, Sasangka noticed from the beginning what was going on. The Jayaseta in his eyes had an unusually fast and agile movement, developing far towards the complete swordsman compared to the previous moments, the last time they met.

Destiny also slowly showed its strength, wherein, the cigar interlude leaves away, the, Jaka Pasirluhur heard the news from the people who flocked from the direction in front of him that the Thousand Mask Warrior was facing the robbers who were dozens of in number alone.

Without a second thought, the puffer from Banyumas immediately ran fast, spurring his body by using the deep energy channeled to both feet through the grass, hills, and hills, and small forest trees on the side of a river in the border region of Siam and Malay.