"Draw your sword, and you will regret it." I told the messenger of the Murim, "Take a stance to draw his sword."
The atmosphere is very tense. I made a big fuss when I arrived by kicking a small chair for the guests.
Nobody said anything until a flat voice made everyone feel uneasy.
"That's enough," the Sect Head said calmly but firmly. Even without thinking about his strength, I was amazed by his voice.
It's like confirming who the ruler is in this room. "Please forgive our students for their hastiness." The sect leader told the messenger of the murim.
The conversation continued, but another encounter took place in the distance.
___
There's a small tea shop on the edge of the city. Bejo Bejan is sitting and waiting for someone to come.
A very fancy, large horse-drawn carriage with the symbol of the murim and a few bodyguards stopped right in front of the shop.
A handsome man with glasses and a wheelchair came down from the carriage door. With her warm smile, he slowly got out of the carriage with his aide.
His name is Sengkuni. He was one of the strongest people in Murim. Some say that he is the strongest. Some say that he's strong because of her brilliant mind, which helps her come up with strategies. Some people say he never gets old. There are too many mysteries about it to be explained. Most importantly, he is on the side of justice.
"Master!" Bejo Bejan greeted the murim advisor.
"I'm sorry, Master, because I didn't have the foam to welcome you properly," Bejo Bejan said as he poured the tea with both hands.
"I don't want a fancy greeting, I just want to see my students," said Sengkuni with a warm smile and a face that looked younger than Bejo Bejan. There are rumors that he is immortal. But rumors are just rumors. No one can deny or prove it.
Bejo Bejan took out a piece of paper. "It's a new development in the Azure Cloud sector where I work." Bejo Bejan said this while giving it to him.
Sengkuni read it. His face didn't show it, but his eyes did. The change happened so quickly that even Bejo Bejan didn't notice it.
"Bejo..." Sengkuni said this seriously. "If the incident is really the same as what is in this paper. You shouldn't interfere too much."
"Yes, master, disciple understands."
The conversation between students and teachers continued as usual. But for the first time, Sengkuni looked out the window at the sky for a long time, and a smile appeared on his face. He had a mysterious smile because it felt different to people who were always smiling.
--
Now, inside the sect leader's room, I was the only one who was shocked. The messenger of Murim had returned to the center of the Murim Alliance.
As usual, the sect leader always put on a friendly face. But for some reason, I felt pressure when I was with him.
"Karman..." The sect leader said in a low voice.
"I just want to teach that person the basics." I cut off the sect leader's words.
"HAHA..." The sect leader laughed so loudly that it melted the atmosphere. "You're a fun kid. Just like my son said," she continued, wiping away tears of laughter.
"But Karman remembers this. This world is not just about power and influence. Sometimes we have to follow the flow and rules so that our lives are peaceful," the Sect Head continued, her face showing a slight seriousness as she gave directions. "But how are you?"
"I'm doing well, everything is the same. My body is normal. But I want to ask about one thing."
"Just say what you want to say."
"What if I kill White Tiger? Will you be angry? I mean, if I get kicked out of the sect, please take care of Sugeng."
The sect leader didn't say anything. But from the look in his eyes, it was clear that he didn't look down on me or think I was weird at all.
"How much do you know about the golden body?" the sect leader asked seriously.
"At first, I could only hold it for 30 seconds. "I don't know. At first, I could only hold it for half a minute. But I'm not sure; I've never used it as much as I could."
"Now it's clear. You should see Elder Hartono right away."
"Okay, I'm asking for permission to come back."
The sect leader let me go out, and his eyes followed me as I looked in the distance. I don't know what the sect leader's unclear words mean.
---
I then went to Elder Hartono's house at the top of Mount Bromo. But, halfway there...
"Karmaaannnn!" Tono shouted from far away. Breathing heavily, he kept going. "This is serious, Karman. It's urgent!"
"Just tell me. Who is bothering you?"
"It's not that..." I mean, it's Bi Ijah," Tono continued, his breathing still uneven.
"What happened to Bi Ijah?"
"She's looking for you.... She wants you to come and eat."
I just kept a neutral face. I was completely dependent on Bi Ijah. But now, if I want to eat, I can eat raw beast meat. Also, it doesn't taste bad at all.
"Come on, Karman. Please. Bi Ijah said that if I can't bring you, I won't get my food ration for tomorrow."
"Okay, let's go."
We arrived at the cafeteria. Putri and Bonar were already sitting and had saved seats for us. I went straight to see Bi Ijah.
"Karman, you're here at last!" Bi Ijah stopped talking. She looked at me again. It was as if she was seeing something scary.
"What is it, Bi Ijah? I mean, I'd like to eat," I said.
"Hey!!!!!! Who are you? You're not Karman! What happened to the real Karman? Tell me!" said Bi Ijah, swinging her soup ladle.
"I am Karman! Look," I said, pointing to the amount of food portion that would last for a week.
Bi Ijah's expression changed immediately. "You really are Karman! Eat as much as you like! It's on the house for you today," said Bi Ijah, happy to see me back.
I ate with Tono, Putri, and Bonar. The day had grown late, approaching evening, and it went unnoticed.
---
"This disciple is facing the Master!" I shouted from outside Elder Hartono's house.
Elder Hartono was calm when he opened the door for me and invited me to come in.
"You foolish disciple, why don't you go straight to your master after get up?" Elder Hartono said as he turned his back to me.
"I'm sorry. I'm just asking permission from the Sect Leader."
"What permission?"
"To kill White Tiger."
"What?"
Elder Hartono's face became serious.