Meeting Wisesa

Compared to two swords, Wisesa is the other side of a Wirahasa. Wisesa is on the dullest side of the sword. If he were the son of a king or royalty, he would probably be on the same side as Wirahasa.

Wisesa is a good communicator. He was open-minded and certainly the most resourceful. He likes to hang out with people he considers important to his work. Unlike Jagat, who tends to be uncomfortable in such an atmosphere.

Wirahasa said that Wisesa had copied the Book of Siluman when he was near Sabrang Panuluh. I don't know how he got into the circle of officials at the Kediri court, but it was not surprising to Jagat.

However, since the collapse of Kediri, Wisesa seemed to disappear from the scene, and his name reappeared just when the task was given by Mandana.

If Wisesa was close to Sabrang Panuluh, then he must have known Arya Mandana. And judging by his ability to speak, Sabrang told him a lot about the Book of Demons.

Perhaps Wisesa would have a way to copy the book at a good opportunity. And luckily, Jagat knew where his friend usually kept his books.

A scribe like Wisesa always kept the original book before copying it and selling it to the person who ordered it. Usually he would reproduce them and offer them to universities outside Java.

He has a team to help him do this. Jagat was once offered to join the team, but he refused because copying books was a waste of time.

Jagat went to one of his team members to meet with Wisesa. He said there was a big new job for him and it was related to the Majapahit kingdom.

Of course, any job that came from the kingdom would be more attractive than just being a scholar or a collector. The kingdom needed the book for the warriors, while the college was to study it like Kala Racun did for Sawung Bumi.

Armed with the high trust of the Wisesa members, Jagat was taken to a secret place not far from Daha, Kediri. In an old temple no longer in use.

The entire center of their activities was in this place and regular meetings were scheduled for the distribution of new tasks and jobs.

The time had come. After a long day of waiting, the well-groomed figure of Wisesa, looking like a young nobleman, arrived on his best horse.

As usual, he greeted Jagat with joy after not seeing him for so long. It had been almost a year since Kediri had been destroyed by Majapahit and Mongol.

Wisesa didn't want to guess anything about Jagat's arrival in this place, but it was clear that Jagat's arrival must be related to the book.

And Wisesa's face seemed to be surprised after Jagat explained his intentions and goals.

"So you met Wirahasa to ask me about the copy of the book?"

"Yes. Is it true that the book is with you, Wisesa?"

"Yes, it is, but I sold it at a high price, Jagat?"

"Who did you sell the book to?"

Wisesa's answer made perfect sense to a scribe. He would have done the same thing if he had experienced the same thing.

Wisesa explained that there were three schools offering high prices, but only one sect survived, Kentabuana.

Jagat tried not to be surprised to hear this, although he still couldn't hide his face from Wisesa.

"Don't tell me you have a problem with this sect, Jagat."

"What's wrong with this sect?"

"How did Wirahasa know I had a copy of the book?"

"I don't know. But it's only natural, considering he's part of the Kediri Palace. Perhaps someone told him that you were close to his warlord," Jagat replied.

"Sabrang Panuluh?"

Wisesa stood up when the name was mentioned. It was Jagat's turn to ask probing questions. He had no idea that Wisesa knew the warlord from Kediri. It must have been a long time ago that he worked with the Panewu of Kediri.

"How did you meet Sabrang Panuluh?"

"You know I know all the officials in the kingdom, Jagat. I care about them. Ambition, power, wealth. I help them get it. I've known Sabrang since he became Panewu. He asked me to find books for him.

"For what?"

"Your question is like someone new to our work. Yes, of course, for him to study."

"Not for his troops?"

"Actually, that's different. He wants books that can be used to study the Book of Demons."

"The Book of Demons?" asked Jagat. He was curious about the book that Ki Wardiman had also mentioned.

"Yes. But I'm not sure what it's called."

"What does that mean?"

"The name is there because we can't read the writing in the book. So it's a demon. That's all there is to it."

"And you also copied the book when you had the chance?"

"I did. You would have done the same thing I did, wouldn't you?"

"But it's a dangerous book, Wisesa. We don't know the character of the person who uses it," Jagat replied.

"Since when do you care about the buyer, Jagat? All we need is the gold behind the book."

Jagat did not answer. A statement that could not be denied. And now the book was in Kentabuana's hands. This is like a piece of events woven into a story.

On the day of Sabrang Panuluh's pursuit, it turned out that not only Kediri was involved, but Kentabuana might also have the same intention. The proof is that they went into the middle of the forest and captured Jagat.

At that time, they probably did not expect the new force that was chasing them, the Mongol army.

"Help me get the book back, Wisesa."

"What did you say?" That's impossible, Jagat. You want me to make enemies with the martial arts school. Unless thieves like us have a group like them. We always work alone. Forget the book. I have a good job for you.

"This is my last job. Wisesa."

"What? Didn't I hear wrong?"

Jagat only smiled a little. He wanted to say that Gendis was the only reason he was quitting, but knowing that name was still under Wirahasa's threat, he decided against it.

He also said another reason was that Arya Mandana needed the book and promised to make Jagat's life better than it was now.

"The traitor disciple."

"Since when do you care about the customer, Wisesa?" asked Jagat, as if to reply to Wisesa's earlier statement.

Wisesa only smiled a little at this answer. Still, he was thinking of ways to help his friend. For a moment, the two of them stood in silence on the steps of the temple that overlooked the lawn that had begun to grow out of control.

A few of Wisesa's men passed by. What Wisesa had said about people like him not having a group was just nonsense. Wisesa was much better now, and he seemed to have improved in his work.

Jagat was happy to hear this.

"I didn't actually give the book directly to Kebo Galungan. Wisesa immediately gave the name of the great teacher from Kentabuana. "But I left it with his wife in Wijen village. You can steal it from her house, Jagat. My men will bring it to you later."

"But there's something strange." Jagat began to feel the embarrassment of his task.

"What is strange?"

"I was originally asked by Mandana to meet Kebo Galungan at his school, but that changed after he found out that Wisesa had the Book of Demons."

"Wait a minute. Wisesa kept the Book of Demons. Is that what he told Mandana?"

"Yes. In exchange for her forgiveness."

"Sneaky bastard!" growled Wisesa. "Then the news that Kebo Galungan has the book has already reached Mandana."

"I doubt it."

"Why?"

"Because Mandana intends to unite all the white sects under his banner," Jagat replied, which was greeted with laughter from Wisesa.

"It turns out you'd better back off, Jagat. You don't understand their political game."

"What does that mean?"

"Mandana only knows who has the book. Wisesa or Kebo Galungan. So he needs someone to confirm it. So he sent you to Wisesa to expose everything."

"The reason?"

"Because Wisesa trusts you more than his own enemies."

"Because Mandana is from Majapahit, is that it?"

Wisesa nodded slowly and patted Jagat lightly on the shoulder. "Now you go to the village of Wijen. I don't have to tell you again how you stole it. But the sooner the better, before the book ends up in Kebo Galungan's hands."

"How can you be sure that the book is still with his wife?"

"Actually, it's his young wife. After all, who would expect a magical book to be in the hands of an ordinary woman?"

That's right. Jagat suspected that this must be Wisesa's proposal to Kebo Galungan.

"But are you really serious about taking this job? Won't you help me with my new job?"

"I'm not interested in your new job."

"Hey! You haven't even asked what the job is?"

"Never mind. I'm leaving now. Tell your men to get ready."

Wisesa could only shake his head and call one of his men to accompany Jagat.

Wijen Village was only a few hours away from this temple. Jagat would arrive in the evening. Perhaps he would monitor the village first.

Stealing a book from home was definitely easier than at a college. The security was less layered and he could be sure that Kebo Galungan's wife knew nothing about the book.

It would be even easier and hopefully his guess wouldn't be wrong.

By the time he was at the top of the hill overlooking Wijen Village, Wisesa's men had left. The sunlight was beginning to dim its yellow rays in the sky. Wijen Village looked so peaceful, nestled between the hills and lush rice fields.

He waited until darkness had surrounded the land of Wijen. Her heart was pounding with a mixture of excitement and worry. He tried to quell his anxiety by reassuring himself that the theft of this book was much easier than at the college where precious books were closely guarded.

Eventually, Jagat began to descend the hills to Wijen Village. Jagat was relieved to see that the atmosphere was calm and quiet. He sneaked into the village carefully, avoiding the residents who were still awake. Slowly, he stepped between small houses, relying on the shadows of the night.

After walking down several alleys, Jagat found the house where the book was located with the exact same characteristics called Wisesa.

But a loud shriek from the side made him realize that this house was the home of a great master of a martial arts college. Four young men approached him angrily.

And one of them was a senior disciple of Kentabuana who had fought him in the past. There were only two choices: Fight or run.