Arya and Sanjaya pretended to be shocked upon seeing the soldiers emerge from the back door of the abandoned house."Forgive us, Sir. We have done nothing wrong," Arya pleaded."Silence! We have orders to capture both of you. Resisting means choosing death!" one of the soldiers snapped."W-We surrender, Sir. But please, don't hurt us," Arya said, placing his hands behind his neck and kneeling.The handsome young man's actions were immediately followed by Sanjaya, who did the same."Hahahaha... You are in no position to negotiate. Whether you'll be punished or executed, that’s up to Master Sidharta."Arya was waiting for the soldier to mention Duke Sudaraksa’s name, but it seemed they were strictly keeping their leader’s identity a secret."Quickly, seize these two brats and take them to Master Sidharta’s house! We’re going to get a hefty reward, my friends! Hahahaha!" ordered one of the soldiers, laughing loudly at the thought of the gold that would soon fill his pockets.Four other s

"Your title isn't scary at all, old man. It’s only good for scaring little kids!" Arya chuckled softly, playing a psychological game to provoke his opponent's emotions.Suliwa couldn't contain his anger. Without hesitation, he lunged at Arya, who stood not far from him. The black staff with a tiger-head handle in his grasp shot straight toward Arya’s solar plexus.With a slight shift of his body to the side, the handsome young man dodged the attack, the staff narrowly missing him by just four fingers’ width.Frustrated that his initial attack was easily avoided, Suliwa pulled back his staff and swung it toward Arya’s exposed waist. However, Arya’s experience fighting four masters of the dark sect, all possessing formidable martial skills, allowed him to evade the strike effortlessly.Arya leaped and grabbed a sword lying nearby. He immediately switched from defense to offense, aiming a swift strike at Suliwa’s left ribs.Realizing his ribs were the target, Suliwa attempted to parry th

"I will kill you, boy!" Paringga's voice was deep and menacing.Arya gripped his sword once more. He wanted to test the sharpness of his claws against the claws of the tiger-headed man."Enough talk! Let's continue the fight."Paringga growled. His black claws extended slightly, sharp and deadly. He planted his stance firmly before launching an attack."Die!" The tiger-headed man lunged forward with a fierce strike.Arya dodged to the side as the opening attack aimed for his head. However, the follow-up strike targeted his stomach. The handsome young man swiftly leaped backward several steps to evade.Paringga was relentless. He continued his assault without pause, his speed and agility resembling that of a tiger hunting its prey."His speed keeps increasing," Arya muttered. He adjusted his own speed, determined to end the battle quickly.With a rapid counterattack, Arya struck back, giving his opponent no chance to retaliate.Paringga grimaced in pain as multiple wounds opened across

In line with what Duke Sudaraksa felt, Sidharta experienced the same. His fear continued to grow, and the specter of the death penalty danced before his eyes."I also do not wish to kill the soldiers of the Jayakerta duchy, Prime Minister. My purpose here in helping Sanjaya is solely to seek justice for the massacre of Sanjaya's family by these two—Sidharta and Duke Sudaraksa." Arya looked at Duke Sudaraksa and Sidharta alternately."Sanjaya has lied, Prime Minister. I am not as accused by the Grand Senopati. The perpetrator of Sanjaya's family massacre is Sidharta, Prime Minister." Duke Sudaraksa desperately sought an escape.Sidharta was stunned in disbelief. He felt forced to become the scapegoat for deeds they had both committed."I never thought you would only seek to save yourself, Sudaraksa! Yet you played a role in the massacre of Sanjaya's family. You even took the largest share of Sanjaya's father's inheritance.""Silence!" shouted Prime Minister Bayu Aji. His voice thundere

"It is true, Your Majesty. Duke Sudaraksa was involved in the massacre of Sanjaya’s family. I have already sentenced him to death because his crimes were beyond reason," reported Prime Minister Bayu Aji."Then where is Sanjaya now? Did he not return here with you?""Sanjaya did return, Your Majesty. However, on the way, he decided to go back to Jayakerta to assist Caraka, whom I appointed as the temporary leader there.""Who is Caraka?" King Wijaya Kusuma furrowed his brow."Caraka used to work for Sanjaya’s father, Your Majesty. Because of his good character, I saw no issue in appointing him as the temporary leader of Jayakerta until the official successor you appoint arrives.""For now, let him lead. If he performs well, I may consider making him the permanent Duke."A heavy sigh escaped from King Wijaya Kusuma's lips."What troubles Your Majesty?" Arya asked after noticing the unusual expression on the ruler of Jaya Buana.King Wijaya Kusuma gazed at Arya for a long moment. "Are yo