Sanggana Swordsman
128. Joko Duel Against Princess Yuo Kai
*Holy Blood Ring*
That morning, Tutsi Emperor Long Tsaw had been sitting gallantly in a large chair with Empress Fouwai on top of the main stands overlooking the Emperor's Square. Prince Han Tsun sat down by his mother's side, Consort Ni. While Princess Ling Mei was sitting by her mother's side, Consort Yim.
All members of the Palace family and top-tier officials have been present. They all sat in the chairs provided. The Black Dragon troops guarding the security of the Palace had been bustling forming formations around the grounds.
The news of the fighting match between Princess Yuo Kai and Joko Calm from a foreign land has a high attraction. Seeing Princess Yuo Kai fighting in public was an extremely rare event. So the match in the morning was something that all the citizens of the Palace wanted to see, especially the officials.
The Emperor's Square was a large open area with a stone floor. On the four sides of the square stood four large tall statues of people. The four statues are the embodiment of the four late first emperors of Jang Country.
The tribune where Emperor Long Tsaw was with the Palace family and the high officials were seated was on the north side of the Emperor Square.
While Bo Fei, Mai Cui and Yi Liun stood a package at the end of the stands with the Red Goose Guards.
The field is often used for archery exercises of the emperor or the family of the Palace, usually also used to train sparring and dance performances or certain events that are large in nature.
Now, in front of the stairs leading to the main stands the figure of Princess Yuo Kai and Joko Calm. To the right of Joko stands Su Mai as a loyal translator so that Joko can understand the words addressed to him.
Emperor Long Tsaw then stood gallantly in his red-coloured royal attire, complete with his crown.
“My dear officials and all my loved ones, this single match is an important event, not only for my daughter Tutsi Yuo Kai, but also very important for me and Jang Country. And you will be witnesses of my information!” emperor Long Tsaw exclaimed to the public.
Su Mai immediately translated the words of the emperor to Joko. The red-lipped youth kept looking at the Emperor while listening to Su Mai's translation.
“My daughter Kai’er and Swordsman Joko Quiet!” emperor Long Tsaw exclaimed to the two fighters.
“Hamba, Your Majesty Father,” replied Princess Yuo Kai.
While Joko Calm did not answer. He only smiled faintly looking at the emperor.
“Are you going to abide by my information and my rules for this competition?” ask Emperor Long Tsaw.
“Hamba will obey him, Your Majesty Ayahanda,” replied Princess Yuo Kai.
“I will obey him and accept him whatever the result,” Joko replied after Su Mai translated the emperor's question.
Su Mai then translated Joko's words to Emperor Long Tsaw.
“Listen! The rules in this game are strictly forbidden to make the opponent lose their lives. If Swordsman Joko wins over my daughter, then she will get one important piece of news from Princess Yuo Kai and a big prize from me!”
Su Mai again translated the emperor's edict. Joko is just a sign of understanding.
“However, if Swordsman Joko loses, he will still get important news from my daughter and must marry my daughter!”
Hearing the final edict from the emperor, a voice sounded many people commented in surprise. Because, Joko Tenang is a swordsman from a foreign land that they only know of its existence since yesterday or even just that morning.
“If Pendekar Joko loses, Pendekar Joko must marry His Highness the Princess,” said Su Mai translate for Joko.
“What?!” shock Joko Calm. He immediately looked at Princess Yuo Kai.
Feeling stared at by Joko, Princess Yuo Kai turned his head slightly until they met a glance. However, the princess only smiled sweetly. It was as if beckoning that the rule was an idea of her.
“Alright,” said Joko finally, while smiling anyway.
As a swordsman who is looking for many wives, Joko Tenang will be happy to add his future wife. But the problem is, Yuo Kai is a princess in the country, it is impossible to leave her palace to follow her husband back to the Land of Jawi. It was for this reason that Joko would avoid defeat in order to avoid marrying Princess Yuo Kai.
“Quiet everything!” exclaiming Emperor Long Tsaw calmed the noisy sound of the crowd that was like a beehive. “This rule and information are already based on careful consideration, then that no one can refuse it!”
The atmosphere in the Emperor Field was finally calm again, as calm as a windless morning.
“This fight will be watched by General Wae Yie!” the emperor again.
“Ready, Your Majesty the Emperor!” exclaimed the Black Dragon Army Chief General Wae Yie while bowing in respect.
Then General Wae Yie turned down his leg. His huge body that was getting heavier by his armor shot flying through the air then landed solidly in the middle of the Emperor Field.
Princess Yuo Kai saluted his father. Joko did the same. The two then turned around and stepped away into the middle of the arena, the point where General Wae Yie had been waiting.
The two walked while looking at each other. Because of the compulsory wedding gift if lost, Joko Calm's heart was attacked by a beautiful sigh when she looked at the beautiful face of Princess Yuo Kai, especially when they met her eyes. Besides being beautiful in terms of physical and appearance, a beautiful and luxurious dress increasingly makes Princess Yuo Kai a girl of very high value.
If it wasn't for being separated, Joko might have lost the fight this morning. Obviously Princess Yuo Kai is a qualified future wife.
Meanwhile, Su Mai did not come to the center of the field, she went over and stood by Bo Fei's side.
Now, Joko Calm and Princess Yuo Kai stood facing each other within 12 steps. In the middle of the stand General Wae Yie without blocking the meeting of the view between the two fighters.
Tension is created under the warm radiance of the morning sun. The catagintang also struck Emperor Long Tsaw and his wife.
“Your Highness Princess! You have to win!” prince Han Tsun shouted suddenly, breaking the silence.
However, Princess Yuo Kai did not heed the cries of support from her sister.
After shouting like that, Prince Han Tsun actually got up from his seat and stepped away. Consorts Ni and Yim notice the departure of the prince. As it turned out, Prince Han Tsun went to stand not far by Su Mai's side.
“Your Highness,” said Su Mai while saluting Prince Han Tsun who approached with a smile.
The prince stood facing towards the center of the field, as did Su Mai and the others.
“Are you sure Joko will win?” ask Prince Han Tsun.
“I'm sure,” replied Su Mai briefly.
“What if we bet?” tawar Prince Han Tsun's.
Su Mai snorted at the offer. He looked at the prince for a moment, not answering.
“Come, if you lose it will not harm you,” persuaded Prince Han Tsun because Su Mai did not answer.
“Tell me first what the stakes are!” said Su Mai.
“If you win, you can ask me for any prize. But if I win, you should eat alone with me at Liong Sue. Just the two of us. How?” prince Han Tsun.
“Good,” replied Su Mai quickly, making the handsome young man smile widely.
“But I picked Joko who won!” prince Han Tsun's.
“Hah! You took my hero!” su Mai Protest.
“I don't like it if my brother always wins, so I don't want to vote for him. You must keep your word, Miss Su!” said the prince.
“Alright,” said Su Mai finally, albeit with a heavy heart. However, he also has an analysis that proposing the princess is not entirely wrong.
Both are back in focus on the field.
“On the count of three, the fight begins. Her Highness the Princess understands?” general Wae Yie asked Princess Yuo Kai.
“Good,” replied Princess Yuo Kai.
“Understand, Swordsman Joko?” asked the general while gesturing his three fingers.
Joko Calm nodded.
“Good. One!” general Wae Yie shouted as he raised his hand high and straightened his index finger. Then straighten his middle finger while shouting, “Duaaa!”
The atmosphere is getting tense. They were all wondering, what kind of attack would open up that fight.
“Threeaa!” shouted General Wae Yie Long while flashing backwards. (BH)