After leaving the misty forest, Brajamusti and Sinta continued their journey toward Kota Waringin.
The journey was fairly peaceful. But the closer they got to the city, the more often Brajamusti saw armed people walking along the road.
“Why does this city look different?” Brajamusti asked.
Sinta answered softly, “Because a lot of people from the martial world have gathered here.”
When they reached the city gate, two guards stopped them.
“Your business?”
“We’re just passing through,” Sinta replied.
One of the guards studied Brajamusti.
Then his gaze stopped on the flute at the young man’s waist.
His expression changed immediately.
“Go on in.”
Brajamusti found it strange, but he didn’t ask any questions.
They walked down the main street. Kota Waringin was incredibly crowded. Merchants filled both sides of the road, while the various inns were packed with warriors from all over.
Sinta led Brajamusti into a modest inn.
“We’ll spend the night here.”
As they were speaking with the innkeeper, a servant suddenly dropped a tray after seeing Brajamusti.
“Sorry!” he said nervously.
Brajamusti picked up the fallen glasses.
“It’s okay.”
The servant hurried away.
Sinta watched him go.
“They know something.”
“You think so?”
“Ever since we entered the city, too many people have been watching your flute.”
Brajamusti touched the flute.
Before they could say anything more, the inn’s door swung open.
An old man entered.
He carried a walking stick and wore simple clothes.
Brajamusti recognized him at once.
“The figure from the forest!”
The old man smiled.
“Good. You made it.”
Sinta stood up.
“Why did you bring us here?”
The old man sat down calmly.
“Because the answers about the Dragon Flute are in this city.”
Brajamusti stepped closer.
“What answers?”
The man looked at him seriously.
“Long ago, there were seven guardians of the Dragon Flute. Grandpa Paijo was one of them.”
Brajamusti fell silent.
“Then Grandpa Paijo…”
“That’s right. He wasn’t just an ordinary fruit seller.”
Sinta clenched her fists.
“Who’s hunting Brajamusti?”
The old man had yet to answer when a loud crash came from outside.
CRASH!
The inn’s door was smashed apart.
A group of men stormed in with their weapons drawn.
Their leader wore black clothes with a dragon emblem on his chest.
“The Black Dragon,” Sinta whispered.
The man smiled.
“Hand over the Dragon Flute.”
Brajamusti stood up.
“I’m getting tired of hearing that.”
The fight broke out.
Brajamusti used his martial arts, while Sinta moved swiftly with her sword.
But this time, their enemies were far stronger.
The Black Dragon’s leader attacked Brajamusti without giving him a chance to catch his breath.
Brajamusti was forced to use the flute.
One powerful blast made the entire room tremble.
The enemies were sent flying outside.
Their leader was still standing, but fear showed on his face.
“So it’s true… you can already use its power.”
He immediately fled.
Brajamusti was about to chase him, but the old man stopped him.
“Don’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because now they know how powerful you are.”
Brajamusti looked at him.
“Who are you, really?”
The old man smiled.
“My name is Wira Gantang.”
Sinta was immediately shocked.
Brajamusti had never heard that name before.
But from Sinta’s expression, he knew it wasn’t an ordinary name.
Wira Gantang stood and looked at them.
“If you want to survive, prepare yourselves. Starting tonight, every hunter pursuing the Dragon Flute will be on the move.”
Brajamusti gripped his flute.
Outside the inn, the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder and more numerous.
The once-bustling Kota Waringin had now become a place filled with danger.
And Brajamusti realized that their journey had just entered a far more dangerous stage.