Saturday, February 20, 2010

Pitung the Champion of Betawi


Pitung, The Champion of Betawi
Retold by Satoto Kusasi

Proloque
Batavia in year 1875 was Capital Town of Dutch East Indie Colony. The town became large since many foreigner people of China, Arab and Dutch came migrate to the town;
They made land occupation and settlement at there.
While the native, Betawi people was pressed away to edge town.
Particularly the Colonial Dutch Government who have their authority to drive out Betawi people. That was why Betawi people have to struggle against Dutch for their freedom.
This story would be told for you in Betawi Language because the owner of this story is Batavian or Betawi.
Sometime they tell the story in a theater of ‘LENONG BETAWI’ in occasion celebration of circumcision; Along with ‘ONDEL-ONDEL dancing’ as well as “ORKES TAN-JIT-DOR’

Chapter 1

Si Pitung was a young man in this story, age seventeen with good and strong muscle; His job as Shepherd goat of Hong Li’s. Now he ask his friend, Ji-i to replace his job for a moment.
“Hi Ji-i, will you replace my job for a moment? Because I have to meet Abah Somad; He call on me for coming at his home immediately.”
“How come goodness of yours! (=enak aje lu!).........What is business of yours with Abah Somad?”
“I wonder with you, always want to know every one’s business. (Gua heran ame lu, pengen tau aje urusan orang).”
“Because I am your friend and so I have to know your business; Then I have to go along with you.”
“So, who shepherd my goat any way? It can eat vegetable leaves at plantation; Then I will be punished by the farmer.”
“That’s good for you but not good for me (=enak di elu nggak enak di gue dong); We can go together and leave behind the goat; Believe me it will not go to every where.”
“Come here Ji-i, I want to whis you; He said that there is a secret job for me. That is why I have to go alone.’
“What secret is?”
“I don’t know, since he hasn’t told me yet; If I have heard it then I will not telling you since it is a secret, you know?”
‘Well, I understood, so you can go then; Good luck to you, but remember that recently the Dutch soldiers patrol often coming to our village.”
“That was I thinking about and I assume it have correlation with Abah Somad’s order on me . Perhaps he wants me to upset the Dutch soldiers. So, will you help me my friend.”
“Of course I will.’
‘OK good luck to you too’ Said Pitung and he goes off.

Chapter 2

Haji Abah Somad is a rich man and highly regarded in Marunda Village. He is never stingy; That is why he has many friends. He always urge the people to struggle against Dutch ruler; He hate Dutch very much. That’s why the Dutch wants to catch and arrest this man, who always making trouble.
Finally, Pitung came to Abah Somad’s home. His step unsteady since he always think concern what Abah Somad’s order will be.
Pitung thought, “What kind of task that I have to do? Perhaps, I have to fight against Dutch soldiers;.....No, I can’t do it; I am afraid. However, If he asked me to fight against their younger, Dutch boys then I will do; Because of that boys are conceited. They conceited just because of their wealthy. I will punch that boys until they surrender. But I want to make friend with Dutch pretty girl; Oh it will be so nice to make friend with her.”
Abah Somad said, “Hi Pitung, finally you came, thank you; I though you will not come and unrespect to me. Remember, I am your Grandpa or can be counted as your Grandpa, you know?.”
Pitung thought, “He called himself as my Grandpa, how could it be? Ok, I will call him Grandpa.”
“Grandpa, How come I didn’t respect on you? So, what is your problem Grandpa?’
“Before I speak, will you be acquainted with your friend in this struggle against Dutch, his name is Rais.
There is a young man as a guest in the room.
The two young men shook hands, “What is your name? Sorry I just heard ‘Tung’? Asked Rais.
“My name is Pitung.’
“What Pitung?”
“Just Pitung without second name; and how you, what Rais?”
“My name Rais bin Rokim”
‘So, your father’s name is Rokim.’
“Precisely yes! So what is your father’s name?
“I don’t want you to know; I want to hide that name as secret.’
‘You make a joke by hidden your father’s name.’
‘The reason is want to make save my father in his home. If I have been caught by Dutch soldiers then I will have to blame my performance by myself, not my father. The Dutch also will not interrupt my father when I am free. Isn’t right Grandpa Somad?
’Yes it’s right; You are clever looks like a mouse deer.’ Somad said
‘So what can I do with my name? Is too late?’ Asked Rais.
‘It is symple, erase your father’s name, OK?’
Abah Somad comment, ‘I am pleased to you all; Even though you are young but you have your strength struggling against Dutch; You involved in this struggle.’
‘I am not; What is struggle? Please mention to me Grandpa?” Rais asked.
‘You know Rais....., now we live in bad condition. We have been pressing by Dutch ruler for a long time, up until now. There is no job at every where; No job at this place and the same thing at other place. Finally, you have no money then you became poverty people.
You must know, the soil that you step on, is your Great Grandma’s soil; So it is your land too; That’s why all of you should become Land Lord.
I have my experience that I have ever feel full of pride; When I was young, when The Dutch not yet come to occupy our Country; I was a Land Lord at that moment; Ones, a man asked me wants to buy land; He asked, “Who is the owner of that land in which many coconut trees?”
“That is my own land (=Tanah Abang)’
“And how about that land in which many rambutan trees (=nephelium) ?”
“That is my own too.”
“And that land.........”
“My own too”
“Every land is yours........Wow, amazing (=busyet dah....)
“Yes truly, every land in this area is mine.”
Times goes on and everything is changing, when the Dutch people came wandering seized and occupying my own land; ThenI have nothing now. Therefore, I ask you to chase the Scoundrel Dutch away.
“I agreed with you Grandpa; I will punch every Dutch boys untill they becoming surrender.”
“Your opponent will be Dutch soldiers, not Dutch boys; Dutch boys will be easy for me to chase away,...... slap them”
“No, I am afraid.....I can’t be able to fight against Dutch soldiers, but you Grandpa...I just cheer up from distance.”
“You are coward Pitung as if you saw ghost. If you were coward then I will fight by myself. I don’t need your help; I am strong enough to punch every Dutch soldier until they all die; even though I am old enough.”
“Please don’t be angry Grandpa! Now I am not afraid. How you Rais? Are you ready to fight? Are you brave enough to fight?”
“Who say I am afraid? If they came with amount of one thousand soldiers...then I will run away.”
‘Look Grandpa! He always making joke, slap him Grandpa! “
“Yes you are younger Betawi always making funny story in every discussion. I am not angry, even I am satisfied, that is Betawi way of life. Now, I have difficulty; that will be a serious problem of mine.”
“What kind of problem Grandpa?”
‘Recently, the Dutch soldiers patrol often coming to our village; They were looking for me, want to catch me. Because some one has slandered on me, that he said I am the chief of robber. You see, I am a clean man; You have seen what my activity is in day by day, I never do something mistake; I have never done against the rule. So what can I do now?”
“Who is the man that slander on you? Now, I will punch him; I really want to.”
‘That man is Babah Hong Li. His home has been broken by robber and then he reported it to Dutch police, exactly. In my assumption he has said to police that the robber was I.
“Who was the robber exactly?
“I don’t know, ..........am I a police officer? Ask them!”
“Please be calm Grandpa! You will be save. No body will say you are robber. They, the Dutch soldiers could be pleased patroling in Marunda Village or near your home, but they can’t accuse you as robber since no evidence,” Pitung said.
“ Pitung! Pitung! As if you have never known how Dutch bad attitude that always hit upon us as Native Betawi. They will never justify us as respected inhabitant, but inlander; The second class of Citizen. If they want to push us into jail then they will do it easily, no excuse and without judgment. And you Pitung, you will be pushed into jail easily, without justice.”
“You right Grandpa, perhaps Babah Hong Li never say that you are robber, but the Dutch did, for pushing you into jail; This case is an opportunity of Dutch to arrest you.
I blame you since you always speak about struggle against Dutch ruler,so the Dutch could be angry to you.”
“I disappointed to you all.....You never know concerning struggle against Dutch Colonialism.............OK never mind. But I want you to make suggest on me; Shall I run away to Banten?”
“You don’t have to; Since you have Pitung, Ji-i and Rais who want to protect you, by then you will be save.
I suggest on you, to call on all of your friends; As I know they are Abang Jampang, Mat Item, si Gondrong and si Pitung.....no, that is me. That guys are your soldiers actually and then you are their Commandant. You can command them for fighting.
Now we are ready for combating, so what can we do for you?”
“Now I want to give you big kites, each one.”
“Grandpa, we are ready to fight not to play, what purpose of you by giving us a big kite; However, I will receive it since I like it.”
“You can rise the kite into the sky when you saw soldiers patrol come. Therefore, when I saw your kite in the sky that is mean, enemies has come.”
“By then, I could rise the kite just when the Dutch have come; Not for every time.”
“Yes it is; And also please find to know the amount of them; What they are talking about and so on.
I will fight them if their amount just less than ten soldiers; But more than that I will run away.
Now I give you money; For time being will you stop your job until the condition become normal again.’

Chapter 3

Si Pitung came back again, met his friend, Ji-i. “Ji-i I have a big kite as price from Abah Somad; I give it to you. However, you have to rise the kite when you saw Soldiers patrol came. Then Abah Somad could run away when he saw the kite in the sky. ”
“Oh....that is the secret, I know the secret now. Therefore, how pity Abah Somad now; seems to me he was frightening. What mistake that Abah Somad has done to Dutch ruler?”
“Somebody slander him as chief of robber, by then the Dutch soldier will arrest him. However, the Dutch is really hate on him since he always urge the people to struggle against Dutch Government.
So Ji-i, I suggest on you to keep silent, don’t say anything to the ruler of Dutch; Please make us to be save...that is a good point of us.
I said to Abah Somad that I want to help him, but it is just for making him happy.”
“What is purpose of you...?(=lu gimane sih?) Pitung, you must help Abah Somad truly; You have to follow his struggle against Dutch; And even every people of Betawi have to fight against Dutch.
“Are you brave enough for fighting against Dutch soldiers?”
“Yes I am; For the shake of dignity Betawi people, every body have to fight against scoundrel Dutch.”
Pitung keep silent for a moment; His spirit is woken up by Ji-i mention, “You are right Ji-i. Now I am waking up, aware for fighting; Thank you. Now I will help Abah Somad with his struggle. The first step, I will punch Babah Hong Li; He was the trouble maker who has insulted Abah Somad.
Common Ji-i, let us go to Hong Li’s home.
Babah Hong Li is at home; He just weared panth and undershirt; He got a little bit worried by Pitung’s coming unexpected, what was wrong?
“Hi Pitung, I have paid your salary, have you?”
“It wasn’t the salary concern, but you have insulted Abah Somad. You said that Abah Somad is chief of robber, did you?”
“Haiya Haiya, so please don’t be angry; please come in and we can talk in easy way. I never say Abah Somad as chief of robber, really. I swear, I never say that word.”
“Then, who say?”
“I don’t know; Why you ask me....be better ask police officer.”
“If you told a lie then I will kill you, do you understand?”
“I understood; What can I do to make you believe on me?”
“Now I want you to follow us;We will go to Abah Somad’s home; Tell Abah Somad everything that you have known truly”
The three persons went to Abah Somad’s home, but surprising that plenty people were gathering in front the house. What was happened? Every person of Marunda Village has come for protesting the unfair act of Dutch ruler; Even children and old person has come.
Abah Somad has been captured by Dutch soldiers; How pity Abah!
“Pitung! You came late that your Grandpa has been arested by Dutch. They tied his hand then pushed him into cage.” Rais said
“ You said that you are a brave one, so where is your proving?”
“I am brave for fighting; However, they came with plenty ammount of soldiers, therefore I run away.”
Pitung astonished, can’t believe it and then become stupor, looks like monkey got electric shock. He thought, “If I agreed with his plan to run away to Banten, then he will be save. Now I have responsibility to rescue him; I have to release him from jail, but how.”
“Don’t keep silent! Please do something!. It was your task, because of you had said, don’t worry grandpa, as long as you have Pitung, Ji-i and Rais, you will be save........So what can I do now?” Rais said.
“I am not the only one that must be blamed in this mater, but every one of Betawi people must responsible. Hi Betawi people will you help me to release Abah Somad from jail? If you agreed, then we could organize ‘suicide squad’ for fighting.”
“We agreed! We agreed!” The people shouted. Amazing! The Betawi people responded his asking. The people were very angry to Dutch ruler, therefore they want to fight until they die.
“Now we have to have a leader for our group; We asked Abang Jampang for our Commandant; Will you Abang Jampang?”
“Yes I will! But all of you must be able to fight; You can able to use sword, archer and arrow, blade, keris, spear and so on; You have to give your confidence to stab our enemies until they die. Do you have your capability to fight? I knew your answer will be No, can’t be able, right?
Therefore, you have to come every evening in this place for learning ‘Silat’; I am your teacher. We also could make Abah Somad’s home being our Head Quarter.
Pitung! Come here! I want to punch you; You must defend my attack, OK? Are you ready?” Abang Jampang said.
In a minute, Abang Jampang seized Pitung’s hand, twisted and Pitung surendered, “Waah, I am surender, please don’t, its’s hurt.”
After that horrible day of event, more than fifty young men joined into Suicide Squad and ready for combating; They learn Silat every evening at their Head Quarter. Abang Jampang glad to see enthusiastic of people to fight against enemies.
Abang Jampang said, “ If the Dutch soldiers came then we will fight; Kill them, don’t be hesitated!
Hong Li came aproached Abang Jampang,’ Please believe me, that I never say anything concerning robber to Abah Somad. I never say that Abah Somad as robber”
“But I knew that your house has been broken by robber. Is it?”
“Yes it has, but the robber isn’t Abah Somad.”
“I knew you are a honest man. Anyway, do you want to help Betawi people or you want to help Dutch ruler? You can chose freely.”
“I will help Betawi people.”
“Ok thank you for you. Then you have to join our Suicide Squad and you have to donate your
money for buying food, since we have to guard Marunda Village as hard as we could.” Abang Jampang said.
“I will.” Hong Li said.
Si Pitung, Ji-i and Rais were among of Group Suicide Squad; They learned Silat eagerly. Even Pitung stood out among his friends because of his capability in Silat. Abang Jampang pleased to see Pitung.
One Month has pass by, Abang Jampang spoke, “ Gentlements! You have learnt Silat in a Month; I pleased to see your hard effort for learning. You must know that all of you are grandson pupil of my teacher in Cimande. I learned Silat at Cimande Institute. I hope you will satisfy as grandson pupil of my teacher at Cimande.”
Mean while,there is a Chinese man among Suicide Squad members; His name A Seng. Everybody welcome the Chinese man being joined as member, even though they suspicion whether he just has done for good manners. But no body know.
Abang Jampang said, “I want to know how far the result of your silat learning ,so I want you to show your capability to fight.
A Seng and Pitung come here! Demonstrate your capable!. Pitung as a Dutch soldier who held a rifle gun for example and Aseng held sword as a member of Suicide Squad. Now you are ready to fight; ..........go!”
“Please Abang Jampang! Don’t use weapon, I am afraid! “Pitung asked.
“You right Pitung! We will be sad if your neck have been cut by Aseng’s sword. Ok you fight without weapon.”
Pitung ready with steady step, walked arround enemy; While Aseng use Silat trick with name ‘Daze Heron waiting fish’. Bak-buk-bak-buk-wah-wah. Pitung got swolen on his head and bleeding on his mouth. While Aseng just got a little wound upper his eye.
“Stop! Stop! Stop! The winner is Aseng and the lose is Pitung.” Jampang said
“Teacher! He applied another maner of silat from China; I mean, he wearied out Kungfu. That’s why I lose.”
“Aseng, do you apply Kungfu in this fighting ?”
“No, I don’t! Look...the first step I spend trick ‘Daze Heron waiting fish’....after that I used another trick, ‘Dog bite ash’.......That’s all your leson in Cimande Silat. Is it?’
“Yes, you right. Pitung! You are stupid that you have to learn more than before; I hope you could defeat Aseng in other occasion .”
Every body got benefit watching the fighting, then they practise as hard as they could.
Pitung got rest for a while; His breath became fast, “How I could be defeated by that Chinese man; I though I am the Champion in this Squad, but infact I am wrong.
I believed he apply Kungfu; I have to have Kungfu knowledge, therefore, I must learn it and this man would be my teacher.” Pitung thought.
Ji-i and Rais approached Pitung in sad feeling; They cared the wound and dirt around Pitung’s head.
“Ji-i and Rais, I want you to follow A Seng when he would have been going home, find out where his house is. I want to be his pupil for learning Kungfu.”
“I want to” Ji-i said
“Yes me too” Rais said.
“Remember the China tradition, no free charge for their knowledge, I predicted he will offer stipulation to us; We afraid the stipulation would be difficult for us to accomplish.”
“Really,he will ask money for his knowledge; Therefore, we have to pay.” Rais said
A pretty girl came, approached Pitung unexpected, “Abang Pitung, I am Rokayeh, grand-doughter of Abah Somad; Want to say thank you as you want to seize my Grandpa back to Marunda. Just God will pay back to you.”
“We all Betawi People have to struggle against Dutch; So we are together will fight hand in hand; But we regarded that your Grandpa has been captured by the Dutch since he was our leader actually for fighting.” Pitung said.
Rokayeh look at blood in Pitung’s head and mouth. She cleaned the blood with her handkerchief politely. Pitung excited and his heart bit became increase, “What kind of dream that I have last night; How come a pretty girl go near to me politely. I hope she could be my partner then my lover,....please God make it true!.” Pitung thought.

Chapter 4

Ji-i and Rais followed Aseng. Aseng just walked not run, but Ji-i and Rais are left behind; because Aseng apply his Kungfu trick ‘Lighting body capability’ (=ilmu meringankan tubuh).
Suddenly Aseng left likes ‘flash’........going into forest and then has gone disappeared.
Ji-i and Rais run to follow him; they went into forest, look for Aseng every where. They searched until reaching sea shore of Cilincing, but Aseng didn’t find.
Even there is any house in the forest; They concluded that impossible for a human will live in this wild region like this.
Therefore, they went home without result.
They reported to Pitung, “We have done your order, however, he has disappeared in the forest. We also looked for him every where and even we searched until reaching Cilincing sea shore, but no result.”
“Well, we will try again; We will search his living in the forest....what you call the forest is?” Pitung asked.
“Forest of Genie House; That place is eery, the place of genie using to throw away child.”(=tempat jin buang anak) Rais said .
The three young men went into forest of ‘Genie House’. There is any house at every where; At south is swampy area and at north is sea shore of Cilincing.
Pitung gave decision, “Let us go home now; We will wait him at our Head Quarter. If he didn’t show up then he would has been suspected as Dutch’s friend; He came to us as spy of Dutch.”
Suddenly, wind blew up; The tree shook and the leaves fell down, even though no rain. And sound is heard, “Hi you! What was purpose of you by coming to my house? If you have something difficulty or problem then I will donate and help you, really.”
Rais started to run, but Pitung keep him tightly, “Don’t be afraid; That just sound of human, not ghost.” Pitung said
Pitung shouted, “Yes it’s true, we want you to help us; So please show your face up and we can talk easily!”
The wind stopped blowing and suddenly Aseng has stood in front of them, surprising.
“Amazing! (=Busyet dah!); Aseng you are really Kungfu Master ;I am surrender for the second time; What kind of Kungfu knowledge that you have shown to us?”
“That is ‘Sound sending from distance’ and ‘Lighting Body ”
“Can we learn that Kungfu knowledge? Or can we become your pupil?
“Yes you can”
“Can I?” Ji-i asked.
“Yes you can.”
“Me too.” Rais said.
“Yes you can”
The three young men look at to each other, as if they didn’t believe what Aseng saying. Seems he don’t want to offer any stipulation for his knowledge.
“OK let us go to my home and then we can discuss every problem of ours.” Aseng said without expression.
“We see any house in there; We can’t believe that you live in this wild area.” Pitung said.
“Common let us go; You will see my home.”
“Don’t so fast Aseng.”
“That is Body Lighting knowledge; You see as if I didn’t step my feet on the floor.”
“Wow....wonderful, you are flying! It’s true flying!”
“Every knowledge of mine will be taught to all of you.
Now we have reached to our destination; Here is the house of mine!” Aseng said.
“It is a cave not a house; Some one who live in this place must be Genie; Are you Genie?......I supposed you also not a Chinese citizen.”
“How come goodnees of yours! (=enak aje lu!)...me too don’t want to be known as China, I want to be Inlander or Betawi likes you all. I am a poor man; I haven’t a house for staying; a homeless.”
“I am glad to meet you Aseng; Because of you, a Chinese man wants to make friend with Betawi people, not Dutch and even wants to be a teacher of Kungfu for us.”
“That’s why I have visited home of Abah Somad when I heard he got trouble, being captured by Dutch. I keenly to become member of Suicide Squad even I have been in front of that Squad for fighting against Dutch.
Aseng touch Pitung’s emotion; “How a Chinese man wants to struggle against Dutch soldiers for Betawi’s importance. I should embarrass now, when Abah Somad has become angry and disappointed to me as his saying : If you didn’t want to fight then I will hit that Dutch soldiers by myself, even though I am an old man. I don’t need your help.”
Pitung’s tears dropped as he cried.
“Hi, why you so sad and cry?” Aseng asked.
“I don’t feel sadness but just be affected by hearing your word. Even though you are a Chinese, but you keenly want to help us. You are strong and powerful for helping people of Betawi. Therefore, I surrendered to you for the third time.”
“Please don’t call me China. I am Inlander too the same as you all; So I want to fight against Dutch,hand in hand with all of you.”
“Well Aseng, we want to be your pupil, so what shall we do now or how much we have to pay for your lesson or what stipulation that you want to propose us is?” Pitung asked.
“The stipulation that I want to propose you, all of you must become members of ‘Beggar Party’. All of you have to feel how sadness being poor. In my Country, Tionggoan Land, we have known the party as ‘Kaipang Party’. Desire of the Party is making all people in the World have the same level of their wealthy; Hoping that the very poor person could be able to buy food; That’s the Party desire.
So, I want to ask you for joining the Party and then we would become brothers.”
“Could one be allowed being rich?” Pitung asked.
“One can be allowed wealthy; But the rich must donate his treasure to poor as charity. And one has becoming poor must have his right reason. For example Babah HongLi; He is rich but stingy, ........so I have rob........the outcome has been distributed to the poor.”
“Wow....Wow, You confessed; So you were the robber...Crazy are you? (=Aje gile lu). But you right since Babah Hong Li cut my salary every time I lose his goat. God never sleep. I agreed with your Party’s idea.”
“But remember, concerning the robbery of Hong Li, don’t spread that news; Take it as a secret, don’t break it OK?
I want to ask you again, do you want to be member of Beggar Party?
“Yes I want” Pitung said.
“Yes I want” Ji-i said.
“I want to ask you, what my liability to the Party is?” Rais asked.
“You have to become beggar. You will ask charity to every wealthy person. If the rich didn’t want to give his donations then you will rob his house; You can discuss with your friends member your plan for doing robbery and everything concerning robbery.
If you being embarrass to become beggar then you could hide your face with mask or you could do your operation area far away from Marunda Village.”
‘Wow....It’s strange and awkward...That’s why you become a poor man Aseng; You are homeless and beggar. Are you happy? We really wonder about you (=gua sih heran ame elu);”
“No wonder since I certain in my mind that the most important thing is equality between people in the World. The people in the World should be fairness, together in happyness; The wealthy should help the poor and the poor should help the rich.”
“What? How come the poor should help the rich? Even we the poor have no money.”
“For an example is Pitung, the poor; He help Hong Li, the rich; He shepherd of Hong Li’s goat; Therefore, both of them can work hand in hand in harmony. But pity Hong Li; He is stingy; He have never been paying charity to the poor for a long time.
Who are the rich people, however, have never been paying charity, never give job to the poor and also stingy ? Who are they? Aseng asked.
“I don’t know.” Pitung said.
“They are the scoundrel Dutch that we will strike until they die.” Aseng said.
“Oh...therefore, we have the same purpose; I like the idea of your Party....I forgot the name of your Party, what Party?”
“That is Kaipang Party! .......remember, Kaipang Party.!
So I want to ask you again; Do you want to be member of the Party?” Aseng asked.
‘Yes we want to!”
“And so we will hold ceremony to inaugurate you all; Take this incense, each one, burnt it and follow my word, ‘Hi Grandpa, Ang Cit Kong! We are the fifth generation of your pupils, sending our prayer to you; Hopefully you are in happyness in hereafter, thank you.”
Aseng took three gunny sack; Hang it to each chest of them, “These thing for you to save any charity that you will got. And also as clue of your grade is; Your grade is ‘gunny sack one’.
“Who is Ang Cit Kong?” Pitung asked
“He was my Grandpa, the founder of Kaipang Party; He passed long time ago.”
I knew that you will ask my grade? I will say ‘gunny sack five’ Aseng said.
‘Well Aseng, we are ready receiving your command; You are my commander with rank ‘Gunny sack five’. So what we gonna do now?” Pitung asked.
“All of you must spend your time at my home; You can sleep in the cave; You will be comfortable and dry when the rain come. You must feel how sorrow, pain and sadness of a beggar that you have ever see in your life. You will become a beggar,........... like me.”
Pitung and his gang look at each other.
Pitung thought, “Kungfu will not come to my mind in a minute; Even it need sacrifice for it could be accepted.”
‘ Can we go home?” Pitung asked
“No, you can’t. You must learn Kungfu in every hour of your time at my home.”
“But remember that we have our duty to guard Marunda Village; We afraid that Abang Jampang will be angry to us.”
“I will come to our Head Quarter and let Abang Jampang know that you have become my pupil.
You have been learning Kungfu since three weeks, up until now.”
“That thing that we want to hide as a secret. If Abang Jampang has known that we learned with another teacher then he will be angry and disappointed.” Pitung said.
“No he will not! I will liable in this mater! Our purpose is right that we want to make our Suicide Squad become great then it could make Dutch fear.’ Aseng said.
“Ok! We’ll follow you Aseng!”
“Now I want you to know that I have applied the ‘inner power’ when defeated you in last demonstrate fighting at HQ; Do you remember? That’s why I can defeat you easily. You have your good Cimande Silat; However, you could make it better than that you have it now, by applying ‘inner power’.
“Can I have the ‘inner power’? Pitung asked
‘That knowledge that I want to teach you all; So let us learn now; Don’t waste time since The Dutch has come so near in front of us.”.
“May I take a look,what is ‘inner power’ exactly?” Ji-i asked
“Common Ji-i, will you seat in front of me and I will push my inner power via my both hands going into your body. Ready?” Aseng put his both palm hands on back of Ji-i; He concentrate his mind. The process took ten minute, by then Aseng is getting sweat because he concentrate his power.”
“So, what do you feel now?” Aseng asked.
“As if an electric current has been pushed into my body; Now I got fresh feeling over the whole body; Wow amazing....Thank you!” Ji-i said.
“I want you to know that in day by day you just using a little part of your power; The remainder of your power still hiding in your body; It left behind and useless. If you can apply all of your power, then you will have the best strength; astonishing power.”
“Wow...Quick! Quick ! Don’t waste time; Let us learn now!” Pitung said.
‘Ok Let us do meditation; Concentrate your mind then follow me...........’
After a Month learning Kungfu, Pitung, Ji-i and Rais can be able to utilize their ability of Kungfu for fighting; Many type of Kungfu knowledge they have learning already; Likes ‘lighting body’, Inner power’ Dragon shake it’s tail, sending voice from distance, Using ‘Piauw one thousand poison to death’ and many others. Their capability for fighting increase significant; They give certainty to fight against the Dutch soldiers.
Aseng also has prepared his particularly weapon, the sky rocket. China at that time was a Country that could produce gun powder, sky rocket, cannon, firecracker and sparkler
Aseng said, ‘We have to go down Marunda Village especially visiting our Head Quarter, hoping everything was running well; let us go!”


Chapter 5

Kathedral Church lies at Banteng field; Near that church, there is a military forth name Waltefreden Forth (now has become Istiqlal Mosque). In this place Abah Somad got in jail. Even though there are many jail in Batavia, but Waltefreden is the most horrible jail for arresting very bad hoodlum, included Abah Somad. Because of Abah Somad is dangerous hoodlum also leader of Betawi Rebel, so he must put into this jail.
Aseng and his friends run with lighting body capability, then suddenly they have reached their destination Head Quarter of Suicide Squad at Abah Somad’s home.
It’s strange that any body at there; Where are they?
Aseng got suspicion; He whispered to Pitung, “Seems to me that our HQ has been seized by enemies; Let us go immediately! May be many enemies in door of the house.”
“Let us go to Abang Jampang house!” Pitung said
They reached to Jampang’s home; But the house has been burnt.
“How aggressive they are! (=gile sadis banget dah..!) I hate Dutch” Pitung said.
“We will payback, don’t worry Pitung” Aseng said
“Thank you for you Aseng!” Ji-i said
“We are together, so you don’t need to say thank you to me! Let us go home for discussing our trick to counter attack” Aseng said.
On the way they met a man; Seems he was a member of Suicide Squad too, ‘Hi you! Did you see soldiers of Dutch?” Pitung asked.
“Yes I did; I saw them one Month ago; They have attacked our HQ and detained our friends, Abang Jampang and many Suicide Squad members. Lucky for me that I could be able to escape.” The man answered
“Where the peopel are they? I see any one at this village now!”
“Every body has gone as refugees, going into forest or sailing to islands.”
“What is your name my friend?” Aseng asked.
“My name Mat Item, member of Suicide Squad.”
“Oh you are........I just hear your name but I never known who you are.’ Pitung said.
“I knew you Pitung; Every body knew you. Any way, where have you been when enemies attacked our village...........I got suspicion whether you are......”
“Hi you!, Don’t be suspicious on us; We are not betray or desertion soldiers. How can Abah Somad’s grandson betray?”
“What you say? As I know Abah Somad just have one grand-daughter, Rokayeh; Any one else! So you are lying ....Are you?”
“I mean, I got so near with Abah Somad that I could be called his grandson; But anyway we have learned Kungfu with my teacher, Aseng; Therefore we didn’t attend in our HQ. Aseng will you mention it to my friend.”
“Yes I am a teacher of Kungfu; Pitung, Ji-i and Rais are my pupils; they have been learning Kungfu since one Month ago up until now.
We are sorry not attend at our HQ in the critical moment of you, but we want to revenge now; we want to hit those scroundel Dutch!” Aseng said.
“What you say?......ha ha ha please don’t be dreaming; Even Abang Jampang nothing can do. How could you then...?” Mat item said.
“Listen to me Hi Mat Item! Remember that you are a member Suicide Squad that mean you are ready to die. So we asked you to follow us for attacking their military at Waltefreden Forth. We often have heard story about war that a little group could able to defeat the largest group; If they have self confidence, like we are now.” Aseng said.
“Mat Item, will you mention to me, where Rokayeh is now?” Pitung asked seriously.
“An old woman took her away when every body were rush for escaping; that mater make us worried realy. The old woman run so fast like flash into jungle that we supposed her as ghost that kidnap Rokayeh.”
Aseng heard the story curiously and noded his head ever time.
So, let us go!” Aseng gave command
“Shall I?” Mat Item asked, seems he hesitate.
“Yes you shall; Other wise, we call you the most coward member of Suicide Squad.”
“OK I will come with you for attacking. I am not a coward soldier.” Mat Item said.
“We will go home for preparing an attack.”
Pitung, Aseng as well as the other men came in front the cave.
“Where is your home, Aseng?”
“We live in this cave since I am a homeless, a poor man and even a beggar.”
“Really?”
“If you want to stay at my home, you have to be a poor.”
“No, I don’t want to be poor, but rich.”
“Aseng, please you offer him to join the Party!” Pitung said.
‘No, he wants to be rich; Not to be a beggar like us.’
‘Let us discuss our strategy for attacking enemies! What we gonna do Aseng? “Pitung asked.
“Don’t worry, what we gonna do is an easy job (=enteng!)
“C’mon don’t be joking; We are in war Aseng! We are seriously fighting!” Pitung said.
“Yes I know; However, we have alredy prepare for fighting.” Aseng said.



Chapter 6

River of Ciliwung cross Batavia City; It is a wide and deep of river. Many boats come and go from shore to country, to and fro.
One of among many boats is Pitung’s. The boat have heavy load of ammunition, the rockets.
That is mainstay weapon of Aseng; Therefore, he could say easy to defeat Dutch soldiers.
The river recline beside the Watefreden Forth. A military police came aproached the boat for inspection. The police jumped up into the boat without permit to the owner; He was really unpolite.
“Hi, what object that you loaded in your boat?” The police asked.
“Hi, be polite please!” Pitung said and gave a punch on his head; The police falling down and faint. Pitung carried and pushed the body into the river.
“Why he got faint Aseng?” Pitung asked.
“Your punch is usual, but the power in your hands is differend than that before; Now you have applied the ‘Inner Power’. From now on, you must be careful by your punch; You will utilize it just to hit enemy, not a friend, more even your son.”
‘Amazing!....I am a strong man now!” Pitung said.
There is bush beside Watefreden Forth; That is good for hiding. The rockets was save at that place; Later on Pitung would be operated those thing.
The five men went to the forth for attacking. Pitung carried five rockets in his gunni sack and many piauw of ‘Thousand poison to make death’ (=Seribu racun pencabut nyawa).
It’s not easy one can enter military camp like Waltefreden Forth; Of course one officer came out and stopped the guys moving, “Hi you! No enter, since this site is Military Camp!”
Aseng approached the officer, punch his head in quick movement; The officer faint with blood protrude from his nose. One of his friend wake up from slept, “Hi what’s happen?”
Aseng gave signing to Ji-i for him to eliminate this person. Ji-i jumped quickly and punch his head twice; the officer fell down to death.
“Who haven’t turn?”
“Me..” Rais said
“Please, don’t give me turning since I can’t be able to fight.” Mat Item said.
“Yes I knew you!” Aseng said.
Now they jumped up on top of the upper wall; While Mat Item can’t be able to jump since the wall quiet high and he never learn ‘Lighting Body knowledge’
Therefore, Aseng took rope for helping his friend.
From top of the wall, we can see military barrack and its garden.
“The forth is so nice for living; I want to stay in this forth then I would be happy like a rich person.” Rais said.
An officer saw the intruders and he shouted, call on his friends. Aseng gave command to Rais for his action. Rais jump, came down into the garden yard.
Rais has difficulty to face many enemies. Five Dutch soldiers unsheated their sword and attacked Rais.
Pitung came down into the garden yard and helped Rais. He put forward his piauw; The thing looks like nail with many sharpen teeth. He threw the piauw by snapping his finger, again and again. The soldiers fell down with screaming since it’s feel hurt. The piauw of ‘Thousand of poison making death’ is contain thousand venomous of many type of snakes; The poison will spread over the whole body, and the victim will find to death in one hour.
Aseng gave his command, “We parted; I along with Ji-i and Rais will break the jail; all of room jail will be oppened, since we don’t know where Abah Somad and Abang Jampang is. Pitung with Mat Item! You have your duty to make chaotic the soldiers, by then I could do my job easily.”
Meanwhile, entire soldiers have known that their forth has been attacked by some intruders. The bell has been ring clue of dangerous event; whistle signaling danger also heard; That also command to make a line.
Pitung and Mat Item can hide under the bush; They were lucky since no body has seen them.
The Dutch soldiers line was ready, the drum band also was there and some one hold a flag. The soldiers was amount more than two hundred men. Seems they want to go to battlefield for fighting. It’s funny, just for catching some intruders, they have to prepare many soldiers likely want to go to a beatlefield in a big war.
Pitung took his rocket and burnt its fuse; He release it from his hand then going to its target; The aim is Dutch soldiers. The soldiers bounce off and death. Pitung repeat his rocket action. The third rocket has miss its target, it strike into rest room; the men in the room become up roar and the building was in flame.
The soldiers suppose a canon attack has come from large enemy; By then they prepare five canons. But they don’t know the enemy has been, “Seems we were fighting against ghost” They thought.
Meanwhile, the entire imprisonment has been released; Surely included Abah Somad and Abang Jampang, however, they mixed with others, by then Aseng can’t find them.
Now the soldiers shoot the custody; The custody fell down to death, one by one.
Aseng and his friends openned main gate of the forth to release them. But unfortunately, another group of Dutch soldiers has come want to help his friends; Now they were at front of custody .
By then the custody can do nothing except surrender since they have been surrounded by Dutch Soldiers, back and front.
Suddenly there were two white flash ‘flying’ to the top tree;They are an old woman and a girl wearied white long robe. They must be master of Kungfu and her pupil. After that, they pick
Abah Somad and Abang Jampang up on top of the wall; They used capability the trick of Kungfu ‘Eagle carried goat’.
Aseng and his friends followed the Master. Finally,Aseng and his friends can find them.
Aseng bow to the old woman for greeting her, “I am, Ang Goan Seng gave respect to you, Champion Miss Oey Yok Nio!”
The old woman put Abah Somad on the ground, so did her pupil for Abang Jampang. Abah Somad and Abang Jampang can’t move or talk because their nerve and blood circulation has been knocked by the old woman; The Master Kungfu apply trick of Kungfu,’Totok’.
“Hi you, spoiled man! How brave you are to welcome me! I should kill you because of you are not responsible to a pity woman like me.” The old woman said.
“I still loved you. I got many reason that I have to leave you behind; I will mention to you later. Will you come back to me?” Aseng said.
“No I don’t want to be with you again; You are free now!”
“I haven’t another lover since I have been waiting you for a long time. I knew you; you have your good reason by coming to Batavia; Do you?”
“No! I am not suppose to meet you!” The old woman said with anger; However, she asked her pupil to salute Aseng as Uncle teacher, “Rokayeh, will you greet your uncle teacher please!”
That is an awkward attitude of her. No body could understand what point of hers related with Aseng.
Rokayeh welcome her uncle teacher as China tradition way.
“Hi Rokayeh freed your Grandpa and Abang Jampang, go now!” The old woman order again.
Then Rokayeh approached her grandpa and Abang Jampang, freed them from ‘Totok’ (closing the circuit of nerve and blood by knocking).”
“Where am I?” Abah Somad asked.
“Grangpa, I am Rokayeh, your Grand-daughter. You just escaped from jail in Waltefreden Forth; Did you realize now?”
“Hmmm....Yes I aware now that the Dutch soldiers shot the escaping custody; So how come I could escape?”
“My teracher Kungfu has helped you when you were in dangerous situation; Will you say thank you to the Champion Miss Oey Yok Nio?”
“Where is she now?”
“I am here,” An Old woman said.
“Thank you Miss Oey Yok Nio,” Abah Somad said; He asked in whispering to his Grand-daughter, “Why an old woman wants to be called herself with term ‘Miss’?”
“I don’t know Grandpa; I hope she would mention her story to us, someday.”
Pitung and Mat Item came in hurry; Seems he wants to inform the enemies’s attack that will come soon. But Aseng asked him, “Pitung will you give honor to your sebo, Miss Oey Yok Nio; She was my ‘Suheng’ (=senior of class mate in Kungfu institution)
Pitung and Mat Item bow to greet his Sebo.
“Watch out the bullet! Everybody face downward!” Pitung gave command suddenly.
Gun rifle shot from Dutch soldiers from distance; Many bullets flew at above head of Pitung and his friends; But lucky of them, no victim fell down. A few minute later on, the guns stop barking; Seems the Dutch have to fill powder and bullet to their guns each.
Then the two Master of Kungfu ‘flew’ to the enemies, were followed by Pitung, Ji-i and Rais as well as Rokayeh. The enemies were punch on their head each then they faith and death.
Aseng gave command to Pitung, “Pitung! Fly off all the sky rockets into the forth, burnt their barracks!”
“I will left ten rockets behind. We need those things for Marunda Village defence; May I ?”
“OK I agreed with you.” Aseng said.
Pitung went to the bush where the rockets had been save; He release and flew the rocket one by one; over the forth wall and straight to its target, the Dutch soldiers and their barracks. The camp burnt in flame; every Dutch soldiers run away in chaotic situation.
On the other hand, Marunda warriors are satisfy for the result.
“Are we the winner?” Pitung asked to every body.
“Not yet! Since they will come to Marunda for revenge!” Abah Somad said.
“So we must go home immediately for defencing our village; Let us go!” Pitung command.
“Hi where is Abang Jampang?’ Aseng asked.
“I am here; I tried to release from infuence of ‘totok’; Would you help me please!” Abang Jampang said.
Rokayeh came approached Abang Jampang and do her action to release her ‘totok’
“Are you OK now?”
“Yes thank you!” Abang Jampang said.
Rokayeh and Miss Oey Yok Nio has done totok for making Abah and Abang Jampang can’t move his arm and leg when they have been carrying away. But the totok has influenced his activity to breath; Making hard to breath.
Lucky for them that Miss Oey Yok Nio remember to release the totok immediately, other wise they may could die.
Every body went home immediately; While Dutch soldiers afraid to follow them for disturbing the Betawi heroes.
Now, Suicide Squad members would be added by a new member of a strange Chinese old woman. Does she want to join Betawi’s struggle? We are not sure since her approach is awkward; for example she never smile to any one else. However, she followed the Betawi heroes went home to Marunda Village.
Marunda Village still quiet because the people are not yet coming from their site as refugees. However they already heard that Abah Somad has come from jail. By then they came back again little by little. Then the village become lively as before.
Pitung called on the members of Suicide Squad immediately; since he realized the Dutch will come soon for their revenge.
“Ladies and Gentlemen thank you for your coming; Now we are in dangerous situation because
the Dutch will come to attack on us. I suppose they are very angry now since their Fort of Watefreden had been attacked by us.
Are you ready for fighting?”
“We are ready!” The entire members of Suicide Squad shouted altogether.
“Thank you all; Now we have a new weapon that I will use it in this war; Here they are.The sky rockets, but unfortunately we have just ten left, no more; We need it more to crash the enemies.”
“Don’t worry! I will make it more; For the shake of Betawi struggle.” Aseng said.
Every body turn their head, look at the man that just saying, “Viva Aseng! Viva Aseng!”
“But I need time to make it; And I need workers to help me; By then, I have to go home immediately.!” Aseng said.
“Thank you teacher; We will wait your result then.”
Pitung continued to explain his strategy, “We have two gates for the enemies will come to enter;
This site must be guarded in 24 hours long. We will put five rockets on each of those site. All of you have to know how to operate it. That’s all my strategy.”
After led the meeting, Pitung and Aseng met Miss Oey Yok Nio, gave greeting to her. Miss Oey didn’t respect her Sute (=yunior class mate of Kungfu Institution). Every body wonder why; seems they have hostility to each other.
Miss Oey went off immediately; that’s awkward attitude of her.
Aseng also went to go home for making many sky rocket as his promise; Pitung send some his men to help Aseng.
Now Pitung has opportunity to get near Grand-Daughter of Abah Somad, Rokayeh.
“Rokayeh, may I talk with you?”
“Of course you may; So what topic of us to be discussed?”
“It wouldn’t be a discussion, but just light talking for us could be enjoyed, will you?”
“Yes I will; And so what?”
“You are a girl and I am a boy......(Pitung can’t able to continue..)
Rokayeh has problem that she can’t receive Pitung in delighted condition. “Now I got problem that I need your help; My sebo(=female teacher) is very angry to your Suhu(=male teacher). So
what can we do to make peace for them?” Rokayeh asked.
“That’s why Sebo has gone without say any to us. That her bad attitude seems because of she was annoyed with Aseng. What was the problem between both of our teacher? We have to know it, by then we can try to find the solution.”
“Yes I agreed with you; Aseng has good characteristic that we can talk with him, but not my Sebo. So we can go to his home, shall we?”
“We shall; Let us go!”
The couple went off with ‘Lighting Body capability’; They reached the cave of Aseng’s home. He was working to make many sky rockets as Pitung’s order.
Pitung and Rokayeh bow to give honor as China custom. Pitung never apply China custom to his teacher because of Pitung is Betawi, never know China custom.”
Aseng commented, “Pitung! You have changed your tradition now; Remember that you are not China but Betawi. As I knew no custom like this in Betawi. Our guest, Miss Oey Yok Nio has influenced your tradition, it’s right?
I want to say once again that I don’t want to be considered as Chinese man; I want to be Batavian (Betawi) as you are. Because I like the way Betawi talking; It’s blurt out.”
“You repeated your asking to us; That you don’t want to be considered as China.
Your word has make us wonder, what happend hit on you? What was the reason that you don,t want to be considered as a Chinese? Please, answered me!” Pitung asked.
Aseng kept silent. He mused, remembering the past, when he was a young man in China Land.
Finnaly he said,”Frankly, I want to erase my identity because I feel shame with Han people. I want to die and Han people could forget me. That’s why I run away, left my Country until I reached Batavia City now.
“What was the reason that can make you feel embarrass with Han people.”
“I can’t mention my biography to you; It will make me feel hurt, if I reminded my biography. It would be hurt more than that you stab your sword onto my chest.
Suddenly, the wind blew hardly, even though no rain; Then a sound of female heard, “Yes of course you felt shame to be a Chinese; By then you run away to Batavia and you want to change your identity. Because of you are a coward man.
Hi coward, spoiled man who was not responsible to a pity woman like me!. You have left me because you feel embarrass being partner with me.”
Aseng gave honor to direct of the sound, even though no one at there. “Suheng! I still loved you; Come and enjoy arak (=alcoholic liquor) then we can talk easily.”
Not so long, an old woman came down, stood at front Aseng, “I hate you, really hate you! Hi you the spoiled man. I don’t want to talk with you, but pibu (=fighting duel)”
The old woman is Miss Oey Yok Nio; She unsheated her sword, walked into the yard and ready to fight. Pitung and Rokayeh frightened since one of them may could die, stabbing by sword. Some one must stop it, but how.
Rokayeh approached her Sebo, gave greeting and said, “Please Sebo, don’t be so fast to do pibu with respectful uncle Aseng. Will you give your face to uncle since he was a hero of Betawi people.”
“Oh Did you respect to your uncle as a hero of Betawi people? Do you think that your Sebo is’nt? Your Grandpa could be death shot by Dutch if I didn’t help him, you knew that.”
“Yes you are a hero too, the same as Aseng. We are in a good team to fight Dutch”
“No, he wasn’t our team; he wasn’t counted at all; I hate him. Hi coward, are you ready?’
Pitung face Miss Oey and said, “You right Sebo! If you want to help him, stab him with your sword then he will satisfy to die. I heard that he said, I can’t mention my biography to you; It would be hurt more than that you stab your sword onto my chest, if I reminded my biography.
I suggest you Sebo, if you tell his biography to us then it could make him hurt more than that he was stabbed by sword.
“Hi Pitung! Bastard you! You are a betray pupil! I hate you! Don’t tell your Sebo!” Aseng said.
“Did you hear Sebo? He got anger to me; That’s mean he don’t want you tell a story of him; Because that story could make him hurt very much; So he choose to do pibu with you.”
The forest became quiet for a moment; Seems Miss Oey valued Pitung’s saying; she make assesment on Pitung saying.
Suddenly Miss Oey gave sign to Rokayeh. Rokayeh make action at sudden, very quick to do totok to Aseng body. Aseng can’t move his arm and leg also can’t talk.
By then Aseng can’t be able to run away; He is forced to hear his own biography that want to be told by Miss Oey Yok Nio.
“You right Pitung, so I want you to hear my story about Aseng and myself. Aseng has made bad mistake to his Country, his Kungfu Institution and himself; But more even he has left me behind; That’s awful mistake to me as his lover. He left me behind after he rape me, then he run away to Batavia” Miss Oey Yok Nio said.

Chapter 7

His name is Ang Goan Seng; A good-looking young man; He was a member of Kaipang Party.
He climbed up into the ceiling of dining room Palace for stealing the food of King. He hid in the ceiling until the Cook went away from the room. Then he went down on floor, approached the food table. He took chicken fried, Cap-cay (=vegetables) and Arak (alcoholic liquor). After that he make tidy the disk of food; Then he turned back to ceiling for eating the food.
The King will eat the leftovers from a meal of Aseng. The King never know about his food, even though it’s happened continuosly, again and again, day by day.
Aseng’s weight has increase because of eaten much of food from King’s table. So he lose his capability for Lighting body.
When Aseng ate the King’s food in the upper ceiling of dining room, the wood that he sat on was cracking....kraaaaak producing sound. There was a lady in the room who saw Aseng. She shouted, “Thief! Thief! Help! Help!”
Ang Goan Seng had been caught by officer; Then he was put into jail. The military suposed Ang Goan Seng as a member of Han Rebel. It wasn’t rare that the rebel of Han always attack the Palace of Boan Kingdom.
The lady is daughter of King, whose name is Night Lotus (=Teratai Malam), She is a Princess; A pretty Princess of Boan Kingdom.
The King is Hoang Tie, the King of Manchuria Kingdom or Boan Kingdom. We knew that China land or Han Country had been conquered by Manchuria at that time.
Princess Night Lotus thought, “He will die since death sentence is his punishment, it’s pity of him. But I have my own plan concerning his fate; I want to safe him since I want to employ him as mediator to the Han Rebel. Then I will know everything, include the secret thing about the Han rebel.”
Night Lotus asked his officer to bring Ang Goan Seng to her office.
Ang Goan Seng was taken away from jail; He should send to the military office for interrogation;
But lucky of him, the officer took him to Princess office. Aseng thought, “Thank you God; You have your good scenario for me.”
“Hi you Han Rebel! You have to know that you will be death because of you member of rebel.” Night Lotus said
“My Lord Princess! I am not a rebel, but just a hungry thief. Believe me! Please don’t kill me!”
“You can say what ever you want to say, but death sentence is your punishment.”
“Could you change my fate? Then I will do what ever you want to. Please help me!”
“OK I want to help you. I want to know where your Head Quarter site is; Will you guide me to your HQ? The rebel HQ?”
“It’s my pleasure Princess; However, it is just a Kungfu institution, not a HQ of rebel,”
“I knew that every Kungfu Institution in Tionggoan land have been moving violently against Boan ruler, so did your Institution.”
“What ever you say my Lord of Princess, I don’t mind; I will guide you to my home.’
“If you betray to our agreement then my guards will kill you; Do you understand?”
“I understood my Lord of Princess.”
“So we can go now!” Princess Night Lotus said. She wearied common clothes for camuflas.
Lucky Ang Goan Seng for he can escaped from death sentence. However, on the other hand he has to bring an top of enemy to his institution.
“What’s purposing of her by going into dangerous site. If some one has known her real identity then she and me would be detained by Han rebel. She has to has a new identity for her safety, other wise he will get trouble.” Aseng thought.
“My lord Princess, I have suggestion for you...”
“Don’t call me like that! So many rebel of Han were aroud us; It’s dangerous for me by you calling me Princess; Even you can sell me to the rebel then you will get much money.”
“That’s what I thinking about; So I want you to use a new name, will you?”
“Yes I will, so what name will be my name.’
“Miss Oey Yok Nio. You are the Grand-daughter of Oey Yok Su.”
“Oh that’s a beautiful name”
“Thank you. Oey Yok Su is a Master of Kungfu. So you should have knowledge a little bit of Kungfu, since you are his Grand-daughter. Will you learn Kungfu?”
“Yes I want to. That’s my desire to be a Master of Kungfu.”
“No problem of you. I want to introduce you to my Suhu (=teacher) then you will be my sute (=yunior classmate). OK?”
“No I disagreed with you. I want to be your Suheng (=senior classmate); Since you must do appreciate me as a Princess of Boan.”
“As you wish, I don’t care Miss Oey Yok Nio. But you must remember with your new identity. Oey Yok Su is friend of my teacher, Ciu Pek Tong. The title of your Grandpa is ‘The awkward man from east’
“Am I also an awkward girl? Hi Aseng?”
“I can’t say that but it seems to me that you are.”
Miss Oey Yok Su slap Aseng, ‘You are a naughty boy’
The couple could chat fluently, even though they are enemy for each other; They should not.
“If I were you, I will stay in a beautiful Palace in happyness; In fact you are wandering, going into ‘Tiger nest’ dangerous site. Therefore, I want to say that your title is ‘The Awkward girl from North’ Aseng said.
“OK I like the title of mine. Hi, where we want to go? It is likely a forest, not a town.”
“Miss Oey. We don’t have a beautiful building as our HQ but just little houses or cabins in the forest. We are a group of poverty people in Kaipang Party.
If you disappointed then we will return for going home; But it’s depend on you.”
“I will continue to go to your Institution of Kungfu.”
Ciu Pek Tong has shown up and say hello to his pupil, “Hi Aseng, you are too young to get a girl along with you.” Suhu always make comment for joking. By then he has his title ‘The naughty old people’.
The two couple bow, gave greating to Suhu Ciu Pek Tong.
“Who is this pretty woman, Aseng?”
“My name is Miss Oey Yok Nio. If you don’t mind may I become pupil of yours?” Miss Oey said.
“Yes you may; But I want to ask Aseng, Who is the girl ? I mean, where did you find her; and why she want to follow you?”
“I found her in the street then she followed me; Seems to me she fell in love with me. But she want to be your pupil, I guess.”
Miss Oey Yok Nio got angry to Aseng; Her face not pleasant as usual. She slap Aseng once more.
“If you getting angry to me then I will break your secret.” Aseng threatening then Miss Oey got pale face.
“Hi what secret is it? I must know it, please tell me Aseng!” Ciu Pek Tong said
“When we on the way, I have kissed her and she said thank you.” Aseng said
“Oh... it wasn’t secret! I agreed with you Aseng; Your partner is a good girl.”
“May I asked you Suhu; That my partner want to be called Suheng instead of Sute; I knew it’s an awkward asking, but it is a fact that she is....an awkward girl.”
“No problem, I agreed with her.”
From that time, Miss Oey Yok Nio become pupil of The Ciu Pek Tong Institution Kungfu. She is deligent pupil even she swear to surpass Aseng’s ability.
Aseng was really in love with Miss Oey; His love grew since Miss Oey also accepted it. No obstacle concern their love, even though they are enemy to each other.
Day by day and Month by Month has pass by, Miss Oey Yok Nio got her knowledge successfully and effectively. However, her Sute, Ang Goan Seng still has his ability of Kungfu more than that her.
One night, after practised Kungfu, she jumped up on top of a tree likes a bird; Sat on top and got rest for a moment. She mused, “If I want to surpassed Aseng concerning the ability of Kungfu, then I should have another Suhu (=teacher). I have to get the best of Suhu; She must be a real Master of Kungfu.
On the other hand, Aseng seems has fallen in love with me....I like him then I try to love him too, Even though he is a member of Kaipang Party, the Party that hate Boan Kingdom very much.”
Suddenly a strange sound heard; seems like floating water or blowing wind or hard rainy; No, .... it is a mob of many snakes, creeping on the forest floor. How could many snakes can be united in a mob? There are King Cobra, Mamba, Rettle snakes, Green snakes; Tiger snakes and many others snake. As if those snakes are creatures being protected by some one else; So there must be a sheperd for those snakes.
After a while, sound of man was heard, has...hus....has...hus; He shepherd of those snakes....amazing....How come a man can be a shepherd of many snakes. The snakes still gathering, never disperse, seems it orderly.
Miss Oey Yok Nio came down and say hello to the snakes’s shepherd, “Hi friend, welcome to my territory, but you have to have pass permit by using this road.”
The shepherd has said any; He just bow, gave greeting to Miss Oey then he went off to continue his travel.
“Hi you! You haven’t permit to pass my territory! Because of dangerous snakes that you have.”
He turned back and said, “So, what do you want?”
“I will punch you!” She attacked the shepherd snakes eagerly. The shepherd can avoid with turn back two steps. And he make counter attack.
She applied a Kungfu trick, ‘Dragon shake its tail’; then the shepherd fell down going into faint, unconscious. The snakes stopped, surrounded its Master and protect him.....unbelieveable....particularly the King Cobra, that it ready to spurt its venom to Miss Oey if she will come. By then Miss Oey retreat three steps.
She waited for a moment, what the shepherd will do next. The shepherd become aware then he put his hand into his pocket to get a piauw. He snap his finger to a piauw name ‘A thousand poison to make fatality ’. That was piauw that have ever used by Pitung when he attacked Watefreden Forth.
Piauw is a nail with many teeth; It contain many venoms of snake that will spread in blood circulation of the victim. The victim will die in an hour.
Unexpected by Miss Oey that the piauw hit her body successfully. It make feeling hurt and hurt so much that she cried in sorrow, “Please friend I am surrender on you; Will you give me the antidote? I will promise you that I will never revenge on you.”
“You will die in an hour, so give my regard to Giam Lo Ong from me” (Giam Lo Ong is Goddess of death).” And he started to walk left Miss Oey behind.
“Please I will be what ever your Master want to; Please show me your generous feeling.”
He stopped his step and turn back, “Yes you right, since my Master is keen to collect a pretty woman like you are. Here they are the antidote, drink it!” He gave a pot to Miss Oey. Mis Oey drank the liquor from the pot eagerly; Its teste rancid.
Slowly the pain subside and her body growing comforth; She tried to stand up, but she can’t. She feel very weak and can’t be left alone in the forest.
“Please friend take me away, face me to your Master! I beg you!” Miss Oey said.
“OK then you will be my Master’s second-wife, will you.”
“Yes I will! I still sick and I think I need another drug of you; Therefore, I want to become what ever your Master want to.”
The shepherd carried Miss Oey on his back. He walked slowly and finally he reached his home.
“Grandpa! Grandpa! I brought you a young pretty lady that you will like her.” He shouted to his Grandpa.
An old man came out from a house; He is an ugly man with black crumpled skin, but still going strong. He is a Master Kungfu, his name is Auwyang Hong with title of name is ‘King poison from west’
“No, she is a sick woman that must be cured immediately, otherwise she would die very soon.” He carried the woman; Sat her down on the divan then put both of his palm hand on her back. He got his sweat that a clue he has pushed his inner power into her body. Not so long, Miss Oey vomited, black blood vomit again and again; Finally, the vomit was clear without blood. Now she was going alright.
“Thank you Suhu; You are a good doctor that I have known. Again I want to say, thank you Suhu.”
“Hi, I am not your Suhu even I have never known you.”
“But you have done teaching me; Look! You have pushed your inner power to my body; That was mean that you were teaching me about the inner power.”
“Any way, you still sick and we have to cure you.
Aping will you bring me the drug that you must know. I knew that you have hurt her with piauw ‘Thousand venom to make fatality’ then you cured her with drug ‘Himalayan Lotus for catching venom’ That is right and I agreed with you; But what the drug will be given for her next? You must know it!”
Auwyang Ping looked for the purpose drug in the cupboard then finally he came with drug in his hand.
“You are wrong Aping, then you fail again in this case; You still didn’t pass your examination.
The right answer is bottle number 152 in the second cupboard.
Aping looked for the purpose drug once again, brought to his Master and gave it to Miss Oey.
“Thank you Suheng, for your kindness. Just God will pay back your generous.”
“Hi you! Why did you call me Suheng ? I am not your Suheng.” (Suheng=senior classmate)
“Be better you call me Sute than that you call me Sebo.” (sute=yunior classmate);(sebo=missis teacher; the wife of teacher)
“Who saying that you are my Sebo?”
“You did say, since you said that I will be second wife of your Suhu; But your Suhu said to me that I will be his pupil.”
“Suhu, Did you say that mater?” Auwyang Ping asked to his Grandpa.
“Yes she was right; She insist to me, then I agreed with her; So you have your sute now.”
“I don’t care what ever you want to be; I just say, welcome to you.” Aping said.
“Thank you Suheng Auwyang Ping; Any way, my name is Miss Oey Yok Nio.
Suhu, what is your name?” Miss Oey Yok Nio asked
“My name is Auwyang Hong. They also call me ‘King poison from West’”
“So, I concluded that you are Grandpa, Suhu also Master of Auwyang Ping; Right?”
“Precisely, yes I am.” Auwyang Hong said; seems he likes Miss Oey Yok Nio.
The short story told that she has never come home to Ciu Pek Tong Institution for a six Month. She learned carefully every poison, every type of drugs, Piauw ‘Thousand venom to make fatality’ Lighting Body, specifically is ‘Eagle carrying goat’ Inner power.
Last but not least, she was delightful with the remedy for making woman become beauty. The remedy is called “Shining Moon”
Miss Oey Yok Nio interested the remedy of ‘Shining Moon’ to make one younger and beauty; She learned, wrote the formula carefully and utilized it. The remedy has worked on her; She became more attractive woman than that before.
However she wonder why her Suhu is an ugly man; He has black and rumpled skin. She asked about it, “Suhu I want to ask you concerning your skin, why did you let it be; You should cure it.”
“Good question of you; As you knew that the Shining Moon remedy consist kidney of frog from North. The skin of that frog is black and rumpled. However its hormon that produce from its kidney has opposite activity to stop the bad progression of its skin.
Concerning my skin, I want to mention to you that I have done drug trial on my own body. I have conclusion from the result that the frog hormon from its kidney is a good drug to make a woman become beauty and attractive.
However, I cautioned on you that you must stop the Shining Moon remedy if you want to marry, at least one year before married. ”
“What is the correlation between married and the remedy?” Miss Oey asked.
“The frog hormon will be tied with a pregnant woman hormon; By then, the frog hormon has changed its activity upon your skin; That will make bad progression to your skin. Your skin become black and rumpled.” Auwyang Hong said.
Mean while, Aseng became confuse since his lover has gone at sudden. He suppose that she has gone to Palace of Boan Kingdom because of her aim has accomplished. He predicted that not so long the Boan Army will come to destroy his Institution; It will be disaster of him along with the entire members of institution as well as his teacher too; That would be his fault.
Aseng thought, “Shall I tell Suhu about it?...No! He will be very angry. Hoping The Night Lotus (=Teratai Malam) still in her way not destroy our agreement.”
Can’t be denied that Aseng was broken hearted since he loved Miss Oey Yok Nio very much.
Ciu Pek Tong didn’t care concerning disappear of her; Even he make joke with Aseng about his lover. Seems he still didn’t know the Aseng’s secret.
One night Aseng practised Kungfu of ‘Dragon shake its tail’ Not so long he heard whistle; it is a song of love that Miss Oey always sing that song. Suddenly Miss Oey Yok Nio has been in front of him. Now she become a beautiful woman that Aseng almost miss to know her. She smiled, approached and hugged Aseng actively, ‘Did you still love me?”
“Yes I did. But you are differend now. Where have you been for time being?”
“I have been in Auwyang Hong Institution; For learning Kungfu from another Suhu. So, I have two Suhu now.”
“What purpose of you? You must know that Auwyang Hong have hostility with Ciu Pek Tong. By then our Suhu would be angry to you if he knew you had betrayed.”
“Really? He never told me concerning his enemy name Auwyang Hong, so it isn’t my fault.”
Miss Oey said, but she don’t want to tell her story until she has come to Auwyang Hong Institution.
“Forget it! I am happy that you have came back to me. Let us celebrate our happyness to day. I almost becoming crazy when you disappeared at sudden; Please don’t do it again because I loved you.”
“You love me, really? So I did.” Then the couple hugged in happyness.
“I want to meet Suhu; and say hello to him.” Miss Oey said.
“Let us discuss how to face Ciu Pek Tong. As you knew that Auwyang Hong is enemy of Ciu Pek Tong. You have already your problem that you kept a secret as Princess of Boan then you add with another problem as Auwyang Hong pupil.”
“OK I have many mistake that I should be punished; But shall I meet my Suhu now.”
“It’s up to you; Seems to me that he never care about you. It was a strange thing that he never discuss seriously about you, even though you have gone disappear at sudden.”
“If Ciu Pek Tong got anger to me then I will return home and never come back again. By then I have to know what his emotion now.
Any way, I want to ask you Aseng, will you come along with me if I returned home?.
No answer from Ang Goan Seng for a moment because Aseng is confusing.
Shall he betray to his institution, his Suhu even his own Country by following an enemy, the Night Lotus Princess.?
After a while Ang Goan Seng answered,” Yes I will; But not now because Suhu will teach us a new knowledge. I am sure Suhu will never getting angry to you, even though you have disappeared in six Month. If he asked you about it then you will say that you have to go home for family purpose.”
“I am glad by hearing your answer; That’s a clue that your love is a true love, then we will grow our love in a Palace of Boan Kingdom; Will you?”
“Yes I will; But I don’t want to be a King of Boan Kingdom.”
“Never mind; I knew that you are Han people; They have been fighting against Manchuria people up until now. I want to make peace by marrying a Han man.”
Ciu Pek Tong always smile to every pupil, included Miss Oey Yok Nio; As if she never do mistake. Then the institution running well as usual.
But, every body wonder why Miss Oey Yok Nio grew becoming an atractive woman; They didn’t know that she applied remedy ‘Shining Moon’ from Auyang Hong.
Unfortunately that couple has done a mistake, a big mistake; That they have done sexual intercourse. Satan always whishpering in their ears for doing mistake. She forgot Auyang Hong’s warning, ‘If you want to marry then you have to stop the drug at least one year before married.’
A week later on, her skin becoming black and growing rumpled. She cried in front mirror. But the most of all, her back bone grew deformity then she grew to become an old woman. She was sorry for her mistake that has broken the regulation of ‘Shinng Moon’ remedy
Every body in the institution got gossip about Miss Oey Yok Nio; How could she grow be an old woman at sudden.
Ang Goan Seng embarrassed with his lover; More even he got fear that every body talk about the drug from Auwyang Hong; But the most of all, every body knew that Miss Oey Yok Nio is a Boan woman. By then he must run away before a hard punishment come.
Ang Goan Seng really run away from the institution with frightening of could be punished by Ciu Pek Tong.
Miss Oey Yok Nio disappointed with Aseng; She thought, ‘It wasn’t true love but a fake love”.
Just Ciu Pek Tong could make the best solution, by then she face Suhu. She didn’t afraid for talking frankly in front Suhu now about her fate.
“Suhu look at me, now I become an old woman because of drug that produced from Auwyang Hong institution.”
“That’s good for you”
“How could you say that; Please being sorry to a pity woman like me.”
“You can go for your complaint to the drug seller, not me. I can’t be able to cure you because I am not a doctor, but Auwyang Hong is.
Any way where is your lover?”
Miss Oey Yok Nio cried, “He run away, perhaps he feel shame to be my lover”
‘Aseng! Aseng! Please come to me my son; Believe me that you will haven’t punishment. Aseng! Aseng your lover has been waiting for you for a long time! Please come other wise you will regret” Ciu Pek Tong screamed with Kungfu trick, ‘Sending Voice from distance’ The wind blew hardly, the leaves fell down to earth because of inner power.
“Did you think Aseng will hear you?”
“Yes I am sure he heard already.”
“Teacher would you teach me this knowledge ?”
“Yes of course”
Miss Oey Yok Nio learned the last lesson of him; Then she could be able to send her voice to far distance site.
“Thank you Suhu.”
“You will have another lesson as its partner; That is ‘Heard talking sound from distance’ You can understand the conversation of two persons from distance site.”
“Did Suhu also hear our conversation with Aseng?”
“Yes I did!”
“What?...So you have known my secret.”
“Yes I knew already your secret; That you are a Princess of Boan Kingdom; You used drug from Auwyang Hong and you have your sexual intimate with Aseng that making you become old.”
“Suhu, I am really a bad woman for you and enemy of your people; So Please kill me as your hard punishment. You right to do punishment to me. Will you kill me?”
“I admired on you as a Princess of Boan. That’s characteristic of Boan’s warrior who have loyalty to his Country; Even his or her soul could be donated to his or her Country.
So after you learned the last lesson, you can going home to your King. I knew that you have been waiting by people of Boan from now on, for you can be inaugurated as a Queen. I am afraid to make you harm.”
“How can I pay you for your kindness Suhu?”
“Nothing! I want to sugest on you, please meet Auwyang Hong and ask him the anti dote of his drug. Hoping he has it and you can relief by then. Good luck to you.”
After she finished the lesson then prepared her belonging for traveling, going home to her Palace in Forbidden Town (=kota terlarang).
She hate Ang Goan Seng very much, “That’s attitude of majority male in the World. I hate Aseng! Wait for my revenge!” She thought.
In the forest she saw a man was sleeping under a tree; That’s Auwyang Ping, she knew him. She needed him to guide her, to face Auwyang Hong; By then she waited until he has woken up.
“Hi Suheng! What are you doing in the forest?”
“Hi Sute, How are you? I am looking for poison yeast, mushroom and others to make drug. Any way, what’s happen with your skin?”
“Your Master drug not working even making worst to my skin. Will you guide me to face Auwyang Hong; Perhaps he can be able to cure me.”
“Yes I will, common let us go. I have finished my job to day.”
Then the two persons reached the Auwyang Hong office. Aping made sign not making voice since his Suhu were talking with a guest. Miss Oey Yok Nio and Aping hid behind cupboard and listened the conversation.
“I will pay what ever you ask and even I will give you gold and other jewelry for you can cure Miss Oey. Please, I beg you, with all my respect to you!” The guest was Ang Goan Seng who asked the antidote drug for Miss Oey, his lover.
“Your lover has broken the regulation for utilize the remedy; That forbid for her to mary or making sexual intercourse before the drug being stopped at least one year before married. I knew that she has.
So what can I do now? I can do nothing to help her; I am sorry, really sorry.” Auwyang Hong said.
“Just say sorry isn’t enough! You have to blame. You have made tragedy upon us, me and my lover. Wait our revenge to you.”
Ang Goan Seng went off immediately, perhaps he frighten with piauw attack that could make him fatal.
Miss Oey Yok Nio went off too, said to Aping, “Greeting to your Grandpa; I still hoping your Grandpa sometime can cure on me.”
She postpone her traveling for going home, since her state as an old woman could make her many difficulties. Perhaps the staffs of Palace will not known their own Princess because she had become an old woman.
She decided to follow where ever Ang Goan Seng will go; But where is he now? She regreted not to say hello to him when he spoke with Auwyang Hong. Because she still getting anger to him.
But now, she could understand Aseng when she heard the conversation; How he want to buy the antidote what ever the price will be expensive.....
No! No!...I still got anger to him; He has left me as if am I just a useless piece of paper. I hate you Aseng, wait for my revenge!” She tought.
But she remembered with the last lesson of Ciu Pek Tong, that is the ability to send voice.
“Hi Aseng! Please wait for me! I will come to you; We can go together!” She shouted as Ciu Pek Tong taught her.
‘I am sure he has heard my sound; If he didn’t appear in next two days then he was really responsible’. She thought.
She searched Aseng to many site and every where, however, he has gone disappeared.
Finally, she came back to Ciu Pek Tong institution for searching Aseng.
She heard news of Aseng from Ciu Pek Tong’s pupil; He said that Aseng has gone to Batavia City at South. He added that Aseng has sweared not returning home; Because he feel shame as a betray soldier of Han people in fighting against Boan Kingdom. He shame to every people of China. However, he didn’t regret by having a Boan woman as his lover.”
“I like his saying. We have to separate the political aim and individual aim.
What am I? In one hand, I greeted Aseng but on the other hand I hated him. I am feeling confuse.” Miss Oey Yok Nio thought.
She decided to follow her lover to Batavia City; She still loved Aseng what ever he hurt her.




Closing

That’s the story of Night Lotus, The Princess .
‘I am sure the story would be happy ending; Isn’t right Night Lotus Princess?” Pitung asked.
“Yes you right” Princess said
“How about you Ang Goan Seng, did you agree with Princess?” Pitung asked
Aseng can’t talk; Rokayeh freed Aseng of her totok immediately.
“I agreed with my lover, Princess Night Lotus. I still loved her what ever she is becoming now.” Aseng said, answering Pitung.
Miss Oey Yok Nio come closer to Aseng; Suddenly she grasp and kiss him keenly, “I loved you too; Please forget the pass, find the future.”
Pitung and Rokayeh cheer up, ‘Hurray! Hurray!”
“By then we must celebrate the second time of the couple unification; Does every body agree?” Pitung asked.
“Hi wait a minute! What do you mean with the second time of unification?” Aseng asked Pitung.
“The first time had happened in the dining room of Boan Kingdom Palace; When you stole food of King; However you were found out by Princess. The second time is happening now. We hope the couple would be happy.”
“Shall we celebrate with chicken fried, Cap-Cay and Arak; The food of King Hoan Tie of Boan Kingdom?.” Aseng asked.
“Yes I agreed with you Aseng; I like it!” Princess Night Lotus said.
“However, we haven’t a Chef who can make food like the King’s food” Rokayeh said.
“I have taste the King’s food; Then I compare it with similar food from tavern; The tavern’s food more delicious than that the King’s. By then we can buy it from a restaurant.” Aseng said.
“So...Why did you steal the King’s food Aseng?” Princess Night Lotus asked.
“I want to make The King will have embarrassment since I have eaten his food before the King eat; That had happened again and again for a long time in day by day, no body has known. Until one day I was found out by you, darling....That possess wisdom. The begining of the story; The beautiful story that I found you.”
“Please don’t talk about politic of our Country Aseng; now we are friend and more than that, we are a couple. Han people and Boan people is the same.” Princess said.
Ang Goan Seng and Princess Night Lotus hugged to each other in front of their each pupil.
Pitung clapped, so did Rokayeh.

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