Instead of getting angry, the old woman nicknamed the evil, fiery-eyed ghost joined in the giggles.
"Just as cruel as you are, I want to help you avenge Ki Sentanu. Hik! Hik! Hik!" Bagas Dipa suddenly fell silent, as if contemplating something.
"How can you help me avenge Ki Sentanu?" Bagas Dipa asked.
"Hik! Hik! Hik!" The evil, fiery-eyed ghost laughed, then reached into the inner pocket of her long dress and pulled out a small, half-span-sized jug.
"Here, take this!" The haunted-faced woman threw the small jug at Bagas Dipa.
Bagas Dipa caught the small jug and examined it. It was covered with a wad of black cloth, and inside was a strange-smelling liquid.
"Ugly granny, what's this little jug for?" Bagas Dipa asked.
"Inside the jug is a magical potion that can transform you and your nine trusted subordinates into black tigers. All this time, your sect has only been called the Panther Tiger in name, but you don't possess any skills befitting that vile sect's name! Hik! Hik! Hik!" Although the fiery-eyed, vicious ghost's words were hurtful, Bagas Dipa wasn't angry. Instead, he saluted in gratitude.
"This potion is a one-time drink, and you can forever transform into black tigers whenever you want," the old woman continued.
"Thank you, Grandma, for this gift. What should I repay you with?" Bagas Dipa saluted again.
"Hik! Hik! Hik! You vile brat! How often do you remember to repay favors? Hik! Hik! Hik! You don't need to repay me for all I've given you!" Bagas Dipa simply smiled.
"Alright, then, I'll take my leave and return to the hermitage and do as Grandma said: give and drink the potion in this jug to my nine men." Bagas Dipa was about to flash out of the cave, but he stopped.
"Hey, wait a minute!" the vicious, fiery-eyed ghost exclaimed.
"What else is going on, Grandma?" Bagas Dipa asked, stopping his steps.
"You stupid brat! Just go, I still have something to discuss with you!" The woman's eyes widened in irritation.
"If you only pretend to be a black tiger, you and your men won't be able to defeat Ki Sentanu. You need to do several important things to perfect your black magic, and even the demons, even the Demon King of Mount Kerinci, will submit to you." Bagas Dipa frowned, as if he couldn't believe what the vicious, fiery-eyed ghost had just said.
"Grandma, don't joke around! There's no Demon King on Mount Kerinci." Bagas Dipa said with a soft laugh.
"The demon king of this mountain exists. He's not only the leader of the demons here, but also possesses extraordinary powers, plus he can transform into a giant. There are certain conditions you must fulfill to have the Demon King help you defeat Ki Sentanu. You can even rule this area of the full river." Hearing the vicious, fire-eyed ghost's words, Bagas Dipa looked curious.
"What conditions are those, Grandma?" Bagas Dipa asked impatiently.
"You must seize the purity of seven young women from this area and drink their blood. If you succeed, the Demon King will automatically enter your body and transform you into a terrifying giant, and your powers will be unmatched," said the vicious, fire-eyed ghost.
Bagas Dipa, with his evil and cruel mind, was naturally happy to fulfill the condition.
"But remember, you must make this happen before the full moon arrives, which means two weeks from now. After you have taken the virgin's virginity, you must transform into a black tiger and drink her blood. The scent of a virgin's blood will invite the Demon King to come out and join you," the old woman continued.
"Okay, Grandma, I'll do it as soon as possible!" Bagas Dipa said, confident that it would be easy.
"Now go and return to your hermitage!" Bagas Dipa nodded, saluting, and then shot out of the haunted cave.
******
A brownish-yellow shadow flashed up Mount Kerinci from the north, leaping from tree to tree and cliff to cliff with such ease.
Upon reaching relatively flat ground, the figure, which had previously been a brownish-yellow tiger, suddenly transformed into a human, only its form was not human-like.
Its body was three times the height of a normal human, its arms dangling down to its ankles; when it walked, only its heels touched the ground. Even more strangely, its face was divided into two parts: one resembling a tiger's face and the other a human's. Furthermore, its nose and mouth were fused together, meaning there was no barrier between them. This was the figure known as the Tiger of Cindaku.
Legend has it that the tiger Cindaku originates from a village called Kumayan. He possesses a figure who can transform into a tiger and possesses profound knowledge. This figure is not malicious toward humans, but rather often helps them escape the clutches of wild animals in the forest while searching for forest products such as rattan, resin, and so on.
He consumes only animal blood for survival, and these animals are not domesticated animals, but rather wild animals that inhabit the wilderness.
The tiger Cindaku often wanders into the forests of Andalas Island, seeking no clear destination, but only for the blood of animals, which he desires to survive. It could be said that the tiger Cindaku has become a supernatural being, as his presence and appearance are unpredictable.
*****
After drinking the potion contained in the small jug, Bagas Dipa handed the small jug to nine of his trusted subordinates. After the nine men did as Bagas Dipa had instructed, drinking the potion, they transformed into black tigers (panthers).
The ten tigers attempted various moves, such as jumping, scratching, and even pouncing. Once satisfied, the ten black tigers transformed back into human form.
"Ha..! Ha..! Ha..! Soon I will rule the entire Sungai Penuh area, even the areas from the east, south, west, and north of Mount Kerinci will become my domain. I will turn this hermitage into a great kingdom. I will be the king, and I will appoint you as important officials in the future kingdom," Bagas Dipa exclaimed, accompanied by applause from his nine men.