Jiang Daring Scout's Ambition Meets a Swift End

While the heroes were united in hunting the wild yak, twenty-one riders—seven each from the Lawu Sisi division of the Jiang Kingdom, the Balin Bawo Toju division, and the Shengjiang Lawu Toju division—were ordered to scout a mountain behind the Ling army camp. From the mountaintop, the riders looked down and saw the Ling forces spread across the plains, their helmet tassels and banners blotting out the sun. The sight filled them with terror.

Among the Jiang troops was a youth named Zhaxi Solang, renowned in the Jiang camp for his bravery and skill in battle. Commander of Lawu Sisi held him in high esteem, cherishing him like a leg for walking or an eyeball for seeing. The youth thought to himself: Now that we've reached the enemy's main camp, it would be shameful to flee like a dog with its tail between its legs at the sight of a large army without seizing some spoils to display our prowess and make a good start. We must accomplish a feat worthy of boasting before King Sadan. He then declared, "Uncles, listen! We have now reached the battlefield against the Ling army. Yula Toju and the others sent ahead must have already met with disaster. If we don't seize some victory with a show of courage, the enemy will grow even more arrogant. Let us charge into the Ling camp, seize some horses and spoils, and see who is the most valiant. Against the enemy, it's best to strike first; we should take the initiative and raid their camp. And we shouldn't raid just once, but repeatedly without pause. Only then are we worthy of being called heroes, and only then will our king be pleased."

Hearing young Zhaxi Solang's words, his uncles and brothers grew excited. They tightened their horses' girths, secured their helmets, fastened their armor, mounted their steeds, looped their sword straps around their arms, grasped bows in their left hands and arrows in their right, and rode off without hesitation, kicking up dust. Zhaxi Solang's steed led the way, about two arrow-flights ahead of the others. At that time, the Ling heroes were still away on the hunt. Only three elders, including the old Chief Steward, were guarding the camp. Due to their age and frailty, the three could only pace about near the tent entrances. Suddenly, the elders spotted the Jiang troops approaching from afar. Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen said, "This is grave! If we let these Jiang soldiers charge into our camp today, it will surely boost the enemy's morale and shake our own. We three must resist to the death."

Barasenda Adong immediately spurred his horse into action. He emerged from the camp like a rising moon beside a white banner pole, gleaming brightly as he charged toward Zhaxi Solang. Pretending to be a Hor soldier, he said, "This is the camp of Ling Gabu, commanded by three Hor generals. We have come to serve as King Sadan's right arm, voluntarily aiding him to honor our pledge. Our vast army numbers nine hundred thousand, and we can send more if needed. If the Hor and Jiang armies cooperate well, our invincible might will be renowned everywhere. That famous King Sadan of Jiang—have you seen him with your own eyes? Is the Jiang region prosperous? Tell me everything in detail."

After this probing, Zhaxi Solang thought: Is this man really from Hor? It's hard to tell truth from falsehood now. Logically, Hor wouldn't send troops without reason to be Jiang's ally and help them. He decided to test in return: "Hey, rider on the ash-grey horse! You're dressed like a stag, and your weapons look like a spindle. Friend or foe, I'll first send an arrow toward your head."

With that, he immediately loosed an arrow. The sharp arrow struck Barasenda Adong's armor, scattering its plates to the ground. Fortunately, protected by his divine warrior's undergarment, his body was unharmed. Enraged, Bara said, "Ha! That arrow is like a straw blown by the wind. Trying to show off before me is overestimating yourself. I ask you to stand aside and watch my archery!"

Bara released his reins and urged his horse forward. He charged up to Zhaxi Solang, grabbed him, hurled him into the air, and slammed him to the ground, killing him instantly. The remaining Jiang troops were surrounded by the Ling army. In no time, they were all wiped out like grass swept by the wind. The Ling forces captured two prisoners from the defeated Jiang troops, bound them with yak-hair ropes, and tethered them like guard dogs at the camp entrance to extract information about the Jiang army.

Ling Army’s Return and Boasts Are Made

The Ling troops who had gone to hunt and kill Qula's soul-binding yak gradually returned to camp. At this point, Chao Tong thought: Because I hid in a burrow during the hunt, Gongba's steed died under the soul-binding yak's horns. This is truly embarrassing before everyone. If I don't brag a little to cover it up, my dignity will suffer. He pulled a tailless mole rat from its burrow and then, with great seriousness, sang a self-glorifying song before the Ling army:

The Lion King may have a majestic bearing,

And be rare in the sight of men,

But since ordinary people seldom see it,

Its majestic bearing is in vain.

It's like the many heroes of Ling Gabu—

Who can display their brave prowess?

Achievements are known only to oneself,

Meritorious deeds are hard to spread in the world.

The Ling heroes scattered across the wilds,

Only the female general Adanam held the battlefield.

She killed the copper-horned wild yak,

Truly removing a great threat to Ling Gabu.

For this merit, she deserves praise,

What is there to commend in other heroes?

How many grains of gold sand are in black earth?

Can you lay them out one by one to see?

The wild yak's form is that of a beast,

But it contained all the demon's souls.

No matter where those demon souls resided,

Today they fell into my hands with no chance of return.

Whether this is so, heroes, come and see,

Whether to praise me, let everyone decide.

After Chao Tong finished singing, everyone found it amusing, but no one said anything. Only Prince Zhale Zejie spoke: "Oh, indeed! Uncle, such bravery is truly remarkable. Your words are very auspicious. Now please sit and listen as I sing your praises." He then sang:

The Ling heroes are brave before the enemy,

Uncle Chao Tong also exerted himself digging burrows.

To ask whose achievements are greater,

Everyone knows, no need for comparison.

Whether it's Barasenda Adong,

Or the heroine Adanam,

Or official King Chao Tong,

Who has skill, everyone knows in their hearts.

Outwardly they may seem the same,

But in reality, they differ by thousands of miles.

Barasenda Adong defeated Zhaxi and seized his weapons—

This is the mark of Bara's bravery.

Qula's copper-horned soul-binding yak,

Fierce beyond measure, ten thousand men could not oppose it.

Its flesh and hide fell into Adanam's hands—

This is the mark of the female general's bravery.

The burrow mole rat fell into Chao Tong's hands—

This is the mark of Chao Tong's bravery.

Who is truly a hero, who is a champion,

Look at the results and all will be clear.

As King Gesar had specifically instructed before his departure that Chao Tong would still be of great use in future campaigns, everyone merely chuckled inwardly at Prince Zhale's sarcasm. Next, Prince Zhale began deploying troops to eliminate the Jiang Kingdom's second wave of vanguard forces. After the prince issued his commands, everyone unanimously obeyed his orders and began to act.

The Noose Tightens: A Four-Sided Assault on the Jiang Camp

In the first half of the night, the dispatched troops, led by their commanders, reached the location of the Jiang army. At dawn the next day, Zhale's forces were in the east, Wenbu Alu's in the north, Niben Daya's in the west, and Darong Chao Tong's in the south. The Ling army surrounded the Jiang troops from all sides like a barrel hoop. The Jiang horses, hearing the Ling army's movements, neighed, alerting the Jiang troops that they were surrounded on all sides. The sound of hoofbeats and clamor mingled together, arriving with terrifying force.

From within the Jiang ranks, the fierce child Lawu Sisi, riding a yellow steed with black shoulders, led a portion of the Jiang troops in a breakout attempt to the north without even asking questions. The hot-tempered young Jiang hero Balin Bawo Toju was tightly encircled by the Ling army, with arrows and stone cannon fire raining down on him like a downpour. He charged recklessly, resisting valiantly. Only the protection of his guardian deity saved him from injury. In the end, he had to retreat back to his fortifications.

Shengjiang Lawu Toju mounted his nine-ridged white steed and attempted to break out to the east, but was blocked by Minister Danma, who led his troops from a distant mountain pass. Lawu reined in his horse and shouted, "You blue-faced rider, have you come here to die? Come, let us test each other and see who is the true champion!"

Lawu held his horse steady, nocked an arrow to his bowstring, and waited for a reply. From about an arrow's flight away, Danma responded: "You are Shengjiang Lawu Toju, reputed to be a great hero. But whether you truly have the ability, any display of skill must be seen now. Before me, Danma, don't think to show off. If you try, you are only seeking death. Do you wish to test yourself against a sharp blade's edge, or offer yourself to an arrowhead? I draw an arrow from my tiger-skin quiver to use a white-copper sharp arrow against you. I take my bow from my leopard-skin sheath to use the Brahma King's precious bow against you. If you are wise, quickly go and pray. If you are unwise, go recite your mani prayers."

Danma immediately shot an arrow. That arrow could have shattered even a vajra cliff into pieces. However, because Shengjiang Lawu Toju had ninety-nine demon deities protecting him, the sharp arrow did not pierce his skin. Lawu promptly shot an arrow back at Danma, shattering Danma's armor to pieces. Fortunately, Danma wore protective undergarments against sharp weapons, so his skin was also unharmed.

Eager for victory, Lawu then charged at Danma. Danma, also wanting to capture Lawu immediately, rushed toward him without any weapon in hand. The two wrestled like fighting goats, grappling and pulling, locked in a stalemate. Just as the fight grew most intense, Prince Zhale Zejie spurred his horse forward to aid Danma. He slashed at Lawu three times with his sword, but due to the protection of the demon deities, he failed to connect. Zhale Zejie then drew his father's treasured Yasi blade and cleaved at Lawu. Lawu's head was sliced from his neck like a turnip, helmet and all, and fell to the ground.

Final Stands and the Jiang Vanguard's Demise

After Prince Zhale Zejie slew Shengjiang Lawu Toju, the fierce child Lawu Sisi charged out from the northern Jiang fortifications. He sought to break through the Ling encirclement. Seeing this, Barasenda Adong and Sinba Meruze immediately rushed forward together to block Lawu Sisi's path. Sinba advised, "King Gesar's might is peerless; there is nothing in this world he cannot subdue. What is a small Jiang army? You cannot prevail by acting alone. Those who understand the times are true heroes; those who persist in delusion are fools. Do not stubbornly resist today!"

The fierce child Lawu Sisi retorted: "You red-clad rider, greedy for life and afraid of death! According to you, as long as one can preserve one's own old life, one can be considered a hero. That is the talk of a coward; I am not such a man. I will not be fooled by you; I will throw hearth ashes into your mouth. You are a masterless stray dog, a beggar going door to door, spouting nothing but nonsense. The Lion King's reputation may sound pleasant, like music played by gods, but pleasant reputations are fleeting, like a rainbow in the sky easily vanishing. Whoever wishes to compete with King Sadan cannot hope to live in peace. Today the Ling army contends with the Jiang people; I will personally test what skills you have. I call upon the white goat deity in the sky to help me cast my lasso, to loop it around Sinba's neck and tether him like a black dog."

With that, Lawu Sisi immediately threw his lasso. The lasso whirled with the wind and looped around Sinba's neck. Lawu pulled with all his might, nearly dragging Sinba from his horse. At this critical moment, like a boulder suspended by a yak-hair thread, Barasenda Adong shouted, "This is bad! A grave matter has occurred today. We must rescue Sinba; even if we die in battle, we cannot let Sinba fall into enemy hands."

He immediately urged his horse forward, shooting like a meteor toward Lawu, cutting off Lawu Sisi's retreat. Enraged, Lawu Sisi tightened the lasso while nocking an arrow to his bow, saying, "Today I've encountered two young Ling generals. If I let you return alive, I'd be unworthy of the name 'Fierce Child.' You two need not fear for your lives; life and death are fated long ago. I am like the red sun hanging high in the sky, intending to drag the Ling King's shadow and tarnish the reputation of his ministers. First, I will avenge the loss of Yula; second, collect the debt for our lost demon ministers; third, wash away the hatred for losing Zhaxi; fourth, settle the account for losing Shengjiang. If I cannot repay these hatreds, it is vain to call myself a man in this world. Better to stick my tongue into a burrow and contentedly be a cowardly little fox."

Lawu Sisi shot an arrow that struck Bara squarely, shattering his armor. Protected by the longevity undergarment and its guardian deity of longevity, his skin remained unharmed. By then, Sinba had broken free from the lasso and stood ready to engage Lawu in combat. But Bara said, "The true heroic men of the world all rejoice upon meeting a formidable foe. They engage with superior archery skills, making enemies tremble with fear. Your petty archery is useless; it's just your thumb itching, your horn bow straining in vain, wasting effort drawing the string. Shooting an arrow is not done like that; drawing a bow is not done like that. You, Lawu, just demonstrated; now let me show you what a true hero's archery looks like."

He shot an arrow. Amidst the sound and flash of sparks, the sharp arrow pierced the fierce child Lawu Sisi's heart. His armor and protective garments offered no defense. Though mortally wounded, Lawu Sisi was not yet dead. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he turned his horse and charged into the Ling army formation, rampaging east and west, killing and wounding several armored soldiers before finally escaping back to his own camp, where he died in fury.

Meanwhile, at the western camp gate, the young hero Balin Bawo Toju rode out to battle on his "Waterbird Swift-Flyer" steed. The Ling troops swarmed forward to surround him. Niben Daya wanted to step forward for a fierce duel, but Angwa Rongtsa Malie stopped him: "Wait here for a moment; let me deal with him."

Gade Chujiong Benna also vied for the chance: "Brothers, there's no need for you to move. Let me take the vanguard today." So saying, he mounted his black "Windchaser Swift-Flyer" horse and rode out to intercept Balin Bawo Toju. Balin also reined in his horse, standing about an arrow's flight away from Gade, and sternly shouted: "I volunteered before King Sadan to join the battle, offering myself to come to the front lines. Now surrounded by a million Ling troops, on the battlefield it's either life or death. Let the two of us duel fairly with arrows, or close in for combat with blades. However you wish to fight, the choice is yours now. You ask why King Sadan sent troops—it is not to bully others with force, nor to rule with tyranny. He only wishes to seize the northern salt lake. The three Jiang commanders led by Yula Toju, along with three hundred and sixty vanguard troops, have been gone for many days with no news yet. We do not know if it is auspicious or ominous. Therefore, King Sadan issued another order, dispatching the three of us to continue the campaign, leading three thousand strong soldiers and fierce generals, vowing to seize the northern salt lake. You cannot thwart King Sadan's great plan; beware, you will only lose your own life. You have not properly assessed our military strength; to think of contending with us is a daydream."

After singing, Balin Bawo Toju shot an arrow. The earth demon god immediately aided it with a black wind; with a thunderous crack, the arrow struck Gade's upper body, shattering his helmet and armor. Fortunately, protected by the warrior deity's longevity garment, his body was unharmed. Gade nocked an arrow to his bowstring and retorted: "Ha! You impudent Jiang brat, shooting such a feeble arrow—aren't you ashamed? In the Ling Kingdom, I've encountered countless archers more formidable than you and have never lost on the archery field. If you don't believe it, watch this arrow of mine!"

Gade silently prayed for the warrior deity Wilma's aid. The arrow pierced through Balin's armor and emerged from his back. Balin Bawo Toju immediately fell from his horse, dead. Witnessing this, the Ling troops on the western side of the camp cheered and sighed