The King's Triumphant Return and the March to Jiang

On the night before the Great King was to arrive at the camp, Prince Zhale Zejie had a good dream. The next morning, he said to everyone, "The Great Lion King is about to return. Officers and soldiers, go quickly to meet him on the road!"

Upon hearing Prince Zhale Zejie's instruction, the heroes of the Ling Kingdom all said, "You are a descendant of the white celestial gods. We are willing to follow your command."

Everyone respectfully lined up, mounted their horses, and went to the mountain pass to welcome him. When the heroes were halfway there, they saw King Gesar urging his horse forward. They all dismounted, stepped forward to pay their respects, and presented pure white Khata scarves as gifts.

The Great Lion King and his ministers then remounted and returned to the main camp. When everyone was seated in the command tent, Gesar told them about using strategy to subdue the formidable enemy and destroying the sacred white conch horse of the Jiang region.

After the King finished speaking, everyone was sincerely convinced and paid homage to him. The next day, the entire Ling army broke camp and advanced majestically towards the Jiang territory. That evening, they reached the Dacha Pass of the Jiang Kingdom and set up camp.

Meanwhile, King Sadan of the Jiang was still observing mourning in his bedchamber. All the ministers gathered together to discuss how to persuade the King to leave his mourning chamber to guard against unforeseen events. Princess Pema Chuzhen said, "Please listen, Father King and ministers. Your daughter has a few words to say. Recently, there have been rumors that the Ling army is coming to counterattack. Judging from the omen of blood flowing from the substitute white conch horse of the White Demon God, and from the nightmares I have had, the signs are very inauspicious. I beg Father King to moderate his grief, prioritize the well-being of the people, quickly take up the heavy responsibility of command, attend to state affairs, and deploy troops for resistance. We should not have sent troops to invade others in the first place, but since we have, we should not regret it now. We must understand that war is now unavoidable. With a great enemy at our gates, we must quickly make deployments."

King Sadan still paid no heed to Princess Pema Chuzhen's words. Although the ministers thought the princess's words were reasonable, with the King remaining silent, they dared not say more. War seemed inevitable. Everyone was anxious and uneasy, staying together in hushed silence.

Divine Prophecy and the Plan to Destroy the Demon's Soul

As the Ling army marched into Jiang territory, they spent one night at the Dacha Pass and continued their advance the next day through the Se Pass, soon arriving at the Xisa Zela plain. Before dusk fell, the entire army had assembled and camped on the plain. Campfires blazed brightly, illuminating the area. Steam from boiling tea rose like thick fog over a forest. Those fetching water and gathering firewood were as busy as bees entering and leaving a hive. There were as many men in the camp as there were trees on the plain, and as many horses as blades of grass. Seeing such a multitude from afar, the Jiang people were at a loss on how to deal with it.

Late that night, the White Brahma King emerged from his palace tent surrounded by five-colored clouds and rainbow light. Dressed in white, riding a white lion, with a smiling face and surrounded by an auspicious halo, he wore a white conch helmet with a shining tip. On his right were white-feathered arrows, on his left a gleaming white spear. He wore divine flying wheel boots and was escorted by a million divine youths as he descended above the Ling camp. In a melodious, wonderful voice, he sang a prophetic song to the Great Lion King:

"Listen, Gesar, beloved son of the divine king,

I have words of instruction for you:

Beloved son, you must always be vigilant.

Tomorrow morning when the sun rises in the east,

The White Demon God of King Sadan of Jiang

Will come to pitch camp in this place.

The White, Variegated, and Black Demon Gods of Jiang

Have always been bizarre and full of transformations.

If their incarnations land on the ground,

A sudden gale will rise from the earth.

To counter these cunning three demon gods,

The Brahma King's troops will also descend to the mortal world.

Nine hundred thousand Brahma soldiers in transformed bodies

Will pitch their tents upon this plain.

Divine opponents must be dealt with by gods,

Human opponents should be countered by men.

No matter which Jiang warrior comes forth to fight,

The Ling men must fight him to the end.

You must devise strategies by all means,

Beloved son, stay alert and be vigilant.

Keep these words firmly in your heart,

Do not hesitate and lose the opportunity.

The soul-binding object of the demon king Sadan of Jiang

Is hidden in that doorless iron house.

If that iron house is not destroyed,

You cannot subdue this old demon foe.

Assign tasks appropriately to your generals and soldiers,

Do not be too impatient with Chao Tong.

Praise him when he achieves some merit,

Let him be happy and exert more effort.

You can have him cast curses and perform illusions,

To find a way to capture the enemy's soul.

To subdue the old demon Sadan,

First destroy that sinful iron house completely.

When you descended from the divine realm to the mortal world,

You were given the nine-pointed Vajra.

That Vajra was forged from gold,

It is the perfect instrument to destroy the iron house.

Tomorrow when the Brahma soldiers' divine camp is pitched,

Various miracles will soon be displayed.

Subduing the Jiang army is not simple,

Be extremely patient, do not be hasty.

Every word of this prophecy is true,

I hope you will certainly remember it firmly in your heart."

After the White Brahma King finished singing this prophetic song, celestial music echoed in the sky. Amidst that music, the White Brahma King slowly vanished into the air.

The next morning, all the heroes of the Ling army gathered before the Great King. Gesar relayed the White Brahma King's prophecy to everyone: "The life-soul of King Sadan is attached to a most hateful, vicious Black Demon God. It is hidden in a doorless iron house, thinking day and night only of harming people. If this Black Demon is not eliminated, it will be impossible to defeat the demon king Sadan. With it present, arrows and blades cannot penetrate; with it present, thousands of troops will attack in vain. Heroes, please think carefully: how can we subdue this old fiend? I think if we are to subdue it, we must rely on the great official Chao Tong. Chao Tong is different from others and possesses great abilities. His magic arts are astonishingly high. He can command water and fire at his will, he can summon thunder and lightning with a wave of his hand, he can drink rivers and lakes dry with a single gulp, he can flatten mountains and ridges with a punch. Uncle's skills are so miraculous and powerful; destroying the iron house cannot be done without him. When I descended from the celestial realm to the human world, I brought with me a nine-pointed Vajra. It now remains in the Ling Kingdom. Only by fetching it can we level the black house. I hope the heroine Adanam and the messenger Michong Kade will travel day and night back to the Ling Kingdom to fetch the Vajra, so this great task can be accomplished. At the entrance of the eastern gate of the Ling palace treasury, the nine-pointed Vajra is placed inside the door. It is tightly wrapped in layers of five-colored silk and hidden inside a copper chest. For you two, neither dry land nor waterways will be an obstacle; you can cover a month's journey in a single day. Go quickly and bring the Vajra back for Chao Tong. Only then can the destruction of the iron house be assured."

After the King finished his orders, the dispatched heroine Adanam and Michong Kade swiftly returned to the Ling Kingdom to fetch the ritual instrument, the nine-pointed Vajra.

Jiang's War Preparations and the First Clashes

On the Jiang side, ministers from inside and outside the palace were now gathered. Ministers Baidui, Qula, and Caima Keji were discussing how to deploy forces to resist the Ling army. Minister Baidui said, "Since that beggar destroyed the divine horse, the King has not attended to state affairs. Now, ministers inside and outside must be united of heart and quickly discuss important state matters together. We must command the Jiang troops well and join forces to resist the external enemy. Great leader of the Dongji Jizong region, the renowned Qula official: you will command the right-wing army. Your battle array should be like yellow silk covering the sky. Great leader of the Renmo Dazong region, the peerlessly brave Datu official: you will garrison the left-wing army. Your great army should be like white snow covering the earth. Caima Keji, you are a great leader: you will command the Flower Tassel regiments. Your troops should be like red fire chasing across the grasslands, with raging flames soaring to the sky. Great leader of the Kulong Wangmen region, the capable hero Yangge Qingtu: you will hold the center of the middle army. Your ranks should be like rainbow light shining upon the earth. I, Baidui, will take charge of the vanguard forces, with soldiers under my command as numerous as ants. The great Dharma King Queji Gongga Jinmei, you will preside over the army's religious affairs. Great General Shangjiang Jiaduo Nae Bo, you will command the rear-guard troops. The vast rear-guard should be somber, like a sheet of black iron covering the sky. The famous three poisonous brothers of Shangjiang: the eldest is called Baigan Tulu, the second is called Zhaxi Toju, the third is called Taqiong Lugu. These three will assist the rear-guard troops, cooperating closely with Jiaduo. Lead the troops to advance side by side, like a great black cloth covering the sky. Regardless of inner, outer, or middle divisions, all Jiang troops must quickly take action. Every commander must order the troops under his command to assemble promptly. No matter how long the King remains in mourning, the ministers must find a way to protect the Jiang land. Think of a plan early, beforehand, lest you regret failure too late. From now on, at any time, if anyone betrays the country and thinks of joining the enemy, if anyone acts cowardly like a fox, they will certainly be severely punished by military law without leniency. For serious offenses, behead them publicly; for lighter offenses, gouge out their eyes and cut their lips. Let anyone who dares to defect try it—the god of death, Yama, is waiting for you! In peacetime, you enjoy the kingdom's generous salaries; in wartime, you should exert great effort for the country. This is the good teaching passed down by our ancestors, and everyone should remember it firmly."

After the interior minister Baidui finished deploying the tasks, no one voiced any objection. All were willing to obey the minister's command and follow his assignments.

At sunrise the next day, a man from the Jiang army, riding a purple horse, charged towards the Ling camp. At a distance of about an arrow's flight from the camp, the man half-drew his precious sword and provocatively challenged the Ling army: "If you don't know who I am, I reside in the 'Qumo Nazong' fortress. My name is the great Dharma King Queji Gongga, responsible for handling religious affairs in the army. I am the reliance of the demon-worshipping gods, I am the famous master of the Sadan teachings, I am a good friend to the eighty demon children, my miraculous teachings are known to all. How pitiful is the Ling army, hiding shamefully with heads tucked in your camp! If you have sharp arrows, shoot them quickly; if you have fast swords, come and fight! The Ling army, flaunting its ability, comes to pressure Jiang territory, wanting to show off before the Jiang army. Unfortunately, you have met me, Queji Gongga. It's like a lamb seeking out a wolf to die. If you Ling people have skill, come out and fight quickly! If you won't fight, why have you come here? In this world, it's hard to find a mendicant monk like me, leaning on a wooden staff, begging for food everywhere!"

After the Jiang army's religious affairs master, Gongga Jinmei, finished speaking, he charged directly forward. The Ling men, caught unprepared, were momentarily unsure how to respond. Just as Gongga Jinmei was approaching the Ling camp, Minister Danma, riding his horse, galloped over from the east and roared loudly: "Hey! Hold on! Jiang brat, don't be so arrogant! Your courage is truly astonishing, daring to attack alone on a single horse. Rather than boasting like an old dog growing horns, you'd better tuck your tail in tight. Seeking trouble not only loses face, but beware you'll ultimately lose your life. Today you come seeking death before divine arrows—watch how I send your soul to the western heavens!"

After singing, Danma shot an arrow that struck Queji Gongga Jinmei squarely in the chest. His armor was of no use at all; the divine arrow passed cleanly through and emerged from his back. Before falling from his horse, Queji Gongga Jinmei shot one last arrow, which snapped off the plume on Danma's helmet, sending it to the ground. Then he tumbled from his horse, struggling desperately. Danma drew his blue-steel treasured blade and with one stroke cut off his head, tied it to the captured horse, and also loaded the enemy's helmet and weapons onto the horse before returning to camp. The Ling army erupted in cheers, praising Danma endlessly.

Upon learning of the death of Dharma King Queji Gongga Jinmei, Minister Baidui was furious. He immediately mounted his white swift steed and charged towards the Ling camp like a fierce tiger leaving the mountains. Someone in the Ling camp saw a figure in white on a white horse approaching from afar, and the sentry immediately reported to Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen. Rongtsa Chagen asked, "Has that white man on a white horse come close? I am old and my eyes are dim; I cannot see clearly at a distance. If he breaks into the camp, he will certainly disrupt our formation. The newcomer wears white attire; he is probably the King of Jiang, or Minister Baidui, or perhaps the poisonous man Baigan Tulu. Whoever it is, be especially careful. All heroes, quickly guard the King's divine tent well. Ministers Danma Jangcha, Sinba Meruze, Barasenda Adong, and Gade Chujiong Benna—you four go out quickly to intercept him; don't let him charge into the camp. Everyone, prepare your bows, arrows, spears, and other weapons."

By then, the enraged Baidui had already charged to the front of the camp tents. At about an arrow's distance, he reined in his horse and sang: "Listen carefully, all you Ling soldiers, listen as I question you clearly: Why are you now like mad dogs? What is your real purpose in coming here? Especially early this morning at dawn, Dharma King Queji Gongga came here to ask what you intended to do. Why has he not returned yet? Why did you poisonously strike him down? Quickly return his life to us, quickly return his mount to us. Otherwise, you must pay with your lives! That person in the middle of the white tattered tent, who calls himself the Lion King—he's just trying to scare people. If he is in the tent, come out quickly to receive a visitor from afar. Whoever dares to fight, come out quickly! Beware, I will charge like a giant wave! You Ling people can watch from a distance and see how formidable I, Baidui, am!"

After speaking, Baidui spurred his horse forward in a fierce charge but was immediately blocked by the heroes sent out by the Ling side. Danma stood in front of him and angrily rebuked, "Jiang brat on the white horse, your words are like foam on water—they seem impressive but actually carry no weight. Who truly has the substance of pure gold? We'll only know by comparing and testing our mettle."

As he spoke, Danma thought to himself: if this man cannot be killed with a single arrow, he will leave behind future trouble. He nocked an arrow on his bowstring and replied, "You speak without any regard for facts, yet you accuse others of bullying you? A cornered yellow dog often bites back—what difference is there between you and it? Queji Gongga called himself a Dharma King, but before two sentences were finished, he wanted to wield weapons. For all his boasting of being harder than a cliff, a light arrow from me sent him to the heavens. Baidui, if you have eyes, look quickly! If you want to eat something, go eat it quickly! If you have any last words, leave them quickly! Your destined day of death is today!"

He shot an arrow. Because Baidui had the protection of a celestial demon god, although several pieces of his armor were knocked off, the arrow did not pierce his protective garment. Baidui was startled at first, but then composed himself on his saddle and sneered, "Is this the famous archery of the Ling minister? Aren't you ashamed, Danma?"

As he spoke, he swung the white poisonous snake divine lasso. Throwing the lasso, it looped around Danma's neck. Danma desperately tried to break free, pulling back with all his might, but ultimately couldn't tear it loose because Baidui's strength was greater. Danma, along with his horse, swayed unsteadily and was dragged forward. Seeing this, three Ling generals rushed forward to assist. Sinba angrily shot two arrows but failed to hit Baidui. Baidui immediately reined in his horse, drew his curved sword, and intended to kill Danma. At this critical moment, dark clouds suddenly rolled across the sky, and hail began to fall abruptly. Amidst flashing lightning, the thunder god descended a thunderbolt that severed the lasso in Baidui's hand. Danma seized the opportunity to spur his horse and gallop away. Baidui could only ride back to the Jiang camp in frustration. For the next three days, there were no major engagements. Both armies rested their troops and maintained defensive positions.

During this period, Adanam and Michong Kade, whom King Gesar had sent back to the Ling Kingdom to fetch the nine-pointed Vajra, had already returned to the Ling camp with it, putting everyone's minds slightly at ease.

Chao Tong Prepares a Secret Ritual to Destroy the Demon's Soul-House

The next day, Chao Tong set up a small tent near the Ling army camp, where he devoted himself to practicing secret tantric rites for seven days. After the seven days, he said to the Ling army officers and soldiers: "I am about to recite a secret mantra, offer a prayer to the local deities, sing a hymn of praise to the war gods, and make a call and request to the life gods. Quickly prepare for me tsampa, butter, sacred juniper incense, and other offerings."

After everyone had prepared these offerings for him, he donned the robes of a mantra master, took a Vajra in his hand, and began chanting the secret mantra. Pointing the Vajra in the direction of the iron house where the demon's soul was hidden, he prepared to cast the spell to destroy the demon's soul-iron house. People gathered around to watch. Then, Chao Tong began to sing, calling upon and inviting the deities, summoning the war gods. He sang:

I invite all gods from the sky to look down,

Quickly discern the enemy's situation,

Especially the war gods, even more powerful,

Great and small black demons all fear them.

In that black castle, the Immeasurable Palace,

Many war gods wear golden armor,

High upon their heads, shining golden helmets,

Divine axes and lassos held in their hands.

On the right, a hundred white riders,

White horses snorting tutu, truly fearsome.

On the left, a hundred red riders,

Red horses neighing lili, truly fearsome.

On the right shoulder, blue sparrowhawks flutter and fly,

On the left shoulder, owls circle and hover,

Today come help destroy the hated foe,

To smash that black iron house to pieces.

Sadan's soul hides within the iron house,

Destroy the house, Sadan's life cannot last.

Vow to annihilate both soul and corpse,

So the divine descendants of Ling may fulfill their wish.

In this vast purple land of the Jiang Kingdom,

Let the virtuous Dharma of the Ten Virtues flourish;

I beseech the enemy-subduing war gods, the nine-headed deity,

Quickly come to taste the enemy's flesh and blood.

The Ritual's Power Unleashed and the Demon Soul's Escape

As soon as Chao Tong finished singing, the Vajra in his hand flew away as if swept by the wind, carrying blazing flames with a rumbling roar into the distance. In a moment, it struck down upon the iron house where the demon soul was located like a mighty thunderbolt. The black iron house was instantly split into eight pieces. A terrifying devilish soul leaped out from the iron house, demon blood like black lacquer gushing forth. The heroes surrounded it from all sides. Suddenly, this devil turned and lunged straight at Chao Tong's face. Chao Tong immediately turned around, about to flee, but Sinba happened to be right behind him, so he could not very well run away. So, the two of them simultaneously shot sharp arrows at the devil, and the other heroes each shot an arrow as well, but unfortunately, none hit. That devil, like a flying bird, vanished into the sky. Everyone watched helplessly, unable to capture it. The Great Lion King thought to himself: Now there is no hope of subduing King Sadan; the devil's soul has been let loose, what is to be done? He immediately sang a song calling upon the deities:

I call upon the high sky's White Brahma King,

I call upon the fierce gods of the mid-air realm,

I call upon the great sea's Dragon King Zuna.

The Jiang land's Sadan demon god has fled,

What use are the gods' clear, ringing prophecies?

Failing to subdue the foe is empty talk,

At the crucial moment, they vanish like a rainbow.

If the gods do not care for our Ling Kingdom,

On whom can a great man's enterprise rely?

My hatred for the enemy is deeper than the sea,

If I do not subdue the foe, how can I survive?

Everyone shot arrows at the demon god,

Like wind blowing through grass, it was useless.

The enemy fled into the distant sky,

This everyone saw very clearly.

If my body could grow wings,

I would surely ascend to heaven and kill it.

If my two hands could sprout sharp claws,

I would surely seize it and kill it.

The harmful black demon god with the bloody beard,

Has already fled to the sky to steal life.

I beseech the sun, moon, wind, clouds, and hail,

To help me destroy this root of calamity.

The White Brahma King possesses great divine power,

Please manifest your might in the ninefold heavens.

Give much aid to your devout believer,

Against the enemy, be like harsh frost withering dead branches.

The Divine Steed's Counsel and the Pursuit of the Fleeing Soul

After the King finished singing this song calling upon the spirits, his divine steed, Jang Gapeibu, looked down from the mountaintop and spoke in human language: "World Lion King, do not be anxious, the demon soul will be subdued, have no doubt. Chao Tong knows mantras, let him quickly cast spells, using mantra power to strike is most effective. How exactly to kill the demon Sadan, the Great Lion King naturally knows in his heart. You have skill riding into battle on horseback, I beneath the saddle will never lose my footing. The divine horse's words are never taken back, please, Great King, firmly remember this in your heart."

After the divine steed finished singing, the King mounted it. Sometimes ascending to heaven, sometimes entering the earth, they closely pursued the fleeing demon soul without letting up. When man and horse reached the vicinity of the sun, the demon soul fell back to the ground. No matter how the demon soul tried to fly and escape, it could not shake off the divine steed's relentless pursuit. Sweat like blood continuously streamed from the demon soul. Using a special trick, the demon soul transformed into a body connecting the clouds above to the earth below. The King thought to himself: "This demon soul may be difficult to subdue for the moment. Although the divine steed is good at galloping, I still do not know how to subdue it. I must ask the fierce gods for help." He immediately earnestly requested the fierce god Nianqing Tangla for assistance. The fierce god Nianqing Tangla then told the King the method to subdue the demon soul: "Between the demon soul's eyebrows and hair, there grow exactly seven long white hairs. The demon soul's life force is attached to these white hairs; these seven white hairs determine its life and death. When the demon soul's body performs transformations, the white hairs are as thick as the full moon, white and gleaming. Their white light only illuminates the dark night, disappearing without a trace when the sun appears. As long as a divine arrow hits its seven hairs, King Sadan's life will be hard to preserve. The instructions of the fierce god Nianqing Tangla I hope you will remember firmly, and on no account tell this secret to others."

After the fierce god finished teaching, he immediately vanished. Seeing the King still somewhat hesitant and indecisive, the divine steed Jang Gapeibu spoke again: "Great King, your fame usually spreads far and wide, why are you so incapable now? Moreover, those famous generals and warriors of Ling, though they wear armor on their bodies, are actually very timid at heart. Please hesitate no more. You should follow the prophecy of the fierce god Nianqing Tangla and quickly destroy the demon soul."

The Final Confrontation and the Destruction of the Demon Soul

As he spoke, the divine steed carried the King flying into the air, catching up with the demon soul. The King first drew a divine arrow, then took out his precious bow. He shot an arrow, which struck right between the demon soul's hair and eyebrows; all seven white hairs were shot down to the ground, and the demon soul also fell down simultaneously. The King, looking down from the sky at the earth, thought the demon soul had been shot dead. The divine steed spoke again: "Great King, you are a heroic ruler, how can you be like a thoughtless old donkey? This demon soul is full of transformations; it has been received by the earth demons and hungry ghosts. Together with the earth demons and hungry ghosts, it will harm the bright, virtuous Dharma of Ling. You must shoot another arrow to completely destroy it. If not, the consequences will be unthinkable."

Following the divine steed's words, the King shot another divine arrow bestowed by the White Brahma King, finally killing this old demon's life soul completely. The heavenly gods sent down a continuous, gentle rain of sweet dew to celebrate Gesar's subjugation of the demon soul. The King mounted his steed and returned to camp together with all the heroes.