Celestial Portents and the King's Decisive Arrow

The next morning, as the Ling army was making prayers to the deities, they suddenly witnessed a strange spectacle in the sky. Amidst rolling, multicolored clouds, three distinct clouds—white, yellow, and black—appeared. Between these clouds, two large camps were pitched. The tents shimmered with a dazzling, brilliant light. Above the two camps arched two rainbows. These camps were the divine camp of the White Brahma King and the demonic camp of the Black Demon God of the Jiang region. The rainbows above the opposing camps clashed in the sky like two colorful dragons locked in combat. Both the Jiang and Ling people watched in astonishment.

At this moment, the Great Lion King Gesar of Ling thought: The war situation is extremely tense now. The scene in the sky is an omen bestowed by the gods. Victory will go to whichever side has the greater kingly authority. Whether the black karma or the white karma will triumph will be decided today. The King then addressed the heroes of Ling: "Whether we achieve victory in today's battle rests entirely in your hands. The two rainbows in the sky are changeable and unpredictable. Whichever rainbow can sever the other will claim victory for its side."

The heroes were all greatly excited upon hearing this. On the Jiang side, people saw the rainbows merely as a marvel, unaware of their connection to the war's outcome. Believing it to be a manifestation of their demon gods, they followed the earlier words of the bird, slaughtering their divine horses and divine cattle as offerings to the demon gods. The remaining horse and beef were distributed among the troops.

At this time, Chao Tong was about to hurl his curse-offering towards the rainbow symbolizing the demon gods. Seething with anger, sparks flew from the offering in his hand. Just as he was about to throw it, the Great Lion King stopped him: "Uncle, hold your offering for now; it is not yet the time to cast it. One of the rainbows in the sky is a sign of the celestial gods coming to aid me, Gesar, in subduing the enemy. We must not let your offering mistakenly harm this rainbow. When I descended to the mortal realm, my father, the White Brahma King, bestowed upon me the divine thunderbolt arrow that can fly. Now is the moment to use it."

As he spoke, he took out the divine arrow and his precious bow. Chao Tong, however, said, "Nephew, hold your action. Let your uncle handle this."

The two argued back and forth for a while. Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen said: "Chao Tong has the merit of rescuing the heroine from prison, for which I should let him boast. But today is no ordinary day; the Great King Gesar must personally display his divine might. Great King, you should shoot the arrow to lead the way. In today's battle, we must achieve an immediate victory."

The thoughts of all the heroes aligned with what the Chief Steward said. The Great King Gesar nocked his arrow and declared: "If I, Joru, cannot shoot and sever that rainbow above the black demon camp at its waist, then I have boasted of being a hero in vain."

With these words, he let the arrow fly. Immediately, flames, hailstones, and lightning filled the sky and earth. The soul-binding rainbow of the black demons vanished into thick smoke, like bird feathers consumed by fierce fire. Seeing this, panic erupted among the Jiang ranks. The flames, fanned by the wind, swept towards the Jiang camp, burning countless soldiers to death and throwing the Jiang army into disarray. Seeing this, Chao Tong thought it an excellent opportunity to claim merit and took the chance to hurl his curse-offering towards the place where the demon gods resided.

Divine Clash, Chao Tong's Capture, and Desperate Pleas

At this moment, the Jiang protector god, the White Sky Demon God, angrily shot an arrow at the rainbow above the Brahma God's camp. No sooner had the arrow been loosed than it encountered the curse-offering thrown by Chao Tong, which was flying towards it wreathed in roaring flames. The demon arrow dared not proceed and was forced to turn back, in its confusion striking and killing over forty demon soldiers in its own camp. Simultaneously, the divine rainbow of the White Brahma King also vanished. The divine soldiers of Brahma transformed into armored warriors wielding weapons and engaged the demon soldiers in fierce combat. In the end, the divine soldiers achieved a great victory and pursued the fleeing remnants relentlessly. The demon soldiers were utterly defeated and scattered in all directions. The White Demon God knew this defeat was caused by Chao Tong's thrown offering deflecting his arrow. Consumed with rage towards Chao Tong, he cast down from mid-air a solar divine lasso and a lunar divine iron hook, which flew towards Chao Tong like a magnet attracting a needle. Chao Tong, caught off guard, was seized as effortlessly as a rabbit snatched by a mountain eagle. Chao Tong cried out loudly: "Warriors from the eight great camps of the Ling army, come quickly to save me! Especially you, nephew Great King Gesar, show your prowess now! The deities of Lingga possess boundless power, display it now! What use are men and gods hiding in their tents? How can the Ling kingdom manage without your uncle? The land of Ling cannot be without me!"

The Ling people heard Chao Tong's distant cries for help, but it was too late to shoot arrows in rescue. Both Chao Tong and his warhorse fell into the hands of the Jiang people. Taken to the Jiang camp, Chao Tong was so terrified he fainted. After a good while, he regained consciousness. Opening his eyes, he saw himself surrounded by Jiang soldiers. Standing beside him were three big men with black beards, each brandishing a sharp blade in front of Chao Tong's face, making his goat-like beard tremble with fear. He couldn't utter a word.

Minister Boidoi said to the three black-bearded men: "This man threw a curse-offering yesterday, causing the death of many of our soldiers. Today he gets his just deserts; send him before the God of Death! This is a kindness bestowed by the White Sky Demon God!" Then, with a beaming smile, he sang:

Devoutly I pray to the White Sky Demon God,

Devoutly I pray to the Variegated Demon God of the mid-air,

Devoutly I pray to the Black Earth Demon God,

Please help me realize my desires.

The inferior horse that runs amok among the herd,

Is the horse that harms the herd, cursed by all.

The petty man who stirs up trouble among people,

Chao Tong, your crimes are exceedingly great.

Today on this field, two armies clash in battle,

It was you who cast the curse-offering, working evil magic.

Sudden, roaring flames came flying over,

Making it hard for our demon gods to withstand.

This morning when the divine and demon camps clashed,

The sky was filled with fiery light piercing the clouds.

The flaming offering charged towards our demon camp,

Causing great losses to our demon camp's men and horses.

I am the leader of the eight divisions, feared by all,

Yet you dared to make an enemy of me.

Truly your crimes are heinous and unforgivable,

Go now and report to King Yama!

You three burly men, do not delay your actions,

Tie him up tightly with five-flower bonds.

Bind his four limbs tight like a ball of thread,

Then throw him in the water to feed the fish and shrimp.

Hearing Boidoi's words, Chao Tong believed his time had come. Trembling with fear and utterly drained, he couldn't speak. The three burly men took ropes and prepared to bind him and throw him into the river. At this moment, Chao Tong suddenly conceived a plan and tried to deceive them with lies: "I beg you to imprison me for a few more days. I have important words to tell you. Today, in this bright daylight, whether led astray by demons or struck by heavenly calamity, I have fallen into your hands. You leaders, radiant as the sun in the sky, spare this most incapable man! I have important information to tell you. The so-called World Lion King is but an empty title; I know best what abilities he truly has. The so-called thirty heroes are also merely empty names; I am clear on what stuff they are really made of. As for that Chief Steward, he is advanced in years and cannot exert great strength. That Bara Senda Adong is actually a coward. I beg you, leaders, do not kill me yet. Tomorrow I have important intelligence to share with everyone."

Chao Tong used these words to buy time, hoping to find an opportunity to escape.

The Heroic Rescue Charge

While Chao Tong was wrangling with the Jiang men, the heroes within the Ling army all agreed they should go to rescue him. Each was eager to charge forward and bring him back. Especially Seba Niben Daya, who shouted loudly: "Heroes, follow me and charge!"

At his call, ten heroes—Zhale Zejie, Wenbu Alubasen, Mujang Renqing Daru, Danma, Bara, Sinba, Gade, Gongba, Mudu Jiana Jibu, and the heroine Adanam—donned armor and helmets and set out. Each wore precious swords, their three companion weapons gleaming coldly, while white divine lassos danced in their hands. Led by Niben, Sinba, and Danma, they charged together towards the Jiang camp. The Jiang soldiers fell into immediate chaos, looking like headless flies crashing about everywhere; like black earth turned over by a plowshare, collapsing to one side; like bamboo poles thrust into water, bending and breaking. Each man scrambled for a path of escape. Seeing rescuers arrive, Chao Tong shouted loudly: "Niben! Zhale! Your uncle is here!"

The heroes charged straight into the Jiang camp and rescued Chao Tong. Chao Tong immediately mounted his warhorse and galloped into the ranks of the heroes. Amidst the battle cries of the charging Ling heroes, Chao Tong swung his blade, cutting the yak-tail divine banner in front of the Jiang tents into three pieces and hacking the tents until they leaned precariously, throwing the enemy camp into disarray. Zhale shot over twenty silver-feathered arrows, killing countless enemies. Niben shot over twenty gold-feathered arrows, also killing countless foes. Wenbu Alubasen and Mujang Renqing Daru hacked and thrust with blades and spears, each killing over twenty armored soldiers. Danma, Sinba, Bara, and others fiercely chopped with blades and axes, each killing over fifty armored soldiers. The heroine Adanam and Gongba, brandishing arrows, blades, and long spears, each killed over thirty armored soldiers. Just as everyone was about to return, the three burly men of Jiang each threw a lasso of flame and lightning, which looped around the necks of Bara, Gade, and Sinba. The three immediately turned their horses, swung their blades, and severed the demon lassos of the three burly men. Seeing the day's battle situation turning against them, the Jiang fierce commanders had no choice but to withdraw, fleeing into their castle to defend, not daring to come out and engage again.

Triumphant Return and Celebration

Having rescued Chao Tong, the Ling people returned to their camp as the sun set. Elated by their victory in battle, the heroes that evening relaxed and enjoyed tea, snacks, and meat, spending a night of clear moonlight and gentle breeze in joyful revelry.