Joru’s Final Victory

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Chao Tong rode his fine horse leisurely, feeling confident. The finish line at Hot Mountain was not far ahead, and he was secretly delighted. Originally, his only real competitor was Joru, but Joru was nowhere to be seen. This confirmed the prophecy of the Horsehead King: the throne, the seven treasures, and the peerless beauty Senjang Zumu would all belong to his family, the Darong clan.

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As Chao Tong indulged in his joy, he suddenly saw Joru riding up right in front of him. It was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured on his burning excitement, extinguishing all his happiness. But Chao Tong, pretending to be calm, forced a smile and asked Joru:

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“Nephew, why have you only just caught up? Who do you think will win today’s prize?”

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Joru could see from Chao Tong’s calm exterior that he was actually very nervous inside. To toy with him, Joru replied, “Uncle, I’ve already passed the golden throne twice but didn’t dare sit on it. Now, all the racers are exhausted, their horses trembling with fatigue. Who knows if anyone will even reach the finish line to sit on the throne?”

 

Hearing that Joru had already passed the golden throne twice, Chao Tong’s heart tightened. But when Joru said he hadn’t dared to sit down, Chao Tong relaxed. He decided to try convincing Joru to give up the race. Smiling warmly, he said, “Someone will surely reach the throne, but sitting on it isn’t necessarily a good thing. For the young and inexperienced, the prize is just a trap. Winning it will bring trouble to your family and misfortune to yourself. Haven’t you heard the song?”

 

“The ‘radiant and glorious’ drum,

Is but a wooden shell wrapped in hide.

The ‘pure white, resounding’ conch,

Is nothing more than an empty shell.

The ‘thunderous, roaring’ cymbal,

Is merely a bronze instrument.

 

Slaughter it, and it gives no meat;

Milk it, and it yields no cream.

Wear it, and it brings no warmth;

Eat it, and it will not fill your hunger.

 

Flowers in a pile of dung,

Though bright in color,

Will defile the gods as offerings.

A foolish woman from the Jialuo clan,

Though beautiful in appearance,

Will bring chaos to her family.

A poisonous sweet fruit,

Though tasty at first,

Will kill you once swallowed.

 

Becoming a ruler of many clans,

Though it sounds glorious,

Brings unbearable burdens and pain.”

 

Chao Tong continued, “Nephew, I’m offering you kind advice. Don’t trouble yourself over this prize anymore.”

 

Joru listened to Chao Tong’s long speech and sneered. “If the prize brings so much misfortune, then you shouldn’t want it either, Uncle. But I, Joru, fear nothing. I’ve always let others take the good, while taking the bad for myself. Let me be the one to bear the curse of this prize!” With that, Joru cracked his whip, leaving Chao Tong behind in a cloud of dust.

 

Realizing he had been tricked, Chao Tong stood there stunned, ashamed and angry. “I tried to deceive him, but I ended up deceiving myself!” he thought bitterly. Filled with regret and frustration, Chao Tong whipped his horse and chased after Joru.

 

Joru Tests His Brother Gacha and the Final Race

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In an instant, Joru caught up with his brother, Gacha Xiega. Seeing his brother’s back, Joru suddenly came up with an idea.

 

Gacha was dressed in shining white armor, riding a horse called “White-Shouldered Phoenix,” with a hidden treasure blade at his waist. He was whipping his horse forward with all his strength. The white-backed horse was already exhausted—its mane was drenched in sweat, its legs trembling, and it didn’t even have the energy to whinny anymore. Suddenly, in front of Gacha appeared a black man riding a black horse, blocking his path. The black man said, “Hey, Gacha! I’ve heard the wealth of the Jialuo clan and the beautiful Senjang Zumu have been entrusted to you. Hand them over quickly, and I’ll spare your life. But if you dare say ‘no,’ I’ll make sure your blood flows through three valleys!”

 

Hearing this, Gacha’s teeth clenched in fury, grinding audibly. “Black demon! Don’t dream of it. The seven treasures of Ling Gabu and the maiden Zumu can never be taken by you, and even I have no right to claim them. Only my brother Joru has the right to be king. If you know what’s good for you, step aside now, or I’ll send you straight to hell to meet the King of Death!”

 

“And if I don’t step aside?” The black demon sneered, showing a row of bloodstained teeth.

 

“Then so be it!” Gacha pulled out his hidden treasure blade and swung it fiercely at the black demon. However, the blade struck only empty air, and Gacha almost fell off his horse. The black man and his black horse had disappeared, and in their place sat Joru, calmly on his divine steed Jiangga Peibu. Smiling at Gacha, Joru said, “Brother Gacha, please don’t strike! Don’t be angry with me. I only wanted to test you. I was worried that if something happened in Ling Gabu, especially if infighting broke out among our brothers, you might not be able to handle it fairly or protect the throne.”

 

Gacha instantly understood that it was Joru in disguise. He straightened his posture and said solemnly, “Beloved Joru, my dear brother, you don’t need to test me. The heavens have already foretold your destiny—to subdue the four demons, to be invincible in heaven and on earth. I, Gacha, have no other wish but to serve my younger brother. Please, Joru, whip your horse and ride swiftly to claim the throne.”

 

“What? Brother, you don’t want the throne or Ling Gabu? If you don’t want them, then what use are they to a beggar like me?” Joru said, dismounting his horse and taking off his calfskin coat. He sat on the ground, relaxed and unmoving.

 

Seeing this, Gacha hurriedly dismounted as well. “Brother Joru, the importance of the throne is not in the power it brings, but in the good you can do for the people. For the sake of the people, we must do everything we can. If you delay now, not only will you lose the throne, but the people will suffer. Think about it—if Chao Tong takes the throne in front of everyone, what good will your divine powers do afterward? Joru, for the people of Ling Gabu, get on your horse and ride as fast as you can!”

 

Hearing Gacha’s words, Joru realized his brother was absolutely right. Looking at the sky, he saw that time was running out. Chao Tong was already far ahead, nearing the golden throne. There was no time to waste—any further delay would lead to lifelong regret and failure to fulfill his mission on earth.

 

Joru leapt onto his horse and galloped toward the finish line.

 

Joru Ascends the Throne as King

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Chao Tong was overjoyed. The golden throne was just within reach. As long as his prized steed, Yuja Horse, leapt forward one more time, he would sit firmly on the golden throne and announce to Ling Gabu that he was the victor. The race's prize, the throne, and the peerless beauty Senjang Zumu would all belong to the Darong clan. Let those who doubted him stew in jealousy! With that, Chao Tong squeezed the horse’s sides and urged it forward.

 

But the Yuja Horse did not charge ahead as Chao Tong had hoped. Instead, it reared back and leapt several strides in reverse. Chao Tong watched in horror as the golden throne grew farther and farther away. He screamed in panic. After a moment, he remembered to pull the reins, but no matter how hard he tugged, the Yuja Horse refused to stop and continued retreating.

 

“Could there be some kind of demon guarding the golden throne?” Chao Tong thought. Regardless, he jumped off the horse, desperate to reach the throne on foot.

The Yuja Horse collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily and letting out pitiful cries. Chao Tong turned back, unable to leave his loyal steed behind. He stroked the horse’s mane gently, and it stopped crying but continued gasping for air. Chao Tong tried to pull the reins to help the horse stand, but the Yuja Horse only closed its eyes and gave a faint whimper. Chao Tong realized that the horse could no longer continue. Seeing other racers catching up, Chao Tong steeled his resolve, abandoned the Yuja Horse, and sprinted toward the throne.

 

However, his legs felt like they were running on a treadmill, moving but going nowhere. No matter how hard he pushed, he couldn’t get closer to the golden throne. Exhausted, drenched in sweat, and gasping for breath, Chao Tong turned around and saw his Yuja Horse lying at his feet, staring at him with sorrowful eyes, as if pleading, “Master, save me, please.”

 

Chao Tong’s heart softened. He stopped running and knelt beside his horse, trying to comfort it. At that moment, Joru arrived, riding his divine steed Jiangga Peibu like a gust of wind. Chao Tong’s muscles tensed in fear. Forgetting about his horse, he dashed madly toward the throne. Watching him, Joru let out a mocking laugh.

 

Hearing Joru’s laughter, Chao Tong burned with anger. “You wretched beggar! Are you laughing at me?”

 

“Honorable uncle, are you speaking to me?” Joru replied calmly.

 

Chao Tong stopped running altogether. He turned to Joru and demanded, “Why are you opposing me? Why must you take the golden throne from the Darong family?”

 

“Is the golden throne yours, Uncle?” Joru asked.

 

“Of course! The Horsehead King prophesied this long ago. Everyone in Ling Gabu knows it!” Chao Tong shouted.

 

“Well then, I’ll stand here and not move. Go ahead and claim it,” Joru said casually.

 

“Stop playing tricks on me, Joru! As long as you’re here, I can’t get near the throne!” Chao Tong roared.

 

“Why not? I wasn’t even near you earlier,” Joru said with a smirk.

 

Chao Tong paused, his mind reeling. “That’s true. Joru wasn’t near me earlier. Could the Horsehead King’s prophecy have been wrong? Could the golden throne not belong to the Darong family? Could the prize of this race not be mine after all?” He turned his gaze to the Yuja Horse, its sorrowful eyes brimming with despair. Overwhelmed, Chao Tong collapsed to his knees, wrapped his arms around the horse’s neck, and sobbed uncontrollably.

 

“Uncle, do you still want the race’s prize?” Joru asked.

 

“No! No! I don’t want anything anymore. I only care about my Yuja Horse! Please, save my Yuja Horse!” Chao Tong cried out, his voice hoarse.

 

“If I can heal your Yuja Horse, will you lend it to me for a task?” Joru asked.

 

Chao Tong’s sobs stopped abruptly. Nodding repeatedly, he said, “Anything, Joru! Just make my Yuja Horse as good as it was before!”

 

“I need it to carry tea to Jiana. Does that sound fair?” Joru asked with a sly grin.

 

“Yes, yes! Whatever you need!” Chao Tong exclaimed, having completely forgotten about the throne. His only concern was saving his horse.

 

Joru gently waved his whip, and the Yuja Horse leapt to its feet. He whispered a few words into the horse’s ear, and its exhausted demeanor vanished instantly. It stood tall and spirited, just as it had been before the race.

 

Seeing his horse restored, Chao Tong’s desire for the golden throne surged once more. He grabbed the reins and prepared to mount the horse. But Joru stopped him. “Uncle, the Yuja Horse can only go back now. If you try to claim the throne again, it will never rise again.”

 

Chao Tong saw the determination in Joru’s eyes and felt his intimidating aura. Though unwilling, he dared not challenge Joru further. Realizing the throne was beyond his reach, he reluctantly decided to prioritize his horse’s safety over his ambitions.

 

Joru Ascends the Throne and Becomes King Gesar

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Joru stood before the golden throne, but he wasn’t in a hurry to sit down. Instead, he carefully observed the dazzling throne in front of him. How many people had gone mad over this throne? How many horses had bled and collapsed for it? Chao Tong had spent a fortune to host the horse race for it, and even his own divine steed was not unaffected by the struggle to reach it. Was it just a golden chair? No—it was a symbol of power, a symbol of wealth.

 

Joru looked around: the sky was a clear blue, the grass was vibrant green, the snowy mountains sparkled like silver, and the rocks stood tall and majestic. Everything around him would belong to the person who sat on this throne. With this thought, Joru climbed onto the golden throne calmly.

 

At that moment, the sky filled with auspicious clouds, and the Five Goddesses of Longevity appeared, riding a rainbow of brilliant colors. They held arrows adorned with jewels and a treasure vase. Queen Mandanaze carried a quiver and a divine mirror, while her sister-in-law, Guo Jia Guomu, held a treasure bottle. They led their attendants and many celestial beings, who all appeared together.

 

Jiangga Peibu, Joru’s divine steed, stood proudly next to the throne and let out three long, resounding neighs. Instantly, the earth trembled, mountains cracked, and the gates to the treasure troves of crystal mountains swung open. Gods such as Machen Pomra, the fierce deity Getro, and the Dragon King Zounarenqing came to offer gifts. The gods presented victory items: a white helmet, bronze armor, a red vine shield, a tiger-skin quiver, and a leopard-skin bow case. They also brought a crystal spear, a divine longbow, and the indestructible robes of longevity. Joru stood tall as the gods bestowed upon him these treasures, dressing him in majestic armor and robes, transforming him into a magnificent and imposing king.

 

The people who had come to watch the race were stunned by what they saw. It was the first time they had ever witnessed the gods perform such beautiful dances and play celestial music. They stood in awe, not knowing how to react, as if they were in a dream.

 

From the moment he was born, Joru had been like a sun hidden behind clouds, like a lotus trapped in mud. Though he had done countless good deeds for the world, he had been misunderstood, rejected, and forced to wander far and wide, enduring immense hardships. Perhaps this was Heaven’s way of tempering him, making him endure human suffering before becoming a king, so he could truly understand the people and bring them prosperity. Finally, Joru ascended the throne and was officially named the World Lion King, Gesar Lobsang Dradul.

 

After a spectacular celestial celebration, the gods slowly disappeared. The people of Ling Gabu, as if suddenly awakened, surged toward the throne and cheered for King Gesar. Their heartfelt cries of joy shook the mountains and the earth, with the clouds in the sky and the waves in the sea dancing in harmony.

 

The people shouted, “The sun has finally emerged from behind the clouds! The lotus has finally broken free from the mud! Ling Gabu finally has its own king! Peace and prosperity are here at last!”

 

Everyone fell silent, waiting for their new king to speak.

 

King Gesar rose from the golden throne. He looked at the ecstatic crowd of people and paused for a moment. Then he spoke:

 

“My brothers who raced, the people of Ling Gabu, I am the son of the gods, the grandson of the Dragon King. Today, I proclaim myself King Gesar Lobsang Dradul, the Lion King. Twelve years I have walked among you, enduring hardships and overcoming trials. Today, I finally sit on the golden throne, fulfilling Heaven’s will. But I must ask—do you sincerely accept me as your king?”

 

The people of Ling Gabu immediately prostrated themselves. They had already witnessed the gods showering Gesar with flowers, rainbows, and celestial music when he ascended the throne. How could they not be convinced? Not only were they sincerely convinced, but they also felt this was the result of their prayers. Heaven had answered their devotion by sending a divine child to become their king.

 

Gesar, seeing their sincerity, began to appoint officials and generals:

 

“Since you have accepted me as king, I hereby appoint:

 

Gacha Xiega as General of the East, to guard against the Sadan King of the Ginger Kingdom.

 

Senda Adong as General of the South, to defend against the southern demon king, Sinchi.

 

Chaxiang Danma as General of the West, to resist the Yellow Hor people.

 

Rongcha Adan as General of the North, to guard against the enemies of Rong and the land of demons.

 

Other than the public enemies of Ling Gabu, I, Gesar, have no personal enemies. Other than the public laws of the Tibetan people, I have no private laws. From this day forward, the people of Ling Gabu will embrace the ten virtues and abandon the ten evils. If we work together, peace will surely reign.”

 

The crowd roared with approval, their voices echoing across the land. Everyone sincerely accepted Gesar as their king.

 

Gifts and Celebrations

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Amid the thunderous cheers, the overseer Wang Rongchachagen presented the genealogy of the noble Mubudong family and five ceremonial flags to the Lion King:

 

On the golden throne sits the Lion King of the World,

With a face as radiant as a red date and teeth as white as snow.

Gesar’s abilities are unmatched under Heaven.

Above, adorned banners and rare flags flutter;

In the middle, people sing joyfully;

Below, the dragon clans offer treasures,

And gentle rain nourishes blooming flowers.

 

The gods above smile with joy,

The people on earth sing and dance,

The dragons below spread auspicious clouds,

And the demons in hell mourn their defeat.

 

This white flag is a symbol of the sun’s brilliance.

This yellow flag sings the praises of power.

This red flag represents auspiciousness.

This green flag is a tribute to the Mother of the Earth.

This blue flag is a ceremonial gift from the Dragon King Zounar.

 

We present this genealogy to you,

May you and your people never part.

We present these flags to you,

May you bring prosperity to all beings.

 

After the overseer’s blessings, the brothers of Ling Gabu stepped forward with their own gifts. Gacha Xiega presented a white victory helmet adorned with silk plumes symbolizing the “Radiance of the Sun,” a victory banner with “Nine Layers of Fortune,” and eagle feathers symbolizing “The Sentinel of the Gods.” Gacha, overwhelmed with emotion at seeing his brother finally ascend the throne, sincerely wished that King Gesar’s helmet would remain steady and his power reach the skies.

 

Danma offered bronze armor and a red vine shield. The armor was decorated with flags and symbols of longevity, while the shield shone with rainbows and clouds.

 

The Seven Heroes presented seven indestructible robes of longevity. The Eight Warriors offered boots that symbolized dominion over the eight realms. The brothers of the Qijiu clan gifted a divine quiver, a leopard-skin bow case, and a finely crafted ceremonial bow. The brothers of the Zhenju clan presented an incredibly sharp treasure blade, a spear that could conquer three realms, and a nine-fathom-long frog-skin rope imbued with magical powers. Lastly, the brothers of the Qiongjue clan offered a crystal knife forged from thunderbolts, which shimmered with violet lightning.

 

All the brothers collectively wished their powerful Lion King, Gesar:

 

May you crush the Black Demon King,

Defeat King Sinchi,

Overcome the Hor King,

Subdue King Sadan,

Conquer the Four Great Evils,

And sweep away all darkness from the four directions!

 

Even Chao Tong stepped forward to bow and offer his congratulations. However, the once-arrogant Chao Tong was no longer the same. He had lost his pride and joy. While the people of Ling Gabu celebrated, Chao Tong was consumed by shame and sorrow. He stood among the brothers who were congratulating Joru, but inwardly, he wished he could devour Joru whole. Hatred buried itself deep in Chao Tong’s heart. One day, he vowed, he would take revenge and ease his burning hatred.

 

For now, however, Chao Tong dared not show his true feelings. He maintained a façade of happiness and congratulated Joru. King Gesar, pretending not to notice, accepted Chao Tong’s ceremonial scarf and even gave him the items he had promised earlier—a staff used during his ascetic practices and a treasure pouch from the God of Wealth. Gesar also said, “These are my sacred items. I give them to you today, but when the time comes to slay the Demon King Luzan, I will need to borrow them again.”

 

Chao Tong repeatedly bowed and said, “Your Majesty, rest assured. I will take good care of them and return them whenever you need.”

 

At this moment, the gods showered flower petals like rain. The people of Ling Gabu struck the “Radiant and Glorious” ceremonial drums, blew the “Snow-White Resounding” conchs, and clashed the “Thunderous Dragon Roar” cymbals. The maidens danced and sang:

 

Rejoice, Lion King!

Be glad, people of Ling Gabu!

 

Senjang Zumu, the peerless beauty, stepped gracefully out from the group of singing and dancing maidens. She carried a long ceremonial scarf draped over a treasure bowl from the God of Wealth. The bowl contained the Longevity Mother’s sacred wine and nectar of immortality. Smiling, she presented the offering to King Gesar and sang a beautiful blessing:

 

Honorable Lion King Gesar,

I am Senjang Zumu of the Jialuo clan.

I offer thirteen ceremonial scarves,

And the divine wine held in this treasure bowl.

Wear these scarves for long life,

Drink this wine to accomplish great deeds.

 

Around your body that shines like a golden mountain,

Let radiant clouds embrace you.

May the brilliance of your weapons and your power

Forever shine brightly!

 

On your majestic body,

Precious light radiates endlessly.

May the blessings of nourishing rain

Always accompany you and all beings, Lion King!

 

On my delicate body,

My youthful face like a lotus flower,

Sparkling eyes full of life

Are devoted to you, Lion King.

 

On winding paths

And in handling the affairs of your people,

I will follow you like a shadow,

Never leaving your side, Lion King.

 

As Zumu sang, her sisters danced with even more grace. Zumu’s eyes shone with joy, making her even more beautiful and enchanting than usual. Gesar, deeply moved, left his throne, took Zumu’s hand, and together they danced among the people, celebrating in the midst of the joyous music and singing.

 

From the moment Gesar officially became king after the horse race, the people of Ling Gabu lived in peace and happiness. They smiled from their hearts, and the Lion King Gesar ensured that their days were filled with prosperity.

 

Gesar married Senjang Zumu as his queen, and their love was as harmonious as fish swimming in water. Zumu cherished the king’s bravery and handsomeness, while Gesar admired his queen’s beauty and diligence. Later, following tradition, Gesar married twelve more maidens, including Meisabungji, making Zumu and her twelve sisters the famous “Thirteen Queens of Ling Gabu.”

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