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Gesar’s Encounter with the Black Dog and the Three-Headed Demon

 

Following Adanamu’s instructions, Gesar journeyed onward. After half a day, he saw a white mountain ridge lying like a giant elephant. To the right of the ridge, there was a bridge shaped like a black snake slithering downhill. Gesar crossed the bridge and came upon a sea as white as milk, shimmering beautifully. The water was so inviting that Gesar drank some and let his divine steed drink as well. Unable to resist, he jumped into the sea and bathed, feeling refreshed and energized. However, remembering Adanamu’s warnings, he resisted the temptation to rest and continued his journey.

 

Not long after, he encountered a black mountain resembling wild boar bristles. Beside the mountain was a dark, terrifying sea. Suddenly, a massive black dog, as large as a bear, emerged from the sea. Gesar recognized it immediately as the demon dog Guguranza. The dog barked fiercely and leaped in front of him, growling, “Stop!”

 

Gesar, unfazed by the dog’s aggression, smiled and held up Adanamu’s ring. He spoke calmly, “Guguranza, stop barking at everyone you meet. I am Adanamu’s husband, and this ring is a token of our bond. If you dare attack me, I’ll complain to the demon king about your insolence!”

 

The black dog, dazzled by the ring’s shining light, squinted and backed off. Knowing Adanamu’s fearsome reputation, it decided not to cause trouble. “Oh, oh! I didn’t know it was you, esteemed guest. Forgive my rudeness! Please, feel free to rest in the black sea,” the dog said, trying to cover its nervousness.

 

“No need. I must continue my journey,” Gesar replied, tossing the dog a piece of fatty beef. Overjoyed, Guguranza grabbed the meat and retreated into the black sea.

 

Moving forward, Gesar reached a fork in the road. One path was white, the other black. Recalling Adanamu’s advice, he followed the white path, which led to life, avoiding the black path of death. Soon, he saw a red triangular fortress perched on a flowery stone mountain. The fortress was fortified with gruesome decorations: five skulls formed the roof, and freshly dead bodies served as banners.

 

Standing guard at the gate was a three-headed demon named Tsichu. Spotting Gesar, Tsichu didn’t speak at first but sang instead:

 

“Wandering traveler, listen well,

You have entered the demon land.

Three heroes guard this realm:

I, Tsichu, the three-headed demon,

Gada, the poisonous five-headed beast,

And Luzan, the nine-headed demon king.

Do not provoke the demons here.

If you enter, prepare to fight—

Archery, spear-play, and swordsmanship.

If you have the skills, you may stay.

If not, run while you still can!”

 

The six eyes of Tsichu glared at Gesar, but Gesar met his gaze fearlessly. Tsichu, surprised by Gesar’s boldness, thought, “Who is this daring man, walking into the demon realm and staring me down?”

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Gesar responded to Tsichu’s threats by singing back:

 

“Three-headed demon, hear me well,

I’ve come to this fortress from Ling Gabu.

The heroes of Ling are renowned:

My father, the lion-king Senlun,

My uncle, the tiger-warrior Darong,

The bear-like hero Senda Adong,

And the eagle-like general Rongcha Chagen.

Adanamu is my lifelong companion,

And I am Gesar, the mighty king.

With arrows from afar, with swords up close,

And spears at mid-range,

Only the skilled can tread this land.

Tonight, I will stay here!”

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As Gesar sang, he held up Adanamu’s ring. In the golden light of sunset, the ring sparkled brilliantly. Recognizing it as Adanamu’s, Tsichu shut five of his six eyes. Knowing her influence, he dared not disrespect Gesar. Instead, he invited him into the fortress, offering him food and drink.

 

Gesar, however, pretended to be tired and declined the food, saying he needed rest. Tsichu believed him and escorted him to his palace, where they lay down to sleep. In the middle of the night, Gesar took Tsichu’s grass-cutting blade and decapitated all three of his heads. Without looking back, he mounted his horse and rode away, remembering Adanamu’s warning: if he turned back, Tsichu would revive.

 

Gesar’s Duel with the Five-Headed Demon

 

At dawn, after passing the second barrier, Gesar arrived at a towering mountain shaped like five upright fingers. Nearby was a vast grassland where a five-headed demon was herding black and white sheep. Since entering the demon realm, Gesar had noticed that everything here was either black or white—mountains, seas, and even the sheep were devoid of any other colors. One more thing was clear: every demon in this land spoke through song before conversing. The five-headed demon was no exception. He began to sing:

 

“This is the great grassland of the Garden of Wishes.

I am Luzan’s loyal minister,

My name is Gada Qin’en.

Young man, riding an ordinary horse,

Where do you come from?

Where are you going?”

 

Gesar, now accustomed to this style of interaction, responded confidently and powerfully:

 

“I am the one who sows seeds of kindness.

I am the one who uproots the roots of sin.

I am the ruler of Ling Gabu,

I am the executioner of Luzan’s demon life.

I am the fire that melts black iron demons.

I am the lightning that scorches the grasslands of Hor.

I am the flame that dries the poisonous seas of Jiang.

I am the medicine that cures all diseases.

I am the moonlight that brings heavenly nectar.

I am the invincible god of war.

I am the wise one who conquers the Five Poisons.

I am the Buddha who guides all beings.

I am the hammer that shatters demon armies.

I am the son of Mother Gomum.

I am the great leader of Ling,

The Lion King, Gesar.”

 

Hearing Gesar introduce himself, the demon Qin’en became alert. Though he had never met the Lion King, Gesar’s fame as the nemesis of demons was known throughout the land. Qin’en, whose martial skills were second only to Luzan’s, decided to challenge Gesar to a duel to test his strength. He proposed a competition: first, an archery contest, and second, a wrestling match. Gesar accepted without hesitation.

 

For the archery competition, Qin’en set up forty-five targets: nine sheep, nine goats, nine layers of armor, nine copper pots, and nine wooden saddle frames. Gesar drew his magical bow, the “Nine Thousand Good Friends,” and whispered an incantation to bless his arrows. After chanting, he pulled back the bowstring and let his arrow fly. The bowstring hummed, and the arrow streaked through the air, leaving a trail of red and yellow flames, like burning feathers. The arrow pierced through all forty-five targets, spun in the air, and returned to Gesar’s quiver.

 

Qin’en was stunned. In his long life, he had witnessed many feats of archery, but never anything as miraculous as this. Admitting defeat in archery, he moved on to the wrestling match.

 

Gesar invoked a prayer to summon divine strength. With one swift move, he threw the five-headed demon to the ground. Pinning Qin’en down with his knee, Gesar drew his white crystal dagger and sang:

 

“The mighty white lion with a green mane

Wins its battle atop the snowy peaks.

The weak-winged owl

Falls defeated in the dead tree.

The striped little tiger

Wins its fight in the sandalwood forest.

The spiky hedgehog

Is defeated by the frozen black waters.

The heroic warrior Gesar

Triumphs in the land of demons.

The five-headed minister who herds sheep

Falls in the filthy mud pit.”

 

Holding the dagger to Qin’en’s throat, Gesar declared:

 

“Five-headed demon, listen well:

A needle may be small, but it can take a life.

I may be one man, but I can subdue demons!

If you wish to live,

Obey me and do as I command.

If you refuse,

I will take your life right here and now!”

 

Terrified and realizing he still had a chance to live, Qin’en immediately swore loyalty to Gesar. He confessed his origins: “I was born in the Rong Kingdom but was captured by Luzan. Many from my homeland were also taken and forced to live here as demons. But I am tired of this life. I wish to leave this place and follow you to Ling Gabu to become a good man.”

 

Moved by Qin’en’s sincerity, Gesar spared his life. He then tasked Qin’en with infiltrating Luzan’s Nine-Spired Demon Palace to gather intelligence on Luzan’s plans and the whereabouts of Meza, Gesar’s queen.

 

To show his loyalty, Qin’en slaughtered a fat cow for Gesar, offered him a hundred bowls of wine, and said, “My king, please eat the meat, drink the wine, and rest while I carry out your orders. I will return shortly with the information you seek.”

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