Meisa Helps Gesar Destroy Lutsan’s Soul Anchors

 

“Great King, take me away quickly!” Meisa pleaded.

 

“Do not worry, my queen,” Gesar replied. “We will escape, but only after I defeat Lutsan.”

 

Meisa hesitated. It wasn’t that she didn’t want Lutsan defeated, but she feared Gesar might lose and get hurt. She took him to Lutsan’s palace and said, “Great King, look—this is Lutsan’s bed, this is his bowl, and these are his iron balls and arrows.”

 

Gesar lay on Lutsan’s enormous bed, but, like a baby, he only took up a small corner. He tried to lift Lutsan’s bowl, iron balls, and arrows, but they were too heavy. Seeing this, Meisa warned him, “Defeating the demon king will be extremely difficult!”

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“Does this mean I should give up on defeating Lutsan?” Gesar asked. “Meisa, you must know how to defeat him. Please help me!”

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“In that case,” Meisa said, “I’ll kill Lutsan’s yellow cow and cook it for you to eat. After you eat it, you’ll grow stronger.”

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Meisa slaughtered the yellow cow, cooked it, and served it to Gesar. After eating the entire cow, his body grew taller and stronger. He now completely filled Lutsan’s bed and could effortlessly lift the demon’s bowl, iron balls, and arrows.

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Excited, Gesar exclaimed, “Now I can defeat Lutsan!” Meisa smiled. “There’s hope now,” she said.

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Meisa sent Gesar back to stay with Qinen for the night, promising to teach him the next steps to defeat Lutsan the following day.

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Lutsan’s Weaknesses Are Revealed

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That night, Meisa spoke to Lutsan and said, “My king, I had a terrible dream last night. I dreamed that the braid on the right side of my hair was cut off. I fear this is an ill omen. If something happens to you, what will I do? Yesterday, I heard from Qinen that Gesar is coming to the north to defeat the demons. You must protect your Soul Sea, Soul Tree, and Soul Bull carefully!”

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Lutsan laughed and said, “My queen, you worry too much. My Soul Sea is just a bowl of poisonous blood in the storeroom—only if it’s spilled will the sea dry up. My Soul Tree will only fall if struck three times with the golden axe in the storeroom. My Soul Bull can only die if shot with the jade-feathered golden arrow.”

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He continued, “My body is protected by many safeguards. I have eighteen horns on my head connected to Mount Meru, which can only be broken by the Garuda bird. There’s a scorpion-shaped tumor on my head that only the great black eagle of Kang can devour. My eyes can only be plucked out by the white-breasted eagle of Jaga. The tiger hair on my forehead can only be torn off by the small black eagle of Jhana.

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My back tumor can only be dug out by the seven iron-flower birds. My stomach and intestines can only be eaten by the red bronze dog. My nails, sharper than swords, can only be removed with the nine-foot poison serpent rope from the Dragon King of No-Heat Sea. Even if I’m injured, I can heal with just a sprinkle of dust.

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But my true life force lies in a small glowing fish on my forehead that appears when I sleep. Only if it is struck by an arrow while glowing can I die.”

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After revealing all this, Lutsan suddenly regretted his words. “My queen, you must never let anyone know this. If my secrets are exposed, I am truly doomed!”

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Feigning interest, Meisa asked, “How much treasure do you have? What will happen to me if something happens to you?”

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Lutsan replied, “If we ever encounter Gesar, take the white bag while I take the black bag. All our treasures will fit inside, and we can flee with them.”

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Meisa pretended to be relieved and said, “My king, why don’t you patrol the area tomorrow to ensure everything is secure?”

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Lutsan, fully trusting her, left the next morning to patrol.

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Gesar Destroys Lutsan’s Soul Anchors

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After the demon king Lutsan left, Gesar came to Meisa. She said, “Great King, I’ve discovered all of Lutsan’s soul anchors—his weaknesses.”

 

After cooking a delicious meal for Gesar, Meisa explained, “Go to the storeroom and take the skull bowl filled with poisonous blood. Ride to the fork in the upper valley and pour the blood into Lutsan’s Soul Sea. Do not look back—return immediately.”

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Gesar went to the storeroom, took the skull bowl, mounted his divine steed, and rode to the Soul Sea. He poured the poisonous blood into the sea and stirred it with a stick. Using his magic, he transformed into a crow, flew to Lutsan’s Soul Owl, and pecked it to death before flying away.

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When Lutsan saw the dead owl, he felt uneasy. “I’ve been patrolling the upper valley for eight days, and now this ominous sign appears. Could it mean Gesar is here?” He rushed back to his palace.

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Gesar returned to Meisa before Lutsan arrived. Meisa cooked another meal for him and then dug a nine-layer deep pit beneath the hearth. She told Gesar to hide inside the pit and sealed it with a large stone. On top, she placed a bowl of water sprinkled with bird feathers, ashes all around, handprints, cow intestines, and finally, random grass and twigs.

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When Lutsan returned, he entered the room and exclaimed, “Another bad omen! Is Gesar here? Why does my body feel so unwell? Meisa, bring me my divination books and magical tools!”

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Meisa brought the tools but secretly performed rituals to confuse Lutsan. She passed the divination strings under her armpit three times, stepped on them three times, and dragged them across the threshold three times before giving them to Lutsan.

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Lutsan performed divinations three times. The first said, “Gesar is right in front of you.” Shocked, Lutsan said, “What?! What does this mean?”

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The second divination said, “Gesar is still far away, separated by a desert, a sea, nine mountains, and nine valleys.”

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The third divination said, “Bird feathers pile up, and grass grows on his bones—he’s already dead.” Feeling reassured, Lutsan finally went to sleep.

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Gesar Cuts Down the Soul Tree

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The next morning, Meisa suggested, “You should go to the three-way fork and check things out again.”

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Thinking this made sense, Lutsan left.

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Once Lutsan was gone, Gesar emerged from the pit. Meisa prepared a delicious meal for him once more. After he finished eating, she handed him a golden axe and said, “Go to the valley and chop down Lutsan’s Soul Tree. Strike it three times, but do not look back—just return directly.”

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Gesar followed Meisa’s instructions and rode to the valley. He struck the Soul Tree three times, and as it was about to fall, Gesar transformed into a wild boar and dug up all the dirt around Lutsan’s Soul Sea.

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When Lutsan saw this, he grew furious. He grabbed a large rock and hurled it at the boar, but he missed. Instead, the rock fell into the sea, causing it to churn violently. The Soul Sea dried up immediately.

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Lutsan’s Defeat and the Final Battle

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When Lutsan saw his Soul Sea dried up and his Soul Tree felled, he became deeply suspicious and hurried back to the palace. However, Gesar had already returned and hidden himself in the pit prepared by Meisa. As usual, Meisa sat alone, pretending everything was normal.

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The moment Lutsan entered, he exclaimed, “I smell the scent of humans! Has Gesar come to Ling Gabu? My Soul Sea is dry, and I feel unwell. Meisa, bring me my divination tools!”

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Meisa replied calmly, “What are you saying? Of course, there’s the smell of humans—I’m human, aren’t I?”

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She handed Lutsan his divination tools, just as she had done before. Lutsan performed three divinations.

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The first divination said, “Gesar is right in front of you!” Lutsan shouted in disbelief, “What?! This can’t be true!”

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The second divination said, “Gesar is far away, separated by mountains, rivers, islands, and endless obstacles.”

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The third divination said, “Gesar is dead! His bones are covered in grass, and he’s long gone.”

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Reassured by the third divination, Lutsan finally relaxed and went to sleep.

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The next morning, Lutsan announced, “I’m going to patrol the mountains and valleys for thirty days.”

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Once Lutsan left, Gesar emerged from the pit. Meisa prepared a meal for him and handed him the jade-feathered golden arrow. “Today, you must go to the middle valley and kill Lutsan’s Soul Bull with this arrow. Do not look back—return immediately,” she instructed.

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Gesar followed her instructions, rode to the middle valley, and shot the Soul Bull. The bull fell, barely breathing. Gesar then transformed into an eagle and landed on the Soul Tree.

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When Lutsan saw this, he was furious. He hurled a large rock at the eagle but missed, striking the Soul Tree instead. The tree toppled over, leaving Lutsan even more suspicious.

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The Final Trap for Lutsan

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When Lutsan returned, Gesar had already hidden himself again. Meisa sat calmly as before. Lutsan stormed into the room and exclaimed, “I smell human blood again! Is Gesar here? My Soul Tree is gone, and my body feels weak!”

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He demanded his divination tools again, and Meisa handed them over with her usual tricks. Lutsan performed another series of divinations.

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The first divination said, “Gesar is near!” Lutsan shouted in anger, “How can this be?”

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The second divination said, “Gesar is far, separated by countless obstacles.”

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The third divination said, “He is long dead, his bones buried beneath the earth.”

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Satisfied once more, Lutsan said, “I’ll patrol for another ten days.”

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Once Lutsan left again, Meisa told Gesar, “Tonight is the time to finally defeat Lutsan. Eat this meal and gather your strength.”

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After Gesar ate, Meisa hid him in the house again. When Lutsan returned, he felt a strange unease but couldn’t pinpoint the source. He muttered, “Meisa, why do I feel that Gesar is closer than ever before?”

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Meisa dismissed his concerns, saying, “You’re overthinking things, my king. Rest now.”

Lutsan finally fell asleep.

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The Final Battle and Lutsan’s Defeat

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At this moment, Meisa said to Gesar, “Now is the perfect time to subdue the demon king.”

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She filled a bag with stones, wrapped it in her clothing, and placed it next to Lutsan to make it look like she was sitting beside him. Meanwhile, the divine arrows in Gesar’s quiver were trembling with eagerness to strike. Lutsan heard the noise and asked, “Meisa Bungji, I hear the sound of arrows. What is that?”

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Meisa replied calmly, “That’s the sound of my spinning wheel.”

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Lutsan said, “Spinning wheels make such a sound?”

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Gesar tightened the string on his sacred bow, and Lutsan heard it again: twang. “Meisa Bungji, what is this sound?”

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Meisa answered, “That’s the sound of me coiling yarn into a ball.”

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“Is that what coiling yarn sounds like?” Lutsan muttered.

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At that moment, Meisa whispered to Gesar, “Great King, look at the glowing light on Lutsan’s forehead. It’s like a little fish. Quickly, aim there and shoot!”

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Gesar sang a prayer to the gods of arrows. Hearing him, Lutsan stirred and said, “Meisa, I hear singing. What’s that sound?”

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Meisa replied, “It’s the sound of the soul bees from the coral jar of my elder sister, Droma.”

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“Ah, my queen, you’re right,” Lutsan said and drifted back to sleep.

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Gesar then took three grains of white rice from his quiver, tossed them into the air, and sang a song to summon divine support for his arrow:

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“If you do not know this place,

It is the land of the Eight Mountains of Northern Yarlkhon,

Home to the Nine-Spired Demon Citadel.

If you do not know me,

I am the lion king of the Great Ling Realm,

Gesar, the demon-slaying king.

I shoot arrows that strike the demon’s head,

I act to benefit all beings.

In my homeland, I offer butter the size of a square inch;

In foreign lands, I offer three grains of white rice.

Frost has never withered its sprouts,

Bugs have never gnawed its roots.

With this offering, I invoke the heavenly gods, dragon gods, and wrathful gods—

All come to aid me in slaying my enemy.

The White Brahma King crafted my bow's upper limb,

The Dragon King Zuna shaped the lower limb,

The Red Wrathful God forged the grip.

Thunder dragons in the sky, come together!

Strengthen my arms to shoot this arrow.

Let the arrow pierce the demon king’s head,

And let everything I wish come true!”

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Upon finishing the song, Gesar released the arrow. The sky was dark, and he couldn’t see clearly, so the arrow missed its mark. Lutsan awoke with a start and asked, “What was that noise?”

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Meisa replied, “I dropped a golden ladle into a golden bucket.”

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Unfazed, Gesar took another arrow, a raven-feathered shaft, and shot again. This time, it struck the glowing fish on Lutsan’s forehead. Lutsan leapt up, screaming, “Meisa! You’ve betrayed me! If not for Gesar, who else could be my enemy?”

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In a furious rage, Lutsan lunged at Meisa, but all he grabbed was the empty bag of stones wrapped in her clothes. He frantically searched the area and found Meisa standing nearby.

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Gesar wanted to shoot another arrow but feared hitting Meisa, so he rushed forward. Unable to use weapons effectively indoors, the two began grappling. They dragged each other outside, where Meisa cried, “Stop using weapons! Fight with your bare hands so we can see who the real hero is!”

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Both agreed and began wrestling. Lutsan’s immense strength began to overpower Gesar. Seeing this, Meisa shouted, “Let’s count this round as Lutsan’s victory! But there will be a second match. Whoever wins the next round will decide it all!”

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The two grappled again. This time, Gesar began to gain the upper hand. Lutsan, using all his strength, threw Gesar to the ground. Meisa grew anxious, but Gesar quickly stood up and said, “Ancient wisdom says: A true contest requires three rounds. Let’s fight one more time!”

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Meisa agreed eagerly. During the third round, as they wrestled, Meisa ran to fetch ashes and beans. She scattered the ashes under Gesar’s feet and the beans under Lutsan’s.

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Lutsan noticed and asked, “Meisa, what are you doing? Why scatter beans under my feet and ashes under his?”

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Meisa replied, “The ashes under his feet will seal his mouth, and the beans under yours are a sign of your impending victory!”

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Satisfied, Lutsan continued the fight.

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Gesar secretly prayed to the heavenly, dragon, and wrathful gods. Summoning divine strength, he threw Lutsan onto the beans. Lutsan slipped and fell to the ground. Gesar seized the moment to pin him down. Meisa quickly joined him, and together they bound Lutsan with a nineteen-foot-long rope, wrapping him like a ball of yarn.

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Meisa said, “Great King, I’ll go fetch the soul bees of Lutsan’s sister. If she isn’t killed, she’ll come for revenge, and we won’t be able to defeat her. While I’m gone, do not let anyone touch Lutsan’s body!”

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After Meisa left, Gesar, exhausted, rested. Suddenly, a small bird approached and pleaded, “Please, let me touch Lutsan just once!”

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The bird wept, and Gesar thought, What harm can a small bird do? He allowed it to touch Lutsan. The bird pecked Lutsan’s lips and flew away.

When Meisa returned with the soul bees, she asked, “Did anyone touch his body?”

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Gesar replied, “No one, except a small bird that came and touched him briefly.”

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Meisa exclaimed, “This is terrible! That bird was Lutsan’s soul bird! If we wait any longer, the silver fluid flowing through his body will revive him. Once his body is fully restored, arrows won’t pierce him, and blades won’t harm him. Quickly, smear the silver fluid on yourself and your divine steed!”

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The Defeat of Lutsan’s Sister

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At this moment, Lutsan’s sister, Droma, appeared. Her mouth was like a dark cave, her eyes like glowing tunnels, her teeth like long spears. One of her long breasts rested on her shoulder, while the other was carried in her hand. She shouted loudly, “Who killed my brother?”

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After shouting, she leapt forward. Gesar stood up, furious. Meisa handed Gesar the coral jar, and Gesar released the soul bees inside. He grabbed one bee by its waist, tilted it upward, and Droma’s head also tilted upward. Then he bent the bee downward, and Droma’s head followed. Finally, he cut the bee’s waist, and Droma opened her mouth wide and fell dead.

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After subduing the demon king Lutsan and his monstrous sister, Gesar burned a bag of foul insects belonging to Lutsan and buried his body under a black tower. There, he built a compassionate stupa to release Lutsan’s soul into a pure and peaceful realm.

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At this point, Gesar had been in the demon kingdom for only three months and nine days.

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Afterward, Gesar continued to rule the demon kingdom with Qinen as his minister. He performed many good deeds in the demon land and stayed there for two years and three months.

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