Hor's Reinforcements and Dochin's Challenge
 
That night, Hor’s master teacher Gulu arrived at the camp, bringing with him the nine-linked black iron imbued with the powers of the white, black, and multicolored demon gods, along with Prince Lawu and an additional 120,000 reinforcements. They traveled under the cover of night to the Hor camp.
 
The next day, with the arrival of reinforcements and the master teacher, the soldiers’ morale improved, and the White Tent King was relieved. Stroking his beard, he said:
 
“Today, the stars in the sky and the time on the ground are perfectly aligned. Last night’s dreams and this morning’s omens were all auspicious. This shows that whether it’s Meiruze, Dochin, or Tangze Yuzhou, whoever wants to go can ask the master teacher for permission to lead the charge. Put on your armor, grab your weapons, and sing bold songs. Challenge those short-lived Ling warriors to test their archery, spears, and blades. We will take their heads and plumes as trophies. Go now!”
 
The three warriors sought the master teacher for divination. Gulu cast the divination dice, and the result pointed to Dochin. Without hesitation, Dochin donned his lightning-proof black armor, a gleaming iron helmet adorned with a blazing red plume. He filled his quiver with fifty poison-tipped arrows and equipped his treasure bow with a spiral handle in a bag named “Encircled Stars.” He strapped on his black iron war blade, mounted his fiery steed “Windchaser,” and galloped toward the Yellow River, his horse’s hooves sparking like flames.
 
As he neared the Ling camp, Dochin called out, “Who among you Ling warriors dares to face me? Let’s see whose archery is stronger, whose spear skills are greater, whose blade is sharper, and whose horse is faster! Hahaha! Do any of you have the courage to fight me?”
 
In the Ling camp, Jiacha, Dapan, Danma, Senda, and Sipan all volunteered to fight Dochin. Just as Jiacha was about to charge out, the chief steward grabbed his coat and said:
 
“According to today’s stars, you must not go into battle. It’s best for you to stay in the main tent and remain calm.”
 
Although Jiacha was displeased, he stayed back. Dapan said, “Brother, listen to the chief steward. Stay here. The four of us will bring Dochin down. Even if he could fly to the heavens, we would still turn the Hor camp upside down! If we die in battle, our heroic deeds will be remembered across the snowy plateau!”
 
With gritted teeth and fiery determination, Dapan and Sipan prepared to face Dochin. Sipan said, “It’s just one Dochin. If all four of us go, it would damage our reputation. Let Dapan and me handle this.”
 
Dapan armed himself with his spear, while Sipan readied his bow and arrows. The two charged forward like raging flames. Jiacha, though worried, could only wait.

 
Sipan's Sacrifice and Jiacha's Pursuit
 
The two warriors, Dapan and Sipan, quickly crossed to the far side of the Yellow River. Dapan charged forward, while Sipan followed closely behind, his bow drawn with a sharp arrow ready to fire. Dochin suddenly hid himself at a distance of an arrow’s range, and the two could not find him. Giving up their search, they turned and stormed the Hor camp instead.
 
Dapan charged through the eastern gate, spearing the gatekeeper, Baturu Bentunixia, and dashing straight into the center of the camp. He wreaked havoc among the Hor soldiers, scattering them like fried peas. Meanwhile, Sipan stormed through the western gate, slashing down the gatekeeper, Sinba Nabuzhongzhuang, with one stroke. He went on a rampage, killing and cutting down soldiers as if a hailstorm had fallen upon the camp.
 
The Hor soldiers, seeing the chaos, abandoned their tents and treasures, fleeing toward the mountains with cries that echoed through heaven and earth. Dapan and Sipan destroyed the prized white thousand-man tent, cutting it into irreparable shreds. They gathered the plumes of the slain soldiers, the White Tent King’s armor, quivers, and even Yamu’s bearskin cloak and robe, tying them to their horses. Triumphant, they crossed the Yellow River to return to the Ling camp.
 
As they retreated, Dapan rode ahead, with Sipan following about a rope’s length behind. Suddenly, Dochin appeared and began pursuing them. Spotting the two warriors crossing the river, Dochin threw his lasso, which had an iron hook at the end. The lasso caught Sipan around the neck, and Dochin yanked him off his horse, pulling him into the river.
 
Dapan had already crossed the river and had no time to return to help. He could only hear Sipan’s horse neighing in distress as it tried to follow its master into the water.
 
Caught in the raging currents of the Yellow River, Sipan thought to himself, "It doesn’t matter if I die, but if I don’t cut this lasso, the heroes of Ling will suffer unimaginable losses!" As Dochin dragged him closer to the shore, Sipan summoned the last of his strength, drew his treasured blade, and severed the lasso. However, the powerful river currents swept him away.
 
From a distance, Jiacha saw Sipan’s heroic sacrifice. Tears streamed down his face like rain falling from leaves, but he said nothing. With clenched teeth, he mounted his white warhorse, Jiaxia, and crossed the Yellow River in pursuit of the fleeing Hor soldiers.
 
From morning until the sun began to set, Jiacha relentlessly chased down the Hor troops, cutting them down without mercy.
 
Jiacha Confronts Tangze and Learns of Hor's Plans
 
In a corner of the grassland, the White Tent King disguised himself as a poor herdsman. He wore a tattered marmot-skin coat, a rain-stained yellow felt hat with a horsehair tassel, and rode an old, toothless, skinny horse. He herded a group of limping, injured horses, some with arrow and spear wounds, trying to appear as pitiful as possible.
 
Jiacha arrived and spotted him. Without realizing he was the White Tent King, Jiacha stopped the herd and grabbed the old man by the neck, demanding:
 
“Old herdsman! Quickly tell me where the White Tent King is, and I’ll spare your life!”
 
The disguised White Tent King, terrified by Jiacha’s anger, trembled all over. After a long pause, he cautiously replied, “Sir, the White Tent King is indeed the root of all destruction for Ling and Hor. He and seven of his followers have fled toward the Machin Bangla mountain path. They have been gone for quite some time—if you hurry, you might still catch them. Please spare me, for I am only an insignificant herdsman. Killing me will only add to your sins.”
 
Jiacha thought about this and realized it made sense. He let the old man go and immediately rode off along the Machin Bangla mountain path in pursuit.
 
By sunset, Jiacha reached the mountainside, where Hor warriors—the dwarf Gama Siguo, Sinba Meiruze, the young hero Tangze, Prince Lawu, and three other Sinba warriors—were hiding. Hearing the sound of galloping hooves in the distance, Tangze peeked out and recognized Jiacha approaching. He quietly sat down and waited.
 
When Jiacha saw Tangze, he assumed the White Tent King must be nearby. Spurring his horse, he rode straight toward Tangze.
 
Prince Lawu, noticing Jiacha coming alone, said to the group, “This white horse and its rider have repeatedly slaughtered and humiliated us in the Hor camp. Today is truly a heaven-sent opportunity!”
 
Despite being from an opposing nation, Meiruze respected Ling’s heroes and replied, “The king initiated this war over a woman. If the entire Hor kingdom is destroyed because of this, our people will feel ashamed for generations to come. In battle, we should win honorably. If we all gang up on one man today, it will only bring disgrace upon us.”
 
Tangze agreed and said, “I, Tangze, a young hero, believe only in the invincibility of King Gesar of Ling. Against others, I am confident I can prevail. Let me face him alone today!”
 
Seeing the determination of the two heroes, Lawu reluctantly agreed. Meiruze led the others away, leaving Tangze to face Jiacha alone.
 
Jiacha galloped toward Tangze, raising a trail of dust. Tangze silently thought, “As long as the heroes of Ling, especially Jiacha, remain unharmed, and Zhamu (the woman) is not taken to Hor, I would willingly give my life. Though my homeland is Hor, I pray that in my next life, I may serve King Gesar of Ling.”
 
Jiacha charged at Tangze, unsheathing his treasured blade. He struck Tangze nine times, but each strike felt like cutting through empty air. Tangze remained completely unharmed.
 
Puzzled, Jiacha asked, “Who are you? Why can’t I harm you at all?”
 
Tangze replied, “Mighty and invincible Jiacha! I am Tangze Yuzhou, the young hero who once shot an arrow through nine wooden targets. Because of my unwavering devotion to King Gesar of Ling, not even your blade can harm me. Even if the heavens and earth collide, I will remain unscathed.”
 
Jiacha recalled Tangze’s words during their previous archery contest and realized they were sincere. Though his blade could not touch Tangze, he decided to question him further.
 
“Tell me, Tangze Yuzhou,” Jiacha said, “Your words are truthful, and King Gesar’s divine protection shields you. Though you were born in Hor, your loyalty lies with Ling. But I must understand—why did Hor’s army invade Ling this year? Who is the mastermind behind this war? Is it the White Tent King, the Yellow Tent King, the Black Tent King, or the Garwa King? Is it Meiruze or Chabar? Who started this conflict, and what are their intentions? Tell me the truth!”
 
Tears streamed down Tangze’s face as he responded, “Noble son of the Sacred Ling Mountains, let me sing my answer to you.”
 
Tangze's Song and Counsel
 
In the Yellow Tent Division’s grand army,
I stand as the first man to the right of the yellow plume.
On my golden-saddled horse, Jiaxia,
I now sing for you, noble King Xiega:
 
“If trees do not grow from their roots,
Their branches and leaves cannot flourish.
If crops do not grow from their roots,
Their heads of grain can never mature.
If dark clouds do not move northward,
The harsh frost cannot descend.
 
If King Anan had not acted recklessly,
How could the Hor army have invaded Ling?
From the Yellow Tent King to the Black Tent King,
From the sorcerers to the diviners,
Everyone advised him again and again,
Yet he refused to listen.
 
The root cause of this war is fate,
But its immediate reason may be found in Mijong.
Since the day we seized Ling’s grasslands,
My heart has not known peace.
My body trembles, and each night,
I lie awake, unable to sleep soundly.
 
Once Yamu the Master arrived at the camp,
I wanted to entrust my thoughts to his divination,
But Dochin’s constant chatter
Made me hesitate to speak openly.
 
This war between Hor and Ling,
Where Ling’s people are few and their strength so weak,
A small force cannot defeat a greater one.
In the end, the people of Ling may be enslaved.
 
The Jewel King of the Southern Continent,
And your noble ruler Xielu Gabu,
At the northern junction of Chulong Nacha,
While parting, he held your hand tightly,
And warned you with heartfelt words:
 
‘Do not roam alone while sitting on the golden throne.
Do not let your horse wander alone by the trough.’
 
From ancient Tibetan proverbs, we know:
 
“The sun and moon in one corner of the sky,
Shine their light across the four great continents.
When dark clouds rise to block their light,
Fierce winds eventually clear them away.
 
The great rivers adorning the earth,
Flow joyfully, never ceasing.
Their waves surge and roar,
But eventually, they calm and slow.
 
In summer, the grasslands bloom in abundance.
Their petals boast of the sweet dew they carry.
Though harsh frost may wither the flowers,
They will bloom again in splendid dress next year.
 
Merchants traveling the great roads,
Gather gold and silver from all directions.
Exhausted and weary, they press on,
But in the end, they always return home.”
 
In the grand camp of Yellow Hor,
They aim to steal Ling’s treasures.
For now, we may not be able to stop them,
But revenge will come in time.
 
The sun and moon may evade the dark clouds,
But they risk being swallowed by the Rahu Star.
The river may lose its waves for a while,
But in spring, it risks drying completely.
Flowers may escape the harsh frost,
But they risk being destroyed by hail.
Merchants may avoid falling from cliffs,
But they risk being robbed by bandits.
 
You, Jiacha, are fierce against Hor,
But even you risk losing your life.
 
I do not dare to speak rashly,
But leading an army requires:
The strength of a tiger,
The courage of thunder,
The agility of a falcon,
And the wisdom of a mirror.
 
Do not act recklessly.
 
The woman Zhamu of Ling,
If not brought to Yaze city as a bride,
The White Tent King will not rest until his death.
Perhaps, if she is sent ahead,
The precious jewel might return to Ling’s hands.
 
Ling has suffered so much,
But when the lion king returns from the north,
He will face the White Tent King directly.
The accounts will be settled,
And justice will be served!”
 
Tangze’s Counsel
 
After finishing his song, Tangze continued:
 
“I must repeat this: never act alone again. A man like the White Tent King, even if his head is cut off nine times, it wouldn’t matter. Let King Gesar of Ling bear witness to this! The success or failure of this war rests on you, noble minister. If you are harmed, the efforts of all living beings will face disruption.
 
I was born and raised in Hor. My food and clothing were provided by the White Tent King. I am not the kind of person who forgets kindness after eating my fill. But in this life, I am powerless to act freely.
 
I urge you, no matter what happens in the future, do not rush to stand out. Life’s length cannot be measured by physical strength. Suffering and happiness always alternate. When King Gesar returns, you and your brother will shine like the sun and moon, surrounded by heroes like a sky full of stars. Hor’s crimes will certainly be avenged. Please remember this in your heart!”
 
Tangze then grasped Jiacha’s hand tightly.
 
Jiacha took out a string of white crystal prayer beads, while Tangze presented a hundred golden-feathered arrows. The two exchanged gifts, reluctant to part.
 
At that moment, the chief steward, Danma, Senda, and Dapan arrived at the scene. Tangze said to them, “Please, return to your camp now. Be cautious and take care. The fate of the nation and your personal safety are in your hands.”
 
With these words, they bid farewell and departed. The five leaders of Ling returned to the White Divine Army camp.