K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. CHAPTER 43 Meruze ADVISES A CEASEFIRE AND WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS, BUT THE WHITE TENT KING INSISTS ON RECRUITING AND EXPANDING HIS ARMY The Aftermath of the Battle After Gyatsa left, the White Tent King of Hor emerged from a winding, conch-shaped cave, trembling as he seated himself back on his throne. With shaky hands, he pulled out the turquoise hairpin of Zumu, staring at it for a long time, unable to calm himself. Finally, he let out a deep sigh. When the Hor ministers and Sinbas (warriors) gathered again, the White Tent King spoke with frustration: "People of the Hor mountains and rivers! A terrible thing has happened. Should we continue fighting or retreat? I think we should summon more reinforcements from the Achin Plains!" He then erupted in fury, stomping his feet and scolding his ministers: "When in Yaze City, you were all brave in your armor, but on the eastern Ling Gabu, you’ve become softer than silk! Sinbas who claimed to be warriors are like sheep, and Baturus (heroes) are like foxes. Your shining armor is nothing but tattered coats, your sharp arrows are mere spindles, and your precious swords are no more than weaving shuttles! You’re all useless in battle! Especially you, Sinba Meruze! Back in Yaze, you couldn’t stop boasting about your courage. But ever since your skull was injured, you’ve been silent when you should speak and dazed when you should think. Have you been poisoned by wolfsbane? Are you near death? If not, then come up with a plan!" Blame and Advice The White Tent King was oblivious to his own mistakes and instead shifted the blame for the repeated defeats onto the Sinbas from all the tribes. Feeling deeply wronged, Sinba Meruze once again offered heartfelt advice: "Great King, as strong as an ox’s neck! I have already advised you three times, and everything has turned out as I predicted. But it’s not over yet—worse outcomes still lie ahead! Before we suffer even greater losses, it would be best to retreat to Yaze City. This way, you’ll secure happiness in this life and peace in the next. Your health will remain strong, and the Yellow Hor Kingdom will avoid disaster. If you insist on summoning more troops, it will be like adding fat to meat, only to have it fall into Ling’s hands. If you try to seize Zumu by force, such evil actions will only invite retaliation. If you aim to enslave others, you may end up destroying your own kingdom. My advice: it is better to be content and stay within your limits." Meruze’s words were spoken with good intentions, but Minister Duoqin was displeased: "How can we, with so many people, fail to stop Ling’s heroes and then plan to retreat? It’s utterly disgraceful!" The others remained silent, sitting quietly. The Discussion and Tangze’s Song At this moment, King Qu Da of the Garwa Tribe and Tangze Yuzhou privately discussed: "The Hor army has suffered a minor setback here, and now the King and his ministers are arguing. What good will come of this? The White Tent King is so fixated on achieving his goals that, even with heavy losses, he refuses to change his plans. The King and his ministers need to sit down and properly discuss a strategy!" After this discussion, Tangze Yuzhou addressed the Hor leaders: "Leaders and ministers of Yellow Hor! Regret brings no benefit, and speaking in anger solves nothing. Please listen to Tangze’s song!" He then began singing: "In the great white central tent, The White Tent King stands tall like Mount Meru, The Yellow and Black Tent Kings shine like the sun and moon. The six great ministers radiate like the stars, Sinbas and Baturus sparkle like constellations. The conflict between Hor and Ling, Is rooted in destiny from past lives. Blaming anyone won’t help. The mighty Hor army, Now faces misfortune in war. Glorious victories are nowhere to be found— This is fate, preordained by time. There’s no need to complain. The White Tent King’s million-strong army, Was never meant to invade Ling. Sinba’s three warnings were wise, As clear as the lines on one’s palm. If retreat is the plan, speak not of it aloud, For others may mock you. White Tent King, listen to me! Send a prince and a Sinba back home, To recruit more troops. From the twelve great tribes of Yellow Hor, Gather an army of twelve thousand. Yamu the Seer can foretell victory, defeat, life, and death, His words, like thunder, echo across the Achin Plains. But if his counsel brings no benefit to your decisions, Then even the loudest thunder has no value. There’s no need to blindly believe it. Bring him to the battlefield quickly. The reason Ling’s heroes are so formidable, Is because their war gods grant them protection, And their armor is blessed with divine power. The war gods of Yellow Hor, The three demon brothers—White, Black, and Spotted— Reside in the Nine-Link Iron Shrine. In the past, they weren’t fully summoned, So do not lose faith in the gods. Carry the sacred iron of the war gods with the army, And divine their will for future actions. As for the King’s war plans, Death and miscalculations are unavoidable. Success requires effort and determination. To win, one must act decisively. In the lands where Tibetans dwell, Fire, water, and wood are natural blessings. But demons, Yellow Hor, and Gesar’s warriors, Are bound together by karmic destiny. Even if you wish to escape, It is impossible to break free. Heroes, do not tremble with fear, Nor provoke others with harsh words." After the song, the Hor leaders agreed that Tangze Yuzhou was correct. They decided to summon Yamu’s master teacher Guru, the Seer, along with the sacred Nine-Link Iron Shrine containing the three demon brothers—White, Black, and Spotted. Additionally, they planned to recruit 12,000 reinforcements from the twelve tribes of Yellow Hor. The White Tent King assigned his son, Prince Lawu Laibu, along with Sinba Tang Ga Yiguo, Baturu Chitunanlang, and one hundred soldiers, to return to Hor overnight to carry out these tasks. Danma’s Assault and His Duel with Prince Chizong Rouya The next day, Danma of Ling rode out to battle. His white helmet was adorned with a white plume, and he wore shining white armor. Mounted on a silver-gray horse, he crossed the river and arrived at the Hor camp. With him, he carried five brass-tipped arrows, seven copper-tipped arrows, and nine iron-tipped arrows. He unleashed all of them into the camp, raining destruction like a hailstorm. Many Hor soldiers fell to the ground, wounded or dead. Afterward, Danma drew his green-handled treasured blade and charged into the camp. With swift and brutal attacks, he killed many soldiers. Having taken numerous trophies, including plumes from helmets, he rode back triumphantly to Ling’s camp. Hearing of this, the White Tent King’s son, Chizong Rouya, became furious. He donned his conch-shell armor and radiant spiral helmet, which was adorned with a crescent moon-like white plume. Mounting his flying white horse, he armed himself with a long spear and set off in pursuit of Danma. At the Yellow River, Danma turned his horse around and prepared for battle. He knocked a silver-plumed arrow onto his bow and waited. Chizong shouted at him, "You purple-faced fool! Your time has come! Today, I’ll claim glory by taking you down!" Chizong charged forward, thrusting his spear at Danma. Calmly, Danma swung his turquoise-handled sword and sliced the spear in two. Chizong retreated a few steps, holding only half of his spear. He then turned, nocked an arrow, and aimed it at Danma. Danma sneered and said, "Oh, Prince Chizong, son of the White Tent King! Today, we meet at last. If I let you return alive, I am no longer worthy of being called Danma!" The two warriors shot arrows at each other. Chizong’s arrow slashed Danma’s saddle in two and knocked off a few pieces of his armor. But Danma’s silver-plumed arrow struck Chizong’s forehead and pierced through his helmet. Protected by the White Sky Demon God, Chizong miraculously survived. He drew his blade and charged at Danma. Unfazed, Danma fired another iron arrow, hitting Chizong’s horse. The beast collapsed, throwing dust into the air as both horse and rider fell. Danma approached the fallen prince and mockingly said, "Prince Chizong! Have your wishes been fulfilled? And what about your father, the White Tent King? Surely, he must be satisfied now! Watch how I complete this task for both of you!" With that, Danma unsheathed his green-handled sword and severed Chizong’s head, along with his helmet’s plume, his horse’s mane, and its tail. Victorious, he crossed the Yellow River and returned to Ling’s camp. Back at the camp, Danma hung Chizong’s head and plume outside the treasure tent as a trophy. Gyatsa and the other Ling warriors gathered to discuss the battle. All the heroes praised Danma for his bravery and offered him the finest khatas in honor of his valor. The Hor Army’s Counterattack and Gade’s Retaliation Three days later, at dawn, a loud commotion broke out in the Hor camp. Soldiers were moving large objects, and three men rolled two massive boulders, each three times the size of a yak. Ling warriors began to speculate: "What are they doing?" "Are they building a fortress?" someone guessed. The commander of Ling’s forces interrupted, "Stop guessing! None of you are right. They’re preparing to launch boulders, regardless of what the stars say today. Who are those three men rolling the stones? Look closely—my eyes aren’t what they used to be." Niben and Dapan squinted and reported, "That big man in the red cloak looks like Duoqin. The tall, thin one bustling around the boulders seems to be Zaqing. And the other—it looks like Tangze Yuzhou." The commander nodded grimly. "Zaqing is their expert at launching boulders. By the looks of it, they’ll fire at us this afternoon. If we don’t prepare in time, we’ll suffer heavy losses. Gade, start assembling the counter-launchers. Niben, Qulu, and Senda, go find larger boulders!" The three warriors rolled a massive boulder, so large that two men couldn’t wrap their arms around it. They prepared the launch mechanism, built the stone platform along the Yellow River facing Hor’s camp, and lit juniper incense while offering pure liquor as a blessing. As the warriors gathered to watch, Gade donned his black cloak and hat. A treasure mirror hung on his chest as he gripped the boulder’s release rope with one hand and waved a black flag with the other. With a loud "Whoosh!" the immense boulder was launched into the air. The Clash of Boulder Launches and Gade’s Revenge At the same time, the Hor soldiers were conducting rituals for the White, Black, and Spotted Demon Gods. They sacrificed goat meat, tossed roasted barley flour like dice, and Zaqing chanted incantations. Both Hor and Ling launched their massive boulders simultaneously, and the mountains trembled as the stones tore through the sky. Ling’s boulder chased after Hor’s and collided with it above the White Tent King’s grand camp. Hor’s boulder shattered into two pieces. One piece fell into the Hor camp, killing or injuring hundreds of soldiers and leaving many others stunned by the impact. The other fragment, along with Ling’s boulder, flew toward a southern cliff near Ling’s camp. The stones smashed into the cliff, shattering it into pieces. Dust filled the air, and the falling rocks crushed hundreds of Gade’s soldiers. Seeing the devastation in Gade’s forces, Zaqing was overjoyed. He mocked Gade’s misfortune, hurling insults and laughing with glee. Enraged by the loss of his men and Zaqing’s taunts, Gade’s fury boiled over. He tore off his black cloak and hat, donned his armor, and mounted his warhorse. Armed with his Thunderbolt Blade and bow, he charged across the Yellow River, heading straight for the Hor camp. Once inside, Gade fought savagely. From a distance, he shot arrows, and up close, he slashed with his sword. Hor soldiers fell in droves. Zaqing, wielding a whip, confronted Gade near the White Tent division. Gade sheathed his sword, lunged forward, and grabbed Zaqing by both arms. With a mighty swing, he flipped Zaqing upside down, his head pointing to the ground and his feet in the air. Like a hawk catching a sparrow, Gade grabbed Zaqing by the waist, shook him violently, and slammed him to the ground. Gade then pounded Zaqing with his fists, hitting him so hard that his internal organs spilled from his mouth. With Zaqing defeated, Gade returned to Ling’s camp, exuding an aura of invincibility. The Ling warriors praised him as a true hero. However, Gyatsa, seated high above, remained silent and expressionless. Gade felt uneasy and thought to himself, "Gyatsa has always been a decent man. Hor and Ling are locked in a life-or-death struggle, and I’ve taken down one of their fiercest warriors. Why isn’t he happy? He’s so different from King Gesar. Those two brothers—one wise and the other foolish—are worlds apart. Something must be weighing on his heart. I fear he may not find peace or long life…"

K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. Chapter 42 Chaos in the Ranks as Chao Tong Betrays the Army Repeatedly; Upholding Justice, Adan Seeks to Punish His Wicked Father Chao Tong's Taunts and Niancha's Fury A few days later, Chao Tong, the commander of Ma region, dressed in full armor, stood in the Ling camp and loudly boasted. Standing on his stirrups and clenching his teeth, he shouted: “Hey, you thirty so-called heroes of Ling! You’ve only managed to kill a few grass-cutters and wood-gatherers from Hor, and you think that’s impressive? If you’re really so capable, why haven’t you killed the White Tent King yet? Killing random people while ignoring the White Tent King means nothing—you’re just sowing more seeds of sin. If you want to prove your strength, why not defeat Duoqin? If you want to show off your archery, why not take Tangze’s life? If you think your blade is sharp, why not cut off Sinba Meruze’s head? And if you think your horse is fast, why haven’t you captured the White Tent King? If you can’t do these things and claim your victories, then even children can tie lambs, women can shear sheep, old grannies can slit the throats of cattle, and sisters-in-law can race horses. These comparisons suit you perfectly! In the entire Ling camp, the only one truly capable of achieving something is me, the old man Chao Tong!” This open taunt, filled with insults, was ignored by the heroes of Ling. Even the Lion King and King Senlun, the father of Gyatsa Xiega, tried to calm Chao Tong down, saying, “Chao Tong, if someone must go to battle, let Adan handle it.” Chao Tong, however, was enraged. He cursed loudly, “That foolish boy Adan! He doesn’t know right from wrong, just like you, Senlun, an old fool with a black heart! You’re like the Chief Steward, an old dog who does everything without thinking. And Joru—he’s no better. If you send Adan to fight, he’ll accomplish nothing, just like you, Senlun! The descendants of the Mukpo Dong clan—only Gyatsa is like me. As his uncle, I’m the fierce tiger, and he’s the snow lion of the mountains. Isn’t that true? But you and your nephew are just filled with the stench of filth. Stop your sweet-talking and nonsense, Senlun!” Instead of anger, Chao Tong’s tirade amused the Ling heroes, and they broke into loud laughter. Humiliated and furious, Chao Tong whipped his horse and galloped off. While crossing the Yellow River, he was nearly swept away by the current. Once ashore, he charged toward the eastern gate of the Hor camp. Meruze from the Sinba division spotted him and shouted, “He’s here! He’s here! Kill him! Rip out his heart!” Terrified, Chao Tong quickly removed the golden plume, banners, and ornaments from his white helmet. He replaced them with a white horsehair tassel taken from his quiver to disguise himself. Then, he circled around to the western gate, dismounted, and entered the camp. Niancha’s Lament and Resolve The Ling people, seeing this situation, were confused and at a loss for words. They sat silently as Niancha Adan, fully armored and carrying an assortment of weapons, mounted his horse “Snow Mountain Soar” and rode to the center of the camp. He spoke with sorrow: “Ah, my thirty brothers of Ling! Did you see the disgraceful actions of my father, Chao Tong? There is bound to be chaos within Ling—fathers killing sons and sons killing fathers!” Then, with deep grief, he began to sing: “In the eight divisions of Senior lineage in Seba, In the Upper Darong Ducuodi, The chief is Niben Daya, His advisor is Anu Sipan, And the brave man is me, Niancha. But there has never been such disgraceful behavior. My father, Chao Tong, that stinking fox, Spoke boldly in the Ling camp, But when he reached the Hor camp, He replaced his golden plume with a white horsehair tassel, As if he were a close friend of the Hor. He would hand over the people of Ling and the golden stupa, To the White Tent King. He would trade his family and the ancestral lightning sword, For fatty meat to fill his stomach! He brings worry to Ling’s uncles, Disgrace to the Mukpo Dong clan, Shame to his brothers, And humiliation to his nephews. The ancestral legacy supported by thirty heroes, Will all be destroyed by Chao Tong. The castles and temples built by the divine people, Will be toppled by Seba Chao Tong. In the tiger-skin quiver filled with sacred arrows, Chao Tong is like a useless fire poker mixed in. While the divine people look eastward, He alone turns his face westward. The heroes are like the six healing medicines, But Chao Tong is like the poison aconite among them. Ling is like pure white silk, But Chao Tong smears grease upon it. He will lead the enemy to our gates, And the sacred city of Ling will likely fall. He is the black wind that brings storms, He is the sheep that invites the wolves. The sacred Ling Gabu of the East, Will not rest unless Chao Tong is smashed like hail upon thatch. There is a saying: ‘Losing faith in one’s parents is unbearable, Breaking a golden Buddha leaves none to protect you, And being humiliated by your kin is intolerable.’ My father has done such evil deeds, Of course the White Tent King grows more arrogant. The White Tent King of Hor and Chao Tong, Are both mortal enemies of Ling. They won’t fold their hands in prayer to the right, Nor offer sacred water to the left. They will do no good deeds. Though I am Chao Tong’s son, I will trample him beneath my feet. If I meet him on a mountaintop, I will kill him like a wild deer. If I meet him in a valley, I will kill him like a yellow goat. If I meet him by the river, I will kill him like a fish. I will smash his nose and collapse his eyes. I will fill his insides with blood. Whether I chop off the White Tent King’s head, Or cut off Chao Tong’s head, Either one will be a great victory. In my heart as a man, I have decided to sever my father-son bond. No matter who kills whom, Niancha will be remembered as a hero. Whether it’s the Hor White Tent King, Or the Ma region Commander Chao Tong, Today, beneath my sword, They are both the same. Their blood will flow like water, Their heads will be tied to my horse’s tail. May my loyal and sincere heart Fulfill my ambitious dream. Even if I don’t meet the White Tent King, Chao Tong will surely return. May the deed I do today, Spread far and wide in this world. If I do not eliminate this treacherous traitor, Then I, Niancha, am no true hero!” After singing, Niancha rode forward, crossed the Yellow River, and charged directly toward the Hor camp. Niancha's Duel and Gyatsa’s Bold Attack The White Tent King saw someone storming toward the camp and immediately asked Chao Tong, “Hey! Another rider on a white horse has charged out from the Ling camp. Who is it?” Chao Tong recognized his son and quickly responded, “Great White Tent King! That rider on the white horse is my eldest son, Niancha, one of the six sons of Chao Tong, the commander of Ma region. That horse is the mighty steed ‘Snow Mountain Soar.’ In terms of courage, he is no different from Gyatsa, and in terms of skill, they are equally matched. If he charges into the Hor camp, he will not bring any good, especially for you or me. If we need to escape, we’d better find somewhere to run or hide quickly!” Chao Tong’s pleading, fox-like words spilled out of his mouth, causing panic among the Hor soldiers. The camp became chaotic, and Duoqin said, “This rider on the white horse must not be allowed to enter the camp. We should intercept him halfway by sending a fierce Sinba warrior along with a thousand soldiers to surround and attack him.” Sinba warrior Gongjie, mounted on a white warhorse with a helmet adorned with a white plume resembling clouds, led a thousand soldiers from the Chabao and Chaxiao tribes. The ground cracked under the pounding hooves, stones flew in all directions, and gusts of wind sent dust swirling. The soldiers surged forward in waves. When Gongjie was about an arrow’s length away from Niancha, he shouted, “Hey, little beggar from the Ling camp! Are you here to seek death or to deliver your head? Don’t panic—I’ll deal with you right now!” With that, Gongjie fired an arrow. Niancha whipped his horse, causing it to leap sideways, dodging the arrow just in time. He then fired three arrows in rapid succession, killing many black- and white-plumed soldiers. Drawing his Green-hilted Nine-layered Golden Treasure Blade, he charged forward. The Hor soldiers panicked and fled. Gongjie, preparing to shoot another arrow, found Niancha already upon him. With a swift swing of his blade, Niancha struck Gongjie, who tumbled head-over-heels from his horse like a sacrificial offering. Niancha continued his charge, scattering the remaining Hor soldiers, who fled back to the camp. Unscathed, both Niancha and his horse crossed the Yellow River and returned to the Ling camp. Chao Tong and the White Tent King, finally daring to emerge from hiding, were still worried about Niancha’s safety. Chao Tong nervously asked his attendants, “Where is that rider on the white horse? Where did he go?” But no one answered, as they were all preoccupied with their own survival. Gyatsa’s Bold Challenge and Victory After another seven or eight days, Bumba Gyatsa prepared for battle. He loaded his tiger-skin bag on the right side with silver cups, equipped his leopard-skin bag on the left with a treasured bow, and strapped the renowned sword "Yasi" to his waist. Mounted on his white warhorse, "Jiaxia," he crossed the Yellow River and stopped near the Hor camp. Pulling his horse to a halt, he stood on his stirrups and called out to the camp: “Listen here, White Tent Dog King of Hor! If you’re truly brave, come out and face me. If you have a good bow, shoot it at me. If you have a fine blade, swing it at me. Don’t just hide in your stone caves like a coward. You Hor White Tent rulers and ministers! Either surrender your bodies and heads to me, or drop your saddles, lay out your rugs, and prepare some tea to serve me. Better yet, offer gifts quickly—otherwise, I’ll send your souls to the afterlife!” Gyatsa’s taunts terrified the White Tent King of Hor, who trembled all over and didn’t even dare to breathe loudly. He quietly hid in a corner. The Sinba warriors and soldiers pretended to string their bows and brandish their weapons, but no one dared to step forward. Gyatsa charged into the Hor camp, slashing left and right. The soldiers abandoned their helmets and armor and fled in all directions. Gyatsa cut down Hor warriors and horses, leaving chaos in his wake. As Gyatsa pursued the fleeing soldiers toward the outskirts of the camp, Baturu Qiangla appeared. Qiangla wore a blood-red helmet, carried blades and arrows at his waist, and rode a black warhorse as swift as the wind. Wielding his long spear, he charged straight at Gyatsa, shouting: “Bold young warrior of Ling! If you are truly wise, you should know when to stop. Reckless bravery will cost you your life! Oh, mighty War God of the Sinba, Jue La, protect me today! Let me melt this white man and his white horse like snow beneath the sun!” With that, Qiangla lunged toward Gyatsa. Gyatsa tightened his armor and prepared for combat. Though Qiangla thrust his spear three times in quick succession, Gyatsa’s armor was strong, and with the protection of the War God’s purple sash, the spear couldn’t pierce him. Seizing the opportunity, Gyatsa swung his treasured blade and sliced Qiangla’s spear in half. Realizing the situation was hopeless, Qiangla turned his horse and fled. Gyatsa, swinging his blade, chased after him, but Qiangla and his horse managed to escape into the Hor camp. Gyatsa thought to himself, “Never chase a desperate enemy. Today’s battle ends here. There will be other opportunities to let him taste the power of my Yasi treasure blade!” With that, Gyatsa returned to the Ling camp.

K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. Chapter 41 Danma’s Three Arrows Suppress the Hor Army’s Momentum; Senda Launches a Surprise Attack, Destroying the Enemy Camp. The Strategy of the White Tent King Four or five days later, the White Tent King of Hor said, “So far, only the Ling army has launched attacks on us. We, the Yellow Hor, have not gone on the offensive yet. Today, no matter what, let one of our fierce Sinba warriors lead a small elite squad. They should sing bold songs on the far side of the river to provoke the Ling army into crossing the river, so we can destroy them all at once.” After suffering several sudden assaults from the heroes of Ling, many Sinba warriors were now fearful and unwilling to risk their lives. However, Jiechou of the Riba tribe, still bitter about his previous defeat at the hands of Darong Anu Sipan, stepped forward angrily. He declared in front of the White Tent King, “My king, I am willing to lead the charge and crush the pride of those little Ling warriors!” Jiechou donned a green helmet and green armor, mounted his buckwheat-colored warhorse, “Great Roc,” and led 3,000 green-plumed warriors to the banks of the Yellow River. They marched back and forth along the riverbank, their armor glistening and green banners fluttering in the wind. When they reached a narrower part of the river, Jiechou faced the Ling soldiers on the opposite bank and shouted, “Hey! Brave young warriors of Ling across the river! I am Jiechou, the courageous Sinba of the Riba tribe. Who dares to cross the river and fight me to the death?” He then sang a provocative song: I come from the great flatlands of Achin, At the foot of the White Azalea Mountain. Among the mountain folks of the Riba tribe, I serve as an advisor to King Daru, leader of 100,000 troops. In the nine great strongholds, I am the most famous, Among 900,000 soldiers, I alone was chosen, To sit beside the White Tent King as his right-hand man! A blazing fire can be doused with water, A tall tree can be cut down with an axe, A strong sheep can be devoured by a wolf, A goat that flees far can still be bitten by jackals. A bird that soars high can be caught by a hawk, Even the toughest enemy will surrender to me, Jiechou! If you speak of heroes, I, Jiechou, am the one to fear. Young men of Ling on the other side of the Yellow River! A little horse that runs too fast won’t last three days; In a critical moment, it will throw its saddle and bridle. A little dog that barks fiercely won’t last three days; In an emergency, it will lose its chain. You young men who act strong won’t last three days; When you meet me, Jiechou, you’ll scurry back home! You are greedy, yet you have no wealth. You are beggars, and yet you are despised by all. You claim to be soldiers, but your numbers are pitiful. You claim to be women, yet you wear armor. You claim to be men, yet you love to dress up. What kind of warriors are you? Children of Ling! When the pale-faced man arrived on that day, It just so happened to be the full moon of the fifteenth. My people were observing a day of fasting. We vowed not to kill that day, We vowed not to ride horses that day, We vowed not to shoot arrows that day, And we offered all our weapons to the gods. Not a single man stepped forward to fight, And so he was able to act recklessly, Causing hundreds of our sons to lose their lives! Even though a thousand Hor soldiers died that day, We did not consider it a loss. Ling would not win without losing at least one hero. When the Hor army loses a few, it is barely noticed, But when the Ling army loses a few, it is obvious. How can a few ever hope to defeat the many? How can a sewing needle hope to triumph over a sword? Today, who dares to come out And face me, Jiechou, in a one-on-one battle? There is an old saying from the Tibetan lands: “A man who overestimates himself and waves his sword recklessly, Will lose his head in a face-to-face fight. A horse that overestimates itself and runs everywhere, Will sweat and collapse when ridden too hard, And fall while climbing a steep hill. A dog that overestimates itself and barks to death, Will tuck its tail and run when beaten, Hiding in a doorway and crying loudly. The Ling people overestimate themselves, Setting up their little camps everywhere. When challenged to battle, no one dares leave the mountains. They just hide one by one in their white tents.” How strange! You Ling people Have developed bad habits in your homeland. You boast loudly with ease, But if you still don’t dare to cross the river, Then the Yellow Hor will cross the river to come for you! Danma Confronts Jiechou In the Ling camp, Minister Danma saw that it was Jiechou who had come to challenge them. Knowing that Gyatsa had assigned this opponent to him, Danma silently donned his protective blue armor, put on his lightning-proof helmet, attached a white-plumed banner, armed himself with a treasured bow and sharp arrows, and strapped on his red-hilted, green-sheathed sword. He tied up his silver-gray horse's tail, mounted his steed, and crossed the Yellow River like a demon racing across the plains, heading straight for Jiechou. Meanwhile, in the Hor camp, spectators gathered from all directions like bees swarming out of a hive. Danma stopped at a distance where his voice could be heard and shouted, “Jiechou of Hor! Your luck has run out. I, Minister Danma, am here to claim your life!” Jiechou smirked coldly and said, “You talk too much. Do you think my arrows cannot harm you?” He then fired three arrows in quick succession. The first arrow struck Danma’s white banner, the second arrow hit his saddle, and the third arrow struck the iron armor on the horse’s face, causing the horse to rear up and almost throw Danma off. Enraged, Danma fired a vulture-feathered arrow that pierced Jiechou’s chest and exited through his back. He then fired a second eagle-feathered arrow that struck Jiechou’s horse in the chest, killing it instantly. Both Jiechou and his horse collapsed to the ground. Finally, Danma fired a third arrow, which hit twenty Hor soldiers, causing them to fall off their horses, while the rest of the soldiers fled in panic. Victorious, Danma returned to the Ling camp. Chaos in the Hor Camp and Dapan’s Ruthless Rampage At this time, the Hor camp fell into chaos. Meruze, leading a group of Black Tent warriors, charged forward, but upon recognizing that it was Danma, they turned their horses and retreated back to the camp. Five or six days later, Dapan rode his warhorse, “Smoke Surge,” like a god of death descending upon an unassailable fortress. His spear, adorned with three red ribbons, shone brightly as he crossed the Yellow River with ease, as if galloping on flat ground. With a sweep of his spear, he charged into the Sinba camp and slaughtered over a hundred red-plumed warriors. He then stormed into the Black Tent camp, killing another hundred riders. Dapan killed so many that the tip of his spear became clogged with blood. Unable to use the blade, he flipped the spear around and began striking soldiers to the ground with the shaft. Not a single Sinba dared to challenge him. After massacring hundreds, Dapan returned to the Ling camp. By then, he was so drenched in blood that he fainted. His clenched teeth were locked shut, his hands were stuck to the blood-covered spear, and his feet were glued to the blood-soaked stirrups. He looked like a butter lamp made of red dough. Hor’s Debate on Defense and the Building of the Wall That evening, the Hor officials gathered in the main tent to discuss how to defend against or counterattack the Ling army. Most suggested retreating under the cover of night, but Duoqin objected, saying, “Why not cross the Yellow River and surround the Ling camp? We could slaughter them one by one like sheep!” No consensus was reached. Meruze said, “If we retreat, our army of 1.2 million will be in disarray. The front will have moved far ahead while the rear hasn’t even started moving. The enemy will seize the opportunity to attack us, and we’ll suffer greatly. Anyone who suggests retreating is a coward. As for crossing the river to attack, the king must lead the charge, with us Sinba warriors ensuring discipline from the rear. But Dochin’s idea is too simplistic—unless we can crush the Ling army into a single mass of flesh, we won’t be able to slaughter them like sheep. Right now, no one dares to engage them head-on, so how can we even talk about capturing them alive?” Tangze Yuzhou then proposed a defensive strategy: “Let’s stop talking about crossing the river. All we need to do is defend the camp and wait for the right opportunity to fight back. To secure the camp, I suggest this: before dawn, connect all the tents and have everyone bring stones and turf to build a wall around the camp. Leave one large gate to the east and one to the west, making the wall as tall as a building. With such a wall in place, unless birds descend from the sky or water comes up from the ground, no one will be able to break through. The eastern gate can be guarded by Duoqin and me, while the western gate can be defended by Meruze and Gongjie.” The officials agreed that the wall was necessary. That night, under the leadership of Meruze, Tangze, Duoqin, and Zaqing, the soldiers worked together to build a high wall, using five large stones and three blocks of turf per person. The wall stood three fathoms tall and one fathom wide, with gates on the east and west and smaller openings at the corners for water, firewood, and horse access. At each corner, altars were built to honor the white, black, and multicolored demon gods. The wall bristled with swords, spears, arrows, and lances, shining brightly under the moonlight. With their defenses complete, the Hor officials felt secure, and even the soldiers were confident that the sturdy wall could withstand any attack from the Ling army. Everyone praised Tangze’s suggestion as the best plan. Senda Storms the Hor Camp After some time, one day, the invincible general of Ling, Senda, rode his warhorse “Qianshanteng.” His white helmet plume fluttered in the wind, his white armor was tightly secured with ropes, and his massive blade shimmered like a rainbow. The flag on his back swayed as he moved, and like a bird spreading its wings, he crossed the Yellow River with ease. Arriving at the eastern gate of the Hor camp, Senda stopped where his voice could be heard clearly. He shouted, “Yellow Hor foxes! All you do is hide behind your walls of stone and turf, using urine and filth to build your so-called kingdom. How shameful! If you plan to defend, go to Yaze City, where you can at least live in peace without dragging others into misery. Hiding behind walls and pretending to be heroes—I will turn these walls into a sea of blood and fulfill your White Tent King’s wish for death!” Without hesitation, Senda leapt from the eastern gate into the camp. The Hor camp erupted in chaos, with shouts and screams filling the air. The warriors of the Garwa division at the eastern gate tried their best to resist him but were unable to hold him back. Blood flowed like summer rain as countless soldiers fell, and panic spread among the ranks. At that moment, Duoqin swung his unbreakable lasso over his head and threw it toward Senda, the iron hook catching Senda’s arm. But Senda calmly drew his blade and cut the lasso in half. Pretending to charge back through the eastern gate, he suddenly turned and stormed out of the western gate instead. Senda crossed back over the Yellow River and returned to the Ling camp. His horse and armor bore only a few minor scratches, like those left by fingernails, as he emerged virtually unscathed from the battle.

The Epic of Gesar first attracted Western attention in the 1770s. At that time, the German zoologist and botanist Peter Simon Pallas (1741–1811) mentioned the Temple of Gesar in his travelogue Travels Through Various Provinces of the Russian Empire (1771–1776). K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. King gesar's legend begins here The Epic of Gesar first attracted Western attention in the 1770s. At that time, the German zoologist and botanist Peter Simon Pallas (1741–1811) mentioned the Temple of Gesar in his travelogue Travels Through Various Provinces of the Russian Empire (1771–1776). Later, French scholars Alexandra David-Néel (1868–1969) and Rolf Alfred Stein (1911–1999), as well as American scholar Robin Korman (1947–2007), successively translated and introduced this epic, bringing this long-buried ancient culture into the modern world. In China, Ren Naiqiang (1894–1989) published his article A Brief Introduction to the Tibetan Three Kingdoms in 1944, marking the first time Chinese readers could better understand this great epic through academic research. GESAR EPIC STORY This chapter is set on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and tells the story of how the beings of the snowy region fell into suffering due to rampant demons. To save all sentient beings, the gods decided to send the divine son, King Gesar, to be born in the human realm. The legend originates from three iron scorpions that were suppressed beneath a black boulder shaped like a yak. Out of compassion, Vajra released them, but due to their past sins, they were reborn as nine-headed snow pigs... Surrounded by snowy mountains, the Tibetan Plateau is the highest place on our planet. People call it the place closest to the sun. CHAPTER 1 THE PEOPLE OF THE SNOWY LAND SUFFER GREAT HARDSHIPS, PRAYING FOR THE GODS TO DESCEND AND SUBDUE THE DEMONS On this ancient and magical land, which lies so near the sun, a timeless legend has been passed down through generations. From the sources of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers to the Yarlung Tsangpo River basin; from the Jinsha, Lancang, and Nu River valleys to the Shiquan, Xiangquan, and Peacock Rivers; from the Animaqin, Tanggula, Kunlun, and Himalaya mountains to the surrounding regions; from the Gyarong area to the Ali Plateau; from the picturesque Zoige Grassland to the vast and boundless grasslands of northern Tibet; from the endless Guoluo and Yushu grasslands to the warm and humid Menyu region; from the colorful Derge and Seda to the spring-like warmth of Bomi and Nyingchi; from Qinghai Lake at the source of the Three Rivers to the magical and beautiful Yamdrok Lake; from the Dadu River and Jinsha River valleys to the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon—the deepest canyon in the world—Tibetan ancestors have, for generations, told and retold an epic poem. This poem, passed down through the ages, is called Gesar. A long, long time ago, between the northern polar region and the heavenly lake, the land was lush with plants and filled with fierce beasts. In the middle of a canyon, there was a giant black boulder shaped like a yak. Under the boulder were three iron scorpions, tightly coiled together, each biting the tail of the other. They were trapped, unable to free themselves, and suffered greatly. One day, a Vajra (a divine being) came from Mount Wutai in the east. Seeing the three scorpions trapped under the boulder, he felt compassion for them. He threw his iron staff at the boulder, shattering it into pieces. The three scorpions were freed and felt immense joy. They prayed to the heavens for salvation and hoped to be liberated from their suffering forever.However, due to the heavy sins they had committed in their past lives, they were reincarnated as a nine-headed snow boar. Their new form was ugly, clumsy, and pitiful to behold, adding to their misery. In the realm of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three Gods, the Brahma King witnessed this scene and saw it as an ominous sign. He immediately swung his crystal sword and cut off all nine heads of the snow boar in one strike. The heads transformed instantly into four black heads, three red heads, one multicolored head, and one white head.As the four black heads rolled down the hill, they prayed to the heavens, saying: "We are the spirits of demons. May we, in our next lives, become enemies of virtuous deeds and good karma, and rulers of the world." True to their wish, these four black heads were reborn as the four demon kings: King Lutsan of the Northern Demon Kingdoms, the White Tent King of the Hor Kingdom, King Sadan of the Jiang Kingdom, and King Xinchi of the Men Kingdom. Thus, they became the Four Great Demon Kings, who brought chaos to the world and caused endless suffering to living beings. The three red heads rolled down the hill. The first red head rolled into the hilly region and was later reborn as Sinba Meruze. The second red head rolled up a mountain and was reborn as the Zen Master Sangye Gyatso. The third red head was eventually reborn as Tangze Yuzhou of the Hor Kingdom. The multicolored head rolled far away, praying as it went: "May I be reborn in a land where good karma and virtuous deeds flourish." Later, it was born in the Ling Kingdom as Chexi Guru, but it was unable to achieve great deeds. The last white head threw a yellow flower into the sky and prayed sincerely: "May I be reborn as a warrior who defeats the black demons, a teacher who saves all beings, and a king who rules the world." His compassion moved the heavens, and he was reborn as the great hero Gesar, a name known far and wide for his bravery and greatness. At that time, the sky above the snowy land was suddenly shrouded in mist. A gray and murky haze spread across the once-clear, tranquil blue sky. Strange flashes of black, white, purple, and red light appeared intermittently, scattering in all directions around Lingkarbu, only to vanish as quickly as they came. Wherever these lights touched, they left deep, black marks. Anything they struck turned to ash or charred remains. Soon after, chaos spread across the land. Wild animals fled in panic, crops withered, grass and trees dried up, livestock grew weak and sick, and harvests failed. These ominous signs plunged the people into great fear and despair. Amitabha Buddha, while turning his prayer beads, realized that this was an omen of the reincarnation of the four black heads. They were destined to become the Four Great Demon Kings: the Northern Demon King Lutsan, the White Tent King of the Hor Kingdom, King Sadan of the Jiang Kingdom, and King Xinchi of the Men Kingdom. These demon kings would destroy virtuous deeds and good karma, bringing immense harm to the common people. The black-haired Tibetan people of the Snowy Land would fall into a deep abyss of suffering. Reciting a mantra, Amitabha Buddha sent a beam of divine light down to the Palace of Infinite Light on the Gomeda Continent. Seeing this, Pema Tochin, the ancestral master, clasped his hands together in reverence and welcomed the divine light. He saw a Vajra placed on an eight-petaled lotus, radiating five-colored light. He memorized the teachings of Amitabha Buddha, waiting for the destined day to arrive. In the years that followed, the black-haired Tibetans of the Snowy Land lived as if in a bottomless abyss. Misfortune struck them at every moment, and resentment and anger filled the air. This gave rise to evil winds that swept through the land, bringing sin and demons with them. The once-clear skies turned dark, the lush green grasslands withered to yellow, and even kind-hearted people became cruel and wicked. Chaos erupted everywhere, with wars breaking out and smoke of conflict filling the air. The people of the land prayed to the heavens for help, pleading for the compassionate deities to save them from their suffering. The gods, moved by the people’s sincere prayers and filled with pity for their suffering, resolved to destroy the demons and bring peace to all beings. To this end, the gods performed three rituals to subdue the demons, hoping to bring happiness back to the people. However, wicked ministers in the royal court, burdened by their own sins, did everything they could to obstruct the rituals. As a result, the rituals to subdue the demons could not be completed. The missed opportunity to defeat the demons allowed them to grow even stronger. They invaded deeper into the heart of the Snowy Land from its borders. Groups of demons roamed unchecked, committing countless atrocities. They ate human flesh, drank human blood, devoured bones, and peeled off skin. The once-sunny, beautiful, and prosperous Snowy Land became a sea of suffering, and the once-peaceful people faced unprecedented destruction and despair. The compassionate and merciful Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Guanyin), seeing the beings of the Snowy Land suffering greatly, felt deep sorrow and could not bear it. Avalokitesvara humbly pleaded to Amitabha, the savior of the Western Pure Land: "Amitabha, Lord of the Western Pure Land, please look upon this impure realm of samsara! Your compassion knows no bounds or limits, please send a beam of Buddha's light to relieve the suffering of the beings in the Snowy Tibetan Land." The World-Honored Amitabha slightly turned his neck, and a golden light immediately shone forth, pointing the way to Avalokitesvara. Amitabha then said to Avalokitesvara: "In the celestial realm of the Heaven of the Thirty-Three Gods, there is a king named Brahma Vidangkar and a queen named Mandanaze. They have a prince named Dechok Anya. This prince and his consort have a son named Tuibagawa, whose previous life was as the fifteenth divine son of White Brahma King, Bodokarbu. He will be reborn in the human realm of Jambudvipa in the southern continent. As the son of a celestial being, he will be born into the world as a great hero. He alone has the power to teach and guide beings, liberate the Snowy Land from evil paths, and bring peace and happiness to all beings. Please go to the Gomeda Continent and deliver my message to the ancestral master Pema Tochin. He will understand what to do." Receiving the World-Honored One's instructions, Avalokitesvara immediately set out for the Gomeda Continent. Notes: Good karma (referred to as “white karma” in Buddhist teachings) represents positive, beneficial actions that lead to good outcomes. The black heads’ desire to become enemies of good karma and virtuous deeds highlights their demonic nature and serves as a dramatic inversion of values in the story. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva: Also known as Guanyin Bodhisattva, one of the great figures in Buddhism. Typically depicted alongside Mahasthamaprapta as the attendants of Amitabha Buddha, collectively known as the "Three Saints of the Western Pure Land." Buddhist scriptures describe this bodhisattva as widely saving sentient beings, manifesting in various forms, referred to as "Universal Manifestations." Some accounts mention 33 manifestations, while others mention 32. In general representations or images, Avalokiteshvara is depicted in a female form, but in Tibetan regions, Avalokiteshvara is portrayed in a male form. Samsara: In Buddhism, the "Six Realms of Samsara" refer to the continuous cycle of existence in the six realms: Devas (heavenly beings), Asuras (demigods), Humans, Animals, Hungry Ghosts, and Hell beings. It signifies the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth within the three realms of existence. Among the six realms, the first three are known as the "Three Good Paths," while the latter three are called the "Three Evil Paths," also referred to as the "Three Poisons." Tuibagawa: The name means "One Who Brings Joy to All Who Hear. Gomeda Continent: Also known as "Camara Continent", it is described in Buddhist texts as a western sea island of Jambudvipa, one of the eight continents.

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. K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. Chapter 22: Winning the Horse Racing Championship and Ascending the Golden Throne, The Lion King Grants Titles to Benefit the Mountain Region Joru’s Final Victory Chao Tong rode his fine horse leisurely, feeling confident. The finish line at Gure Stone 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 Hayagriva: the throne, the seven treasures, and the peerless beauty Sangjang Zumu would all belong to his family, the Darong clan. 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: “Nephew, why have you only just caught up? Who do you think will win today’s prize?” 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 Gyalo 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 Gyatsa and the Final Race In an instant, Joru caught up with his brother, Gyatsa Xiega. Seeing his brother’s back, Joru suddenly came up with an idea. Gyatsa 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 Gyatsa appeared a black man riding a black horse, blocking his path. The black man said, “Hey, Gyatsa! I’ve heard the wealth of the Gyalo clan and the beautiful Sangjang 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, Gyatsa’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!” Gyatsa pulled out his hidden treasure blade and swung it fiercely at the black demon. However, the blade struck only empty air, and Gyatsa 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 Jang Gapeibu. Smiling at Gyatsa, Joru said, “Brother Gyatsa, 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.” Gyatsa 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, Gyatsa, 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, Gyatsa 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 Gyatsa’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 Chao Tong was overjoyed. The golden throne was just within reach. As long as his prized steed, Jade 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 Sangjang 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 Jade 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 Jade 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 Jade 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 Jade 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 Jade 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 Jang Gapeibu 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 Hayagriva 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 Hayagriva’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 Jade 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 Jade Horse! Please, save my Jade Horse!” Chao Tong cried out, his voice hoarse. “If I can heal your Jade 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 Jade Horse as good as it was before!” “I need it to carry tea to Jhana. 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 Jade 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 Jade 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 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 goddess Mandanaze carried a quiver and a divine mirror, while her sister-in-law, Guojia Gamu, held a treasure bottle. They led their attendants and many celestial beings, who all appeared together. Jang Gapeibu, 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 Zuna Rinchen 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: Gyatsa Xiega as General of the East, to guard against the King Sadan of the Jiang Kingdom. Senda Adong as General of the South, to defend against the southern Demon King, Xinchi. Chaxiang Danma as General of the West, to resist the Yellow Hor people. Rongtsa Adan as General of the North, to guard against the enemies of Rong and the land of Demon. 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 Amid the thunderous cheers, theChief Steward Rongtsa Chagen presented the genealogy of the noble Mukpo Dong 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 Zuna. 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 Chief Steward’s blessings, the brothers of Ling Gabu stepped forward with their own gifts. Gyatsa 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.” Gyatsa Xiega, 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 Qiju 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 Xinchi, 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 Lutsan, 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! Sangjang 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 Sangjang Zumu of the Gyalo 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 Sangjang Zumuas 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 Meisa Bungji, making Zumu and her twelve sisters the famous “Thirteen Queens of Ling Gabu.”

Total number of reciting: - King Gesar Mantra: A Sacred Power of Wisdom and Peace You can set periodic recitation goals here. No matter the size of the goal, every effort is an important step toward peace and enlightenment. After completing your goal, record your progress and share the joy of practice with others. Each recitation connects you to the blessings of the Gesar King Mantra and helps sow the seeds of kindness and love for yourself and the world. Let us recite the Gesar King Mantra together, gathering wisdom and compassion to create a more harmonious and peaceful world! I want to make a wish too I have made 0 times with total 0 chanting.

Ever since the army of the Ling Kingdom retreated to defend the city of Dazi, a series of ominous portents had occurred, filling Queen Zumu's heart with immense anxiety. Her heart burned with worry, and she found it difficult to sleep day and night. Her thoughts churned endlessly: "A woman as ill-fated as I, if I fall into the hands of the Hor King, K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. CHAPTER 47 ZUMU REPEATEDLY SENDS LETTERS LONGING FOR THE KING'S RETURN; MAIDSERVANT WILLINGLY MARRIES IN HER STEAD TO SEEK PEACE Zumu's Desperate Longing and the Heartbreaking Discovery Ever since the army of the Ling Kingdom retreated to defend the city of Dazi, a series of ominous portents had occurred, filling Queen Zumu's heart with immense anxiety. Her heart burned with worry, and she found it difficult to sleep day and night. Her thoughts churned endlessly: "A woman as ill-fated as I, if I fall into the hands of the Hor King, I won't be able to escape, nor will I be able to die. It seems now that unless the Hor King seizes me, he will not give up. What should I do? If I could use a scheme to deceive the Hor King for a while, perhaps the Great Lion King will return soon. As long as King Gesar returns, he will naturally repel the Hor's million-strong army." But, Great King, when will you return to the Ling Kingdom? Zumu wrote a letter and entrusted her Soul-Binding White Crane to fly to the Demon Kingdom. However, a long time had passed, and there was still no news. Meanwhile, the Hor army had arrived at the city walls, constantly clamoring for the Ling Kingdom to hand over Zumu. Sinba Meruze was reluctant to force Queen Zumu to abandon Ling and submit to marrying the White Tent King. But whenever he thought about sparing the common people from disaster, his heart felt as if struck by a stag's antler, and he galloped in pain towards Dazi. One day, Zumu climbed alone to the highest peak in the Ling Kingdom. Reaching the summit, she didn't pause to catch her breath and took out a crystal treasure mirror she carried with her. This was a divine mirror that could clearly show every corner of the world. She had climbed the peak this time precisely to see if her Great King was still in the human world. Through the treasure mirror, Zumu not only saw King Gesar but also saw Meisa Bungji and another girl as beautiful as a celestial maiden, both drinking and singing with the King. If Zumu hadn't looked, it would have been better; seeing this was like ten thousand arrows piercing her heart, the pain reaching her very bones. This heartless King, had he truly forgotten her? Forgetting me, Zumu, is a small matter, but how could he forget the people of Ling! Now, the Yellow Hor troops were besieging Ling, killing people, plundering horses, and seizing goods. The ministers, common people, women, children, and elderly of Ling were suffering profound calamities. Everyone was hoping the King would return to Ling one day earlier, to soon defeat the Hor troops and rescue the people from their suffering. But the Great King, he paid no heed to letters sent, cared not for the kingdom's ruin and the people's peril, and still had the heart to drink and sing. What a heartless man! "Heavens!" Zumu cried out and fainted. A little magpie's chattering woke Zumu. Her eyes blurred with tears, she saw the magpie and hurriedly asked it to go see King Gesar: "Flower Magpie, please tell the heartless King to return quickly to Ling." Then she sang: Day and night, Zumu's heart burns with anxiety, The White Tent King pressures her daily. Please, Great King, return tomorrow, Do not linger abroad and forget your home. Even if you do not remember me, Zumu, You should still see your birth mother, You should still miss elder brother Gyatsa, You should still care for the women and children of Ling. Flower Magpie, auspicious bird, Fly quickly, do not delay. After singing, the flower magpie flew away, and Zumu slowly descended the mountain. Further Disappointment and a Fox's Offer Several more days passed. Zumu again climbed the mountain peak with the crystal treasure mirror. Using the mirror, she saw the King and his two consorts still drinking and singing. The flower magpie that had delivered her letter was shot dead at the entrance of the great tent. Zumu's heart shattered. The heartless King truly cherished no past affection and had even shot the magpie delivering her letter. Heavens! Heavens! What was she, Zumu, to do? Zumu fainted once more. When Zumu awoke again, she saw a beautiful red fox lying beside her, licking her wrist. Stroking the fox's neck, Zumu felt only despair and coldness. "Queen Zumu, I am willing to find the Great King for you. I am willing to deliver a letter for you," the fox spoke. "Didn't you see the little magpie delivering the letter was shot dead by the King?" "That was because it annoyed the King with its noise. I won't anger the King. Please, speak quickly whatever message you have." Seeing the fox's sincere feelings, Zumu tremblingly took off a gold ring from her finger and said through sobs: "Sister Fox, take this ring to King Gesar. Tell him that in Dazi city, a girl is suffering. She waits day after day for the King to return and save her. Now, she has been driven to the point of having no way out. If the King still pities her, he must return quickly. If he delays further, it will be too late. The Hor King wants to seize her, and the Ling Kingdom will also perish at the hands of the Hor people." The red fox, carrying Zumu's gold ring, left. Zumu descended the mountain again, her eyes red. Stalling Tactics and a Daring Plan Sinba Meruze saw Zumu coming down the mountain and waited for her at a bend on the mountainside, urging her to consider the greater good and go with him to Hor. This was who knows which time; he hoped this time the Queen would agree to go back with him. Seeing Sinba Meruze, Zumu spoke before he could urge her: "My aunt is gravely ill. I need to attend to her for a few days before I can leave." Sinba Meruze saw Zumu's red, swollen eyes. Not knowing it was from crying over King Gesar, he truly thought Zumu's aunt was seriously ill and, moved by compassion, nodded in agreement. The White Tent King waited three days, then another three, and finally could endure no more. He again sent Meruze to urge Zumu to set off. Zumu thanked Meruze and then said: "My aunt's condition has improved, but I also have an elder sister living in Middle Valley. I must bid her farewell." "You women always have so many matters," Sinba Meruze said somewhat impatiently, but still went with Zumu to Middle Valley. When Zumu emerged from her sister's home, her expression was again clouded with sorrow, tears welling in her eyes. Seeing this, Sinba Meruze thought, could her sister also be ill? This time, he could not delay further. Any more delay, and the White Tent King would become furious. Zumu remained silent, following Sinba Meruze back quietly. It was Meruze who couldn't contain himself: "Queen Zumu, is your sister well?" "Very well," Zumu replied tersely, unwilling to say more. She just lowered her head and followed slowly behind Sinba, thinking as she walked. As they neared Dazi, Zumu's eyes suddenly lit up—she had an idea. "If the Queen's affairs are all settled, shall we depart?" Meruze probed. "Alright!" Zumu no longer demurred, agreeing with unexpectedly swift readiness. "You go back first and tell your White Tent King that we will go to Hor once we select an auspicious day. Rest assured, this time I will not break my word!" Zumu added. "Good, I will go back and report to the King immediately," Sinba Meruze said. With that, Sinba Meruze happily returned to bring the good news to the White Tent King, while Zumu hurried towards the palace. She was eager to put her plan into action. Her two loyal maidservants and childhood companions, Azhongji and Lizhongji, came out to greet her. Seeing them, Zumu immediately took Lizhongji's hand: "Azhongji, tell me, does Lizhongji look like me?" "Hmm, please don't be angry, Queen. People in Ling all say Lizhongji resembles you, though she is not as beautiful as you." "Hmm, good, but..." Zumu suddenly felt she couldn't find the words to voice her plan. Seeing the Queen hesitate at this point, Lizhongji roughly understood the reason in her heart. She had accompanied Zumu since childhood, and Zumu had treated her like a sister. Now, the Yellow Hor army was pressing on the border precisely to force the Queen to submit. If sacrificing her alone could bring peace to all of Ling, then whatever arrangement the Queen made, Lizhongji was willing. "Sister Zumu, I have long had this thought, but dared not presume. If the Queen permits, I am willing..." Lizhongji seemed prepared, her expression unusually calm. "Then, I... how could I face you..." Hearing this, Zumu couldn't help but cry again. Azhongji also seemed to understand something. She appeared very excited: "This is wonderful, wonderful! Lizhongji, you silly girl, why didn't you say so earlier?" The Substitution and the Hor Retreat Having found a compromise, Zumu immediately sent Azhongji to invite the Old Chief Steward and Gyatsa. Rongtsa Chagen and Gyatsa Xiega arrived quickly. Lizhongji explained their scheme. The Chief Steward praised repeatedly: "Excellent, a brilliant idea!" Gyatsa was not so optimistic: "The idea is indeed good, but it's hard on Miss Lizhongji alone." "Brother Gyatsa, don't say that. For the sake of Ling, for the Queen, I... I am willing..." Lizhongji's voice choked with emotion. Zumu and Azhongji silently bowed their heads, their hands tightly holding Lizhongji's. Zumu's plan gained the Chief Steward's approval. Although Gyatsa did not fully agree, considering the Ling army's heavy losses and the people's profound suffering, he thought that if they could use a scheme to stall the Yellow Hor people until King Gesar's return, it would be for the best. The Old Chief Steward then sent a message, stating that to end the conflict between the two kingdoms sooner, Queen Zumu agreed to follow the White Tent King back to Yellow Hor. However, Yellow Hor must abide by the agreement: once Queen Zumu reached the Hor camp, Hor must withdraw its troops. Upon receiving the letter, the White Tent King was overjoyed. Three years of war had wearied him, but to marry Zumu, he was willing. Today, the flower from his dreams, the moon in the water, was now tangibly before his eyes. How could he not be delighted! Sinba Meruze and Tangze Yuzhou felt somewhat puzzled. But for the sake of an early withdrawal and peace, they pretended ignorance and said nothing. On the auspicious day, Zumu adorned Lizhongji with her most beautiful jewelry and silk wedding attire. After meticulous dressing, Lizhongji looked utterly stunning and even more strikingly resembled Zumu. If one didn't look carefully, one might truly mistake them for the same person. When the auspicious hour arrived, the thirty-women bridal escort team selected by the Chief Steward from Ling's aunts and sisters-in-law was also ready. The accompanying dowry items were fully loaded onto twelve mules. Zumu tearfully bid farewell to Lizhongji, urging her to take good care of herself. Amidst the farewells of the crowd, the bridal procession set off. The Hor troops stood in orderly ranks, awaiting the arrival of the exquisitely adorned Ling "Queen" at the Hor camp. When he saw the beautiful Queen he had longed for so deeply walking towards him, the White Tent King suddenly couldn't believe his eyes. He ordered Sinba Meruze and Qiangla to verify her identity: "Meruze, Qiangla, go quickly and see if it's the real Zumu. Don't be deceived by those Ling scoundrels! Go quickly!" Tangze Yuzhou said: "Great King, look at such a grand bridal procession. Could it possibly be fake? Who else could it be but the Zumu you've dreamed of day and night?" The White Tent King laughed heartily, his joyous voice nearly shaking all the leaves from the trees. After welcoming "Zumu," the bridal escort team bid farewell and returned. According to the agreement, the White Tent King immediately ordered the troops to withdraw and held a grand wedding banquet, creating a scene of great festivity. Early the next morning, the Hor million-strong army set off in its entirety back to the Hor Kingdom. The people of both the Hor Kingdom and the Ling Kingdom also settled their minds, believing the war was about to end. After the Hor army's retreat, the heroes of Ling also breathed a sigh of relief. The various heroes bid each other farewell and began returning to their own tribes.

When Danma saw the Hor army’s massive formation, it was clear they were determined to invade Ling Gabu. He immediately ordered his twenty-one knights to ride back and report to the Ling tribes, while he stayed behind to observe and act when the time came. Danma thought to himself: As a brave general, if I cannot teach them a lesson today, I might as well be dead. K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. Chapter 34: Danma Uses Strategy to Cleverly Seize the Hor Horses, Sinba Goes to Battle and Loses His Skull Cap Danma’s Heroic Encounter with Hor When Danma saw the Hor army’s massive formation, it was clear they were determined to invade Ling Gabu. He immediately ordered his twenty-one knights to ride back and report to the Ling tribes, while he stayed behind to observe and act when the time came. Danma thought to himself: As a brave general, if I cannot teach them a lesson today, I might as well be dead. Calmly, he gathered holly from the Yang Mountain, cypress from the Yin Mountain, and lemongrass from the valleys. He lit these as offerings, and as the fragrant smoke rose into the sky like white clouds, Danma sang a hymn to the God of War. He was preparing to face the Hor army alone. Suddenly, Danma’s silver-gray horse spoke: “The Hor army is as numerous as cattle. It’s just the two of us—one man and one horse. If we attack directly, we’ll fail. Instead, let’s disguise ourselves as a lame man and a lame horse. You can walk on foot, and I’ll limp forward with an empty saddle. Once we reach the Hor army, we’ll strike with full force.” Danma liked the idea. He disguised himself as a lame man, and the horse limped beside him. Together, they slowly approached the Hor camp. At the Hor camp, Sinba Meruze saw the figures of a lame man and a lame horse descending Yarlasawu Mountain. He said, “Honorable White Tent King, the prophecy of Gijum Yixi has come true! A lame man and a lame horse have appeared. Something strange is about to happen.” Danma reached a hill near the Hor camp. He lowered his white helmet’s visor, tightened his white armor, secured his weapons, and mounted his horse. Like a streak of red lightning, he charged into the Hor camp. He targeted Sinba’s camp first, slashing down tents and overturning eighteen cooking stoves. Smoke and ash filled the air, darkening the sky. Danma then rushed to the pastures, gathering all of Hor’s warhorses. Among them were five “soul horses” belonging to Hor’s kings and officials. As Danma drove the horses away, Sinba Meruze warned the White Tent King: “My king, look at what just one man and one horse have done. If Ling sends their full army, we will be doomed. Let’s not spill blood over one woman. We have plenty of beautiful women in Hor. Why not choose another bride instead?” But the White Tent King mocked him: “I only want Zumu. Stop talking! Instead of chasing after your stolen horses, you’re here complaining. You’re supposed to be brave, but today you’ve become a coward. If you’re scared of Ling, then go home!” Humiliated, Meruze armed himself and rode out with 3,600 Sinba warriors in pursuit of Danma. The Encounter with Meruze As Danma drove the herd of horses, he noticed a group of pursuers approaching from behind. He thought, Who are these people chasing me? While thinking, he continued to slowly lead the horses toward the right side of Yarlasawu Mountain. Soon, Meruze came charging forward at full speed. From a distance, Danma recognized him and thought, This must be Meruze, the famous general of Hor. I need to come up with a strategy to deal with him. If I rely on brute force alone, it will be difficult to defeat him quickly. When Meruze caught up, he did not hide his identity. He harshly said, “We, the Hor army, are heading to Jhana. Why did you, a black dwarf from Ling, attack us without reason? Are you relying on King Gesar’s name to act so arrogantly? Do you think Hor will tolerate this? If you insist on taking our horses, don’t blame me, Sinba Meruze, for spilling your blood!” Danma knew Meruze’s reputation as a highly skilled and brave warrior. He looked imposing and truly lived up to his fame. But Danma was also a renowned hero of Ling Gabu. He replied, “I’m nothing but a shepherd from Ling. This morning, I put on this armor because a bird delivered a message warning us that Hor plans to invade Ling Gabu. That’s why I was sent to investigate. Now that your army has forced its way here, Ling has no choice but to fight back. My bravery may not match yours, but today I would rather die fighting like a tiger than live as a cowardly fox!” Meruze Tests Danma Danma’s claim of being a shepherd was false, but his determination to fight was genuine. Meruze, however, suspected that this so-called shepherd was actually Danma. He wasn’t completely certain but thought to himself, This man doesn’t seem ordinary. Words alone won’t scare him. I’ll shoot an arrow and see how he reacts. If he’s afraid, he’ll flee. If not, he’s likely who I think he is. Meruze then summoned the three demon gods of Hor—White, Black, and Flower divisions—who conjured three eagles to circle above in the sky. Meruze laughed and mocked Danma, saying, “Hey, Ling’s little purple boy, prepare for blood to flow from your neck! Watch how I deal with the middle eagle, for the same fate will befall you!” He drew his bow and shot an arrow. From the arrowhead burst three balls of fire, each the size of horse dung. Like a meteor, the arrow struck the middle eagle, which fell straight to the ground in front of Danma. Seeing this, Danma thought, This eagle must symbolize Ling Gabu. This is not a good sign. Meruze’s arrows not only hit their mark but create fire like meteors. My own skills with a bow are precise, but they cannot match this level of power. I’ll need to rely on more than just my arrows to defeat him. The Divine Wolves and Danma’s Victory As Danma was deep in thought, the goddess Langman Gam cast the souls, fortunes, and lives of the three Hor kings into three wild wolves. The wolves appeared at the base of the mountain, becoming Danma’s targets. Seeing this, Danma roared, “Meruze! You can shoot arrows, and so can I! Watch what I do to the middle wolf, for that’s exactly what I’ll do to you!” Danma drew his bow, aimed, and released an arrow. It struck the middle wolf directly, and immediately, a black wind swept through, carrying the wolf’s body and tossing it in front of Meruze. Meruze grabbed the wolf by its leg, spat fire from his mouth, and smoke rose from his nose. Flames even burst from his horse’s belly and saddle bells, scorching the wolf’s fur until it was charred. Then, Meruze swallowed the wolf whole in one gulp. Danma wasted no time. He drew his bow again and fired five consecutive arrows, each one hitting its mark. Hidden among the herd were five “soul horses” belonging to the Hor kings and officials, and Danma killed them all. Afterward, Danma turned his attention to the rest of the horses. He let out a thunderous shout, driving the herd toward the road leading to Ling Gabu. Only then did he finally rein in his silver-gray horse and stop. Meruze, seeing that the five “soul horses” of the Hor kings and officials had been killed and that the entire herd had been driven away, was consumed with rage. He drew an arrow, nocked it to his bow, and unsheathed his infamous venomous sword, “Blazing Fury.” Placing the sword’s ring on his thumb, he shouted at Danma, “Shepherd boy from Ling! The things you’ve done today are too cruel and outrageous. You’ve brought disaster to two nations and doom to Ling Gabu. Watch what happens next!” Meruze released his arrow, and its sheer power caused blue slate to fall from the snowy mountains, entire sections of forest to collapse, and cliffs to crumble with a roar. Dust and debris flew across the grasslands. Another arrow shot straight at Danma. He leapt off his horse just in time, and the arrow struck his white helmet, knocking off the red plume in the center. Danma quickly picked up the red plume and thought to himself: This plume symbolizes the Bumba royal family of Junior lineage . Now that it’s been shot down, does this mean the Lion King is in danger? Or perhaps Gyatsa’s life is at risk? He also thought: Meruze’s arrows are incredibly powerful. They can destroy snowy mountains, yet they haven’t harmed me at all. If I return an arrow, it must strike his weak spot. Danma’s Deadly Counterattack Danma drew his bow and shouted, “Meruze! Shooting arrows isn’t just about power! I won’t waste my arrows on mountains or horses. Watch how I shoot you!” Before finishing his words, Danma released the arrow. It flew straight and struck Meruze’s five-pointed phoenix helmet, piercing through the front and exiting the back. The arrow shaved off a palm-sized piece of Meruze’s skull, leaving his head as though it had a window cut open. Meruze immediately fell unconscious and tumbled from his horse. Danma quickly approached him. He saw the piece of skull lying nearby and the arrow still embedded in the ground. Looking at Meruze’s head wound, he noticed the membrane of his brain still pulsing visibly. Danma considered finishing him off with his whip, but at that moment, his silver-gray horse spoke: “Danma! Meruze, in his past life, was King Gesar’s own brother in the heavenly realm. The blame for invading Ling Gabu lies with the White Tent King, not Meruze. He sees Hor and Ling as his two eyes, and he holds no true hatred toward Ling. If you kill him now, you may cause trouble for the Lion King. Spare him!” Danma thought the horse’s words made sense. He placed the piece of Meruze’s skull into his bow pouch and turned to leave. By the time the sun had set behind the western mountains, Danma had crossed Yarlasawu Mountain and returned to Ling Gabu under the cover of twilight. Meruze’s Recovery and Ling’s Divisions After Danma returned to Ling Gabu, the White Tent King in the Hor camp suddenly realized that Meruze hadn’t returned. Growing concerned, he quickly asked about Meruze’s whereabouts and sent people to search for him. When the Sinba warriors finally brought Meruze back, he was barely alive, missing half of his skull. His battered body shocked everyone. The three Hor kings, along with thousands of warriors from the Black and Red Divisions and officials from the twelve tribes, were all struck with fear. Anxiety and despair clouded their faces. The White Tent King immediately summoned Sheqing, the youngest son of King Quedar and a member of the Garwa tribe. Sheqing was a skilled healer and proficient in astrology and medicine. Under his care, it took a long period of treatment before Meruze began to recover. Meanwhile, Danma had successfully driven back the herd of horses he had taken from Hor. Upon returning to Ling Gabu, he distributed the horses among the various tribes of Ling. However, he deliberately excluded the Darong tribe. This was because their leader, Chao Tong, had deceived everyone during the earlier discussion about the disaster bird. Danma was furious about this betrayal and left the Darong tribe out of the distribution. Naturally, Chao Tong held a grudge against Danma. His humiliation festered, and this incident planted the seeds for future discord.

Every morning, the heroes of Ling Gabu gathered at the fragrant assembly square of Datang Chamao. On this day, everyone was present except for Chaotong. The Chief Steward, Rongchacha Gen, addressed the crowd, “Jiacha, Sipan, and all the divine clans! The horses that the Lord of Mayu, Chaotong, brought back this time are completely different from before. K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. Chapter 37 Setting a Deadly Trap, They Deceive Yuda into Marching to War; Haunted by a Nightmare, Dasa's Desperate Pleas Go Unheeded Ling Gabu’s Heroes Begin to Suspect Chaotong Every morning, the heroes of Ling Gabu gathered at the fragrant assembly square of Datang Chamao. On this day, everyone was present except for Chao Tong. The Chief Steward, Rongtsa Chagen, addressed the crowd, “Gyatsa, Sipan, and all the divine clans! The horses that the Lord of Ma region, Chao Tong, brought back this time are completely different from before. These horses have no tails or manes, and their backs are covered in bloody scars. What is going on here? Think about this carefully. You all know what kind of person Chao Tong is. We cannot let Ling Gabu’s vast and beautiful lands be ruined because of him!” Gyatsa, sharing the same doubts, suggested sending someone to Hor to investigate. Just as he finished speaking, Chao Tong arrived. Before anyone could respond, Chao Tong immediately cut in, saying, “Nephew Gyatsa, Minister Danma, and I succeeded in raiding the enemy camp. This time, let’s decide who goes by rolling dice. Whoever rolls the smallest number will go.” The Chief Steward objected, “Sending the one with the smallest number is a bad omen. Instead, the one who rolls the largest number should go—it’s a sign of good fortune and victory.” The group began arguing over whether the smallest or the largest number should determine who would go. Seeing the debate, the Ling Gabu arbiter, Dapan, proposed a solution. He took out two green-feathered arrows and suggested that the Chief Steward and Chao Tong each draw one. Whoever drew the longer arrow would have their suggestion followed. Chao Tong Manipulates the Outcome The two uncles glared at each other before drawing arrows from Dapan’s quiver. As the arrows were revealed, everyone sighed and shook their heads in frustration, exclaiming, “How could this happen?!” Chao Tong, however, was secretly delighted. With a smug expression, he declared, “Heroes of Ling Gabu, even fate is on my side. My plan will surely lead us to victory. Why are you all standing there? Hurry up and roll the dice so we can deal with the Hor thieves!” The dice were rolled by the Chief Steward’s youngest son, Yuda; Gyatsa’s family member, Zhujie; Chao Tong’s second son, Ahua; and a fifteen years old young general, Bansai Dawa. Chao Tong secretly used magic to influence the results, ensuring that Yuda rolled the lowest number. According to the agreement, Yuda had to scout the enemy camp. The Chief Steward, knowing his young son was no match for the Hor Sinba warriors, tried to convince Yuda to break his promise. “You don’t have to go,” he said. “I’d rather face punishment from the tribes than send you to your death.” But Yuda, eager to gain fame and prove himself, refused to listen. The Mediator’s Proposal The Chief Steward and Yuda argued relentlessly, each standing firm in their position. The others, unable to reach a conclusion, fell silent. At this moment, Suwanachong, the mediator of Ling Gabu, stepped forward and addressed the group: “Great warriors of Ling Gabu, brave as tigers and leopards! The Chief Steward speaks from the heart—his other children have already given their lives for our nation, and Yuda is his only remaining son. However, Yuda also has a point. Telling him ‘you cannot go’ or ‘you are not allowed to go’ will crush the courage of the young and diminish his spirit. Agreeing to such words would make us cowards like foxes and go against the essence of being a hero. Let me mediate and propose a solution. Yuda will go, but he will be accompanied by Gyatsa, Danma, Abaer Panda, Dongchu Lubudapan, Senda, and Chao Tong. With the seven heroes of Ling Gabu going together, they will surely strike a heavy blow against the enemy!” The Chief Steward and the heroes of Ling Gabu agreed that Suwanachong’s plan was reasonable. Once everything was prepared, the group set off together. Dasa’s Arrival and Ominous Warning As the seven heroes crossed the Yellow River and passed the foot of the Agaer Gala Mountain, they approached the Yarlasawu Mountain. Suddenly, a young woman named Dasa appeared ahead of them. She rode a white horse named “Bright Moon Swift,” accompanied by a group of maids and attendants. Dasa was the daughter of King Nima Chizong of Dayu Kingdom. Previously, King Gesar had passed through Dayu and been warmly received by her father. Impressed by Dasa’s beauty, Gesar had proposed a marriage between her and Yuda on behalf of Ling Gabu. King Nima Chizong had gladly agreed, feeling honored by the alliance. Dasa, who possessed a gift of foresight, had recently experienced a terrible dream that left her deeply troubled. She rode to the heroes’ camp by the river to warn them. After greeting the heroes and explaining her connection to Yuda, she urgently shared her dream: “Where are you all heading? Please tell me honestly. Last night, in my dream, I saw six old wolves and one young wolf charging toward a flock of sheep. The old wolves ran in different directions, but the young wolf stumbled and fell off a cliff. It felt just like you—six older heroes and one young hero. I fear this is a bad omen!” Her words cast an ominous shadow, and the group grew uneasy. Gyatsa, however, was displeased and said, “King Gesar has already foreseen that we will triumph. That’s why he arranged for Ling Gabu to have a queen and sent you here as a symbol of good fortune. Yet, you, a girl who thinks herself noble and blessed with foresight, speak such inauspicious words the moment you arrive!” Dasa’s Final Plea and Departure Dasa dismounted her white horse, respectfully presenting Gyatsa and Yuda with one roll of white silk and eleven gold coins each. She then offered the other heroes one roll of white silk and nine gold coins each as a gesture of respect. Bowing deeply, she addressed Gyatsa with sincerity: “Wise Lord Gyatsa of Ling Gabu, heartfelt advice is like bitter medicine—it’s hard to swallow, but it can save lives. No matter how unpleasant my words may sound, I must still speak them to your face. My dream last night was deeply ominous, and that’s why I’ve come to warn you. Yuda, if you won’t heed my advice to return home safely, why would I bother traveling to Ling Gabu? A good man has plenty of opportunities to achieve glory. Why insist on setting out under such a bad omen?” The group remained silent after hearing her words, but Yuda was filled with frustration and anger. He furiously shouted at Dasa: “You little girl! Not only are your words sharp, but your face is thick-skinned too. You haven’t even stepped through your future husband’s door, yet you’re already trying to boss me around. My loving parents didn’t stop me, and the people of Ling Gabu didn’t stop me. Who are you, just a little girl, to block my path? If anything, that dream of yours should come true in Yellow Hor, not here!” Hearing Yuda’s outburst, Dasa sighed deeply. She thought to herself, Perhaps Yuda and I are not fated to be together. What more is there to say? Realizing further words would be futile, Dasa turned and left with her attendants, leaving the seven heroes to continue their journey.

As King Gesar and his steed continued their journey, they suddenly encountered a ragged Hor woman. She was carrying a full goatskin bag of cheese and approached them, panting heavily. Upon seeing Gesar, she immediately feigned great concern and asked, "Oh, young man, where do you come from? Where are you headed? Judging by your fine horse's gait, it seems like a treasure steed that can cover a thousand miles in a day. K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. CHAPTER 54 THE LION KING WINS THE DEMONESSES AT DICE; THREE SISTERS PLEDGE THEIR SINCERITY TO AID THE GREAT KING Encounter and Deception on the Road As King Gesar and his steed continued their journey, they suddenly encountered a ragged Hor woman. She was carrying a full goatskin bag of cheese and approached them, panting heavily. Upon seeing Gesar, she immediately feigned great concern and asked, "Oh, young man, where do you come from? Where are you headed? Judging by your fine horse's gait, it seems like a treasure steed that can cover a thousand miles in a day. And looking at you, the rider, you seem like a man of wealth. On such a hot day, would you like some cheese? If you wish to buy it, a thumb ring from your hand or even a tassel from your armor will do. I, this Hor beggar woman, am going to various places and wanted to ask a stranger about all that he knows." Gesar thought to himself: Could this be the Black-Nosed Demoness wandering the wilderness, as foretold by my aunt in her prophecy? The Hor woman then muttered to herself, "Oh dear! I've been talking so much, I don't even know how my brother Dozan is doing now. I must go find my brother." Putting on an innocent air, she quickly ran back the way she came. Gesar took out his sling, placed in it a white, sharp-edged stone like the size of a sheep's stomach, and let out a long whistle. The demoness peeked her head out from behind a grey-white stone cliff. Seizing the opportunity, Gesar hurled the stone. With a whoosh, it instantly smashed her skull, destroying the Black-Nosed Demoness. Gesar and his horse pressed on, crossed the Tuola Long Mountain, and arrived at a sandy, rocky mountain pass. There stood a square fortress-like house, inhabited by the three nieces of the Hor Demon Kings—three sisters who were also the god-daughters of the Hor demons. Because the Hor Kings distrusted other gatekeepers, they had specifically assigned these three sisters to guard this place. Just as Gesar reached the mountain pass, the three demonesses appeared before him as if they had sprung from the ground. One of them asked, "Handsome young man! This place strictly forbids anyone from passing through. A man has come where there are no men, a horse has come where there are no horses. Where do you come from? What business brings you here?" The Dice Game and the Wager Upon hearing this, Gesar addressed the three demon daughters: "Excellent! After all, you three sisters and I are fated to meet. I am on my way to Upper Yellow Hor for two matters even more important than subduing the demons of Northern Yar Kong. The situation is like this..." With a silver tongue, Gesar deceived the three sisters. He claimed to be Qinen, a minister of the Demon King Lutsan of the Demon Kingdom. He said that after the Demon King was killed by Gesar and the Hor had formed a deep enmity with the Ling Kingdom, he had come to form an alliance with the Three Hor Kings, hoping to one day avenge his king and reclaim the lands of the Demon Kingdom. He spoke so convincingly, like a minister who had truly lost his king and country, that he seemed overcome with grief. After finishing his story, he added, "As the saying goes, 'A servant who loses his benevolent master is like an orphan, even if he has a father.' Having no superior to shelter me, I think and think, suffering immensely, to the point where I can hardly go on living. I thought, perhaps I should go somewhere to play dice?" Hearing the young man's words, the three demonesses were delighted. They immediately replied, "Of course! If we are to play the square dice, we must have a wager. Without a stake, what's the point? So, we must place a bet. How about wagering our bodies and lives? Please consider it!" Gesar teased, "If we're placing a wager, I am from the Demon Kingdom, and you are the Hor gatekeepers. As the proverb says, 'A woman guarding a gate will beckon to a hundred men.' Let's make a wager where no one truly wins or loses: whoever loses must have a tendon extracted from their body." The three demon daughters, confident in their possession of the "Wish-Fulfilling" conch dice made by the demon gods and sure of victory, readily agreed. Victory and Revelation They drew a deep, clear dice circle on a flat, round stone, coloring it brightly with rouge. They warned, "You must not go back on your word! We three sisters won't either. If we win and you renege, you would be the lowest of the low!" They thought to themselves: This young man is handsome and elegant, the finest among a hundred men. Moreover, he currently has no master, and we are not bound by any constraints. How wonderful it would be to have him as our lifelong companion! They then took out the conch dice, secretly calling upon the three demon god brothers for aid. Instantly, dark clouds and thick fog gathered and swirled, a black wind howled, sweeping up dust from the ground like a mad bear or a frenzied tiger running wild. Gesar also silently called upon the deities and his aunt for assistance. The three demonesses used their clothes as sitting mats, while Gesar stacked four saddle blankets for his seat, and they began throwing the dice on the white stone. After several rounds, Gesar emerged victorious, and the three sisters lost. The demonesses said, "According to our demon god customs and our status as three sisters, we should continue playing for three days." So, at their request, they played for three more days, but Gesar still won. He then declared, "Three maidens, initially we never agreed to play for three days, yet I complied with your wish. Now, as the saying goes, victory is like the latest on the mountaintop, and the outcome is as solid and unchangeable as the earth. From each of you three sisters, I must extract one tendon. That is precisely why I came here!" Saying this, he brandished his treasured sword and advanced as if to carry it out. The three sisters trembled like willow leaves in the wind, stammering pleas for mercy: "Ah, Minister! Minister of boundless powers! We were only joking with you! Please, don't extract our tendons. As for the wager, we offer you our accumulated wealth for your enjoyment; we offer ourselves, the three sisters, for your enjoyment; or we willingly offer our heads and bodies, serving as slaves for life. Would any of these suffice? But please, don't kill us! Spare us!" Gesar declared righteously and sternly: "Let me tell you the truth. I am no minister from the Demon Kingdom. I am King Gesar, the Great Lion King of Ling. I have come to avenge my fallen brother; to seek justice for the heroes who lost their lives; to reclaim the plundered wealth. You, daughters of the demon gods, are the famous daughters of a powerful father, wealthy women adorned with turquoise and coral. Meeting you is my good fortune. In taking revenge on an enemy, it matters not whether it's the father or the son. If you didn't want tendon extraction as the wager, you should have said so clearly three mornings ago. In short, you coquettish women, like the red tongues of dairy cows, refuse to behave when told to be content; you women with square mouths like poison arrow nocks, refuse to know your limits when told to be satisfied. When arrogance lasts too long, it is met with suffering. Now, no matter what you say, I will do as I please, whatever brings me joy. I will still extract your tendons. You may cry 'aiya, aiya' in pain!" He brandished his sword again, ready to act. Pledge of Aid and the Final Obstacle The three sisters continued to plead: "Noble Great Lion King! We sisters had no part in invading Ling. That was White Tent King's own wrongdoing. You can investigate whether this is true. What significance does Zumu hold for us three women? In the future, when you attack the Hor lands, we will absolutely act according to your command. If we break our word, may the heavenly gods punish us!" After they expressed their sincerity, Gesar said, "In your possession are the keys to the iron locks of the iron box containing the inextinguishable Ever-Burning Lamp. If you give me those keys and show me where the lamp is located, I will not extract your tendons." Hearing this, the three sisters kowtowed incessantly like a fire-making bellows and hurriedly replied, "Noble Great Lion King! The eternal Ever-Burning Lamp is the treasure upon which White Tent Heavenly King's nine major lives and four minor lives—thirteen life-souls in total—depend. It is kept inside a triangular iron box. The outer iron door has three iron locks, each held by one of us three daughters. Although White Tent King commands a vast army, he values this lamp above all else. Therefore, it is hidden with utmost secrecy. Even at his end, no one could easily find it. Not only is its location extremely secret, but its safeguarding is also strict. Still fearing it insufficient, they made seven identical boxes, each also containing a lit lamp, moving them up and down three times daily. Therefore, even White Tent King himself cannot distinguish which is the true Ever-Burning Lamp. Only we sisters know. So, when you destroy White Tent King, send us a message. We can point it out to you. But aside from that, you must rely on your own power to prevail. We sisters are powerless." Gesar said, "Good. When the time comes, I will have my divine horse notify you. But you must come!" The three sisters nodded in agreement. Also on that day, the disaster bird Gangga Raosang, with its hemp-brown feathers, clutching three human heads tied together, flew back to its old nest on the Red Mountain Black Cliff. Gesar saw this from afar. He knocked an arrow on his bow, tied a ball of mugwort down to the arrow's tail, lit it with fire, and shot. The arrow flew straight into the disaster bird's nest. The bird was inside playing with its heads with its young when the nest suddenly caught fire, burning the old disaster bird and its six offspring—seven in total—to death. Afterward, Gesar was warmly hosted by the three demon goddess sisters, resting and staying there for five days. Then he set out alone and arrived at the ferry crossing of the Hor Kingdom.

Why had the Great Lion King Gesar not yet returned to his country? When he went north to subdue the demons, it took only three months and nine days to shoot and kill the Black Demon Lutsan. Afterward, he performed many virtuous deeds in the Demon Kingdom, freeing its beings from Lutsan's oppression and bringing them peace and happiness. Thus, three full years passed. K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. CHAPTER 50 THE KING INDULGES IN PLEASURE, FORGETTING HIS HOMELAND; THE DIVINE STEED'S TEARS AWAKEN THE AMNESIAC The King's Forgetfulness in the Demon Land Why had the Great Lion King Gesar not yet returned to his country? When he went north to subdue the demons, it took only three months and nine days to shoot and kill the Black Demon Lutsan. Afterward, he performed many virtuous deeds in the Demon Kingdom, freeing its beings from Lutsan's oppression and bringing them peace and happiness. Thus, three full years passed. Once everything in the demon lands was settled, Gesar prepared to return to the Ling Kingdom. He appointed the old shepherd Qinen as a minister of the Demon Kingdom to manage its affairs. Just as all this was arranged, the two consorts, Meisa Bungji and Adanam, approached the Great Lion King and offered him fine wine. After drinking, Gesar completely forgot about returning home. Day after day, he sat on the white lotus throne in the Nine-Spired Demon Palace, playing chess with Qinen, drinking and singing with Meisa and Adanam, indulging in pleasure and revelry. It turned out that Consort Meisa, having lived in the Demon Kingdom for so long, had inevitably been influenced by the demons. She was unwilling to return to Ling, fearing both that Zumu would steal the king's favor from her and that she had grown accustomed to the life of pleasure in the demon lands. So, together with Adanam, she gave the king wine laced with a drug, causing him to forget his past, forget Ling, and forget Zumu. Adanam, born and raised in the Demon Kingdom, was the sister of the Demon King Lutsan. Out of admiration for Gesar, she had helped him subdue the Black Demon. Naturally, she also had no desire to leave the Demon Kingdom. Seeing that Meisa shared her sentiments, she was happy to assist. Gesar lived days of extraordinary joy—by day, entertained by his ministers; by night, accompanied to bed by consorts as beautiful as celestial maidens. His mind grew muddled, unaware of how many days or months had passed. The Soul-Binding Crane's Warning When Ling was invaded by the Hor and Zumu sent the soul-binding white crane with a letter to the Nine-Spired Demon Palace, Gesar was playing dice with Qinen for amusement. Lifting his head abruptly, Gesar saw the crane in the sky, but he no longer remembered it was Ling's soul-binding bird. Instead, he asked in surprise, "Ah! What kind of bird is this that I've never seen before? Bird, where do you come from?" The white crane stretched its neck and sang to the Great Lion King: The home of the sun and moon, Lies on the high mountains of the east; After dispelling darkness, they set in the west, Never lingering long at the zenith. The home of the white thick clouds, Lies in the south of Jambudvipa; After bringing shade, they drift northward, Never floating forever in the void. The home of the azure cuckoo, Lies on the mountains of Menyu in the south; After changing the climate, it returns to the forest, Never dwelling forever in the north. The home of the white sheep, Lies by the beautiful shepherd's pen; After grazing on green grass, they return to the fold, Never remaining forever on the grassland. Gesar, King of Jambudvipa, Born in a place envied by all, Having subdued the demons, you should return home, Not spend your life in the demon city of Yar Kong. I am Ling's soul-binding bird, Carrying the queen's letter to the north; The people of Ling suffer calamity, Great King, you must swiftly return to your homeland. The white crane's song helped the Great Lion King regain his memory. He thought of Ling again, of Queen Zumu. Gesar mused: When new clouds gather at dawn, sunlight surely will not appear; when fog shrouds the great river, villages surely will not be seen; when Ling sends its soul-binding bird, the news surely is not auspicious. Descending from the lotus throne to retrieve the letter hanging from the crane's neck, he continued to ponder: A gale in midsummer foretells drought; a cold snap in early spring foretells frozen earth; a severe frost in autumn foretells ruined crops; a warm winter foretells blurred seasons; when Ling's divine bird flies to the demon lands, surely turmoil and war are afoot. As he opened the letter, Queen Zumu's message indeed brought dire tidings: the Hor had surrounded Ling, seeking to seize her as consort for the White Tent King, and she implored the king to return quickly to rescue them from peril. Upon reading the letter, the past confusion vanished from Gesar's mind, leaving it clear as a mirror. He decided to depart immediately for Ling, to defeat the Hor King and save his subjects. The Consorts' Deception and the Fox's Plea Meisa Bungji and Adanam once again approached the Great Lion King, graceful and smiling—one holding a jug, the other a bowl—as they offered him wine: Great King, Your face is like the full moon on the fifteenth night, Why is the bright moon shrouded in dark clouds? Your eyes are like stars at dawn, Why do sparks of lightning flash within them? Your heart is as kind as a bodhisattva's, Why are you filled with such blazing wrath? As they sang and offered wine, Gesar, anxious and thirsty, drank a cup as if it were tea. Unaware of the wine's potency—that it would induce sleep and forgetfulness—he fell into the trap laid by Meisa and Adanam, who had overheard the conversation between the white crane and the king and intended to stop his return. Sure enough, Gesar forgot everything once more and resumed a life of ease and pleasure with his consorts. Thus, another three years passed—the same three years Zumu had used her wits to delay the Hor. One day, the little magpie sent by Zumu with a message alighted on the city gate where Gesar and his two consorts were singing. Seeing the bird, Meisa immediately said, "Great King, just as we are enjoying ourselves, this bird comes to cause trouble again. Quickly, shoot it!" Gesar drew his bow and shot the little magpie dead at the city gate—the very scene Zumu had seen in her magic mirror. Not long after the magpie's death, a red fox came and pawed at the city gate. Gesar, upon seeing the beautiful fox, prepared to shoot again, but the fox spat out half of a golden ring from its mouth. Seeing the dazzling golden ring, Gesar put away his bow and arrow and approached the red fox: "Sister Fox, give me that ring. I won't shoot you; I'll even reward you." The red fox spat the ring into Gesar's hand and relayed the message Zumu had entrusted to it, concluding: "Great Lion King, Queen Zumu has been pressured for three years, Ling has been besieged for three years, and the people have suffered for three years. Why have you not returned?" The ring illuminated Gesar's heart, restoring his memory and making him realize that the years of delay were due to Meisa. He resolved to return to Ling immediately and vowed never to drink the wine offered by Consort Meisa again. Knowing that any further delay risked Zumu being taken, he thought: First, I'll shoot an arrow to frighten the Hor King. Perhaps that will buy more time. With time, I can return and personally punish the wicked White Tent King. Gesar silently recited: Arrow! Do not be scorched by fire, swept away by water, damaged by blades, or blown away by wind. Divine demon-subduing arrow, fly swiftly to the great tent of the Hor King. The divine arrow, bearing Gesar's blessings and the Great Lion King's might, flew toward the great tent of the White Tent King of Hor and struck the pillar above the tiger-skin throne—the very arrow that even the White Tent King could not pull out, the arrow that frightened him into considering retreat. But Gesar had not anticipated the traitor Chao Tong, who revealed the truth to the White Tent King. The Divine Steed's Lament and the Final Awakening Learning that Gesar intended to return to Ling, Meisa Bungji and Adanam knew that offering wine would no longer work. Instead, they prepared a lavish feast, claiming it was a farewell banquet for the king, but laced the food with the amnesia-inducing drug. Unaware, Gesar happily ate the meal and ordered the two consorts to prepare for departure immediately after. After the meal, as before, Gesar forgot about returning home. Joyful days flew by once more—another three years passed. It was now the ninth year since Gesar had come to the northern Demon Kingdom. Queen Zumu had been captive of the Hor for three years. The eloquent divine steed Jang Gapeibu grew increasingly anxious, yearning intensely to return to Ling. Fearing it might awaken the king, Meisa secretly fitted it with an iron bridle, iron hobbles, tethered it to an iron pillar as tall as a man, and locked it in a small dark room. How could such a divine creature endure such mistreatment? It soon broke free from its prison and fled back to Mount Meru. One day, King Gesar suddenly thought of Jang Gapeibu and asked Meisa about it. Unaware of the steed's whereabouts, she had no choice but to truthfully report that the horse had vanished. Enraged, the king set out on foot, crossing mountains and ridges in search. When he climbed the northern Red Heart Mountain, which stood like confronting great bears, he saw the mist-wrapped sacred mountain of Ling, Machen Pomra. Filled with both joy and melancholy, he prayed to the deities of Ling and the heavenly mother, asking them to display their power and summon back his steed. Soon, a white cloud rose from the peak of Machen Pomra, soaring into the blue sky and instantly arriving before the king. As if in a dream, it carried him to the summit of Mount Meru. There, the divine horse pawed the ground three times with its front hooves, neighed loudly three times, and galloped toward the king, shedding tears. The king sang to it: Swift messenger, come quickly! Chestnut divine steed, do not be angry, The swift wind is not as fast as you, The rainbow is not as splendid as you, The fierce tiger is not as mighty as you, The great lion is not as majestic as you, Your endurance surpasses even the white vulture's! You and I came together from the heavenly realm, Born together in Jambudvipa. I cherished my brother Gyatsa Xiega, And Queen Sangjang Zumu, As much as I cherish you. The ancients said: "The warrior loves his steed, The steed loves its warrior." When you gallop fiercely, my heart aches, I could never bear to whip you. But here in the northern Black Demon Kingdom, Why have you abandoned me? The Red Rabbit-like Divine Steed explained to the king: Great Lion King, you speak rightly. In the past, in our homeland Ling, Zumu cared for me like a delicate child. At sunrise each morning, A golden bowl brimmed with tender rice and butter, Often mixing sugarcane with feed, She would ask, "Divine steed, are you hungry?" When the sun reached midday, A silver bowl brimmed with fresh milk, Often mixing sugarcane with feed, Stirring it with a golden hairpin for me to drink, She would ask, "Divine steed, are you thirsty?" In summer, she set me on fragrant grasslands, Asking, "Steed, are you happy in heart?" In winter, she draped beast-skin blankets over me, Asking, "Are you cold or warm?" When you first came to the Demon Kingdom, You promised to return home in three years. But now, the demoness Consort Meisa, Placed an iron bridle on my head, Shackled my four hooves with iron hobbles, Tethered me to an iron pillar tall as a man, Gave me not a blade of grass nor a drop of water, And said, "Wild horses are hard to manage." She tricked you into drinking the bewitching wine, Making you forget past and future, Making you abandon suffering Ling, To dwell long in the Black Demon region. Regardless of the Hor's million-strong army, Like starving wolves pouncing on a flock of sheep, Hanging the hero Gyatsa's head on the enemy's walls, Seizing Zumu like a prisoner, Causing Ling's heroic brothers, To stain the yellow sands with blood, losing heads and lives. The ancients had a saying: "If one cannot recognize the first-grown leaves, There is no need to recognize later-grown seeds; If the first-born son cannot bring honor, What use is honor from later-born sons?" If you do not cherish your original homeland Ling, What meaning is there in guarding the Demon Kingdom well? If you do not protect your original wedded queen, What benefit is there in doting on the demoness Meisa? First, because you delayed your return, Second, because I longed for sacred Ling, Third, because I wished to see Zumu's suffering, Therefore, I left you far behind. If you will not allow this, Great King, set off for home at once! At Meisa's threshold, Linger no more, wandering and forgetting your return! Hearing this, the king's eyes filled with tears. He heaved three long sighs and said, "Jang Gapeibu! What you say is not wrong. Now, let us go quickly!" So saying, he mounted the divine steed, and in less than a moment, they arrived at the demon city. From horseback, the king roared at Meisa and Adanam: "Two cunning demon consorts! You tricked me into drinking muddy water, making me forget everything! Causing my divine clan to suffer enemy oppression! Imprisoning my eyeball-like steed in a dark room with an iron bridle! Your words are like a fairy's, but your hearts are demonic! Today, my steed and I will return with all speed! If you scheme again, do not blame me for being merciless!" Meisa Bungji still wanted to obstruct, but Adanam dissuaded her: "Ling has already been plundered by the Hor, Zumu has been forcibly taken as consort by the White Tent King, and King Gesar has been delayed in the demon lands for nine years. If he does not return, the heavenly deities, fierce gods, and dragon gods of the dragon realm will punish us. Do not block the king's path any longer. Do not give him the forgetfulness drug again. When the king returns to Ling, let us also pack quickly and follow him home." The thousand-mile divine steed Jang Gapeibu bore King Gesar aloft. Seeing the king's burning desire to return, Jang Gapeibu ran faster and more urgently than ever, wishing it could take the king back to Ling in a single step.

On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of Renwu, the fifth anniversary of Jue Ru’s birth in Ling, he had a dream at dawn. In this dream, he received a prophecy from his master, Pema Tötreng: K i n g G e s a r of Tibet The Legend from ling King Gesar (about 1038-1119 AD) was a legendary Tibetan hero who was born in Dege County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Later generations called him King Gesar of Ling. According to legend, King Gesar is also the incarnation of the Guru Rinpoche and his wisdom, compassion and power. Chapter 9: Receiving the Prophecy and Being Banished Through Illusions The Prophecy of Pema Tochin On the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month in the year of Renwu, the fifth anniversary of Joru’s birth in Ling, he had a dream at dawn. In this dream, he received a prophecy from his master, Pema Tochin: "Listen, divine child Joru! There is something you must know. The young fledgling of the king of birds, With a feather that rides the wind, If it does not take to the skies, What difference do six wings make? The descendant of the courageous beast king, With green mane and three skills, If it does not climb the snowy peaks, What use is the mastery of the three arts? A divine child born into the human world, Possessing invincible powers, If it does not conquer the world, What meaning do these powers hold? Born in the beautiful land of Ling, Living by the banks of the Yellow River, In the blessed land of Lotus Valley, On the auspicious day of the first of the first month in the year of Jiashen, Great events shall unfold, And the six tribes will naturally come under your command." After singing, Pema Tochin spoke quietly by Joru’s ear for a long time before vanishing into the air. Joru firmly remembered his master’s words. He decided to follow his master’s prophecy to leave Ling and journey to the Yellow River Valley. However, to leave Ling, he would need to follow the methods instructed by his master. Joru's Strange Attire and Decision to Depart One day, Joru said to his mother, Guomu: "Mother, I need a hat for my head, shoes for my feet, and proper clothes for my body." After saying this, he left, riding his magical staff named Jiangga Beiga. When Joru reached Saiyu Mountain, he killed three demon brothers in the form of antelope spirits. From their remains, he made an ugly hat with antelope horns sticking upright from it. Later that night, he sneaked into the cow pen of the old Chief Steward and killed seven cow demons. From their hides, he made a crude leather coat with cow tails tied to it, dragging behind him. At midnight, he entered Chao Tong’s horse pen, killed the horse demon, and crafted an ugly pair of red bird-skin boots. He even sewed grass roots upside down onto the boots for decoration. When Guomu saw Joru dressed in such frightening and unappealing attire, she was both puzzled and concerned. She asked him why he had done this. Joru replied: "As the saying goes, solving your own problems is better than relying on the golden decrees of officials; taking charge of your own destiny is better than sitting on a thousand golden thrones. I want to leave the land of the Ben clan. This way, I will have no superiors above me, no subordinates beneath me, and even if the entire world becomes my enemy, I will have nothing to fear. Since we have no family wealth, there is no need to worry about preserving it. Since we have no close relatives, we do not need to waste energy on maintaining appearances or pleasing others. Let us go, mother. Wherever the sun is warm and the land is peaceful, we will go there." Joru Turns Into a Demon in the Eyes of the People Guomu didn’t object to Joru’s plans, so he continued with his preparations. Transforming his living space into a horrifying scene, Joru made mountains of flesh and seas of blood. He used human flesh as food, human blood as drink, and human skin as rugs. This terrifying transformation frightened not only humans but also gods and demons. Even the fierce Rakshasas were horrified. Rumors began to spread that Joru, the divine child, had turned into a demon, a red-faced Rakshasa. Yet, no one dared to confront him. Joru Defeats the Rakshasa and Water Demon Joru and his mother traveled to the banks of the Lancang River. Suddenly, Joru recalled that there was a Rakshasa demon living on a mountain across the river who preyed on children. Determined to vanquish her, he asked his mother to tie him to the back of a twin foal and send him across the river. Upon reaching the opposite shore, Joru saw the Rakshasa feasting on four or five children. He greeted her, saying: "Long life to you, Rakshasa sister! Please give me some fire, and I will share a great idea with you." The Rakshasa asked suspiciously: "If I give you fire, what idea could you possibly offer me?" Joru replied: "You’ve been living here, eating nothing but children. Why not move to the mountain on the opposite side? There you might find better opportunities." The Rakshasa frowned: "But I have no way to cross the river." Joru cunningly tied the Rakshasa’s neck to the tail of his twin foal and said: "Follow me, and I will show you the way." When they reached the center of the river, Joru used all his strength to pull the foal’s tail, breaking the Rakshasa’s neck. She immediately sank to the bottom of the river. Later, Joru and his mother arrived at Snakehead Mountain Pass, where they encountered a narrow path resembling a child’s throat. Here, they met a water demon who was out hunting. Sensing it was the right moment to strike, Joru told his mother: "Mother, wait here. Let me go ahead and check if the road is safe." As he approached the path, the water demon opened its enormous mouth, waiting to devour him. Joru silently prayed to the gods and tied an iron hook to the end of an eighty-foot leather strap. He cast the hook into the demon’s body, piercing its heart, and dragged it out of the water, killing it. Living in Snakehead Mountain Pass and Creating a Terrifying Scene Following these battles, Joru and his mother settled in Snakehead Mountain Pass. Joru began hunting by climbing mountains to catch deer and throwing stones at wild horses. He killed the surrounding wildlife and used their remains to create a horrifying scene. He built walls from dead flesh, encircled his home with animal skulls, and let rivers of blood flow into pools. He also captured merchants passing through the nearby mountain valleys, locking them in cells. When hungry, he ate human flesh; when thirsty, he drank human blood. He used human skin as cushions and scattered corpses across the area. This horrifying display frightened even ghosts and demons. Rakshasas were disgusted, and the eight classes of malevolent beings were terrified. Joru’s actions completely cut off trade and travel in the region for about a year and a half. The Hunters and the Old Steward's Concerns One day, seven hunters from the Darong clan came to the area near Joru’s dwelling to hunt. Before they began hunting, they camped in the forest overnight. Joru summoned seven black men and seven black horses and ordered them not to let the hunters leave for three months. He blessed the hunters and horses to prevent them from dying during this time. Later, Joru created an illusion, making it appear as if he had killed the seven hunters and their horses. He arranged their bodies into a pile. When people came to search for the missing hunters and horses, they saw what appeared to be human and horse corpses. Rumors spread quickly: "The hunters were eaten by Joru." However, no one dared approach him. Hearing of these events, the old Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen became deeply worried. From the omens, Joru was undoubtedly a divine child sent to conquer demons. But his behavior now seemed to violate the laws of Ling. If left unchecked, the laws of Ling would be destroyed. The Prophecy from Langman Gam and Joru's Exile The old steward Rongtsa Chagen was filled with worry. One night, in a half-dreaming, half-awake state, he saw Gesar's celestial aunt, Langman Gam, descending from the heavens on a white lion without a saddle. She spoke to him in a prophetic tone: "Oh great chief on a golden throne, Listen carefully, Rongtsa Chagen! The young fledgling of the king of birds Appears to have fallen into another’s hands. But when the time comes to spread its wings, If it does not reach the branch of the wish-fulfilling tree, The dust of the master’s house will scatter. The jewel on the head of a venomous serpent, Though temporarily in the hands of the poor, Without the fortune to use it, It will fall to a stronger protector, For the poor cannot claim it forever. The divine child has taken human form, Born in an auspicious place. If he does not establish a base to subdue demons— The lands on both sides of the Yellow River— What use is it for him to remain in Ling? On the lands between the Lancang and Jinsha rivers, Elephants find the paths too narrow, And racing horses find the routes too short, While the distance to educate the Hor people is too far. The signs and omens that appear upside-down, Indicate misfortune for the white-war god. To cleanse Ling's laws from corruption, Do not let Joru remain—banish him. Within three years, The Lancang and Jinsha will be covered by white silk. Wild horses will raise their hooves to the heavens, And the white conch pillars in the Yellow River Valley Will be adorned with five treasures." After delivering this prophecy, Langman Gam disappeared. Rongtsa Chagen felt as though a great clarity had dawned upon him, and his recent worries were instantly resolved. The Decision to Inform Joru of His Exile At this time, the Darong clan sent a servant to report to the chief steward Rongtsa Chagen about Joru. The servant exaggerated the story of how Joru had brutally killed and eaten the seven hunters. Annoyed by the servant’s endless complaints, Rongtsa Chagen stroked his beard and said: "Are these rumors even reliable? After all, Joru is the brother of the Bumba King. As the saying goes, a person capable of swallowing the sea must have a heart as vast as the sky; a person able to lift mountains must have strength as great as the earth. I think it’s best to leave them alone. Joru and his mother are relatives of the Dragon King. Even if they are Rakshasas or demons, there’s nothing we can do. If even Chao Tong, Ling’s most skilled sorcerer, doesn’t dare confront Joru, what can we possibly do?" After dismissing the servant, Rongtsa Chagen went to Gyatsa and shared Langman Gam’s prophecy with him. The two of them, now knowing the divine will, agreed to keep the matter a secret. On the eighth day of the month, under Chao Tong’s insistence, a grand Ling Council was convened. In front of everyone, Chao Tong said: "Brother Rongtsa Chagen, nephew Gyatsa, and all the sons and daughters of the sacred Ling nation gathered here today, this meeting is not meant to trouble my nephew Joru. Think of me, the Darong King—when have I not prioritized the honor of Ling? For me, Joru is like the saying goes: 'The body feels no pain, but the heart suffers from a great illness.’ I always wonder if he has been bewitched by the Rakshasa demons. What kind of exorcism ritual should we perform? How do we cure him of his madness?" Chao Tong exaggerated Joru’s actions even further in front of the council and declared that they must consult an oracle. When the divination was performed, the result stated: "Only by removing Joru can Ling achieve peace." Rongtsa Chagen Sings of Justice, and the Council Prepares for Exile The prophetic result caused Gyatsa great worry. Rongtsa Chagen, stepping forward, addressed the council with a song: "In the land of Ling, in Datang Chamao, Listen carefully to Rongtsa Chagen’s song. Like the Tibetan saying goes: Butter, meat, and sugar are delicious, But eating too much can still make you sick. Though Joru, the divine child, May temporarily harm Ling, Ling’s fortunes may appear to have ended, But this is merely a jest to make you think. As long as there is moisture in the earth, Green grass will always grow again. As long as destiny is etched on the brow, Misfortune can turn into blessings. A brave young man, No matter how many enemies he faces, Will still seize the spoils of war. Hear these truths, people of the six tribes. The law is as solemn as water, And we must trace it to its source. If you claim Darong hunters were killed, Who can truly prove it was Joru’s doing? Now you wish to exile Joru from Ling, Punishing him as a lawbreaker. But tell me, how will you drive him away? With a hundred lamas blowing conch shells? With a hundred youths firing arrows? Or with a hundred women scattering ashes? If Joru is innocent, If he has not harmed a single life, When the truth is revealed, Who will bear the burden of false accusations? Joru is a descendant of the noble Mukpo Dong clan, And the grandson of the Dragon King Zuna. If he is punished without guilt, it is unjust. Therefore, Gyatsa Xiega, listen carefully— The task of preparing for his exile, Everything he needs, it falls on you. Now, from the Datang assembly ground, Who among Ling’s brave youths, Dares to stand and say: ‘I will go?’ Whoever is willing to take the task, Come forward and state your name. People of Ling’s six great tribes, Remember these words in your hearts." Despite Rongtsa Chagen’s plea for fairness, the council ultimately decided to exile Joru. Danma Volunteers to Approach Joru After the council decided to exile Joru, no one dared to deliver the message to him. Gyatsa sighed sorrowfully and said: "Since none of the brothers here are willing to go, I will personally inform my younger brother." Seeing Gyatsa’s deep sadness, the minister Danma Jangcha stepped forward and said: "Honorable Gyatsa, please remain seated on your golden throne. Allow me, Danma, to take on this mission." Danma Jangcha mounted his horse and rode to Joru’s dwelling. Upon arrival, he was confronted with a horrifying sight: a tent made of human skin, ropes woven from intestines, short walls constructed of human and horse corpses, and a mountain of bones piled high. Danma was terrified but began to suspect that such a vast number of corpses could not be real. He concluded that these must have been illusions created by Joru. Gaining his courage, Danma removed his hat and waved it toward Joru. Joru quickly ran down the slope and invited him into the tent. When Danma approached the tent, the terrifying scene vanished like smoke. The corpses disappeared, and the unclean illusions dissolved. Inside the tent, a delightful fragrance filled the air, bringing peace to the heart and clarity to the mind. Joru treated Danma with divine food and drink. Their exchange was warm and close, like that of a ruler and his loyal minister. Joru shared many prophecies with Danma and hinted at his true nature. Deeply moved, Danma vowed: "In every lifetime, I will serve as your minister, never to be separated." Joru replied: "Minister Danma, return to Ling and tell them you did not dare approach me directly, but merely called out from afar. The things I told you and what you have seen—keep them secret for now. Remember this! Remember this!" Joru's Exile and the People's Reactions Danma returned to Ling and told the council: "Joru is truly a living Rakshasa." At that moment, news arrived that a few more people from Ling had been eaten by Joru. Chao Tong immediately commanded: "Everyone, put on your armor, helmets, and arm yourselves!" Gyatsa, however, disagreed, saying: "There is no need to make such a fuss. Simply send the Darong officials to deliver the message, make him repent for his actions, and exile him from the land. There’s no need to disturb others." The old chief steward Rongtsa Chagen ordered one hundred women to each carry a handful of ashes to curse and drive Joru away. However, Gyatsa felt deeply uneasy and said: "Joru is a descendant of the noble Mukpo Dong clan, the grandson of the Dragon King Zuna Rinchen, my heart’s own brother, and Guomu’s firstborn son. To curse him with ashes would be disrespectful to the war god. Such actions are inappropriate. However, to uphold the laws of Ling, we can replace the ashes with a hundred handfuls of tsampa to drive him away." Guomu and Joru were summoned before the council. Joru wore his ugly antelope-skin hat, his crude cowhide coat, and his bright red horsehide boots. He rode his magical staff, Jiangga Beiga. However, he dressed his mother, Guomu, in such stunning attire that she looked even more beautiful than before. She rode a fine steed, Zhulotuo Jia, appearing as radiant as the rising sun. When the people of Ling saw them, their minds were immediately captivated. They began murmuring among themselves: "How pitiful Joru is!" "How beautiful Guomu is!" The hearts of the Ling people were moved, and they forgot all the frightening stories they had heard. They became deeply concerned for Joru’s fate, tears welling up in their eyes. Joru's Farewell and the Divine Signs of His Departure Gyatsa had already prepared horses, pack animals, supplies, and escorts for Joru’s journey. Everything was ready for his departure. Joru, reluctant to leave his brother, spoke in a low voice that only Gyatsa could hear: "Brother Gyatsa, I am leaving because the time foretold by the gods has come. After I leave, you need not worry about me. I do not need the escorts, the supplies, or anything else that has been prepared. The mountain god Machen Pomra and the land spirits of the Yellow River Valley have already sent their envoys to welcome me, and they arrived here yesterday." Gyatsa was suddenly enlightened and was about to respond to Joru when Joru turned to address the crowd. Standing tall, he declared: "Good people of Ling, I, Joru, have not done anything to harm sentient beings. In time, you will understand this. Though I am being exiled without guilt, it is due to my uncle’s command; though this decision is unjust, it is the result of past karma. After I leave, you must act with kindness and discern the truth of this situation. For now, under my uncle’s stern order, I will not linger but will move forward immediately." Having said this, Joru mounted his magical staff, Jiangga Beiga, and headed north from the Jipu region. The lamas blew conch shells to curse and drive Joru away, but the sound seemed to welcome him instead, resonating warmly before him. Warriors shot arrows to banish the demon, but the arrows fell before Joru like offerings of colorful banners. The tsampa offerings, meant to drive him away, drifted down like snowflakes, landing gently in Guomu’s hands as if they were blessings. Guomu cried out loudly: "Forgive us, revered Pema Tochin master, Yidam Wangchen Repa, Dakinis Yeshe Gyatso, goddess Langman Gam, life goddess Juwei Jema, sister-in-law Guojia Gamu, brother Dongchung Garbu, younger brother Longshu Weichung, war god Nendama Bu, father King Zuna Rinchen, mountain god Gezuo Nianbu, and regional deity Jiji Daring—please watch over me and my son and protect us on our journey. May the blessings of Ling’s people, wealth, and prosperity follow us like rivers flowing into the sea, like foals following mares, like children following their parents!" Her voice echoed through the mountains, and the spirits of the thirteen valleys, along with the forested mountains and the deity Jiji Daring, seemed to gather in the direction of Guomu and Joru’s path. To this day, the terrain of the Jipu region retains the shape it had at that time.