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 Chapter 42 Chaos in the ranks as Chao Tong betrays the army repeatedly; upholding justice, Adan seeks to punish his wicked father Chapter 43 Meruze advises a ceasefire and withdrawal of troops, but the White Tent King insists on recruiting and expanding his army Chapter 44 The roaring Yellow River, Sipan’s sacrifice, and King Gyatsa’s alliance with Yuzhou Chapter 45 A bold raid, maerle’s death, and noblewomen mourning on the battlefield Chapter 46 The Chief Steward's daring raid and triumphant return Chapter 47 Zumu repeatedly sends letters longing for the King's return; Maidservant willingly marries in her stead to seek peace Chapter 48 Chao Tong's treacherous arrow breaks the peace; Queen Zumu takes the field and is captured by Hor Chapter 49 Fury drives Gyatsa in pursuit of foes; Karma unavoidable, the heavenly dog devours the bright moon Chapter 50 The King indulges in pleasure, forgetting his homeland; the Divine Steed's tears awaken the amnesiac Chapter 51 Disguised as a beggar, he skillfully probes the details of Ling; displaying Divine might, he sternly punishes Darong's Chao Tong Chapter 52 The people's hope rests on armor and spears; All heroes raise their heads to send the Great King on his campaign Chapter 53 Meeting a brother's spirit on Tola Mountain, Gesar vows to take the Demon's head Table of content Description Table of content Description Chapter 1 Click for here for ch1 The People of the Snowy Land Suffer Great Hardships, Praying for the Gods to Descend and Subdue the Demons Chapter 2 Click for here for ch2 Avalokiteshvara Delivers the Teachings on Ox-Tail Continent:The Rakshasa King and the Divine Son Protected by the Heaven of Ultimate Form Chapter 3 Click for here for ch3 The Divine Child Fears Difficulty and Refuses to Descend. The Heavenly Deities Urge Him with Nine Divinations Chapter 4 Click for here for ch4 Seeking the Divination Deity to Resolve Doubts, Eliminate Disasters, Cure Plagues, and Receive the Dragon Maiden as a Reward Chapter 5 Click for here for ch5 A Good Omen Appears, Chief Seeks Dream Interpretation, and the Great Sage Proclaims Prophecy Chapter 6 Click for here for ch6 Avenging a Brother – Gyatsa Leads a Campaign Against the Guo Tribe, and Senlen Wins the Dragon King's Daughter Chapter 7 Click for here for ch7 Jealousy Arises – Jiafei Bullies the Dragon Maiden, Who Is Banished to the Wilderness Chapter 8 Coming soon 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. K i n g G e s a r of Tibet

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.

For four days, King Gesar traveled alone on horseback until he reached the gray earthen cliffs of Garba Jiarang in the Hor territory—the place where his brother Gyatsa had died and been cremated. He stayed for seven days by the stone platform where Gyatsa's body had been laid, praying daily to the heavens for a dream visitation, but received no sign. 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 53 MEETING A BROTHER'S SPIRIT ON TOLA MOUNTAIN, GESAR VOWS TO TAKE THE DEMON'S HEAD The Journey and Divine Guidance For four days, King Gesar traveled alone on horseback until he reached the gray earthen cliffs of Garba Jiarang in the Hor territory—the place where his brother Gyatsa had died and been cremated. He stayed for seven days by the stone platform where Gyatsa's body had been laid, praying daily to the heavens for a dream visitation, but received no sign. On the dawn of the eighth day, the heavenly goddess Langman Gam appeared in his dream and instructed: "When you pass Tola Mountain, you will meet the departed. Do not delay now; go quickly!" The goddess continued: "As you proceed from here, my nephew, the Great Lion King, on the path you travel tomorrow, you will encounter fierce road-blocking demons. Keep your bowstring taut with vigilance, and do not panic when you meet them. One is the long-armed demon of Hor, who can seize whatever his eyes see; another is the far-sighted demon, who can see a three-month journey's distance; and the third is the mighty strongman demon, from whose grasp escape is nearly impossible. They are patrolling the high mountain peaks. Prepare your swift-flying divine arrows and shoot steadily at them; the arrows themselves will deal with them." Thus, Gesar spent a day sharpening his arrows until their points were exceedingly keen. Early on the third day, he shot the swift-flying "Thunderbolt Divine Arrow" toward the Hor direction. The arrow roared with a thunderous noise, accompanied by lightning and hail, and sped forward like the wind. Overcoming the Demons and Ominous Obstacles On the mountain ridge along the road to Hor, the three demon kings—Long Arm, Far-Sight, and Strongman—were patrolling. Hearing a distant rumbling, Far-Sight said, "I don't know if it's a black eagle or something else flying this way. Everyone be on guard; let me see clearly first." As he spoke, he looked into the distance. Suddenly, he cried out in alarm: "Oh no! That's a divine arrow! You two, come quickly! Long Arm, grab it!" Long Arm rushed out first, spreading his arms wide. He seized the arrow by its shaft and held on tightly, while the other two demon kings clung to Long Arm's body, trying to pull the arrow down. But the divine arrow had greater force; it lifted all three demon kings into the sky and then hurled them down into the turbulent waves of the Yellow River, drowning them. Crossing Yarlasawu Mountain, Gesar encountered a long-horned wild bull emerging from a rocky cliff. Its blood-red tongue flashed with lightning, its black tail resembled southern storm clouds, and its roar was like the clash of giant cymbals. This was the soul-animal of the White Tent King. The Great Lion King taunted it: "You pretentious old wild bull! With your petty tricks, do you really think you can challenge me? If you truly wish to show your might, sharpen your horns on that cliff—grind them sharp before we compete! Dance upon the cliff and shatter the rock—then you'll have proven something. I will sharpen my weapon on the green turf, and you'll see how keen it becomes; I will dance on the grassy plain, making the mountains tremble and the earth shake, causing you to quake in fear. Then I will shoot an arrow at you—that will be my victory!" The wild bull thought: "He says he'll sharpen his blade on soft grass—can't I sharpen my horns on hard rock? He says he'll make the earth shake on the grassland—can't my four sturdy hooves kick this cliff apart?" So, it vigorously ground its two long horns against the rocky cliff until they were worn down, yet they did not become sharp. It then kicked the cliff fiercely with its four hooves until they were dislocated, but the cliff did not budge, let alone crumble. Now unable to move, the bull stood helpless. The king mounted his horse, nocked an arrow, and shot. The arrow struck the bull's forehead, piercing through to its tail. Instantly, the bull tumbled from the cliff. The king offered the bull's blood in sacrifice to the heavenly gods and continued on his way. Soon, two crimson mountain peaks blocked the path. Seeing the king approach, they clashed together like cymbals, sending碎石 tumbling down in an attempt to halt his advance. As the king pressed forward, the peaks collided even more violently. The king said disdainfully: "You two red peaks, capable of destroying all of Hor, clash so pitifully without inspiring fear—you'll only bring about your own destruction. I have traveled many places in Jambudvipa and seen great mountains collide. They draw apart to gain distance, pause, and then strike with force that could shatter the world—that is true power!" Hearing this, the two red peaks thought it made sense. They drew apart and paused for a long while. At that moment, Jang Gapeibu, carrying the king, leaped over them. When the peaks finally collided again, they used such excessive force that they destroyed themselves. The Heartbreaking Reunion with a Brother's Spirit After two more days of travel, Gesar arrived at the entrance of the Tuoduo Dalong mountain valley. Suddenly, he caught the scent of smoke and thought, "Are there people here?" Looking closely, he saw it was Dozan, sent by Hor to guard the valley pass. Dozan was boiling tea, with a horn-patterned great bow hanging from his elbow, three red-tailed sharp arrows placed before him, humming a tune while mending a roe deer snare. The king and his horse transformed into a mother and fawn musk deer, passing before him one after the other. Dozan ran to grab the fawn by its hind leg. Just as he was about to seize it, the two deer bounded onto a high cliff inaccessible to anyone but deer. Without hesitation, Dozan climbed after them. Then the Great Lion King transformed into two tigers, turning to pounce. Terrified, Dozan twisted to flee, but the cliff was steep and the path narrow, leaving no room to turn. He tumbled down into the abyss. Thus, the king eliminated the demon Dozan. Continuing from there, he ascended the long,连绵 Tola Mountain within Hor territory, catching sight of the distant Balo Snow Mountain, Suori Mountain, and Jiaola Mountain. Remembering the heavenly prophecy, the king felt an even deeper longing for his brother Gyatsa Xiega. He pressed on to a place called Benba Gaqiong at the mountain's base. Suddenly, the divine horse lay down and refused to move further. The king struck it twice with a white vine whip, tightened the reins, and spurred its sides with his stirrups, but the horse remained still, only shedding tears in silence. Puzzled, the king wondered what was wrong. Beside the road stood a roadside shrine called a "Bonkhang," its four walls enclosing images of a hundred thousand deities. On the white pema grass wall-top was the nest of a sparrowhawk—the form Gyatsa's spirit had taken after death. Gyatsa, originally an incarnation of the white swan deity, could have been reborn freely after death. But to avenge himself upon the White Tent King, he had made three fierce vows to devour the flesh and blood of the Hor people. Because of this, and having been polluted by the evil vapors sprayed by Hor, he had not been reborn in a pure human form but had instead taken possession of a robust sparrowhawk's corpse, becoming a hawk. Now, seeing the golden helmet of the Great Lion King, he was so overjoyed that he abandoned the flock of sparrows (the spirits of dead Hor soldiers) he was chasing and swooped down to land on the king's precious bow. Unaware of these circumstances, the Great Lion King angrily said, "Truly, even in this accursed Hor land, a hawk dares to bully me like this!" He drew an eagle-feathered arrow and was about to stab the hawk when the chestnut horse suddenly reared, preventing the strike. The hawk flew up into the sky. Then the chestnut horse spoke: "Ah! Thoughtless Gesar! You are truly 'fair-skinned yet devoid of wisdom, high in status yet understanding nothing'! You long for your brother daily, yet when he comes, you try to stab him with an arrow. That hawk is Bumba Gyatsa! Think of Gyatsa in life—his stature so grand it could not be concealed by the longest armor, his noble form too weighty for any steed to bear, his countenance like the full moon, his eyes like the morning star, his authority high as the heavens, his wisdom deep as the ocean. That hero who stood between heaven and earth has now been reborn as a hawk the size of a hand, dwelling in these desolate wilds where hunters roam, nesting on old walls of pema grass, seeking refuge with powerless roadside deities in such hardship. Even if you, great king, feel no pity for him, why would you try to kill him with an arrow?" The horse then pawed the ground fiercely, rolled over, swished its tail incessantly, and struck its head against the wooden beam of the Bonkhang, tears as large as beans falling from its eyes, expressing boundless sorrow. Startled, the king sighed, "I am truly inferior to a horse, a mere beast!" He sighed repeatedly, then looked up into the sky. The hawk, reluctant to leave the Great Lion King yet afraid of being mistaken and killed, dared not approach, only flapping its wings in the air. Overwhelmed with grief, the Great Lion King called out: "Brother Xiega! I did not know you had been reborn as a bird. I thought only that a Hor bird had come to bully me. Please come here; let us two brothers talk in detail!" Hearing this, the hawk flew down but still dared not come close, alighting on top of the Bonkhang. The Great Lion King pleaded again: "Please come here; let us two have a good talk." But the hawk kept glancing warily at the precious bow and arrows, hovering nearby. The king was filled with remorse and self-reproach: His aunt had foretold he would meet his brother here, yet when the moment came, why had he not realized? As a human, he had failed to recognize his brother, while his brother, reborn as a bird, still recognized him. Had the horse not intervened in time, his brother might have perished by that very arrow. No wonder he was now wary and dared not approach! Thinking this, tears fell like dew from leaves. The hawk on the Bonkhang also brimmed with tears. The two brothers and the divine horse were all too sorrowful to speak. After a while, the divine horse said: "Hero Gyatsa, the Great Lion King truly did not know you had taken the form of a hawk. Had he known, how could he have tried to stab you? Land on my back; how I wish to carry you once more!" The hawk indeed landed on the horse's back and said: "If I had not become this ugly form, I would have brought you some fodder and water. But now I am a hawk, eating only the sparrows that are the reborn spirits of dead Hor soldiers—I have nothing else. And you cannot eat such foul things. There is truly no help for it. Who could have imagined I would come to such a wretched state?" The divine horse Jang Gapeibu comforted him: "Better than a hundred offerings of fodder and water is the joy of meeting you today. In the past, when you, hero Gyatsa, rode me, I displayed my gait to people, and you displayed your martial prowess to enemies. Your weight was no different from the Great Lion King's; I felt your solid presence. But today you are so light on my back, lighter than a woolen saddle blanket. Who could have imagined you would become like this?" Saying this, tears streamed down. The hawk replied: "Though I am on you now, I feel only sorrow and grief. My claws might cause you pain—how can this be good?" With that, it flew up and settled again on the Bonkhang. Gesar said: "Brother! Please come to me. Let us speak of our parting. I swear by the Three Jewels, I will never harm you with bow and arrow again. If you do not come to your younger brother, I will suffer more than dying nine times over!" He then cast aside the bow and arrows that had made his brother uneasy. The hawk urgently advised: "Younger brother, this is the main road of Hor. How can you cast aside your bow and arrows? You must keep your weapons ready at all times." As he spoke, he flew down and landed on the cushion before Gesar. He continued: "Meeting you today brings me great joy. Since being reborn as a hawk, from morning till night, I am often filled with rage, killing the sparrows that are the reborn Hor soldiers, feeding on their flesh and blood. Killing a large sparrow is like killing a great Sinba; killing a small sparrow is like killing a Hor soldier. I kill many every day, yet I cannot exterminate them all. In idle moments, I feel heavy-hearted and depressed. I wanted to return to Ling, but feared my appearance would become a laughingstock for villains, especially bringing greater sorrow to Rousa and her child, so I did not go. Later, while chasing sparrows, I met a gray eagle that had flown from Ling. I asked it for news of Ling, and it said you had not yet returned. I asked how many bird companions it had; it said it had many, but for some reason they all remained soaring above the high-walled city shimmering with rainbow light, while it had returned alone. I guessed the eagle did not recognize you, and the rainbow light over the city might be an omen of your return. From that day, I felt much happier. Especially this morning, seeing your golden helmet, I was overjoyed and landed on your precious bow, just to see your true form! How happy we were together in the past. Who would have thought that today we meet—you as a man, I as a bird, and the divine horse Jang Gapeibu—in three different forms? That the noble Great Lion King has such an ugly brother is truly sorrowful!" Hearing Gyatsa's heartfelt words, Gesar could only utter "Brother..." before tears streamed down his face, choking his speech. When he calmed somewhat, he said: "Though I am a divine son who saves the people, I could not save my own brother!" He broke down weeping again. The hawk said: "In the past, when we three brothers lived in the divine city, you sat on the golden throne, and I and our younger brother Maerle sat on either side, singing joyful songs—how blissful it was. Later, when you went to Northern Yarkang, everyone saw you off with banners waving, helmet plumes fluttering, music playing, offering farewell toasts. Now you return from the north to find our homeland made wretched by the White Tent thief colluding with Chao Tong. I wish I could offer you a welcoming cup of wine, but I cannot. Had I not died, I would surely have gone to Yaze City and slain the White Tent thief with my own hands, but now it is impossible!" Gesar said: "You and our brother Maerle, with unfulfilled aspirations, gave your lives for the country—what a great loss for Ling Gabu! Otherwise, we three brothers together could have severely punished Hor, and you would not have to grieve so. When I went north before, you were like a bright, full moon, guarding the sacred capital, looked up to by the tribespeople. Even far from home, knowing you were there brought me peace and warmth. But now, brother..." His tears flowed like a spring. The hawk also sighed deeply: "Enough, say no more. Dwelling on this will only deepen our sorrow. Tell me in detail about subduing the Demon King Lutsan and why it took so long. I truly wish to hear." Gesar, also feeling the conversation had become too sorrowful, recounted his experiences in the demon kingdom one by one. The two brothers and the chestnut horse shared many more memories, both joyful and painful, and spent the night by the Bonkhang. That night, the hawk, fearing the disaster-bird Gangga Raosang might harm the king, kept vigil by his pillow until dawn. Gesar thought, if he did not eliminate this disaster-bird, his brother would live in constant fear. So he stayed there for three days. Parting Vows and the Path Forward On the morning of the third day, as Gesar prepared to depart, he said to the hawk: "This meeting of ours has brought boundless joy and happiness. I will surely heed your words, exterminate the Hor butchers, slay the White Tent thief with my own hands to avenge you and our fallen brothers, and leave a praiseworthy legend for the black-headed people. I hope you will not cling to this hawk's form but soon be reborn in a sacred pure land." The hawk replied: "When I died, I made three fierce vows: If I cannot eat the White Tent thief's heart raw, drink a mouthful of his blood, and retrieve my helmet plume for cremation, I would rather remain a hawk forever!" Gesar said: "Very well, brother. When I place a saddle on the White Tent King's neck, I will send the chestnut horse, transformed into a white egret, to bring you word. Then your wishes shall be fulfilled. Until then, please stay by the left side of the Bonkhang and do not wander far. As for destroying the White Tent King of Hor, have no doubt—it will be done." With these words, he bid farewell to his brother and continued on his way. The hawk accompanied him for a long stretch of the road before turning back, filled with melancholy.

After the Great Lion King returned to the Ling Kingdom, he constantly thought about how to avenge his elder brother and missed the blissful times he once shared with Queen Zumu. However, it seemed the time to go to Hor was not yet ripe, so he decided to enter a period of secluded retreat for blessings and dispelling calamities. Three months passed in this manner. 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 52 THE PEOPLE'S HOPE RESTS ON ARMOR AND SPEARS; ALL HEROES RAISE THEIR HEADS TO SEND THE GREAT KING ON HIS CAMPAIGN The King's Restlessness and Public Criticism After the Great Lion King returned to the Ling Kingdom, he constantly thought about how to avenge his elder brother and missed the blissful times he once shared with Queen Zumu. However, it seemed the time to go to Hor was not yet ripe, so he decided to enter a period of secluded retreat for blessings and dispelling calamities. Three months passed in this manner. One day, for some unknown reason, the Great King grew restless and thought of ending his retreat. He walked to the balcony on the east side of Dazi City and looked out. He saw an elderly couple on the far side of the grassland. The old man sat inside a curtain made of a patched monk's robe, seemingly in meditative retreat. The old woman was trying to light a fire to cook, but no matter what she did, the fire wouldn't catch, leaving her helpless and at a loss. The old man paid her no mind, sitting there motionless like a hitching post. The old woman glared at him a few times and angrily scolded: "You rotten old fool, you're exactly like that Gesar! I'm here trying to boil tea and cook but can't get a fire going, which will surely delay our meal. Yet you sit there like a stone in the road, unmoving and paying no heed. Aren't you just like that fellow called Gesar? That Gesar calls himself the Lion King! After returning from the north, all the heroes hoped he would go punish the Yellow Hor. So many Ling brothers were killed by the Hor; not only that, the Hor cut off the tasseled banners from the heads of the fallen to display as trophies, seized his own beloved queen, destroyed Dazi City and all the palaces, committing all sorts of indescribable evils. Yet he seems utterly unaware and unmoved, hiding quietly in a mountain cave like a groundhog. Using the excuse of needing to retreat and cultivate, he doesn't even dare to set foot in the Yellow Hor's territory. In short, no scoundrel is worse than you men, shamelessly turning your backsides for others to see. You two are exactly that kind of people!" Hearing this, Gesar thought to himself: "Ah, this clever old woman is surely taking this chance to mock me." Lost in thought, he walked to the south-facing balcony and looked out. He saw a beggar couple with a child, dressed in rags, drinking a thin turnip soup. The beggar child sneezed, accidentally shaking the bowl from his hand onto the ground, spilling every last drop of the soup. Seeing this, the woman beggar gave the child a fierce beating. The man beggar said, "Why are you hitting the child so cruelly?" The woman beggar retorted, "You're just like that Gesar, thinking yourself higher than the heavens! That Gesar, with his brothers slaughtered by the enemy, his houses destroyed without a trace, his wife snatched away like a little bird caught by an eagle to be flaunted as a trophy, suffering such humiliation and bullying from the Yellow Hor—yet to this day he cannot take revenge. If it were me, even if I couldn't take other actions against those executioners, the Sinba, and the chief culprit, the White Tent King, at the very least I'd slap them across the face. But he can't even do that, now hiding in his own home, not daring to move. The three of us, working as hired hands, scavenging scraps, begging, only managed to get this bit of food. Now it's spilled, what will we rely on? You don't value food, yet you speak such words! You don't teach the child yourself, and now you blame me! In short, you so-called great men are always brainless, never thinking of anything!" As she spoke, she stuck out her little finger, spat on it in contempt. Seeing this, Gesar sighed, feeling deeply troubled. He then went to the west-facing balcony and looked out. He saw an old man from Ling and a beggar from Rong arguing. The Rong beggar's face was ashen like a leather bellows for striking fire, looking extremely emaciated, walking with a limp, his eyes sunken deep like an eagle's nest, very aged. The Ling stalwart shouted, "You Rong vagrant, how dare you act so unreasonably towards a subject of my Great King Gesar! What exactly do you want?" Unexpectedly, the seemingly frail Rong vagrant threw the old man to the ground and pinned him down, saying sarcastically, "What's so surprising about this? Killing you would be a small matter. If the Ling's Gesar truly had courage, could he watch the Yellow Hor trample the Ling Kingdom like this and not seek revenge? Whether you Ling people have any backbone can be known from this. What kind of man Gesar is, whether he's fit to be the leader of all people, great and small, in Ling—we know well!" With that, he beat the old man half to death, wiped dust on his little finger, pointed it three times towards the capital city, and said scornfully, "If what I say isn't true, then go call Gesar here!" Hearing these words, Gesar grew somewhat angry, thinking: "Ah, even a half-dead beggar dares to bully my Ling people like this. Alas, if I don't subdue the Yellow Hor and destroy the White Tent King now, it will bring disgrace upon the reputation of Ling Gabu." Omens and the King's Resolution He then went to the north-facing balcony and looked out, seeing a hawk land on the neck of a black marmot, about to kill it. Returning to his meditation chamber, he pondered again: "During my days of secluded cultivation, I've encountered such strange sights. What does this mean? It seems if I don't subdue the Hor now, it won't bring any benefit to Jambudvipa either. Especially with Zumu captured, so many blood brothers and capable ministers killed by them—this vengeance must be taken, this shame must be wiped away. Also, those divine statues in the city, if I don't retrieve them, I, bearing the title of a great man, will surely be mocked as worse than pigs and dogs. People will also think the sacred Triple Gem lacks efficacy and power. I must go to the Yellow Hor land now, to see if I can eliminate the Hor. The words of those beggars and vagrants yesterday indeed held some truth." The next day, King Gesar rose early, washed his face, completed his prayers, and sent notices to all tribes of Upper and Lower Ling, summoning them for a council. Early the following morning, after all ministers had gathered, the King solemnly declared: "The Hor White Tent King has inflicted such great humiliation and devastation upon our Ling Gabu. If we cannot take revenge on the enemy, share the wine of victory with our kin, and rescue those who have suffered calamity, then we only boost the enemy's arrogance and crush our own morale—this is utterly intolerable! Therefore, I must go to the Hor region. I hope you all will firmly guard the capital, all forts, and the scriptures, statues, and stupas, ensuring the incense offerings are never interrupted. Handle all internal and external affairs of the tribes to the best of your abilities. After I go to Hor, I will surely return as quickly as possible. During this time, I hope you all will be united in heart and virtue, endure hardships together, and guard the Ling Kingdom with solidarity." The Heroes' Concerns and Prince Zhale's Plea After hearing his instructions, the heroes thought to themselves: "Previously, the Great King went alone to the northern Demon Kingdom and was delayed for a long time, which led to our country being invaded by the Hor army. Now he speaks of campaigning alone again. If we don't let him go, there will be no day of avenging the Hor hatred; if we let him go, we fear he might be detained long in a foreign land—the future is hard to predict!" However, the group could not find the right words to persuade the Great King. It was as if a bone were stuck in their throats; tears welled in their eyes, and they anxiously stretched their necks and tilted their heads. Prince Zhale Zejie of the Bumba tribe rose from his seat, took off his turquoise-flowered earring, tied a white silk Khata to its top, and presented it before the Great King: "Noble Great Lion King, you speak of going to the Yellow Hor for revenge and wiping away shame—that is most fitting. But as the old proverb says, 'If a man often goes to other lands, he will lose his own place.' Therefore, please do not go alone. Sit peacefully on this golden throne! Now I, Zhale, am like a fledgling bird with broken wings, yearning night after night for my heroic father. Now that Uncle has returned to Ling Gabu, I have found joy in life again. Thinking of the Hor enemies makes me gnash my teeth, yet I fear Uncle might encounter misfortune on the campaign road. Please rest in Ling for a while longer, regain your majestic vigor, and then campaign against the demon land of Hor! If you must go, please do not abandon me, Zhale." As he spoke, he clung to the King's neck, unwilling to let go. The King also shed sorrowful tears and said: "Zejie, my dear nephew, beloved child! You must understand that going with me holds no benefit. Subduing the Yellow Hor relies on clever methods and miraculous transformations; sheer numbers are not enough. Therefore, I hope you will sit peacefully on the golden throne of your own Blissful City, join the heroes in defending the honor of the Ling Kingdom, and especially protect the ancestral legacy of the Bumba family, allowing no loss to it." He then placed a turquoise necklace called "Jewel That Dazzles with Might" atop the offered earring and returned both to him. Then, addressing all the heroes with deeply furrowed brows, he said: "Prince Zejie's and everyone's concerns are all valid. During my northern campaign, I was delayed long in a foreign land. But this time going to Hor, I will certainly not linger too long. Moreover, traveling alone, I can use clever methods and miraculous transformations to subdue the eleven Gate-Guarding Demons and the twelve Demon Spirits one by one. As the saying goes, 'When the time comes, strength is boundless; when the time hasn't come, grain won't grow. Acting according to the decree, an ox's neck can be snapped; not acting according to the decree, a sheep's tail cannot be cut off.' Now the time for me to subdue the Hor has arrived. You should strive in your respective duties, so that together we can defeat the Hor White Tent King." The King's Final Decision and Send-off Later, no matter how the crowd tried to persuade him, King Gesar remained determined to campaign alone. Everyone had no choice but to agree, setting the tenth day of the month for a gathering to see him off. When that day arrived, the Great King set off for Hor, escorted by the heroes. Meisa and the other queens and consorts presented farewell wine feasts.

While everyone was busy arranging for the noblewomen to mourn the hero Maerle, Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen had already galloped across the Yellow River and arrived outside the eastern gate of the Hor camp. Sinba Meruze said, "Hey! From the Shengling army camp comes another reddish figure. It seems to be the Chief Steward, or perhaps King Senlun. Though not the most valiant of men, he certainly won't be up to any good!" 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 46 THE CHIEF STEWARD'S DARING RAID AND TRIUMPHANT RETURN The Chief Steward returned to camp victorious While everyone was busy arranging for the noblewomen to mourn the hero Maerle, Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen had already galloped across the Yellow River and arrived outside the eastern gate of the Hor camp. Sinba Meruze said, "Hey! From the Shengling army camp comes another reddish figure. It seems to be the Chief Steward, or perhaps King Senlun. Though not the most valiant of men, he certainly won't be up to any good!" White Tent King was very dismissive, saying, "Sinba, don't be so timid. Whether it's the Chief Steward or the old man Senlun, they're just an eighty-year-old putting on armor, a seventy-year-old mounting a warhorse, offering up their white hair and wrinkled brows as gifts, haha!" As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves, stroked his beard, his face glowing with delight, utterly pleased. Duoqin said, "Just let me mount my swift horse and charge over at full speed. That old man is sure to be so frightened he'll fall off his horse!" No sooner said than done, the Chief Steward dropped from the sky like a stone, brandishing his war banner, and leaped into the Hor camp. The soldiers guarding the eastern gate of the Hor camp were knocked down one by one. Among the officers supervising at the gate was a Sinba named Chizalama, who came forward armored and armed, only to be immediately cut down by the Chief Steward's blade. The Chief Steward then fired sixty iron-tailed arrows left and right, killing over sixty men, before brandishing his precious sword and charging straight towards the great white tent of a thousand. White Tent King and Duoqin, terrified, hid beneath the golden throne. By then, the Chief Steward had burst into the great treasure tent. Not finding White Tent King anywhere, he promptly struck the golden throne three times with his sword, overturned the Eight Auspicious Symbols table in front of it, and chopped White Tent King's green jeweled bottle of sweet wine into three pieces. Nearing the west gate, he shot another twenty or so iron-tailed arrows forward, killing many more. Instantly, chaos erupted within the Hor army; they crowded and jostled at the gates, like a flock of sheep fleeing from pursuing wolves, squeezing to escape through the pen entrance. As they were about to break out of the eastern gate, some timid Hor soldiers nearby fainted from fear, and the mule-headed warhorses trampled over them, galloping away swiftly out the eastern gate. At this moment, Tangnazejia's brother, Langji Bentu, an officer of the Black Tent division, gave chase from behind. He wore miasma-black armor, an eight-ridged black helmet adorned with black horsehair, appearing as a dark blur. The Chief Steward thought, since he's chasing me, I might as well wait for him here, resting while he labors. So he reined in his horse, tightened his armor, and waited. Langji Bentu was usually counted among the bravest of the Baturu. When he came within about an arrow's shot, he shouted loudly, "Hey! Listen, you reddish man who came this morning, don't run away like a fox! Come at me!" After saying this, he shot an iron arrow that grazed the tip of the Chief Steward's feather fletching. He shot several more arrows, all of which the Chief Steward dodged. Then he drew his treasured blade and charged. This Langji was truly a formidable man, drawing his precious sword and rushing forward. The two fought fiercely together. In the heat of battle, Langji, growing excited, threw down his sword and grabbed the Chief Steward's lapel. Rongtsa Chagen hooked his arrow ring on his finger, drew a sharp dagger, and thrust it forcefully into Langji's side, then jerked it upward. The tip pierced his heart, and Langji died instantly. The Chief Steward returned to camp victorious. Upon the Chief Steward's return to the main camp, the heroes cheered enthusiastically. Although he hadn't captured White Tent King, the Chief Steward had brought back White Tent King's tiger-skin cloak, greatly boosting the morale of the Ling Kingdom. Niben said excitedly, "Among the descendants of our Dong royal clan, from thirteen-year-old youths to eighty-year-old elders, there is no difference in heroic prowess. You bravely engaged the enemy in combat, fought for such a long time, and in the end, knocked down the fierce Baturu, frightened White Tent King to the point of heartbreak and shattered courage, and even seized his still-warm tiger-skin cloak. How could this not make us feel exhilarated!" Other heroes also presented Khata scarves, praising the Chief Steward's bravery and spirit without end. Gyatsa thought to himself: Uncle's achievements are praiseworthy and commendable, but after all, he is of advanced age and still had to don armor and go into battle. Younger brother Gesar entrusted me with the heavy responsibility of guarding the Ling Kingdom, yet I have utterly failed to fulfill my brother's instructions. Gyatsa felt immensely sorrowful, sitting silently to the side with reddened eyes. Queen Zumu's Counsel for a Strategic Withdrawal The ruler and his ministers gathered together. Zumu once again offered wine and tea to everyone, then said, "Oh, ruler and ministers, all of you! My fine wine is like sweet rain after a long drought, please drink heartily! My song is like the cuckoo's cry, its lyrics like bountiful ears of wheat, please listen carefully!" Geser of Jambudvipa, Went to the north to subdue demons for the people. White Tent King in Yaze City, Plots and schemes for himself, Single-mindedly desires to enslave Lingga. The people's affairs bloom like brilliant flowers, He is like a severe frost seeking to destroy the blossoms. The people's affairs shine brightly like a lamp in all directions, He is like a fierce gale trying to extinguish the lamp. Now, our heroes of the Ling Kingdom, Disregarding life and death, rise together in fury, Swinging war blades without cease. From Prince Chizong and Yellow Tent King above, Down to the fierce general Langji Bentu, We have already made them separate head from body, Half the enemy army has been slain. The ancients had a saying: "If the snow lion crouches without knowing restraint, It will become no different from a towering mountain; If the fierce tiger boasts of its thick fur without restraint, It will become one with the dense mountain forest; If the white vulture soars without knowing restraint, It will become as boundless as the sky; If the gray wolf eats greedily without restraint, It will choke on the fat meat of the sheep; If a traveler journeys without knowing restraint, Excessive trekking will lead to exhaustion." If heroes' valor has no restraint, Even an army of a hundred thousand will suffer losses. Now the seasons wait for no one; The three autumn months have passed, harsh winter approaches. Snow seals the mountains left and right of the Yellow River, The snowy plateau is swept by bitter winds. The Yellow River crossings are frozen solid. Staying trapped here will hardly bring success, It would be better to return and defend our city. The elders of old had a saying: "During the three glorious summer months, the scenery is wondrous, Roaming the grasslands brings endless joy. Lush grass and trees, brilliant flowers, A delight to the senses, making one reluctant to leave." During the three winter months of wind and snow, It is better to return to the city. Drink wine, savor tea, enjoy to the full, Happiness and fulfillment, free from illness. The territory of the Senju capital is vast, Let the three brothers of the noble ruler go to oversee it, Accompanied by the two young princes, how perfect. When others are happy, one is also at peace. If the Hor wish to stay here long, Let those thieves dwell here for a lifetime. Otherwise, if we fight a protracted war of attrition, The Ling Kingdom's forces will surely be depleted. When King Gesar went to the north, He earnestly warned, saying: "If the helmet is not firmly fastened, Do not recklessly assault a fortified city. If the armor is not tightly bound to the body, Do not lightly face sharp blades. If sharp arrows are not prepared in abundance, Do not casually plunge into enemy formations. If the warhorse's stamina is not fully trained, Do not charge into the great plain. Unless coordinating with the main force, Never flaunt bravery and charge the enemy camp alone." Are these warnings still remembered in your hearts? The common saying is truly apt: A man who can grasp the moment of battle is a hero. Now there is no need to remain here, It would be better to return to the city immediately. On the right, the Tangzong Renmao city on the sunny side of the river, On the left, the Jieri Laze city on the shady side of the river, Are vital thoroughfares for people coming and going. Leave several hundred men to guard each city. Our ruler, the great King Gesar, May return as early as next year, At the latest, he will certainly return the year after. Prudent defense is safest, Please consider this carefully. As she sang, Zumu filled Gyatsa's bowl with strong liquor, offered a cup of strong wine to each of the other heroes, and then presented each with a cup of fragrant flower tea. Gyatsa, Niben, and Dapan disagreed with returning to defend the city, advocating that regardless of how the battle situation developed, they should persist in fighting to the end on the great plain! However, the Chief Steward, Senda, Danma, Gade, and the royal father Senlun all agreed with Zumu's opinion, believing it better to temporarily return to the city for defense. The Chief Steward said, "Zumu's words are very reasonable. Although this matter was first raised by Zumu in song, the men and women of Sacred Ling are all thinking the same in their hearts. Although we have eliminated many of the Hor scoundrels, their numbers are still great now, and signs of our victory are hard to see. Although our nephew, the Lion King, went to the north to subdue demons, he will return sooner or later. During this period before his return, we should focus on holding our fortified cities. This way, our men and horses will not suffer losses. Skillfully defending our cities and preserving our strength—this is the best strategy!" Deliberation and the Decision to Withdraw After the Chief Steward spoke, everyone expressed agreement. If an ordinary hero were sacrificed, it wouldn't matter much. But if the three brothers—Gyatsa, Dapan, and Niben—were to come to harm, who knows how King Gesar would reprimand everyone upon his return! In this freezing weather, it was better to hold the castles. Staying stubbornly trapped in this small camp was just asking for trouble. So, the commanders and troops, both high and low, all said they agreed to withdraw to the city. Gyatsa and Niben remained silent. Dapan said, "If we abandon defending the Ling Kingdom's territory and heroes burrow into holes like foxes, how could the people of Ling agree? Moreover, brothers Gyatsa and Niben, and the two young princes have not been injured. What benefit is there really in going back to defend castles? But if we fight a war of attrition to the end, once the Ling army is completely wiped out and the heroes are all sacrificed, if the Hor people come to dominate Ling, from the white-haired elders down to the white-toothed children, none will likely escape the slaughter of the Hor. Yet, if we don't fight, letting the Hor army continue its invasion is also no good for Ling. As the saying goes, 'The topic of discussion is raised by the elders; the decision of the meeting is carried out by the youth.' What do you all think? Whether to fight or defend, ultimately, it still requires Gyatsa's decision!" At this point, no one knew what Gyatsa was really thinking in his heart, and Dapan hadn't made his meaning entirely clear, so everyone fell silent. Then, the Queen Mother Guomu rose from her seat, holding a snow-white Khata scarf in both hands, and said, "The meeting has risen shining like the sun, so why do you all fall silent again, as if shrouded by black clouds? I agree with Zumu's words. Returning to firmly hold our cities and wait for Gesar's return is more appropriate!" Guomu was the birth mother of King Gesar. Everyone felt that not listening to her was akin to not listening to King Gesar himself. No matter how much reluctance he felt, Gyatsa had to agree. He said, "We came here to take revenge on those murdering, arsonist Hor bandits. Only by uprooting the Yellow Hor from their foundation will the hatred in our hearts be resolved. We never thought to bully others, but the royal fathers, mothers, and sisters-in-law do not see it this way. Therefore, for each of us, even if we fight bravely, aside from disturbing our own peace of mind, there is no other benefit. If younger brother agrees to defend the city, then I agree too!" Dapan understood Gyatsa's pain very well: "Elder brother speaks rightly. If King Gesar were to return from the north, there would be no difficulties. Let's do it that way now! According to the wishes of the royal father, uncle king, queen mother, sisters-in-law, and the multitude of heroes, let us temporarily hold the castles firmly!" Once opinions were unified, everyone settled their minds. The next day, at dawn, after finishing breakfast, packing up the tents, saddling the horses, securing the loads, and each leading their own warhorse, they awaited orders. The white conch shell sounded, and the troops divided into three routes to begin their departure. Gyatsa, along with the young generals Alubasen and Renqing Daru, these three, plus the Chief Steward, royal father Senlun, Sanxia, Tabei Suonan, and others, set out escorted by a thousand cavalrymen. Niben, Dapan, and ten other fierce heroic commanders crossed the Yellow River, circled past the Hor barracks, and galloped back majestically along the north bank of the Yellow River. The Hor troops watched them wide-eyed, but none dared to leave camp to harass them. The Hor Advance and Desecration of Ling Land Following Dapan's orders, various divisions quickly set up defenses in their respective castles. Herdsmen drove their herds of cattle, sheep, and horses to the Zamaorenbo Stone Mountain gorge area—a place where an old woman could guard the pass and a thousand men could not breach it. Here, with abundant water and grass and dense forests, the herdsmen settled down peacefully. The chieftains then dispatched a hundred cavalrymen from each of the three army divisions to conduct defense. Upon hearing the news that the Ling forces had withdrawn from the Yellow River bank, White Tent King was wild with joy and immediately summoned the commanders of the various tribes for a meeting. White Tent King said, "Ya! Hey! Great army of the Yellow Hor! Those overconfident Ling youngsters clearly couldn't hold on any longer and have fled backward like foxes. Let us cross over to the other side of the Yellow River!" White Tent King was so overjoyed he couldn't contain himself, but Sinba Meruze put a damper on his thought : "White Tent King, you deceitful and cunning man! You are already the sun setting in the west, yet you still want to radiate your remaining authority. Our brave and fierce sons are nearly wiped out by aconite poison. Can't you see? The Ling people have returned to hold their own castles!" White Tent King flushed red with shame and embarrassment. After a while, he said, "Sinba compares me, the Heavenly King, recklessly and spews malicious words—truly disrespectful! You dare not fight before the Ling troops, yet you chatter with half-understood talk. When facing the enemy, you dare not kill a single man; your horse doesn't even dare to break a sweat. Yet before the multitude of Hor warriors, you know no shame, singing songs, quoting verses, and boasting endlessly. The ancient proverb says, 'Although a chief may fall into decline, a dog's tail still cannot be wrapped around his head!'" White Tent King believed Sinba Meruze did not hold him, the king, in regard and pointed at his face, harshly reprimanding him, advising him not to be so self-righteous and talk nonsense in the future. Seeing White Tent King so unwilling to listen to good advice, Sinba Meruze was so furious he didn't know where to vent his anger. He could only turn his head, mount his precious steed, and gallop straight out onto the grassland for several laps. A few days later, Hor scouts confirmed that the Ling forces had indeed withdrawn due to the cold weather. The Hor then deployed their three armies as they had when setting out from the great plain, strictly enforcing military discipline, and divided the forces into two groups. The center army, with the great white tent of ten thousand at its core, was led by White Tent King, the master teacher Yamu, Sinba Meruze, Duoqin, Tangze Yuzhou, Baturu Qiangla, Tangga Zegu, and others. They commanded the Hor White Tent, Yellow Tent, as well as the Riba, Tamba, Bumba, and Gengga divisions—a total of five hundred thousand troops. They crossed the Yellow River, reached the vicinity of the Ling Kingdom's Jieri Laze city, and set up camp about an arrow's shot away from the city. On the other side, centered around the ceremonial tent of the Yellow Tent King, a massive force of five hundred thousand troops—led by Prince Lawu, the Black Tent King, Garwa, Nianjia, Chabao, Chaxiao, Dunba, and others—set up their military camp. Their position was just an arrow's flight away from the foot of the Tangzong Renmao city of the Ling Kingdom on the Yellow River's bank. At this time, thick smoke and haze enveloped both shores of the Yellow River, casting a gloomy pall over the sun. During their five-month occupation of the Yellow River beaches, the Hor army's horses completely devoured the green grass on the sunny slopes of the Ling region's mountains. The Hor soldiers felled every last tree on the shaded slopes. They utterly destroyed the altars of the sacred Machen Pomra Mountain. Moreover, they wantonly wrecked the temples, pagodas, and Buddhist shrines upon which the castles relied. As for the tonsured monks and nuns, some were killed, others were taken captive. They truly committed every evil across the three realms, exhausting all human conscience and heavenly virtue.

When Gyatsa and the other heroes of the Ling Kingdom arrived at the city of Dazi, they found it empty, its gates wide open. The precious treasures from the vaults had all been plundered by the Hor people. The great hero Gyatsa was so enraged he felt as if smoke were rising from his seven orifices. 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 49 FURY DRIVES GYATSA IN PURSUIT OF FOES; KARMA UNAVOIDABLE, THE HEAVENLY DOG DEVOURS THE BRIGHT MOON The Chase Begins When Gyatsa and the other heroes of the Ling Kingdom arrived at the city of Dazi, they found it empty, its gates wide open. The precious treasures from the vaults had all been plundered by the Hor people. The great hero Gyatsa was so enraged he felt as if smoke were rising from his seven orifices. Like a man possessed, he neither consulted with the others nor made any battle plans. Alone, he charged off in the direction the Hor army had retreated. How could Gyatsa not be frantic? When Gesar had gone north to subdue the demons, he had entrusted all state affairs to him, charging him with protecting the Ling Kingdom, guarding the queen, and defending the herds at home. But now? The queen had been abducted, the treasures looted. How could he face King Gesar upon his return? As the proverb says: "The true hero among brave men is recognized in times of crisis; the thousand-league steed among fine horses is distinguished in races across the great plains; the wise man among the people reveals his capability when great events arise." Now, in this moment of crisis, it was time for him, Gyatsa, to show his true mettle. As Gyatsa galloped forward furiously, he spoke to his white-shouldered steed beneath him: O White-Shouldered Horse, my White-Shouldered Horse, Today in battle, I rely on you. Leap over cliffs and scale rocky mountains, Let your four hooves tread as if on level ground; Jump across great rivers and broad streams, Be like the golden-eyed fish in the water; Possess the skill of the white eagle, Run swifter than a flash of lightning; Today I go to slay our foes, In this fight, my only companion is you; Together we'll charge into the Hor camp, And turn their world upside down! Listen well, my horse, my horse, Today you are truly needed, To defend our homeland in this hour, To charge and triumph in this fray. The White-Shouldered Horse understood its master's words and ran as if its hooves were borne by the wind, swift as lightning across the sky. After an unknown length of time, both Gyatsa and his horse saw them: the Hor troops covering the mountains and plains, their weapons dense as a forest. Gyatsa recklessly plunged into the Hor ranks. His white-tasseled sword swung left and right, cutting down Hor soldiers until blood and flesh flew; his thunderous arrows shot in all directions, felling Hor troops who rolled on the ground. The Hor army was thrown into immediate chaos, crying for their fathers and mothers, scattering into two fleeing groups. One group, led by Sinba Meruze, Duoqin, and Prince Lawu Laibu, fled along the direction of the Jieri Sandy Mountains. The other, led by the Black Tent King and Tangze, fled toward the Dujia Koxiu Azalea Stone Mountain. A Fated Duel Niben, Gade, and Danma swiftly pursued the Hor troops fleeing toward the Azalea Stone Mountain. Gyatsa spotted a figure who seemed to be Duoqin behind the retreating red-tasseled troops and flew after him like a bird. Duoqin recognized the pursuer as Gyatsa and dared not look back, only urging the main Hor force to flee desperately. Unable to catch Duoqin, Gyatsa turned back and encountered another Hor contingent, at the front of which walked Prince Lawu Laibu. Gyatsa quickly lashed his white horse three times and charged toward them like a flash of lightning. The Hor soldiers scattered in all directions, regardless of the path. Wherever Lawu fled, Gyatsa pursued. Lawu naturally knew that encountering Gyatsa meant there was no escape from fate. He nocked an iron arrow with pheasant feathers on his precious bow, looped the ring of his white-backed treasured blade inlaid with cat's eye agate onto his thumb, and said, "Gyatsa! Today, it seems I am fated not to escape alive. But before I die, I must loose one arrow!" With a whoosh, the iron arrow flew out, passing right through the middle of the red silk tassel on Gyatsa's helmet. Enraged, Gyatsa drew his Yasi blade and charged at Lawu. Lawu dared not look back, only fled forward—from the top of the ravine to the snow-capped mountains, from the mouth of the valley to the riverbank, across the great plains, along the mountainsides, and back onto the main road—with Gyatsa in close pursuit. Finally, they returned to the front of the Jieri Anqing Sandy Mountains. Just as Gyatsa was about to catch up, his mount unexpectedly refused to continue the chase and instead backed away. Gyatsa quickly dismounted, drew a golden-tailed arrow, and shot. It struck Lawu squarely in the back. Lawu arched his back, struggled forward a few steps, and then fell from his horse. Gyatsa severed Lawu's head and began walking down the mountain path! At that moment, sparse raindrops began to fall from the sky. A rainbow appeared between the clouds, black grouse cried mournfully, white vultures circled overhead, and a pure white cloud drifted slowly northward. Suddenly, immense sorrow welled up in Gyatsa's heart. The image of King Gesar appeared vividly in his mind. Overwhelmed by longing, his tears fell like leaves struck by frost. He dismounted to catch his breath and rest briefly, his thoughts calming slightly. Resolutely, he thought: "The mountains and rivers of Ling are already shattered. I am separated from Gesar in life, and forever parted from heroic brothers like Yuda and Maerle in death. Truly, it would be better to die than endure this!" Unable to suppress the grief and anguish in his heart, he entrusted these feelings to the messenger of the white clouds and sang a song in the melodious tune of "Fresh Flower's Wonderful Sound": In the vast, ethereal sky, The wandering white cloud is like a beauty from afar. From whence do you come? And where will you go tonight? In the north, at Xiameri Jie, King Gesar is my younger brother. Does he have any good news? O white cloud! If you are going north, Please carry a few words for me. Tell the Great Lion King: Do not linger long in the northern lands. If you do not return to Ling soon, The Hor will devour the Ling Kingdom. Seeing our people suffer such humiliation, You went to that distant demon kingdom, Yet your own homeland slips from your grasp. My life's span is nearing its end, No need to speak of how desolate, how melancholy! In the summer of the Wood-Tiger year, You, Great Lion King Gesar, With your purple face clenching white conch teeth, Round eyes glaring like purple-red coral, The silk tassel on your helmet fluttering, Vulture feather plumes trembling, Lightning-warding armor gleaming brightly, Chestnut steed's hooves spinning like the wind, Rode alone, ceaselessly, to the north, Leaving me behind like a bird abandoned on a desolate shore. Just like the eye on the forehead and the heart in the chest, We are torn apart, alive yet separated. Though I speak these words, When I think of Joru, I pray and call his name. Gesar's protection knows no distance, In our hearts, we brothers are not apart. If you think of me, Xiega, Please also call the name of me, Gyatsa. These are the heartfelt words I send him. Had the great king not gone north, We brothers, arm in arm, Though the sun and moon are revered, their halos would tremble; Though the Garuda is skilled, its wings would quiver; Though the wild lion is fierce, its four paws would leap. He possesses miraculous transformations, I have courage and martial prowess. The masses fight like fierce tigers, Even turning heaven and earth is within our grasp. Though not destined by the lines on my forehead, This was to be the fortune of the Ling people. This War God's purple longevity robe, And that guardian Vajra armor, I ask the Dakini Heavenly Mother to take back, Or else return them to Gesar, For those who need them to wear! Though vexation arises, it is my nature; Though tears flow, they are but dew. May, in the luminous deeds for all beings, The tale of Xiega be widely sung. The Final Confrontation Gyatsa laid down his weapons, removed his armor, and placed the War God's purple longevity robe and guardian golden armor on a square stone. He kowtowed to it three times, wrapped it in a seamless divine silk undershirt, placed it in a marmot hole, and blocked the entrance with three white stones, praying: "I return these gifts to the War God!" He then mounted Lawu's warhorse and pursued the fleeing Hor troops. He caught up with Sinba Meruze and the five hundred red-tasseled troops who had originally hidden in a remote ravine of the Xieri Sandy Mountains. Since the red tassel on his helmet had been shot off by Lawu, Gyatsa inserted two pieces of silk on either side of his helmet crest. From afar, it looked like Lawu's white horsetail tassel. The Hor troops initially thought it was Lawu, but when Gyatsa came within an arrow's shot, drew his treasured blade, and charged to kill, they realized it was Gyatsa and scattered in panic. Sinba Meruze quickly shouted, "Please charge no further! Gyatsa! To pursue the weak without restraint—must you force everyone to the cliff's edge for a life-and-death struggle?" At this point, Gyatsa would not listen to any admonition. He hacked and slashed his way, driving the last remaining Hor stragglers into a small stream gully beside a pale gray cliff. Sinba turned and leaped up the cliff. Gyatsa pursued fiercely from below, outflanked him, and blocked the path ahead. With no escape, Sinba hid in a bend of the cliff, dismounted, and stood facing the direction of Hor, confronting Gyatsa who remained on horseback. Lawu's horse, overdriven by Gyatsa and with Gyatsa brandishing his sword before it, suddenly reared in fright, throwing the unprepared Gyatsa off. He landed directly on a spear point and was gravely wounded. As the prophecy "the bright full moon of the fifteenth falls upon the plain" foretold, he could not rise for a moment. Seeing the situation, Sinba thought to leave, but unexpectedly, Gyatsa summoned strength from somewhere. He hurled his treasured blade with force and shouted, "Sinba Meruze! I am done for. Better you give me a clean end! Then you can go claim merit and reward before the White Tent King!" But Meruze's eyes streamed with tears as he wept, "Must I truly exhaust all evil deeds? My heart has always yearned for the cause of the Great Lion King. Since following the White Tent King on this campaign, I have avoided conflict at every turn. I never imagined that today fate would demand I commit this evil against the Bumba King! Yet, it must be said, your Ling troops, insisting on sheer force, showed no restraint at all, ruining my lifelong aspirations." Saying this, he wept like a child. Hearing his words, Gyatsa felt a touch of solace. Since the war between the two armies began, Sinba had indeed consistently avoided conflict. That they had come to such a pass was simply the inescapable karma of them both! So, in a very gentle tone, he said, "Sinba Meruze! To starve rather than eat rotten chaff is the nature of the white-mouthed wild horse; to die of thirst rather than drink ditch water is the nature of the red-haired wild yak; to suffer unto death without shedding a tear is the character of a true man. There's no need for alarm; this is our destined lifespan! Who lives and who dies is still unknown, but neither of us wants to leave behind the reputation of a fox fleeing battle. Let us have one final archery contest and let fate decide victory!" Since fate had driven these two natural adversaries to such a point, despite his extreme reluctance, Sinba, with tears streaming, agreed. Gyatsa picked up a bow and arrows, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth. He shot an arrow that struck the tassel atop Sinba's helmet without harming him in the least. When it was Meruze's turn to shoot, tears already blurred his vision. It seemed fate had decreed that no matter how he tried to avoid it, he must fulfill the tribulation of Lord Bumba's destined end. Helplessly, he silently called the name of the Great Lion King, sorrowfully thinking that his own destiny was originally to assist King Gesar in achieving great deeds, yet now he had become the enemy who killed the king's own brother. The arrow flew out and struck Lord Gyatsa squarely in the forehead. He stiffened, fell to the ground, and passed from this world. The Heavenly Mother Langman Gam believed that if Sinba did not sever Gyatsa's head and hang it on the golden roof of Yaze City, it would not ignite King Gesar's immense hatred. So, she transformed into the appearance of a demon deity, used a yellow thunderbolt treasured blade to cleave Gyatsa's body from his head, and spoke from the air: "Red-Armed Sinba! Take this enemy's head to boast before your foes and claim merit before your kin! Hang it on the golden roof of Yaze City, and the White Tent King will have his wish fulfilled!" While Sinba was still hesitating, Danma and Gade, seeing the ominous rainbow light, rushed over. Sinba had no choice but to hastily discard all his weapons and depart, taking only Gyatsa's head. Ling's Grief and a Vow of Vengeance The grievous news reached Ling, plunging all into mourning, a pain beyond words. Compounded by the abduction of Queen Zumu and the continued absence of the Great Lion King, the skies over Ling grew dark with despair! Upon hearing of Gyatsa's death, Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen, Danma, and other Ling heroes rushed to the scene. The moment the Chief Steward saw Gyatsa's body, he let out a great cry and fainted. A long time passed before he regained consciousness. Rongtsa Chagen felt as if a knife were twisting in his heart, his aged face streaked with tears. Queen Zumu had been seized, Ling's treasures plundered, and now Gyatsa was slain—what face did the heroes of Ling have left to live in this world! "Detestable, hateful Yellow Hor people! Deserving of death and dismemberment, you Sinbas! What sins have you committed!" The gathered brothers could not hold back their tears. "To starve rather than eat rotten chaff is the nature of the white-mouthed wild horse; to die of thirst rather than drink ditch water is the nature of the red-haired wild horse; to suffer unto death without shedding a tear is the character of a true man. We heroes of Ling would rather die in battle than sigh or weep. We must rally our spirits and avenge Gyatsa!" The hero Danma's eyes blazed with fury, his words resolute and forceful. The heroes of Ling checked their tears. Danma waved his blade, and the brothers prepared to follow him in pursuit of the Hor army. King Senlun stopped them: "Halt, young men! Stop quickly. Gyatsa is already dead. Do you still wish to throw your lives away?" "No! Without killing the White Tent King, without killing Sinba Meruze, my rage, Danma's rage, will not be quelled." "We must go, King Senlun. Please wait here with the Chief Steward for news of our victory." The young warriors brandished their blades and spears, determined to chase and slay the Hor. "Which of you has martial skill surpassing Gyatsa's? Who among you is more valiant than Gyatsa?" The young men looked at each other, unable to answer. "Good, no one. In Ling, aside from Gesar, no one could match Gyatsa. Now Gyatsa is dead. Relying on you will not bring back the queen or recover the treasures." "Then, is it all over?" "No! This account is not settled. Our Great Lion King will return soon. Once he does, the White Tent King, the Yellow Tent King, the Black Tent King of Hor—none shall keep their lives." King Senlun patiently reasoned with the young men, for many men of Ling Gabu had already died. To continue such a reckless pursuit would not kill the Hor but would instead lead to ambushes and the same fate as Gyatsa. The grief-stricken Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen nodded repeatedly. He agreed with King Senlun's stance, unable to bear seeing more young men of Ling die like Gyatsa. "This... this... this... how can I swallow this anger!" The hero Danma's eyes reddened with pent-up fury, his large fists clenched until they cracked. "Then let it be this way. We, uncles and nephews, shall each shoot an arrow toward the Hor city. Each arrow shall strike a target, letting the White Tent King understand that the heroes of our Ling Kingdom are as numerous as grass on the earth, sand on the riverbanks—impossible to kill off or exhaust." King Senlun proposed another idea. The heroes drew their bows and nocked arrows, each silently praying for heavenly aid. They would shoot their arrows directly into the palace where the White Tent King of Hor resided. The heroes sang: One arrow pierced your golden spire's crest, symbolizing the splitting of the celestial demon's skull; One arrow flew towards the yak-hair net of the treasure banner, symbolizing the suppression of the sky demon¹ to the earth; One arrow struck the joint of the flying eaves, symbolizing the command of the earth demon to serve; One arrow shattered the sun-facing window's glass mirror, symbolizing the scattering of the White Tent King's soul; One arrow shot straight into the royal palace, Symbolizing the plucking of the White Tent King's heart. The heroes will have their successors, Who will carve a path upon your snowy mountains, Who will dance the warhorse dance upon your vast plains, Who will reduce the thousand-peaked Yaze City to ashes, Who will sever the heads of all remaining Sinba, Who will place a horse's saddle upon the neck of you, White Tent King, Who will make the wild grasses across your land sing a mournful tune, Who will ensure the twelve tribes of Achin Never again have a place of peaceful dwelling... After this invocation, several arrows were loosed together. As if guided by the prayer, they struck precisely the places the heroes had intended. Although Danma's resentment was not fully quelled, his fury had subsided considerably.

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.

As they neared the Ling Kingdom, Gesar suddenly patted the neck of his precious steed. Jang Gapeibu understood—its master wanted it to slow its pace. Yes, it had been nine years since he left Ling. In these nine years, who knew what changes had occurred in Ling, what had become of its people? A clever idea struck Gesar. He transformed into the appearance of a merchant. 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 51 DISGUISED AS A BEGGAR, HE SKILLFULLY PROBES THE DETAILS OF LING; DISPLAYING DIVINE MIGHT, HE STERNLY PUNISHES DARONG'S CHAO TONG A Merchant's Return and a Father's Anguish As they neared the Ling Kingdom, Gesar suddenly patted the neck of his precious steed. Jang Gapeibu understood—its master wanted it to slow its pace. Yes, it had been nine years since he left Ling. In these nine years, who knew what changes had occurred in Ling, what had become of its people? A clever idea struck Gesar. He transformed into the appearance of a merchant. Then, from the black and white treasure bag he brought from the demon kingdom, he took out livestock and treasures. Instantly, the hillside was covered with the plump cattle and sheep of the demon lands. He also pitched a large, wide tent and settled there. Three years prior, the Hor people had abducted Queen Zumu, plundered Ling's treasures, and killed the great hero Gyatsa. However, because Chao Tong had repeatedly provided information and rendered service, they not only refrained from seizing his wealth and livestock but also made him the king of Ling. What he failed to obtain at the horse race, he finally acquired in part. Though he lacked the seven treasures and Zumu, he now had the Ling Kingdom and the throne, which brought Chao Tong some measure of satisfaction. And with satisfaction came the desire for unrestrained pleasure. He had the Qiongka Mubu palace renovated to be resplendent with gold and jade, dazzlingly bright by day and glowing radiantly by night. However, his resources were ultimately limited, so he had to squeeze the common people relentlessly. Since Chao Tong became king of Ling, the populace had not known a single day of peace, not a day free from suffering and torment. The more they endured hardship, the more they longed for the Great Lion King Gesar. Although Chao Tong had seized the opportunity to become Ling's king, he lived in constant anxiety, wary of the day King Gesar might return. Seeing the sight of the merchant's camp, he trembled with fear and immediately summoned King Senlun, who had been become his servant. Chao Tong said to Senlun, "Over in that valley, there have never been so many cattle and sheep. Go and find out where they come from? I demand a horse's worth of water and grass fee from them per day." Senlun had no choice but to put on his tattered fur coat, tie a knotted leather strap around his waist, strap on his broadsword, don an iron helmet, mount his lame horse, and set off immediately. He soon reached the other side of the valley. By then, Gesar, transformed into a merchant, had already laid out a tiger-skin cushion and was waiting. Senlun tethered his horse and hesitated outside the tent for a long while before asking, "Where did you come from this morning? Where will you go tonight? For whom are your teeth and heart white? For whom are your hair and eyebrows black? What business do you intend to conduct? In this sacred valley of the Ling Kingdom, no one dares to come here except flying birds. You, the guest residing here, trample more grass than you eat, muddy more water than you drink. For drinking water, you must pay a water fee; for grazing, you must pay a grass tax!" The "merchant" replied, "Ah, you pitiable old man! Your eyes are bluer than the sky, your hair whiter than conch shells. Why do your knees rise above your head? Why, in your advanced years, do you serve as another's slave? Why should I trouble you? I'll tell you: I came from the north this morning, I head to the Ling Kingdom tonight. My teeth and heart are white for Holy Ling; my hair and eyebrows are black for the enemy. If you ask about my business, the tale is long, hard to tell in a few words." Seeing Senlun shrinking back onto the grass at the very edge of the tiger-skin cushion, the Great King urged him to sit up properly. The old man said, "Such a magnificent cushion, I have not the fortune to sit upon it!" The Great King had to let him be. Then, a conjured servant brought tea. The old man was so pitiful he didn't even have his own wooden bowl. The Great King poured tea for him into his own auspicious, perfect bowl. Seeing this bowl, Senlun couldn't help but laugh. As they drank tea, the servant brought meat. Seeing Senlun had no small knife for eating meat, the Great King handed him his own white crystal dagger. As he ate, Senlun looked at the dagger and began to sob and weep. The Great King pretended not to understand: "Did you laugh just now because the tea was bad, and now cry because the meat is unpalatable? Or is this simply the custom of your land?" King Senlun gradually stopped his sobs. Gritting his teeth, he recounted everything that had happened since Gesar left Ling. When he spoke of the great hero Gyatsa sacrificing himself for the kingdom, the Lion King's tears soaked his robes. When he spoke of Queen Zumu being abducted by the Hor King, Gesar burned with anxiety as if his heart were on fire. When he spoke of Chao Tong's betrayal and collusion with the enemy, Gesar gnashed his teeth in fury—though it was not yet time for father and son to reveal themselves. He listened as the old man continued, "Please do not take offense, noble guest. It is truly because my heart is filled with sorrow. This bowl I hold in my hand now resembles my lion-child's perfect, auspicious bowl. This dagger I use to eat meat resembles my lion-child's white-handled crystal dagger. Seeing them gladdens my heart, but my longing is so great I cannot stop weeping." The "merchant" was deeply moved but restrained his emotions. He offered the old man another bowl of wine, then made a request: "Elder! I have many lice in my hair. Please catch them for me!" Saying this, he laid his head in the old man's lap. The old man flustered, trying to push him away: "Noble lord! I am dressed in such filth and rags. My filth will defile your noble body!" But the "merchant" insisted and would not move. The old man, helpless, had to turn his head and examine it carefully. There were no lice, but he discovered a patch of white birthmarks behind the right ear, extending to the right shoulder—just like Gesar's. Overcome by the sight, a single teardrop fell squarely into the "merchant's" ear. The "merchant" immediately straightened up: "You didn't catch lice; instead, you poured water into my ear. Do you mean to harm me? Your master torments you, why take it out on me?" He stood up as he spoke. Senlun hurriedly explained: "How dare I take it out on you? It's just that the patch of white birthmarks behind your ear looks so much like my son Gesar's. Thinking of my son, I couldn't hold back my tears, and one fell into your ear. Please do not be angry, do not take offense!" As he spoke, he felt such overwhelming grief that he fainted. Gesar quickly cradled his father king's head and sprayed cool sandalwood water on his chest. The shock revived Senlun shortly after. By then, King Gesar could no longer suppress his longing for his father and homeland and revealed himself to King Senlun. Senlun was like one who sees dawn after a long night, overjoyed beyond words. He grasped the Great King's hand, kissing it repeatedly, then pressed it tightly against his own face, saying excitedly, "From today, the suffering of Ling is over! My wish has been fulfilled!" King Gesar offered his father many sumptuous foods and repeatedly remind him to keep the secret, not to reveal it to anyone. Afterwards, Senlun reluctantly bid his son farewell. As he returned, he couldn't suppress his inner joy. His beard stuck out high, he whipped his old lame horse into a gallop, drew the wooden-handled waist knife from his bosom, and waved it fiercely towards the imagined figure of Chao Tong, shouting incessantly, "From now on, some people will face misfortune, and some will prosper!" Galloping back home, he quietly relayed the news to Guomu, King Gesar's birth mother. Hearing it, Guomu was like a beggar obtaining a priceless treasure. She hurried to make a smoke offering to thank the deities. By then, Chao Tong had also heard vague rumors and was trembling all over, panic-stricken, looking around nervously. Then his face flushed crimson, and he sat there gnashing his teeth in a daze. Only by evening did he dare send someone to Senlun's home to inquire. Senlun deceived him: "That's the great wealthy merchant Dorje Drakpa from the Li region. He said he greatly reveres the Lion King and, seeing I am the Lion King's father, bestowed much wine and meat upon me. I got drunk again." Chao Tong listened, half-believing, half-doubting. How would a merchant from afar know he was Gesar's father? His heart was uneasy! The Beggar's Tale and the King's Return The next day, an old beggar with graying hair arrived at the gate of Chao Tong's palace, shouting repeatedly, "Long-lived master! Give this old beggar some food!" Chao Tong stuck his head out and asked, "Where are you from, beggar? Coming to knock on the door so early in the morning is most inauspicious." "Noble master, I come from the demon kingdom." "From the demon kingdom? Then, come in quickly. I have questions for you." Hearing the old beggar came from the demon lands, Chao Tong hurriedly invited him inside. He was about to order a maid to fetch some food but thought better of it and went in himself, bringing out a wooden tray of roasted barley flour with a piece of butter on top and a small pot of wine. "Hey, old man, I have confidential matters to ask you. As long as you tell the truth, your food, clothing, and needs will be my responsibility from now on." "Speak, master. What is it?" The old man slowly ate the roasted flour and drank the wine. "Nine years ago, my nephew Gesar went north to subdue demons. The first three years, rumors said he died; the next three years, rumors said he didn't die; and these last three years, there's been no news at all. Is he dead or alive? Tell me in detail." "Ah, that so-called Lion King Gesar has been dead for eight full years. The thousand-mile precious steed is used by Meisa to carry water; the quiver is used by demon women as a sack; and the demon king Lutsan is still alive and well!" "Really? Truly?" Chao Tong was so excited he could hardly believe his ears. "Of course! I served Lutsan as a slave for three years, naturally I know very clearly." The old beggar said with a straight face. "Excellent! The stone in my heart has finally fallen. The sun feels warmest at dusk; a man finds greater happiness in old age. This wretched nephew of mine always caused me trouble. As long as he lived in this world, I could not rule in peace. Wonderful, truly wonderful! Serves him right for not living long." As he spoke, Chao Tong ordered the maids to bring large pieces of meat and big bowls of wine for the old beggar to eat and drink. He himself also intended to feast. However, Chao Tong's queen, Dan Sa, hearing the news that King Gesar was no longer in this world, wept bitterly: "Ah! Day and night I prayed to the heavenly gods for my nephew's safety. Why is there such terrible news today! What will become of Ling's future!" Hearing this, Chao Tong, furious and flustered, jumped down from his throne, cursing "worthless woman," grabbed a wooden stick, and struck Dan Sa, actually knocking the aged queen unconscious. The old beggar, seeing this scene, was deeply不忍 and stayed by Dan Sa's side until she awoke. But even after waking, she continued to weep in agony. The old beggar had to comfort her: "I never thought news that pleased King Chao Tong would bring you such grief. But I've heard another piece of news. King Gesar has already subdued the northern demons and, with his consort, is driving the demon kingdom's cattle and sheep. He will arrive tomorrow." After hearing, Chao Tong was dumbfounded, speechless. And Dan Sa overjoyed like a loving mother seeing her long-lost beloved child, hurriedly took off the turquoise prayer beads worn around her neck, brought out ten sheep-stomachs worth of butter, added a white khata, and presented them to the old beggar as a gift of thanks for the good news. Gesar also found his mother Guomu outside the city, dressed in rags. But she was, after all, the daughter of the Dragon King. Seeing the "old beggar's" teeth as white as conch shells, she immediately recognized her son's transformation. Guomu held her son and wept for a long while. King Gesar comforted her: "Mother! Please don't cry. Hasn't your son returned? Now, please watch the excitement from the city's edge." Then, suddenly, the earth changed color; mountains, rivers, and valleys all glowed with red light. Gesar had already removed the disguising tumors and sores and thrown away the brimless felt hat. His hair shone with beautiful golden light, flowing loosely. His face was like the full moon on the fifteenth day, plump and perfect. Fully armed, he rode his precious steed, galloping from the south of Chao Tong's clan. It seemed like ten thousand horses roaring and running, clouds of dust billowing up, all the way to the capital's main gate. Chao Tong had already seen it clearly through a crack in the door, frightened and kept shouting to Queen Dan Sa: "Worthless woman! Gesar is here! What should we do? Tell him I'm not home! Cover me with the copper pot, let me hide!" Saying this, he quickly performed magic and hid under the copper pot. Dan Sa's heart, however, was filled with immense joy, like seeing the sun again after clouds parted. She hurriedly made a smoke offering and went out happily to welcome the Great King. The Great King halted his horse at the city gate and sang: A poor, wandering mendicant monk, Few can provide for him long. If he himself does not know thrift, Hard to endure spring's passage swift. A petty chieftain full of guile, None will long pay him tribute's while. If he cannot curb his harsh demands, Hard to keep his scattered folk in hands. A hypocrite with honeyed tongue, Cannot uphold a righteous war long. Once he betrays kin to the foe, Hard to escape justice's stern blow. This household's uncle hides in his nest, The nephew who journeyed returns success-blessed. What has the uncle at home done? If home, come out to greet your son! I, abroad, shot the proud demon king dead, Subdued the north's dark demon lands instead. Together with Queen Meisa Bungji, Bring cattle, sheep, and treasure to Ling's country. How many kin did you sell to the foe? How many Hor troops did you help to grow? What wealth from Hor did you obtain? What rewards from White Tent King did you gain? Today, let us both boast of heroes' might! After Aunt Dan Sa hearing, she sang: From Ling's east, auspicious mountain peak, Rises Jambudvipa's treasure king's golden wheel sleek. The divine clans bloom like thousand-petal lotus fair, Auntie too welcomes dawn of happiness rare. The fathers' deeds like budding flowers unfold, Dan Sa, like bee, sings of joys untold. Chao Tong, like owl, blinded both eyes, Ends his tyrannical, cruel reign's cries. Hearing my nephew's pleasing song, Chao Tong dares not at home belong. To Copper Pot Ravine he went to raid, Hid in Three-Stone Hearth Mountain's shade. If not by hearthstone his head he breaks, He'll grab some ash, his home he makes, With flowing tears, his grievances he'll state! Chao Tong heard this and cursed again: "Worthless woman, don't say that! Quick, hide me under the bed!" Then he hid under the bed. The Great King sang his inquiry as before. Auntie replied again: Respected nephew, King Gesar, How dare Chao Tong stay home, afar? To Bed Ravine he went to raid, Hid at Bonrou Mountain's foot in shade. If not by bedpost his head he breaks, He'll grab some soil, his home he makes, Head wrapped in black, his tale he'll state. Chao Tong anxiously cried: "Lowly woman! Stop talking! Hide me under the saddle!" Then hid under an ox saddle. When the Great King asked again, Auntie sang: My respected nephew, Lion King great, Chao Tong dares not at home await. To Ox Saddle Ravine he went to raid, Hid behind Oxback Mountain in shade. If not by saddle bow his head he breaks, He'll return home at midnight's wake. He has no face to greet his nephew dear, With ash bag on head, his reasons clear. If he comes begging at my door, For food, three handfuls of hearth ash, no more. For drink, a basin of pot-washing water, On empty stomach, no fierce talk he'll utter. Then let him report household affairs clear. That's when your moon-bright face will turn drear, That's when your Venus-like eyes will flash lightning's spear, That's when your Bodhisattva heart will rage severe, That's when you'll vow this sinner vile To strike with thunder ten thousand times! Only then will all men's grievances be paid, Only then will all women's hearts be comforted and laid! The Unmasking of a Traitor Upon hearing Queen Dan Sa's song, the people of the Ling Kingdom felt greatly comforted and laughed with joy. Only Chao Tong was cursing: "You wretched woman, are you seeking death? Quickly hide me in the purple leather bag! Clench your thirty teeth tight. Don't make another sound through your teeth!" By this time, the Great King had already dismounted. His aunt tethered the divine steed and invited the King inside to sit upon the tiger-skin throne. She then placed the purple leather bag containing Chao Tong, along with butter, roasted barley flour, and other foods, on the table before the King, and poured him a cup of rich, fragrant wine. Chao Tong, hiding inside the leather bag, trembled with fear, causing the table to shake uncontrollably. Pretending to be puzzled, the King said: "There are three ill omens in the world. One is when a red cliff trembles—that means it's time for lightning to strike and destroy it. Another is when an ancient tree spirit trembles—that means it's time for axes to fell it. And the third is when a purple leather bag trembles—that means it's time for a blade to split it in two. But for this purple leather bag, a needle is too fine, a blade would be a waste, and an awl would be just right." After saying this, he pricked the leather bag with an awl. Blood gushed out in streams, and the bag squirmed violently. The King continued: "In the Tibetan lands, there are three portents of misfortune. A musk deer should only run on rocky cliffs; if it runs into a village, it becomes an ill omen, signaling it's time to harvest its musk. An owl from a stone cave, if it lands on tent ropes, becomes a bird of ill omen, signaling it's time to shoot it with arrows. Aunt, this purple leather bag of yours seems to have a corpse inside trying to resurrect—this is an ill omen of misfortune befalling the household, and it must be dealt with promptly. An awl is too short, a spear is too long; only a knife thrust is just right." He then stabbed it with his dagger. Chao Tong, in agony, suddenly stood up. Dark purple blood sprayed out in gushes. Not daring to cry out, he threw off the leather bag and tried to flee naked. The King reached out, grabbed Chao Tong, threw him to the ground, pinned him down with his knee, and drew his white-handled crystal dagger, singing: My hatred is hard to quell, my anger hard to appease, How can I let a traitor like you escape with ease! You, an uncle, sided with the foe, How many Hor soldiers did you help bring here below? My brother Gyatsa Xiega, Often in secluded meditation did he stay, Now like a rainbow in the sky, He vanished without a trace, gone by. You caused my royal father and mother, And all the people of eastern Ling Gabu, To suffer humiliation and be trodden under. Considering our blood ties, I should spare you, But how can your deeds be forgiven, tell me true! Smashing a sacred image to show piety, Is not an act worthy of sincerity. Killing a guilty man of your own kin, Is not a cause for celebration or a win! If you have any last words, speak them fast, Your life will be over in moments that won't last! As he sang, he pointed the dagger tip at Chao Tong's chest. Trembling, Chao Tong begged for mercy: "You are right, nephew, you are right! But I beg you to spare my old life, don't kill me! Uncle I was bewitched by the yellow Hor's magic, my mind was addled, confused and upside-down, I completely lost awareness of what I was doing. Otherwise, why would I tie my hair into three topknots? Have my wife braid her hair into three plaits? Put three collars on a dog? These are things I did only because I was mad! Your hatred for uncle is justified, all the blame should fall on me, but towards you, nephew, uncle still holds the deepest affection. Please, Joru, spare your uncle's wretched life!" Public Shame and a Narrow Escape The King released Chao Tong, mounted his horse, and drove him forward with whip lashes, shouting: "Look quickly! This corpse in the leather bag has come back to life!" Everyone recognized the man as Chao Tong and shouted in unison: "Beat him to death! Beat him to death!" Amidst the shouts and the crowd chasing after him for amusement, Chao Tong was so ashamed he wished the ground would swallow him. He actually crawled into a marmot hole in the mountain. Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen had already seen the morning mist churned up by the divine steed Jang Gapeibu and knew King Gesar had returned. He hurriedly led heroes like Danma, Gade, and Niben to welcome him. Everyone paid their respects to King Gesar one by one. In the valley, they pitched an Auspicious Treasure tent, laid out cushions, and invited the King to sit at the highest seat. They presented him with hero's sashes and various fine wines and delicacies. In front of everyone, the Chief Steward recounted in detail the invasion by the Hor, how each hero had sacrificed themselves. As he spoke, old tears streamed down his face, and all the assembled heroes and warriors also had tears in their eyes. The Chief Steward sighed and said with relief: "Now it's good. Being able to wait for the Great King's return is an immense blessing for this old man! From now on, the prestige of our Ling Gabu can be restored. Although my sons have died for the kingdom, I still have my nephew Gesar. Alive, I will find infinite joy; dead, my heart will be at peace." The Great Lion King repeatedly comforted everyone: "During my campaign in the Demon Kingdom, it was my uncles, father, and all our brothers who gave their lives to protect the lineage of our divine clan. The Hor's debt must be repaid, and my Zumu must certainly be retrieved. But now, there is a debt right before our eyes that needs settling. This evil root of trouble, Chao Tong, harbors black intentions in everything he does, never missing a chance to commit wicked deeds. Even before I was born, he was harming people. From my birth until today, the one he hated in his heart was me, Gesar; the one he glared at sideways was me, Gesar; the one he cursed with malicious words was me, Gesar; the one he pointed at with his little finger was me, Gesar. Thinking again of his wicked act of betraying Ling Gabu to the yellow Hor, I wish I could chop him into mincemeat and tear out his heart and liver while he still lives!" Pleading for Mercy and a Humiliating Punishment Hearing this, Chao Tong was scared out of his wits, his face ashen. Still bleeding and naked, he crawled out of the marmot hole and prostrated himself before the King, tears falling like rain, trembling as he pleaded: "Please, everyone, help plead for me! Just now, inside the marmot hole, I reflected deeply. I am indeed guilty, but the me now is nothing but a black crow—its feathers are useless, its flesh inedible. Killing me would only add to the Great King's sin of taking life. Killing a dog, crushing an insect—these all carry sin, let alone killing a person. I beg Old Chief Steward to plead for my worthless life. If an opportunity arises in the future, I, Chao Tong, will repay you with my life." Seeing his wretched state, everyone felt both angry and amused. The divine steed Jang Gapeibu could no longer contain itself. It opened its mouth and swallowed Chao Tong whole. Not until dusk did it regurgitate the barely breathing Chao Tong along with a pile of dung, thus sparing Chao Tong's life. Celebration and Judgment The next day, a grand celebration banquet was hosted by Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen, Guomu, and Dan Sa. The King distributed the livestock, treasures brought from the Demon Kingdom, and Chao Tong's property among the heroes and subjects of the Ling Kingdom. By the King's decree, Dan Sa was to separate from Chao Tong; she could choose another husband and start a new family. Chao Tong was left to live out his remaining half-dead existence. For a full twenty-one days, the masses from all tribes spent their time at the sumptuous feast, immersed in boundless joy.

The Hor army retreated swiftly, reaching Yarlasawu Mountain on the sixth day. As they were setting up camp, a red copper-tailed arrow, shrieking through the air, flew into White Tent King's great tent and landed at the feet of the assembled men, startling everyone. The Sinba immediately rushed out to investigate, fearing another attack from the Ling Kingdom. 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 48 CHAO TONG'S TREACHEROUS ARROW BREAKS THE PEACE; QUEEN ZUMU TAKES THE FIELD AND IS CAPTURED BY HOR A Treacherous Arrow Rekindles the Flames of War The Hor army retreated swiftly, reaching Yarlasawu Mountain on the sixth day. As they were setting up camp, a red copper-tailed arrow, shrieking through the air, flew into White Tent King's great tent and landed at the feet of the assembled men, startling everyone. The Sinba immediately rushed out to investigate, fearing another attack from the Ling Kingdom. After a long while, when it became clear no assault was forthcoming, they realized the arrow carried a message. A servant presented the letter to White Tent King. After reading it, the king's face turned as pale as the yellowed paper. "Summon Sinba Meruze," White Tent King roared, emphasizing the word "summon." As soon as Meruze entered the great tent, the king flung the sheaf of yellow paper at him. "Read this! The foxes of Ling have pulled off a grand trick!" Meruze picked up the letter from the ground. His worst fears were confirmed by the words on the page: Who knew the prize bought with precious lives, Was green stone passed off as precious turquoise, Poison leaves for the beautiful white lotus, Brass masquerading as shining gold, Lead and iron posing as dazzling silver, A black crow impersonating the singing cuckoo, The maid Lizhongji made to stand in for Queen Zumu. Hoping to join with the snow lion, a companion to dispel worries, Who knew we'd befriended a long-tailed black dog; Hoping to join with the fierce tiger, a companion to sit proudly, Who knew the one we lean on is a fox; Hoping to join with the great bear, a companion to show off, Who knew our travel mate is a puny mule foal; Hoping to join with Zumu, a lifelong companion, Who knew the one we obtained is the maid Lizhongji. Oh, mighty White Tent King, Can you endure such deception? Can you bear such insult? Can you swallow such shame? If you lack the skill, you shouldn't have come, Having come, why scurry back to your nest? Meruze's heart sank, and his face clouded over. "Who sent this letter?" Meruze wished he could devour the writer whole and chew him to pieces. "It was this arrow," a guard said, handing the red copper-tailed arrow to Meruze. Meruze racked his memory, trying to identify the arrow's owner. Finally, he remembered—it was the arrow of Darong official Chao Tong. Rage surged through Meruze. "Great King, I never imagined the Ling people would deceive us. Let us turn our army back now. This time, we will leave not a single scrap of their armor intact, and we will certainly seize the real Zumu." What Meruze didn't say aloud was that first, he would tear this letter-writer, Darong's King Chao Tong, limb from limb, so he could never scheme again! "They say the wisdom of Hor's Sinba Meruze is unmatched under heaven. Yet, since you joined this campaign, you've never achieved a single military merit. Instead, you've repeatedly let the enemy succeed. I suspect you knew about this deception all along. None of us have seen Zumu, but you have! While our being fooled is understandable, you... weren't you deliberately deceiving me alongside them?" White Tent King, recalling Meruze's several attempts to persuade him to withdraw, grew deeply suspicious. "Great King, Zumu is a consort, soon to be your queen. How could I dare to scrutinize her? Besides, in my eyes, all women under heaven are much the same, differing only in dress and adornment. Once that maidservant wore the queen's garments, how could I possibly tell them apart?" Seeing White Tent King suspect him of deception, Meruze hurriedly explained. White Tent King listened, but doubts still lingered in his heart. "Very well, then you shall lead a hundred thousand troops to the Ling Kingdom and seize Zumu. We will wait for you here!" Upon hearing this, Meruze thought it might be for the best. With fewer troops, there would be less harm to the Ling common folk. This time, however, they absolutely must bring back the real Zumu; only then could the Ling Kingdom be preserved to the greatest extent. Chao Tong's Scheme and the Siege of Dazi Watching the Hor army sweep back like a tide, Darong's King Chao Tong was overjoyed. He finally had another chance for revenge against Gesar. His previous letter to the Northern Demon King had led to Lutsan abducting Consort Meisa, which had pleased Chao Tong for a while but hadn't fully quenched his hatred, nor had he gained anything himself. This time, the Hor King's invasion to seize a bride had delighted Chao Tong once more, as it was a truly rare opportunity. As the prize of the horse race, Zumu had been taken by Gesar as his queen. Watching helplessly as the most beautiful maiden in Ling was snatched away by Gesar, Chao Tong could only swallow his rage. Now, this was perfect. If he couldn't have her, then Gesar shouldn't either. Chao Tong desperately wished the Hor would quickly take Zumu away and slaughter all of Ling's heroes and warriors, big and small, so he could seize the throne and rule over everything. However, the foolish White Tent King, utterly beguiled by Zumu, had happily withdrawn his million-strong army with a mere maidservant, leaving Chao Tong bitterly disappointed. How could the notoriously ruthless and cunning Darong King Chao Tong allow the Hor to retreat so easily? He longed to tell White Tent King plainly: "You've been deceived, tricked by a woman." But Chao Tong lacked the courage; he didn't dare betray Zumu and the Ling Kingdom in broad daylight. After waiting several days, his opportunity finally arrived—he shot the arrow with the letter. Thereafter, he waited sleeplessly, day and night, for the Hor to swiftly return. Now, he had his wish: Sinba Meruze was back with a hundred thousand troops. Sinba Meruze had no desire to fight the Ling Kingdom. He only wished to persuade Zumu to come with them peacefully, avoiding the clash of swords and spears, and sparing both Hor and Ling people from further bloodshed and death. Therefore, Meruze did not raise a great clamor. Instead, he quietly advanced on Ling and directly surrounded Dazi City—the castle where Zumu resided. One morning, Zumu pushed open her window to enjoy the view. Her mood had improved these past few days, though she felt slightly uneasy missing Lizhongji. She took a deep breath and was instantly stunned: the surroundings were filled with Hor troops—a sea of heads, a forest of spears and blades, countless soldiers and horses. Zumu felt a surge of terror, wondering if she was dreaming again. At that moment, Sinba Meruze emerged from the midst of the army and sang loudly to Zumu: Oh, young and beautiful Queen Zumu, Listen to this song from Sinba. Since the war between Hor and Ling began, Hundreds of heroes have lost their lives, Thousands of men have shed their blood, Countless mothers have lost beloved sons, The realm shakes like milk mixed with blood, Heaven and earth turn over like cymbals clashing. Where does the root of this lie? Green seedlings adorn the earth, Hoping for a bountiful harvest of rice, Who knew they'd be destroyed by harsh frost— This is a sin committed by the heavens. Beautiful flowers adorn the jade vase, Hoping the blossoms would bloom gloriously, Who knew they'd be destroyed by hail— This is a sin committed by dark clouds. Long fish adorn the river waters, Hoping the golden-eyed fish would swim in circles, Who knew they'd be hooked through the gills— Blame the flesh being too fragrant and fresh. The king of birds, the vulture, adorns the stone mountain, Hoping its feathers would be preserved, Who knew its claws would be caught in a net at a perilous spot— Because its feathers can make sharp arrows. The Ling army adorns Jambudvipa, Hoping the Ling Kingdom would find peace, Who knew the powerful Hor would invade— This disaster was sparked by you, Queen Zumu. As he sang, Sinba Meruze watched Zumu intently. Seeing her listening attentively, he knew his words had moved her. But he also had to make it clear that further deception was futile; the Hor were not so easily fooled: Waiting repeatedly for the bright, clear moon, We got stars that cannot dispel the dark night. Longing to obtain beautiful white jade, Who knew we'd get a string of white stone prayer beads. Longing to obtain the melodious cuckoo, Who knew a mountain sparrow would fly in. Longing to obtain Sangjang Zumu, Who knew Lizhongji impersonated the queen. Good words and bad, a mute knows in his heart; Love or hate, even a child understands clearly. With good words I sincerely advise you, Zumu, Do not hesitate, set forth on your journey soon. Zumu listened carefully to Sinba Meruze's song. In her heart, she felt his words held truth. Yet, she could not go with the Sinba to the Hor Kingdom. She would rather die than follow the murderous White Tent King. With this thought, Zumu sang in reply: I, Sangjang Zumu, queen of Ling, Am an incarnation of the White Tara Mother of the East. With the Lion King of Jambudvipa, I swore solemn vows to serve the Buddha, To establish the true teachings of Shakyamuni, To let the black-headed masses enjoy peace. I and the Great Lion King Gesar, Are like the bright moon paired with the sun, Descended from the celestial realm to the human world, Not for ourselves, but for the public good. The white lion on the snow mountain peak, Though lacking a magnificent green mane, Cannot adorn the snow mountain more beautifully, Will never go down to the plains. The fierce tiger in the sandalwood forest, Though lacking splendid stripes, Cannot adorn the forest more beautifully, Will never go to the grasslands. The white lotus in the clear pond, Though not growing dense branches and leaves, Cannot adorn the offering vase more beautifully, Will never fall into the hands of demons. I, Zumu, am the queen of the Ling Kingdom, Though I have no great reputation, Cannot adorn Dazi City more beautifully, Will never go to Hor's Yaze City. Failed Persuasion and the King's Impatience Hearing this, Sinba Meruze suppressed his rising anger and continued patiently: Better than meditating atop a cliff, Is to resolve disputes for the common people more often. How can Sacred Ling find peace? How can Hor depart safely? How can the heroes led by Gyatsa, Live safe, long lives, equal to the heavens? I sincerely advise you, Zumu, Carefully weigh what is urgent here. Peace and war balance on a spear's tip, The boundary between life and death lies in this instant. "Zumu, Queen of Ling, do not think I desire war. For peace's sake, I have advised the Great King countless times. But the king has sworn not to rest until he wins you—this is a resolve that cannot be turned. All in Hor know I, Meruze, have five extremes: in joy, I am most kind; in anger, most ruthless; against enemies, I am a most cruel thunderbolt; towards spoils of war, I am most selfless; towards the common people, I am as soft as silk. Now, Hor and Ling have fought for three years. The bones of the dead pile into mountains, blood has flowed into rivers. Do you truly wish our two lands to continue fighting?" Zumu heard the sincerity in Meruze's words and believed he spoke truthfully. Thinking of the countless Ling lives lost over these three years, all for her sake... My king, Gesar, are you truly not returning? Have you truly abandoned Ling? Since you went north to subdue demons, I have waited three years. Since Hor invaded, Chief Steward and brother Gyatsa have led Ling's heroes in fierce resistance for another three years. Six years, a full six years. Why has the king not returned? Vajra Dakinis of the East, Jewel Dakinis of the South, Lotus Dakinis of the West, Action Dakinis of the North, Dakinis of the Five Great Bliss Families! For me, the suffering Zumu, the time for compassion is now, the time for pity has come; the time for protection is now, the time for granting blessings has come; the time for shelter is now, the time for empowerment has come; the time for aid is now, the time for fulfillment has come. Pity me, Sangjang Zumu. I wish to die, but my life force persists; I wish to fly, but alas, my wings cannot lift high; I wish to flee, but I am surrounded layer upon layer. What to do? What to do? Zumu was at her wits' end. After Hor's retreat, Ling's armies had disbanded and returned home. No one expected the Hor army to return so swiftly. There was no time to summon the troops again. "Meruze, how can you still spare the leisure to bandy words with her? Act quickly, seize her!" Just as Sinba Meruze was still trying to persuade Zumu, White Tent King himself arrived at the head of another hundred thousand troops. It turned out the king, still uneasy and fearing Meruze's force might be too small to succeed and even suffer harm from the Ling people, had mustered a hundred thousand elite soldiers soon after Meruze's departure and followed. "Great King, we still must not be too hasty. As the proverb says: 'For the yellow wild yak's fat meat, there is time to boil it, and time to let it cool; butter placed on the tea stove, there is time to brew the tea, and time to savor its taste; a sharp arrow nocked on the bow, there is time to aim, and time to shoot.' Please return to your great tent and rest a moment. Let me advise Zumu a few more words. If she complies and comes willingly, all the better. If not, then we seize her without delay." White Tent King saw the reason in this and reluctantly returned to his tent. Before he could even settle on his tiger-skin cushion, a sharp arrow—whistling, flashing like lightning, thundering—flew into White Tent King's great tent and embedded itself in the pillar above his seat, startling the king so much he slid from his cushion onto the floor. "Quick, summon Meruze at once!" White Tent King ordered. As soon as Sinba Meruze entered the great tent, he saw the arrow lodged in the pillar. "Great King, this is Gesar's divine arrow. We should leave Ling territory quickly. Otherwise, once Gesar returns, it will be hard to manage." "And Zumu?!" "She says she needs to think more." "Think more, think more! She has been thinking for three years! She is deliberately stalling, waiting for Gesar to return. Now, the divine arrow has arrived, so Gesar cannot be far. We cannot linger here. Tomorrow, we withdraw and return to Hor." Though White Tent King was mighty, the sight of that divine arrow seemed to slice away his courage, leaving him less defiant. "In my opinion, Great King, it would be better not to seize Zumu. Gesar is not far now; how could he allow us to take his beloved queen? If you insist on having Zumu, it will spark an even greater war." "Then... I shall think on it too." This time, White Tent King truly listened to Meruze's words and genuinely considered returning home. He had been on campaign for three years and was growing homesick. Treachery Triumphs and Zumu's Capture Just as White Tent King sank into contemplation, a sharp "whoosh" accompanied by a piercing gust of wind shattered his thoughts. Another red copper-tailed arrow, carrying a sheaf of hateful yellow paper, shot into the great tent. Seeing the arrow and the paper, Sinba Meruze knew it portended no good and wished he could capture and execute Chao Tong immediately. White Tent King had already taken the letter, confirming Meruze's fears. After reading it, the king's worried expression vanished. Waving the yellow papers, he laughed wildly and shouted, "The deities are aiding me! I must seize the beauty Zumu!" Sinba Meruze took the letter from the king's hand. Malicious words leaped from the page. The letter stated that the previous arrow was indeed Gesar's divine arrow, but Gesar himself was still far away! If he were near, he wouldn't have shot an arrow. If they pulled out that arrow and placed it under the feet of a demon deity, it could suppress the arrow and also suppress Gesar. Seizing Zumu would then bring no disaster. "Great King, let us first pull out this arrow," Meruze said. Though he detested the letter's venom, for the sake of swift peace and an end to fighting, he thought to follow its suggestion. Two guards stepped forward and tugged for a long while, but the arrow didn't budge. "Meruze, you pull out this divine arrow!" White Tent King commanded. Meruze stepped forward and pulled twice. The arrow remained immovable, and the great hero broke into a sweat from the effort. "Come, I must do it myself." Thinking Meruze hadn't used enough force, White Tent King personally stretched out his pillar-like arms, grabbed the divine arrow, and yanked with all his might. The divine arrow remained utterly undamaged and unmoved. The force of his pull sent White Tent King tumbling to the floor. Only then did he understand the arrow's power. White Tent King thought to himself: If this divine arrow is so formidable, the Lion King must be even more incredibly fierce. If we don't seize Zumu quickly, once he returns, we won't be able to leave. "Meruze, quickly! Order the attack on the city! Seize Zumu immediately! No more thinking for her. "Your Majesty, are you still determined to marry Zumu?" "Say no more. If we do not seize Zumu, the three-plus years we've spent here, the soldiers and horses lost or wounded, and all the provisions expended would be meaningless. Our entire campaign to the Ling Kingdom would have been in vain." At the White Tent King's command, the vast Hor army once again tightly encircled the city of Dazi, inside and out. Queen Zumu was prepared for the enemy. Donning the Great Lion King's armor and taking up his bow and arrows, which had been left at home, she suddenly appeared atop the city wall of Dazi: "Hear me, Hor king and ministers, I am the Great Lion King Gesar. The northern demons have been subdued, Now I return to protect my homeland. You invaded Ling without cause, My wrath burns three thousand zhang high. With my Red Bird Seven Divine Arrows, I shall shoot dead the culprit, the White Tent King." Seeing the helmeted, armored figure with bow in hand, the Hor soldiers believed Gesar had truly returned. Instantly, morale crumbled and they scattered in all directions. Even the White Tent King lost his composure. Just as the Hor forces were on the verge of rout, Chao Tong seized the moment to inform the White Tent King that the figure on the wall was not the Great Lion King, but Queen Zumu. He urged the Hor not to retreat, but to advance. This time, Chao Tong did not shoot an arrow, but instead sang a song. Hearing Chao Tong's song, the White Tent King's resolve steadied, and the Hor soldiers' fear subsided. The White Tent King and Sinba Meruze led the charge toward the city wall. Zumu shot four arrows in succession, killing over four hundred Hor soldiers. However, as she was about to loose her fifth arrow, she was captured by the White Tent King. The White Tent King ordered the copper horns blown for an immediate retreat.

K i n g G e s a r of Tibet Jacha Fortress Located in Lawongtong Village, Gongya Township, Dege County. It is the site of the Zhongling tribe fortress of the Lingtsang family during the time of King Gesar. place that Connected with King Gesar Jacha Fortress The Jacha Fortress is located in Lawongtong Village, Gongya Township, Dege County. It is the site of the Zhongling tribe fortress of the Lingtsang family during the time of King Gesar. The entire site is surrounded by mountains on three sides and bordered by water on the other. The ruins are situated on a hillside along National Highway 317. The site mainly consists of the central fortress ruins at the top of the hill, the remains of subsidiary buildings scattered along the mid-slope and foot of the hill, and the faintly visible remnants of the fortress walls, as well as ancient defensive watchtowers located in the east, west, south, and north. Gongya Monastery was built on the site of Jacha Fortress and is one of the rare monasteries of the Sakya school that performs the "King Gesar Dance." The fortress, known as "Ochü Chozong" (Castle of the Gathering Waters), was centered in Gongya by Jacha, the eldest brother of King Gesar of Ling. To the east was the Natural Sunlight Castle, to the south the Hanging Bucket Castle, to the west the Beautiful Neck Castle, and to the north the Soaring Eagle Castle. The ruins of these ancient sites are scattered throughout the surrounding area. The Jacha Fortress was built in the late 11th century. At that time, the ancient Dege region under the Lingtsang domain was divided into three tribal groups: Upper Ling, Middle Ling, and Lower Ling. This unified structure emerged after King Gesar consolidated the previously fragmented tribes. The Gongya region, where the fortress is located, served as the political center of the Middle Ling tribe and was governed by Jacha, the half-brother of King Gesar. During the Yuan Dynasty, after the central government unified the Tibetan regions, the Lingtsang Tusi family was officially recognized, with Ezhi as their administrative center, overseeing a vast territory in the Kham region. However, by the late Ming and early Qing periods, the power of the Lingtsang family gradually declined due to the growing influence of the Dege Tusi family. As a result, the Lingtsang family's territory significantly shrank and was eventually replaced by the Dege Tusi. On the mountain peak directly south of Jacha Fortress, there is a sharp cut or dent, which is said to be the path of an arrow shot by General Jacha. On the mountainside, there are ruins of a stupa dedicated to the Five Long-Life Goddesses, protectors of King Gesar. Near the riverbank, this site attracts crowds of worshippers every year on the 15th day of the fifth month in the Tibetan calendar. Looking southeast from the fortress, at the foot of the mountain, you can see eight scattered mounds of earth. Among them, the largest mound is home to a single towering cypress tree, about 10 meters tall. A tragic yet beautiful legend surrounds this place: it is said that not long after General Jacha passed away, he appeared in a dream to his eldest son, Lhasa Garatsega. In the dream, he revealed that at the foot of the fortress mountain, there were eight stupas, which were manifestations of his soul to help guard the land. Among them, the largest stupa represented his heart, and his soul transformed into a green cypress tree to stay by his son's side forever.

On the 10th day of the Tiger Month, as the sun crowned the mountains with gold, thirty heroes of Ling gathered in Darong at Chao Tong’s invitation. Among them were eight great heroes, seven warriors, and three generals, all accompanied by their respective entourages. Rows of fluttering banners and glimmering helmets created a majestic and awe-inspiring scene. 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 15: Chao Tong Hosts a Grand Banquet to Plan the Horse Race, The People of Ling Make Good Wishes to Welcome Joru Heroes Gather for the Grand Banquet On the 10th day of the Tiger Month, as the sun crowned the mountains with gold, thirty heroes of Ling gathered in Darong at Chao Tong’s invitation. Among them were eight great heroes, seven warriors, and three generals, all accompanied by their respective entourages. Rows of fluttering banners and glimmering helmets created a majestic and awe-inspiring scene. Chao Tong’s loyal servant, Akui Tabasolang, carried out his master’s orders and addressed the gathered heroes. He announced that Chao Tong had received a prophecy from the Hayagriva Deity and declared that a grand horse race would soon be held. He asked the guests whether the 15th day of the month would be a suitable date for the race. “What will the winner of the race receive?” asked Gyatsa Xiega. “You haven’t understood yet? The prophecy is clear: the seven treasures of Ling, the throne, and Sangjang Zumu will all be the stakes for this horse race!” Akui Tabasolang replied confidently, shaking his head. Like his master, he firmly believed that the victory would undoubtedly belong to Darong’s Jade Horse. Once Chao Tong became the King of Ling, Akui imagined himself being promoted to a high-ranking position, though he wasn’t sure what title he might receive. To ensure everyone understood, Akui began singing: “An old proverb says: Many seek beautiful women, but few succeed. Many hope for bountiful harvests, but few are blessed. With arrows, horses, and dice, we compete, Many crave the prize, but few win. Sangjang Zumu is Ling’s beauty, The throne is Ling’s power, The seven treasures are Ling’s wealth. Only through swift horses can they be won. Whoever’s horse runs the fastest Will win and fulfill their desires. Heaven’s will and men’s hearts align, But if you lose, don’t despair.” The Guests Understand Chao Tong’s Intentions Gyatsa, Barasenda, and the other brothers quickly understood Chao Tong’s intentions. He wanted to use the horse race as a legitimate and honorable way to claim Ling’s golden throne, secure the power to rule over Ling, and win the hand of the beautiful Sangjang Zumu. Although the guests understood Chao Tong’s motives, they were dissatisfied with his methods. However, they couldn’t openly refute his self-righteous arguments. Instead, they turned to the chief steward, Rongtsa Chagen, to see how he would respond. The chief steward had been pondering how to counter Chao Tong’s scheme. Suddenly, he recalled a prophecy from the gods made to him over a decade ago: “At the age of twelve, a boy will win the stakes of a horse race, like the golden sun rising over the eastern mountains.” Remembering this prophecy, the old steward’s face lit up with a smile. He said: “Oh, Akui Tabasolang, you’re absolutely right. Winning the stakes of a horse race is the most honorable and fair way to claim the throne, treasures, and Sangjang Zumu. Everyone knows that Sangjang Zumu is extraordinarily beautiful, and the Gyalo family is incredibly wealthy—there’s no comparison. Let’s follow the prophecy and set them as the stakes for the horse race.” After a pause, he continued: “However, in the dead of winter, with snow covering the mountains and icy winds sweeping the valleys, holding a horse race now is dangerous. On frozen ground, heroes could fall off cliffs, and horses could injure themselves. I suggest postponing the race to a later date. For now, let’s invite everyone in Ling, regardless of status, to a grand feast on the 15th. We can discuss the details of the race during the banquet.” Preparations, the Grand Feast, and Chao Tong’s Hidden Agenda Gyatsa understood the intention of Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen. Delaying the date of the horse race was meant to give Joru enough time to be notified and prepare. Understanding this, Gyatsa nodded in agreement. There were only five days left until the 15th day of the Tiger Month. Even so, Chao Tong felt the wait was too long. He wished the horse race could take place immediately, and he hated that the 15th would be spent discussing details at the banquet instead of holding the race. The sooner the horse race happened, the sooner he could ascend to the throne, claim the seven treasures, and marry Sangjang Zumu. In Chao Tong’s mind, these five days felt longer than five years. Restless and impatient, he spent these difficult days making arrangements. He worked tirelessly to ensure the banquet would be as grand and luxurious as possible, intending to display his wealth and cleverness. Chao Tong also harbored a secret thought, one he had never shared with anyone: through this banquet—essentially a preparatory meeting for the horse race—he hoped to gain the favor of the people. This, he believed, would make it easier to rule the Ling tribes once he became king. Finally, the 15th day of the Tiger Month arrived. The guests who came to the banquet were numerous, filling the area with life and energy. There were uncles and elders as dignified as Mount Meru, aunts and sisters-in-law as steady as a frozen sea, young men as sharp as bamboo arrows ready to be launched, and young women as beautiful as summer flowers. All of them crowded toward the grand tent of Darong. The scene was so lively that it overwhelmed the chief seating arranger, the Grand Arbiter Weimala. He was busy assigning seats according to the status of each guest within the Ling Kingdom. Standing in the center of the commotion, he sang to invite the guests to their seats: “Oh Sodog, deity of Machen Mountain, Gods, dragon spirits, and deities of blessings, Weima Lada, the Arbiter, calls for your aid today! This place, near the Darong Fortress, Is called Gongga Rewa, the gathering site. The great tent of Chixiong Guomu Is the hall where discussions will take place. If you do not know me, I am Weima Lada, the Arbiter. Today’s weather is full of joy and celebration. First joy: all brothers have gathered in harmony. Second joy: the prophecy brings auspicious blessings. Third joy: heroes discuss the horse race. Fourth joy: the Darong family hosts the feast. Fifth joy: a grand celebration is held. By my hand as Arbiter, I shall assign every seat.” On the silver chairs with silk cushions, the four noble sons shall sit: Bumba Gyatsa Xiega Seba Niben Daya Wenbu Alubasen Mujang Renqing Daru The noble sons are invited to take their seats in order. On the thick cushions in the center, covered with silk: Uncle Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen The Wrathful King of Darong King Senlun Kama Langka Senxie Guru Jianzang Dunpa Kyenzen Garu Nima Jianzang Naru Taba Jianzang The four men named Jianzang are invited to take their seats, and all other uncles and elders are also invited to join. On the thick cushions on the right, covered with grass leopard-patterned hides: The Chief of Darong, Sipan Gadru Chujiong Benna Dongchu Lubudapan Barasenda Adong Chaxiang Danma Jangcha Bagui Niancha Adan Dongzan Langdu Aban Guibo Nima Wuzhu The heroes are invited to take their seats in order. On the thick cushions on the left, covered with tiger-patterned hides: Mitsen Jiewa Dongben Ceze Jiaben Segangmen Yuya Gongbu Seba Buqiong Cangba Eru Dazong Eru Shencha Eru The three men named Eru are invited to take their seats, and all others are asked to sit according to their rank. On the thick cushions in the right corner, covered with leopard-patterned hides: Rongtsa Lobu Lata Angqiong Yuye Meiduo Gyalo Buya Zhujie Jiao Aba Seda Wa Kongba Buye Jiacha Jhana Chief Sensen Wenbu Jiangchi Angqing Muba Xiega Jiangzha The brothers are invited to take their seats in order. On the thick cushions in the left corner, covered with white bear-patterned hides: Lingqin Daba Solang Aba Buye Ban Jue The impartial judge Dapan I, Weimala, the Arbiter The divine doctor Gongga Nima The fortune-teller Gunxie Tibu The astrologer Lawu Yangga The magician Kaqie Mima Family and friends are invited to take their seats in order. On the silk cushions in the back right: Sangjang Zumu of the Gyalo family Laichong Lugu Chaya The chief steward’s daughter Yuzhen Zhuoluo Baiga Nazhe Chaxiang’s daughter Zhenzhen Yata’s daughter Saicuo The daughter of Darong, Chao Mu Cuo The seven beauties of Ling are invited to take their seats first, and the other women of Ling are invited to sit in order. On the silk cushions in the back left: The Tibetan consort Zaxi Lacuo The Han consort Naga Zhuoma The Khare consort Sucuo The Pachin consort Gecuo The mothers and aunts are invited to take their seats. On the long, single-layered cushions: The young noble Michong Kade The servant Guoqu Baji Danyu Akui Tabasolang Qixie Buye Guru All are invited to take their seats in order of age. At the highest point of the white ceremonial tent, no invitation is needed; the master will find his own seat. “Today is a joyous feast, I invite everyone to sing a song. Welcome the beauties to dance a tune. Uncles and elders, let us discuss with joy. May the blue sky not envy this life. May the earth not resent this gathering. May Tibet not exaggerate this event into disaster.” Guests Feast and Chao Tong Sings His Hidden Agenda Once the Grand Arbiter had seated the prominent and wealthy individuals of Ling, the remaining guests were left to sit wherever they liked. People feasted on fruits, meats, and snacks that tasted like heavenly nectar, and drank wine and tea that flowed like rivers. After eating and drinking to their hearts’ content, the young men sang joyful songs while the young women danced gracefully to the music. As everyone enjoyed themselves, Chao Tong, the King of Darong, stood up and began explaining the purpose of the banquet. He recounted the prophecy delivered by the Hayagriva Deity and the joy the upcoming horse race would bring. He then sang to the crowd: "Among thirty heroes, No matter how skilled, ranks must be set. Among the many tribes of Ling, The people need a chief to lead them. This horse race will settle it— The winner shall be king and lead the people. In my white tent, All are equal, regardless of status. From the noble sons to the poorest beggar, Everyone has the right to compete in the race, Everyone has a chance to claim the throne. How fast a horse runs Depends on the water and grass it has overnight. How strong a hero is Depends on his lifelong training. Whether the horse wins or loses Determines the rise or fall of one’s destiny. When should the race be held? Should the track be long or short? Let us discuss these matters, brothers!" Chao Tong, though hiding his ulterior motives, spoke with a honeyed tongue. He was eloquent, able to twist black into white, square into round, and death into life. His song made it seem as though he was advocating for fairness and equality, giving everyone an equal chance to win. The gathered heroes, not detecting any ill intent behind his words, began discussing as instructed. Chief Steward and Gyatsa Advocate for Joru Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen did not want to expose Chao Tong’s scheme because he believed in the prophecy given by the gods—that Joru would win the horse race. However, he noticed that in this grand gathering of Ling’s people, Joru and his mother were nowhere to be seen. If Joru wasn’t informed about the race, how could he win? Wouldn’t that allow Chao Tong’s plot to succeed? Thinking of this, Chief Steward stood up and said to everyone: “Judging from the movement of the stars in the sky, the seasonal changes on the earth, and the prophecy of the gods above, there is no reason not to hold this horse race. However, I suggest that every member of the Mukpo Dong family, no matter whether they live in the upper or lower regions of Ling, must be informed. Otherwise, if someone later complains that they weren’t notified and demand a share of the stakes, it will cause unnecessary disputes. As the saying goes: ‘A foolish woman churns frozen milk in winter— She won’t get butter and will only freeze her hands. A foolish man races horses on frozen ground— He won’t flatten the earth and will only injure himself.’ Also, it is unreasonable to make the people of Ling travel great distances in the cold to watch the race—they may not say it aloud, but they will harbor resentment. Furthermore, in such conditions, even the best horses cannot perform well. In the warm months of May or June, when the grass is lush, it will not only be the best time for the race but also a joyful experience for everyone watching.” The Chief Steward’s implication was to delay the race and give Joru time to prepare and return. Gyatsa Xiega understood this but felt it wasn’t appropriate for the chief steward to say it outright. So, Gyatsa stood up and said: “This horse race, proposed by Uncle Chao Tong and approved by Chief Steward, is a major event. As the saying goes: ‘Though a leg of lamb is small, it still belongs to the sheep. Though a colt is small, it still belongs to the steed. Though a person is small, he is still his uncle’s nephew.’ The royal descendant of the Mukpo Dong family—my younger brother, Chief Steward’s nephew, and the son of Mother Guomu—is still a part of Ling’s royal lineage. Though he has been exiled, he is still your nephew, Uncle Chao Tong. Guomu is the daughter of the Dragon King and the queen of King Senlun. She and her son are treasures of Ling. When the horse race determines the throne, treasures, and Sangjang Zumu, how can we not invite him? If Joru is not included, the people of my branch will refuse to participate in the race or compete for the stakes.” Joru’s Absence and Chao Tong’s Manipulations Gyatsa continued, his voice filled with both passion and frustration: “Right now, my poor brother Joru lives in exile, far from his homeland. He has no wealth, no position, and no home to call his own. He shelters in caves, struggling to survive. He fights with dogs over bones and competes with chickens for scraps of grain. In his current state, how could he possibly dream of winning a horse race or claiming any prize? Yet, here we are, gathered for a feast as brothers, and not even the lowest seat has been reserved for him. Isn’t this going too far? Am I wrong to say so? Please, everyone, weigh my words in your hearts!” Hearing the words of Chief Steward Rongtsa Chagen and Gyatsa, Chao Tong’s heart burned with anger. He thought to himself: “That wretched Joru! He’s nothing but a lowborn fool, unfit for the world. Even his mother, Guomu, was rotten to the core when she carried him in her womb. Yet, Chief Steward keeps fawning over him, and Gyatsa won’t stop clamoring to have him brought back to participate in the race. But what’s the point? Joru lacks the cunning to win anything. That twelve-year-old brat couldn’t possibly claim victory in the race. Even if the prize were handed to him, he’d likely push it away with his tongue. And if, by some miracle, he won the race, he’d probably give away the throne, the treasures, and Sangjang Zumu to someone else. The people of his branch family overestimate him, and Dan Sa speaks of him as if he’s some divine figure. They’re mistaking brass for gold—Joru doesn’t even value himself.” Feigning agreement, Chao Tong said aloud: “Gyatsa Xiega, you’re right. As the noble son of King Senlun and the blood relative of Guomu, Joru’s absence from this feast is indeed regrettable. But it’s not my fault he hasn’t been invited—it was your branch family’s responsibility to call him. Now, what’s most important is deciding the route and timing of the horse race.” The Race Route Debate and Settling Plans Chao Tong’s son, Dongzan Langdu Aban, could no longer keep quiet. He blurted out arrogantly: “If our Ling Kingdom’s horse race route is too short, we’ll be ridiculed. If the race isn’t grand enough, we’ll be shamed. To make this race famous across the world, the starting point should be at Jaga and the finish line at Jhana.” The other brothers found Dongzan’s words boastful and ridiculous. Senda, from the middle branch, responded sarcastically: “Oh, if you want to hold a world-famous horse race, then the starting point should be in the sky, and the finish line in the depths of the sea. The stakes should be the sun and the moon, and the people of Ling should watch the race from the heavens.” The gathered brothers and people burst into laughter. Senda’s sharp wit was too much for Dongzan, whose face turned red with embarrassment. The veins on his neck bulged, but he had no response. Gyatsa Xiega stepped in to calm the crowd. He proposed a practical plan that satisfied everyone and even saved Dongzan from further humiliation. Ultimately, the group agreed on Gyatsa’s suggestion: The starting point of the race would be Ayudi Mountain. The finish line would be Gure Stone Mountain. Prayers and incense offerings would be held on the summit of Ludi Mountain. The people would gather on Radi Mountain to watch the race. The event would take place in summer when the weather was warm, and the grass was lush. Chief Steward, seeing that a general plan had been settled, worried that Chao Tong or other heroes might later go back on their word. To prevent this, he said: “For such an important matter, I fear it might stir discord among the brothers. Let us ask the Grand Arbiter and the impartial judge, Dapan, to sing a song of fair judgment to finalize the decision.” Arbiter Dapan’s Song of Justice At this moment, the Grand Arbiter had completed arranging the seating for the banquet. The impartial and highly respected judge, Dapan, understood that Chief Steward’s suggestion was directed at him. With a cheerful and melodic tone, he sang a song of judgment to finalize the decision: "First, we invite the celestial god Brahma, Second, we invite the wise deity King Gezuo, Third, we invite Dragon King Zuna Rinchen May they bless the people of Ling today! Though I, Dapan, serve as the mediator, Power is only granted by three conditions: First, blessings and authority determined by past lives, Second, fairness and integrity as steady as a ruler, Third, inheriting a role from father to son. This year’s horse race in Ling, All necessary conditions have been met: Gentle sunlight shines upon us, The earth is warm, and the air is moist, Dragons roar in the sky, Rain descends gently from the heavens. Green meadows are covered in blooming flowers, The summer season is perfect for the event. All the brothers of Ling will race, And Joru must not be excluded. We should send someone to invite him. Whether he wins the prize or not depends on his fate. This horse race in Ling will be a grand spectacle, A rare event in history. Such joyous news should be spread So the whole world can know. Let us see who will claim victory in the race, Holding the divine spear and arrow to win the prize. The seven treasures, not previously described in detail, Shall now be explained one by one: The golden throne that commands the three realms, The incomparable beauty, Sangjang Zumu, The seven treasures passed down by the Gyalo family, The twelve scrolls of the Jilong Sutra, The Dragon King’s black grand tent, The wooden fortress of Dazong, The twelve thousand households of Ling’s people. From the highest-ranking Chief Steward To the humblest beggar Gulu, Whoever has the skill may claim these prizes. This is the decision of the uncles and elders. The thirteen spiritual masters of Ling, Led by Gunga, Gejie, and Taben, Will pray to the gods for blessings. We will burn incense and worship the war gods. May the warhorses remain unharmed, May the brothers be free from insult or injury. The key points have been stated clearly, But let me leave a few reminders: Public virtue is like the crescent moon on the third night— Though not yet full, it will grow brighter and rounder. Private desires are like the full moon on the sixteenth night— Though round, it will inevitably wane and darken. Power is but an ornament of the world, Too precious to gamble in a horse race. Everyone wishes to keep it for themselves, But selfishness will only cause disputes. If Ling is divided by conflict, There will be no peace, And the horse race would be better left undone. Whether or not one wins depends on fate, Not on the speed of a beast. If one is not destined to rule, Even the fastest steed will fail. These words may seem unreasonable, But they are heartfelt truths, not mere jest. This year’s horse race in Ling, Is both the will of the heavens and the wish of the people. May the prophecy of the northern deity come true, May all desires be fulfilled! May the spiritual masters bestow their blessings, May the deities remove disasters! May the guardians protect great achievements, May the local spirits ensure peace and safety! May joy and fortune fill everyone’s hearts. My words are spoken with good intentions, Let the people of Ling remember them well!" Heroes Accept the Decision, but Hidden Thoughts Remain People always admire those who are fair and just, and this is an undeniable truth. After hearing Dapan’s judgment, all the heroes agreed that it was reasonable. They expressed their determination to follow the decision and happily returned to their respective tribes. As the saying goes, “A decision made by someone wearing a sheepskin cannot be overturned by someone wearing a tiger’s skin.” However, there were three individuals with their own private thoughts and hidden plans. First was Gyatsa Xiega. While he didn’t desire the prize or the throne for himself, he worried that Dongzan might win the race and claim the stakes. He secretly resolved: “I must remain vigilant. As long as the courage of the heroes hasn’t completely dwindled, I cannot let Chao Tong’s scheme succeed.” Next was Chao Tong, the King of Darong. He was deeply worried: “If Joru returns to Ling, the consequences will be disastrous. I must do everything in my power to prevent Joru from joining the brothers in the race.” Finally, there was the poor beggar Joru. He was utterly destitute, worrying about his lack of fine clothing, treasures, or any means to participate in the race.

Under King Gesar’s rule, the people of Ling lived a peaceful and happy life, as smooth and calm as milk and cheese. One day, Gesar left the palace to inspect the lands and arrived at the Bangjiongqium grassland, located at the junction of rocky mountains and snow-covered peaks. The snowy mountain shone brilliantly white, the grassland was lush and green, and between the two stretched a barren patch of reddish-brown rocks. 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 23: The Heavenly Mother Commands the King to Practice the True Dharma; The Black Demon Causes Havoc, and MeIsa is Captured Gesar’s Journey to Practice and the Omen Under King Gesar’s rule, the people of Ling lived a peaceful and happy life, as smooth and calm as milk and cheese. One day, Gesar left the palace to inspect the lands and arrived at the Bangjiongqium grassland, located at the junction of rocky mountains and snow-covered peaks. The snowy mountain shone brilliantly white, the grassland was lush and green, and between the two stretched a barren patch of reddish-brown rocks. This strip of red-brown stones separated the grassland from the snowy peaks, yet also connected them, creating a simple but beautiful natural painting. On the grassland, the people of Ling Gabu grazed their animals. Horses roamed on the right side, cattle on the left, and sheep in the center. The plump and snow-white sheep looked like pieces of snow rolling down from the snowy mountains or pearls drifting across a green meadow. Seeing such peaceful beauty, King Gesar felt content. A wave of drowsiness overcame him. He took off his robe, tucked his head into one sleeve and his feet into the other, and fell asleep beside Lake Zhuocuo on the grassland. While Gesar was sound asleep, the goddess Langman Gam descended from the pure heavenly realm of the Thirty-Three Skies, riding on colorful clouds. A delightful fragrance filled the air. The scent made Gesar sleep even more soundly. The goddess leaned close to Gesar’s ear and gently called out, “Tuibagawa, my dear child, do not oversleep. Quickly, go to the Cham Monastery in the east to practice the Great Wrathful Demon-Subduing Mantra. You have only twenty-one days—this is the order of White Brahma King. And remember, take Queen Meisa with you when you go.” After delivering her message, the goddess disappeared into a rainbow, leaving behind the soothing fragrance and her inspiring prophecy. Gesar wasted no time. He immediately returned to Upper Ling Gabu, thinking as he walked, “To defeat all demons and destroy their armies, I must practice the Great Wrathful Mantra, just as Shakyamuni Buddha inspired the Wrathful King to subdue evil with five divine powers. The time has come. I must follow the goddess’s instructions and take Queen Meisa to Cham Monastery for retreat.” Queen Zumu’s Scheme to Join Gesar When Gesar returned to Upper Ling Gabu and shared his plan to take Meisa with him to the retreat, Queen Zumu was displeased. “Oh, my king, what are you saying? If you’re going into retreat to practice, it should be me who serves you. Why should Meisa go instead?” “Zumu, this is the heavenly order. I think it’s better for you to stay home and take care of Mother,” Gesar explained, trying to calm her. Zumu, unwilling to let Gesar take Meisa with him, came up with a plan. She approached Meisa and said, “To subdue the demons, the king is going to Cham Monastery to practice the Great Wrathful Mantra. He has ordered me to accompany him as his attendant. You can stay at home with Mother. Once the retreat is over, we’ll meet again.” Meisa, though suspicious of Zumu’s motives, reluctantly agreed. She knew Zumu’s competitive nature and suspected this was a ploy to go with the king. But Meisa chose to yield and nodded in agreement. Zumu, overjoyed, ran back to Gesar and said, “My king, it’s not that I don’t want Meisa to accompany you, but her health hasn’t been good lately. Retreat is a tough ordeal, so I think it’s better for her to rest at home while I accompany you.” Gesar, who already favored Zumu slightly more than Meisa, agreed without much hesitation. Although he knew the goddess had instructed him to bring Meisa, he trusted Zumu’s words and was happy to have her company for the retreat. Meisa’s Ominous Dream Comes True Seven days had passed since King Gesar began his retreat to practice the Great Wrathful Mantra. One night, back in Ling Gabu, Queen Meisa had a terrifying nightmare. She dreamed of a red wind blowing from the upper valley and a black wind blowing from the lower valley. The two winds caught her and swept her away. Meisa woke up startled and frightened, unable to make sense of the dream. The next morning, unable to shake her fear, Meisa prepared some sweets she had made herself and set off for Cham Monastery to see King Gesar. She was desperate to tell him about her dream and ask for its meaning. She believed that Gesar, with his supernatural wisdom, could interpret the dream and protect her from any danger. When Meisa reached a spring near the monastery, she saw Zumu fetching water. Zumu’s face darkened as she spotted Meisa, her displeasure showing in her tone. “Meisa, what brings you here?” Meisa ignored her fatigue and Zumu’s sour expression. She hurriedly said, “Sister Zumu, I had a terrible nightmare last night! I’ve come to tell the king about it. Please let him know I’m here.” Zumu pretended to agree and left with the water, but she had no intention of telling Gesar about Meisa’s dream. After some time, Zumu returned with an empty bucket and told Meisa, “Sister Meisa, I told the king about your dream. He said dreams are illusions born of confusion, especially women’s dreams, which are even less trustworthy. He asked you to go back home and wait. In two weeks, we’ll all return.” Hearing this, Meisa felt tears well up in her eyes. Her nose stung as she looked pitifully at Zumu. “Alright then, Sister Zumu. Please at least give the sweets I brought to the king and tell him my dream again. Make sure to ask him about its meaning.” With that, her tears streamed down her cheeks, and she turned to leave. Zumu felt a pang of guilt but convinced herself that it was better not to disturb the king’s practice for something trivial. She decided not to tell Gesar about Meisa’s visit but presented the sweets to him instead. “These sweets… they seem like something Meisa made. Did she come here? Is everything alright at home?” Gesar asked, startled. Zumu’s heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her composure. “Why would you think that, my king? Did Meisa’s sweets come with gold? Or jewels? Anything Meisa can make, I can make just as well. Don’t overthink it, and focus on your practice.” Gesar said no more, but his heart was uneasy. He continued eating the sweets, unable to regain his earlier peace of mind. Meisa’s Nightmare Comes True Although Gesar dismissed women’s dreams as insignificant, Meisa’s unease only grew. She longed to see the king again, but Zumu’s interference left her with no choice but to wait. She sighed and focused on her daily tasks, hoping to endure until the king’s retreat was over. On the day Gesar completed his retreat, Meisa was weaving cloth outside her tent. Suddenly, the exact scene from her nightmare unfolded before her eyes. A red wind blew from the upper valley, and a black wind came from the lower valley. Between the two winds appeared a tall, terrifying figure. His skin was pitch black, and his expression was cruel and menacing. Like an eagle snatching a lamb, he seized Queen Meisa and carried her into the sky. Meisa’s maid, Marlegui, panicked and didn’t know what to do. She rushed to Cham Monastery, banged on Gesar’s door, and cried out, “King Gesar! Something terrible has happened! Queen Meisa has been taken by the Black Demon into the sky! Please hurry back to Ling Gabu!” Gesar immediately mounted his horse to chase the demon, but he was stopped by the goddess Langman Gam’s voice: “Oh man of this land, Running around in panic is foolish! Though your head is large, You lack wisdom. Did I not warn you before, To take Meisa with you to practice? I told you again and again, But you didn’t listen. You left Meisa at home, Now the demon has taken her. Where are you going now? Blindly chasing is pointless; It is not yet time to defeat the Black Demon. The white lion on the snowy peak Grows its jade mane by staying in the mountains. The striped tiger of the forest Keeps its patterns by staying in its den. The golden-eyed fish of the deep sea Maintains its scales by staying in the ocean. I told you before, You must take Meisa with you to practice. You ignored my words. If you want to defeat the demon, Your time will come, but it is not now. Return and prepare yourself— Only when wisdom and courage are ready can you act.” Hearing the goddess’s words, Gesar was filled with regret. He could neither chase the demon nor ignore the situation. Frustrated and uneasy, he resolved to intensify his practice and prepare for the day he could rescue Meisa. Notes Retreat: A practice method in Vajrayana Buddhism. During a retreat, practitioners isolate themselves behind closed doors to focus on their spiritual practice, without any contact with the outside world. Hence, it is called "retreat."