But Queen Cholmo has been seized by Hor and a disaster is overshadowing the State of Ling.
It is now time to defeat the enemy as they deserve retribution for a life of crime.”
The Heavenly horse Gyaingar Pebo rose high into the air Gesar the king and flew directly to the State of Ling. The Heavenly horse had obeyed the order of Gesar’s deity Aunt to sing the song to him. Seeing Gesar was anxious to return, the horse ran much faster than usual.
When they were very close to the State of Ling, Gesar patted the horse’s neck lightly. Gyaingar knew his host was indicating it to slow down. The king had left the State of Ling for nearly nine years. What had happened to the State of Ling? What had become of the people? He transformed himself into a young shepherd and, driving a herd of goats, he walked to the State of Ling slowly.
Zhaotoin had taken over the throne of the State of Ling. As he saw a strange young shepherd grazing his goat herd, he took this as an opportunity to extract some money. He summoned Senglong, Gesar’s father, and sent him to collect tax from the stranger.
Senglong was now reduced to a serf of Zhaotoin. He mounted on a lame horse and walked down the mountain. He told the shepherd: “Young man, his majesty has given me an order: You have to pay taxes on both the water your sheep drink and the grass they eat.”
The shepherd who was Gesar, seeing his father in such condition, hid his bitter feelings and said: “Of course, please sit down for a moment. I have something to ask you.” Then he laid a tiger skin cushion on the ground and invited Senglong to sit down.
The old man squatted down beside the cushion and sighed: “I do not deserve such a nice seat.”
Gesar served him tea in a cup and cut meat for him with a crystal knife. Seeing the special knife and cup, the old man could not help wondering: “Where did he get these things?”
The knife and cup reminded him of his son. The old man suddenly burst into tears when this strong feeling came inside him. Gesar could not keep up his pretence any more when he saw his father cry. He threw himself into Senglong’s arms.
“Dad!” he cried.
Senglong was taken aback and could not believe his ears. When he scrutinized Gesar carefully, however, he could not find any trace of the image of his son.
“Young man, how dare you? Don’t you know that my son is the Lion King Gesar? Who are you? ”
“Yes, father, it is me. I am your son Gesar.” As he spoke the Lion King revealed his original countenance which Senglong finally recognized. It was truly Gesar, the King of Ling, the son he had missed so badly for nine years.
Senglong then told the whole story of all the changes since Gesar had left. He shed tears when he told him how Chatsa had given his life to the State of Ling heroically and how Hor had taken advantage to kidnap Queen Cholmo. Gesar was very worried about Cholmo. Finally, Senglong came to the part where Zhaotoin had betrayed the state and built alliances with its enemies. Grabbing Gesar’s hand, he said through gritted teeth: “Go home and see your mother, son. You should also give Zhaotoin what he deserves.”
Gesar held his father’s hand trying to calm him down: “Dad, give me some time. I still need to check some things out for myself. Please do not let other people know I am home.”
The next day, outside the royal palace, an old, grey-haired beggar appeared.
“My long-lived lord, please give me something to eat,”
Zhaotoin snapped through the window: “You filthy slimy beggar! Where do you come from? How dare you knock on my door in the morning? It is bad luck!”
“My lord, I am from the Evil State.”
“From the Evil State? Well, well, Ok, you can come in. I have something to ask you.”
He sent a maid in with a tray of zanba (roasted highland barley flour) with a piece of butter on it and a bottle of wine.
“Old man, I will ask you something. Tell me the truth and you can earn yourself a comfortable life.”
“I will tell you everything I know, my lord.” The beggar slowly chewed the zanba and sipped a little wine now and then.
“Nine years ago, my nephew Gesar left home to tame a monster in the north. In the first three years after his departure, rumour had it that he had died. However, people still said he may be alive. In the last three years, I could not get any information about him at all. Have you heard anything about him? ”
“Well, my lord, I do know something about him. The Lion King Gesar did die some eight years ago. His horse was taken by Mesa for transporting water and his arrow quiver went to a female devil. The devil Nortsam is still alive.”
“Really?” Zhaotoin was very excited to hear this news.
“Yes, my lord, I served Nortsam for three years and I know all of this well.” The old beggar said for sure.
“Wonderful! It is so good to know for sure that he has died. I can finally set my mind at ease.”
Zhaotoin was so pleased that he immediately ordered maids to fetch meat and wine to entertain the old beggar.
However, the old beggar disappeared and in a flash Gesar, the Lion King, stood there instead, holding a knife against Zhaotoin’s chest.
Gesar said: “I told you to take care of the State of Ling but you betrayed the state as soon as Hor’s army arrived. Chatsa died, Queen Cholmo was taken away, and you, you declared yourself king after the withdrawal of the enemy troops and you have plunged our people into misery. Now I will take my revenge on you! ”
Zhaotoin was shocked to death. He uttered: “You are right, I did the wrong thing and I am guilty. I did not intend to do these things and I am your uncle. Couldn’t you just forgive me? ”
“What you have done shall not be forgiven.”
As Lion King Gesar spoke, his Heavenly horse Gyaingar Pebo opened its mouth and swallowed Zhaotoin down his throat.
News about Gesar coming back travelled fast. Rongcha Chageng led Dainma and the other men to welcome him home. Everybody was so happy that the miserable life they were experiencing had ended.
Not long after, Mesa Poingyi and Ngada Namo brought back the treasures from the evil state. Gesar distributed sheep, cows and other materials to every household.
The Heavenly horse Gyaingar Pebo made a bowel movement and passed Zhaotoin out. Gesar also gave him a share of the treasure and ordered him to herd horses.
Gesar settled down his two concubines and told them to take good care of Gormo and Senglong. After that, he mounted his Heavenly horse and left for Hor.
