Palace Stories

Chapter One: The Soul of Peach Blossoms and Green Waters Lost in the Beautiful Land; Thick Clouds and Heavy Rain Entered the Dream of Wushan; Pear Blossoms Unclaimed, Grass Green, Golden Threads Song Faded, Green Dew Gathered. The Soul's Dream: A desolate path lined with pines and cypresses, the misty light still shines on Xiling. A thousand shrubs provide cool shade, beneath the trees, towering buildings reveal pink walls. Red and purple blossoms remain, tourists pay their respects with libations! Layered green mountains, shimmering streams, green willows vying for beauty, peach blossoms in full bloom. At that time, the spring breeze was gentle, making all the flowers seem to smile. The orioles on the branches fluttered their wings, singing melodiously. Pink butterflies flitted among the flowers, dancing wildly in the wind, like celestial maidens scattering flowers. Only the swallows, carrying mud, flitted incessantly in the woods or on the water, searching for small insects and fish to feed their fledglings. As dawn gradually broke through, it gently wiped away the bright, lovely dewdrops from the grass, revealing a tender expanse of green. Just then, a horn blared from the large square, and two large blue flags were suddenly raised. Then, a drumbeat sounded from inside the tent, and hundreds of strong men, bows drawn and swords unsheathed, stood in neat rows, radiating confidence and high spirits, forming ranks in all directions. With another shout from the crowd, the drums and gongs resounded, and the hundreds of men formed ranks according to their positions. Banners fluttered, weapons gleamed, the ranks were a chaotic mix, and the men displayed a variety of skills, trampling the smooth, mirror-like green grass into a jumble of footprints, even knocking down many wildflowers. The ranks of men marched in ever-changing formations. Just as they were getting into the swing of things, a loud cannon shot boomed from inside the tent, and an old man emerged. The old man wore a long-tasseled hat, an embroidered slit robe, and a short jacket with a golden lion motif. A pouch and a pipe hung beside him, and in his right hand, he held aloft a bright yellow flag with pointed corners. Judging by his appearance, the old man was about eighty years old. Although his hair and beard were as white as frost, he was remarkably vigorous, displaying the spirit of someone who is old but still strong. It turned out that the Mongol people didn't have walled cities or capitals; they simply chose fertile soil and lush pastures to build tents and live together in clans, forming villages. This place was called Huotuli, and the old man was the village chief, Mergan. Mergan gently lowered the bright yellow flag in his right hand, and several hundred strong men quickly and orderly returned to their ranks. The grassland fell silent; neither horns nor drums sounded. Mergan looked around, praised the crowd, and then gave the order for the able-bodied men to compete in archery. As soon as the order was given, a soldier went to set up three arrow slits eighty paces away. With everything in place, Mergan shouted, "Shoot!" Hundreds of able-bodied men drew their strong bows and fired, the clanging of arrows echoing continuously, nine out of ten hitting their targets. The Mongols were originally skilled hunters, and archery was their only specialty; even seven- or eight-year-old children could hit their targets without fail, let alone the able-bodied men on campaign—they were naturally superior. Mergan was overjoyed. He ordered cattle, sheep, and cloth to be brought, rewarding a group of strong men. He then took a nine-section bronze whip and said to the men, "This bronze whip of mine was obtained when I was young, during the southern expedition with the Jin ruler Wanyan. Now I wield it skillfully, hitting anyone within five paces with perfect accuracy. I rely on it for self-defense, never letting it out of my sight, for over sixty years. Now that I am old, this weapon is of little use to me, so I will pass on this whip technique to you." As he spoke, Mergan grasped the bronze whip in his right hand and slowly began to wield it left and right, back and forth. When he wielded it with great force, the men felt the wind whistling, and the bronze whip transformed into thousands of golden rays, merging with the sunlight, making Mergan's shadow disappear. The hundreds of strong men stared in astonishment, completely dumbfounded. Mergan wielded it for a while before slowly stopping, putting away the whip. Yet, his expression remained unchanged, his breath steady, as if nothing had happened. The men all praised him. Mergan was naturally very pleased. Stroking his beard, he said with a smile, "Now that the whip technique has been demonstrated, we can't decide who will inherit it. I'll hang it on a pole a hundred paces away. Whoever can shoot it down with an arrow will have it." After Mergan finished speaking, the soldiers hung the whip a short distance away. At this moment, several hundred able-bodied men and several leaders, all wanting the whip, showed off their skills, nocking arrows and aiming intently. The distance was inevitably too far; some lacked the eyesight, and some bows were too weak to reach it. In the end, they all watched helplessly, none of them able to shoot down the whip. Seeing this, Mergan couldn't help but sigh. Just as they were about to change their method, a melodious voice called out from inside the tent, "Father, wait for me to shoot down that bronze whip!" As the voice faded, a beautiful woman in green robes and a long, elaborate hairstyle emerged—it was Mergan's beloved daughter, Alan. She wore a new green embroidered robe and oil-black boots, her hair styled in a long braid with bright wildflowers adorning her temples. Her jet-black hair further enhanced her captivating beauty. She carried a gilded bow and a fish-skin quiver filled with several golden arrows with eagle feathers, and walked out gracefully. Reaching Mergan, she softly called out, "Father!" Mergan responded, turned around, and had a soldier bring him a leather chair, which he then sat down. He grabbed Alan's pink arm, pulled her onto his lap, and stroked her face with a smile, saying, "Good girl, stop shooting! You'll hurt your back, it's no joke." As he spoke, Mergan lowered his head to kiss her cheek, but Alan quickly pushed him away, laughing, "Father's beard is so long and stiff, it pricks me!" With that, she gracefully swayed her slender waist and stepped down. Mergan grinned, squinting at Alan. The hundreds of strong men on the grassland also stared intently at Alan. She ran to the middle of the meadow like a willow swaying in the wind, glanced at the target pole with the whip, twisted her delicate neck, and smiled at Mergan, saying, "It's too far, I'm afraid you won't hit it!" As she spoke, she raised the carved bow in her left hand, and with her right hand, she gently drew a golden arrow from her quiver, spread her long, bamboo shoot-like fingers, and nocked the arrow, ready to shoot at the whip. At this moment, Mergan had already stood up, hoping that his beloved daughter would hit it, and everyone on the meadow was craning their necks, hoping that Alan would hit it. No sooner said than done, before Alan's arrow was even released, the bowstring twanged, and with a clang, the bronze whip on the target pole fell to the ground. The crowd, assuming that Alan had shot it, cheered in unison like thunder. Mergan almost couldn't stop smiling. Only Miss Alan was quite surprised. She hadn't fired an arrow, so how could the whip have fallen? Was someone trying to outshoot her? But she could only see the arrow, not the person, so the archer must be quite far away, and the archer's skill must have been considerable. As Miss Alan was lost in thought, the soldier picked up the whip and presented it to her with both hands. Miss Alan wanted to take it, but since she hadn't shot it down herself, she couldn't bear to part with such a fine whip. Just as she was in a dilemma, she suddenly heard the sound of bells and the clatter of hooves. Two fine horses came galloping down Han'er Mountain like lightning. As they drew closer, she saw two young men riding them. They were dressed similarly in hunting attire, one after the other, each carrying a strong bow, riding at full speed. The young man in front rode a tall, red-maned steed, and a heroic air emanated from his brow. His golden hunting attire accentuated his striking features, making his rosy lips, white teeth, and handsome face appear even more striking. The young man, noticing the soldier pick up the bronze whip, spurred his horse, raised his bow, and shouted, "I shot the whip down! The village chief has ordered whoever hit it gets the whip! Give it to me now!" As he spoke, his horse galloped to the middle of the pasture. He quickly dismounted and bowed to Mergan. Mergan then realized the young man had shot the whip down. Before he could praise him, the young man on the black horse arrived. Mergan ordered leather chairs brought over and invited the two young men to sit down. He then laughed, "I had them shoot the whip today to find talented individuals, but the aim was too far, and neither of them hit it. Besides you two brothers, I doubt we can find a third person in our village with such keen eyesight!" The first young man repeatedly declined. Turning his head casually, he suddenly saw a stunningly beautiful woman, dressed in a green robe with a long bun, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with affection, her cheeks flushed, holding a bronze whip in her jade-like hands, gracefully walking towards him. Miergan quickly took the whip from the girl's hands and handed it to the young man, saying, "It has an owner, so we'll give it to you." But the young man neither took it nor answered. Looking closer, he saw the young man staring intently at the girl, making Miergan feel embarrassed. Then, the second young man tugged hard on the first boy's sleeve. The boy, still bewildered, nearly fell over from the tug, his startled expression quite a sight. This made the girl giggle. Her laughter was like a nightingale's song, clear and melodious. The young man's soul almost soared to the heavens with her laughter. When he turned around, he saw Mergan handing him the whip, which he hurriedly took, thanking him profusely. Mergan, speaking modestly, reached out and took Alan's slender hand, smiling at the young man, saying, "This is my daughter, Alan Goren." Pointing to the young man, he said to Alan, "That is Qiyan's son, named Bayan." Pointing to the young man behind him, he said, "He is Bayan's brother, named Duhu." After Mergan finished speaking, Alan glanced at Bayan slightly and couldn't help but smile sweetly. At this moment, Bayan seemed to be sitting on the chair...It was like having thorns in his side; sitting or standing was awkward, he was practically an ant on a hot pan. Because the Mongolian wilderness was desolate, most women were coarse and ugly, but Alan's beauty was truly breathtaking, a beauty that could rival even the most beautiful Han women. Born in Mongolia, she was naturally the most desirable, so how could Bayan not be captivated? At that moment, Mergan, seeing Bayan's outstanding appearance and skill, considered giving him the position of village chief. But fearing the villagers' dissatisfaction, he hesitated for a moment, then said to himself: "With me here, what do I have to fear? Even if they are dissatisfied, as long as I'm alive, I have my ways of subduing them." Having made up his mind, Mergan cupped his hands and said to Bayan, "We have something to say that might be unpleasant to hear, but I wonder if you two would allow it?" Bayan and Duhu bowed in unison and replied, "We will obey the village chief's orders without question." Mergan was overjoyed and said, "That's thanks to your high regard." He then took the rolled-up, apricot-yellow flag with pointed corners and handed it to Bayan, saying, "I have been in charge of this flag for over forty years now. Back then, I was still middle-aged. Now I'm over eighty, past my prime, yet I hold the title of village chief in vain. I feel ashamed that I have accomplished nothing! I've always wanted to step down, but I haven't been able to find a capable person. Now, you two are here, true young heroes, and descendants of the Qiyan clan. You should take on this arduous task. It's a special opportunity bestowed upon our people by heaven, and we must not miss it!" After saying this, Mergan took out a seal from his side and gave it to the Bayan brothers along with the flag. The Bayan brothers were taken aback and declined in unison, saying, "Although the village chief is advanced in years, he is in excellent health. We, the younger generation, have much to learn from him. How could you say such a thing? We brothers would never dare to accept it." After saying this, the Bayan brothers simply bowed their heads and refused to accept the flag seal. Seeing that Bayan and Duhu refused to agree, Mergan repeated, "Please don't misunderstand, this is my sincere wish. If you two were to assume the duties of village chief, I could relieve myself of this burden and live out my days in peace. That would be a great favor from you two." Although Mergan's words were earnest, the Bayan brothers simply wouldn't agree. Knowing that persuasion was useless, Mergan turned around and whispered a few words in Alan's ear. Alan smiled and nodded, then turned back to Bayan and smiled sweetly, truly a smile that could launch a thousand ships. Bayan was completely disoriented, almost collapsing, watching helplessly as Alan walked into the tent. Only after she was out of sight did Bayan snap out of his daze. Though the beauty was gone, her lingering fragrance remained; the sweet scent of orchids and musk seemed to waft into Bayan's nostrils, as if the beauty were still beside him. Upon closer inspection, he realized the fragrance emanated from the copper whip. Alan had touched it earlier, thus acquiring its scent. Bayan chuckled to himself: "My whip is quite the ladies' man!" Lost in thought, he drifted off into a daze again. Suddenly, the sound of a horn from inside the tent startled Bayan awake. He saw the able-bodied men regrouping, and the tribespeople outside the village returning. It turned out that, apart from those serving in the army, the rest of the Mongol people usually grazed their herds or hunted outside the village. Whenever there was trouble, the village chief only needed to give a call, and they would immediately return and gather to obey. Today, hearing the horn call, they knew there was an emergency in the village, and in no time, they had all gathered on the pasture. Mergan stood up and waved a white flag, a secret signal to silence the crowd. Sure enough, although there were many people on the pasture, not even a cough could be heard. Mergan then put away the white flag, stroked his silver beard, and said loudly to the crowd, "I invited you all to this gathering today, do you know why?" The crowd looked at each other, puzzled, and could not answer. Mergan continued, "Because of my advancing age and declining strength, I no longer wish to serve as the village chief, and now I wish to retire." Upon hearing this, the crowd replied in unison, "If the village chief leaves, what will we do, helpless and alone?" Mergan smiled and said, "Please be patient, everyone, let me explain slowly." "You must know that 'all good things must come to an end,' how can I live forever? This position will have to be given to someone else sooner or later, so while everyone is gathered here, I'd better hand over the village chiefship to someone else!" Before Mergan finished speaking, the crowd asked in unison, "Who is the new village chief?" Upon hearing the question, Mergan turned and ordered a soldier to bring Bayan over. Pointing to Bayan, Mergan said to the crowd, "This is the new village chief. Moreover, his wisdom and martial arts surpass mine tenfold. If you support him as your chief, you will have boundless happiness in the future!" As he spoke, Mergan also pulled Duhu over, presenting him to the crowd: "This is the new village chief's brother, Duhu, who is also your deputy chief." The crowd responded in unison, "The chief's words are probably true. Let's quickly pay our respects to the new chief!" "No sooner had these words been spoken than a shout rang out, and Xu Fen's clansmen and hundreds of soldiers simultaneously knelt in a half-kneeling salute. This was the most solemn ceremony among the Mongols. Normally, when friends met, they would merely shake hands; for any joyous occasion, presenting a hada (a ceremonial scarf) was considered the most polite gesture. As for the half-kneeling salute, it was called 'daqian,' and it was only performed when meeting princes and high-ranking officials. However, they held the Zongte (the leader of the Mongols) in high esteem. The Zongte meant the leader of the Mongols, and they respected him as much as the Qiyan (the founder of the Mongols). The Qiyan was the progenitor of the Mongols, so they revered him greatly. Every Mongol household had a shrine to him, much like Muhammad in Islam. Now, Bayan, manipulated by Mergan, had no choice but to reluctantly accept the offer." After Miergan handed over the banner seal, Bayan encouraged the crowd, said a few humble words, and then ordered the troops to disperse. Miergan prepared a feast and invited Bayan and his brother to celebrate the new village chief. During the feast, Miergan called out the young woman, Alan, to join them for drinks. Bayan, whose original intention was not the wine, was now even more delighted to be sitting opposite the beautiful woman. Alan was not a drinker, but after three cups, her face flushed, and her eyes, like autumn water, stared directly at Bayan. It turned out that Alan was only nineteen years old and still unmarried. She had lost her mother at a young age, and Miergan, having only one beloved daughter, was unwilling to marry her off. Alan often felt sorry for herself and vowed to marry only a young man of similar age and appearance. Miergan... Several times he had offered to marry her, but she had always blocked him. However, beauties were indeed rare in Mongolia, and handsome men were even harder to find, so things had dragged on until now. Now, seeing the young hero Bayan, with his handsome features and fair complexion, he was truly one of the most outstanding men among the Mongols. How could Alan not be captivated by such a handsome young man as Bayan? At that moment, Bayan and Alan exchanged glances and their hearts were intertwined, only restrained by Mergan and Duhu; otherwise, the two lonely souls would have already succumbed to their feelings. Mergan, however, was completely oblivious, continuing to drink. Duhu, sitting to the side, neither drank nor drank, but silently watched Bayan and Alan's antics, secretly amused. By the time the banquet ended, the sun was already setting. Mergan, thoroughly drunk, was helped to his feet by Alan. Bayan and Duhu also took their leave. A soldier brought over their horses, and Bayan mounted, glancing back as Alan helped her father into the tent. But her captivating eyes still lingered on Bayan, making him reluctant to go far. Though mounted, the horse was a renowned steed; as soon as it was ridden, it foamed at the mouth, its mane bristling, and chewed on the bit, determined to gallop forward. Bayan, however, strained to rein in the horse, and unable to move, it began to spin in circles. Bayan, dizzy from the spinning and already drunk, nearly fell off. Luckily, Duhu urged him from the side, "Brother, let's go! We have things to do back home." "Bayan, startled by Duhu's words, finally came to his senses. By then, Alan had already gone into the tent. Many tribesmen and able-bodied men came to see off the new village chief. Bayan nodded slightly to them, released the reins, and the horse galloped off towards Han'er Mountain like the wind. In no time, they arrived at their tent. A soldier came out and stopped the horse. Bayan and Duhu dismounted and went inside to rest. Bayan took off his hunting clothes, changed into civilian clothes, and lay down on a rattan chair, staring blankly into space. After a while, Duhu came over and said, "Brother, why did you take off your hunting clothes? Aren't we going hunting?" Bayan, who was usually most excited about hunting, replied indifferently, "I drank a few too many cups of wine earlier and feel unwell. I don't plan to go out. You go alone." "Duhu understood, but said nothing, and hurriedly left alone with his bow, arrows, and gun. After Duhu left, Bayan saw that it was getting late, so he slowly strolled out of the tent. He saw a bright moon hanging high in the sky, illuminating the flowing blue water like a mirror. The fields were quiet, with only the cries of monkeys echoing in the valley, carried by the wind. Bayan couldn't help but sigh, thinking that he was still young, yet he had already become the chief of a village, and everything was going well for him, except for the lack of a beautiful woman to accompany him. He thought of Mergan's daughter, Alan, whom he had met during the day—how beautiful she was! If he could marry such a beauty, his life would not have been in vain. Bayan was lost in thought, but his feet kept moving forward. Because he had something on his mind, he didn't care about the direction and just kept walking straight ahead. He came to a place where there were lush green trees and wildflowers everywhere."A gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of flowers, instantly dispelling any gloom. Bayan, now sober, felt exceptionally cheerful and exclaimed, "What a wonderful place! I, Bayan, grew up here, but I never knew such a beautiful place existed; it truly is a paradise!" As Bayan was admiring the view, he suddenly caught sight of a dark figure flashing through the flowers. Suspecting a villain, Bayan quickly drew his sword and approached step by step, only to hear a soft chuckle. Looking closely, Bayan saw a graceful beauty standing beneath the blossoms. The beauty was none other than Alan, the girl he had drunk with during the day. Overjoyed, Bayan felt as if a treasure had fallen from the sky, and beaming, he asked, "How did you come to be here, young lady?" Alan tilted her head slightly and replied with a gentle laugh, "Is this place only for you?" This question left Bayan speechless. After a long pause, he finally managed to say, "The scenery here is so beautiful!" Alan smiled and replied, "I also love the scenery here, so I often come to visit. How did you end up here?" Ba Yan pointed to the moon and said, "I was so captivated by the moonlight that I wandered here by mistake, and unexpectedly, I met you, young lady. Today, with the bright moon and the beautiful woman together, I, Ba Yan, am truly blessed!" Alan knew Ba Yan was teasing her, so she glanced at him with her alluring eyes, grabbed a few petals, and threw them at his face. She covered her cherry lips with a handkerchief and smiled sweetly, the petals landing all over Ba Yan. Ba Yan, already completely captivated, couldn't resist Alan's smile, his heart fluttering with desire. He reached out and grabbed Alan's arm. Alan was laughing so hard she swayed like a flower in the wind, her body tilting uncontrollably. Taking advantage of the moment, Bayan pulled her along, and Alan, losing her balance, fell headfirst into Bayan's arms, giggling all the while. Bayan, also half-numbed by this, bent down and sat on the green grass, his arms still tightly embracing Alan. A fragrance, seemingly of orchids but not quite, wafted into Bayan's nostrils. Just as they were tenderly cuddling, a strange cry suddenly came from the woods. Startled, Bayan jumped up and went to the grass to find his sword. Alan was trembling with fear. What was that strange cry? We'll find out in the next chapter.In the second chapter, praising the divine arrow that could topple a city, Bu Yixiao's beauty, and the bald horse's envy of carrying two loads, it is said that Bayan, hearing a strange cry, was startled. He quickly pushed away the girl Alan, jumped up, and went to the grassland to look for his sword. Because when he first saw Alan's shadow, he thought she was a villain, and Mongolian bandits were everywhere, so Bayan drew his sword in defense. When he realized it was Alan, the sword naturally fell to the ground. Now, hearing the monster's cry, he hurriedly searched for the sword, but couldn't find it, and Bayan's eyes were bulging with anxiety. Fortunately, the moon was as bright as a mirror, and Bayan felt a flash of white light before his eyes. When he looked closely, he clearly saw the steel sword, as white as frost and snow, under his feet. Because he was panicked, he only looked around frantically and didn't notice what was under his feet. Now, the moonlight made it clear. Bayan quickly grabbed his knife, then looked at Alan, who was already cowering in fear. The strange noises continued unabated, and then a bizarre beast emerged from the woods to the west. In the moonlight, it appeared very large. Its eyes shone like two bright lamps. Bayan, fearing he would frighten Alan, quickly gathered his hair, adjusted his knife, and strode forward to meet it. Seeing someone approaching, the beast raised its iron-like tail, roared, and charged at Bayan. Bayan swiftly dodged to the side, leaped behind the beast, and swung his knife, striking with a sharp crack, as if striking a bamboo root, but severing a piece. The beast, in pain, roared and rolled on the ground. Just as Bayan was about to go and chop it down, suddenly a man leaped out of the woods, wielding a steel fork. He plunged the fork into the monster's belly, and it was clear it was beyond saving. Bayan looked closely and recognized the man as none other than his brother, Duhu. Duhu immediately asked, "Brother, you said you weren't going hunting, so why are you here?" Bayan, upon being asked, briefly recounted his encounter with the girl Alan while playing in the moonlight. Pointing to the dead beast, he said, "I think I just made a cut." As he spoke, he bent down, picked up the severed piece, and saw it was half an arrow shaft, still bearing its fletching. Bayan murmured, "No wonder it looked like it hit a bamboo root." Duhu added, "That was the poisoned arrow we shot. After the beast was hit, it charged straight this way, but we followed its cries. The arrow in its hindquarters was severed by you, the arrowhead piercing its abdomen. That's why the beast couldn't bear the pain and collapsed. If it hadn't been wounded, I'm afraid you might not have been able to subdue it." Bayan shook his head and went with Duhu to look at Alan. They saw her with her starry eyes tightly closed, her teeth clenched, trembling on the grass. Bayan felt both pity and love for her. He quickly sat down on the grass, reached out and pulled Alan's delicate neck to his side, embracing her. He then cupped her face in his hands and looked at her in the moonlight. Poor thing, her face was pale and pale, she was panting heavily, and fragrant sweat was constantly rolling down her forehead. Bayan then whispered in her ear, comforting her, "Don't panic, young lady. That beast has already been killed by me." Hearing this, Alan slightly opened her almond-shaped eyes and asked softly, "Really? I was almost scared to death!" She tried to get up, but her legs were too weak, and she could no longer struggle, leaning back into Bayan's arms. Bayan smiled and said, "Young lady, don't be impatient. Sit still for a while, and I'll help you back." Alan leaned against Bayan, but turned her head to glance at him with a half-smile, alluring look, seemingly expressing gratitude. At this moment, Bayan was greatly aroused. A delicate, boneless Alan was in his arms; how could one not feel weak and powerless? Especially for Bayan, who was new to women, he was naturally completely captivated. Du Hu, however, stood there like a wooden chicken, and when he got bored, he would sit cross-legged on the grass, take out his pipe from his waist, and lower his eyes to smoke, trying to pass the time. As the stars shifted and the moon sank in the west, Bayan finally helped Alan to her feet. But her delicate body, still shaken from the fright, was too frail to walk. She could only drape one of her arms over Bayan's shoulder, and Bayan, in turn, put his arm around her slender waist. They walked forward, close together, step by step. Du Hu also stood up, carrying his steel fork and dragging the dead beast behind him. Even with Bayan's support, Alan's legs were unsteady, and her fragrant body swayed precariously. If anyone had seen this scene, they would have surely thought it was a scene from "The Drunken Beauty." At that moment, Bayan helped Alan to her tent, where a Mongolian maidservant came out to greet her and helped her inside. Bayan then turned back and went with Duhu. Halfway there, they encountered a soldier who had gone hunting with Duhu, leading Duhu's black horse. Duhu had initially ridden a horse but dismounted to chase the wild animal, and that's when they met Bayan. Duhu handed the dead animal and the pitchfork to the soldier, and he and Bayan, trudging through the dew, returned to their tent to rest. Time flowed by, spring turning to early summer. The Mongolian climate, already as cold as winter in July and August, was still quite hot in early summer. Bayan only learned after escorting Alan that the place where they had met was called Madun. It was a serene place, not as picturesque as some other desert resorts, but still a pleasant spot in the Mongolian desert. Because Alan often visited Madun, Bayan often waited there. The two grew increasingly affectionate, the hero and the beauty formally embarking on a romantic relationship. Whenever they met, they exchanged sweet nothings, their love so intense they almost fought. One evening, Bayan returned from hunting, removed his hunting attire, and hurried towards Madun. Upon arriving, he didn't see Alan. Bayan sat on the grass, waiting for her, loosening his shirt to cool off. After a while, Alan still hadn't appeared. Bayan wondered, "She never breaks her promises. Why hasn't she come today? Could something have gone wrong?" Thinking this, he stood up, fastened his shirt, and strolled towards Mergan's house. As he approached the tent, he saw Mergan sitting in front of the door, drinking alone, a soldier serving him wine. But Alan was nowhere to be seen. Bayan gazed into the distance for a while, then wondered: Was she already asleep? He then thought: Miss Alan slept in the back tent; why not go and check behind it? Having made up his mind, Bayan didn't disturb Mergan, but quietly crept to the back tent. He immediately saw the tent door was half-open, and peeking through the crack, he could see the flickering candlelight, clearly indicating that Miss Alan was not asleep. Bayan boldly pushed the door open gently, and it creaked open. He slipped inside, looking around; it was completely silent. There's an old saying, "lust knows no bounds," and Bayan, without considering the consequences, turned back and closed the door, tiptoed inside, and passed through two layers of curtains to reach Miss Alan's bedroom. Bayan reached the doorway and saw a maid sitting on a bamboo chair beside it, dozing off. Inside, a long table in front of the bed had a single red candle burning brightly. Bayan crept past the maidservant and approached the bed. He saw the gauze curtains hanging low, and a pair of pale red boots lying under the edge of the bed. Bayan thought to himself, "Shame on me!" So, Miss Alan was indeed fast asleep. Looking back at the maidservant, he saw her head drooping, fast asleep. Bayan thought this was a golden opportunity, how could he miss it? He immediately reached out to lift the gauze curtains, and a captivating fragrance wafted out, instantly bewitching Bayan. Looking at Miss Alan in the lamplight, he saw that she wore only a bright red bodice and light blue silk shorts, revealing her snow-white skin. Bayan, fearing she might wake, gently nudged her, but Miss Alan didn't move. She rested her chin on her hand, still sleeping with her head turned outwards. Her sleeping face, flushed with a rosy glow, her starry eyes seemingly fixed, her dimples slightly dimpled yet carrying a smile—wasn't it a exquisite painting of "Begonia in Spring Sleep"? When Bayan saw this, he couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss Alan's lips, noticing a faint scent of wine in her nose. Remembering that Mergan had been drinking at the door earlier, he knew Alan wouldn't drink; she must be drunk, hence her sound sleep. Knowing she was fast asleep, Bayan gently took her jade-like arm and sniffed it, then untied the large red bodice from her chest. Bayan couldn't resist any longer and took the opportunity to lie down beside Alan. Just as he was about to make his move, Alan suddenly turned over, gently extending her jade-like arm, and tightly embraced Bayan, saying, "Do you really love me?" It turned out that since Alan met Bayan, they had met daily at Madun, their conversation filled with sweet nothings. Humans aren't plants or trees; how could they be without feelings? This caused her to have intoxicating dreams every night, filled with passionate lovemaking. When she awoke, she was still alone in her bed, sighing deeply. At that moment, Alan embraced Bayan, presumably because she was dreaming again. She never imagined she would actually share a bed with her beloved. Alan then closed her eyes and fell asleep again. Bayan naturally took the opportunity to be affectionate. Alan awoke with a start, glancing sleepily at Bayan, then clenched her teeth and pretended to sleep, letting Bayan do as he pleased. After a while, Alan opened her almond-shaped eyes and smiled sweetly at Bayan, saying, "How did you get in?" Bayan replied with a grin, "I got impatient waiting for you, so I sneaked in." Alan pinched Bayan's arm."You've got some nerve as a thief!" he exclaimed. The two were chatting and laughing, enjoying themselves, when suddenly they heard a shout from the tent ahead: "Thief!" Startled, Bayan forgot about Alan and jumped up, rushing out the door. The maidservant, who had been dozing outside, had been awakened and turned around, yawning, bumping right into Bayan. Bayan shoved her, sending her tumbling, and then fled as fast as he could. It was already past four in the morning, the moon was setting, and a chilly dew seeped into their clothes. The Mongolian climate was unusually cool on summer nights; by four or five in the morning, it felt almost like late autumn. Bayan stepped outside and shivered. He feared they would chase after him; he was a special envoy, after all. If he were mistaken for a thief and caught, wouldn't he become a laughingstock? In his anxiety, Bayan's legs went weak, and he almost lost his footing. Mergan was drunk and asleep when he suddenly heard his family shouting for thieves. He immediately sobered up, jumped out of bed, grabbed a sword from the wall, and strode to the front tent to help catch the thieves. Mongol thieves, much like robbers, usually carried weapons, ready to fight in an emergency. When Mergan reached the front gate, he saw a dozen or so guards already surrounding two thieves and fighting them. Just as Mergan was about to go forward, his nephew, Mahalai, led dozens of strong men, each armed with weapons and bows and arrows, rushing in, shouting repeatedly, "Thieves!" "Thieves!" Mergan knew there were more than two thieves. He tried to call some men to go to the back tent, but Mahalai had already led his men ahead of him. He had heard there were thieves in Alan's room, so he bravely rushed in, brandishing a dagger. Mahalai rushed to Alan's room but didn't see the thief. Before he could ask, the maidservant, panting, pointed to the door and said, "The thief has escaped!" Hearing this, Mahalai brandished his sword and went outside, followed by dozens of strong men. Bayan was running frantically when he heard the chaotic footsteps behind him. He knew someone was chasing him. The road was over three miles long, but it was a flat plain, and he had nowhere to hide. Bayan had no choice but to run as fast as he could. He ran for about half a mile, but Mahalai was in hot pursuit. Seeing that he couldn't catch Bayan, he ordered his men to fire arrows. Dozens of bows shot towards Bayan. Bayan heard the clatter of bowstrings and quickly dodged, but an arrow struck his hind leg. He continued running despite the pain, but the wound to his Achilles tendon gradually slowed his pace. Mahalai, however, showed no sign of letting up, pursuing like a whirlwind, and was clearly about to catch up. Bayan, fleeing all the way, saw a large forest ahead that concealed him, and muttered to himself, "Shame on me!" He quickly leaped and bounded into the woods. Gritting his teeth, he said bitterly, "Since they're pressing me so hard, I'll fight them to the death!" With that, he hid behind a large tree, waiting for them to catch up. Mahalai and the others reached the edge of the forest, but the thieves had vanished. Fearing an ambush, the men stood at a distance, not daring to approach. Mahalai angrily said, "He's just one man, what's there to be afraid of?" With that, he brandished his knife and charged straight into the forest. The able-bodied men behind him shouted and followed Mahalai into the woods. Bayan, who was watching from the shadows, recognized the leader as Mahalai, Alan's cousin. Knowing he was a formidable opponent, he seized the opportunity when Mahalai was off guard, suddenly darting out and kicking him away with a flying kick. With a swift palm strike, he sent Mahalai sprawling out of the woods. Dozens of strong men shouted and rushed forward, but Bayan displayed his martial arts skills, kicking down the first few, seizing a knife, and hacking at them one by one. Those who came close were dragged by their arms and legs and thrown into the deep pool at the edge of the woods. In this short fight, the strong men were scattered and the remaining dozen or so had already slipped away. Mahalai, having suffered a great loss and also injured his left shoulder, got up and fled in a flash. Bayan, quite pleased with himself, was about to turn away when he suddenly heard voices and the neighing of horses behind him. The torchlight illuminated the area, revealing Mergan leading his household guards and strong men in pursuit. Bayan cried out, "This is terrible! Luckily, the moonlight was dim, and Mahala and the others didn't see us clearly. Now Mergan is coming with torches; if he sees us, how can we face him?" Bayan, realizing it was too late to escape, had a sudden inspiration. He leaped up from a large tree, perched atop a leafy branch. In no time, Mergan caught up, ordering his men to search the woods. They found only a few murdered corpses; no one else was in sight. His men reported back that the thieves had fled. Seeing that many people had been killed, Mergan nodded and said, "That thief must be quite skilled; even Mahalai was wounded!" He then ordered the bodies hastily buried and led the able-bodied men back. However, while the thief was being apprehended, the girl Alan sat trembling on her bed, fearing that Bayan would be mistaken for the thief and captured. Later, she heard that two thieves had been captured, and knew it wasn't Bayan. She wondered what had happened when Mahalai went to confront Bayan, and when she heard that Mahalai had returned wounded and that Mergan had personally gone to chase after him, she couldn't help but worry about Bayan again. After a while, Mergan returned, but hadn't confronted Bayan, and Alan finally felt relieved. Meanwhile, Bayan, hiding in a tree, was being whipped by the cold wind, and the arrow wound in his leg was causing him great pain, so he huddled in a ball on a branch. Finally, after Mergan had finished searching, buried the bodies, and slowly left the woods, Bayan dared to climb down the tree. Feeling aches and pains all over his body, he slowly made his way back to his tent and fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, Bayan awoke with a headache, fever, and severe stomach discomfort. This was because of his illicit affair; the sudden fright he experienced while fleeing had left his legs chilled by dew; he had been wounded by an arrow; and he had overexerted himself in the fierce fight with Mahalai and his men, sweating profusely. As a result, he had climbed a treetop, where the cold wind had seeped into his bones. Such a combination of attacks from all sides would have been too much for even a hero like Bayan, and his illness worsened day by day. In the desolate deserts of Mongolia, besides shamans, there were no good doctors. Therefore, in less than half a month, the once vibrant Bayan succumbed to his illness. As he lay dying, his brother, Duhu, came to his bedside. With a sigh, he said, "Brother, I must now bid you farewell forever." Duhu sobbed and replied, "Brother, you must take care of your health. How can you say such a thing?" Bayan shook his head and said, "I am useless. I regret that I have only a hollow reputation in this life, and have nothing left behind. Remember my sword, a treasure passed down for two thousand years? I'll leave it to you as a keepsake!" As he spoke, he took the sword from beside his pillow and handed it to Duhu. Duhu took it without hesitation, tears streaming down his face. Bayan saw this and shouted, "Everyone dies! Why such a pathetic display! But my revenge is for you to take; that enemy is Mahalai." Before Duhu could reply, Bayan had already passed away. Duhu wept bitterly, then hastily buried Bayan, his mind solely focused on finding a way to avenge him. But when news of Bayan's death reached the village of Huotuli, Miergan and the others all sighed for him. The young girl Alan, upon hearing the tragic news of Bayan's death, was already weeping uncontrollably. The people of Huotuli, believing that with their chief Bayan dead, the village could not be without a leader, and according to custom, the deputy chief Duhu should be promoted. Disliking Duhu's youth and lack of prestige, they elected Mahala as chief instead. Duhu, seeing his enemy triumph, was furious. He packed his horses and belongings that very night, dismissed his soldiers, and went alone to join the Chijili tribe, preparing to take revenge. However, Miergan prevented him from starting a conflict with the people of Huotuli. Since Bayan's death, the young girl Alan had remained melancholy. Generally, a girl before losing her virginity is not so uncommon, but once she has been taken in by a man, asking her to sleep alone again is unbearable. Alan was a woman of many romantic interests, often sighing and lamenting under the moon and amidst the flowers. Fortunately, her cousin, Mahalai, frequently visited her, and Alan's heart gradually fell for him. Coincidentally, her father, Mergan, fell seriously ill and left a will that Alan marry Mahalai. The two married during Mergan's mourning period. However, Alan, having only had a brief affair with Bayan, was already pregnant, and less than seven months after marrying Mahalai, she gave birth to a son. Mahalai, seeing the child's striking features and strong cry, was overjoyed and, without further inquiry, named the child Bodonchar. A few years later, Alan gave birth to two more sons, one named Hadaj, and the younger one named Gunet. The month after Gunet was born, Mahala was assassinated by assassins sent by Duhu, finally avenging Bayan. However, from then on, the Chijili tribe and the Huotuli villagers forged an eternal hatred. Time flies, and the days pass quickly. Alan's beauty faded, while her three sons grew up day by day. In the blink of an eye, Bodonchar was one year old. Alan often told him, "The Chijili tribe are the enemies who killed my father." Bodonchar remembered this well. One day, Bodonchar and his brothers Hadaj and Gunet went hunting near the Hula River. They saw the people of Mur village practicing archery at the foot of Mount Uli. A large crowd of men and women had gathered in front of the village to watch. Arrows were planted in the hillside, and many armed soldiers drew their bows and shot at the arrows. Some hit their targets, some missed; one arrow hit, but the next missed, and no one ever hit the target twice. Bodonchar smiled and said to Gunnet, "Look at them...""Their archery skills are all quite ordinary." Before he could finish speaking, Hatagu interrupted, "How can they compare to yours!" This provoked Bodonchar, who shouted, "Do you dare to compete with me in archery?" Hatagu replied, "Of course I dare!" As he spoke, he casually took out his bow and arrows and fired three arrows in quick succession. With a series of clanging sounds, they all hit the bullseye. At this moment, the eyes of the villagers of Mur were all on the three of them, and they kept cheering. Hatagu was very proud and looked at Bodonchar, saying, "You shoot for me too." Bodonchar tilted his head and said, "What's so special about shooting from the front? Look, I hit it with my back!" Hatagu took this as a mockery and immediately became furious, saying, "Since you say that, don't blame me for whipping you if you miss." "Gunnet knew the two were competing, and knowing Hataj's volatile temper, he went to persuade Bodonchar, saying, 'Why must brothers fight?' Bodonchar simply smiled, slowly reaching for his bow and arrows at his waist. He turned his back and fired three arrows in quick succession, each hitting the bullseye. The people of Mur village watched, praising his divine archery. Among the crowd was a beautiful woman in her twenties, with captivating eyes. She glanced at Bodonchar and smiled sweetly, and Bodonchar returned the smile. At this moment, Hataj, enraged, roared, 'Your archery skills are excellent; I concede to you!'" "Saying this, he turned and strode away. Gunnet called after him, but Hadaj didn't even turn his head. Bodenchar was too busy looking at the beautiful woman to pay him any attention, and simply told Gunnet to follow him. Bodenchar then walked around the village of Mur, his eyes fixed on the beautiful woman. The woman also looked at Bodenchar a few times, then smiled slightly, closed the door, and went inside. Bodenchar lingered at the door a few times before finally going hunting with Gunnet at Mount Uli. When they returned and passed through Mur, the village was quiet and deserted. The beautiful woman from before was now standing pacing back and forth at the door. Bodenchar exclaimed with delight, "Isn't this a match made in heaven?" He then told Gunnet to wait aside, and crept forward, running behind the beautiful woman. He gently wrapped his arms around her slender waist, startling her so much that she turned around in a panic, her face meeting Bodenchar's. The woman blushed and said, "What will people think if they see us like this?" Seeing that she was easy to bully, Bodenchar grinned and said, "Good sister-in-law, no one will see us now. Come back with me!" The woman pushed Bodenchar away, saying, "How can I go with you? Are you a robber?!" These words reminded Bodonchar, and he took her arm in his hand, leading her step by step toward the grass. The woman repeatedly tried to back away, but Bodonchar wouldn't let her go. Just then, a saddleless horse was grazing on the grass. Suddenly, Bodonchar grabbed the woman's elbow, leaped onto the horse's back, and struck the horse's rump twice. The bald horse then galloped away with a thud.

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