Chaptet 19 BullHeads III

　　—A tribe is something carved into bone and blood; the label one is born with does not permanently represent glory, power, or status.

　　Outside the gate of the inner city Great Chieftain Gongdian, Young Master Gong Kang, and others had already waited a long while to receive the BullHead envoys.

　　Accompanied by GuardArmy Grand General Gong Wei, Guard General Yi Wu, and others, the BullHead embassy arrived at the innercity gate.

　　“General Gao Yuan honors our humble dwelling with his presence; we failed to meet you farther out and beg your generous forgiveness.” Gongdian’s face was wreathed in smiles as he ushered Gao Yuan and his party into the inner city.

　　Gao Yuan snorted through his nostrils and strode forward with arrogant strides, never so much as glancing properly at the welcoming party of Gongdian and the others.

　　Once inside the Great Chieftain’s council chamber, Gao Yuan dropped heavily onto the Great Chieftain’s own seat.

　　Gong Kang, already thoroughly irritated by Gao Yuan’s swaggering manner, now saw him seat himself upon the Great Chieftain’s throne; rage flared at once. He stepped forward intending to drag Gao Yuan down.

　　Gongdian hurriedly restrained him: “My son, do not act rashly.”

　　Gao Yuan glanced at Gong Kang: “I have heard that the Gongyou Clan has produced a warrior who has won several successive victories at the humansacrifice combat tournament. That would be you, I presume.”

　　“It is I!”

　　“Oh? I should rather like to see how formidable a human warrior can be. Do you dare compete with me?”

　　“What is there to fear? I desire nothing more!”

　　“Gong Kang, get out!” Seeing that his son was truly about to roll up his sleeves and fight Gao Yuan, the Great Chieftain, furious, gave Gong Kang a hard slap.

　　Gong Kang, seeing his father angry, could only leave the hall in chagrin.

　　“General Gao Yuan, please calm your anger. He is but a country youth; pay him no heed.”

　　“Humph—his dog’s life is spared for the moment. Gongdian, I am sent by Great Chieftain Jiang Li on a special embassy to the Gongyou and FireWorship Clans. Do you know that the time has come for the annual offering of human sacrifices to the celestial gods?” Gao Yuan spoke in an ambiguous tone.

　　“General Gao Yuan, our clan has long awaited this day. Serving the celestial gods is our duty. May I ask the number of sacrifices required this year?”

　　“Eight thousand boys and girls.”

　　“What—eight thousand?” Though Gongdian had prepared himself psychologically, the figure still far exceeded his expectations.

　　“What? You are unwilling?”

　　“Not at all, not at all. Only that last year the number was four thousand; why has it suddenly doubled this year…”

　　“You should understand that this is because the celestial god holds your human race in high regard; it is the finest opportunity for you to display loyalty. In addition to the human sacrifices, this year the celestial god also requires the Gongyou and FireWorship Clans to supply twenty thousand ablebodied laborers.”

　　Hearing the figure Gongdian drew a sharp breath: “Is not labor service required only once every five years? Only two years ago we already provided twenty thousand; why again this year?”

　　“That is beyond my knowledge. Or would Great Chieftain Gongdian care to inquire of the celestial god in person?”

　　“I dare not.”

　　“Humph—so long as you understand. Concerning the human sacrifices and labor service, the rules remain unchanged this year: you and the FireWorship Clan will compete in combat; the loser supplies both the sacrifices and the laborers. The sacrifices will be taken away directly by the celestial gods’ conveyances; the laborers will be escorted back to the capital by my people. Oh, and Great Chieftain Jiang Li has repeatedly instructed me to inquire of Great Chieftain Gongdian about one matter.”

　　“What matter?”

　　“Recently elements hostile to the celestial gods have grown extremely arrogant and restless. Has the Gongyou Clan discovered any suspicious persons roaming the forest during its patrols?”

　　“Suspicious persons? Our scouts patrol the forest daily and have found nothing unusual. Some time ago, however, we did observe the celestial gods’ conveyances flying overhead.” Gongdian spoke carefully while watching Gao Yuan’s expression.

　　“That was the celestial gods hunting down the rebels.”

　　“Ah, so that was it. I wonder what manner of rebels would require the celestial god himself to ride a Vimana and pursue them in person.”

　　“That is a secret; do not ask further. In any case, should you discover rebels, seize them on the spot and present them to the celestial gods.”

　　“As you command!”

　　“Furthermore, during our passage through the forest we brought down a fierce beast. Bring it in and present it to the Great Chieftain.”

　　Several BullHeads carried in the carcass of a monster. It possessed two horns and bared fangs, resembling a tiger.

　　“Ah—this is a Stabbing Tiger, ferocious beyond measure and extremely vengeful. In our forest no one dares provoke it.”

　　“That is only because you lowly, cowardly humans fear it. We BullHeads have copper heads and iron brows; we advance without fear. Tonight’s dinner shall be this beast.”

　　Early the next morning Gao Yuan and his men left Wangqiu City. The BullHeads rode their camelhorses with heads held high, belching contentedly, talking and laughing as they proceeded at a leisurely pace along the forest path.

　　A trusted colonel rode beside Gao Yuan, conversing lightly.

　　“General, old Gongdian’s hospitality this time was not bad.” The previous night, after eating the Stabbing Tiger’s flesh, they had spent the evening in a brothel.

　　“That old fox Gongdian remains respectful and submissive toward us. Great Chieftain Jiang Li is always saying Gongdian harbors treacherous ambitions and evil intentions, yet I can see nothing of the sort.”

　　“Gongdian is genuinely afraid of us; even with a hundred times the courage he would not dare rebel. His eldest son, however, looks like a hard case.”

　　“That little bastard—next time I meet him I shall not spare him.”

　　While they spoke a soldier suddenly cried: “General, look! What is that ahead?”

　　The morning glow ahead was dazzling. Gao Yuan raised a hand to his forehead to shade his eyes and peered carefully. Upon a small hill in front there seemed to stand a solitary figure.

　　The figure stood as majestic and imposing as an iron tower. Though the distance was still great, the intense aura and killing intent he radiated were sensed even by the camelhorses of the BullHeads, which stamped their hooves and snorted heavily.

　　At that moment the figure upon the hill appeared to notice Gao Yuan’s party. He raced down the slope and came rapidly toward the BullHeads.

　　“Protect the General!” With a clatter of steel Gao Yuan’s subordinates hastily drew their weapons.

　　“What is the panic? What is the panic? He is merely a lowly, cowardly human—what is there to fear?” Gao Yuan reprimanded them.

　　In an instant the man was before them. Gao Yuan looked carefully; it was none other than the eldest son of Gongdian whom they had just been discussing—Gong Kang.

　　“Hahahaha… fine young fellow! Heaven’s road you refuse to walk; hell has no gate yet you force your way in.” Gao Yuan and his BullHead subordinates leapt from their mounts and advanced upon Gong Kang, cursing.

　　“Did you not wish to compete with me? I have been waiting for you here a long while. Will you come at me all together, or one by one?” Gong Kang regarded the surrounding BullHeads with open disdain.

　　“Haha, this little bastard is arrogant indeed. General, why use an oxknife to kill a chicken? Let me deal with him.”

　　The trusted colonel sprang upward and drove a fist toward Gong Kang; the blow whistled through the air and reached his face in an instant.

　　Gong Kang remained motionless. Only when the fist was about to strike his cheek did he suddenly flick out a hand, seize the colonel’s wrist with a sharp crack, and twist. A clear snap sounded as the arm was broken.

　　With a followthrough kick Gong Kang sent the colonel flying. The unfortunate BullHead crashed to the ground, rolled, and cried out in continuous agony.

　　“Little fellow, you have some skill.”

　　A true expert reveals himself at the first move. Gao Yuan decided to act personally. He drew the saber at his waist and chopped down at Gong Kang’s head.

　　Gong Kang sidestepped, delivered a lateral kick that struck Gao Yuan squarely in the waist, and sent him flying through the air; upon landing he knocked down several watching BullHead soldiers.

　　Seeing their commander suffer, the entire troop of BullHeads drew their weapons with a roar and charged ferociously at Gong Kang.

　　With a metallic ring Gong Kang drew the great sword from his back and engaged the BullHeads in combat.

　　This sword had a remarkable history. Forged from meteoric wrought iron and tempered with the addition of sulfur dioxide, its blade glowed with the red of flame and was therefore named “DragonFlame Sword.”

　　It formed a matched pair with the “HeavenTwilight Sword” held by Great Chieftain Gongdian. The DragonFlame Sword’s blade was wider than a palm and nearly as long as a man is tall—both heavy and razorsharp; only a man of Gong Kang’s divine strength could wield it.

　　Both the DragonFlame and HeavenTwilight Swords had been forged by the ancient celestial gods and infused with spiritual power. Whether in the heat of summer or the depth of winter the blades remained at a constant temperature of twenty degrees.

　　Any living creature wounded by either sword would bleed without cease until the blood was exhausted and death ensued. Thus the swords sealed the throat upon contact with blood and killed without visible wound—famous treasures bestowed upon the Gong family by the Yellow Clan Celestial Gods.

　　A continuous clatter of clashing weapons filled the air. Every BullHead weapon that met Gong Kang’s great sword was jarred from its owner’s grasp.

　　Gong Kang used the flat of the blade to strike deliberately at the BullHeads’ knees, chanting: “Down… down… down…”

　　The beating was swift and unbroken; within a few exchanges the entire troop of BullHead soldiers lay upon the ground, crying out in pain.

　　Gong Kang sheathed his sword and walked toward Gao Yuan, who lay groaning.

　　Gao Yuan was terrified: “Little fellow… what… what do you intend? I am an imperial envoy…”

　　“According to the custom of our human race, the victor in a duel takes one thing from the defeated.” With that Gong Kang seized Gao Yuan’s remaining horn and twisted with force.

　　“You… what are you doing—ah!” Gao Yuan’s screams echoed through the forest.

　　Gong Kang tossed the broken horn onto the ground, then with his left hand seized Gao Yuan by the collar and lifted him into the air.

　　His right fist clenched into a massive ball and pressed against Gao Yuan’s nose: “Hear this—our human race has never been a lowly, cowardly people. After the War of the Gods we hunters submitted to the Green Clan Celestial Gods, not to you wild oxen. Next time I see you swaggering before our human folk, be careful I do not take your ox life. Understand?”

　　“Un… understand. I… I dare not again.” Blood seeped from the broken stump of the horn; successive stabs of pain twisted Gao Yuan’s mouth so that speech became difficult.

　　“Haha…” Gong Kang flung Gao Yuan to the ground and strode away.

　　At that moment a BullHead who had been feigning injury rose. Watching Gong Kang’s receding back as it vanished into the forest he murmured: “Gong Kang—a true hero! To think the human race possesses such a figure; truly a great misfortune for our Green Clan.”

　　This BullHead was beardless and spoke in a high, thin voice—a castrated BullHead.

　　He approached the stillgroaning Gao Yuan and said in a mocking tone: “Oh, look at our OneHorned Invincible General—now become the Hornless Thoroughly Defeated General.”

　　His expression then darkened: “Gao Yuan, do you know your crime? I wonder how you will report back. Not only will Great Chieftain Jiang Li refuse to spare you; even His Majesty the EagleGod King will not let the matter rest.”

　　Gao Yuan hastily suppressed his groans: “Lord Supervisor, you must take charge for this humble one! Upon return you must report to the noble EagleGod King and have Gong Kang seized so that I may have my revenge.”

　　“Humph. Gao Yuan, the motto of our BullHead Clan is ‘copper head and iron brow, advance without fear, loyal to our lord, bold in slaughter.’ This time you not only failed to kill your opponent but utterly disgraced our clan and brought shame upon the EagleGod King and the celestial god himself. Do you know your crime?”

　　“Lord Supervisor, this humble one knows his crime. I beg you to speak a few kind words before the EagleGod King and spare my insignificant life; I shall never forget Your Lordship’s great kindness for the rest of my days.” Gao Yuan knelt and kowtowed without cease.

　　“Humph. This Gong Kang is indeed formidable; had he wished to take our lives it would have been as easy as turning over a hand. Although you, Gao Yuan, have lost face so badly while on embassy to the Gongyou Clan, the fault is not entirely yours—our opponent was simply too powerful.”

　　“Yes, yes, Lord Supervisor.”

　　“Yet why should I report the matter to the EagleGod King in that fashion? Ah, Gao Yuan—tell me yourself.”

　　“I understand, I understand. So long as Your Lordship intercedes for me before the EagleGod King and spares my humble life, I shall sell everything I own to repay Your Lordship’s kindness.”

　　“Gao Yuan, I am not soliciting a bribe from you.”

　　“This humble one knows; it is merely a token of filial respect.” Gao Yuan drew a bag of gold coins from his pocket. “This is earnest money; upon our return I shall present double the amount as further respect to Your Lordship.”