… Vo Tong stayed at Sai Tien’s house for a while before expressing his desire to return to his village to visit his elder brother. However, Sai Tien and Song Giang tried to persuade him to stay.
Vo Tong told them, “I have an elder brother at home, and I haven’t heard from him in a long time. I really need to go back and see him.”
Song Giang said, “If you really want to go back, we won’t force you to stay. But please come back and visit us when you have the time. We’d love to see you again.”
Vo Tong thanked them for their hospitality and accepted a small amount of money from Sai Tien for his journey.
“We’ve been a burden to you for so long. Thank you for your kindness,” said Vo Tong as he prepared to leave.
Sai Tien hosted a farewell party, and after a delightful evening of conversation and drinks, Vo Tong bid them farewell.
As Vo Tong prepared to depart, he was dressed in a new red jacket, a white conical hat, and a backpack. He carried a staff in his hand as he bade farewell to everyone.
Just as he was about to leave, Song Giang ran back to his room and returned with a few taels of silver, which he secretly tucked into Vo Tong’s backpack. “Let me walk with you for a while to see you off,” he said.
After walking a few miles, Vo Tong turned to Song Giang and said, “You’ve accompanied me far enough. Please go back now so that Sai Tien doesn’t worry about you.”
Illustration.
Song Giang replied, “It’s no trouble at all. Let me walk with you a little further.”
A few miles later, Vo Tong stopped again and said, “Let’s stop at this roadside tavern and have a few more drinks together before I continue on my journey.”
The three of them entered the tavern and sat down, with Song Giang at the head of the table, Song Thanh beside him, and Vo Tong across from them. The sun was already setting in the west.
Vo Tong said to Song Giang, “Brother, if you don’t mind, I’d like to bow to you four times to formalize our brotherhood.”
Song Giang was delighted and accepted the four bows from Vo Tong. He then presented Vo Tong with ten taels of silver as a farewell gift.
Vo Tong politely declined, saying, “Please keep it for yourself. I couldn’t possibly accept such a generous gift.”
But Song Giang insisted, “If you don’t accept it, I won’t consider you a brother. Please take it.”
Reluctantly, Vo Tong accepted the gift and carefully wrapped it in his bundle. Song Giang paid for the drinks, and they all stood up to leave the tavern. Vo Tong wiped away his tears and bade them farewell. The brothers watched him until he was out of sight before turning back.
As the sun set in the west,
The heroes’ parting filled their hearts with sorrow.
Now, with a single step, they part ways,
Who knows what fate awaits them under the vast sky.
Song Giang and Song Thanh had walked halfway back when they met Sai Tien, who had come out on horseback with two extra horses to greet them. They were delighted to see him and mounted the horses to return to the manor together. Sai Tien invited the brothers to stay, and they were treated with great hospitality…
After bidding farewell to Song Giang, Vo Tong continued his journey. By the time he found an inn to stay for the night, it was already dark. The next morning, he set off early. As he walked, he thought to himself, “I’ve only heard about the famous Song Jiang, also known as Timely Rain, but I’ve never had the chance to meet him. Now I understand why he’s so renowned. It’s an honor to have him as a brother.”
Vo Tong’s heart was filled with joy and admiration as he continued on his way. A few days later, in the late afternoon, he approached Yanggu County and felt hungry and thirsty. He spotted a tavern with a sign that read, “Three Cups Will Stop You from Crossing the Mountain.”
Intrigued, Vo Tong entered the tavern and sat down, leaning his staff against the wall. He called for the innkeeper and ordered some wine. The innkeeper brought out three cups, a pair of chopsticks, and a dish of cooked beef. “This wine is excellent and easy to drink,” Vo Tong said. “Do you have any side dishes to go with it?”
“We only have boiled beef,” the innkeeper replied.
“Then bring me a few pounds of beef to go with the wine,” Vo Tong requested.
The innkeeper obliged and soon returned with two pounds of beef on a large plate. He also poured another cup of wine, making it three cups in total. After Vo Tong finished the three cups, the innkeeper took the wine away and didn’t offer any more.
Vo Tong banged the table and called out, “Hey, why aren’t you serving more wine?”
“If you want more food, I can bring it to you, but I won’t serve more wine,” the innkeeper replied.
“Then bring me more wine and some beef together,” Vo Tong insisted.
“If you want more beef, I can bring it, but I won’t serve any more wine,” the innkeeper said.
“Why won’t you serve me more wine?” Vo Tong asked, puzzled.
“Didn’t you see the sign outside? ‘Three Cups Will Stop You from Crossing the Mountain.’ That’s our rule here,” the innkeeper explained.
“Your wine must be ordinary if three cups are enough to get someone drunk,” Vo Tong scoffed. “My wine back home is far superior, and even that wouldn’t get me drunk after three cups. Are you trying to tell me your wine is stronger than that?”
“Our wine is called ‘Fragrant Permeating the Jar,’ and it’s indeed exceptional. It’s sweet like glutinous rice wine at first, but it will knock you out before you know it,” the innkeeper said.
“Nonsense! Pour me three more cups, and I won’t pay if I don’t get drunk,” Vo Tong challenged.
The innkeeper knew Vo Tong didn’t seem drunk at all, so he reluctantly poured three more cups. Vo Tong drank them and praised the wine, saying, “This wine is excellent! Keep pouring, and I’ll pay for each cup.”
“You shouldn’t drink recklessly like this. If you pass out, no one can help you,” the innkeeper warned.
“Don’t try to scare me with your tales. I know when I’m drunk, and I’m far from it,” Vo Tong retorted.
The innkeeper didn’t know what to do, so he poured three more cups. Vo Tong drank them and called for two more pounds of beef. He seemed to be in high spirits and thoroughly enjoyed himself.
After finishing those cups, Vo Tong placed some small change on the table and called for the innkeeper. “Count this money and see if it’s enough to pay for the wine,” he said.
The innkeeper counted the money and said, “You’ve paid more than enough. Here’s your change.”
“Keep the change and keep pouring the wine,” Vo Tong insisted.
“There are still a few more cups left, but I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it,” the innkeeper said.
“Bring them all, and I’ll drink them,” Vo Tong challenged.
“If you pass out, who will carry you? You’re a big man,” the innkeeper said.
Vo Tong laughed and said, “If I need someone to carry me, I wouldn’t be a true hero.”
The innkeeper shook his head and refused to serve more wine. Vo Tong became angry and said, “I’m not trying to drink without paying. Don’t try to trick me, or you’ll regret it.”
The innkeeper thought to himself, “He’s already drunk, so I’d better not push him further.” So, he reluctantly poured five or six more cups for Vo Tong. After drinking them, Vo Tong stood up, staff in hand, and declared, “I’m not drunk at all!”
He walked out of the tavern, laughing loudly, “Ha! I’m not drunk at all, and I crossed the mountain just fine, despite your sign!”
The innkeeper called out, “Mr. Customer, where are you going?”
Vo Tong stopped and said, “Why are you calling me? I haven’t cheated you out of any money, have I?”
“I’m just concerned for your well-being. Please come back inside and read the official notice posted here,” the innkeeper said.
“What notice?” Vo Tong asked.
“There’s a massive tiger on Mount Jingyang that preys on travelers. It usually comes out in the evening. It has killed dozens of heroes, and no one has been able to catch it. The local authorities have ordered hunters to capture it, and a notice has been posted to warn travelers. It’s dangerous to travel alone, especially at this hour. Please stay the night at my inn and leave tomorrow morning when there are more people on the road,” the innkeeper explained.
Vo Tong laughed and said, “I’m from Qinghe County, and I’ve crossed Mount Jingyang dozens of times without ever seeing a tiger. Are you trying to scare me so I’ll stay at your inn? Even if there is a tiger, I’m not afraid!”
“I’m just trying to help you. If you don’t believe me, read the notice yourself,” the innkeeper said.
Vo Tong waved him off and said, “No need. Even if there is a tiger, I’m not afraid. Are you trying to keep me here so you can rob and harm me, and then blame it on a tiger?”
The innkeeper was frustrated and said, “If you don’t believe me, that’s your problem. Do as you wish, but don’t blame me later.”
Vo Tong shrugged and confidently strode towards Mount Jingyang, staff in hand. It was already late in the hour of Shen, and the sun was about to set. Fueled by the wine, Vo Tong strode up the mountain with great enthusiasm.
After walking about half a mile, he reached the foot of the mountain and noticed a large white-barked tree with some writing on it. Vo Tong stopped to read the message, which said:
“There is a large tiger on Mount Jingyang that preys on people. Travelers are advised to wait until the hours of Si, Wu, or Wei to cross the mountain in a group. Traveling alone or during other hours is prohibited to avoid harm.”
Upon reading this, Vo Tong finally believed that there might be a tiger on the mountain. He considered turning back but thought to himself, “If I go back now, the innkeeper will laugh at me. How can I call myself a hero if I’m scared of a tiger?”
So, he continued up the mountain, staff in hand. It was already late, and the wine was taking its toll. He took off his hat and hung it on his back, then tucked his staff under his arm and marched on. It was the tenth month, and the days were short. As he ventured deeper into the mountain, the sun set.
Vo Tong thought to himself, “There’s no tiger here. People are just too scared to come up here.”
He continued on, but the wine was making him feel hot and uncomfortable. He removed his jacket, slung it over his shoulder, and held his staff in one hand as he forged ahead. Suddenly, he spotted a large green stone by the roadside and decided to take a rest. He leaned his staff against the stone and lay down on it, intending to take a nap.
Just then, a gust of wind blew by, and he heard a deafening roar from behind the bushes. A massive tiger emerged and pounced on him. Vo Tong was startled and broke into a cold sweat as the wine’s warmth suddenly turned to chills. He jumped up and dodged to the side, avoiding the tiger’s attack.
The hungry tiger, its mouth watering, roared and arched its back, then swiped its front paws on the ground before lunging at Vo Tong again. Vo Tong quickly stepped back and dodged to the side once more, causing the tiger to miss again.
The tiger, frustrated, roared like thunder, shaking the very foundation of Mount Jingyang. It straightened its tail like an iron rod and whipped it towards Vo Tong. But Vo Tong was quick, and he dodged to the side, causing the tiger to miss again.
Typically, tigers employ three hunting techniques: pouncing, clawing, and whipping their tails. Having used all three without success, the tiger was now half-defeated in spirit. It roared once more and turned to face Vo Tong.
Vo Tong, staff in hand, mustered all his strength and swung it with all his might. There was a loud crack, and a nearby tree fell. However, in his haste, Vo Tong had missed the tiger and struck the tree instead, breaking his staff in the process. Only half of it remained in his hand.
The frustrated tiger roared and lunged at Vo Tong again.
Vo Tong quickly jumped back about 20 paces. As the tiger’s front paws landed in front of him, he threw down his staff, grabbed the tiger’s mane with both hands, and pushed it to the ground.
The tiger struggled to get up, but Vo Tong held it down firmly. He then stomped on the tiger’s face with his heel repeatedly. The tiger roared and thrashed its back legs, digging a deep hole in the ground. Eventually, it grew weak and could no longer resist. Vo Tong released one hand from the tiger’s mane and punched it repeatedly with his other hand, which was as hard as iron.
The tiger bled from its mouth, nose, and eyes and could only gasp for breath. Vo Tong let go and ran to a nearby tree to break off a branch. He then returned to the tiger and beat it mercilessly until it died.
Vo Tong wanted to carry the tiger down the mountain but found that his arms and legs were too weak from the exertion. So, he left the tiger there and returned to the large stone to rest. As he sat there, he thought, “It’s getting dark, and if another tiger appears, I won’t be able to fight it off. I should go down the mountain and find a place to sleep. I can come back in the morning.”
With that decision made, he put on his hat, slung his staff over his shoulder, and made his way down the mountain through the forest. After walking about half a mile, he suddenly encountered two more tigers. “Oh heavens!” he exclaimed. “I’m in trouble now!”
But to his surprise, the two tigers stood upright and walked towards him. “Are you a man or a god?” they asked. “Do you have the guts of a leopard, the heart of a lion, and the gall of a bear to walk alone at night without any weapons? Are you a man or a ghost?”
Vo Tong asked, “Who are you?”
They replied, “We are local hunters.”
“What are you doing here?” Vo Tong inquired.
“There’s a massive tiger on this mountain that comes out at night to prey on people. It has killed many travelers and several of our fellow hunters. The local authorities have ordered us to capture it, but no one dares to get close. We’ve been punished several times for failing to catch it. Today, we gathered over a dozen villagers, each armed with sticks, bows, and torches, to hunt for the tiger. We saw you coming down the mountain and were shocked. Are you a man or a ghost?”
Vo Tong laughed and said, “I’m Vo Tong, a man from Qinghe County. I just encountered the tiger on the mountain and beat it to a pulp.”
The hunters were stunned and couldn’t believe their ears. “Is that true?” they asked.
“Look at the blood on me if you don’t believe me,” Vo Tong said.
“How did you beat it?” they asked, curious.
Vo Tong recounted the entire story of his encounter with the tiger.
The hunters were amazed and overjoyed. They called for the villagers to come and see Vo Tong. “Let’s go
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