Top 10 Best Summaries of 'Mtao-Mxây Victory' Excerpt from 'Đăm Săn' – Epic of the Central Highlands

After Mtao Mxây kidnapped his wife, Hơ Nhị, Đăm Săn was filled with rage. He grabbed his shield and went to Mtao Mxây's home to challenge him. Standing below, Đăm Săn called out for Mtao Mxây to come down and fight.

At first, Mtao Mxây hesitated, refusing to come down, both wary and taunting Đăm Săn. However, when Đăm Săn threatened to burn his house, Mtao Mxây had no choice but to descend. He approached cautiously, fearing that Đăm Săn might strike him down while he was coming down.

Đăm Săn allowed Mtao Mxây to dance with his shield first. As Mtao Mxây shook his shield, it made a clattering sound like dry gourds. Đăm Săn, amused by Mtao Mxây's performance, remained still. Mtao Mxây arrogantly boasted that he was a seasoned warrior, used to conquering lands and capturing prisoners. Angered by this, Đăm Săn swung his shield with the force of a storm and charged at Mtao Mxây. Terrified, Mtao Mxây fled from the west side to the east side. Đăm Săn chased him, but Mtao Mxây managed to strike him with a machete on his bullhorn.

Exhausted, Mtao Mxây asked Hơ Nhị to throw him a betel nut. But Đăm Săn managed to catch it first. Chewing the betel nut, his strength doubled. He continued to dance with his shield and pursued Mtao Mxây with incredible might. As Đăm Săn swung his shield, the wind roared like a hurricane, huts were torn down, trees withered, mountains cracked, and even thorny hills were uprooted. He threw a spear that struck Mtao Mxây’s thigh, but Mtao Mxây remained unharmed. Fatigued, Đăm Săn collapsed in exhaustion, falling asleep. In his dream, the Sky God revealed how to defeat Mtao Mxây: throw a worn pestle at his ear. Waking up, Đăm Săn grabbed a worn pestle and hurled it at Mtao Mxây’s ear. Instantly, the protective armor covering Mtao Mxây fell off. Mtao Mxây, frightened, tried to flee. Đăm Săn chased him down, and Mtao Mxây tripped and fell to the ground. He begged for his life, but Đăm Săn struck him down and decapitated him, displaying his head on the road.

After Mtao Mxây’s death, his servants followed Đăm Săn. Having killed Mtao Mxây, reclaimed his wife, and gained numerous servants, wealth, and fame, Đăm Săn became widely known, even by the gods. He hosted a grand feast to celebrate his victory. Family, villagers, and guests from everywhere gathered to congratulate him, and the celebrations continued throughout the dry season.

Driven by jealousy over Đăm Săn's beautiful wife, Mtao Mxây resolved to kidnap Hơ Nhị. He gathered information and, knowing that Đăm Săn was away, disguised himself as a guest visiting Đăm Săn's home. Later, he fabricated a story about forgetting a knife and asked Hơ Nhị to bring it to him, planning to abduct her. When Đăm Săn heard the news that his wife had been taken, he rushed back, bringing reinforcements to confront Mtao Mxây and rescue his wife. A fierce battle ensued. Learning from Mtao Grư's defeat, Mtao Mxây wore armor and held a shield, avoiding direct combat. He only dared to face Đăm Săn when threatened with the destruction of his home.

Mtao Mxây was weak and cowardly, whereas Đăm Săn was powerful and skilled, earning the fear and respect of all. When Mtao Mxây fled in fear, he was struck by spears in the thigh and stomach, but his armor protected him. The battle reached a stalemate. Exhausted, Đăm Săn fell into a dazed state and had a vision from the Sky God, who revealed how to defeat the villain. Following the divine guidance, Đăm Săn threw a worn pestle at Mtao Mxây’s ear. The armor fell off, and Đăm Săn swiftly ended the battle, killing his foe. Mtao Mxây begged for his life, but Đăm Săn was resolute in his decision to punish the villain who had cowardly stolen another man's wife. Đăm Săn emerged victorious, with his fame spreading far and wide.

Mtao-Mxây is a chieftain who seems to have everything, but he is filled with jealousy because of Dăm Săn's beautiful wife. He hatches a plan to take advantage of Dăm Săn’s absence as he heads into the forest, attempting to claim Hơ Nhị for himself. Mtao-Mxây arrives at Dăm Săn's village, causing trouble and forcing Hơ Nhị to become his wife.

Upon learning of his wife’s abduction, Dăm Săn returns with his followers to rescue her. After several challenges, Mtao-Mxây reluctantly agrees to battle, driven by his fear of Dăm Săn. Mtao-Mxây attempts to dance with his shield, but it’s a letdown. When Dăm Săn takes his turn, he demonstrates his strength and skill, and Mtao-Mxây can only flee. Dăm Săn strikes, but Mtao-Mxây's armor protects him. Exhausted, Dăm Săn is guided by the heavens and defeats Mtao-Mxây by removing his armor and landing a fatal blow.

Mtao-Mxây accepts defeat gracefully, and Dăm Săn successfully rescues his wife. All of Mtao-Mxây's followers choose to follow Dăm Săn, starting a new life together.

While Dăm Săn and his slaves were working in the fields, Mtao Mxây seized the opportunity to come to his home and steal Hơ Nhị to make her his wife. When Dăm Săn learned of this, he hurried to Mtao Mxây’s house to retrieve his wife.

He challenged Mtao Mxây to a duel, but the coward refused out of fear. When Dăm Săn threatened to burn his house, Mtao Mxây agreed to fight. They both engaged in a shield dance contest. Mtao Mxây's movements were awkward and loud, almost comical, while Dăm Săn stood still, embodying humility and confidence in his martial spirit. This demonstrated Dăm Săn's bravery and determination in battle. Not only was he physically strong, but he was also guided by the heavens. Dăm Săn struck Mtao Mxây with a worn club, hitting him on the ear, causing him to collapse. Dăm Săn called for Mtao Mxây’s servants to follow him as they made their way back, bringing with them a great wealth, as though moving like the scattering of flowers in the wind.

Dăm Săn returned in triumph, and a grand celebration followed. His fame spread so far that even the gods took notice. This battle, as seen in the excerpt, represents a fight for honor, family happiness, peace, and prosperity for his tribe.

While Dăm Săn and his slaves were in the fields, Mtao Mxây attacked his village and kidnapped Hơ Nhị to make her his wife. Dăm Săn immediately traveled to Mtao Mxây's home to challenge him and rescue his wife.

Initially, Dăm Săn challenged Mtao Mxây to a knife duel, but Mtao Mxây, filled with fear, refused. Only when Dăm Săn threatened to burn his house did Mtao Mxây agree to fight. Both warriors engaged in a shield dance. Mtao Mxây's movements were awkward and weak, while Dăm Săn moved with incredible speed, effortlessly crossing hills while Mtao Mxây struggled to move across the fields. Mtao Mxây ordered Hơ Nhị to offer Dăm Săn a betel leaf, which he accepted. Upon consuming it, Dăm Săn gained tremendous strength. Dăm Săn then performed the shield dance again and struck Mtao Mxây, but his armor protected him. With divine guidance, Dăm Săn hurled a round club at Mtao Mxây’s ear, ultimately defeating him. Dăm Săn severed Mtao Mxây’s head and displayed it in the village.

He rescued his wife, and Mtao Mxây’s followers, inspired by Dăm Săn's victory, chose to join him in building a new life. The village celebrated Dăm Săn’s victory with a grand feast, welcoming the new members into their community.

While Luda and I were working on the farm, Mtao Mxây had already sent people to kidnap Hơ Nhị. Upon hearing that his wife had been taken, Đăm Săn performed a ritual to invoke the gods and set off to find Mtao Mxây's home.

At Mtao Mxây's house, a celebration was underway. Đăm Săn alone broke through the barricades and boldly challenged his opponent. A brave, capable, and assertive warrior, Đăm Săn faced Mtao Mxây with calm confidence. He stood still, allowing Mtao Mxây to perform his shield dance first. Despite Mtao Mxây’s movements being awkward, Đăm Săn remained still, knowing the power within him. When Đăm Săn danced, he moved with extraordinary strength and agility—like a storm, unstoppable and swift. “He leaped over a hill in one bound,” “He danced like the wind in the storm.”

Eventually, Mtao Mxây, exhausted, asked Hơ Nhị to offer him a betel leaf. However, Đăm Săn seized it, and his strength grew tremendously. Tired, Đăm Săn fell asleep while running, and in his dreams, the Sun God appeared and gave him guidance. With renewed vigor, Đăm Săn defeated Mtao Mxây, rescued his wife, and returned home victorious. He also conquered Mtao Mxây's servants, and his fame spread far and wide. A grand feast was held in celebration of his triumph.