《帝弓迹躔歌》注疏 Annotations from "Ode to Reignbow Path"

以仙舟历史为主题的歌行体叙事诗，描绘了历史英雄「帝弓」波澜壮阔的一生。 This song-form epic poem themed around Xianzhou history describes the magnificent life of the historical hero Reignbow.

其一 Part I

【原文】

[Source Text]

帝弓迹躔歌 [注一]

Ode to Reignbow Path [†1]

佚名

Anonymous

君不见昔时苍城皆琅玕，凶星啮噬蚀不销。

You have not seen the Cangcheng full of Langgan, consumed by the planet of sentient evil, standing firm till the end.

君不见昔时圆峤满碧瑰，经星锈涩路迢迢。

You have not seen the Yuanqiao covered in Bigui, sailing on a path of no return. To the crimson star it rends.

君不见昔时岱舆具沙棠，坠若流火似焚膏。[注二]

You have not seen the Daiyu verdant with Shatang, plummeting like a hurtling flame, burnt like lamp oil spent.[†2]

君不见星壑漫际多颠沛，人寰万世一苇草。

You have not seen the tumultuous journey in the bowels of space, where human and stars alike are transient as reeds.

时茫茫鸿蒙初启曙，渺渺大荒见滥觞。

In the beginning when the world was new, the wastelands to our ancestors did attend.

四塞龙虎相吞剥，中崮万乘举戈氅。

Where nations warred amongst forts, where the plain cavalry's banners did suspend.

帝尊明断纳诸侯，金人收兵灭帷灯。

The wise sovereign quelled the local lords. Using Aurumatons, did deceit cease and mend.

八埏磅礴终一统，九垓浩荡始同风。[注三]

All cardinal directions were ruled under one. A world unified, standing unbent.[†3]

仙使接翼青天蔽，更击复更思穹桑。[注四]

The divine race encroached and covered the sky. From Muldrasil poured these fiends.[†4]

但得楼船渡深空，贯星翾翔谒药王。[注五]

Then cruisers and dreadnaughts launched to the depths. To Sanctus Medicus, crossing eons, messengers we send.[†5]

九艨出一曰曜青，艨中洞天多任侠。

Amongst the Nine was one Yaoqing, its delves had many heroes attend.

侠者大也莫帝弓，能擘雕弧狩游星。

The greatest among them was the Reignbow. With their bow, even stars may rend.

上绝辰垠摘石珀，下会星渊斗虚鲸。[注六]

From the budding shores where ambers are plucked, to the stellar abyss where void whales fend.[†6]

旦销偃偶摇铁钺，夕斩视肉搴旌旗。[注七]

From puppets disempowered by iron mallets, to slaying viscorpi and having their flags upend.[†7]

五艟冈峦烟燧灭，八舻河川氛雾霁。[注八]

Flames of war snuffed from the five Navium Astriger, mists of memory on the eight Xianzhou ships' rivers ascend.[†8]

追忆帝君平古州，威武不与帝弓齐。

Remember how sovereign ruled the ancient lands, yet the mighty Reignbow none may contend.

【校勘记】

[Editor's Notes]

[注一] 本诗从「歌行体」。此种体裁之诗歌声韵自由、句式灵活，且常以「歌」、「行」题名。因篇幅较长，故校勘时按故事进展分节，以便读者查阅。

[†1] This poem is in the ode form, a genre which uses free verse rhyme and meter, flexible structure, and often uses words like "Ode" in their title. For ease of reading and due to the length of the poem, the editors had split this work into sections based on progression of the narrative.

[注二] 琅玕、碧瑰、沙棠皆为古国神话中仙树，传说其通体为美玉，果实可使人长生不老。岱舆、圆峤、苍城皆为已毁仙舟：岱舆于星历1200年在对抗丰饶民「视肉」的战役中殉爆；圆峤于星历3200年在「阋墙之战」中失控，航入红巨星后失踪；苍城于星历6300年被活化行星「噬界罗睺」吞噬。由此可推测本诗成稿时间至少在星历6300年之后，但亦有后人补录可能。

[†2] Langgan, Bigui, and Shatang are all mystic trees found in primeval imperium legends, with trunks made of jade and bearing fruits that grant immortality. The Daiyu, the Yuanqiao, and the Cangcheng are all Xianzhou ships that have been destroyed. The Daiyu exploded in 1200 Star Calendar during the campaign against the viscorpi, a Denizen of Abundance race. The Yuanqiao lost control during the Civil War in 3200 Star Calendar, plunging into a red giant and disappearing completely. The Cangcheng was devoured by the activated planet Rahu, Devourer of Worlds, in 6300 Star Calendar. This suggests that the ode was composed after 6300 Star Calendar, but it's also possible that later authors have amended the original.

[注三] 本段描述了仙舟联盟历史古国时期，无名帝王统一星球之盛况。「金人收兵」指帝王回收天下兵器、以金人机巧维持治安之故事。

[†3] This section describes the glorious days when the unnamed sovereign united the entire planet during the Primeval Imperium Age of the Xianzhou Alliance. "Replacement by Aurumaton" refers to the story of the sovereign's ban on all forms of weaponry and replacing security institutions with Aurumatons and Ingenia to maintain public order.

[注四] 「仙使」即丰饶民「造翼者」。「穹桑」为其母星，是一汲取星球能源的行星级巨树。此处可见丰饶民早在古国时期便与仙舟各部族有过接触。

[†4] "The divine race" means the Wingweavers, one of the Denizens of Abundance races. Muldrasil is this race's home world, a planet-sized giant tree that draws energy from the stars. Here, we can see that the Denizens of Abundance had made contact with various Xianzhou clans as early as the Primeval Imperium Age.

[注五] 「药王」即寿瘟祸祖，司「丰饶」。该称呼今多用于「药王秘传」党羽。

[†5] "Sanctus Medicus" is the Plagues Author, one who presides over the Path of Abundance. Today, this title is mainly reserved for the henchmen of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.

[注六] 「摘石珀」犹指仙舟民观测到星神「克里珀」之星墙一事。「斗虚鲸」指约星历500年前后，仙舟联盟与虚空歌鲸群落接触一事。「斗虚鲸」应在「摘石珀」之前，但作者为使行文连贯将之倒置；另据记载，帝弓生于星历1700年前后，绝无亲历此类事件可能，此处显然为挪用。后文多见此类情况，故不再赘述。

[†6] "From the budding shores where ambers are plucked" refers to when Xianzhou observed the Celestial Comet Wall being built by the Aeon Qlipoth. "Where void whales fend" refers to the Xianzhou Alliance coming into contact with the void song whales around 500 Star Calendar. This event should have happened before "ambers are plucked," but the poet inverted their order for linguistic flow. Also, based on historical records, the Reignbow Arbiter was born in approximately 1700 Star Calendar, and could not possibly have participated in the aforementioned events. This is evidently a misappropriation. This occurs repeatedly in the text from here on, and individual instances will not be noted further.

[注七] 「销偃偶」指仙舟民从金人手中夺取舰船控制权一事，起于星历1400年前后，止于岁阳之战。「斩视肉」指星历1200年前后仙舟与视肉作战一事。

[†7] "Puppets disempowered by iron mallets" refers to the Xianzhou people wresting control of the ships from the Aurumatons, starting around 1400 Star Calendar and finishing with the Heliobi Wars. "Slaying Viscorpi" recounts the Xianzhou's battle against the viscorpi around 1200 Star Calendar.

[注八] 「五艟」、「八舻」泛指仙舟联盟全部舰船，并非实数。

[†8] The "five Navium Astriger" and the "eight Xianzhou ships" are figurative, used to represent the entire flotilla of the Xianzhou Alliance. This is not an actual count.

其二 Part II

【原文】

[Source Text]

君子磊磊驾玄兔，君子落落驭金乌。[注一]

In multitude, the Xianzhou piloted the Gloomy Hare. In solitude, the Xianzhou drove the Golden Crow.[†1]

缘见无根飘零火，未知岁阳是流毒。

In destiny, they met the homeless floating flames, not knowing that the heliobi was a poisonous woe.

不成文章能作祟，不凭诗酒可娱人。

They can trick without words on paper. They can please without poetry or song.

须通幻化皆梦寐，休将悲欢飨鬼神。[注二]

Know that illusions are but dreams, and careful to feed demons your joys or tears.[†2]

帝弓明察若洞焰，神臂独张迎焚风。

The Reignbow perceived like a piercing light. Their bow-arm bent, ready to deal a warring blow.

燎燎精怪竞忧惧，煌煌赤星伺网罗。[注三]

The flaming demons did a red star make, deployed as bait as their fears grew.[†3]

死士云合有廿百，誓言铁骨荐天艟。

Two thousand volunteers laid aside their lives. Their bones shall remain on the Navis Astriger, such was the vow.

坼以中驱铸作锥，携之凡胎同为槊。[注四]

Disassembling a centerguard engine to recast as a drill. With human flesh as its handle, forward they flew. [†4]

深潜燧皇中心腹，云雷一动撼穹阁。[注五]

Diving deep into the innards of the Flint Emperor, a thundering explosion the heavenly pavilions did feel. [†5]

刹那霆骇泄星飞，须臾红尽咽天河。[注六]

Instantly did the light fade and the star's essence die, the dimming red with its residual lifespan swallowed.[†6]

一鼓而擒精灵火，封妖缄异养舟车。[注七]

Pushing forward to capture the fae fire, we the demon sealed. Forced to nurture the Xianzhou, onward it rowed. [†7]

【校勘记】

[Editor's Notes]

[注一] 在古国神话中，「玄兔」代指月亮，「金乌」代指太阳。此处指帝弓（仙舟）在宇宙中航行。

[†1] In the legends of the Primeval Imperium, the moon was a "Gloomy Hare," while the sun was a "Golden Crow." This refers to the Reignbow (the Xianzhou fleet) sailing across the cosmos.

[注二] 据记载，「岁阳」为无根无形的能量体生物，能汲取人的情感，左右人的意志。

[†2] Historical records describe heliobi as a species of formless energy creatures that can absorb human emotion and influence behaviors.

[注三] 「赤星」指岁阳为捕获仙舟自行聚合而成的微型恒星，呈红色。

[†3] "Red star" here refers to the red micro-star formed by the heliobi to capture the Xianzhou fleet.

[注四] 古国典籍有记载「军前锋曰先驱，次前曰中驱」。此处「中驱」代指仙舟曜青的副引擎。此句指帝弓带领的敢死队将副引擎拆解后武器化以对付岁阳。

[†4] The Primeval Imperium's literature had stated, "the frontline is called the vanguard, and behind them stands the centerguard." "Centerguard" refers to the auxiliary engines of the Xianzhou Yaoqing. This line refers to how the suicide squad, led by the Reignbow, disassembled and weaponized the ship's auxiliary engines to fight the heliobi.

[注五] 「穹阁」指仙舟罗浮的聚居地「登云群阁」，一说指太卜司的「瞰云阁」。此处犹言爆炸波及范围之广。

[†5] "Heavenly pavilions" refers to the "Skyward Pavilions neighborhood" residential area aboard the Xianzhou Luofu. Another possible interpretation is the Divination Commission's "Cloud Pavilion." It indicates how widespread the shockwave was felt.

[注六] 据记载，仙舟的敢死队将武器化的副引擎送入岁阳构成的恒星，使其提早进入衰灭，坍缩成为黑洞。此句为仙舟文学史上对该演变过程的首次描写。

[†6] Historical records show that the Xianzhou's suicide squad sent the weaponized auxiliary engine straight into the red star formed by the heliobi, causing it to undergo early decay and implode into a black hole. This line is the first in the history of Xianzhou literature to describe this process.

[注七] 据记载，在对岁阳的战争结束后，仙舟民将岁阳首领「燧皇」封印，并判决其以无尽余生为仙舟朱明提供动力。

[†7] Based on records, the Xianzhou residents locked up the defeated heliobi leader, the Flint Emperor, sentencing them to serve as the power source for the Xianzhou Zhuming for the rest of their eternal life.

其三 Part III

【原文】

[Source Text]

君子乾乾驱冰蟾，君子惕惕策六龙。[注一]

In thriving, the Xianzhou piloted the Ice Toad. In meticulous care, the Xianzhou drove the Six Dragons. [†1]

衔舻迢邈几斗转，魁元惶恐领天橦。[注二]

The vast fleet sailed through time and space, and the title of Heaven's Mast a ship had humbly taken.[†2]

仙方阐弘多奥妙，神实点化自在身。

Many miracles the divine blessing conducted, blurring reality with myth. True liberation.

拔擢巧言有野马，汲引令色莫涓尘。[注三]

Elevated, the wild horses in eloquence spoke, and Xianzhou's fog and clouds to words hearken. [†3]

更造晶巧谓玉兆，天机算尽无遗策。

The jade abacus carefully was wrought, calculating all mysteries. The world reduced to a deliberation.

帝弓吞琼欲闻道，遍智有梦托南柯。[注四]

The Reignbow merged with the jade, seeking epiphany, and the Wisdomwalker in dreams showed premonition. [†4]

不见识海恒昌盛，惟见血肉筑泥犁。

Yet everlasting prosperity and wisdom Reignbow did not see. There would be fields of corpses, blood soaken.

残伤垢染何其苦，嗔恚他化空无记。[注五]

Crippled, defiled, unending agony. Maddened, mutated, total forgetfulness, never to waken. [†5]

且奔且走且疾呼，却道痴狂笑太卜。[注六]

The Reignbow bounded with futile warnings, but was thought mad against diviners, mocked in derision. [†6]

笑之讥之哀悯之，毋论耆宿与褐夫。

Then the poor and nobles joined forces against the Reignbow. In scorn, ridicule, pity, or lamentation.

帝弓勃然斥贵胄，贪生何如彼昏侯。[注七]

Reignbow in a rage scolded the nobles, calling greed for immortality as foolish as the ancient sovereign's obsession. [†7]

玉露不过横辕轭，但教急镞试神莸。

The arbor branches were mere axles to the war chariot, and the Reignbow's fleeting arrow found the divine plantation.

回首振弦龙舌出，胆裂魂飞多惊怵。

Turning, the Reignbow released their flashing arrow to the tree, and fear and horror in human hearts stricken.

终沦寒椁长守眠，不念当年大丈夫。[注八]

Yet exiled to cold coffins for long watchful sleep, this warrior of yesteryear all forgotten.[†8]

【校勘记】

[Editor's Notes]

[注一] 在古国神话中，「冰蟾」代指月亮，「六龙」代指太阳。此处指帝弓（仙舟）在宇宙中航行。

[†1] The people of the Primeval Imperium once believed that the Moon was an "ice toad," while the Sun was "six dragons." This refers to Reignbow (and the Xianzhou) sailing across the cosmos.

[注二] 「魁元」指仙舟罗浮，喻其在联盟中处于首位。「天橦」指建木。此处指建木的种子在仙舟罗浮中心生发。然仙舟罗浮在领受建木后才成为联盟之首，此处或为艺术加工。

[†2] "A ship" refers to the Xianzhou Luofu, indicating that it was the highest-ranked ship in the Alliance. "Heaven's Mast" refers to the Ambrosial Arbor. This is describing how the seeds of the Ambrosial Arbor took root aboard the Xianzhou Luofu. However, the Xianzhou Luofu only became the flagship of the Alliance after receiving the Ambrosial Arbor. Here the sequence is reverted, probably out of artistic license.

[注三] 在古国典籍中，「野马」、「涓尘」泛指云气尘埃。此句结构倒错，大意为「云气尘埃都因建木拔擢得以巧言令色」。据记载，仙舟民以建木神实做实验，令动物得到了「擢升」，拥有足以模仿人类的智力和语言，成为「能言走兽」。本句犹指此事。

[†3] The people of the Primeval Imperium used "wild horses," "fog," and "clouds" to refer generally to clouds, air, and dust. The structure of this sentence is inverted, with the gist being "even clouds and dust grew eloquent through the Ambrosial Arbor's Elevation." According to historical records, the Xianzhou experimented with the Arbor's fruit, "Elevating" animals to the point of mimicking human sentience and speech. The line is probably referring to this event.

[注四] 「吞琼」这一母题源于智者玄曜将玉兆嵌入头颅、洞见未来一事，此处显然为挪用。「遍智」即遍智天君，司「智识」。

[†4] The motif of "merged with the jade" originated when the sage Xuan Yao embedding the jade abacus directly into the human skull to peer into the future. This is evidently a misappropriation. The "Wisdomwalker" is the one who presides over the Path of Erudition.

[注五] 「残伤」、「垢染」、「嗔恚」、「他化」、「无记」为堕入魔阴身的五种症状。「残伤」指肉体因外界暴力遭受严重的损伤，必须通过自愈能力进行漫长而痛苦的修复；「垢染」指由于肉身不朽，感染了某种顽强的天外病毒或细菌与之长期共存；「嗔恚」指产生怨恨、损害他人的心境，情绪开始在剧烈的悲喜怨嗔中起伏；「他化」指肉身开始生出变异的器官，无法再保持人形的稳定；「无记」指心被莫名的空虚感所占夺，陷于浑浑噩噩的状态。此段描绘了帝弓吞玉后看到仙舟民因长生不死而堕入魔阴身的悲惨未来。

[†5] "Crippled," "defiled," "maddened," "mutated," and "forgetfulness" are the five symptoms of being mara-struck. "Crippled" means that, after suffering grave injuries from external violence, the body must utilize its self-healing capacities to undergo long and painful periods of repair. "Defiled" means that, due to the immortality of the flesh for the Xianzhou people, the body may be forced to eternally co-exist with incurable alien viruses or bacteria. "Maddened" means the person starts to feel anger and violent desires, and starts to have extreme mood swings. "Mutated" means the flesh is starting to produce mutated organs and can no longer maintain a stable humanoid form. "Forgetfulness" means the person's mind is taken over by a sense of emptiness, and spends their days in an oblivious daze. This section describes how, after the Reignbow became one with the jade, they saw the tragic future of the Xianzhou residents, where the people became mara-struck due to their immortality.

[注六] 「痴狂笑太卜」源于一仙舟民俗故事。传说某仙舟上有一人认为建木神实为天外异物，反对长生，佯狂不仕以表决心。此处「太卜」泛指仙舟贵族，引申为建木神实，因贵族是仙舟上最早领受神实的一批人。

[†6] "Mad against Diviners" originates from a Xianzhou folk legend about a person who believed the Ambrosial Arbor to be an alien monstrosity. Opposed to longevity, they feigned madness to publicly express their ardent opinion. Here, "Diviners" generally refers to the Xianzhou aristocrats, and can be extended to include the Arbor's fruit, as the aristocrats were the first Xianzhou residents to receive the sacred fruit.

[注七] 此处「昏侯」指古国时期完成一统的无名帝王。帝弓认为仙舟民被无尽形寿诱惑蒙蔽，已与那贪生怕死的无名帝王无异，因此怒不可遏。

[†7] "Ancient sovereign's obsession" refers to the nameless sovereign who united the Primeval Imperium. The Reignbow believed that the Xianzhou residents were blinded by the seduction of an endless lifespan and were no different from the nameless sovereign's rapacious fear of death. This drove Reignbow furious.

[注八] 此段描述帝弓反对长生，并向着被视为神圣的建木射出一箭，以示自己的决心。服下不死药的仙舟贵胄们惊怒交加，判其有罪。但慑于英雄曾立下的功业和他的人望，贵胄们只是判令其继续休眠。「守眠」指仙舟联盟初航时，仙舟民须以固定时间轮流进入冷冻仓休眠的制度。「寒椁」即冷冻仓。

[†8] This section describes the Reignbow's opposition to immortality, and how they shot an arrow into the Ambrosial Arbor to show their resolve. The Xianzhou aristocrats who had eaten the fruit of immortality grew enraged and convicted them. However, awed by the Reignbow's heroic exploits and prestige, they could only sentence the hero to continual hibernation. "Watchful sleep" refers to the rotating cryo-sleep system used when the Xianzhou Alliance first left its home world. "Cold coffins" are the cryo-sleep pods.

其四 Part IV

【原文】

[Source Text]

经年累月复经年，浮沉星汉何悬悬。

The years came and went, as the fleet floated in uncertainty.

始见穹桑穷庞然，残星吐哺已恹恹。

Muldrasil the gigantic we first beheld, as it sucked the stars' energies till all were empty.

异肉尾衔如雾列，仙使扬戈若霞蒸。[注一]

Monstrous flesh thronged about, thick as fog. The divine race flattered their wings, like clouds aplenty. [†1]

无人不知是劫簸，奈何难能相争锋。

All foresaw the coming catastrophe, but naught could repulse such an almighty.

枝柯刺斫戡斗舰，金光激荡翦飞舸。

Invading branches cut to deter the tree from the ships, starskiffs surrounded by arms clashing in activity.

绝处回生须帝弓，死地溃围应奇策。[注二]

Brilliant stratagem needed for dire plight, the Reignbow roused out of necessity. [†2]

莫劝天骄更觥筹，但许岁阳伴骨肉。

Tell not the glorious to rest with their wine, but prays for the heliobus to encase their entity.

莫劝壮士久盘桓，但同燧皇伐仇雠。[注三]

Tell not the warrior to rest in slumber, but with the Flint Emperor to assault our nemesis, without charity. [†3]

人间不过一电灭，从来无命是英雄。

Human lives are but a transient lightning. The fate of heroes never lies in their own hands, never with certainty.

天下群起共影从，敢为云翳捍长空。[注四]

All the people rose to follow the Reignbow's example, daring to guard the sky and protect home and company.[†4]

【校勘记】

[Editor's Notes]

[注一] 「雾列」、「霞蒸」犹言丰饶民军队规模之大。

[†1] "Thick as fog" and "clouds aplenty" describe the vast size of the Denizens of Abundance's armed forces.

[注二] 为了抵御侵略，仙舟民决定将帝弓从守眠中唤醒。帝弓醒来后分析局势，决心以奇策突围。

[†2] To repulse the invasion, the Xianzhou people decided to raise Reignbow from their slumber. Once awakened, the Reignbow analyzed the situation and concocted a strategy to break the deadlock.

[注三] 为击退丰饶民，帝弓不顾劝阻进入朱明仙舟深处的牢狱，说服了一直被囚困的岁阳领袖「燧皇」，与它做了夺舍交易，用自己的躯壳换取岁阳之力的协助。

[†3] Reignbow ignored common advice, heading into the prison deep within the Xianzhou Zhuming and persuaded the imprisoned heliobi leader, the Flint Emperor, to help the Xianzhou fight off the Denizens of Abundance. They made a deal and the Reignbow allowed the Flint Emperor to possess their physical body, in exchange for the power of the heliobi.

[注四] 各个仙舟上的许多人为了响应英雄的献身，选择与英雄做同样的交易。他们加入敢死部队，与岁阳结伴行军，誓如云翳障空，卫蔽仙舟，永不落地。此为「云骑军」之名的起源。

[†4] Inspired by the hero's sacrifice, many Xianzhou residents made the same heroic deal. They formed suicide squads and marched alongside the heliobi. They swore to shield the Xianzhou like the clouds veil the sky, forever aloft. This is the origin story of the name "Cloud Knights."

[附注]

[Postscript]

本节描述了被称为三劫时代（约星历3000年至星历4000年）中「三劫」之一的「火劫」——届时，朱明仙舟观测到了某个大质量天体的引力，但他们无法捕捉到任何光信号。只有仙舟联盟足够靠近时，观星士才目击了这一庞然巨物是为一棵吸食群星的树状世界，亦即古国时期的大敌、造翼者的故土「穹桑」。

This part describes the "Flaming Catastrophe," one of the Three Sufferings Era (approximately 3000 — 4000 Star Calendar). At the time, the Xianzhou Zhuming detected gravity waves from a massive object, but failed to capture any light signals. Only when the Xianzhou Alliance drew nearer did the stargazers realize that this massive object was a world of trees feeding off nearby stars. It was also the mortal enemy of the Primeval Imperium — Muldrasil, homeland of the Wingweavers.

更令仙舟民感到恐惧的是，视肉的巨兽舰也再次出现在视野里。造翼者驱策视肉，双方竟然形成了某种程度的共生关系。而仿佛受到「建木」的力量吸引，「穹桑」开始向罗浮仙舟缓慢靠近，双方在不久后爆发了仙舟历史上最为壮烈的战争。

What petrified the Xianzhou even more was that the ship behemoths of the viscorpi also appeared. The viscorpi were directed by the Wingweavers, and the two races were living in a symbiotic relationship. As if attracted by the power of the Ambrosial Arbor, Muldrasil slowly began approaching the Luofu, and the most epic battle in the history of Xianzhou soon broke out.

此前刚经历了阋墙之战（即「三劫」之一的「生劫」）、金人背叛和迁徙计划的仙舟民已无力抗拮如此巨大的危机。众人将冰冻监牢里的所有囚犯唤醒并释放，其中包括了本诗的主角——帝弓。

Fatigued from the Civil War (the "Living Catastrophe" of the Three Sufferings), the aurumaton rebellion, and their emigration plan, the Xianzhou residents were powerless to counter such a crisis. They released all the prisoners in cryo-hibernation — including the hero of this epic ode, the Reignbow.

其五 Part V

【原文】

[Source Text]

帝弓崔嵬立艏楼，提膂岿然开轩辕。[注一]

The Reignbow stood constant at the helm, steady with Xuanyuan, holding firm. [†1]

劝君忘生固决死，今当快战挽狂澜。[注二]

Forget life, and be convinced in your resolve for death. Now, in swift battle we shall rebuke the swarm. [†2]

愿教身后总常胜，负勇怀毅荡妖寇。[注三]

In the future may we always triumph, and cleanse the enemy with courage and vigor and arms. [†3]

玉带琳琅穿云海，力尽一矢贯星斗。

Dazzling jade whistled through space, as the full might of the arrow pierced the stars and gloom.

天上骇浪惊电走，地头翻墨乱雷崩。

The skies billowed in a lightning sea, and the planets cracked open in thunderous inky doom.

镞影坠落三山月，镝鸣高升百谷风。

The arrow fell from mountains' heights, and arrowhead whistling loud as valley gales that loom.

虚陵魄动昼雨血，方壶魂惊夜飞红。[注四]

Blood rain poured upon the Xuling and nights turned crimson on the Fanghu, all souls shaken to their very bone. [†4]

灵木百仞具颓圮，澌流觱泄溃虚空。[注五]

The sentient timber all shrivelled and collapsed, torn asunder with void forces in torrential streams. [†5]

雾霭幽幽了散逸，不见灵精与帝弓。[注六]

When the clouds and dust had diffused, the fae king and the Reignbow were nowhere to be seen. [†6]

惟得雕弧将销铄，炉锤古锭付寂元。

Only their arms did remain and were reforged, cast into ingots, committed to Jiyuan gloom.

浑合无罅入磁云，环行星恒使同辉。[注七]

To electromagnetic cloud those were sent, to circle the skies and shine with stellar bloom. [†7]

恸乎恸哉遍星野，血涕血泣何泫然。

Sorrow and lamentation amongst the stars spread, tears and cries for their end, unfathomed.

可怜一生英雄泪，不逐罗浮逐孤星。

Woe is the hero and all their shed tears. They no longer chase the Luofu, but other stars that roam.

【校勘记】

[Editor's Notes]

[注一] 「轩辕」为古国神话中名弓，此处代指帝弓的武器。

[†1] "Xuanyuan" is a famed bow of legend from the Primeval Imperium. Here, it refers to the Reignbow's weapon.

[注二] 此句转折略显生硬，加之后句或可判断为帝弓在战场上作阵前演讲，以提振士气；一说为帝弓知晓今当陨落，故留遗言。

[†2] This line transitions rather bluntly. Together with the next line, it is possibly a speech by the Reignbow to boost morale before the battle. Another interpretation is that the Reignbow knew their death was near, and deliberately left their final words.

[注三] 此处或为云骑军常用呼号「仙舟翾翔，云骑常胜！」、「负勇怀毅，荡涤妖寇！」起源，但亦有后人补录可能。现学界对此各执一词，先后顺序暂不可考。

[†3] This may be the origin behind the common battle cries of the Cloud Knights — "Xianzhou soars, Cloud Knight roars!" and "In valor and vigor, cleanse all ills!" but it's also possible that later generations amended this. Academics hold different theories, and the order of the lines is still up for debate.

[注四] 据记载，在本次战役中，各仙舟与穹桑距离由近及远排列如下：曜青、罗浮、玉阙、朱明、方壶、苍城、虚陵，可见虚陵与方壶位置皆靠后；另据记载，帝弓应是在仙舟曜青船首拉弓射击。此句犹指帝弓裂天一射波及范围之大，仙舟联盟全部舰船都受其影响。

[†4] The historical record shows the battle formation during this war was in this order, from the nearest to Muldrasil to the furthest: The Yaoqing, the Luofu, the Yuque, the Zhuming, the Fanghu, the Cangcheng, and the Xuling. The Xuling and Fanghu were far from the frontlines. Other records point to the Reignbow firing their arrow from the bow of the Yaoqing. This line describes the size of the impact from the Reignbow's star-shattering shot, and how every ship in the Xianzhou Alliance was affected.

[注五] 据记载，帝弓一射破坏建木、贯穿巨兽，断开了仙舟罗浮与穹桑的连接；现场撕开一通向虚空深处的裂口，巨大的虚数力量从中喷涌流溢。本句正是描述了此种状况。

[†5] Based on historical records, the Reignbow's arrow smashed into the Ambrosial Arbor, penetrated the almighty beast, and severed the connection between the Luofu and Muldrasil. This ripped open a fissure into the void, and a monstrous wave of imaginary force spewed forth from it. This line describes that event.

[注六] 据记载，在帝弓射出扭转战局的一箭后便失踪，但燧皇仍留下了部分身躯。此句称仙舟民未能找到两者，或为讹传。

[†6] Based on historical records, the Reignbow disappeared after shooting the arrow that turned the tide of battle, but the Flint Emperor had left behind part of their body. This line claims that the Xianzhou people could find neither of them. Perhaps this poem records mere rumor.

[注七] 「古锭」、「寂元」、「磁云」、「环行」表明这两句描述了仙舟民为纪念帝弓的牺牲，将其遗物置入寂元古锭，发射至穹桑外围轨道，以使其与星球同辉。现有记载中未见相关事件，此处或为作者艺术加工。另，此处为仙舟文学史上对发射寂元古锭仪式的首次描述，但该习俗诞生时间与本诗成文时间前后暂不可考。

[†7] "Ingot," "Jiyuan," "electromagnetic cloud," and "circle" in these two lines describe how the people of Xianzhou, in commemorating the Reignbow's sacrifice, embedded their relics into a Jiyuan ingot and launched it into Muldrasil's orbit, so it can shine as long as the star exists. There is no mention of such in existing records, and the incident may be poetic license from the author. Moreover, this is the first ever mention of the Jiyuan Ingot launch ceremony in the history of Xianzhou literature, but neither the time that this custom started nor the date of this ode's composition can be verified.