Upon witnessing the unmatched prowess of the unidentified Iranian champion, Houman rode back to his pavilion like the rushing wind. He cast off his armor, helm, banner, and shield, assuming a complete disguise and mounting a different steed so he might not be recognized. Riding forth, he drew near Rostam and stood awestruck before his lion-like chest and mountain-like stature. Houman spoke with honeyed praise: 'O mighty horseman and master of the lasso! By God, I have never seen a warrior so devoted to battle that the throne itself seems diminished before him. You draw dust from the heart of fierce lions. Reveal to me your lineage, your name, and your homeland, for my heart inclines toward valiant men who bear the nature of leopards.' Rostam looked upon the disguised warrior with cool authority and replied: 'Why do you speak with such smooth softness yet withhold your own name? If you truly seek peace and wish to extinguish the flames of hate, behold who spilled the innocent blood of Siyavash and the noble House of Goudarz! If you return all the plundered steeds, arms, and treasures of Iran, and surrender the perpetrators—Garsivaz, Goroy-e Zereh, those who poisoned the mind of Afrasiab, and the treacherous sons of Viseh—I shall stay my hand from war and cleanse the grief from King Kay Khosrow's heart. But if you refuse, I shall renew the ancient feud with fire and steel, for I am a champion nurtured in the fires of Turanian battles, accustomed to severing the heads of proud chieftains.' Hearing Rostam's thunderous terms, Houman trembled like a leaf upon a branch, recognizing that this hero targeted his very lineage. Hiding his identity, Houman claimed to be 'Kuh-Gush', son of 'Bu-Sepas', promising to convey these demands to Piran and the Khaqan of Chin. Rostam expressed a rare compassion for Piran, whose heart had truly grieved for Siyavash, and demanded to meet him face to face. Pale and trembling, Houman galloped back to Piran, crying out that their adversary was none other than Rostam of Zabulistan—a terror whom neither leopards on land nor sea-monsters in water could withstand. Panic gripped Piran; weeping bitter tears, he hurried to the Khaqan of Chin to declare that doom was upon them. The Khaqan exhorted Piran to meet Rostam with gentle speech and offer lavish tributes for peace, or else mobilize their overwhelming numbers for a final, desperate struggle against the titan of Zabulistan.