Inside the dilapidated house where the madman had stayed, Zhang Li carefully examined the scene. Finally, he stood up and concluded, "It doesn't look like he was simply taken away. Look here—there are signs of repeated stomping, drag marks from both feet, and scraps of torn fabric near the door. That madman was forcibly removed. Three people came in, and judging by the footprints, they're all over 1.8 meters tall. Who could they be?"
Professor Fang Xin emerged holding a torn blanket and a small pendant, his expression slightly triumphant. "It seems they left in quite a hurry, and they clearly didn't recognize the value of what that madman had on him."
Tashi Damba looked at the dirty blanket. "What is that?"
Professor Fang replied, "This is a kesi woven blanket. I'm not sure about the specific material, but the craftsmanship suggests it's from the 13th century, typical of the Tibetan region. And this pendant—it's a gilded Gau box containing illustrations of the Buddha's suffering. I believe these belonged to the madman. We should take them back and show your father."
The three returned to Tashi Damba's home, all deeply puzzled. On the way, Tashi Damba repeatedly wondered, Who could have taken that madman? Could it have been Minmin? But why? No, it couldn't be her.
Once they arrived home, Tashi Damba immediately called the TianShi base in Tibet, instructing every staff member to be on the lookout for the madman. Though he couldn't explain the situation in detail, he described everything as thoroughly as possible. Meanwhile, Professor Fang took the items he had found to consult with De Ren Laoye.
De Ren Laoye was busy blessing pilgrims and reciting scriptures. Professor Fang could only catch him between tasks to examine the items. Before long, Professor Fang returned, brimming with excitement, and shared the results with the group:
"It's confirmed! This is a kesi blanket from the Sa-skya dynasty, depicting the Laughing Buddha and his consorts. As for the material, De Ren Laoye said he's never seen such fibers before—not from cows, horses, sheep, or camels. Truly rare.
"The Gau box, however, is modern and specific to the Goba tribe. The inscription on its sides is from Shantideva's writings:
'All worldly calamities, fears, and sufferings arise from self-attachment; when will this evil end?'
Inside, there's a depiction of the Buddha enduring torment in the Hell of Sorrowful Spirits, being devoured by countless demons. Then, a mythical qilin appears, piercing through 99 layers of the heavens to rescue the Buddha. This legend, De Ren Laoye said, is unique to the Goba tribe. It's not recorded in any Buddhist scriptures or texts. Furthermore, he's willing to help us locate the Goba tribe's territory."
"Ah!" Tashi Damba's face lit up with joy. He knew the weight of his father's words; with his influence, they would have access to abundant resources, even things beyond Tashi Damba's usual reach.
Zhang Li interjected, "But your only lead has vanished. How are we going to find him now?"
Tashi Damba replied, "You don't understand. We already know the general area where the Goba tribe lives—it's just that no one's ever ventured there. Now, all the clues are converging. Both the mastiff we're searching for and the lost scriptures are likely within the Goba territory. Once we gather the necessary equipment, we can set off."
Professor Fang nodded. "Yes, there's no time to lose. The madman's disappearance is deeply concerning."
Zhang Li asked, "What kind of equipment do we need?"
Tashi Damba listed, "High-powered off-road vehicles, full mountaineering gear for summiting Everest-level peaks, lightweight and heavy-duty weapons for each person, sufficient food supplies, and an excellent guide."
Zhang Li questioned, "Vehicles and climbing gear make sense, but why so many weapons?"
Professor Fang explained, "We're not just crossing peaks over 7,000 meters high. We're heading into uncharted territory. Years ago, I and some colleagues explored a similar area. It could be Tibet's last untouched forest. No one knows what creatures might live there. Carrying sufficient weaponry is essential to deal with large, aggressive animals like wild yaks."
Zhang Li nodded. "In that case, I'll contact the regiment to see if they can provide additional support." He turned and walked toward the guest room.
Watching Zhang Li leave, Professor Fang stroked his chin thoughtfully. "With De Ren Laoye's support, most logistical concerns should be manageable. But an excellent guide…" He trailed off as Tashi Damba smiled knowingly.
Professor Fang raised an eyebrow. "You already have someone in mind?"
Tashi Damba grinned. "Yes." He turned toward the courtyard but didn't go inside. Instead, he pointed to an elderly man pruning branches. The silver-haired old servant looked up in surprise as Tashi Damba began his introduction:
"Uncle Laba—he's our living map of Tibet. Though the sky leaves no trace of an eagle's flight, Uncle Laba can track its trail for miles. The sacred peaks of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains couldn't calm his fervor, and the rushing Yarlung Tsangpo River couldn't halt his steps…"
Laba chuckled, his weathered face like the warm sun. "Young Master Damba, why are you pinning Prince A-chu's story on me?"
Tashi Damba laughed. "Uncle Laba, you're truly worthy of being called Tibet's living map. Did you all know? In his youth, Uncle Laba was the most renowned leader on the Tea Horse Road. Later, he served as a ground navigator for the Hump Route, explored the Tibet-Nepal border, and even led teams to open a climbing route on Namcha Barwa in the early '90s. He knows every gorge and mountain in Tibet like the back of his hand—even with his eyes closed."
Tashi Damba spoke briefly about three matters, but with each one, Professor Fang Xin's mouth opened wider. By the time Tashi Damba finished, Professor Fang's mouth had formed an "O" shape. Overcome with excitement, the professor stepped forward, grasped Laba's hand, and shook it vigorously, reluctant to let go. Laba looked slightly embarrassed.
"Old hero, forgive me for my previous lack of respect," Professor Fang said sincerely.
He had visited Tashi Damba's home multiple times, but he had always assumed Laba was just an ordinary servant. Before the liberation of Tibet, many such servants existed; some became self-sufficient after land redistribution, while others chose to stay with their noble families. Professor Fang had never paid much attention to this wrinkled, calloused old servant. It was only today, hearing Tashi Damba recount his history, that he learned of Laba's extraordinary achievements.
The Tea Horse Road and the Hump Route were legendary and treacherous paths—one a critical trade route for pack animals, the other an aerial death corridor. Both were fraught with danger. But what shocked Professor Fang the most was Laba's role in pioneering the route up Mount Namcha Barwa.
Namcha Barwa, the highest 7,000-meter peak in Tibet, is a sheer cliff beside the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Its Tibetan name translates to "the spear piercing the sky," indicating the immense difficulty of its ascent. Laba, now well into his sixties or seventies, must have been over fifty years old when he scouted Namcha Barwa—an extraordinary feat for anyone.
Professor Fang's excitement left Laba feeling a little flustered. He said hurriedly, "Please, don't say such things. Professor Fang is a wise man, just like De Ren Laoye. I hold you both in the highest respect. I'm just a mountain traveler. As long as my legs can carry me, I enjoy wandering the land. If it weren't for the master saving me when I was eight years old, I'd probably have been swept into the raging Nujiang River, feeding the fish along with the caravan. The master used gold to buy me back from the Kham Tsar—"
Talking about these old memories always filled Laba with emotion.
"So that's how it is," Professor Fang said with understanding. "This is wonderful. With you as our guide, I can rest assured."
Laba looked confused. "What? A guide?"
Tashi Damba said, "Uncle Laba, we want to go to the territory of the Goba people."
"What?" Laba dropped his pruning shears to the ground. "Why… Why would you want to go there, Young Master? Does the master know about this?"
Professor Fang answered, "De Ren Laoye has already approved it."
Tashi Damba asked, "Uncle, have you been there before? Why does this make you so nervous?" Then, he smacked his head. "Of course, Uncle Laba is our living map of Tibet! What place haven't you been to?"
Picking up his shears, Laba slowly shook his head. "No, I've never dared to go there. I can't hide it from you, Young Master—I know of the place you're talking about, but I've never set foot in it. The master always said it was a cursed land. An ominous black cloud casts eternal shadows there, and the night is shrouded in an evil aura. Only those who have lost their humanity are cast into that hell of no return. It's not a place you should venture into, Young Master."
Tashi Damba replied, "I remember my father's warnings, but this time, he has given his consent. He also told me about the Medicine Buddha descending into hell, dispelling centuries of accumulated resentment with the mandala flowers of the Six Realms, and Avalokiteshvara using the lotus of teachings to save countless evil spirits. Even the Buddha himself descended from his steed to guard the lost souls wandering the Yellow Springs. Uncle Laba, my father's teachings support this journey."
Still, Laba shook his head. "Why would the master agree to this? That's not a place for you, Young Master. Why would the master agree?"
Professor Fang interjected, "The Goba people might be guarding Buddhist scriptures that have been lost for over a thousand years since the suppression of Buddhism in Tibet. These ancient texts are ready to emerge from their hidden valley. That's why De Ren Laoye agreed to let us go."
Laba responded, "You don't understand. The environment there is unimaginably harsh."
Tashi Damba pressed him, "Then you must know the location, right? Where is it exactly, Uncle?"
Laba hesitated before answering, "It's… to be precise, it should be in southern Tibet, leaning toward the southwest."
"Can you be more specific?" Professor Fang frowned, understanding that Laba was likely referring to the region traversed by the Himalayas, an area with the highest peaks, harshest high-altitude climates, coldest uninhabited zones, and—the added complication—crossing international borders.
Laba murmured in Tibetan, "The master should not have agreed. That's a place where devils dwell." Then he suddenly looked up and asked, "Young Master, Professor, do you know why the Sino-Indian border remains undefined?"
"Hmm?" Tashi Damba hesitated. Professor Fang answered, "That's a historical issue."
Stroking the wrinkles on his face, Laba seemed torn. Finally, he closed his eyes slightly and said, "That's only part of the reason. The more critical issue is—surveying that area is nearly impossible. After liberation, I joined a survey team that attempted it. It's a land of endless snow mountains. In front of you, it's always towering white peaks. No matter how far you walk, the mountains remain ahead, as if they're moving with you.
"We camped at the foot of the mountains, splitting into optimal groups of twelve. Over thirty teams were sent, but none ever returned to base camp. They got lost in the snowstorm and died. Their bodies didn't even decompose, and their souls are trapped in the sacred peaks. Half of them were seasoned Tibetans trained for high-altitude conditions. I was supposed to join the thirteenth team, but a severe illness saved my life. Young Master, I advise you not to go. You really mustn't."
Tashi Damba raised his gaze to the distant sacred snow peaks, his resolve unwavering. He asked simply, "Are you saying that the Goba people live there?"
Seeing the determination in Tashi Damba's eyes, Laba sighed. "Yes, Young Master. It's said the Goba people live in that region, but no one knows how they survive there. It's not a small area—within China alone, it spans tens of thousands of square kilometers and extends into Bhutan, India, and Nepal. If you insist on going, you could head west from Yadong or south from Dingjie or Gamba. Dingjie is closer, but the route through Gamba is better. That's as much as I know. Some say the Goba people have been sighted even farther west, and their range might extend to Nyalam County."
Professor Fang's eyes widened, and he smiled bitterly. "Uncle Laba, do you realize the search range you're giving us? You've just mapped out the world's highest peaks for us!"