The newcomer was clad in a maroon inner robe with a yellow outer layer, wearing a red monk's hat. A string of prayer beads hung around his neck, and he held a five-pronged vajra in one hand. From his graying hair and beard, it was clear that he was not young. Despite his thin and small frame, he exposed his right shoulder to the freezing snow as a gesture of devotion. Although Dr. Gu had mentioned earlier that a representative from Tibetan Buddhism would join them, seeing this lama in person still left everyone surprised. The lama clasped his hands in greeting and asked a question in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist etiquette. Tashi Danba responded with equal formality, "Yes. May I ask what instructions the Venerable Master has for us?"
At the sight of Tashi Danba's natural and respectful demeanor, the lama instantly recognized that only someone raised in the household of the wise Lord Deren could perform these courtesies so effortlessly. Through his self-introduction, the group learned that this was the eminent Lama Jueban Yala. Originally a follower of the Nyingma school, he had spent the past two decades in secluded meditation at the Gelugpa sect's Sera Monastery. His presence here was directly requested by the esteemed Deniza Sakya Lama, who had ensured that his involvement remained discreet and did not alarm the broader Tibetan Buddhist community. Tashi Danba understood the wisdom in this approach, given that the endeavor itself was still highly uncertain.
When Tashi Danba expressed concern about Lama Yala's age, the lama assured him, saying he had just passed fifty and was in good health. Yet, as Tashi Danba observed the lama's upright white brows and aging appearance, he couldn't help but feel uneasy, believing the lama looked even older than Professor Fang Xin.
Before long, Basang emerged from the barracks with a puzzled expression, calling Professor Fang Xin inside and instructing Tashi Danba to wait outside. Tashi Danba waited for half an hour, growing increasingly impatient, until Professor Fang Xin finally came out. As he entered the room, Professor Fang Xin whispered to him, "It seems to be a test. If you don't know something, just say you don't know. Don't guess."
Lü Jingnan was seated behind a desk, on which several items were placed. She gestured for Tashi Danba to sit across from her and pointed at the objects. "Can you tell me which of these you recognize?" she asked.
Tashi Danba glanced at the items and truthfully replied, "A plant, a stone, and a… creature slightly larger than an ant."
Lü Jingnan looked up at him, adjusting her delicate rimless glasses, and said, "Could you be more specific?" She quickly jotted something down in her notebook.
"I can't," Tashi Danba replied plainly.
Lü Jingnan smiled faintly. "Relax. Don't be so tense."
"I'm not tense. I'm quite relaxed," Tashi Danba responded calmly and deliberately.
Twiddling her pen, Lü Jingnan asked with some amusement, "Is this stiff tone how the head of the Tianchi Corporation always speaks?"
"Do you have any other questions?" Tashi Danba replied evenly.
Lü Jingnan studied him as if he were a stranger, then nodded. "That will be all. You may leave."
Tashi Danba was surprised by how simple his questions were, puzzled why Professor Fang Xin and Basang had taken so long. Just as he was about to leave, Lü Jingnan stopped him. "Oh, one more thing. According to the agreement we reached with Professor Fang Xin, you're covering all the costs of this training, correct?"
"Yes," Tashi Danba affirmed. For him, funding was never an issue.
"Do you know what the training entails?" Lü Jingnan asked.
"I don't. Haven't you already made the arrangements?" Tashi Danba replied.
"Yes, we have," Lü Jingnan said. "But I think it would be better if you had some idea beforehand. Based on Basang's account, the journey he experienced ranged from an altitude of 7,000 meters to 5,000 meters, covering snowy mountains, primeval forests, grasslands, and various terrains. This means your training will involve snowfield trekking, swamp crossings, forest navigation, and mountain climbing. It's quite extensive.
"Using the data from Professor Fang Xin, we've devised a three-step plan. First, you'll learn basic wilderness survival skills, including adaptability training for different climates and terrains. Second, you'll be trained in using various tools, including weapons and essential self-defense combat techniques. Third, you'll learn to identify simple traps and avoid potential dangers. From the available data, the difficulty of this mission is far greater than I initially imagined. Even high-altitude snow mountain climbing—a significant challenge in exploratory research—is only the beginning. You'll traverse an uncharted forest teeming with venomous creatures, some of which can kill with a single touch.
"What's more terrifying is that the forest may house the Goba people, an indigenous group with primal intelligence capable of creating deadly traps. And they're not the most dangerous threat. The real danger lies in the other group of modern individuals equipped with unconventional weapons who, as you reported from Hoh Xil, are also searching for the Pabara Monastery. If your information is accurate, the risk level of this mission must be elevated significantly. Are you sure you're ready?"
"Yes," Tashi Danba replied firmly.
"I heard the last team member has arrived. His name is…" Lü Jingnan trailed off.
"Jueban Yala," Tashi Danba supplied.
The newcomer was dressed in a maroon inner robe with a yellow outer layer, wearing a red monk's hat, prayer beads hanging from his neck, and a five-pronged vajra in one hand. His graying hair and beard revealed his advanced age, and though he was thin and small in stature, he bared his right shoulder to the freezing snow as a sign of devotion. Although they had been informed by Dr. Gu that a representative from Tibetan Buddhism would join them, seeing this lama in person still caught everyone by surprise. Holding the vajra in one hand and clasping the other in greeting, he asked a question in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist etiquette. Tashi Danba responded with equal reverence, "Yes. May I ask what guidance the Venerable Master has for us?"
At the sight of Tashi Danba's graceful and respectful demeanor, the lama immediately recognized him as the young master raised in the household of the wise Lord Deren. After introducing himself, the group learned that this was the eminent Lama Jueban Yala. Originally a follower of the Nyingma school, he had spent the past two decades in secluded meditation at the Gelugpa Sera Monastery. His presence here was directly requested by the esteemed Deniza Sakya Lama, who had ensured that his involvement remained discreet to avoid drawing attention from the broader Tibetan Buddhist community. Tashi Danba understood this careful approach, given that the mission itself was still highly speculative.
When Tashi Danba expressed concern about Lama Yala's age, the lama reassured him, saying he had just turned fifty and was in good health. However, as Tashi Danba observed the lama's upright white brows and aging appearance, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease, believing the lama appeared older than Professor Fang Xin.
Before long, Basang emerged from the barracks with a puzzled expression, summoning Professor Fang Xin inside and instructing Tashi Danba to wait outside. After half an hour of waiting and growing increasingly impatient, Professor Fang Xin finally exited and, as he passed, whispered to Tashi Danba, "It seems like a test. If you don't know the answer, just say so. Don't guess."
Inside, Lü Jingnan was seated behind a desk, on which several items were displayed. She motioned for Tashi Danba to sit across from her and pointed to the objects. "Can you identify any of these?" she asked.
Tashi Danba scanned the items briefly and replied honestly, "A plant, a stone, and some kind of creature… slightly larger than an ant."
Lü Jingnan glanced up at him, adjusting her rimless glasses, and asked, "Can you be more specific?" She began scribbling notes in her notebook.
"I cannot," Tashi Danba replied plainly.
Lü Jingnan smiled faintly. "Relax. Don't be so tense."
"I'm not tense. I'm perfectly relaxed," Tashi Danba responded in a measured tone.
Twiddling her pen, Lü Jingnan asked with faint amusement, "Is this stiff tone how the head of the Tianchi Corporation always speaks?"
"Is there anything else you need?" Tashi Danba replied, unfazed.
Lü Jingnan studied him again, as if he were an enigma, and finally nodded. "That will be all. You may leave."
Surprised by how simple his questioning was, Tashi Danba wondered why Professor Fang Xin and Basang had taken so long. As he stood to leave, Lü Jingnan stopped him. "Wait a moment. According to the agreement reached with Professor Fang Xin, you will cover all the costs for this training. Is that correct?"
"Yes," Tashi Danba affirmed. For him, funding was never an issue.
"Do you know the specifics of our training program?" Lü Jingnan asked.
"No. Haven't you already arranged it?" Tashi Danba replied.
"Yes, we have," Lü Jingnan said. "But I think it's better if you have some idea beforehand. From Basang's account, they journeyed from an altitude of 7,000 meters down to 5,000 meters, traversing snowy mountains, primeval forests, and grasslands. This means your training will cover a wide range of environments, from snowfield trekking to swamp crossings, forest navigation, and mountain climbing.
"Based on Professor Fang Xin's information, our program is divided into three phases. First, you will learn basic wilderness survival skills, including adapting to various climates and terrains. Second, you'll be trained in using tools, including weapons, and essential self-defense techniques. Third, you'll learn to identify simple traps and avoid potential dangers. The difficulty of this mission exceeds my initial expectations. High-altitude mountain climbing alone qualifies as exploratory research, yet for you, it's only the beginning.
"After that, you'll venture into an uncharted forest teeming with venomous creatures, some lethal upon contact. Even more concerning are the potential inhabitants—the Goba people, who might possess unknown intelligence and the capability to create deadly traps. And they're not the most dangerous threat. Our gravest concern is the other group you encountered in Hoh Xil: modern individuals armed with unconventional weapons who are also searching for the Pabara Monastery. If your report is accurate, the risk level of this mission must be elevated significantly. Are you sure you're prepared?"
"Yes," Tashi Danba replied firmly.
"I heard the last team member has arrived. His name is…" Lü Jingnan trailed off.
"Jueban Yala," Tashi Danba supplied.
Lü Jingnan's every move made Zhang Li's hands twitch slightly as he watched the coach thoroughly overpower Basang, leaving him defenseless. It brought back memories of Zhang Li's own grueling combat training. For Tashi Danba, it was the first time he truly understood what combat meant—that every part of the body could be a weapon, and that a person could move with such astonishing speed.
Basang groaned as he struggled to get up, his fiery temper extinguished. All traces of pride and defiance had vanished. Having learned in his previous military unit to submit to those stronger than himself, he obeyed without protest when Lü Jingnan motioned for him to return to formation. She said coldly, "Let me make this clear: you are here to receive my training. Don't think that having a spider tattoo makes you impressive. When I was a coach in China's special forces, I never went easy on anyone, male or otherwise."
"Does anyone else have objections?" Lü Jingnan turned, her face like a mask of frost. To Tashi Danba, she now looked anything but charming. She continued, "We will train you with the discipline of soldiers, subjecting you to hellish training. You are to obey orders unconditionally." She walked slowly past each team member, stopping abruptly in front of Tang Min. Without warning, she removed a decorative object from Tang Min's neck and said, "Wearing accessories during training is prohibited. Such items can be deadly if you're not careful."
Lü Jingnan's swift movement left Tang Min no time to react. Tang Min could only say, "Understood. I'll take good care of it."
Looking at the object in her hand with an indifferent expression, Lü Jingnan said, "I'll keep it for now. You'll get it back after the training is over."
Tang Min pleaded, "Please… please return it to me." Curious, Zhang Li took a look and saw that it was none other than the purple crystal cluster that Tashi Danba had risked his life to retrieve from the icy cliffs of Hoh Xil, now polished into an ornament.
Suddenly, Tashi Danba stepped forward, his gaze fixed. "Please give it back to her," he said.
Lü Jingnan chuckled lightly. "Oh? Is that your attitude?" she asked, her tone amused.
Tashi Danba, his expression unchanging, repeated, "Please give it back to her."
Lü Jingnan's demeanor shifted, her tone now harsh. "If you want it back, you'll have to earn it."
Tashi Danba stared at her, and she met his gaze fearlessly. Zhang Li thought anxiously, This is bad. She doesn't know what that item means to him. Meanwhile, Yue Yang wondered, What's gotten into her? Why pick a fight over a trinket?
"Then forgive me," Tashi Danba said, leaping forward to grab the crystal. Lü Jingnan sneered, pulling her hand back and sidestepping gracefully. Tashi Danba lunged again, and she spun away with ease. Frustrated and humiliated, he swung a fist at her, but she tilted her head to avoid the blow, her movements effortless.
How can Danba possibly win? She's the coach, after all, Zhang Li thought, watching helplessly.
As Tashi Danba's attacks grew heavier and faster, he still failed to touch Lü Jingnan. Anger consumed him, turning him into a raging bull, charging aimlessly across the field. Lü Jingnan, with her nimble movements, resembled a matador. She maintained a cold smirk until she noticed Tashi Danba's eyes, bloodshot as if about to weep. Sighing softly, she intentionally exposed an opening. Tashi Danba seized the chance, lunging like a mountain collapsing.
He tackled Lü Jingnan to the ground, pinning her completely. Panting heavily, he snatched the crystal from her hand and growled, "Please… don't… confiscate… our… belongings!"
Lü Jingnan, unfazed by his proximity, looked him calmly in the eye. It was the first time she had ever been overpowered like this by a man. Coolly, she replied, "In training, any rule-breaking will be stopped. Your wrestling-like combat style is only effective against a single enemy. It won't defeat a real adversary. Have you had enough? Let go now."
For a moment, Tashi Danba hesitated. Lü Jingnan took advantage of the pause, using her knee to flip him off. He fell flat on his back, unable to rise for a while. Lü Jingnan stood effortlessly, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group. "To survive this mission, combat training is essential. You all have a lot to learn."
With Tashi Danba and Basang thoroughly humbled, the others dared not voice any objections. Only now did they understand why Zhang Li and Yue Yang had called her a demon of a coach.
Once silence settled, Lü Jingnan explained the training content and methods again. She concluded, "We may encounter armed adversaries, so we need to be prepared from the start. I'll divide you into two groups. You'll study theory together but compete in practical drills. Don't underestimate these competitions; your results will determine the final team composition and formation. Draw lots to decide your groups. There are eight sticks, four black and four red. Your draw decides your group. No complaints if you're short a person."
The results were surprising. Tashi Danba, Basang, Zhang Li, and Yue Yang ended up in one group, while Professor Fang Xin, Lama Yala, and Tang Min were in the other. Even Lü Jingnan found this outcome unexpected and assigned Eric to the smaller group to balance the teams. With her announcement, their rigorous training officially began.