Chapter 22: Nam Lake and Namcha Barwa

　　Part 1: The Tears of Namcha Barwa　　Morning light slanted, birds chirped. A thin mist veiled the wooden house as two mules ambled by leisurely. Ciqu, dressed in a white shirt and crimson Tibetan robe, expertly helped us secure the duffels onto the mules. The crisp jingling of horse bells heralded the journey’s beginning.　　Beside the country road, the Yarlung Tsangpo River thundered. Ciqu, leading the mules, walked briskly at the front. A few rickety vehicles sped past, kicking up dust. I covered my nose and mouth with my buff, following Ciqu as we turned south around several wide bends. Mr. Egg brought up the rear, swaying along, humming a tune, hopping a little, as happy as a child. Young Master Feng smiled without a word, stretched, relaxed his shoulders, and simply enjoyed the fresh air on this flat, two-kilometer stretch. It wasn’t until Ciqu waved and turned off the roadside that we followed the mules’ hoofprints eastward onto a mountain trail.　　The bell sounds faded, the mountain trail stretched long. Strange flowers and towering trees stood proudly, their forms casting faint shadows in the golden mist. I walked with light steps, captivated as I explored this enchanting, beautiful world. Wind rustled the treetops, and occasionally, clear birdsong rang out