Chapter 26: Mr. Egg's Secret

　　Part 1: Lake No. 1　　"Brother Rendoje, is it passable? It's so steep."　　I frowned, gazing into the depression at Lake No. 1 in the distance.　　"It is. That's how I went down back then." As he spoke, Brother Rendoje's face was utterly calm.　　I set down the canvas pack, intending to rest for a while, when Old Qiao walked over.　　"Professor Lin, are you sure about Lake No. 1? There's no suitable campsite nearby."　　I thought for a moment, then pointed to a large, gentle slope below. "Old Qiao, could we pitch tents on that slope down there?"　　Old Qiao took a look, then answered slowly, "We could… but it's quite far from the lake, and…" He turned to glance at the slope behind us, his voice grave. "…and there's a landslide risk. It's not a safe spot for a camp."　　"Just for one night," I said. "We break camp and leave tomorrow."　　"Well then…" Seeing my resolve, Old Qiao swallowed the rest of his words. Finally, he couldn't help but add, "If you sense any danger, you must retreat immediately. No chances."　　"Understood."　　I gave Old Qiao a firm nod.　　...　　"Hinson?"　　"Huh?" I snapped out of the memory, looking blankly at Young Master Feng.　　"Spacing out again?" Young Master Feng walked over and clapped me on the shoulder. "Standing there like a post. Worn out?"　　I ignored him, just looking down at the gentle slope below.　　Mr. Egg came closer. "Let's camp on that slope down there."　　"What? Not a good idea! Too avalanche-prone!" Young Master Feng turned to look at the snow slope behind us, clearly skeptical.　　Mr. Egg held his ground, unwilling to budge. He said the old expedition team had camped there, so it should be fine. Besides, we'd made quite a racket earlier and nothing had come down.　　I was curious. How did Mr. Egg know the expedition's details so well?　　"Oh… didn't her grandfather, Rendoje, tell us?" Mr. Egg's gaze seemed to waver slightly.　　"I don't remember that," Young