Chapter 12 Chapter Ten: The City of Vipers

1 blue sky The sky blue that seems to go straight to the universe. White ridges run beneath it. The wind in the air blew the white peaks. Looking up at the sky, you will find that the peak is in the middle of the bright and sad sky, overlooking all things, facing the universe far away. The black dot was on the ridgeline, moving toward the summit. Fukamachi watched the scene from below. Obviously, he has been staring at it for a long time, but the black spot doesn't seem to be much closer to the peak. Where the hell is he?Why do you want to go to that peak? Fukamachi didn't understand.

Always thought he looked like Mallory. Or maybe Irving. I also feel like Hanyu Joji, Hase Changxiong, or Kayoko. Or is it Jiacang Dianming? Could it be that what I was looking at was the figure of Mallory or Irving who had not yet reached the summit, but was still marching towards the summit since 1924? O'Dell looked up at that time, was there such a sad and clear sky blue and white ridge above the fog? do not know. All he knew was that he took his steps and that he was left here. Chest pain. It hurts. Fukamachi thought to himself that he had to go too. Wait for me Fukamachi shouted in his heart, but the people on the ridgeline did not hear his voice.

I was left behind. was abandoned. Was Kayoko? Was Hanyu Joji? No, maybe I was abandoned by myself.The man who walked from the ridgeline to the peak alone was himself. Hello. Fukamachi shouted. Hello! Hello 2 awake. Had that dream again. Suddenly returning to his senses, the sound of the plane flying, which he was used to, was like the sound of the ground coming from the depths of the earth, covering the back leaning on the chair. Fukamachi was on the plane. Departed from Narita Airport, transited in Hong Kong, and was flying to Kathmandu. Inside the cabin with the lights off, it was dark and silent.Many passengers are sleeping, but reading lamps are lit everywhere.

On the left of Fukamachi is the window.Outside the window was a pitch blackness where the boundary between heaven and earth could not be distinguished. Putting my face close to the window, I looked down at the bottomless vast darkness, and a group of faint lights suddenly appeared far below. It always feels like looking down on a deep-sea creature of unknown shape that glows in the dark. after mid-october It took more than two months from making up my mind in August to starting. Because some jobs have been promised, they cannot be canceled, and money is needed to go to Kathmandu. Depending on the situation, it may fly from Kathmandu to Lukla①, or even to Nanqi Bazaar② or the base camp of Mount Everest③, and must first do altitude training in Japan.

Note ①: Most people who hike the Everest Loop start from the town of Lukla. Note ②: Nanqi Bazaar, at an altitude of 3 to 440 meters, is the largest town in the entire Khumb mountain area. There are Sherpa trading markets, mountaineering supplies streets, Internet cafes, banks and streets full of shops. Big and small hotels.It is also a necessary town to go to Everest Base Camp and adjacent mountainous areas, and it can be said to be the transportation hub of the entire mountainous area. Note ③: Mount Everest base camp, with an altitude of 5, 364 meters, is located in the Sagarmatha National Park in the Himalayas in Nepal, and belongs to the border area between Nepal and Tibet, commonly known as the Khumbu area.

Fukomachi did this kind of training in Kisokoma. Kiso Koma is 2,956 meters above sea level, nearly 3,000 meters above sea level. Moreover, there is a hotel on the wide platform at the terminal of the aerial cable car, where individual rooms can be booked, modern electricity is provided, and meals are also provided. The altitude of the hotel is as high as 2,700 meters. If you stay there for a few days, climb up to the top of Kisokoma Mountain on foot and turn back once a day, and come down several times, you can achieve a considerable degree of altitude training. It is Fukamachi's dream to be able to adapt to the height while working in the hotel.

Fukamachi stayed there for three nights and climbed to the top of Mount Kisokoma three times. The larches turned completely yellow, and the whole mountain was shrouded in fiery red. That color is still in my mind. Fukamachi, of course, did not tell Kayoko about her trip to Nepal this time.Because even if I wanted to tell her, I didn't know how to contact her. Fukamachi told a mutual friend with Kayoko that she was going to Nepal, so Kayoko might know about this trip, but that's all.Even if she knew, Kayoko's mood probably wouldn't change, and Fukamachi didn't think there would be any change between the two of them.

After making up his mind to set off, Fukamachi had met Ryoko Kishi several times before that. Ryoko Kishi wants to go to Nepal with Fukamachi.However, she has a job. Even Fukamachi doesn't know how long the Nepali guild will last. If it is mid-to-late October, I might be able to spare a dozen or so days.Ryoko said so. Ryoko is free from the end of October to the beginning of November. If Fukamachi-san is going to Nepal again, I want to go too. Ryoko was worried about Joji Hanyu in her own way. If Joji Hanyu was still in Nepal, she seemed to be trying to see him. Do you want to see Joji Hanyu?

I want to see him. But maybe we won’t be able to see each other even if we go. I know. She said: Even so, it doesn't matter, I want to go. Fukamachi told her his contact address in Nepal.And said to her: I will regularly contact the branch of the travel agency I cooperated with before, if you come, go there. After meeting several times, Shenmachi gradually developed a good impression of Ryoko Kishi. Although she doesn't talk much, she doesn't talk much unless necessary, but when she speaks, she is concise and to the point. Although she looks weak and demure, she is strong inside.

If Ryoko Kishi really comes Fukamachi realized that he had had that thought unconsciously, and felt a strange surprise. Judging from the degree of budding of this feeling, it seems that I still have some childishness in my heart. Himalayas When I met Miyagawa two days before departure, he murmured while drinking. I also want to see it with my own eyes.Even though I'm engaged in this kind of work, I haven't even been there once. Obviously you instigated me to go Then, you also instigated me to go. Leave work and come with me. I really want to do that. Just do what you want.

Stupid, even if you want to leave your job, you must go through a certain procedure. Miyagawa sighed and said: Recently, outdoor activities may have become popular, but mountaineering has not been promoted at all.The sales of magazines are getting worse and worse, and the climbing population is getting smaller and smaller.Even in the Northern Alps, the mountain houses in the deep mountains will probably have to be closed sooner or later. So when an incident like this one happens, I always feel very happy Full of joy? yes.Because I am about to get involved in the giant peaks all over the world, and it is still the biggest event in time for no one to walk.When I think of this, my blood boils inexplicably, and I haven't felt this way for a long time. Fukamachi recalled Miyagawa's words on the plane. The in-flight announcement informed the passengers: In 30 minutes, we will arrive in Kathmandu. The little lights that were visible in the darkness far below became one here and one there, and the number gradually increased. Although it is not as large as the lights in Tokyo or Hong Kong, quite a few lights gradually appear at the bottom of the night. Compared with the first visit to Nepal, the number of lights is more than ten times more. Fukamachi thought to himself: The first time I looked down at the lights from the plane, I felt that the distance between the lights was just right. not too close, not too far The distance at which the average human voice can communicate with each other. At that time, the darkness between light and light looked so warm. Darkness with human body heat. Between those lights, there are countless people, crowded together with cows, dogs, monkeys, chickens and other animals. Kathmandu The wings tilted, and when the lights suddenly approached from the bottom of the darkness, Fukamachi felt a surge of emotion: oh i'm finally back 3 A nostalgic city. A foreign language drilled into the eardrum. The road was crowded with people, dogs and cows, blocking pedestrians' progress, and dilapidated old cars blared their sirens. The voice of selling goods. Fukamachi walked amidst the noise of the street. The camera strap is slung across the shoulder from the left shoulder. Even the choking exhaust gas and the smell of human and animal sweat make people feel comfortable, just like soaking in warm water with moderate heat. Stroll around Indra Square. I didn't expect my ears, tongue, and even the sense of touch to be so used to this city. I chased after Hanyu Joji and Mallory's camera, and finally came here again. Bisalu sap This is Hanyu Joji's name in Nepal. In Nepali it means poisonous snake. So that's the case, Fukamachi now figured out the origin of the name. Hanyu is pronounced habu in other words, which is the same pronunciation as the poisonous snake cobra (habu).In this way, it is not difficult to understand why Hanyu is called Bisalu sap, which means poisonous snake, in Nepal. But having said that, is it possible to meet Joji Hanyu again in this country? There are several clues. One is An Jialin of the Sherpa tribe. Is looking for the whereabouts of the Angarin who used to be with Hanyu the same as finding the whereabouts of Hanyu? Since he is a person who once got the title of tiger, he should be able to collect some information about him in Kathmandu. Rutam, who had been a porter for the British team, knew Angalin and Bisalu sap.Fukamachi knew that Ryutam stole the camera from the house of someone related to Bisalu sap. If I meet Rick Tam again and ask him about that, I'll at least know where the house where Mallory's camera was originally kept. Fukamachi could already imagine that it was somewhere on Jungfrau Avenue.That's probably a Sherpa village somewhere between Lukla and Everest Base Camp. He might as well head to Nanqi Bazaar in one go, where he would go door-to-door to inquire about Bisalu sap and An Jialin, maybe he would find out the whereabouts of the two of them earlier. Next, Zhang Gu saw An Jialin in front of the shop in Ganesha, which should be somewhere in Kathmandu. It's also a good way to find out the store and ask for news there. Another clue is that Fukamachi himself had originally discovered Sagarmatha, the store where Mallory's camera was located.Manikumar, the shop owner, knew Angarin by name. Although he didn't know what An Jialin looked like, he knew his name and what that name represented. Maybe Manikumar knew a thing or two about Angalin. Unknowingly, Fukamachi came to Durbar Square. I don't know if there is something wrong, a large number of people walk around, some people sit at the door of the house or under the eaves, looking at the street with open eyes. It seems that all kinds of ethnic groups in Nepal have begun to gather in this area.The Gulun, Niwa, Gurkha, and Sherpa races are so numerous that they can no longer be distinguished in Shending. They rub shoulders here, walk, and sit, as if they have some meaning there. A person dressed as an Indian Satu, whenever a tourist presses the shutter on him, he swaggers up to the other person and holds out his hand.It means asking someone to pay. There is an immutable scene there. Turn right at the corner of the old palace and see Shiva.Parvati Temple. Bathed in the afternoon sun, the eaves on the west side of the temple glowed. On the stone steps, under the eaves where the sun cannot reach, a group of men gathered.They are gambling with cards. There were men with bare feet, and men with tattered shoes, dusty basketball shoes with holes in them, and half of their toes seemed to be sticking out to greet people. They are the men of the Tamang and Gulun tribes Fukamachi slowly climbed up the stone steps and greeted the men: Namaste. Several men turned around. On a tanned face, only the whites of the eyes stand out. Namaste. The two people who were not playing cards but were watching from the sidelines greeted Fukamachi kindly.Expectations are written on their faces, hoping that the Japanese in front of them will bring them some jobs. Fukamachi looked for the face of Rick Tam in his memory, but he wasn't there. I am looking for a Gulun man named Ritam. Did he come to Kathmandu to look for a job during this period? Fukamachi asked in unfluent Nepali. do not know.It's not that there is no job in Pokhara, maybe he will be there this year Said the man who greeted Fukamachi. It appeared that the man had spent all his betting money, as if he had been left out by his fellow card players. He seemed to know Rick Tam's name. However, if there are jobs in Kathmandu, that would be great, right? of course. It would be the best for them to be porters for the expedition team climbing Mount Everest based in Kathmandu, and get paid to buy a lot of things in Kathmandu and go home. Didn't you bring us a good job? Unfortunately, not a job.However, you can make money. The money-making men seem to have heard these words and turned their attention to Fukamachi. Fukamachi glanced at the men around him, deliberately speaking for everyone to hear. If someone told me where Rick Tam was, I'd pay him what he said. The hands of the men holding the cards stopped moving.Now, their eyes were on Fukamachi. Judging from the expressions, it seems that not everyone present knows Ritam, but maybe they can unexpectedly and smoothly ask Ritam's whereabouts from their mouths. He should have been here about half a month ago.Said a man who appeared to be of the same Gulen tribe as Ritam.He looked at Fukamachi appreciatively. Uh, what's your business with him? It seems to be suspicious of people's eyes. Many of them went in and out of Sagarmatha like Rick Tam and probably brought their wares more than once to people like Naradahr.Lachandra kind of man. I have something to ask him. Fukamachi said again what he said at the beginning. What's the matter? Fukamachi hesitated to say the name Bisalu sap here. If you know about Bisalu sap, you must also know that because of that man, Ryu Tam's once-successful work was ruined. If the name of Bisalu sap is spoken, they may be wary. There is no need to be nervous.Fortunately, the members who were here to ask about Ritam before don't seem to be here.If he was here, he might have recognized Fukamachi. Fukamachi stuttered a little, which made them raise their vigilance. Fukamachi pretended not to hear the question, took out the prepared one-dollar bill from his pocket, and handed it to the man who asked him the question.By the way, give a one-dollar bill to all the men present who held out their hands. thirteen dollars After distributing the bills, Fukamachi said to the men again: Also, does anyone know of a man named Bisalu sap? No one answered. They look like they don't know, or like they know but don't answer.It is really difficult to interpret the facial expressions of foreigners who speak different languages. Rick Tam also works, Bisalu sap also works.Also, a Sherpa named Angalin is also fine.Anyone among the three will do. If you know their whereabouts, can you tell me?I bought that news with a higher amount than before.It doesn't matter if you don't know now.At this time tomorrow, I will come here again, when I think about it, or go to investigate, let me know if you know After saying this, Fukamachi walked down the stone steps of the ancient temple with his back to them. Fukamachi thought, from this moment on, there is no way to go back. Regardless of whether he can find Joji Hanyu or not, in short, he has already taken the first step towards Hanyu in Kathmandu. 4 Depending on what people think, Hanyu Joji is a man of the past to the Japanese mountaineering world. the forgotten alpinist A global movement that at some point in modern history has dreamed of covering every inch of the planet with human footsteps. Great Britain, United States, Russia, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, and Japan. Francis.Young Husband ④. Note ④: Francis.Sir Francis Younghusband (Sir Francis Younghusband, 1863︱1942), British military officer, one of the most famous British explorers in the 19th century, traveled mostly in northern India and Tibet, and made great contributions to geographical research. Twenty-four At the age of 10, he traveled alone through the Gobi Desert and discovered a new route from China to India. Ori.Stein. Sven.Hedin. Charles.Granville.Bruce. George.mallory. Tachibana Ruichao of the Otani Expedition. Hekou Huihai ⑤. Note ⑤: Kawaguchi Huihai (1866︱1945), Japanese monk.He was ordained at the age of twenty-five, and his dharma name is Huihai Renguang.At the age of 28, he decided to go to Tibet to seek the Dharma, and he made the trip at the age of 32.He was thirty-eight years old when he returned from his first trip to Tibet.At the end of 1913, he crossed the Himalayas in mid-winter via Sikkim and returned to Tibet, completing his second trip to Tibet. Edmund.Hillary. All kinds of people from various countries are wandering in the place closest to the sky in this world. That spirit, or the standard-bearer of the movement, changes with the times, or dies. Perhaps Fukamachi thought to himself that this man, Hanyu Joji, was the last standard-bearer of that spirit. At least Joji Hanyu is the only person who is still in the spiritual culture of that era among the first-line mountaineers. This thought flashed through Fukamachi's mind. Looking around the world, that kind of mountaineer can no longer be found. Maybe Reinho.Messner, the Superman, is that kind of person, but as far as the mountaineers on the front line are concerned, Messner has been far away from the scene. Hanyu Joji is still standing on the front line, still interested in stepping on that peak that belongs to the sky.Fukamachi felt that, in this sense, he was the last climber. Perhaps Hanyu, a man, was born into this world to close the last page of the history of climbing the Himalayas with that spirit. Naoki Uemura has gone to another world, Yasuo Kato has passed away, and Changxie Hase is no longer in this world. Perhaps the history of climbing the Himalayas, which has been passed down from generation to generation since the 1800s, is now being quietly brought to an end by Hanyu. Deep town wants to pass George.Mallory's camera, standing on the final stage An unbelievable heat rose from his body, covering his whole body, Fukamachi walked in the turbulent crowd. Fukamachi has entered Tami District. 5 Manikuma was taken aback when he saw Fukamachi at first, then pulled up the corners of his mouth and forced a smile on his face. Namaste. Fukamachi said hello as he walked into Sagarmatha, Manikumar's shop. Namaste. Manikumar clasped his hands together to say hello. Still remember me? When Fukamachi asked, Manimaku said wistfully: Sir, of course I remember you He extended his right hand towards Fukamachi. Flawless acting. Fukamachi also stretched out his right hand, held each other's hand, and shook hands. When did you come back to Kathmandu?Manikumar said with a smile on his face. Fukamachi answered briefly yesterday, looking into Manikuma's eyes. Manikumar didn't look away. Thank you for the long journey The inside of the store is the same as before. Mountaineering backpacks and sleeping bags made in France, ice sticks made in Switzerland. Related items are either hung on the wall or hung from the ceiling On the wall near the door hung a row of nearly ten chunky Chinese-made kettles, the kind that every store had. So, what are you doing for your visit to our shop this time? If I find an interesting camera again, I want to buy it. Fukamachi smiled this time. are you kidding me At this time, Manikuma looked away and took out a folding round chair with only an iron frame and a seat from under the counter. Would you like to sit down? No.I can just stand up and talk. What's your business? I should have said earlier, I'm here for the camera. Ha ha Also, I was wondering if I could meet Rick Tam, who brought it, and its owner, Bisalu sap, again. Sure enough, it has something to do with that camera.Manikumar said. Please tell me, sir.What is the history of that camera?I'm still curious about this. Sorry, I can't say. Well, that camera really has some hidden secrets, right? Fukamachi ignored Manikuma's words. Judging from the previous appearance, you seem to know Bisalu sap and Angarin, right? Ha ha I'll pay you if you tell me where they are. I see. There was a sly gleam in Manikuma's eyes. His expression suddenly changed. I think I can probably respond to your wishes.But I don't mean I know where they are now, but I should find out.But But what? How about it?Would you like to cooperate with me? cooperate? Sir, you are alone, right?Although I was looking for someone, in Nepal, it is always inconvenient to be alone.I think that in this matter, I can provide you with various assistance. What kind of assistance? It's just that I can help and get that camera back in your hands again.Saying this kind of thing seems like selling melons to Lao Wang, but I am a very reliable person about this kind of thing. so what? Well, I'm not trying to negotiate terms with you. Manikuma glanced at Fukamachi, then looked away immediately, then looked at Fukamachi again. I'll try to get that camera back in your hands, but instead, can you tell me what's going on?Otherwise, wouldn't it be a big loss to you if I helped you get that camera back in your hands without knowing it?So I want to get a part of that benefit as a proper reward. Manikumar said without turning his eyes, his tone firm. Meaning, get the camera for yourself, but pay him.Otherwise, tell him the whole story. If you tell him about the Central Plains Fukamachi thought to himself: Even if Manikumar got the camera, he probably wouldn't give it to himself. Maybe whether he told him or not, Manikumar wanted to get the camera first.No, he's 100% trying to get it even though that's not necessarily the legal thing to do. Last time, Manikumar returned that camera because he was intimidated by Bisalu sap. Bisalu sap has reason to intimidate him.Because Bisalu sap knew that Manikumar was selling stolen goods illegally.Also know that the camera is in the hands of Manikumar. However, if this time the camera was in the hands of Bisalu sap and the illegal seizure of it was done flawlessly, without knowing who did it, Manikumar's life would not be in danger. Even if Bisalu sap comes to Borussia again to question the teacher, Manikumar can deny it. Did I tell this man what he shouldn't have said? Fukamachi began to regret stepping into this store. Maybe he would endanger Hanyu Joji because of himself. I'm purely personally interested in that camera.To other people it really means nothing and has no value yes. If you give it to someone else, you won't be able to sell it for a good price. yes. You don't have to get that camera.You just have to find out where Bisalu sap is now for me.I'll pay you for that but other than that don't need your dick Fukamachi said so. I will come again in two or three days Fukamachi told Manikumar so, and left the shop. 6 After leaving the store, as he walked forward, intense anxiety gradually spread in Fukamachi's mind. Leaving aside the fact that Manikumar has a wide range of people in the underworld in Kathmandu, he does have a relationship with the underworld. If the strength is strong, it should be impossible to stand in the store in person, so although it is related, it is impossible to have a strong influence on the underworld. However To be on the safe side, should we change hotels? Fukamachi thought so. No, even if they change, as long as they live in a hotel, the conditions are the same. As long as he lived in a hotel, he would probably find his place sooner or later.It is possible to change hotels every night, but even so, he will probably be spotted by his eyeliner somewhere. Before Manikumar stole the camera from the hotel room. These days, the only things that can be stolen are cash and your own camera equipment. The cash is taken with me, and the photographic equipment is left in the locked office by Saito, who is traveling on the Westward Journey.What I carry with me now is a camera and a zoom lens attached to the body that can be adjusted from 40mm to 80mm. No need to change hotels. Through connections, Saito found a cheap hotel near the palace for himself.One night stay is about 800 yen. The room is small, but it is a personal room, and the door can be locked. There are simple small tea tables and night lights in the room. No meals included. Toilets and showers are shared. Conditions are unsatisfactory. If you are mentally prepared to share a room with others in a youth hostel, there are many cheaper rooms, but in this way, you will not be able to do private things as you like. Fukamachi found that after he left Sagarmatha, he was walking on the street almost aimlessly. If I followed the scheduled itinerary, I originally planned to go directly to Ganesha. Bei Bin said that when he was walking with Zhang Gu, Zhang Gu saw An Jialin coming out of Ganesha. When talking with Kitahama, Fukamachi asked him: Why do you know the name of this shop in Ganesha? Huh, why?Bei Bin thought for a while, and then said: That's right, because there is a picture of the Ganesha on the billboard, and Ganesa is written in Roman alphabet on it. Ganesha was originally a Hindu god.Possesses an elephant-headed human body, and his Sanskrit name is Nandikesivara.He is the retinue of Lord Shiva, aliased as Ganapati.Vinayaka. He is the creator of obstacles and the remover of obstacles, and at first glance, has a contradictory character.It is not unreasonable in Hindu logic to consider that Lord Shiva is also a god with two distinct natures of creation and destruction. He was incorporated into Buddhism and became one of the patron saints of Buddhism. In Japan, it is a god called Shengtian and Huanxitian in Esoteric Buddhism. Its statues are often presented in the posture of two face-to-face intercourse.This joy does not refer to the joy of sex, but the joy that comes from sweet candies, but based on this joy, there is also an aspect that is believed to be the god of sex. That store should be in Indra Plaza or somewhere along the road around there. Even if you go back to the hotel, there is nothing to do.Therefore, Fukamachi thought it would be okay to check the location of the store first. He made up his mind and walked towards Indra Square. 7 Fukamachi found Ganesha right away. From Thamé he walked across Tahiti Square toward Indra Square, and the Akashibalaputra Temple is on the right hand side where that road meets Indra Road. Sure enough, there is another alley on the right hand side, and the store is in the middle of that alley. When approaching Indra Square, I inadvertently looked at the alley on the right, and the signboard came into view. The store was located in the row of houses across the road from the temple, the fifth from the intersection with the Akashibalaputra Temple. The signboard is above the store entrance. On the left side of the wooden panel is a painting of Holy Ganesha.The paint has faded from the weather, but it is indeed Ganesha. Next to the painting it reads in romanization: Ganesa Fukamachi immediately understood what it meant. Because it is a store that specializes in serving foreigners. A mountaineering supply store. Same as Sagarmatha, but the merchandise looks more complete.Backpacks and sleeping bags have been hung on the road. Items left by foreign mountaineering teams and items sold when they left Nepal will probably be displayed here as commodities. Fukamachi stood at the intersection of the alley and Indra Square, watching Ganesha from an oblique angle. Then Just as he was about to walk towards Ganesha, a man came out of the shop. An old man with a dark complexion, a short stature, and a strong build There are white hairs in the hair. It's that person. The man I met in Kathmandu nearly half a year ago. The man who was with Joji Hanyu, known as the poisonous snake in Bisalu sap. Angelin. Fukamachi couldn't help hiding his body behind the temple. Looking from the back of the temple, Angarin slowly walked out of the store, with his back to Fukamachi and walked forward. He carried a brace on his back.Four oxygen cylinders are strapped to the back frame. During sea diving, divers also carry cylinders on their backs, but the cylinders are basically filled with air, not oxygen cylinders. However, the gas cylinders on the back when climbing are oxygen cylinders.The bottle contains oxygen.To use, mix air and oxygen to breathe. He is carrying an oxygen cylinder for mountaineering. Why carry an oxygen cylinder? Fukamachi thought so. Preparing the oxygen cylinder means that someone related to An Jialin is going to climb the 8,000-meter peak of the Himalayas.Other than that, nothing else is possible. Fukamachi observed the surroundings for a few seconds to check if Angarin was accompanying him.Because that companion might be Joji Hanyu. It seems that there are no companions. Fukamachi hesitated. Instead of entering Ganesha, it is better to see where Angalin is going and follow him directly.Because Joji Hanyu might be where Angarin was going. Fukamachi took a step behind Angarin. But then again, what a coincidence.He actually met An Jialin here. However, if you think about it, this is not a complete coincidence. Kitahama and Hase saw Angarin coming out of the store together. Although it was speculation, Hase might have met Joji Hanyu later. If they ever met, Angarin would be the key. The next day or the next day, Changgu probably came to this Ganesha again by himself.So, I saw An Jialin again.Because of meeting An Jialin, Hase probably met Joji Hanyu through him. There is this possibility. In other words, An Jialin went in and out of this store very frequently. Fukamachi also thinks that he might be able to get some information in Ganesha and know the whereabouts of Angalin, so he came here. This is not entirely a coincidence. However, luck is a fact. Fukamachi kept a distance and followed Angarin. Angalin turned right at the end of Kaya Road. If you keep going, you will come to the path leading to Chhatrabati Square. Compared with the area around Indra Square, there are half as many people in Chatrabati Square. at this time Someone from behind said to Fukamachi: Garnosu, sir. Garnosu is the Japanese equivalent of sorry. Fukamachi stopped and turned around. He didn't think anyone would talk to him in this kind of place, and when he saw the man standing in front of him, he realized that he seemed to have recognized the wrong person.Because that man saw Fukamachi and smiled slightly. A second later, Fukamachi remembered who that man was. He was the man I met not long ago under the temple in Durbar Square. Maybe it was a man who lost all his money in gambling and watched his friends play cards. What a coincidence, sir, I actually met your man here. Ek chin parkhanos wait a minute Fukamachi said to the man, go back and look for Angarin. However Angarin, who was about 20 meters ahead, heading towards Chatrabati Square, disappeared. Ruined Fukamachi ran quickly towards Chatrabarti Square. There was no trace of him. Fukamachi tried to stand at the entrance of Chatrabarti Square, where the crowds were full of unfamiliar faces, and there was no sign of Angarin. Including Fukamachi's own road, six roads intersect there. Which of the other five paths did Angarin walk into? Or which family on the left and right before entering the square? Or have you walked into a narrow gap between buildings that can be called a road but is too narrow? I don't know if it was deliberate or a coincidence, but An Jialin's figure completely disappeared there. Sir, what's the matter with you?He suddenly ran up and chased after him, and the man who stood shoulder to shoulder with Fukamachi said. Oops, I thought I saw a familiar passenger, but it seems that I mistook the person, and Fukamachi lied. It's no use telling the truth to this man.What's more, this man might know that he was following An Jialin, so he deliberately talked to him in order to hinder him. Feel sorry.By the way, what's your business?Fukamachi asked. Just now, sir, what you said.the man said. do you know what? Not really knowing anything.I just wanted to tell you right away something that came to my mind.I don't have money to gamble after all, and I'm bored so what? In that case, someone knows something interesting about that Interesting thing? He refused to tell me.I think that guy is probably afraid that I will tell you that without permission, and keep the money alone. Is what he said true?Fukamachi thought for a moment. Well, I originally thought that if you came tomorrow, I would tell you about this.As a result, I wanted to walk back to Durbar Square just now, and I happened to see you there.Rather than meeting you with my partner tomorrow, it is better for me to meet alone like this.so i spoke out to you Then what? I thought, if you have time, would you like to find that man together.It's not that far away, and I just walked over from there just now, and that guy is still there.Ah, before that, I want to ask about the money, are you really going to give us money? certainly.If the news is helpful to me, I will pay more according to the degree of usefulness. As Fukamachi said, the man let out a bird-like laugh from his throat. I have one request. What's up? If you're going to pay for that news, I want you to pay the man and me half. the man said. 8 While walking, the man told Fumachi that he was Meng Han from the Majia tribe. Meng Han of the Majia tribe. Fukamachi didn't know whether Menghan was the man's surname or first name, but he didn't ask what it was, and only regarded Menghan as a title. Monghan seems to want to lead Fukamachi to the northwest in the direction of the Suwayambhuna Temple. Along the way, many men and women lead goats with ropes around their necks. There seem to be more men leading goats today.Fukamachi asked Menghan something he cared about a long time ago. Because it has entered the Desai Festival.Meng Han said calmly. Yes, Desai Festival. A Nepali festival held every October. This is a festival in honor of the Goddess Durga who slayed the buffalo demon and originated from Hindu mythology. for ten days.During this festival, almost all of Nepal is full of the atmosphere of the Desai Festival. People from local villages will all go home to celebrate this festival with their families during this festival.The buffalo is presented as an offering to receive the new life force bestowed by Goddess Durga, its neck is cut and the beef is shared by the family or the whole village. The color of Shakti (sexual power) belief is strong. Those who have no money can't kill buffaloes as sacrifices, so they will use goats instead.People with even less money will only buy meat to eat. Monhan said. Aren't cows considered sacred cows in Nepal? In Hinduism, cows are the dependents of countless gods.In Nepal, where Hinduism is powerful, cows are considered sacred.Cows walk in Kathmandu City as if there is no one around them, and the cows that seem to be unraised lie anywhere in the square or street corner of the temple. Cows and buffaloes are two different things.Buffalo can be killed and eaten. Those who do not have a goat at home will ask a neighbor for one, or buy a live goat at a butcher shop, and cut off the goat's head at home. Many people lead goats, it seems, for this reason. Depending on the circumstances, the butcher is said to be beheading and dismembering the goat after the customer purchases it. Before I knew it, I arrived in an area that felt like the outskirts of the city.建築物並不密集，有許多樹木和廣場。 蒙漢在加德滿都特有的、以紅磚當作外牆蓋起來的建築物前面停下腳步。 你在這裡等我一下 蒙漢進入建築物內，旋即回來。 他很高興，說你來得正好，要你進去 深町依言跟在先行邁開腳步的蒙漢身後進屋。 屋內沒有燈光，顯得陰暗。 黑暗中，有一道浮現木紋的老舊木梯。蒙漢沒有爬上階梯，而是推開隱藏在階梯後方、以幾片木板拼起來的歪斜門扉。 那裡是中庭，四面被建築物圍住。 四面有印度教諸神的石像，頭部和臉上被染料塗得通紅。 四個男人站在那些石像前面。 還有一頭山羊，脖子上綁著繩索，一端被一個男人握住。 地上有一、兩個水桶和洗臉盆 三個男人打赤腳，只有一個男人穿著鞋。 穿著鞋的男人似曾相識。 我帶深町先生來了。蒙漢對那個男人說。 好久不見啊。那個男人納拉達爾．拉占德拉說。 原來是你啊！ 深町提高警覺，和他保持距離。 Naladar.拉占德拉上次在馬尼庫瑪的店裡見過他。佝塔姆先把偷來的物品賣給這個男人，接著這個男人又把相機賣到馬尼庫瑪的店裡。 這個男人大概在這一帶做這種見不得人的工作吧。 難不成我被騙了？Fukamachi said. 我沒有騙你。如同蒙漢所說，我知道Bisalu sap和安伽林在哪裡，視情況而定，我想，告訴你他們的下落也無妨。我只是不准蒙漢告訴你我的名字罷了 那麼，你找我有什麼事？ 日本人真是猴急吶。尼泊爾語有一個很棒的字叫做Bistari，意思是慢慢來，別急，你知道嗎？ Um. Fukamachi nodded. 他想起了登山在集體移動時，雪巴人們三不五時會用這個字。 哎呀，你來得正是時候。讓日本人看看有點罕見的玩意兒吧。有話等看完再說。你有時間吧？ 說話口吻和之前判若兩人。 在馬尼庫瑪的店裡，他的用字遣詞略為有禮。然而，現在這種說話方式八成比較接近原本的納拉達爾．拉占德拉吧。 What are you looking at? 現在正要做的事。 Naladar.拉占德拉看了山羊一眼。 深町跟著投以視線，這才發現那頭山羊的身體不停顫抖。 山羊的眼球充血變紅，兩邊的嘴角冒出唾沫。 令人清楚明白牠在害怕的表情，從山羊全身顯現出來。 快點，動手！ Naladar.拉占德拉一說，三個男人點頭，縮短纏在山羊脖子上的繩索，一人的雙手順著繩索各握住山羊的一隻角。 頓時，山羊開始激烈反抗。 另一個男人抱住山羊的身體，兩人合力壓制住山羊，令牠無法動彈。 山羊反抗的力道猛烈，從喉嚨深處發出淒厲的叫聲。 第三個男人用右手抽出插在腰帶上的柴刀。 事到如今，深町終於知道他們想做什麼了。 三人打算割掉山羊的頭，當作獻給杜爾伽女神的活祭品。 山羊之所以害怕，是因為察覺到了自己接下來的命運。 牠大概是從肉店的店頭被買回來吧。 在這頭被綁住的山羊眼前，恐怕有好幾頭山羊被宰殺，在那裡被肢解了吧。這頭山羊看見了所有的過程。 Ok? 壓好牠喔！ 男人們對彼此喊道，站在容易工作的位置。 山羊被迫低著頭，打橫的細長脖子完全暴露在男人們的目光底下。 拿著柴刀的男人用雙手握住那把呈飛鏢狀的橢圓形刀刃，舉刀揮下。 類似劈刀的刀刃從正上方一刀劈下。刀刃淺淺砍進山羊的脖子。 哐 發出一聲悶響，刀刃被硬物彈開。 刀刃劈中了山羊的頸骨。血流出來，濡濕了山羊脖子上的毛。 山羊拚命掙扎時，男人劈了第二刀、第三刀。每次刀刃斬下來，傷口就加深，裂成一個大洞，露出白骨。 而且刀刃一砍下來，就有好幾片被柴刀刨開的白骨碎片飛到空中。 山羊在跪下來之前，頭先掉了下來。 男人馬上把山羊頭放在地上，把洗臉盆拖過來。 男人抱著山羊少了頭的脖子，減緩力道，大量溫熱的血液從斷頭的傷口汩汩流進洗臉盆。 大人拇指粗細的血柱，隨著山羊仍在跳動的心臟收縮，彷彿呼吸似地，數度一收一放地改變流量。 從洗臉盆裡的一灘血中冒出熱氣。 山羊的身體在男人們的手臂裡用力抽搐。 不久之後，山羊不動了。 男人們抱著山羊，讓它頭下腳上，等到體內的血幾乎流乾了之後，再將柴刀插進喉嚨一帶，順著胸、腹、下腹，一直線地割開皮。接著，用左手抓住皮翻開來，使柴刀的刀尖滑過皮與肉之間，把皮完整地剝下來。 包覆在偏黃的脂肪層底下，薄薄一層白肉出現，隨著皮被剝下來，露出的面積逐漸增加。 柴刀的刀刃鑽進四肢，山羊幾乎被剝成赤條條的。 開膛剖肚，陸續取出內臟。 肝臟、膽囊、腸子 以及因為綠色的液體而脹大的胃。 胃裡裝的是消化一半、變得黏稠的草。 小心切除內臟，一一放到水桶和洗臉盆裡。 then 劈開頭蓋骨，取出眼珠子和大腦，然後切除四肢，原本的山羊變成了不太感覺得到生命力、非常一般的肉塊，在肉店裡常看得到的物體。 不知不覺間，五、六隻狗聚集而來，或舔灑在地上的血，或想銜走洗臉盆內的內臟，而挨某個男人的揍。 how is it?Naladar.拉占德拉說。 我們不但吃骨頭、骨髓，連頭、臉頰肉、黏在頭蓋骨上的肉都吃。不吃的大概只有頭蓋骨、角，還有毛皮吧。 唯有這時的口吻會變得有禮貌。 你現在看到的，並非特別的景象。這件事在加德滿都的各個地方上演，即使離開加德滿都，在任何地方、任何村落的家家戶戶，幾乎都是家常便飯。 Naladar.Lachandra said so. 在人類生活的歷史背後，肯定存在這幕血腥的景象。 深町感受到不小的文化衝擊。 這幕景象並非第一次看到。過去遠征喜瑪拉雅山時也曾見過。However 吃其他的生命而活 不止是人類，萬物基本上都是靠著其他生命的死，來延續自己的生命。 弱肉強食。生活在日本這個社會中，為了活下去的工作被分工得過於精細，使得這種天經地義的食物鏈已不復見。 就算不憎恨山羊，彼此之間也沒有任何關係，還是會宰殺牠吃下肚。對於山羊而言，大概是沒天理的事吧。你知道人類和山羊，為何會演變成一方吃、一方被吃的關係嗎？ do not know 這個嘛，理由只有一個。因為山羊是比人類還弱的生物。 我認為，人與人之間的關係中，大概也存在著類似這種人類與山羊之間的關係。 一方吃另一方？ That's right.毫無怨恨，無怨無仇。被吃的一方，大概只會覺得自己被吃得莫名其妙吧。不過，光是被吃的一方比吃的一方弱這個理由，就足以解釋了 Naladar.拉占德拉看了一眼被人手腳俐落地肢解、曾經是山羊的肉塊。 男人們手拿裝著肉和內臟的洗臉盆和水桶，進入建築中。來回兩趟之後，顯示山羊曾經待在那裡的證據，只有留在地上的一點血跡。 深町、納拉達爾．拉占德拉和蒙漢三人留在那裡。 蒙漢，沒你的事了。收下深町先生說好要給你的錢，你可以回去了。 聽到納拉達爾．拉占德拉這麼一說，深町從口袋拿出十元美鈔，交給蒙漢。 我可以收下嗎？蒙漢問道。 因為若是如同蒙漢剛才所說，各付兩人一半，將是一筆不小的金額。 你儘管收下。這是謝禮。何況我在這裡看到了有意思的玩意兒。Fukamachi said so. 9 深町和納拉達爾．拉占德拉隔著小木桌對坐。 建築物的二樓 窗邊。 大吉嶺紅茶從兩只茶杯發出香味。 除此之外，還有一股莫名香甜、稍微嗆鼻的氣味那是大麻樹脂的味道。 似乎有人在這間房間抽過幾次大麻樹脂。 說不定有不少在加德滿都各地銷售的大麻樹脂和毒品，都是從納拉達爾．拉占德拉手中進貨的。 首先，我要告訴你一件事。馬尼庫瑪不曉得你我今天在這裡見面，以及接下來我要告訴你的事。 Why?你和馬尼庫瑪不是一夥的嗎？ Naladar.拉占德拉蹙眉搖頭。 他顴骨突出，鼻梁高挺，蓄著鬍子。給人的印象像是五十五、六歲而且是給日本人的印象，實際上，說不定才坐四望五。 no.我們不是夥伴。不過，有時候在生意上會互相合作。各式各樣的物品偶而會來到我手上。但是，是不能像一般商品流入市面的東西 譬如贓貨？ 我沒說是贓貨唷 Naladar.拉占德拉面露微笑地說。 總之，我會請馬尼庫瑪在他的店裡賣那種東西。這是做生意。我和他都能獲利。我不見得非得在他的店裡寄賣不可，他也不是只賣我的貨。我們之間的關係僅止於做生意。所以，如果客人和那家店之間的交易會造成損失，我隨時都能停止那筆交易。 所以，你要告訴我什麼？ 這句話該由我來問。你究竟為什麼要向我打聽Bisalu sap和安伽林的事？ 不是為了那臺相機的事嗎？ 從你悶不吭聲來看，我是猜對了吧。What the hell is going on here?難不成你是為了那臺相機，又從日本來到尼泊爾嗎？這麼說來，那臺相機的價值相當於日本和尼泊爾的往返機票錢、在這裡的旅費，以及忙碌的日本人特地請假跑來的價值嘍？假設是這樣的話，那臺相機的價值遠遠超過我的想像 說完，納拉達爾．拉占德拉像是忽然察覺似地說：你該不會又跑去馬尼庫瑪的店一趟，問他Bisalu sap住在哪裡、以及在杜巴廣場問的事吧？ 很遺憾，我那麼做了。 你搞什麼飛機啊？那個男人再笨，好歹也會想到我所說的。他大概也很驚訝吧。發現那臺相機似乎遠比自己想的更有價值 Wait a moment.you misunderstood. oh?我誤會什麼了？ 你誤會那臺相機的價值了。為什麼會試圖以金錢衡量那臺相機的價值？世上也有價值是屬於個人的，無法以金錢兌換。那臺相機對我而言，就是那種寶物。即使對我而言，它的價值高於往返尼泊爾的機票錢，但對其他人而言，它就只是一臺中古相機。 你有幾點錯了 Huh? 確實，世上有些東西的價值無法以金錢兌換，這我也知道。但實際上，我一時之間難以置信，自己目前面對的是那種東西。 另外一點，不管那臺相機對我而言有沒有價值，都不會改變這個問題的本質。只要那臺相機對你，或者對其他的某個人有價值，那就足以讓我做生意了。 Naladar.拉占德拉說的一點也沒錯。 他直盯著深町的眼睛。 還有，我剛才說，我接下來要告訴你的事連馬尼庫瑪也不知道，因為在那之後，我也研究了種種連他也不曉得的事。 Naladar.拉占德拉仍然以打量的視線盯著深町。他的目光中，產生了想以觀察深町的反應為樂的神色。 之前，你在加德滿都買了書，對吧？ 說話語氣忽然變得有禮貌。 深町心跳突然加速。 Book? correct. 自己確實買了書。 那是什麼書呢？ 對了，那是 《The Story of Everest》，以及《The Mystery of Mallory and Irvine》 Naladar.拉占德拉說。 深町在喉嚨硬生生憋住下意識發出來的聲音。 對了，確實是那兩本書。 當時因為想確認馬洛里遠征時的情形，而在旅客和健行者變賣二手書的店裡，買了那兩本書。 但是，為何這個男人會知道那件事？ George.馬洛里是在一九二四年參加英國隊的啊 Naladar.拉占德拉臉上清楚浮現笑容，狀似愉快地說。 你儘管大吃一驚吧。為什麼我連你買的書都知道呢？ 我真的嚇了一跳。深町老實說。 因為我調查過了。那一天，你的相機在飯店裡失竊。當時，假如有人跟蹤你的話如何？因為不曉得你什麼時候會突然回飯店，所以偷相機的同夥在監視你，這麼想就容易明白了吧？ 你的意思是，有人在監視我嗎？ 我是假設有人在監視你。 Then what? 你跑去書店，明明那裡有好幾本日文書，你卻特地買了兩本英文書，這樣對方不會稍微感到好奇嗎？不過，馬尼庫瑪接獲線報，好像沒有放在心上。我倒是很在意。於是，我派人去書店，調查你買了什麼書。於是，查出來的書就是我剛才說的書名 可是，已經沒有同樣的書了。我派人傳話，如果下次有同樣的書進來，別在店裡上架，拿來我這裡，但其實，我就那麼忘了這件事。結果，約莫十天前左右，書到手了。只有一本《The Mystery of Mallory and Irvine》。我在五天前看了，大吃一驚。你在找的，不就是馬洛里帶到Sagarmatha峰頂的相機嗎？ 深町無話可說。 Naladar.拉占德拉停下來，看著沉默的深町好一陣子。 就在這個時候，你再度從日本來，而且在找那臺相機，不是嗎？當時，你若認為把那當作夢話，拋下它才是明智之舉，那麼一來事情就另當別論。你有什麼根據，足以相信那就是真品嗎？ 深町輕輕嘆氣。 自己並沒有任何特別的根據。 假如有的話，那就是夢。 希望那是馬洛里的相機的願望。 假如那是真品深町心想：自己說不定能藉由追逐那個夢想，逃出如今宛如監獄的地方。 自己就是緊抓著那個夢不放，結果才會落到這般田地。 然而，該怎麼向這個男人解釋那件事？ Naladar.拉占德拉注視著深町說：那臺相機還不確定是馬洛里的相機。即使是同一款機種，也不曉得是不是馬洛里帶去的那一臺。如果從客觀的角度思考，應當假設是另一臺相機。在七十多年前，帶去聖母峰頂的相機，為何如今會在加德滿都呢？ 但是，假如那臺相機是真品、假如藉由它知道第一個登上聖母峰的人是誰，你不覺得這個新聞能以相當大的一筆金額，賣給海外的媒體嗎？即使對你們日本人而言是不屑一顧的金額，對我們尼泊爾人而言卻是一筆天文數字。how is it? what about 我的意思是，我們能夠互相協助。 協助？ Yes.你我目的一致。我們互相協助，單就那臺相機帶來的好處，你我五五對分 我能夠馬上調查那個日本人住在哪裡。你和他同樣是日本人，能夠和他談好條件，讓那臺相機落入我們手中。順便也能從他口中問出，是在哪裡得到那臺相機的 那個男人不會說的 既然這樣，你為何來到加德滿都呢？如今為何試圖尋找那臺相機的下落呢？ Naladar.拉占德拉問道。 這個問題就像是深町先前逼問自己、類似散發黯淡光芒的刀刃般的問題。 究竟你來到加德滿都，想要做什麼呢？ 硬是找出羽生，問他那臺相機的事，然後想要做什麼呢？ 說不定能夠再做一次，全世界各處都是無人履及的高峰時的那個夢 啟程時宮川說過的話，仍留在深町耳中。