Chapter 12 Chapter Ten: The City of Vipers

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 Noriaki Kakura——? 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. Hey. Fukamachi shouted. Hello! Hey-- 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 China, or even go to Beijing, and it is necessary to do altitude training in Japan first. Fukomachi did this kind of training in Kisokoma. Kiso Koma is two to ninety-five meters above sea level, nearly three thousand 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's 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.

"You want to see Joji Hanyu?" "I want to see him." "But maybe we won't be able to see each other when 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 am engaged in this kind of work, I haven't even been there once." "Obviously you instigated me to go—" "Then, why don't you instigate me to go too."

"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 certain procedures." 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 number of mountaineers is decreasing. Even in the Northern Alps, the mountain houses in the deep mountains will probably have to be closed sooner or later. Drop a few. "So, when encountering an incident like this one, I always feel full of joy—"

"Full of joy?" "That's right. Because the giant peaks that I'm about to get involved in all over the world are still the biggest event that no one will follow in time. 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— 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, 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 "Ganesha" shop, 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 originally discovered the shop "Sagarmatha" 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. Gulun, Niwa, Gurkha, Sherpa... There are so many races that the town can no longer be distinguished. They rub shoulders here, walk, sit, and there seem to 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 the 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 were 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'm looking for a man from the Gulun tribe named Ritamu. Did he come to Kathmandu to find a job at this time—?" Fukamachi asked in unfluent Nepali. "I don't know. It's not that there is no work in Pokhara, maybe he is 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, wouldn't it be great?" "of course." Be a porter for an expedition that climbs Mount Everest based in Kathmandu, and get paid to buy a lot of things in Kathmandu and go home-if they can do this, it is the best for them. "Didn't you bring us a good job—?" "Unfortunately, not a job. But it makes money." Can make money—the 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 tells me where Rick Tam is, I'll pay him what he says." 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 come 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 more than once brought "merchandise" to a man like Naradar Rachandra. "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. "Ritam is fine, Bisalu sap is fine. Also, the Sherpa named Angarin is fine. Any of these three people is fine. If you know their whereabouts, can you tell me? I bought that news with a higher amount just now. It doesn’t matter if I don’t know it now. I’ll come here again at this time tomorrow, and I’ll think about it, or go to investigate. If you know, just tell me—” After saying this, Fukamachi walked down the stone steps of the ancient temple with his back to them. Fukamachi thought, from now on. Can no longer go back. Regardless of whether he can find Joji Hanyu or not, in short, he has already taken the first step toward Hanyu in Kathmandu. Depending on what people think, Hanyu Joji is a man of the past to the Japanese mountaineering world.The forgotten mountaineer—— A dream that did exist at some point in recent history—a global movement to cover every inch of the planet with human footsteps. United Kingdom, United States, Russia, France, Italy, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, and Japan. . Ori Stein. Sven Hedin. Charles Granville Bruce. George Mallory. Tachibana Ruichao of the Otani Expedition. . 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. I am afraid-- Fukamachi thought. Hanyu Joji is 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 Reinjo Messner, the superman, belongs to that kind of person, but as far as the mountaineers standing on the front line are concerned, Messner is already 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. Fukamachi wanted to stand on the final stage through George Mallory's camera—— An unbelievable heat rose from his body, covering his whole body, Fukamachi walked in the turbulent crowd. Fukamachi has entered Tami District. 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 entered Manikumar's shop "Sagarmatha". "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 return to Kathmandu?" Manikumar said with a smile on his face. "yesterday--" Fukamachi answered briefly, staring into Manikuma's eyes. Manikumar didn't look away. "It's been a long journey, it's really hard for you——" The inside of the store is the same as before. Mountaineering backpacks and sleeping bags made in France, ice sticks made in Switzerland. Some of that kind of merchandise hangs on the wall, and some hangs 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. "Then, what is your visit to our shop this time—?" "If another interesting camera is dug up, I want to buy it." Fukamachi smiled this time. "You're kidding..." 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 need. I'll just stand up and talk." "What's the matter with you—?" "I should have said just now, I'm here for the camera." "Ha ha……" "Also, I'm wondering if I can meet the Rick Tam who brought it, and its owner, Bisalu sap." "It really has something to do with that camera." Manikumar said. "—" "Please tell me, sir. What happened to that camera? I still wonder about that." "Sorry, I can't tell." "Hey, that camera really has some hidden secrets, right?" Fukamachi ignored Manikuma's words. "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 might be able to respond to your wishes. But I don't mean I know where they are now, but I should find out. But—" "But what?" "How? Do you want to cooperate with me?" "cooperate?" "Sir, you are alone, right? Although you are looking for someone, it is always inconvenient to be alone in Nepal. I think I can provide you with various assistance in this matter." "What kind of assistance?" "It's just that I can help and get that camera back in your hands. It's like trying to sell melons to the old man, but I'm a very reliable person about this kind of thing." "so what--?" "Hey, I don't want to negotiate terms with you." Manikuma glanced at Fukamachi, then looked away immediately, then looked at Fukamachi again. "I will try to get that camera back in your hands, but instead, can you tell me why? Otherwise, if I help out without knowing it and get that camera back in your hands, you Wouldn’t it be a big loss for me to gain some benefit because of this? So I want to get a part of that benefit as a legitimate reward.” Manikumar said without turning his eyes. His tone was firm. Meaning get the camera for yourself, but pay him. Otherwise, tell him what happened. If you tell him what's going on— 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 was 100% trying to get it. That's not necessarily legal. 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. Bisalu sap also knew that the camera was 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 something I shouldn't say—? 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. It really has no meaning or value to anyone else—" "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 find out where Bisalu sap is now for me. I'll pay you for that, but other than that, don't need your cock--" Fukamachi said so. I'll come back in two or three days—Fukamachi told Manikumar so, and left the store. After leaving the store, as he walked forward, intense anxiety gradually spread in Fukamachi's mind. Regardless of how extensive Manikumar's "face" is 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 leaving "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: How do you know the name of the store "Ganesha"? "Hey, why?" Kitahama thought for a moment, then said: "Yeah, because there's a picture of the Ganesha on the billboard with 'Ganesa' written in the Roman alphabet—" "Ganesha" was originally a Hindu god. Possesses an elephant-headed human body, and the Sanskrit name is "Nandikesivara".He is the retinue of Lord Shiva, also known 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 derived from "sweet candy", 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. Fukamachi thought it would be okay to check the location of the store first. He made up his mind and walked towards Indra Square. 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 store. A swarthy, short, solid old man— 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 Bisalu sap - Joji Hanyu, known as the poisonous snake. 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 looked around for a few seconds. Check if Angarin has any companions.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 An Jialin 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 another day—Chang Gu came to this "Ganesha" again probably alone.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 Angarin, 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 road 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 - 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, to meet you here—" the man said. "Ek chin parkhanos—" Wait a moment-- Fukamachi said to the man, go back and look for Anjalin. 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? You suddenly started running—" Chasing up from behind, the man who stood shoulder to shoulder with Fukamachi said. "Oh, I thought I saw a familiar passenger, but it seems that I mistook the person—" 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. "Sorry. By the way, what do you want?" 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 what came to mind. After all, I don't have money to gamble, and I'm too busy to—" "so what?" "In that case, there's someone who knows something interesting about that—" "What is interesting?" "He refused to tell me. I think that guy is probably afraid that I will tell you that without authorization, and he will take the money by himself." Is what he said true? Fukamachi thought for a moment. "Hey, I originally thought that if you came tomorrow, I would tell you about this. But I just wanted to walk back to Durbar Square, and I happened to see you there. Instead of seeing you with my partner tomorrow, it's better to be alone like this It is more beneficial for me to meet. So I talked to you out loud—” "and then?" "I thought, if you have time, why don't you go find that man together. It's not too far away, and I just walked over from there just now, and that guy is still there. Ah, before that, I want to ask Qian first You really will give us money, right?" "Of course. 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 something to ask." "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. 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 take Shenmachi to the northwest—in the direction of the Suwayambhuna Temple. Along the way, many men and women lead goats with ropes around their necks. "It seems that there are more men leading goats today." Fukamachi asked Menghan something he cared about a long time ago. "Because it's already 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. "People who have no money can't kill buffaloes as sacrifices, so they will use goats instead. People who have no money will only buy meat to eat." Monhan said. "Aren't cows considered holy 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. "A cow and a buffalo are two different things. A 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. The buildings are not dense, there are many trees and squares. Menghan stopped in front of the unique red brick building in Kathmandu. "Wait here for me—" Meng Han entered the building and came back immediately. "He was very happy, said you came just in time, and asked you to go in--" Fukamachi obeyed and followed Meng Han, who was walking first, into the house. 屋内没有灯光，显得阴暗。 黑暗中，有一道浮现木纹的老旧木梯。蒙汉没有爬上阶梯，而是推开隐藏在阶梯后方、以几片木板拼起来的歪斜门扉。 那里是中庭，四面被建筑物围住。 四面有印度教诸神的石像，头部和脸上被染料涂得通红。 四个男人站在那些石像前面。 还有一头山羊。 脖子上绑着绳索，一端被一个男人握住。 地上有一、两个水桶和洗脸盆—— 三个男人打赤脚，只有一个男人穿着鞋。 穿着鞋的男人似曾相识。 “我带深町先生来了。” 蒙汉对那个男人说。 "long time no see." 那个男人——纳拉达尔·拉占德拉说。 “原来是你啊！” 深町提高警觉，和他保持距离。 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉——上次在马尼库玛的店里见过他。佝塔姆先把偷来的物品卖给这个男人，接着这个男人又把相机卖到马尼库玛的店里。 这个男人大概在这一带做这种见不得人的工作吧。 “难不成我被骗了？” Fukamachi said. “我没有骗你。如同蒙汉所说，我知道Bisalu sap和安伽林在哪里，视情况而定，我想，告诉你他们的下落也无妨。我只是不准蒙汉告诉你我的名字罢了……” “那么，你找我有什么事？” “日本人真是猴急呐。尼泊尔语有一个很棒的字叫做Bistari，意思是慢慢来，别急，你知道吗？” "Ok." Fukamachi nodded. 他想起了登山在集体移动时，雪巴人们三不五时会用这个字。 “哎呀，你来得正是时候。让日本人看看有点罕见的玩意儿吧。有话等看完再说。你有时间吧？” 说话口吻和之前判若两人。 在马尼库玛的店里，他的用字遣词略为有礼。然而，现在这种说话方式八成比较接近原本的纳拉达尔·拉占德拉吧。 "Look at what?" “现在正要做的事。” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉看了山羊一眼。 深町跟着投以视线，这才发现那头山羊的身体不停颤抖。 山羊的眼球充血变红，两边的嘴角冒出唾沫。 令人清楚明白它在害怕的表情，从山羊全身显现出来。 “快点，动手！” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉一说，三个男人点头，缩短缠在山羊脖子上的绳索，一人的双手顺着绳索各握住山羊的一只角。 顿时，山羊开始激烈反抗。 另一个男人抱住山羊的身体，两人合力压制住山羊，令它无法动弹。 山羊反抗的力道猛烈。 从喉咙深处发出凄厉的叫声。 第三个男人用右手抽出插在腰带上的柴刀。 事到如今，深町终于知道他们想做什么了。 三人打算割掉山羊的头，当作献给杜尔伽女神的活祭品。 山羊之所以害怕，是因为察觉到了自己接下来的命运。 它大概是从肉店的店头被买回来吧。 在这头被绑住的山羊眼前，恐怕有好几头山羊被宰杀，在那里被肢解了吧。这头山羊看见了所有的过程。 "Ok?" “压好它喔！” 男人们对彼此喊道，站在容易工作的位置。 山羊被迫低着头，打横的细长脖子完全暴露在男人们的目光底下。 拿着柴刀的男人用双手握住那把呈飞镖状的椭圆形刀刃，举刀挥下。 类似劈刀的刀刃从正上方一刀劈下。 刀刃浅浅砍进山羊的脖子。 Bang—— 发出一声闷响。 刀刃被硬物弹开。 刀刃劈中了山羊的颈骨。 血流出来，濡湿了山羊脖子上的毛。 山羊拼命挣扎时，男人劈了第二刀、第三刀。每次刀刃斩下来，伤口就加深，裂成一个大洞，露出白骨。 而且刀刃一砍下来，就有好几片被柴刀刨开的白骨碎片飞到空中。 山羊在跪下来之前，头先掉了下来。 男人马上把山羊头放在地上，把洗脸盆拖过来。 男人抱着山羊少了头的脖子，减缓力道，大量温热的血液从断头的伤口汩汩流进洗脸盆。 大人拇指粗细的血柱，随着山羊仍在跳动的心脏收缩，仿佛呼吸似地，数度一收一放地改变流量。 从洗脸盆里的一滩血中冒出热气。 山羊的身体在男人们的手臂里用力抽搐。 不久之后，山羊不动了。 男人们抱着山羊，让它头下脚上，等到体内的血几乎流干了之后，再将柴刀插进喉咙一带，顺着胸、腹、下腹，一直线地割开皮。接着，用左手抓住皮翻开来，使柴刀的刀尖滑过皮与肉之间，把皮完整地剥下来。 包覆在偏黄的脂肪层底下，薄薄一层白肉出现，随着皮被剥下来，露出的面积逐渐增加。 柴刀的刀刃钻进四肢，山羊几乎被剥成赤条条的。 开膛剖肚，陆续取出内脏。 肝脏、胆囊、肠子——以及因为绿色的液体而胀大的胃。 胃里装的是消化一半、变得粘稠的草。 小心切除内脏，一一放到水桶和洗脸盆里。 then-- 劈开头盖骨，取出眼珠子和大脑，然后切除四肢，原本的山羊变成了不太感觉得到生命力、非常一般的肉块，在肉店里常看得到的物体。 不知不觉间，五、六只狗聚集而来，或舔洒在地上的血，或想衔走洗脸盆内的内脏，而挨某个男人的揍。 "how is it?" 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉说。 “我们不但吃骨头、骨髓，连头、脸颊肉、粘在头盖骨上的肉都吃。不吃的大概只有头盖骨、角，还有毛皮吧。” 唯有这时的口吻会变得有礼貌。 “你现在看到的，并非特别的景象。这件事在加德满都的各个地方上演，即使离开加德满都，在任何地方、任何村落的家家户户，几乎都是家常便饭。” Naradar Rachandra said so. 在人类生活的历史背后，肯定存在这幕血腥的景象。 深町感受到不小的文化冲击。这幕景象并非第一次看到。过去远征喜玛拉雅山时也曾见过。 However-- 吃其他的生命而活…… 不止是人类，万物基本上都是靠着其他生命的死，来延续自己的生命。 Law of the jungle.生活在日本这个社会中，为了活下去的工作被分工得过于精细，使得这种天经地义的食物链已不复见。 “就算不憎恨山羊，彼此之间也没有任何关系，还是会宰杀它吃下肚。对于山羊而言，大概是没天理的事吧。你知道人类和山羊，为何会演变成一方吃、一方被吃的关系吗？” "do not know--" “这个嘛，理由只有一个。因为山羊是比人类还弱的生物。” "—" “我认为，人与人之间的关系中，大概也存在着类似这种人类与山羊之间的关系。” “一方吃另一方？” “没错。毫无怨恨，无怨无仇。被吃的一方，大概只会觉得自己被吃得莫名其妙吧。不过，光是被吃的一方比吃的一方弱这个理由，就足以解释了——” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉看了一眼被人手脚利落地肢解、曾经是山羊的肉块。 男人们手拿装着肉和内脏的洗脸盆和水桶，进入建筑中。来回两趟之后，显示山羊曾经待在那里的证据，只有留在地上的一点血迹。 深町、纳拉达尔·拉占德拉和蒙汉三人留在那里。 “蒙汉，没你的事了。收下深町先生说好要给你的钱，你可以回去了。” 听到纳拉达尔·拉占德拉这么一说，深町从口袋拿出十元美钞，交给蒙汉。 "Can I take it?" 蒙汉问道。 因为若是如同蒙汉刚才所说，各付两人一半，将是一笔不小的金额。 “你尽管收下。这是谢礼。何况我在这里看到了有意思的玩意儿。” Fukamachi said so. 深町和纳拉达尔·拉占德拉隔着小木桌对坐。 建筑物的二楼—— by the window. 大吉岭红茶从两只茶杯发出香味。 除此之外，还有一股莫名香甜、稍微呛鼻的气味…… 那是大麻树脂的味道。 似乎有人在这间房间抽过几次大麻树脂。 说不定有不少在加德满都各地销售的大麻树脂和毒品，都是从纳拉达尔·拉占德拉手中进货的。 “首先，我要告诉你一件事。马尼库玛不晓得你我今天在这里见面，以及接下来我要告诉你的事。” “为什么？你和马尼库玛不是一伙的吗？” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉蹙眉摇头。 他颧骨突出，鼻梁高挺，蓄着胡子。 给人的印象像是五十五、六岁——而且是给日本人的印象，实际上，说不定才坐四望五。 “不是。我们不是伙伴。不过，有时候在生意上会互相合作。各式各样的物品偶而会来到我手上。但是，是不能像一般商品流入市面的东西——” “譬如赃货？” “我没说是赃货唷——” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉面露微笑地说。 “总之，我会请马尼库玛在他的店里卖那种东西。这是做生意。我和他都能获利。我不见得非得在他的店里寄卖不可，他也不是只卖我的货。我们之间的关系仅止于做生意。所以，如果客人和那家店之间的交易会造成损失，我随时都能停止那笔交易。” “所以，你要告诉我什么？” “这句话该由我来问。你究竟为什么要向我打听Bisalu sap和安伽林的事——？” "—" “不是为了那台相机的事吗？” "—" “从你闷不吭声来看，我是猜对了吧。这到底是怎么一回事？难不成你是为了那台相机，又从日本来到尼泊尔吗？这么说来，那台相机的价值相当于日本和尼泊尔的往返机票钱、在这里的旅费，以及忙碌的日本人特地请假跑来的价值喽？假设是这样的话，那台相机的价值远远超过我的想象……” 说完，纳拉达尔·拉占德拉像是忽然察觉似地说： “你该不会又跑去马尼库玛的店一趟，问他Bisalu sap住在哪里、以及在杜巴广场问的事吧？” “很遗憾，我那么做了。” “你搞什么飞机啊？那个男人再笨，好歹也会想到我所说的。他大概也很惊讶吧。发现那台相机似乎远比自己想的更有价值——” “等一下。你误会了。” “哦？我误会什么了？” “你误会那台相机的价值了。为什么会试图以金钱衡量那台相机的价值？世上也有价值是属于个人的，无法以金钱兑换。那台相机对我而言，就是那种宝物。即使对我而言，它的价值高于往返尼泊尔的机票钱，但对其他人而言，它就只是一台中古相机。” “你有几点错了——” “咦——？” “确实，世上有些东西的价值无法以金钱兑换，这我也知道。但实际上，我一时之间难以置信，自己目前面对的是那种东西。” "—" “另外一点，不管那台相机对我而言有没有价值，都不会改变这个问题的本质。只要那台相机对你，或者对其他的某个人有价值，那就足以让我做生意了。” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉说的一点也没错。 他直盯着深町的眼睛。 “还有，我刚才说，我接下来要告诉你的事连马尼库玛也不知道，因为在那之后，我也研究了种种连他也不晓得的事。” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉仍然以打量的视线盯着深町。他的目光中，产生了想以观察深町的反应为乐的神色。 “之前，你在加德满都买了书，对吧？” 说话语气忽然变得有礼貌。 深町心跳突然加速。 Book? correct. 自己确实买了书。 那是什么书呢？ 对了，那是—— “《The Story of Everest》，以及《The Mystery of Mallory and Irvine》——” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉说。 深町在喉咙硬生生憋住下意识发出来的声音。 对了，确实是那两本书。 当时因为想确认马洛里远征时的情形，而在旅客和健行者变卖二手书的店里，买了那两本书。 但是，为何这个男人会知道那件事？ “乔治·马洛里是在一九二四年参加英国队的啊……” 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉脸上清楚浮现笑容，状似愉快地说。 “你尽管大吃一惊吧。为什么我连你买的书都知道呢——？” “我真的吓了一跳。” 深町老实说。 “因为我调查过了。那一天，你的相机在饭店里失窃。当时，假如有人跟踪你的话如何？因为不晓得你什么时候会突然回饭店，所以偷相机的同伙在监视你，这么想就容易明白了吧？” “你的意思是，有人在监视我吗？” “我是假设有人在监视你。” "and then?" “你跑去书店，明明那里有好几本日文书，你却特地买了两本英文书，这样对方不会稍微感到好奇吗？不过，马尼库玛接获线报，好像没有放在心上。我倒是很在意。于是，我派人去书店，调查你买了什么书。于是，查出来的书就是我刚才说的书名……” "—" “可是，已经没有同样的书了。我派人传话，如果下次有同样的书进来，别在店里上架，拿来我这里，但其实，我就那么忘了这件事。结果，约莫十天前左右，书到手了。只有一本——《The Mystery of Mallory and Irvine》。我在五天前看了，大吃一惊。你在找的，不就是马洛里带到Sagarmatha峰顶的相机吗——？” 深町无话可说。 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉停下来，看着沉默的深町好一阵子。 “就在这个时候，你再度从日本来，而且在找那台相机，不是吗？当时，你若认为把那当作梦话，抛下它才是明智之举，那么一来事情就另当别论。你有什么根据，足以相信那就是真品吗——？” 深町轻轻叹气。 自己并没有任何特别的根据。 假如有的话，那就是梦。 希望那是马洛里的相机的愿望。假如那是真品……深町心想：自己说不定能藉由追逐那个梦想，逃出如今宛如监狱的地方。 自己就是紧抓着那个梦不放，结果才会落到这般田地。 然而，该怎么向这个男人解释那件事？ 纳拉达尔·拉占德拉注视着深町说： “那台相机还不确定是马洛里的相机。即使是同一款机种，也不晓得是不是马洛里带去的那一台。如果从客观的角度思考，应当假设是另一台相机。在七十多年前，带去圣母峰顶的相机，为何如今会在加德满都呢——？” "—" “但是，假如那台相机是真品、假如藉由它知道第一个登上圣母峰的人是谁，你不觉得这个新闻能以相当大的一笔金额，卖给海外的媒体吗？即使对你们日本人而言是不屑一顾的金额，对我们尼泊尔人而言却是一笔天文数字。怎么样呢——？” “什么怎么样？” “我的意思是，我们能够互相协助。” “协助？” “是的。你我目的一致。我们互相协助，单就那台相机带来的好处，你我五五对分——” "—" “我能够马上调查那个日本人住在哪里。你和他同样是日本人，能够和他谈好条件，让那台相机落入我们手中。顺便也能从他口中问出，是在哪里得到那台相机的……” “那个男人不会说的……” “既然这样，你为何来到加德满都呢？如今为何试图寻找那台相机的下落呢——？” asked Naradar Rachandra. 这个问题就像是深町先前逼问自己、类似散发黯淡光芒的刀刃般的问题。 究竟你来到加德满都，想要做什么呢？