eurekapd Chapter 108 The Destination is Litang
Chapter 108 The Destination is Litang
The morning light in Xinduqiao, like a veil, gently draped over the scattered Tibetan-style houses of the town. Zhang Bei parked his pickup truck by the roadside, its body covered in the marks of travel—the "medals" he'd earned from driving along Highway 318. Today's destination was Litang, the "City in the Sky" that shone brightly between legend and reality.
Xiao Xing, sitting in the passenger seat, stared at the fleeting scenery outside the window, a sense of wonder dancing in her eyes as she journeyed to the plateau. She was a city white-collar worker, trapped in her job for too long. She had resigned and embarked on the 318 shopping festival, seeking a glimpse of freedom.
In the back seat was an elderly couple, Uncle Li and Aunt Zhang, who were hitchhiking. Their hair was gray, but they looked energetic. They carried with them the unfulfilled dream of traveling from their youth, and kept reciting stories about Litang that they had heard, such as the poetry of Tsangyang Gyatso and the mystery of Mount Genyen.
As the car drove out of Xinduqiao, the road meandered and climbed, the mountains became gradually more majestic, the grassland spread out like a green carpet, and yaks were scattered among them, like the notes of the earth.
Zhang Bei hummed a Tibetan song, the melody echoing through the carriage. Xiao Xing couldn't help but ask about the origins of the song. Zhang Bei grinned and said, "This is what shepherds sing to the snow-capped mountains, asking them to protect their cattle and sheep and the grasslands." Uncle Li listened and sighed, "Isn't this closeness between man and nature what we've been pursuing all along this journey?"
We reached a viewing platform and everyone disembarked to stretch out. The wind howled, bringing a biting chill. Xiao Xing wrapped herself tightly in her jacket and gazed out into the distance. A sea of clouds swirled across the valley, and sunlight penetrated the gaps in the clouds, casting golden beams like a miracle.
Aunt Zhang excitedly pulled Uncle Li to take a photo, and the wrinkles of time were full of childlike innocence.
Xiao Xing stood on the edge of the cliff, her heart surging. The hustle and bustle of the city was thousands of miles away. The magnificent scenery before her made her think about the busy and competitive past. Under this boundless sky, she was as small as dust. Freedom is so unrestrained. All it takes is a piece of heaven and earth and a breeze.
As we set off again, the road became increasingly treacherous, with a steep cliff on one side and a deep ravine on the other. The road beneath our wheels was a washboard, and the car was jolting violently. Tension permeated the car, and Xiao Xing clutched the handrail tightly, her face pale.
Zhang Bei calmly controlled the steering wheel and soothed him, "Don't be afraid. This road looks scary, but we'll be careful and make it through safely."
Uncle Li also encouraged him: "The previous generations who entered Tibet had a much harder time than us. This little bit of danger is just a test."
The car turned the corner with difficulty, and suddenly a group of cyclists appeared in front of us. They were carrying large and small bags, their clothes soaked with sweat, but their faces were full of determination.
Zhang Bei was filled with admiration and rolled down the window and shouted, "Come on!" What he responded with was hearty laughter and high morale, which showed the mutual understanding on the road to chasing dreams.
The wind from Xinduqiao was still howling outside the car window, as if reluctant to let the travelers leave. The RV took Sister Xiao Tao, Li Fugui and their companions to Litang.
Nearing Litang, at the end of the grassland, the city of Litang loomed like a mirage, its Golden Dome Temple gleaming in the sunlight. Driving into the city, the streets were filled with Tibetan charm: fluttering prayer flags, spinning prayer wheels, and Tibetans in traditional attire, each exuding a simple and pious air. At Changqingchun Khor Monastery, the crowd entered the solemn Buddhist hall, where butter lamps flickered, Buddha statues gazed compassionately, and the lingering Buddhist chants seemed to cleanse the soul.
Zhang Nan closed her eyes and stood quietly, the troubles of the world dissipated like smoke, and her heart was filled with peace. She realized that this journey was an exile for the body, but also a homecoming for the soul. In this place closest to the sky, she found the lost purity.
As soon as Sister Tao stepped out of the car, her waist-length braids fluttered wildly in the wind. She took a deep breath of the thin yet crisp air, her eyes filled with ecstasy. "Oh, Fugui, look at this place! It's like a painting, even more beautiful than in my dreams!" Then, she pulled an old camera from her bag and started snapping away at the Changqingchun Kerr Temple, its golden dome gleaming in the distance.
Li Fugui, who was as strong as an ox, scratched his head and smiled innocently. In his hand, he tightly grasped the thermos cup prepared for Sister Xiao Tao, which contained freshly brewed butter tea. "Run slower and drink some tea first, otherwise you will get altitude sickness."
Sister Xiao Tao waved her hand nonchalantly and pulled him to the street. There were Tibetans setting up stalls with a wide variety of goods, including colorful handmade Tibetan carpets embroidered with mysterious totems, and strings of exquisite Buddhist beads exuding the ancient scent of sandalwood.
Sister Tao was drawn to a blanket embroidered with the sacred Mount Genyen. She knelt down to stroke it, haggling over the price with the vendor in her broken Tibetan, using hand gestures. The vendor, a cheerful Khampa man with a toothy smile, loudly described the traditional needlework techniques used for the blanket. Li Fugui listened intently, occasionally offering a few words of praise.
While we were bargaining, there was a sudden commotion on the street. It turned out that the local Guozhuang dance had begun. Men, women, young and old formed a circle, swinging their long sleeves, taking heavy steps, and their skirts flying like colorful butterflies.
Xiao Tao instantly caught on. She dropped the blanket and dragged Li Fugui into the dance. Fugui was shy at first, but couldn't resist Xiao Tao's insistent tugging and started swaying too. They mimicked the others, their movements clumsy but full of enthusiasm. Their steps stomped along the stone pavement, each one punctuated by a cheerful drumbeat. Worldly worries vanished, the highland sunshine shone down, illuminating their rosy, smiling faces.
After the dance, the group found a sweet teahouse to rest. The room was cozy and filled with sweet aromas. Li Fugui poured Sister Tao a full cup, and the tea swayed in the cup, reflecting Sister Tao's sparkling eyes. "Fugui, this journey was so worth it. From Xinduqiao, where it looked like an overturned palette, to Litang, it feels like I've stumbled into a place where the gods live," Sister Tao said, smacking her lips as she took a sip of tea.
Li Fugui nodded vigorously, "I also heard that there is a holy lake nearby, and the lake water can reflect people's wishes. Let's go and have a look tomorrow?" Sister Xiao Tao's eyes lit up and she clapped her hands on the table and cheered.
The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, they rented a horse and loaded it with provisions, heading for the Holy Lake. Dew shimmered on the meadows along the way, and the horses' hooves trotted past, startling wild rabbits in the brush. As they reached the mountainside, mist shrouded the area. Sister Tao's nose was red from the cold. Fugui quickly threw his thick coat over her, muttering, "Dear, please don't freeze. No matter how beautiful the scenery is, it's not as important as your health."
When the holy lake comes into view, the water is like a huge sapphire, so clear that it seems to see through the world. The surrounding snow-capped mountains are reflected in it, so holy that it makes people speechless.
Sister Tao walked to the lakeside, knelt down, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and made a wish. The breeze ruffled her hair. After a long moment, she opened her eyes and tears trickled down. Li Fugui panicked, "Dear, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Sister Tao burst into laughter and patted him. "Li Fugui, I'm just happy. I feel like having you by my side along the way and being able to see such beautiful scenery makes all the troubles we've had so far seem nothing. I hope our future lives can be like this lake, calm and clear."
On the way back, the setting sun covered the earth with a golden veil. Li Fugui led the horse, and Sister Xiao Tao hummed a tuneless little song, their figures elongated in the afterglow.
At dusk, everyone sat on a meadow outside the city, gazing at the sky dyed red by the afterglow, the snow-capped mountains draped in gold, the plains a dreamlike painting. Zhang Nan brought out some barley wine, and everyone gathered around, sipping it gently, the rich flavor spreading on their tongues. Sister Xiaotao's phone lit up; it was a message from Sister Xiaoyu, asking about her trip. She typed a reply: "In Litang, I found my heart's desire. Freedom isn't far away; it's in every step towards heaven and earth, between awe and love."
At this moment, 318 is no longer a simple road for them, but a rope that connects the soul stations, connecting the fireworks of the world and the sacred mountains and rivers, and sending every tired heart back to a clear state.
For them, it is a journey of searching for scenery, but also a wonderful journey of connecting hearts and finding the true nature of life. The road ahead is still long, but the memory of Litang has been deeply engraved in the depths of their souls, becoming a shining warm comfort in the difficult times to come.