64: Horseback into the mountains

The sun outside was scorching, but the highland wind was cool, neutralizing that heat just right when it blew against the body.

Since he was stuffed, he might as well go walk it off.

He decided to take a stroll around Four Sisters Mountain Town to see if there was anything fun to do in the middle of the day.

Jiang Yuan put on his sunglasses, shoved his hands into his pockets, and strolled slowly down the slope.

The ultraviolet rays on the plateau were intense, and the sunlight was so blinding that it was hard to keep one's eyes open.

The roadsides were lined with local Tibetans setting up street stalls.

Compared to the nighttime market that was purely for the hustle and bustle, the daytime bazaar had a more authentic, lived-in atmosphere.

On both sides of the small town's streets, countless charcoal stoves were set up.

Amidst the swirling smoke, the air was filled with the aroma of barbecue.

The barbecue skewers here were completely different from the style in coastal cities, which usually involved thick sauces and heavy seasonings.

Jiang Yuan bought two large skewers, one lamb and one beef.

The meat was cut into large chunks, skewered on red willow branches, and sizzling with oil as it roasted over the charcoal fire.

He took a bite.

There were no fancy, gimmicky seasonings, just a little salt and cumin, preserving the original savory flavor of the meat to the greatest extent.

The more he chewed, the more fragrant it became, and there wasn't a trace of gamey odor.

"Give me a cup of butter tea."

Jiang Yuan stood at the roadside stall and took the hot tea handed to him by the elderly woman.

The light brown milk tea had a thin layer of oil floating on the surface.

Drinking it, it was perfectly balanced between salty and sweet, and the rich milky aroma instantly enveloped his entire mouth.

This was brewed with authentic yak milk and butter.

It was infinitely better than the milk tea in the city, which was full of "technology and harsh additives."

Jiang Yuan smacked his lips with a hint of regret.

If he had known, he should have brought his thermos out, filled it up, and taken it with him to drink on the go.

He wandered to a street corner.

A few elderly Tibetan men wearing felt hats were playing cards around a low table.

Although he couldn't understand what they were saying, the way they slammed their cards down and their hearty laughter made Jiang Yuan stop and watch for quite a while.

On a hitching post by the roadside, a few tall horses were grazing with their heads down, snorting from time to time.

He wandered until late at night.

During this time, he met a few children with "plateau red" cheeks, chasing and playing on the street.

Those rosy little cheeks were a delight to look at.

Jiang Yuan found it interesting, so he went to a convenience store, swept up a pile of chocolates and candies, and gave each child a big handful.

Watching their shy yet happy smiles, he couldn't help but smile too.

The next morning.

The air in Four Sisters Mountain Town was so good that it made one want to pack a couple of cans to take away.

After a simple Tibetan-style breakfast of tsampa and sweet tea at his homestay, Jiang Yuan packed his gear and set off.

Today, he was wearing a professional, top-of-the-line outdoor shell jacket and heavy-duty hiking boots.

Blending into the crowd at the scenic area entrance, he looked no different from the hikers from all over the country.

However, most people were holding trekking poles and carrying heavy packs taller than themselves.

Those were the hardcore players intending to challenge the First Peak, Second Peak, or even Yaomei Peak.

Jiang Yuan looked up at the snow-capped peaks towering into the clouds in the distance.

He shook his head.

Climbing snow mountains? That could wait for later.

He hadn't even left Western Sichuan yet; seeing enough of the scenery was the priority.

He parked his brabus in the scenic area parking lot.

Jiang Yuan bought a ticket and boarded the sightseeing bus to Changping Valley.

The ride wasn't long, and he soon arrived at the starting point for hiking.

After walking along the road for a while, a bustling horse farm appeared before his eyes.

Dozens of fine horses were lined up neatly by the roadside, waiting for tourists to choose them.

Because he arrived early, the good horses hadn't been picked over yet.

At a glance, Jiang Yuan took a liking to a large, solid black horse with a shiny coat and lively eyes.

"This is the one."

Jiang Yuan patted the horse's neck.

He had practiced equestrianism at local stables a few times before; although he couldn't be considered a professional, he knew the basic essentials.

He stepped into the stirrup with his left foot, grabbed the saddle with his right hand, and engaged his core.

With a "whoosh."

His movement was clean and dashing, and he sat firmly on the horse's back.

Even the Tibetan man leading the horse couldn't help but give him a thumbs up: "Boss, you're a pro!"

Today's group was very small.

Besides the staff member leading the horses, there was only Jiang Yuan and a young woman who looked like a college student.

The young woman wasn't very tall, and judging by her accent, she was from the south. She was nervously gripping the saddle, her face a mix of curiosity and fear.

Jiang Yuan, carrying a lightweight outdoor pack, rode the black horse at the back of the line, looking as leisurely as if he were patrolling his territory.

With the clip-clop of horse hooves.

The group arrived at the first stop—Sigula Temple.

This was a typical Tibetan Buddhist temple, backed by snow-capped mountains, solemn and majestic.

The most eye-catching part was its walls.

They weren't painted with oil paint, but rather a textured white that shone brightly under the sun.

"Handsome Guy, look at this wall, isn't it white?"

The man leading the horses was talkative and pointed to the temple to enlighten him:

"This isn't lime, you know. It's built with local stones, then splashed with a mixture of milk, honey, sugar, and white lime."

"It's very sweet! That's why we also call it the 'Sweet-Splashed Wall'."

Jiang Yuan was stunned: "Splashed with milk and honey?"

That was quite extravagant and quite devout.

"That's because we revere the color white."

The man explained with a smile:

"Look at those snow-capped mountains; they are symbols of holiness. Look at the milk; it is the source that nourishes us."

"So here, white represents holiness and auspiciousness."

Jiang Yuan nodded, his gaze falling on the temple's doors and windows.

They were painted in a heavy black.

"What about the black?"

"Black is the color of the Dharma protectors!"

The man's tone became a bit more serious:

"Black can ward off evil and suppress unclean things, so the window frames and door frames must be black."

Jiang Yuan was thoughtful, his gaze moving upward to the red walls at the top of the temple.

"And red must represent the monks, right?"

"Exactly!"

The man gave Jiang Yuan an approving look.

"That's called 'Lama Red'."

"Red represents fire, strength, and also the spirit of being willing to endure hardship and practice."

"Ordinary people wouldn't dare to use red casually in their homes; only temples, palaces, and the robes of great lamas can use it."

"As for the yellow..."

The man pointed to the golden roof.

"That's just like your ancient Han emperors; it represents nobility and the status of the Buddha."

Listening to this grounded explanation from the man.

Looking at the colorful temple before him, Jiang Yuan suddenly felt it was no longer just a beautiful building.

Behind every splash of color was a heavy weight of faith and culture.

So, this is what they meant by "it is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books."

After visiting Sigula Temple, the group continued deeper into the mountains.

The mountain road began to get rugged, and as the horses' hooves stepped on the gravel, the bumping sensation increased significantly.

The young woman from the south walking in front clearly didn't know how to ride a horse.

"Ouch... Oh my..."

With a stumble of her horse, the young woman exclaimed in fright, her body jerking to one side, and she was about to slide off.

The man leading the horses was at the very front and didn't react in time.

"Careful."

Jiang Yuan was quick-witted and agile.

He squeezed the horse's belly with his legs, and the black horse beneath him, seemingly very intelligent, lunged forward two steps.

Jiang Yuan reached out and firmly steadied the young woman's teetering shoulders.

The strength brought by his 40 points of Constitution made his support as steady as Mount Tai, immediately righting the young woman back onto the saddle.

"Hold tight to the iron ring on the saddle, relax your body, and don't stiffen up."

Jiang Yuan's voice was steady and powerful.