Chapter 119: Crossing the No-Man's Land

After meeting, Yu Qian took out a map and began introducing their plan. "I've been to the Tibetan region a few times before. Let's rest for a night in the city. Tomorrow morning, we'll meet with an experienced local guide to venture deeper into Tibet. The round trip should take about three to four days. How about finishing with some sightseeing?"

Zhuang Chen was indifferent. "No problem. This trip is just to relax. Thanks for coming along, Qian. Your main goal this time is to buy a Tibetan Mastiff, right? Do you have a specific type in mind?"

Yu Qian, excited, pointed at the map. "Although Tibetan Mastiff farms are spread across the country, the core breeding areas for purebred Tibetan Mastiffs are still concentrated in three regions: Tibet, Yushu, and Hequ."

Having done his homework, he outlined the route. "From my experience, the southern side of the Himalayas and northern Tibet have relatively isolated geographic conditions, so hybridization is rare there."

"They are tall and sturdy, with solid builds and strong limbs, belonging to the breathing type. The most common coat is black on the back and yellow on the belly, with the black-backed and reddish-brown bellied variety being the most prized."

"Then there’s Yushu, Guoluo, and surrounding areas in Qinghai Province. Most Tibetan Mastiffs there have thick neck fur, but once taken away from their native regions—like to the dry northern areas in winter—they often shed heavily."

"Their bloodline is distinguished by the thick, ring-shaped mane around the head and neck, classified as the lion type, fully embodying the essence of the Tibetan Mastiff."

"The border area between Gansu and Qinghai, collectively called the Hequ region by Tibetans, is relatively closed off. Under harsh cold conditions, valuable bloodlines have been preserved through long-term selective breeding. Classified as the tiger type, these dogs are robust and well-proportioned, with bold personalities and strong hostility toward strangers, making them the best guards."

Afterwards, the group took a taxi to the hotel to settle in. Yu Qian began contacting the guide and arranging the vehicle, preparing for an early departure the next day.

After hanging up, he said with satisfaction, "A friend introduced me to a professional and experienced guide named Baza. Many people who come to Tibet to find Mastiffs contact him. He’s very experienced and responsible—he provides a driver and two Hummers."

Zhuang Chen was unfazed, confident with Xia Long and Xia Hu by his side; no place was intimidating. After setting the itinerary, they found the most renowned restaurant to enjoy a specialty meal. Tomorrow, they would begin roughing it, venturing deep into uninhabited areas.

Though the high-altitude sickness was said to be harsh, Zhuang Chen felt nothing and slept until naturally waking. After breakfast, Yu Qian received a call from Baza, saying he was already at the hotel entrance. They packed and checked out.

“Are you Mr. Yu and Mr. Zhuang?” The stout Tibetan man in his early forties greeted them warmly as they reached the meeting point.

“Hello, Baza. I’m Yu Qian. Thank you for taking us into the wilderness these days,” Yu Qian said politely.

Baza laughed heartily. “No need for thanks. I make my living as a guide—it's my duty. Come on, get in the car; the journey is long, and we can talk as we go.”

They loaded their luggage into the spacious Hummer, already packed with supplies. Since they were heading far from the city, they had to bring everything they might need, including several barrels of gasoline.

The driver, Baza’s relative, was in his thirties and very experienced with frequent trips to the Tibetan region. Once on board, Baza laid out the map for Zhuang Chen and Yu Qian, densely marked with several routes based on his years of guiding. He wanted them to have a clear idea.

Yu Qian glanced over it and said, "We trust the professional. You decide."

Baza nodded approvingly. He had seen many wealthy clients who knew nothing and liked to boss others around. If you hire a professional guide, you should listen to them.

“Since your goal is to find Tibetan Mastiffs, I recommend this route,” Baza said, pointing to a red line on the map. “This is the path with the best chance of encountering purebred Mastiffs. I know several Tibetan families with good dogs, but it’s a tough journey. Are you up for it?”

Seeing them nod in agreement, Baza silently approved. The worst thing for a guide was clients who couldn’t handle hardship, picking the hardest route only to give up halfway and waste time.

Suddenly, Baza became serious. “Since we’re going deep into Tibetan territory, I must explain the rules. Tibetans have their own customs and beliefs. When we get there, you must listen to me. Don’t act on your own—it could cause misunderstandings and trouble.”

They agreed. Tibetan faith was pure, and their culture hardy, filled with many rules. It was best to follow local customs.

“Second, it’s about fate. Every year, I take a dozen groups into Tibet to find Mastiffs, but most come back empty-handed. To you city folks, a Tibetan Mastiff may just be a big dog—impressive and profitable. But to the real Tibetans, these dogs are brothers, family, their guardians!”

Baza spoke earnestly. The current craze for Mastiffs had many wealthy people eager to select the best dogs in Tibet, but the results were often disappointing.

Tibetans were generally reluctant to sell their dogs. They depended on these fierce Mastiffs to herd and defend against wild beasts, forming deep bonds. In remote mountains, money was less valuable than practical supplies. If you were stranded in a desert, would you choose a cup of water or a million dollars?

Of course, some Tibetans did sell Mastiffs, mostly young puppies. Adult Mastiffs were difficult to tame and required the owner to stay with them for two or three years to accept a new master.

Therefore, selling puppies was more common. After the Mastiff’s mating season, a female might produce five or six pups, keeping two or three good ones and selling the rest. With more Mastiff enthusiasts each year, prices rose steadily. Tibetan children needed schooling, so many families began selling puppies. Baza knew several such families.

The entire route was nonstop for at least two or three days, with two fuel resupply stops. As they drove, they chatted and admired the pristine natural scenery.

Along the way, they saw many devoted Buddhists performing long prostrations. Zhuang Chen folded his hands in reverence, feeling deep respect. Faith was a practice of the body and mind; enduring such hardships to strengthen faith and purify thoughts marked a true believer.

Later, once familiar with Baza, Yu Qian began inquiring about fake Tibetan Mastiffs locally.

Baza hesitated briefly but was honest. “In city dog markets, some fake Mastiffs are sold. A few years ago, many were deceived, paying high prices for fakes. But these cases have decreased recently. The bar for Tibetan Mastiffs is high, and prices are steep—only a few can afford to raise them.”

“Experts like you prefer to come to Tibet yourselves to select dogs—one for certainty, two for variety. The dogs raised by Tibetans aren’t pets. Even if not pure Mastiffs, they are fierce. They help herd livestock, guard homes, and fend off wolves—they’re protectors.”

Baza, a native Tibetan, was deeply attached to these dogs. Local livestock were the main wealth. Without dogs, herding was difficult, and wolves could attack, causing loss of both goods and money.

“The fiercer the Mastiff, the more it has endured nature’s test. Survival of the fittest is the law set by heaven. In my view, so-called bloodlines are the result of long-term natural selection and evolution. Even an ordinary dog, surviving in harsh conditions for years, becomes fiercely wild.”

Yu Qian nodded, asking, “Is it true that native Tibetan Mastiffs are the best breed?”

“Definitely. Native Mastiffs are the essence refined through nature’s trials. The story of one dog fighting nine wolves is exaggerated, but I saw one Mastiff kill three wild wolves with my own eyes! No matter how good the bloodline, without hardship, it’s not considered a good Mastiff by Tibetans.”

All creatures in nature follow survival of the fittest, humans included. Animals evolve strength and speed; humans enhance intellect and technology. The essence is the same. Special forces are formidable because they’ve faced life-and-death trials, becoming the strongest warriors.

After driving half a day along the highway, the road became scarce and rougher. They truly entered the Tibetan pastoral areas.

The vast, endless landscape had no fixed landmarks, making orientation difficult. Thanks to Baza’s expertise, they safely navigated several dangerous stretches. By evening, they reached a small village where they would rest for the night.

“We’ll stay here tonight. I know the herders well. We’ll visit his home tonight,” Baza arranged, helping them unload luggage and settle accommodations.

After dinner, the two restless men, aching from the day’s journey, decided to stretch their legs.

Yu Qian, visiting for the first time, was excited. “Let’s walk around and see if there are any good Mastiffs nearby.”

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