At the break of a clear early‑summer morning, a heavily loaded Zis‑150 truck rolls out of Ulaanbaatar on a dusty western road. Driver Ider, a veteran of more than ten years, sits behind the wheel, chatting intermittently with his passenger Erdene, the expedition’s geologist, who is dressed in a faded blue jumpsuit and appears tired but attentive. In the back seat sit Professor Bat, the senior expedition leader; Bayar, now an engineer‑geologist on his first field survey; Tomor, the collector; and Nikolay Vladimirovich Panov, a Russian geologist in a gray jumpsuit with a patch of sun‑bleached hair. Panov, a former cavalryman who rose from squad leader to commander during the war, recounts his service and mentions a Mongolian comrade named Jigm, whose fate he does not know.

Bat immediately begins a rambling, uninterrupted speech, recounting a personal journey on the same road fifty years earlier, describing the landscape, historic buildings, and the hardships of past travelers. He weaves in philosophical reflections about humanity, the value of sharing stories, and even jokes about cigarettes. Throughout the drive, the vehicle passes grazing herds, distant farms, and the outlines of the city’s outskirts, while Bat continues his monologue, occasionally being interrupted by Bayar’s quiet comments.

Bayar, still haunted by his recent meeting with Gerel at the Sukhbaatar monument, internally debates his feelings for her. He attempts to stay composed as he engages with Bat, who teases him about an “golden road” and a “late lover,” and later offers him a “Kazbek” cigarette from Ider. Ider, after a brief exchange, produces a tin of cigarettes, lights one, and hands it to Bayar, prompting a brief, awkward conversation about smoking habits.

Inside the truck, Bayar dons new black and orange gear, adjusts his compass and altimeter, and reflects on his long‑ago dedication to becoming a geologist. He notes that this field assignment is his first as an engineer, and his emotional state fluctuates between determination and lingering melancholy about Gerel.

The chapter intersperses vivid descriptions of the surrounding steppe—herds of cattle, scattered houses, and the occasional lone rider—while Bat’s historical anecdotes give a sense of the region’s past. The dialogue among the characters remains sparse, dominated by Bat’s monologue, Panov’s war stories, and Bayar’s quiet internal conflict. The group continues toward their planned remote survey site, the narrative ending as they drive deeper into the wilderness.