Among the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions, aside from a handful of major powers, a so-called "kingdom" was essentially just a single main city surrounded by smaller towns and fortified stockades spanning dozens or a hundred li.
Any realm that held multiple walled cities was already considered a formidable power.
For instance, the Kingdom of Loulan possessed a royal capital as well as two medium-sized cities within its borders, placing it firmly in the first tier of realms across the Western Regions. Furthermore, because of its proximity to the Central Plains, it had absorbed a great deal of Central Plains culture. Bustling and prosperous, it enjoyed great renown both in the Western Regions and throughout the Central Plains.
Loulan City.
"It doesn't feel that different from Longshan Prefecture," Zhao He remarked, glancing left and right.
"That's because Longshan Prefecture also has plenty of foreign merchants from the Western Regions," Zhao Shan replied, shaking his head.
After all, the Western Regions did not belong to the Central Plains. Wang Yu's title as the Great Jin's Prince of Zhenxi might intimidate local tyrants in small settlements like Feisha Town or Huanglong Market, but here, it would only put the Kingdom of Loulan on high alert.
Thus, they followed the example of the Shuntian Army, finding an oasis near the Ancient City of Loulan to temporarily station the Iron Eagle Cavalry. Wang Yu then brought the two women, along with Ma Bojun, Zhao Shan, and Zhao He, into Loulan to investigate.
Ma Bojun said, "The previous dynasty once established a Protectorate in the Western Regions to govern through loose rein. Unfortunately, it was later abolished for various reasons. The new dynasty's national strength is limited, and the Thirty-Six Kingdoms no longer acknowledge the Central Plains as their shared sovereign. Otherwise, there wouldn't be any need for such trouble."
"It's not that much trouble either," Wang Yu said with a shake of his head. "I heard the Kingdom of Loulan has only three thousand foot soldiers and eight hundred cavalry?"
Ma Bojun nodded. "The Western Regions are vast and sparsely populated. Scraping together three thousand soldiers is already quite an achievement. Further out, places like Yuli and Quli would struggle to muster even a thousand men. Only Kucha, located farther away, and Cheshi to the north are stronger than Loulan."
Li Yunxiu noted, "That is precisely why the previous dynasty's protectorate system was difficult to maintain. The Western Regions are vast, sparsely populated, and poor in resources, while stationing garrison troops costs a fortune. Even if foreign enemies were to invade, having Anxi Circuit as a buffer is sufficient. Vast though the Western Regions may be, the cost of governing them ultimately outweighs the benefits."
Ma Bojun nodded in understanding. "That makes sense."
"It doesn't make sense," Wang Yu disagreed, shaking his head. "Just because resources above ground are meager doesn't mean resources underground are scarce. Besides, the Western Regions are not without fertile lands of lush water and grass; otherwise, there wouldn't be thirty-six kingdoms here. If a major foreign power were to unify them, they could strike at Yumen Pass in the west and march north against Longshan Prefecture. Anxi Circuit wouldn't be able to hold them off at all, and right after that would come the prosperous Hexi Circuit and the heartland of the Central Plains."
"There are no great powers to the west, and neither the Black nor White Qiang tribes of the northwest possess such strength," Ma Bojun countered, glancing at Li Yunxiu.
Li Yunxiu, however, lapsed into silence.
Wang Yu moved past the topic. Following the city streets, they arrived before a relatively spacious inn. Looking up at the plaque inscribed with Chinese characters that read "Yuelai Inn," he was struck speechless. "Is this Loulan or the Central Plains?"
"Loulan is one of the kingdoms closest to the Central Plains, and many people from the Central Plains come here," Li Yunxiu said with a smile. "It's said that even the previous King of Loulan had Central Plains blood, and the grand general who usurped the throne thirty years ago was an outright Central Plains native."
Wang Yu nodded in realization. "True enough. Rebelling is indeed a favorite pastime of Central Plains folks."
Li Yunxiu was rendered speechless, while Qianqian chuckled under her breath. The group then stepped into the inn, which was distinctly built in the style of the Central Plains.
"Huh?"
The moment he crossed the threshold, Wang Yu spotted a familiar face. It was the chief escort who had been riding at the very front of the escort caravan they had encountered just after leaving Longshan Prefecture.
Accompanying the chief escort were two men clad in tight-fitting martial attire, while seated above them was a middle-aged merchant dressed in fine brocade.
Just as Wang Yu noticed them, they naturally noticed Wang Yu's party as well; after all, handsome men and striking women inevitably drew the attention of many patrons in the inn.
The chief escort instantly lowered his gaze. Under cover of the inn's bustling noise, he whispered to his companions, "I've seen those two old men before—they were in the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor's entourage back then. That young man must be Zhao Yu!"
The two men beside him immediately reined in their gazes as well. On the left, Duan Rui murmured, "What a coincidence. Why did they have to lodge here too?"
On the right, Song Yuanjing scoffed in contempt, "A pampered dandy to the core. Even when traveling abroad, he can't go anywhere without two women."
The middle-aged merchant said placidly, "Stop staring at women. That middle-aged man beside Zhao Yu is very likely the master of White Horse Manor."
"One Spear Calming the Waves, Ma Bojun?" The chief escort's eyelid twitched, feeling a mixture of nervousness and eager anticipation.
"Brother Zhao, the mission comes first," Duan Rui warned, startled by his demeanor.
The chief escort nodded. "Don't worry, I know."
This group was none other than the Shuntian Army detachment sent to rendezvous with the Song siblings and claim the treasure.
The middle-aged merchant was Niu Zilian, one of the two chief strategists of the Shuntian Army, while the chief escort was Zhao Lü, one of the Four Generals of Shuntian. Duan Rui and Song Yuanjing were also top martial experts in the rebel army. After stationing their subordinates in a nearby oasis, they had come to rendezvous with Niu Zilian.
"They're looking over," Song Yuanjing said in an undertone.
Duan Rui startled. "Did they recognize us?"
Zhao Lü grunted. "We crossed paths with them when leaving Longshan Prefecture."
Niu Zilian frowned. "Don't look. Cope with all shifts by remaining still."
The others voiced their agreement. Glancing out of the corner of his eye, Duan Rui saw one of the old men beside Wang Yu approach the innkeeper to request several superior rooms, after which the party of six took seats around a square table in the common hall.
Both Wang Yu and Ma Bojun carried long objects wrapped in cloth, which clinked softly as they set them on the table. Anyone with the slightest discernment could tell weapons were wrapped inside.
Those roaming the Western Regions were naturally not naive or saintly souls, especially a group traveling with two beautiful women. Even though both women wore veils, they could hardly conceal their alluring grace.
Those without real skill prudently averted their eyes.
Wang Yu glanced around. Aside from the Shuntian Army group, the hall held many native Loulan residents, foreign and Han merchants, Western Regions warriors bearing scimitars, and shrewd, battle-hardened martial artists from the Central Plains.
"My Lord, that man sitting in the corner seems to be the chief escort from the caravan we met outside Longshan Prefecture," Zhao Shan whispered. "Even if they were escorting goods beyond the pass, they shouldn't be dining and lodging here."
When traveling on business with a large caravan—whether delivering goods or returning empty-handed—they should not have been dining alone in such a fine inn inside the city.
Zhao He's eyelid twitched. "My Lord, could they be men from the Shuntian Army?"
As Wang Yu's personal bodyguards, both of them naturally knew the purpose of their journey and the potential adversaries they might face. Beyond the King of Loulan and the Mount Qi bandits, there were the Shuntian Army operatives sent to rendezvous with Song Chengyue and his sister to retrieve the treasure.
Wang Yu nodded. "Nine times out of ten."
"What an incredible coincidence, running into them the moment we arrived," Zhao Shan murmured, seeking instructions. "There are only four of them here, without their main force. Should we call our men to—"
Wang Yu shook his head. "No rush. We don't even know if they've made contact with the Song siblings or obtained the treasure map yet."
Zhao Shan understood at once and hurriedly admitted his fault. "This subordinate spoke rashly!"
Wang Yu waved a hand. "The Shuntian Army has traveled from afar and knows neither the land nor the people, so they pose little threat for now. Don't forget, there are still horse bandits and the Mount Qi bandits lurking in the shadows."
For the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, the primary objective of this expedition was to secure the Loulan treasure and return. But for Ma Bojun, who had accompanied them, the main goal was to wipe out the Mount Qi bandits.
White Horse Manor had been passed down for centuries; while not wealthy enough to rival a nation, it certainly did not lack money. Ma Bojun's interest in the Loulan treasure was far less than his fondness for the silver spear Wang Yu had gifted him.
"Han Dingyuan and Shi Yinyu once appeared in Feisha Town, but Chang Feng said he never saw them in Huanglong Market, which proves they also took a different path."
"The Mount Qi bandits collude with the Western Regions' horse bandits. The farther they get from the Central Plains, the better they know the terrain. Right now, they might very well be hiding in those oases controlled by the horse bandits."
"Yet they must have people in Loulan as well. After all, their target is the Loulan treasure," Ma Bojun said.
"Not necessarily," Li Yunxiu shook her head. "The Loulan treasure cannot be inside the city. It is more likely located in that abandoned Ancient City of Loulan, so they might be lying in ambush around those ruins."
Just as the waiter served them wine and dishes, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the inn entrance, followed by the shuffling of people dismounting and walking. Five or six people filed into the inn, clustering around a man and a woman.
The couple appeared to be in their thirties or forties. The man had a light beard beneath his chin and handsome features, while the woman, despite fine crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, remained stunningly voluptuous, her mature charm fully intact.
Ma Bojun's eyes flashed. "Han Dingyuan!"
"Ma Bojun?" The man gave a start, instinctively reaching toward the Cloud-Piercing Bow held by a subordinate behind him.
The woman, however, pulled him back. Casting a flirtatious smile at Ma Bojun, she led her followers to a table on the other side of the inn.
"Tsk, tsk." Qianqian looked at Li Yunxiu. "Was your mouth blessed by monks in the capital?"
Li Yunxiu shot Qianqian a sidelong glance, then said abruptly, "The Four Great Bandits of Mount Qi aren't all here. The Impermanence Sword and Old Freak Black Wind are nowhere to be seen."
"What do you mean?" Qianqian asked.
"Look at them. They aren't travel-stained in the least, which shows they didn't come from afar today. And look at the waiter taking their order—he clearly doesn't recognize them, meaning they aren't staying at this inn either."
Qianqian did not quite understand. "And so?"
"So they aren't staying in the city. Yet according to the commander at Yumen Pass, they should have arrived in Loulan half a month ago."
Li Yunxiu remarked calmly, "That proves they really are staying in a nearby oasis. The Impermanence Sword and Old Freak Black Wind didn't come; it's just that White Flower Fairy Shi Yinyu couldn't bear the solitude, so she dragged Cloud-Piercing Arrow Han Dingyuan along to Loulan's royal city to accompany her shopping."
Qianqian thought it over and found herself unable to refute it, but still could not resist asking, "How can you be so sure?"
Li Yunxiu gave Qianqian a sidelong glance. "Because you are always dragging Husband out to browse the streets."
Qianqian finally caught on. Tugging at Wang Yu's arm, she whined in mock grievance, "Brother Yu, she's comparing you to Han Dingyuan!"
When in truth, Li Yunxiu had been comparing Qianqian to Shi Yinyu.
Yet jostled helplessly by her shaking, Wang Yu could only nod. "Fine, fine, next time I'll accompany her shopping instead."
Qianqian glared. "No way!"
Li Yunxiu pursed her lips, then suddenly said, "It seems Han Dingyuan and his group know the Shuntian Army as well?"
The others looked up just in time to see Zhao Lü and Han Dingyuan exchange glances before turning away.
Zhao Shan's pupils constricted. "Could the Mount Qi bandits be colluding with the Shuntian Army?"
If the Mount Qi bandits were in league with the Shuntian Army and joined forces, then even though Ma Bojun was a Xiantian expert, he might not be able to fend them off if they swarmed together.
Everyone could not help looking at Li Yunxiu.
Li Yunxiu narrowed her eyes, offering no hasty conclusion. "Let's wait and see. The Shuntian Army has come from afar, while the Mount Qi bandits are voraciously greedy. Even if they cooperate, they will never be of one heart and mind."
Chapter 56