Chapter 569: Acting Contrary to the Way

"I wonder what plans you all have? Whatever you need, just speak up."

Xiao Ningxun thought for a moment, smiled faintly: "Do the opposite."

Wei Chi Ming's face showed puzzlement: "What do you mean?"

Xiao Ningxun said: "Please have the King prepare the most flamboyant attire for us, the kind that makes onlookers think, 'Where did this valuable caravan come from?'"

"With such a grand display and such wealth, the backing must be very solid."

"We want everyone who sees us to only have the urge to rush forward and curry favor."

He paused, then laughed: "That way, who would think we're going to kidnap people?"

Wei Chi Ming was startled for a moment, then clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Excellent! The more flamboyant, the less anyone can guess your true purpose!"

He examined Xiao Ningxun closely: "Young man, to have such strategy—seems I truly chose the right person this time."

Xiao Ningxun replied: "The King overpraises."

Tuan Tuan blinked: "Third Brother, we're supposed to pose as very rich people, right?"

Xiao Ningxun smiled and nodded: "Exactly."

Tuan Tuan puffed out his little chest: "Then I'll be the richest one!"

"Alright." Xiao Ningxun patted his sister's little head.

He rose and saluted: "Thank you, King. We'll return to the inn to pack our gear and set out tomorrow."

Wei Chi Ming nodded: "Very well. Early tomorrow I'll send people to deliver the supplies you'll need for this trip."

He raised his cup: "Everyone, this drink is my send‑off for you."

Except for Xue Tong and the two youngsters, everyone else stood, raised their cups, and drank it down in one gulp.

Tuan Tuan pointed at his small bowl and looked at Wei Chi Ming: "This is delicious; could you bring me another bowl?"

Wei Chi Ming laughed heartily: "Fine! Someone, bring a jar of curd juice!"

Soon a servant came in carrying a small jar and set it on the table.

Xiao Er lifted the jar, and the party took their leave.

Early the next morning, before dawn fully broke.

The inn's waiter shouted urgently from outside the door: "Patron! Patron!"

Xiao Ningxun opened his eyes, glanced at Tuan Tuan sleeping soundly on the nearby couch, stepped down lightly, and opened the door: "What's the matter, so early?"

The waiter, excited, gestured wildly: "Please go out and have a look!"

"The items we delivered have filled the entrance of our little shop!"

Xiao Ningxun turned, draped his outer robe over his shoulders, and strode out.

The others, startled by the noise, also walked out of the inn.

When they looked up, everyone froze.

A carriage entirely jet‑black, inlaid with silver‑thread floral patterns, stood silently at the inn's doorway.

Its body was a circle wider than a normal carriage; the wheels were wrapped in refined iron; the roof's four corners bore golden tassels; the curtains were made of a colorful woven rug, thick and splendid.

Six pure‑white steeds pulling the carriage had snow‑bright coats with no speck of other color; their heads wore golden reins adorned with red tassels.

Seated on the carriage's box was a man of Hu ethnicity in his early forties, his eyes bright and spirited.

Seeing them emerge, the man stepped down smoothly, placed his right hand on his chest and bowed: "I am Sa Dike, acting on the King's orders to guide the distinguished guests."

He raised his hand toward the back of the carriage: "These are what the King instructed to prepare; please have a look."

The group followed his hand and looked.

Behind the carriage trailed ten snow‑white camels, plump and robust, fully saddled, with bulging side bags and wooden crates hanging from both humps.

Xiao Ningyuan exclaimed in surprise: "White camels?"

"Indeed," Sa Dike smiled, "Typical camels are brown; pure white ones are extremely rare, one in ten thousand miles."

"To bring out ten white camels at once, there are hardly any families in the Western Regions that can."

Sa Dike walked to the camels, opened a wooden crate, and inside neatly stacked a dozen or so bags: "These are twenty‑day rations, enough for your round trip."

He then opened several more crates, each filled with assorted gemstones, carved gold coins, fine silk, packed tightly to the brim.

"The King said, since this is a valuable caravan, these items are essential."

The next crate contained many rolls of Sheepskin Paper, several neatly stacked sheets of drawing paper, and a few cloth bags and leather pouches of varying sizes.

Sa Dike lifted those sheets of Sheepskin Paper and presented them to Xiao Ningxun with both hands.

"This is a map of the Kucha Kingdom, extremely detailed; the capital's streets and alleys are all marked."

He pointed to a small roll of Sheepskin Paper: "These are several hidden bases the King has in Kucha City, with instructions on contact and concealment."

"Once you arrive at Kucha, you can use this to seek their assistance."

He unfolded the two sheets of drawing paper.

The first depicted a middle‑aged man with a gentle face and lively eyes.

"This is the King's elder brother, Wei Chi Guang."

The second portrait showed a man with a square face, wide mouth, deep‑set eye sockets, a pair of hooked mustaches, and a sinister gaze.

"This is a newly commissioned portrait of Gu Li Han. The King says it resembles you more than the one you painted."

Sa Dike took out a cloth bag, opened it, and revealed a large handful of dried pale‑yellow flowers, petals curled, faintly exuding a medicinal scent.

"These are Snow Lotus of the Tianshan, one of the Western Regions' three treasures, highly nourishing; they are presented to the Old Valley Master."

"The King says the Old Valley Master is advanced in age; this journey is far, so please take extra care of his health."

Xue Tong's eyes brightened; he stepped forward a few paces, lifted a Snow Lotus to his nose and inhaled, the wrinkles on his face spreading into a smile:

"Fine stuff! Truly a rare treasure! Wei Chi Ming is still sensible!"

He looked at everyone with smug pride, his eyes gleaming: "See? All of this reflects my brilliance!"

Everyone couldn't help but smile slightly.

Sa Dike walked back to the carriage: "There's still a large jar of yogurt drink and several big boxes of pastries and jerky prepared for the little girl and that young master in the carriage."

Xiao Ningxun cupped his fists and said: "The Great King has thought of everything; thank you for the trouble."

Sa Dike took out a palm-sized round silver plaque from his bosom and handed it to Xiao Ningxun.

The silver plaque's front is engraved with a large cat covered in spots, and the back bears several lines of text.

This is the credentials for the Kucha Kingdom's trade route.

The Great King said, upon entering Kucha, if you encounter inspection, this is more useful than the Khotan Royal House's badge; they all recognize this.

Xiao Ningxun put away the silver plaque: "The Great King is most thoughtful; thank you."

Xiao Ningyuan glanced at the display stretching half a street: "The Great King really has thought of everything."

Sa Dike smiled: "The Great King said, whatever he could think of has already been prepared for you all; if there's anything he hasn't thought of, just speak up."

The Great King also said, I don't know how many troops you all need.

We have prepared a hundred guards, but it wouldn't be proper to have them all come to the inn's doorway.

If needed, I will personally take you to the Royal Palace; everyone is waiting there.

Xiao Ningxun thought for a moment, then shook his head: "No need."

He glanced at the splendid carriage and the snow-white camel, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting: "These are enough; too many people would be conspicuous."

Sa Dike nodded: "The honored guest is right. The carriage also has fine clothes prepared; changing into them will allow us to set off."

Xiao Ningxun looked at Xiao Er and Lu Qi: "Gather the brothers, have everyone change clothes, load the belongings onto the carriage, I'll go wake Tuan Tuan and the others; we'll depart in half an hour."

Yes!

Everyone busied themselves.

Not long after, Tuan Tuan and Kang An came running out.

The two little ones lifted their heads to gaze at the snow-white camel.

Tuan Tuan reached out and touched it: "It looks really nice! White is much nicer than dark, Xiao An'an, right?"

Kang An's eyes went wide: "Mm-hmm, yes."

Tuan Tuan took his hand: "Xiao An'an, get on the carriage! Second Uncle said the Great King also gave us a big jar of yogurt drink and lots of tasty treats!"

"Mm-hmm!" The two little ones happily scrambled into the carriage.

Everyone took their places, and Sa Dike cried, "Giddy-up!"

The procession slowly headed toward the city gate.