As the sun set in the west, a long trade caravan appeared on the official road outside West Plain City.
This caravan came from the direction of the Western Regions, with tall double-humped camels carrying large parcels of goods, and hundreds of elite Samurai guarding them from front to back, accompanied by several four-wheeled carriages.
A few hundred steps away from the city gate, the caravan suddenly stopped moving. The leading Western Samurai shouted loudly, trying hard to control the restless, anxious mounts.
The shouts and the screeches of the horses were intertwined, disturbing the people sitting in the carriage compartments.
A robust man with a hooked beard wearing a brocade robe opened the window and stuck his head out, a puzzled look in his emerald green eyes.
He said in a deep voice, "Ah Buli, go and check out what's going on."
A young Samurai, who had been following beside the carriage, immediately spurred his horse forward.
