Chapter 67: Contact, Conflict (6000 words combined)

People bustled around, their voices boiling over like waves.

The Provincial Official's gaze shifted from those jade-like eyes to a face that bore exotic features, seemingly smiling yet not, looking at him; covered by a Scholar's headscarf, the visible portions were distinctly different from those of the Central Plains folk, with hair strands faintly red.

Behind her stood a middle-aged man with an expressionless face, hands behind his back, a high-bridged nose, and light yellow hair and beard that were slightly curly, his eyes a muddy light blue— a typical visage of someone from the Western Regions.

They were indeed the pair of nobles from Baekje in the Western Regions.

The Provincial Official took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. After all, as a Fifth Rank official, he should maintain his dignity when facing foreign dignitaries. A few moments later, he relaxed his brows and spoke calmly,

"I am unaware of why our distinguished guests are here."