Chapter 1360: Eviction Order

Chapter 1361: The Order to Depart

"Furthermore, on behalf of the Xuan Yu Realm Government, I am issuing a recruitment announcement to the entire realm. If you, or anyone you know, are a hidden possessor of divine powers—whether a member of the Twilight Society, a Usurper of Fire, or a civilian unable to show yourselves for various reasons—we urge you to come forward now and fight alongside the Xuan Yu Realm. The Xuan Yu Realm Government will overlook past grievances and promises compensation after the war..."

In the quiet room, Chen Ling heard the rarely heard, slightly panicked female voice from the radio, and his eyes narrowed slightly. Although the reporter repeatedly stressed that the front-line situation was under control, it was clear that the Xuan Yu Realm couldn't hold on much longer. The front lines were collapsing, defenses were falling back, and hope could only be placed on reinforcements from Lingxu and the South Sea. While reinforcements sounded strong and reassuring, the problem was: with the realm trains currently out of service, how long would it take for these reinforcements to reach the battlefield?

Only out of desperation would the Xuan Yu Realm openly recruit from the civilian populace, directly naming members of the Twilight Society, Usurpers of Fire, and other former "wanted criminals." They urgently needed combat power for the front lines. The Tantrics must have been nearly wiped out. He had only stopped listening for three days, and the Xuan Yu Realm's situation had already become this critical?

As Chen Ling pondered, the reporter's voice rang out from the radio once more:

"Furthermore, this frequency, commissioned by the Xuan Yu Realm Government, is sending a message to General Jian... Wherever General Jian may be currently, upon hearing this message, please return to the battlefield immediately. Otherwise, the offer will expire."

Chen Ling was startled. The phrase "the offer will expire" seemed abrupt and odd, but its underlying meaning was likely understood by only a select few. The Xuan Yu Realm needed Jian Changsheng but couldn't openly reveal the terms of their agreement to the public. They could only urge him in this relatively subtle way, essentially implying that if he didn't return soon, everything they had discussed would be void. Yet, even with this extremely subtle message, it still aroused suspicion among the populace.

"Madam Chen, where has General Jian been all this time, away from the battlefield?""He hasn't deserted, has he??""No! I just finished making General Jian's fan merchandise, and I haven't even distributed it yet! He can't not come back, can he??""Does he know the Xuan Yu Realm can't hold out and fled early??"

Near Chen Yu, a crowd of onlookers seemed to have gathered. Upon hearing the message, they shouted their questions, making the environment instantly chaotic.

"Please, everyone, don't panic! I believe General Jian must have gone to bring reinforcements for our Xuan Yu Realm! He cares deeply for the Xuan Yu Realm and should return very soon!" Chen Yu immediately spoke up to manage the situation. "Let us believe in the Xuan Yu Realm, and believe in General Jian!""It's alright! I believe in General Jian!""I believe in General Jian too!"

Chen Yu, being an experienced reporter, immediately nipped the negative sentiments in the bud and steered the narrative back on track.

Chen Ling remained silent for a long time, then turned off the radio. He had originally planned to sleep and rest for a while, but now his mind was completely preoccupied. He pondered alone for a long time, then quietly stood up and walked directly out the door.

"Spade...""Spade!"

Jian Changsheng groggily opened his eyes to see Sun Bumian nudging him.

"Huh? What's wrong?""Dinner's ready."

Jian Changsheng immediately woke up, a wave of hunger washing over him. He turned his head to look around and saw a centipede waiting at the door.

"...Already?" Jian Changsheng rubbed his eyes. "I feel like I haven't slept long at all...""You haven't slept long, indeed, about an hour," Sun Bumian calculated the time."Does Heart cook that fast?"

Despite his confusion, Jian Changsheng was too hungry. He immediately got out of bed, quickly tidied himself, and prepared to eat. Jiang Xiaohua, meanwhile, kept licking his lips, seemingly unable to wait. In all the days Chen Ling had been away, he hadn't had a single drop of Five-Venom Wine. Of the three, he was the most eager for dinner.

The three followed the centipede to the dining room, which had been tidied to look exactly as it had when Chen Ling first welcomed them. Torches blazed brightly on both sides, candlelight flickered on the table, and neatly inverted dinner plates were elegantly and cleanly arranged. At that moment, the figure in the large red opera robe sat at the far end of the long table, quietly watching them.

"Finally, dinner!" Jian Changsheng immediately sat down and rubbed his stomach. "To be honest, after so many days without a meal, I've really missed crispy fried scorpions.""Heart, I want wine." As soon as Jiang Xiaohua sat down, he looked eagerly at Chen Ling.Sun Bumian glanced at Chen Ling. From Chen Ling's gaze and expression, he seemed to discern something more. He remained silent, quietly sitting beside Jian Changsheng.

Having stayed here for so long, Jian Changsheng no longer considered himself an outsider. Without waiting for Chen Ling to announce dinner, he eagerly lifted the plate in front of him... The next second, he froze. The plate was empty.

"Heart, where's the food?" Jian Changsheng looked around in confusion. "Haven't the little centipedes brought it out yet?""No... I haven't prepared any dinner.""...Why?""Humans cannot eat venomous insects every day," Chen Ling said, looking at him with a complex expression. "The dinner you should be enjoying was never in the Ghost Mockery Abyss... but in the Human Realm."

Jian Changsheng was stunned for a long time, then finally realized something and sighed helplessly: "I wondered why dinner was served so quickly... So, you're here to persuade us to go back."

Chen Ling clapped his hands, and several centipedes immediately brought out a few cups of Five-Venom Wine, placing them before everyone. "Having stayed here for so long, you must have realized that the Ghost Mockery Abyss is not suitable for human habitation at all," Chen Ling said slowly, raising his cup. "I'm glad you came to see me... but now, it's time for you to go back. I've prepared three centipedes outside the palace gate. They are very fast and can take you near the Xuan Yu Realm in a short amount of time. The Xuan Yu Realm is currently in grave danger. If you time your return to the battlefield correctly, you can not only clear your names and escape trouble but also earn military merits, win the hearts of the people, and truly become heroes of the Human Realm... As your brother, that is what I most want to see, not for you to stay here eating insects with me. Therefore... after you finish this drink, you should leave."

A dinner without food, 'transport' prepared at the door. Chen Ling's actions and words were not a discussion at all; they were more like an announcement to Jian Changsheng and his two companions after everything had been arranged... or rather, an expulsion order.