Chapter 1361: Eviction Order

"In addition, on behalf of the Xuanyu Domain government, I am issuing a recruitment call to the entire domain."

"If you or those around you possess a Divine Path—whether you are a member of the Twilight Society, a Fire-Tamper, or other civilian individuals who have been unable to show themselves for various reasons—we hope you can stand up at this moment and fight side-by-side with the Xuanyu Domain. The Xuanyu Domain government will let bygones be bygones and promises to compensate everyone after the war..."

“……”

In the quiet room, Chen Ling heard the rare, slightly panicked female voice on the radio, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Although this reporter kept emphasizing that the frontline situation was under control, it was obvious that the Xuanyu Domain couldn't hold on much longer... The frontline had collapsed, the defensive line had retreated, and they could only pin their hopes on reinforcements from Lingxu and Nanhai. Although the reinforcements sounded strong and safe, the problem was, with the domain trains unable to run, how long would it take for these reinforcements to reach the battlefield?

If they weren't at their wits' end, the Xuanyu Domain wouldn't have publicly issued a recruitment call to the public and directly named the Twilight Society, Fire-Tampers, and other former "wanted criminals." They were desperately in need of combat power to join the frontline... The people of the Esoteric Sect were probably almost wiped out.

He had only not listened for three days, and the situation in the Xuanyu Domain had become this critical?

Just as Chen Ling was pondering, the reporter’s voice sounded from the radio again:

"In addition, this frequency has been entrusted by the Xuanyu Domain government to send a message to General Jian..."

"No matter which domain General Jian is currently in, please return to the battlefield immediately upon hearing this message. Otherwise, it will be too late."

Chen Ling was taken aback.

The phrase "no latecomers" here seemed abrupt and awkward, but the meaning hidden within was likely something only a few could understand...

The Xuanyu Realm needed Jian Changsheng, but they couldn't expose the nature of the deal in front of the public. They had to use this relatively cryptic method to urge him back. The general implication was: if you don't return, everything we discussed before is off the table.

Yet, even though the message was extremely subtle, it still made the public suspicious.

"Reporter Chen, General Jian hasn't been on the battlefield for so long, where has he gone?"

"He didn't desert, did he??"

"No way, I just finished making support merchandise for General Jian, and I haven't even handed it out yet! He can't be gone for good, right??"

"Did he realize the Xuanyu Realm couldn't be defended and run away early??"

Around Chen Yu, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered. Upon hearing this news, they began to ask loudly, and the environment became incredibly noisy.

"Please, everyone, don't panic! I believe General Jian must have gone to fetch reinforcements for our Xuanyu Realm! His heart is with the Xuanyu Realm; he should be back very soon!" Chen Yu immediately stepped in to control the situation. "Let us trust in the Xuanyu Realm, and trust in General Jian!"

"That's right! I believe in General Jian!"

"I believe in General Jian too!"

“……”

Chen Yu was a seasoned reporter after all. Once she sensed the negative trend, she immediately nipped it in the bud and steered the rhythm back on track.

Chen Ling remained silent for a long time before turning off the radio.

He had originally intended to sleep and rest for a while, but now he had completely lost the mood. He sat in deep thought for a long time, then silently stood up and walked straight out the door.

……

"Spade..."

"Spade!"

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

"Huh? What's up?"

"Time to eat."

“！”

Jian Changsheng woke up instantly, a wave of hunger surging in his heart. He turned his head to look around and found a centipede already waiting at the door.

"...So soon?" Jian Changsheng rubbed his eyes. "Why does it feel like I haven't slept long at all..."

"You really haven't slept long, about an hour, I'd say." Sun Bumian calculated the time.

"Does Heart cook that fast?"

Although Jian Changsheng was puzzled, he was simply too hungry. He climbed out of bed and tidied up briefly, ready to eat.

Jiang Xiaohua was licking his lips incessantly to the side, looking impatient... In the many days Chen Ling had been away, he hadn't even had a single drop of Five-Poison Wine. Among the three, he was the one looking forward to the meal the most.

The three followed behind the centipede to the dining room, which had been set up just like the first time Chen Ling had welcomed them. Torches burned brightly on both sides, candlelight flickered on the table, and dinner plates were placed upside down in an orderly, elegant, and clean fashion.

At this moment, a figure draped in a bright red opera robe sat at the end of the long table, watching them quietly.

"Finally, time to eat!" Jian Changsheng sat down directly and rubbed his stomach. "Honestly, after not eating for so many days, I really miss the crispy fried scorpions."

"Heart, I want to drink." Jiang Xiaohua stared longingly at Chen Ling as soon as he sat down.

Sun Bumian glanced at Chen Ling. From the other's gaze and expression, he seemed to sense something extra... He didn't speak, just sat silently next to Jian Changsheng.

Having lived here for so long, Jian Changsheng no longer considered himself an outsider. Without waiting for Chen Ling to announce the start of the meal, he flipped over the plate in front of him...

The next second, he froze in place.

The plate was completely empty.

"Heart, where's the food?" Jian Changsheng looked around in confusion. "Has the little centipede not brought it out yet?"

"No... I didn't prepare dinner at all."

"...Why?"

"Humans cannot eat poisonous insects every day." Chen Ling looked at him with a complex expression. "The dinner you should be enjoying was never in the Abyss of Ghostly Derision... but in the human realm."

Jian Changsheng was stunned for a long time, then finally realized something and sighed helplessly:

"No wonder the meal was 'ready' so fast... So, you're here to persuade us to go back."

Chen Ling clapped his hands, and several centipedes immediately brought over cups of Five-Poison Wine, placing them in front of everyone...

"You've lived here long enough to realize that the Abyss of Ghostly Derision is simply not suitable for human habitation." Chen Ling picked up his wine cup and spoke slowly,

"I'm very happy you came to see me... but now, you should go back.

I have prepared three centipedes outside the palace gates. They are very fast and can transport you to the vicinity of the Xuanyu Realm in a short time.

The Xuanyu Realm is in imminent danger. As long as you time your return to the battlefield correctly, you won't just clear your names; you'll also earn military merit, win over the people, and truly become heroes of the human realm... As brothers, that is what I most want to see, not you staying here eating bugs with me.

So...

After you finish this cup, you should go."

A dinner without food, "carriages" prepared at the door. Chen Ling's actions and words were not a negotiation; it was more like he had arranged everything and was now notifying Jian Changsheng and the others... or rather, issuing an eviction notice.