# Chapter 898: Easy to Invite a God, Hard to Send Him Off?
The next morning, Jiangnan was wolfing down breakfast when he mumbled something unclear.
"I'm going to the Western Frontier in a few days. You guys study hard at home!"
The moment he said that, Zhong Yingxue and the others all paused with their chopsticks in hand.
Then, sharp gazes like knives landed on Jiangnan.
Jiangnan blinked, looking at everyone in confusion.
Xia Yao smiled sweetly, reached out her little hand, and grabbed Jiangnan's cheeks.
(๑ᵒ̌◡ᵒ̌)۶۶(๑)･᷄³･᷅(๑)
"Little Nan, look at my expression!"
(｡ಠ^ಠ) Hmph!
Jiangnan: (ᵔㅂᵔ٥)…
"Uh... Are you on your period too? Drink more hot water, don't eat cold stuff..."
Xia Yao glared at him, then gave him a headbutt!
"Period my ass! You're going to the Void Sea to get Space Spirit Pearls, right? I want to come too!"
Zhong Yingxue silently got up, went back to her room, and came out with a few thick notebooks.
"I've been researching a lot about the Western Frontier, the No Man's Land, and the Void Sea these past few nights."
"I've already noted down all the points we need to watch out for. The situation there is very complicated. Let us go with you!"
"We can definitely help you out!"
Wu Liang grinned: "Brother Nan, just let us tag along! You got us all our Platinum skills, all Star Glory rank!"
"There's no reason for you to take the risk alone when it's your turn."
"The Void Sea is dangerous, but when we're together, there's nothing we can't handle. We're family, aren't we?"
Xiong Er: (•́㉨•̀O)୨
"Huh? I thought Big Brother was only going because he wanted to perform a Savage Charge with Sister Iron Bull!"
"I didn't expect..."
Wu Liang immediately put Xiong Er in a triangle lock: "Dammit! You just know too much, don't you?"
Xiong Er begged for mercy: "Brother Nan! Take me! I feel like you need a translator!"
Xiao Jiuwo nestled affectionately in Jiangnan's arms: "Hmph~ I'm going with Master no matter what!"
Looking at everyone's expectant eyes, Jiangnan rubbed his nose and grinned.
"Alright then, let's go together. We'll get a dozen or so pounds of Space Spirit Pearls from the Void Sea!"
Xia Yao jumped up and cheered, and Zhong Yingxue let out a relieved smile.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Jiangnan teleported to open the door.
Zhao Dezhu stood at the door, looking extremely excited. Jiangnan was a bit confused.
What was Uncle Zhu up to this early in the morning?
Zhao Dezhu: "I heard you're going to the Western Frontier outpost base?"
"When are you leaving?"
Jiangnan scratched his head: "Yeah? Brother Jian told you? I plan to leave after finishing this week's classes. There's still time..."
Zhao Dezhu grabbed Jiangnan's hand, his expression serious.
"Leave tomorrow or the day after. How about this afternoon? I've already asked for leave for you and Xiao Tao!"
Jiangnan was stunned: "What am I going there so early for? The Void Sea isn't even open yet! I..."
Before he could finish, Zhao Dezhu quickly interrupted.
"Kid! How can you only have studying on your mind? You have none of the vitality that young people should have!"
"Isn't it better to eat, have fun, date, and spend time with your girlfriends?"
"You've worked hard in the exchange competition and brought glory to our academy. Your Grandpa Xiao and I haven't really shown our appreciation."
"Here, take this card. There's a million in it!"
Jiangnan was even more confused. Hey hey hey! Is this something a vice dean should be saying?
Coming all the way here early in the morning just to stuff money in my pocket?
Before Jiangnan could put the card in his pocket, Zhao Dezhu pulled out a stack of tickets and high-end hotel vouchers and shoved them into Jiangnan's arms.
"You're all going together, right? Take these! The scenery along the western route is beautiful!"
"I've booked tickets and hotels for all the scenic spots for you! You'll even get small gifts when you go!"
"Leave a few days early, have fun on the way, and relax. The academy will cover your expenses!"
Jiangnan's eyes lit up. Traveling, eating, and drinking on official orders, and getting small gifts too?
"Thank you, Grandpa. I'll prepare and leave in a couple of days!"
Zhao Dezhu's hand trembled with excitement as he heavily patted Jiangnan's shoulder: "Don't thank me. It's the least I can do!"
"Oh, right! Here, this is for you. You caught the fish yourself."
With that, he shoved a wax-sealed envelope into Jiangnan's hand. On it was stamped the character "Chen."
"✉"
Before Jiangnan could open it, Zhao Dezhu had already closed the door.
From outside, a roar of excitement could be heard.
(ง͡⚆ᗜ͡⚆)ง "Yeah! Yes! Ahahaha!"
Overjoyed, Zhao Dezhu pounded his chest and trotted happily toward the dean's office.
They say it's easy to invite a god but hard to send him off? Well, wasn't that exactly what they just did?
With him gone, the academy's reconstruction could finally begin.
At that moment, Zhong Yingxue and Xia Yao couldn't hold back their laughter. The deans really had gone all out to send Little Nan away, sparing no expense!
Meanwhile, everyone curiously leaned in to look at the envelope in Jiangnan's hand.
"What's that?"
Jiangnan grinned, tore it open, and found a wooden invitation inside.
Chen Daoyi:
"Inviting young friend to meet at the Mandala Hotel in Rong City at noon. A feast has been prepared. Don't be late."
Jiangnan curled his lip: "What the hell? Who's 'young friend'? If they're inviting a young friend, why send an invitation to me, Jiangnan? Wrong address?"
"Come on! Let's go to class!"
With that, he casually crushed the invitation.
Zhong Yingxue: (´ﾟωﾟ)?
Xia Yao: =͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪‧̣̥̇)
Hey hey hey! Are you sure that "young friend" isn't referring to you?
Of course, Jiangnan knew it was a message from the Chen family.
Noon? "Don't be late"? Who are they planning to ambush?
As if I'm the one begging them for something?
No way, no way.
So he teleported with Zhong Yingxue and the others to the classroom.
---
At the Chen family's side, Chen Daoyi had brought people from Lan City to Rong City early in the morning.
They booked the entire Mandala Hotel and set up a banquet in the hall.
By nearly noon, the table was laden with delicacies.
Chen Daoyi was still dressed in his linen training suit, leaning on his spirit-material walking stick.
Next to him sat his eldest son, Chen An.
On the other side sat a short-haired girl.
She wore light blue skinny jeans and Converse shoes, with a simple white T-shirt half-tucked into her pants.
She had a tall, curvaceous figure, curved eyelashes, and delicate features so beautiful they seemed unreal. She had clearly dressed up carefully.
Her fair arms were dazzlingly white, and small leaf-shaped earrings dangled from her earlobes. She had a clean, ethereal beauty.
Right now, she was sitting quietly, absentmindedly stroking the chicken blood vine bracelet on her wrist.
Beside the girl sat a well-dressed woman with a graceful, lingering charm and an air of nobility.
It was the Chen family's second daughter, Chen Ling.
"Dad! Won't you reconsider? Giving Xixi to that Jiangnan kid like this?"
"We only need the Coagulation Armor technique, right? There's no need to force Xixi to..."
Chen Daoyi gave Chen Ling a fierce glare.
"What? Do you think it's an insult for her to be with the world's strongest Platinum?"
"The Spiritual Gauze technique is not passed on to outsiders. If Jiangnan marries into our Chen family, then I'll be at ease."
"Only then will this matter be proper, and the other major clans won't laugh at us."
At this, Chen Daoyi sneered.
Major clans aren't allowed to touch military power?
Hmph, I wonder what expression those above will have when they find out Jiangnan has become my son-in-law!
Chen Ling bit her lower lip: "Dad, that's not what I meant. It's just that Xixi..."
Chen Daoyi frowned: "What? She doesn't want to? Then she can leave. I'll have the fifth uncle's daughter come instead!"
Just then, Chen Xi, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up: "Mom, don't say anymore. I'm not unwilling. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come today."
"Jiangnan... I've never met him, but... but I think we can get along."
Chen Xi's heart was also very conflicted. That man... would he become her husband?
Nervous, at a loss, but strangely, there was no resistance, only a little anticipation.
As a child of a major clan, she had never had a say in matters of lifelong importance.
Chen Daoyi laughed: "Good! Not only must you get along, but you also need to capture his heart."
"And as a girl, how do you capture a man's heart? You're both young. I don't need to explain that, do I?"
Chen Xi's pretty face flushed red, and she lowered her head in embarrassment.
Chen Daoyi laughed heartily, then glanced at the time, his expression stiffening.
"It's already half past twelve? Why isn't he here yet? Are you sure the invitation was delivered?"
Chen An frowned: "I'm sure! But... maybe he got held up in traffic?"
Chen Daoyi's face darkened: "Bullshit! He's a space-type. What traffic could hold him up?"
"He just doesn't want to come. Did he not even see the invitation from our Chen family? What nerve!"
With that, he flipped the table.
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Chen Xi, sitting nearby, furrowed her brows slightly, feeling a bit stifled inside.
Chen Daoyi stomped his walking stick: "He won't come? Fine, I'll go myself!"
"I want to see just how much face this Jiangnan has!"
---
At the Pioneer Academy, Zhong Yingxue and the others had just finished lunch and were strolling on the playground, digesting their food.
They were excitedly discussing the route to the Western Frontier—whether to take the northern or southern route.
Suddenly, Jiangnan appeared, holding a plastic bag of milk tea, and handed one to each of them.
"Here! I added ice."
Xia Yao giggled: "You went to the city to buy milk tea again? The delivery guys can't make a single cent off you, can they?"
Jiangnan put his hands on his hips: "Hilarious! How could delivery be faster than me?"
"Here, Xuexue. Yours is hot, with sugar added."
Zhong Yingxue's ears turned red. How... how did Little Nan know about her...?
As they were drinking, shouting and cursing came from the main gate.
Jiangnan turned to look. A white-haired old man leaning on a walking stick was standing at the academy entrance with a group of people.
Even Dean Xiao was there, looking very displeased.
Jiangnan frowned deeply.
The Chen family? They came all the way to the academy?
---
— Author's Note —