Martial Arts Across the Heavens: Becoming a Martial God Starting from the Big Boss in Tangshan

Chapter 141 Nalan Yuanshu's Invitation

The next morning, everyone was having breakfast downstairs at the inn.

The aromas of fried dough sticks, congee, and rice noodle rolls mingled together.

A soldier from the Blood Flag Army strode in through the door, walked to Chen Wen's side, and whispered, "Captain, two constables have arrived outside and are heading towards the shop."

Xie Si paused, a hint of tension flashing across his face. He lowered his voice and asked, "Are the constables here for us? Could it be—" He looked at Chen Wen and Huang Feihong.

Huang Feihong frowned and said in a low voice, "That shouldn't be the case. Our identities are well hidden; no one in the provincial capital knows. Perhaps it's some other official business, just a coincidence?"

Chen Wen picked up a piece of rice noodle roll, his expression calm: "Don't panic, sit down and continue eating."

"If the imperial court truly knew our real identities, it wouldn't be two yamen runners coming, but a large contingent of soldiers. Just watch."

Hearing him say that, everyone finally felt more confident.

But when it comes to eating, I can't help but be a little more careful.

Before long, the waiter led two constables in official uniforms straight to their large table.

Unexpectedly, the two constables were extremely polite.

The leader bowed to Huang Feihong and Chen Wen with a smile on his face: "This must be Master Huang Feihong from Foshan, and this must be Manager Chen Wen from Baozhilin, right? Greetings, sir."

Chen Wen put down his chopsticks and nodded slightly.

The constable continued, "Our Commander of the Nine Gates has long admired your names. Today, he has specially sent me to present your visiting cards and respectfully invite you to his headquarters for a chat and a cup of tea."

With that, he respectfully presented a gold invitation with both hands.

Chen Wen took it, unfolded it, and glanced at it.

The post was poorly worded, nothing more than polite remarks expressing admiration for his noble character, longing for his refined manners, and a small feast prepared to cordially invite him to visit.

The signature included the official title and name of the Nine Gates Admiral.

After reading it, he casually handed it to Wong Fei-hung.

Huang Feihong took the invitation and examined it carefully, but he was even more surprised and uncertain.

The Commander of the Nine Gates, a high-ranking official of the imperial court, held significant military power and was specifically tasked with suppressing the Blood Flag Army's southward advance.

Why would you invite them so politely?

What's going on here?

At this time.

Chen Wen had already spoken: "Your Excellency's kindness is truly overwhelming."

"Since it is an invitation from an esteemed person, how can we refuse?"

"We just don't know why you summoned us, sir. We'd like to make some preparations."

The constable quickly replied with a smile, "Manager Chen is too kind. My lord has simply heard of your esteemed names and wishes to meet you in person and have a chat."

"How would we know the specifics?"

"My lord has specifically instructed that you two must be invited. I hope you will do me the honor of attending."

Chen Wen and Huang Feihong exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness and confusion in each other's eyes.

Chen Wen stood up and said to Huang Feihong, "Brother Huang, since it is the Admiral who has extended such a warm invitation, let us respectfully accept and go pay him a visit."

Wong Fei-hung also stood up and nodded, saying, "I will follow Brother Chen's arrangements."

Aunt Thirteen, standing nearby, couldn't help but tug at Wong Fei-hung's sleeve, her eyes filled with worry.

Seeing this, Chen Wen smiled easily and joked, "Don't worry, Shaojun, I've heard that this Commander of the Nine Gates has no homosexual tendencies."

"I will bring Brother Huang back exactly as he was, not a single hair will be missing!"

Upon hearing this, the two constables turned pale with fright, lowered their heads, and dared not reply, pretending not to have heard.

Xie Si and the others also had strange expressions, wanting to laugh but not daring to.

Huang Feihong glared at Chen Wen helplessly: "Brother Chen, don't talk nonsense."

He turned to Aunt Thirteen and said gently, "Aunt Thirteen, please wait at the inn and don't wander off. We'll be right back."

Aunt Thirteen knew that Chen Wen was just joking to put her at ease, so she blushed and nodded.

Chen Wen then gave Xie Si a few more instructions, telling him to take good care of the inn.

He then went out with Wong Fei-hung and the yamen runners.

Two sedan chairs had already been prepared outside the gate, and the yamen runners eagerly invited them to get in.

Chen Wen did not refuse and readily boarded the sedan chair.

The sedan chair traveled smoothly all the way to the gate of a heavily guarded and imposing official residence in the south of the city.

The sedan curtain had just been lifted.

Before Chen Wen and Huang Feihong could even stand firmly, they saw a lean, stern-faced man standing at the bottom of the steps, waiting.

"Manager Chen, Master Huang, what an honor to have you here! We are so sorry for not welcoming you sooner!"

The man cupped his hands in greeting, his voice booming; he was none other than the Nine Gates Admiral himself!

Huang Feihong was startled again.

They were traitors who killed Admiral Fucha, yet the person in front of them was the Nine Gates Admiral of the same rank but with even greater power, and they were so enthusiastically welcoming him to the door.

This doesn't make sense, does it?

Chen Wen quickly put on a humble and respectful smile, and hurriedly cupped his hands, saying, "How could Brother Huang and I possibly accept such a personal welcome from the Admiral? We are truly unworthy!"

The Nine Gates Admiral's gaze lingered for a moment on Chen Wen's short hair and Western-style dress.

His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but his smile remained unchanged: "Not at all!"

"I have long admired you two and admire you greatly."

"I've long wanted to pay a visit, but I've been tied up with official duties."

"Upon hearing that you two were visiting the provincial capital for the Medical Conference, I took the liberty of sending someone to invite you. I hope you will forgive any intrusion."

"You flatter me, sir!" Chen Wen waved his hands repeatedly, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"It is an immense honor that Your Excellency, with your esteemed status and busy schedule, would remember us two humble commoners."

Such hospitality truly makes us feel unworthy.

This tactful and humble response clearly pleased the Nine Gates Admiral, whose smile grew even wider.

He stepped forward and even reached out to gently support Chen Wen's arm: "Manager Chen, you're too kind! Come, come, don't stand at the door. I've prepared some simple wine and am just waiting for you two to take your seats! Please!"

"Please, sir!" Chen Wen stepped aside and made a respectful gesture of invitation.

After exchanging a few polite words, the two found themselves getting along remarkably well.

Like old friends reunited, they walked side by side into the camp.

Huang Feihong followed behind, watching Chen Wen and the Nine Gates Admiral's seemingly inseparable bond, and his lips twitched involuntarily.

He had long since witnessed this Brother Chen's ability to speak to people in a way that suited them, and to talk to ghosts in a way that suited them.

But every time I see it in person, I still feel uncomfortable.

They were afraid that Chen Wen might suddenly attack and kill the Nine Gates Admiral while he was joking.

Of course, in the current situation, let alone a sudden outburst, one cannot even show the slightest disrespect.

He could only suppress the strange feeling in his heart, put on a stiff smile, and follow them into the carriage.

A fine banquet table had already been set out in the hall, but there was no one else there.

The three men took their seats according to their status as the main and secondary members of the group, with only a few guards standing silently to the side.

Chen Wen's gaze swept over the guards seemingly casually.

The Nine Gates Admiral then explained with a smile, "I am a military man and do not usually care about such things. I do not keep any singers or dancers in my residence. Please forgive my humble appearance."

Chen Wen immediately chimed in, his tone sincere: "Your Excellency is mistaken. To be detached from worldly pleasures and single-mindedly devoted to national affairs and military matters—this is the model for us all, the pillar of the court! It is clear that Your Excellency is a good official, incorruptible and pragmatic!"

These words struck a chord, and the Nine Gates Admiral's smile widened. He raised his cup and said, "Manager Chen, you flatter me. Please!"

The three of them shared a drink.

Huang Feihong, unlike Chen Wen, was not as composed. He put down his wine cup and couldn't help but tentatively ask, "I wonder what orders the Admiral has for us two brothers?"