Chapter 1429: 41 Birthday Banquet [Subscribe for the Official Version]

Chapter 1429: Chapter 41 Birthday Banquet [Subscribe for the Official Version]

“It doesn’t seem to be anything unexpected. The family’s guards are all present, and there are no signs of any enemy intrusion nearby.”

Jia Yan surveyed his surroundings again and confirmed there wasn’t any unexpected situation. He then dispersed his depleted brainwave power to the surrounding areas.

“This power… It’s indeed weaker than before. I should have stopped and asked Xi Bala earlier.”

Noticing the weak state of his avatar’s strength—so depleted that Jia Yan could barely tolerate it—he regretted not pausing earlier to communicate with Xi Bala.

“Forget it, it’s just for a day or two, it shouldn’t be an issue.”

As the brainwave power spread out, Jia Yan finally arrived at an ultra-large hotel in Return City, where he could see the familiar faces of his family members.

“Haha, so that’s what it is—a birthday banquet.”

Jia Yan chuckled, but his expression subtly shifted.

Return City, a metropolis with less than twenty years of history.

Even though Return City seemed to have subtly ceased expansion, as long as the Jia clan resided here, Return City’s significance and status remained unchanged.

On Earth, there’s a saying: Huaxia’s capital is the brain of Earth. However, the decisions made by the brain don’t carry weight without the heart’s agreement. If the heart opposes them, even the brain’s resolutions can be overturned in an instant.

Take, for example, a welfare project from a few years ago: it was vetoed by the Earth Alliance Headquarters in the Huaxia capital. Yet, once Lady Lin from the Jia family voiced her opposition, the next day, the entire policy was reversed entirely. Those critical decision-makers scrambled to change their stance on the matter.

Thanks to this distinctive role within Return City, many people moved here despite its slowed expansion. Nonetheless, the city’s atmosphere grew even more majestic and extravagant.

Of course, when it comes to opulence, who in Return City could surpass the Jia family? Who across the entire Earth civilization would dare claim to match the Jia clan in any respect?

Take today, for instance—a member of the Jia family is celebrating their birthday. The entire Return City is in chaos. Guests aren’t merely media personalities (as they’re banned due to the Jia family’s tradition of protecting their children), but rather individuals of the highest status are permitted to attend the celebration.

The city is flooded with rare glimpses of ultra-premium hovercars and official government escort battleships converging from every direction onto the small but remarkable Return City.

It was evident to all that this was the birthday of a certain member of the Jia family. Although the media generally couldn’t divulge much information, they retained enough access to facilitate public administration like road blockades.

No one dared accuse the Jia family of abusing their power. For the family that Earth relies upon, anyone with any opposing view, except a small fraction of anti-human extremists, would likely hold no animosity against them.

“I wonder whose birthday it is? The splendor this time is no joke. Haven’t Jia family birthdays always been much lower-key than this?”

“Haha, that’s where you’re mistaken. This time, it’s the son of Lord Jia Yan having his birthday. It’s the first time the Jia family is introducing him to Earth’s upper echelons. Do you think an event of this stature could possibly be low-profile?”

“Wait, Lord Jia Yan’s son? You’re not bluffing, are you? Lord Jia Yan actually has a son? My god, Lord Jia Yan has offspring on Earth—this is fantastic news!”

Among the chatting bystanders, it seemed each one had their own insider information.

That said, if the Jia family wished to hide such news, it would have been effortless, yet the family chose not to bother exerting effort to do so.

After all, some things were difficult to conceal entirely, and there was simply no need to do so.

Compared to the frenzy outside, within Return City’s undisputed premier hotel, Jia Lin and her husband—formerly infamous, now completely transformed into a scholarly figure wearing a pair of glasses—stood composed at the hotel entrance, personally welcoming guests.

“Lady Lin personally greeting guests? Unthinkable, you mustn’t let the cold wind affect your health.”

A high-ranking official approaching the hotel noticed Jia Lin at the entrance. His expression immediately changed, dropping his previously aloof demeanor to greet her obsequiously as though he were bowing to nobility.

“Haha, it’s the current Foreign Minister of the Stars and Stripes Country. Thank you for attending, I’m perfectly fine standing here,” Jia Lin replied with the elegant demeanor befitting a lady of stature, nodding and smiling courteously at the official.

Understanding his relative insignificance compared to the Princess of the Jia Family, the high-ranking official chose not to linger and entered the hotel.

The premises were secured by layers of security—guards positioned every few steps.

Given that attendees included Earth civilization’s top officials and even members of the esteemed Jia clan, it was only natural for security to reach the highest standards.

A few guests entered the venue and immediately noticed that by the head table, several even higher-ranking dignitaries were engaged in conversation with Jia Lin and her husband, as well as two young girls.

Beside them stood a young boy, perhaps eight or nine years old, quietly accompanying a woman with a cold, frosty demeanor.

“That child must be Lord Jia Yan’s son. He truly resembles his father!”

A Huaxia Tribe official observed the boy from a distance, a smile forming on his face.

As a Huaxia Tribe official, he understood well that Huaxia’s dominance over Earth civilization largely depended on the Jia family’s influence.

Specifically, it rested on the awe-inspiring power of Lord Jia Yan—a figure with unrivaled might.

Yet there was an underlying anxiety shared among Huaxia’s higher-ups—the fact that Lord Jia Yan was rarely present on Earth. Those in the know understood that the lord likely spent much of his time off-world, though no one knew how he departed Earth.

What would happen if Lord Jia Yan didn’t return someday or if he became unavailable during an Earth emergency? That would mean catastrophe.

So, upon seeing the young boy, whose resemblance to Lord Jia Yan was unmistakable, and realizing that despite not intentionally projecting brainwave power, the boy already reached a level beyond the official himself—early-stage heavenly level—the official’s smile grew even broader.

After all, the boy didn’t need to achieve his father’s devastating power; simply attaining half of it would ensure Earth’s continued prominence among interstellar civilizations. Huaxia’s dominance over Earth nations could be guaranteed for centuries!

“Our technology may lag, but we have strong individuals!”

“Remarkable—this boy is truly exceptional. But the woman by his side, is that his mother? How could this be? Her strength seems to vastly overpower mine. Is the entire family composed of such formidable beings?”

The Huaxia official gazed at the mother and son duo with surprise but quickly averted his eyes, fearing that lingering might be inappropriate.

For Earthlings, the Jia family’s aura of mystery was unparalleled. No matter how many strong individuals emerged from the family, they would only strengthen the public’s admiration.

The surrounding guests discreetly pointed and whispered about the mother and son pair, but the pair themselves didn’t seem fond of the envied spotlight.

“Mom, can we go home? I don’t like it here.”

The young boy, none other than Jia Rong—nominally Jia Yan’s son—glanced uneasily at the adults who were surreptitiously observing him. He felt deeply uncomfortable.

For context, his current strength had nearly peaked at the mid-heavenly level. Every whisper or comment from those nearby reached his ears effortlessly, though his heightened senses didn’t spare him from his disenchantment with the environment.

“No, your grandmother said earlier that we can’t leave,” his mother, Samo Ling, replied. Her demeanor was somewhat stiff, and while she carried a glass of wine, she refrained from drinking, adding to her awkward appearance.

Of course, no one dared utter a single insulting word about her. Everyone present knew the Jia family housed numerous strong beings; even their guards consisted of several heaven-level presences. Anything said here could be overheard through brainwave power.

“But, Mom… doesn’t Dad refuse to acknowledge me as his son?”

Jia Rong had already turned eight and could understand many things to some degree, though he remained confused about others. Hearing people around him refer to him as “Lord Jia Yan’s son” reminded him of how Jia Yan had never openly recognized him as his son. The thought troubled him greatly.

“He is your father! Your grandparents love you deeply—you know that, right?” Samo Ling’s attempt to comfort lacked finesse, failing to ease her child’s uneasiness.

“If he’s my dad, why doesn’t he come celebrate my birthday with me? I’ve seen kids on TV having their dads celebrate with them,” Jia Rong muttered, his gaze flitting across the venue where other children held their parents’ hands. A pang of grief struck him suddenly.

From a young age, Jia Rong had been extremely mature and intelligent, yet he couldn’t recall ever seeing his father. Not only was his father absent, but even his mother rarely displayed affection or held his hand the way other mothers did.

“Dad doesn’t want me… It must be because I used to say I hated him and even said I wanted to defeat him,” Jia Rong thought. His eyes welled up, tears threatening to spill.

Those present noticed Jia Rong’s teary eyes and responded with subtle smiles.

“After all, he’s still just an eight-year-old child. Faced with such a high-pressure environment, of course, he would be overwhelmed. Even a Dragon Child from the Jia family couldn’t be mistaken for an adult,” some guests commented sympathetically, misunderstanding the source of Jia Rong’s sadness.

They didn’t realize his distress came from thoughts of Jia Yan and the self-perceived mistakes he might have made.

“Haha, Xiao Rong, is someone crying?”

Just as Jia Rong’s feelings were nearing their breaking point, a gentle voice reached his ears.

The male voice was extraordinarily soft, carrying the warmth of a father speaking to his child.

“Huh?” Jia Rong’s face lit up with joy. He raised his head abruptly.

“Xiao Rong, what’s the matter?”

Samo Ling noticed his sudden shift in expression and seemed puzzled.

But Jia Rong had already stopped paying attention to his mother. His face was on the verge of shedding tears—tears of joy this time.