The tune was somewhat ancient, and although Gu Tang hummed it incompletely, it still sounded very melodious and pleasant.
"What are you humming?" Qin Junche asked.
“A friend of mine,” Gu Tang said, “is skilled at playing the xiao (a type of vertical bamboo flute). You know he plays the xiao, right?”
He turned to look at Qin Junche.
Actually, there are still instruments like the xiao (vertical flute) today, but fewer and fewer people know how to play them.
Qin Junche nodded slowly, his expression complicated.
“This is a tune he usually likes to play. After listening to it a lot, you can learn it.” Gu Tang said, smiling slightly, with a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
Qin Junche was certain that his partner's mood had truly improved.
He just didn't know why this change was caused.
Does this mean that his mental strength has been successfully upgraded to S-level, allowing him to pilot the most powerful mechs, which is equivalent to controlling the strongest combat force in the entire interstellar space?
Or is it because it allows them to avenge themselves and their son?
Or perhaps, it restored those sealed-off memories, making him feel better?
Qin Junche was making wild guesses when he heard Gu Tang say, "Your question just now..."
He stopped chopping vegetables, thought about it seriously, and replied, "I'm serious."
He said, "I cannot let my son live in the shadow of fear forever."
His eyes brightened as he spoke of Qin Xiao: "He should have a bright future, and he should be as confident, upright, and happy as that kid from the Han family."
"Um……"
Gu Tang glanced at Qin Junche and said, "Besides, our son isn't that weak, is he?"
Qin Junche: "...Hmm."
Hearing Gu Tang say "our son," he couldn't help but feel happy.
“It’s not that he needs to do anything, it’s just that he should get up from where he fell down.” Gu Tang added, “We can shield him from some storms. But sometimes, being exposed to the wind and rain can actually make him stronger.”
When Gu Tang emerged from the Star Rift, he had already made this decision.
Now that we know the source of Qin Xiao's fear, things will be much easier.
Destroy this source!
He also wanted his son to witness firsthand how his father eradicated the source of the problem.
"So, my mecha..." Gu Tang asked again, "when can I have it?"
“One month,” Qin Junche explained. “Each S-class mecha needs to be custom-made based on the owner’s abilities, even personality and operating habits.”
He paused, then continued, "I've already reported this to the military. They'll be coming to see you with standard-issue mechs by tomorrow at the latest. You can make all sorts of requests to them according to your needs. Don't be polite with them, because the stronger the S-class mechs and the stronger the S-class mech warriors, the better it is for the entire empire."
*
One month later, at the Star Army Imperial Capital Training Base, in the mecha training field.
A brand-new mech stands in the center of the training field.
Qin Junche stood to Gu Tang's left, his right hand holding Qin Xiao's, and the three of them looked at the mecha together.
Just as Qin Junche said.
The fact that someone in the Empire had completed a mental power enhancement experiment and jumped from F-rank to S-rank shocked almost the entire capital.
While the entire capital was going crazy over this news, the military immediately sent people to the Star Army.
After all, in name, Gu Tang's military status belongs to the Star Army.
After conducting a mental strength test on him and confirming that he was indeed at a stable S-rank level.
That afternoon, the military sent people to tailor-make an S-class mecha for Gu Tang.
Now, this brand-new mecha belongs to Gu Tang.
The Minister of the Military personally delivered the mecha. Just as Qin Junche said, for the entire Empire, the emergence of a new S-class mental power mecha warrior is an absolutely good thing for them.
In particular, Gu Tang's identity was so special.
They would never doubt his loyalty.
"Hahahaha." The Minister of the Military Affairs Department was a middle-aged man in his fifties, and his laughter was very hearty.
He was tall and robust, and although he had left the legion to work in the military, he still maintained a very good physique.
His entire body is filled with formidable strength and explosive power.
Gu Tang had no doubt that if the empire needed him, he could immediately take control of the mecha again and fight for his country and people.
The minister handed the mecha space bracelet to Gu Tang and continued, "This is the space bracelet. Also, according to convention, you will name the mecha."
Gu Tang looked up at the tall mecha that was shimmering with dark blue light.
He thought for a moment, then slowly said, "Qingcheng."
No one knows why this new S-class mecha warrior would give his mecha a name that sounds somewhat ancient and even delicate.
After all, other S-class mechs are things like Star Rift, Blaze, Heaven's Destruction, and so on.
The name sounds incredibly powerful.
So no one noticed the Star Army Marshal standing next to Gu Tang when he heard the name.
A strange look suddenly flashed in his eyes.
Even his hands, hanging at his sides, slowly clenched into fists.
Qin Junche turned his head and glanced at Gu Tang.
His partner's face showed neither joy nor sorrow, but when he looked up at the mecha named "Qingcheng," a hint of nostalgia finally appeared in his clear eyes.
"Good name!" The minister didn't seem to care.
In his eyes, Gu Tang, who was standing in front of him, had a certain literary air about him.
I heard he used to be a botany teacher, no wonder he has such a scholarly air about him.
Even though her skin tone was a bit dark, she looked delicate and didn't resemble a soldier at all.
After casually praising him, the minister turned his gaze to Qin Junche.
He laughed again, patting Qin Junche on the shoulder with a hearty laugh: "You're a lucky guy!"
Huh?
The people present seemed somewhat surprised.
Why are you suddenly praising the Marshal of the Star Army?
Then they heard the minister laugh loudly, "Your Qin family is truly blessed."
He shook his head, then laughed and said, "My son is so capable, born S-rank, and at such a young age he's already the commander of one of the six major legions. His partner is just as capable, rising from F-rank to S-rank and becoming an S-rank mecha warrior. The position of deputy commander of the Star Army has been vacant for many years, and it seems the most suitable candidate has already appeared, hahahaha."
Huh?
Huh?!
Huh?!
There weren't actually that many people around the training ground.
They were mostly mech warriors from the Star Force, along with a few high-ranking military officials, and...
Han Xuan appeared behind the high-ranking military official at some unknown time.
The mecha warriors of the Star Army are very familiar with Gu Tang.
The instructor who taught them sword techniques.
A genius who can endure the greatest pain in the world and forcibly raise his mental strength from F-level to S-level.
They also heard from the soldiers of the Lie Ri Army that the first time Instructor Gu Tang piloted a mecha, he used the Marshal's Star Rift.
And he controlled it exceptionally well, absolutely no less than Marshal Qin Junche.
The Star Army soldiers' understanding of Gu Tang was limited to this point.
And just like that, they already thought he was incredibly awesome.
Oh right, they also have a son who's incredibly cute but doesn't like to talk much—a genius mecha engineer.
But now...
Everyone looked at each other, completely stunned!
The minister's words were incredibly informative.
It was so abundant that they couldn't possibly handle it.
So, Instructor Gu Tang is their marshal's partner?
What about his son?
Is he the Marshal's son? Or...?
Some people suddenly realized—
Isn't Instructor Gu Tang's son named Qin Xiao?
If his surname is Qin, then he must be the Marshal's son!
So...
They blinked as they looked at their own marshal, then at Gu Tang standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
Were they originally a couple?
What about that scandal that was all the rage in the capital?
Marshal Han Xuan of the Scorching Sun Army, the most handsome young man in the entire capital who is most desired to marry, is passionately pursuing their Instructor Gu Tang.
Almost everyone in the entire country knows him!
Countless young men and women cried their eyes out over this.
so……