Chapter 371: A Time of Softness

Even with adjustments made after every flight to refine the aircraft’s aerodynamics, it was impossible for Ling’s ability to bridge the gap between propeller planes and jet aircraft, achieving significantly higher speeds.

Still, Wu Qingsong had already been considering the possibility of attempting such a feat if a beastgirl with wind-elemental magic talent were to appear.

However, so far, the magical abilities of the beastgirls had not been particularly strong, and the duration of their powers was also an issue. For now, this idea remained purely hypothetical.

“How did you end up using… a Gundam?” 

During the long journey, with nothing else at this altitude to interrupt them, Ling could afford to simply set their course and then recline in Wu Qingsong’s embrace. Amid their intimate moment, he suddenly thought of the question. 

“That was something I sketched for you all way back in Umber, wasn’t it?”

“I just thought of it on a whim.” Ling, under Wu Qingsong’s gentle caress, answered with slight shyness.

In truth, ever since she had successfully taken to the skies under Wu Qingsong’s guidance, she had been secretly experimenting with ways to make better use of her abilities.

But her experience and knowledge were far too limited to generate truly effective ideas. In such circumstances, the stories Wu Qingsong had once told them became the direction of her attempts and efforts.

Most of these attempts failed. Ling was no master craftsman, and her aptitude was merely average. Many times, she would reach a bottleneck and be unable to progress further.

“Actually, your ability is really powerful and fascinating,” Wu Qingsong said enthusiastically.

He had owned several Gundam and Zaku model kits before, and what he had sketched for Ling and Liuli back then was one of them. Although he no longer remembered the fine details, he still retained some memory of the assembly process.

The robots created by Ling did not need to consider power sources, signal transmission, or any mechanical specifics. Because of this, they were, in a way, infinitely close to model kits.

Once issues like balance, articulation, the cockpit, and overall shape were resolved, thinking about it carefully—recreating a sleek and powerful combat mecha shouldn’t be too difficult, should it?

“When we get back, I’ll study this properly!” Excited, he kissed Ling and told her.

Ling’s body heated up from his kiss. Summoning her courage, she softly asked, “Do we really have to go back so soon?”

She enjoyed traveling with Wu Qingsong, especially flying with him. Not only did it give her a sense of purpose, but it also provided her with long periods alone with him.

However, as her abilities improved and the aircraft continued to be refined, she was able to carry more passengers. As a result, their moments of solitude had become increasingly rare.

“Huh?” Wu Qingsong was momentarily surprised before nodding.

Among his wives, Ling was the one with the least desires and demands. Since she had made such a request, he immediately decided to grant it.

“If we go back, it’ll just be an icy wasteland. Alright, let’s find somewhere to have some fun instead.”

Having just left Gale Island, they ruled out tropical locations. So, they slowly followed the coastline northward, landing near what seemed to be a lively town. There, they purchased two horses and some travel gear before setting off along the coastal road.

This region was far less developed compared to the imperial capital they had previously visited. Cultural landmarks were nearly nonexistent, and the natural scenery was much the same as in other places—vast stretches of barren land, shrubs, and forests. Most farmland was clustered around castles, but even then, it could not compare to the well-planned fields of Nagran.

The tenant farmers and serfs working the land all looked like lifeless husks, devoid of spirit, making for a rather disheartening sight.

The few towns they encountered were run-down, often with guards watching travelers like predators, eager to strip them of all their valuables.

After several instances of playing the fool and turning the tables on such opportunists—managing to take a fair amount of money from them instead—both Wu Qingsong and Ling grew bored of this type of journey.

For Ling, it didn’t really matter where they went, what they saw, or even what they experienced. What mattered was that Wu Qingsong was willing to spend time with her, doing these things together. That was more precious than anything else.

“Let’s go back,” she finally said to Wu Qingsong.

“Alright,” he agreed. “But there’s one more place we can go.”

“Where?”

“The mountain where Nina and I emerged from underground. It should be nearby, and the view is amazing! I also stashed a bunch of insectoid undead in that crevice. But after all this time, I have no idea what’s become of them.”

“Alright then.” 

Hearing Wu Qingsong mention Nina’s name made Ling feel a little downcast, but she understood—it was simply a part of their lives now, something inseparable.

So, they released their horses and switched to their airship, heading toward the location in Wu Qingsong’s memory.

That place had left a deep impression on him, and after half a day’s journey, they hovered above the rift leading into the abyss.

But the surrounding landscape disappointed Wu Qingsong. He distinctly remembered this place having breathtaking scenery—snow-capped mountains in the distance, towering trees, and lush green meadows. Now, however, it looked no different from the places they had traveled through earlier.

The distant snow-capped mountains were too far to see clearly, the trees were messy and withered, and the grass on the ground was scraggly and unkempt.

If not for the rift itself, he might have doubted whether this was really the same place.

“Maybe it only seemed beautiful because we had been underground for so long. When we finally emerged, everything looked amazing to us…” he said somewhat sheepishly.

“It’s beautiful,” Ling said to him.

Wu Qingsong shook his head and pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face against her as he took a deep breath.

“Ling, I don’t know how to put it into words, but being with you makes me feel so at ease… so relaxed. You’re so good to me that I don’t even know how to repay you.”

Ling closed her eyes, holding him tightly, savoring the warmth of the moment.

“I don’t need your repayment,” she whispered softly into his ear. “Just hold me like this.”

“Let’s camp here for the night,” Wu Qingsong said.

“Alright,” Ling answered with a smile.

“There’s a village not far from here,” Wu Qingsong told her. “These supplies are useless now, I’ll go see if I can trade them for some food.”