Chapter 374: Chapter 373: The Mysterious Clan Is Not Destroyed, How Can There Be a Home
So then.
Even though Xu Lingjun’s intoxication hadn’t faded, he was dragged by Zhang Zhiheng to the Imperial Palace again.
Along the way, the drunken Han Xu Yang was also called up.
When Zhang Zhiheng, in front of Han Xu Yang, pulled out a nearly person-sized suitcase from the Transformation Space and then put it back in,
Han Xu Yang immediately punched himself hard in the stomach in shock and then leaned over to vomit.
After emptying everything he had eaten at the banquet earlier...
He looked up again and said, "Alright, I’m awake now, Zhang Qing, show me once more."
"Are you shocked?"
Zhang Zhiheng seemed to forget his own initial shock upon seeing the Transformation Capsule, casually sighing, "Young people really can’t handle surprises. When you see a Mecha being stuffed into a Transformation Capsule and then taken out, you’ll probably be so shocked your mouth won’t close."
Han Xu Yang exclaimed, "This... this tiny thing can actually accommodate something of that size of several meters? The elasticity is this amazing?"
"According to its inventor, it can even allow you to carry a house with you."
"Who is so talented to invent such a magical treasure?"
Han Xu Yang’s breathing had become rapid. He wasn’t an ignorant ruler; the superior education he received from a young age immediately made him realize the immense utility this item could have in daily life and on the battlefield.
Zhang Zhiheng said, "Do you understand now why I was willing to protect Xu Lingjun with my life before?"
"Xu Qing, it’s you again?"
Han Xu Yang looked at Xu Lingjun with eyes as if he were a celestial being and exclaimed, "How many more surprises do you plan to give me?"
"Oh, and the Mechas can also be deployed on the front lines now."
Zhang Zhiheng smiled, "Without a doubt, the combat effectiveness of the Polar Star Battlefield will be greatly enhanced, but mass production requires funding."
"Twenty trillion, I’ll sign the paperwork first thing in the morning!"
Han Xu Yang effortlessly mentioned twenty trillion, as if he were tossing out just twenty thousand yuan.
His eyes never left that Transformation Capsule.
He knew it when he saw it—the Mechas were precious; they could significantly enhance the combat capability of the Polar Star Battlefield and greatly improve soldier safety.
But this capsule was something nearly akin to magic.
Undoubtedly, its strategic importance was even greater.
"Xu Qing, I truly don’t know how to reward you."
Han Xu Yang sighed, "I’ve heard you haven’t married yet... How about, what do you think of Qingxue? Should I grant a marriage? I noticed how she looks at you, and I don’t think she would mind."
Zhang Zhiheng said, "Your Majesty need not concern yourself with Xu Tongxue’s affairs; he already has a fiancée, and she is Yue Bai’s student, destined to be the next Pavilion Master of the Zhanzheng Academy."
Han Xu Yang sighed remorsefully, "Actually, I think having several wives is quite normal for a man..."
Xu Lingjun thought of Han Qingxue and couldn’t help but shiver, earnestly saying, "Your Majesty, with the Mysterious Clan not yet eradicated, how can we focus on family matters?"
Han Xu Yang was stunned by this and immediately felt his blood surge once more, declaring loudly, "Indeed, how could heroic children be obsessed with personal feelings? It was narrow-minded of me."
"Moreover, I’ve decided that I’ll allocate one of this year’s slots to appoint Xu Lingjun as an honorary fellow of the Zhanzheng Academy. If he wishes in the future, I can even offer him the position of Pavilion Master."
Zhang Zhiheng said seriously, "Xu Lingjun staying in the Bei Xuanwu Martial Mansion is beneath his talent. He misses the old ties; I don’t want to pressure him, but in the future, I want to give him more choices. I had promised him a professor’s position before, but now it seems being a professor isn’t deserving of him."
"That’s appropriate. Although there are only three honorary fellow titles available per year, even if there were only one, giving it to Xu Qing would still be most fitting."
Han Xu Yang laughed, "Xu Qing is exceptionally talented; I sincerely thank him."
Zhang Zhiheng said, "Your Majesty shouldn’t be too thrilled yet. To achieve mass production of the Transformation Capsule, there’s another challenge."
Han Xu Yang asked, "What challenge?"
"The largest current capacity of the Transformation Capsule is 10 cubic meters, a far cry from the data Xu Lingjun provided. Based on our calculations, it’s because the proportion of a metal called Void Gold isn’t sufficient!"
"I’ll open the National Treasury."
Zhang Zhiheng shook his head, "What little stock you had in the treasury, I’ve already cleared it out, and it’s not enough—not nearly enough. I’ve calculated that if we want to manufacture a Transformation Capsule that can accommodate a Mecha, we need at least 500 grams of Void Gold.
He sighed, "And now, with our reserve initially being limited, it’s even more insufficient due to waste during research."
"I’ll immediately send people to collect a large amount of Void Gold from the Void Territory!"
"Good!"
The two quickly settled the matter.
"Xu Qing, thank you."
Han Xu Yang sighed, "Actually, I understand. Maybe you simply find Qingxue being two years older than you." He continued, "Alas, matters of marriage can never be forced... It’s a pity we don’t have the bond of father and son, nor that of father-in-law and son-in-law. I’m sincerely regretful."
Zhang Zhiheng’s eyes flickered away.
He thought to himself that his two confidantes were both three years older than him.
Who would have thought that this boy, Xu Lingjun, could be so attractive to older women?
No wonder I’ve noticed recently that Director Zhong looks at him a bit strangely, with a hint of affection in his eyes...
Zhang Zhiheng and Han Xu Yang talked for a long time.
They were discussing the application and development of these two new technologies. Xu Lingjun, listening on the side, kept yawning. Alcohol fuels desire, and his heart was full of it; he planned to have some fun celebrating with Sister Yaya and Teacher Su tonight.
But now the excitement had passed, and all he felt was drowsiness.
Yet, as they talked...
Their eyes naturally fell on him.
"Xu Qing, I heard you have a Transformation Capsule big enough to hold a thirty-meter high mecha?"
Han Xu Yang’s eyes were full of anticipation as he asked.
Xu Lingjun nodded, "Yes, why?"
"Could you lend it to me?"
Han Xu Yang said, "Of course, rest assured, it’s just to borrow, and it will be returned after use, along with a hefty reward."
Xu Lingjun hesitated, "Well..."
Zhang Zhiheng said, "Your Majesty, you don’t need to borrow it. It seems to have a binding system; it’s already bound to Xu Lingjun. Even if he lent it to you, you probably couldn’t use it."
"Is that so, there’s such a thing?"
Han Xu Yang sighed, "Then it seems I’ll have to trouble Xu Qing."
Xu Lingjun asked quizzically, "What do you mean?"
"Xu Lingjun, listen, I’ll explain it to you slowly."
Zhang Zhiheng took a deep breath and began explaining in detail to Xu Lingjun.
..................
"So... I might have to leave."
Early the next morning.
Xu Lingjun returned to Zhanzheng Academy, exhausted, and when he got home, he saw Wang Qingya and Su Huanqing sleeping side by side in silk pajamas.
Obviously, the three had lived together for a long time and had developed tacit understanding.
Before Xu Lingjun left, with just a look, they knew what he wanted...
Especially since Xu Lingjun won the Five Sects Martial Arts Competition, they just needed a reason to overcome their embarrassment and give him a reward.
But who knew Xu Lingjun wouldn’t come back all night.
And when he returned, he brought back news that shocked them immensely.
"Do you really have to leave?"
Wang Qingya couldn’t even bother to dress as she asked worriedly.
"There’s no other way."
Xu Lingjun sighed, "The research on the Transformation Capsule requires Void Gold, and Blue Star doesn’t have Void Gold. We can only go to the Void Territory outside the Polar Star Battlefield to mine it. But although Void Gold is small, it’s very heavy. Transporting it normally could require huge sacrifices, and it just so happens that I have a Transformation Capsule that can be used, so the weight is no longer an issue."
He said, "Moreover, it just so happens that I’ve just been promoted to Deputy Commander, but I haven’t performed any feats in the military. For public and private reasons, I’m the most suitable person for this task."
Su Huanqing worriedly asked, "Do you have to go to the Polar Star Battlefield? When do you leave?"
Xu Lingjun said, "In a month, because I need to arrange for a professional team to accompany me, so I might have to wait a bit."
Seeing Su Huanqing’s charming face full of concern, he smiled and gently stroked her hair to comfort her.
Clearly, she was a few years older than him.
When facing Wang Qingya, Xu Lingjun felt like a little brother... but facing Su Huanqing, he felt like a big brother.
He smiled, "Don’t worry, if others aren’t assured, aren’t you? Didn’t we both fall from such a high place back then and I was fine?"
"Ye... yes." Su Huanqing said, but her eyes couldn’t hide her worry.
"No more worrying, I might have to leave the Imperial Capital after I get the honorary professor certificate from the War Studies Academy. Next time we reunite, it’ll be at least a few months later."
Xu Lingjun laughed, "I’m going to take a shower, and neither of you are allowed to get out of bed, understand?"
Saying this, he quickly slipped into the bathroom.
Leaving behind Su Huanqing and Wang Qingya with strange expressions... Upon hearing such important news, they truly weren’t in the mood anymore.
But seeing Xu Lingjun so eager now, it was really hard to say no, and they exchanged a glance, seeing the mutual reluctance and worry in each other’s eyes.
Well, since he’s leaving soon.
Let him do as he pleases, let him enjoy.