Wu Chuyang strode into the room and said to Ye Ying, "Save the explanations for the road. Pack only what you need and come with me to the front lines immediately."
Ye Ying was even more confused and pressed, "What happened? I need to inform Gu Ya."
Upon hearing Gu Ya's name, Wu Chuyang's expression softened slightly, and he smiled faintly. "I didn't expect you two to progress so quickly. I'm happy for you."
But immediately, Wu Chuyang's expression turned serious. "Now, come with me. This is an order."
Ye Ying panicked and stood stunned for a long moment.
Only then did she slowly walk into the bedroom, pack a change of clothes, slung her bag over her shoulder, and left home with Wu Chuyang.
They flew south in a hovering vehicle.
On the way, Wu Chuyang finally explained.
"The Black Star invaders have amassed heavy forces at the southern defense line of Yonggu Zhi Lan. The entire war zone is redeploying troops, and a major battle is imminent."
Ye Ying said, "But I'm still in school."
Wu Chuyang nodded. "You are officially part of the Wu He City Mecha Guard. You were only temporarily assigned to the academy for training."
"Why wasn't I notified in advance?" Ye Ying asked.
Wu Chuyang replied, "This is classified information. No one is allowed to leak it. I only received the deployment order this morning and rushed back to inform you personally."
Ye Ying panicked, her nose stinging, and her eyes welled up with tears. "This... Gu Ya will be worried sick when he can't find me!"
Wu Chuyang's expression was impassive and cold. "In matters of national importance, all personal affections must take a back seat."
"Instructor Wu!" Ye Ying anxiously grabbed his arm, pleadingly saying, "Please let me tell Gu Ya! I... I don't want him to worry!"
Wu Chuyang remained as cold as frost, unwavering.
Ye Ying, realizing there was no hope, slumped back as if deflated, lowering her head in dejection.
She knew that given Gu Ya's personality, he would be searching for her everywhere.
Anxiety and sorrow washed over Ye Ying. She had never felt so distressed, as if she had lost something precious.
Moreover, she feared that this parting might be permanent.
Ye Ying had experienced hellish trials. She understood the brutality of war.
Countless soldiers perished, and families were never reunited.
Not even a last word could be conveyed.
Wu Chuyang saw Ye Ying's distress. After a long hesitation, he sighed and quietly said, "Tell him."
Ye Ying looked up, gave Wu Chuyang a grateful glance, and quickly raised her wrist to send a message to Gu Ya.
At that moment, Gu Ya was being questioned privately by the Public Security Bureau. His wristband suddenly lit up.
He answered the call and then jumped up from his chair, walking out without a word.
"Where do you think you're going! Come back! You need to explain yourself before you leave!" the Public Security Bureau officer shouted.
Gu Ya's eyes widened, filling with tears. "I apologize, but I have something urgent to attend to. I will return to the Public Security Bureau after I handle it."
With that, Gu Ya burst out of the room.
Ye Ying was actually leaving? And going to the battlefield! The news struck him like a bolt from the blue.
Gu Ya had no time to think, nor did he care about the surprised stares of those around him. He raced to the hangar.
He summoned his mecha motorcycle and sped towards the 12th Division of the Wu He City Mecha Guard.
To hell with speeding and restricted lanes, Gu Ya just wanted to see Ye Ying as soon as possible!
The mecha motorcycle was too slow!
Gu Ya flew to the rooftop of a skyscraper, stored his mecha motorcycle in the [Void Pouch], and directly summoned "Azure Swordsman," charging towards the 12th Division's camp.
One could imagine the chaos caused by a fully armed combat mecha flying at high speed through the bustling city.
The mecha stirred up fierce winds, and the roar of its engines echoed between the tall buildings.
All pedestrians stopped to watch, causing widespread traffic jams for the hovering vehicles.
Tabloid reporters rushed out, frantically pressing their camera shutters. Tonight's news had sensational material!
But Gu Ya couldn't be bothered with any of it.
Ye Ying!
Only those two words occupied his mind.
Finally, Gu Ya arrived at the 12th Division's camp.
He charged around wildly, desperately searching for Ye Ying, asking everyone he encountered.
But the answers were all the same: they didn't know.
Just as Gu Ya was about to despair, a tall man appeared before him. Gu Ya recognized him as the captain of the 12th Division.
The captain said coldly, "Ye Ying has already left."
Gu Ya grabbed his wrist, demanding, "Which direction did she go? Where did she go?"
The captain stared coldly at Gu Ya, his expression serious. In a very low voice, he said, "South. You can still catch up if you hurry."
Gu Ya nodded gratefully to the captain and immediately rushed back to "Azure Swordsman," flying south at full speed.
Above the coastal mountains in the southern part of Wu He City,
Gu Ya caught up with a team of military transport mechs.
The enemy mistook him for an attacker, and two escort mechs promptly turned to intercept Gu Ya.
Gu Ya activated his mecha pilot skills and, like a flash of light, flew past the interceptors towards the transport mechs.
Another escort mecha flew in, blocking Gu Ya's path.
"Get out of the way!" Gu Ya shouted angrily. "Azure Swordsman" kicked the interceptor away.
The transport mechs finally began to slow down and descended gently to the ground.
Gu Ya followed the mechs as they landed, then rushed out of the cockpit.
The person he longed to see had already emerged from the transport mech, waiting for Gu Ya.
"Ye Ying!" Gu Ya rushed over and embraced her tightly.
Ye Ying also shed tears, raising her hands and hugging Gu Ya tightly.
This was the first time they had ever held each other.
The escort mechs wisely landed far away.
Wu Chuyang closed his eyes, not wanting to watch them.
"Gu Ya, I'm sorry, I..." Ye Ying cried, like a child who had done something wrong.
Gu Ya released her, gently wiped away her tears, and smiled comfortingly. "It's alright, it doesn't matter. I'll wait for you!"
"I will become stronger! Then I will find you and avenge you."
"When that time comes, please promise me you won't leave me again!"
Ye Ying nodded vigorously, repeatedly saying, "Okay... okay!"
Gu Ya sighed heavily, closed his eyes, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
Suddenly, he remembered something.
There was one last thing he wanted to do for Ye Ying before their separation.
"Ye Ying, come with me. I have a valuable gift for you," Gu Ya said, taking Ye Ying's hand and walking away.
Wu Chuyang reminded him with a smile, "Don't take too long!"
The two walked behind a large rock.
Ye Ying's heart pounded nervously. Was Gu Ya's valuable gift something inappropriate?
She kept her head down, her face flushed with embarrassment, not daring to look at Gu Ya. Even if he did something, should she refuse him?
"Ye Ying, please tell me, what are your desired mecha performance specifications and loadouts!" Gu Ya said earnestly.
Ye Ying breathed a sigh of relief. It was about the mecha.
She looked up at Gu Ya and softly said, "A light close-combat mecha, with the latest system, agile reactions, and flexible movements that can keep up with my operational speed."
Gu Ya nodded, his hands moving quickly over the air as if interacting with a virtual interface.
Ye Ying thought for a moment more and added, "It needs a long-range offensive weapon that's easy to carry. For close-quarters combat, it needs three beam swords and five combat daggers."
"The auxiliary thrusters on the limbs should be high-power."
"That's all I can think of for now."
Gu Ya said seriously, "Understood."
Ye Ying looked at Gu Ya's operations with confusion.
From Gu Ya's perspective, he had already found all the mecha parts that met Ye Ying's requirements in the system's mall.
Now, all that was needed was to assemble and purchase them.
"Done!" Gu Ya exclaimed, filled with excitement and anticipation.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind whipped up, stirring up dust and sand.
Gu Ya shielded Ye Ying with his body. Ye Ying stared at the mysterious gale in disbelief.
Within the wind, space twisted, creating vast ripples like a stone dropped into a lake.
Gradually, Ye Ying's eyes widened.
A brand-new, grayish-blue mecha was being pulled out of the spatial ripples by some mysterious force.
It was encased in an invisible air membrane that protected it from the flying debris.
As the mecha fully materialized, the gale instantly subsided, and the dust and stones fell.
Gu Ya said with satisfaction, "Ye Ying, this is the gift I'm giving you, a brand-new mecha unlike any other!"
Ye Ying gazed at the mecha in surprise, covering her mouth, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Try sitting in it!" Gu Ya grabbed Ye Ying's hand, and together they entered the cockpit.
The new cockpit exuded a fresh scent.
Countless parts, buttons, and switches were arranged like stars.
The delicate control stick perfectly fit Ye Ying's hand.
Ye Ying sat in the pilot's seat, which automatically adjusted to the optimal position.
Ye Ying took out the mecha activation device, its sea-blue casing a gift from Gu Ya.
She inserted the activator into the slot, and the mecha system quickly booted up.
A pleasant female voice announced:
"Hello, pilot."
"Please name your new mecha."
Ye Ying exclaimed excitedly, "Nightingale!"
"Received. 'Nightingale' model light combat mecha startup complete. Mecha program loaded from activator successfully."
"Pilot may now proceed with operation."
"Are you happy?" Gu Ya asked excitedly.
"Yes!" Ye Ying looked up at Gu Ya with joy. "I'm always happy with you!"
Gu Ya looked at Ye Ying and said deeply, "My heart will always follow you."
...
Gu Ya stood atop the large rock, gazing at Ye Ying's departure,
He refused to leave even when she was no longer visible.
The night wind began to blow, and the stars emerged.
Gu Ya looked up at the starry sky, his resolve renewed.
Ye Ying, wait for me.