Chapter 337: Melted Ice (1/2)

[Volume 5 – A Distance Within Reach]

As expected, this plan received full approval from Wei Potian and Zhao Yuying, but was firmly opposed by Song Zining. The plan successfully passed with a three to one vote. Additionally, Qianye had no intention to go into details with them because, even if they knew, their intelligence would sharply decline when they were together.

Qianye planned to scout the dark race territory himself before their formal advance toward the west. He wanted to see if there was any change in the military intelligence he had previously received. The objective of this trip was the Silverflow Fjord, a natural barrier at the bend of a big river formed by precipitous cliffs.

These cliffs were hundreds of meters tall, and from atop them, one could see dozens of kilometers toward the other bank. As long as he could ship heavy cannons up there, he could construct an effective network of defense. The dark races had already built a settlement at the summit, but the garrisoned forces weren’t very powerful.

Everyone felt uneasy letting Qianye go alone. Apart from Wei Potian who simply couldn’t extricate himself, Song Zining and Zhao Yuying both wanted to go along with him. However, their notions were declined since even Zhao Yuying was far inferior to Qianye in terms of scouting and fighting in the wilderness. It was safer for him to go alone.

In truth, Qianye also had another destination which he couldn’t tell them. The werewolf tribes William had mentioned were also near their westward route, and Qianye planned to check them out in passing. He hadn’t even decided whether or not he should tell Song Zining of this matter.

During the following days, Qianye was kept busy organizing his baggage and arranging the affairs of the mercenary corps. Upon arriving at the motorcycle garage, he found many people were moving in and out to instal a kinetic pipeline. Deafening sounds of machinery rang out continuously from within the garage.

Qianye was somewhat astonished as he walked in with large strides. This was a small garage used by a number of Dark Flame higher-ups, and most of the vehicles within were two-wheeled motorcycles or light jeeps. The building was normally closed to the public, and only people like Qianye and Song Hu would come here when they needed a means of transport.

How come there were so many people here all of a sudden?

He saw a familiar figure the moment he entered: Zhao Yuying. Despite wearing a worker’s uniform and a sturdy boot, her flamboyant beauty allowed her to be recognized almost immediately.

At this moment, Zhao Yuying was together with an elderly man and seemed to be gesturing at some blueprints. The ten-odd workers near them were hurriedly adjusting a massive lathe, while numerous others were carrying the core components of a small pressing machine toward their designated positions.

Qianye recognized the man beside Zhao Yuying as Dark Flame’s chief engineer in charge of the maintenance and modification of various combat vehicles.

Afterward, the engineer walked to the side with the blueprint and began to study it with his assistants. Meanwhile, Zhao Yuying picked up a box of components and walked toward a half-dismantled two-wheeler.

The workers were almost petrified. The box of components was almost a square meter in size and weighed at least a ton. Normally, it would have to be dragged with a pulley block or moved by numerous strong men. They had never expected Zhao Yuying would actually lift it up with a single hand as though it were a lunchbox.

She crouched down near the motorcycle and began to personally remodel it.

Qianye quietly arrived near her and watched attentively. She apparently possessed a great understanding of the motorcycle's composition—she easily unloaded the engine in just a few adept moves and began to adjust the chassis.

This process demonstrated Zhao Yuying’s strength as a champion. Dark purple origin power gushed out from her hand and turned into light blue flames by means of an unknown secret technique. After softening the chassis with heat, she used her bare hands to turn and pinch certain parts into a completely different shape.

She followed this pattern and adjusted numerous parts in succession. Presently, the vehicle framework had completely changed and could now fit an engine that was two sizes bigger. This entire process took her less than ten minutes.

“I really didn’t think you would know how to modify motorcycles,” said Qianye.

With a screw in her mouth, Zhao Yuying replied disdainfully, “Don’t think that clan disciples only know how to cultivate and make merry. Anything can happen on the battlefield. Don’t tell me I have to wait for an engineer when a weapon breaks down?”

“Ordinary engineers aren’t your match.” Qianye’s words came from the bottom of his heart. The origin flame and the ability to modify parts with her bare hands were virtually impossible to manifest for anyone below the champion level.

“That’s a given! You should know who this mommy is!” Zhao Yuying had no idea what modesty was.

“But is it really useful for you to learn these things?” Qianye had some doubts. Disregarding the time it would take to master machinery, one would still have to save valuable origin power to kill enemies on the battlefield—motorcycles, cars, and even heavy cannons were relatively expendable.

Zhao Yuying pulled out an engine from the component crate and began to install it. “Of course there is, but its primary use isn’t in land battles. Instead, it’s most useful on battleships and interstellar airships. Just think about it, how can there be any place for you to land and repair if a malfunction occurs while in space?”

Qianye suddenly understood.

Zhao Yuying snorted and said, “I just know at a glance that you’re a country bumpkin who’s never taken part in an aerial battle!”