Preparations Before Departure

(Thanks to Wuju Wushu de Maiguo Chaoren for the bonus chapter donation.)

Inside the Nightingale family's Atmosphere Garden, Li Qinwu wore a bathrobe, held Nightingale in his arms, and cradled a glass of red wine.

Through the glass dome, he watched Shuttles constantly taking off outside, carrying huge quantities of cargo toward his own Scimitar-class Frigate in low orbit.

Li Qinwu took a sip of wine and murmured,

"Moving cargo day and night, and it still took over a month to fill the ship's holds. The efficiency is just too low."

Nightingale sighed and stroked her slightly rounded belly.

"You think time is passing too slowly, but I think it is passing too quickly.

"You're like a shooting star. You only stayed on our planet for two short months, and now you're already rushing back into space to continue your journey."

Li Qinwu's arm tightened around Nightingale.

"From now on, I'll come back for one day every week. I promise you.

"If I get a larger, safer ship in the future, I could bring you and the children aboard to live there."

Nightingale gave Li Qinwu a sunny smile, wrapped her arms around his sturdy shoulders, and gave him a kiss.

"It's a deal, then. I'll wait for you to come pick me up with a fleet that blots out the sky!"

Afterward, Li Qinwu left Nightingale a large supply of Holy Wine, Holy Oil, and special medicine. He also left the two children the two pendants he had consecrated this month.

The pendants were shaped like tiny golden swords, representing the Li Qinwu family crest. He had consecrated them at the Emperor Shrine; they would grant their wearers a certain degree of Divine resistance and increased psychic power.

Li Qinwu told the two pigtail-wearing children,

"Your old man is