Even though Li Yin was looking forward to finally getting that time with his family, there was one last thing he needed to take care of before he could leave. Thus, after returning to the Nine Heavens, he went to Qiang Yan’s palace instead.

When he came to the study, the person in question was holding the letter he had left behind, quietly reading. Hearing the door, he looked up and then raised his brows. “Did you already regret it and came back because of that?” He held up the letter, not sure what to think about it. Just vanishing and even for an indeterminate amount of time … which titled god could do that? And on short notice to boot?

Li Yin smiled faintly. “Don’t worry about that. Matters have been solved. Longjun will be safe for now, the research is continuing, and we do have a permanent solution now. In fact, I just came back from the dragon realm. A month from now, your nephew will be back.”

Qiang Yan’s brows that had barely dropped were raised again. “Jing He …” Li Yin had mentioned in his letter that they had found a solution but he hadn’t gone into detail and he surely hadn’t mentioned a time. “What exactly is going on?”

Li Yin shook his head in response. “I don’t have much time. Just go to my court and have Yi Yun explain everything. I still want to take that vacation.”

Qiang Yan folded up the letter and put it away, rubbing his forehead. “Is this really the right time for a vacation?”

“No, but it never is. And I haven’t taken Ru Zhen out in a long time.”

At that, Qiang Yan lowered his head. “Ru Zhen?”

Li Yin gave a hum. Qiang Yan didn’t know about Leng Lu so he could only tell him about taking his son.

“If I remember correctly, he has a position at my Temple of War.”

“He does but I’m unsure what this has to do with our vacation.”

“Well, he didn’t ask for leave!”

Li Yin gave a drawn-out hum and then raised his hands. “Consider that done then?”

Qiang Yan squinted at him, feeling that he really didn’t deserve this kind of best friend. “Couldn’t you have told me a little earlier? You realize that somebody has to take over his shifts.”

Li Yin didn’t seem bothered by that. “You have somebody cover his shifts anyway because Ru Zhen is not the most reliable. Don’t think I wouldn’t know. You’re just making up excuses because you don’t want me to leave before this situation with your nephew is completely solved.”

Qiang Yan really would have liked to argue that point but, unfortunately, he had to admit that Li Yin wasn’t wrong. “Well, can you really not wait? If it is just another month, you could just go afterward.”

“Afterward, there will be new tasks in front of me. For this month, there is nothing urgent anymore. If there is and my senior officials really can’t solve it, you also know how to contact me.” Saying this, he took the few steps until he stood right in front of Qiang Yan and then reached out, patting his shoulder. “Don’t think too much. Not in that regard.”

Hesitating for a moment, he still brought up what he had originally wanted to mention. “There is one matter. I am not sure how to say this but I feel like it shouldn’t wait. Next month, after I am back and your nephew returns, you should have somebody take a look at his soul again. Discuss that with the Heavenly couple first.”

Qiang Yan stared at him, a foreboding feeling in his chest. “Jing He’s soul, why? Is this permanent solution going to cause trouble?”

Li Yin shook his head. “No, the solution won’t but I’m afraid that won’t make much of a difference. At this point, there is likely already something wrong with it.”

“It was healed though, wasn’t it? I mean, we asked Longjun to check and then the damage that was caused previously was dealt with. His soul should be in good condition again.” He clenched his fists, not wanting to believe it. A damaged soul was fragile and in that kind of situation, it was easy for something more to happen. He couldn’t let that happen!

Li Yin sighed. “I can’t be sure but I’ve been thinking about it: This trial is harsh. Harsher than those that most gods suffer when they descend. Those are the perfect conditions to damage his soul. Especially so since it was only recently repaired. I’m afraid the underlying issues are still there.”

Qiang Yan gritted his teeth, still having a hard time believing it. “What makes you so sure?” Because Li Yin really didn’t look as if he had the slightest doubt.

Li Yin could only sigh. “To be honest, it is Zhong Jing Yi’s behavior. In his situation, it is normal to be dissatisfied but the lengths he is willing to go to … Also, it seems a bit erratic. One day, he is willing to kill your nephew. Then the next, he can even give up his soul to save his lover. I’m afraid it’s a sign of obsession.”

Qiang Yan stared at him, not sure what to say. If Li Yin explained it like this, he couldn’t say that he was wrong. It was just … “Is there anything about this trial that will ever go well?”

Li Yin could only sigh in response. “I can’t tell you. Anyway, this is only my conjecture. Speak about it with your sister and the Heavenly Emperor and be prepared. If I am wrong, great. If not, then at least you will have made preparations beforehand and can deal with it immediately. Anyway, even a cracked soul can be healed. It just needs some patience and the right tools and no new stimulation.”

Qiang Yan nodded and then motioned to the door. “I will take care of it. You … go and spend time with your son. I guess we should cherish the time we have more.”

Li Yin gave a hum and turned around, this time really making his way over to his own palace to meet up with his lover and their son.

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