Qiu Ling hadn’t been there when Jing Yi invited the others and wasn’t sure about what was going to happen either. He quietly followed Jing Yi out of Shen An De’s palace, listening to his explanations of what they had done over the last few days.

By the time they reached the edge of the sect grounds, he was already caught up. He nodded faintly and then asked Jing Yi for the map. After a short glance, he started to look around.

Actually, he wasn’t looking for the right way but for Jin Ling. Just because he had been interrupted before, that didn’t mean that he had forgotten that the fucking demon king was likely after his lover. Unfortunately, no matter how he looked, he couldn’t spot him. Either Jin Ling was hidden very well … or maybe he wasn’t there at all.

Qiu Ling furrowed his brows. He had missed the perfect opportunity to find Jin Ling. Now, things would only be more difficult. He likely couldn’t even engineer one because Jin Ling would still be vigilant if he left because he would assume it to only be for a short amount of time. Ah, this was really difficult …

Jing Yi watched Qiu Ling look here and there and couldn’t help but raise his brows. He did have to admit that he liked him better the way he had originally been but his current behavior still seemed odd. After all, if there was one thing he had never doubted, it was Qiu Ling’s ability to get directions right. They had been traveling outside for a good year after all when he had only been an outer sect disciple of the Yun Zou Sect back in his youth.

He hesitated for a moment but finally couldn’t help but speak up. “You can’t find it? Well, Grandmaster Shen said that the map was a little dated so I’m not sure how accurate it will still be.”

Qiu Ling was pulled out of his thoughts and shook his head. “No, I … was just lost in thought for a moment. It’s that way.” He motioned toward the west without even hesitating for a heartbeat.

Jing Yi blinked his eyes and then turned to look at Xiao Dong who was following behind to see if he also felt that Qiu Ling was acting odd.

Xiao Dong noticed his glance but didn’t understand. Looking from one person to the other, his expression finally lit up. “Ah! As expected of His Majesty, there is nothing he can’t do. I guess it won’t be a problem to find the Ye Zhong Order. Uh … speaking of which, whether that Yue Lin can come or not will depend on whether he can finish his work. I’ll … go and help him!” With that, he turned around and rushed off, not even waiting for Jing Yi and Qiu Ling to respond.

The two of them exchanged a glance and Jing Yi couldn’t help but raise his brows. “What do you think that was just now?”

“I’d assume Yi Zan’s nephew was trying not to be a nuisance?” Actually, Qiu Ling had to say that he was quite satisfied with that quick thinking. While he wouldn’t have minded just ignoring Xiao Dong, being alone with Jing Yi was still better. Since there wasn’t much time left, he naturally didn’t want too many other people around.

Jing Yi’s lips twitched. He hadn’t thought of Xiao Dong as a nuisance in the first place and he sure hoped that Qiu Ling didn’t see his friends that way. He didn’t want to argue about that though so he simply motioned in the direction of the Ye Zhong Order. “Well, no matter what, let’s just go there. We have enough time so there’s no need to rush.”

Qiu Ling nodded and the two of them slowly made their way over there.

Jing Yi couldn’t help but think about everything that had happened today. As a result, his thoughts also wandered to what Xiao Dong had said the other day. He had wanted to bring it up to Qiu Ling when the time was ripe.

Now, such a thing had happened to Hua Lin Yu that was incredibly similar to his own situation back then. That talk about what was the right thing to do and what kind of consequences it would have, that sure had brought back memories. He was sure Qiu Ling felt exactly the same. Most likely, he would never get a better opportunity to bring this up.

He wasn’t sure how Qiu Ling would feel about it but just for his own sake, he needed to make sure. “You know …”

Qiu Ling glanced at him, not sure what to expect. Even though he loved spending time with Jing Yi, with everything that had happened today, he was also worried now that they were alone. Surely, that conversation with Xin Lan just now would have once again been an unwelcome reminder of his current circumstances for Jing Yi. It wouldn’t be strange at all if he was angry and questioned why he hadn’t been as supportive as Xin Lan currently was toward Hua Lin Yu.

On the other hand, Jing Yi wasn’t sure how to say this either. He hesitated for a moment longer and then stopped, turning to face Qiu Ling. “I’m not sure how to bring this up so let me just be straightforward: When I give up my soul for Jing He …”

Qiu Ling lowered his head. So it was indeed about that. Well, it figured. He wasn’t sure how to answer the next part though. He was afraid … whatever he said would be the wrong response.

“I didn’t think about it before but Xiao Dong mentioned the other day that my body would stay intact. So … if you were to preserve it, then should something ever happen to Jing He, I could get another chance at life. What do you think about that?”

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