“Jinde!”

Before Xin Lan had any time to answer, an anxious call came from inside.

Jinde didn’t think twice and rushed over immediately. He didn’t even glance at his husband and instead leaned over the bed, grabbing Qiu Ling’s arm again to check his pulse. Even if he couldn’t tell anything this way, it could somewhat calm him down.

The pulse he felt was stable but when he glanced up, he saw Qiu Ling’s eyelashes trembling. Compared to the last two days when he had been lying quietly as if in a deep sleep, this was the first real sign of change.

Jinde didn’t dare to heave a sigh of relief just yet though. He sat down on the edge of the bed again, switching his hold to Qiu Ling’s hand. Leng Jin Yu stood behind him, looking over his shoulder with his brows tightly furrowed. Xiang Yong and Zheng Yin waited a few steps away, not wanting to disturb them.

A few minutes passed and Qiu Ling frowned before finally opening his eyes a little, squinting at what was in front.

This time, Jinde really heaved a sigh of relief. No matter what else was the issue, at least Qiu Ling was awake again. He squeezed his hand, giving a faint smile. “Welcome back. How do you feel?”

Qiu Ling continued to stare at him in a daze before his gaze slipped to Leng Jin Yu and then returned. He didn’t speak immediately but blinked instead, his eyes finally opening completely. He still seemed dazed, making the hearts of the four people around him feel as if they were suspended in mid-air.

After a few minutes had passed, Qiu Ling clicked his tongue. “Is this what it feels like for children with loving parents to wake up after being sick?”

Jinde shook his head, almost feeling the need to scold him. Was this really what he had to say after being unconscious for two whole days?! But right now, he really couldn’t work up any anger. Instead, he reached out, brushed back Qiu Ling’s hair, and smiled at him more brightly. “Ask your brother in a few years. It’s a good way for you siblings to bond.”

Qiu Ling hummed and then turned his head. He wasn’t that surprised to see Xiang Yong but not quite sure about Zheng Yin. Still, he didn’t care about that much. Ignoring the two of them, he turned back to Jinde. “Have you heard from the Nine Heavens?”

His hands clenched tightly when he asked, making Jinde acutely aware that Qiu Ling should have a good guess of what had happened to his lover.

Jinde glanced at his husband before turning back to Qiu Ling and sighed. “Actually, we were in the Nine Heavens when you collapsed. There were signs of somebody falling at the time. Do you think …” He didn’t finish the question and simply looked at Qiu Ling. If there was one person who should have more insight, it would be Qiu Ling. After all, he should have felt the echo of what had happened to Jing He’s soul.

Qiu Ling didn’t answer immediately. He thought back to that time and the all-encompassing pain. Only a small part of his soul was bound to Jing He’s but it allowed him to feel some of what was happening to his beloved. If he already had to suffer this much pain, then Jing He …

Qiu Ling’s brows furrowed. He let go of Jinde’s hand and sat up on his own. “My body is alright, isn’t it?”

Jinde nodded. “I’ve checked almost every hour since I came back. I couldn’t find an issue. Zheng Yin couldn’t either. Do you want to go to the Nine Heavens? In that case, let one of us accompany you. Even if your body is alright, your soul might not be. In fact, better check it now.”

Qiu Ling wanted nothing more than to rush over and see for himself what was happening but when Jinde mentioned this, he stopped in his tracks. Right. It really wasn’t helping anyone if he collapsed halfway there or had an accident while in the Nine Heavens. It was better to make sure he really was alright again before setting off.

He leaned back and closed his eyes, taking a look at his own soul. He hated the way it looked but he was familiar enough with it so he could say from just a glance that there didn’t seem to be anything wrong. It had gotten a shock but the aftereffects of that should have been gone after however much time had passed.

Speaking of this, Qiu Ling who had just wanted to get up again paused. “Wait. How long was I out?”

“Two days.” Jinde grabbed his hand before Qiu Ling could run off again. “Don’t go immediately. Let’s talk first. Jin Yu and I have been back to the Nine Heavens since then. We even took Xiang Yu to help them investigate. Unfortunately, it seems like Jing He is gone. Nobody has seen him since then.”

Behind him, Leng Jin Yu nodded. “There are signs that he is the fallen god but there was also another person opening a portal and taking him away so nobody can be sure. Right now, the official news is that he was kidnapped with his current state unknown. The Nine Heavens and the dragon realm have pasted his portrait everywhere so people can offer information if they see him anywhere.”

Xiang Yong glanced at the two people next to Qiu Ling and used the opportunity to talk about business. “Earlier today, the demon realm also sent an envoy, asking whether they should distribute portraits in their realm as well. We haven’t responded yet in the hope that you would wake up first.”

Qiu Ling hummed but didn’t make a decision right away. He pondered and then looked at Leng Jin Yu. “Let’s go over first. I have to see it with my own eyes.” He trusted what they said but this was his beloved, his fiance, he simply had to make sure himself.