Before Qiu Ling could try to impress the Heavenly Emperor, there were still a few matters to take care of though. Thus, he first returned to the dragon realm, walking straight to Xiang Yong’s study. Contrary to the past, he did his adviser the favor of knocking though.

Inside the study, Xiang Yong raised his head from the documents he had been working on, wondering if this might be more bad news. Although, then again, His Majesty was awake by now so things were looking up. “Come in.”

Qiu Ling opened the door and then raised his chin at the documents. “How are things going?”

Xiang Yong blinked his eyes and then put down the brush, getting up from his seat and walking over to Qiu Ling instead. “Never mind that. How are you, Your Majesty? No sequelae?”

Qiu Ling shook his head. “No, and I don’t think there will be any either.” He gave Xiang Yong a look, pondering whether he should tell him about what had happened in the High Heavens. He shouldn’t waste too much time but telling him the gist seemed necessary. The reason he was here was a direct consequence after all. Although then again … if he could keep Jing He’s current situation to fewer people, it might be better. His beloved wouldn’t want others to know, after all.

Xiang Yong faintly raised his brows. “Are you sure there are no issues?” The king had always been a little strange but it had gotten a lot better during the later stages of His Highness’s trial. To suddenly see him space out like this … it had him worried.

Qiu Ling pulled out of his thoughts and raised his brows. “No, it’s not that. It’s just … with how matters currently are, I will move to the Nine Heavens for a while.” He couldn’t quite make up his mind at the moment so he just left it at that. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep working while I am there. I just … want to support Jing He’s parents and maybe change his father’s opinion of me while I’m at it. When Jing He returns, he would certainly like to see that.”

Xiang Yong nodded slowly. He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this but … it seemed to make sense. The crown prince definitely wasn’t dead or His Majesty would have known. What this meant, they could all guess. Effectively, this meant that he hadn’t lost his partner but they were separated and after a long time, that would also cause issues.

In such a situation, it wasn’t strange for a dragon to do something to feel closer to the one they loved again. Being in the Nine Heavens and spending time with the other people who had been close to him was likely his way of combating the issue. From that standpoint, this was really the best decision.

“If this is what you want, then I will naturally support it. Don’t force yourself to work though. Right now, the search for His Highness and your own health are the most important. We can live with you doing less work but we can’t live without our king. Especially not right now.”

In a pinch, the dragon king’s advisers could always take over his task for a while. In case the king died, they could even tide over until a new king was chosen. But such a time still always came with upheaval and considering everything else that had happened recently, he’d rather keep this one constant.

Their current king had been on the throne for so long and even though he had slacked off a little in the middle, the meaning he had taken on for the people of the dragon realm couldn’t be denied. Just his existence gave them courage and was able to reassure them. So no matter what happened in the demon realm or the Nine Heavens, the dragons wouldn’t panic as long as the person on the throne didn’t leave them behind.

Of course, there was currently some worry now that the news about the Son of Heaven’s disappearance was slowly spreading. But since he was said to have only been kidnapped and not killed, the result in the dragon realm was anger instead of fear. They were furious that somebody had dared to touch their king’s beloved but because they believed in Qiu Ling’s strength, they naturally also believed that he could save him. They, as well, would keep their eyes open and be ready in case their help was needed.

Qiu Ling hesitated again and finally sighed. “You don’t have to worry about that. Jing He is alive. He … well, you can also think of it. Actually, earlier, I managed to find him but it’s not convenient to bring him back to the Nine Heavens or even take him here and I currently can’t stay with him either. Going to the Nine Heavens is my way of hopefully making things easier in the future.”

Xiang Yong raised his brows. Well, it was obvious that their king would look for His Highness as soon as he was awake but … it was unexpected that he would succeed in finding him that fast. Well, maybe this was also thanks to the special bond they shared. Whatever the reason, it was good for both the Nine Heavens and the dragon realm. “This matter, should it be announced?”

Qiu Ling shook his head. “No, not for the time being. Just pretend that you know nothing and that the search is still ongoing. We need to give him time.”

“Very well. What else should be prepared then?”

“Send somebody to send me the necessary documents every day so I can keep up with the matters happening here. Also, have Fu Heng prepare a few guards to take along. My stay in the Nine Heavens is going to be announced there as a security measure so … it wouldn’t do to go alone.”

“I will handle it at once.”

“Mn.” Qiu Ling nodded and then pondered if there was anything else. Actually … this should be it. As for packing his things or whatnot, it wasn’t necessary. All his possessions were stored in his spatial ring anyway. The suite of rooms here in the palace was pretty much empty so there was nothing worth taking along.