Tian simply nodded. He didn’t say a word to try and convince him otherwise. With people like this, they wouldn’t change their beliefs even if you talked until your voice was hoarse. No, you needed them to confront the core of the issue by themselves.

He continued to look at Jing He and finally let go of him. “Come with me.” He didn’t explain where he intended to take him and simply turned, walking through the main room of the palace and past the screen in front of the door.

Jing He was still caught in his inconsolable feelings but being asked to do something by the supreme sovereign, he still wouldn’t just ignore the command. He wiped his eyes with his sleeves, took a shaky breath, and then hurried after Tian.

When he reached the door, he found the supreme sovereign standing a few steps away, clearly waiting. Jing He hastened his steps but his gaze inevitably strayed to the side, noticing the emptiness next to the gate. The usual pair of guards wasn’t there, reminding him that even though this place looked like his own palace, it actually wasn’t. No, this was the High Heavens, Tian’s domain which usually wouldn’t be entered by any trueborn god. He was only here because he had ceased to be one of them.

Seeing that Jing He had come out, Tian resumed his steps, walking down the path and into the city. He still didn’t say a single word as if he couldn’t be bothered to explain himself. Well, to be honest, this was precisely the case.

Jing He didn’t think much of it either. In his conception, the supreme sovereign should be like this. He didn’t owe others any accountability. Just being in his presence was an honor. Who would dare to ask for anything else?

The two of them finally reached the steps to another palace. It was situated on the main road, further down from where the palace of the Heavenly Emperor was supposed to stand. It was also comparatively small, judging by the buildings that could be seen further toward the center. Compared to Jing He’s palace, it wasn’t lacking though.

Tian stopped in front of this palace and turned back to Jing He. For a moment, he wondered if he should say something but then, it didn’t really seem to matter. He would understand when he stepped inside. In the end, he once again stayed quiet and simply waved, making the door swing open. Then, he stepped inside, walking over to the side of the jade coffin and looking at the face of the person lying inside.

Jing He stood outside for a moment. He would never doubt Tian but he also wasn’t sure what this was about. With no explanation, he wasn’t sure how to behave. Still, Tian had originally told him to come along so that was what he would do until being told otherwise. Thus, he also stepped into the palace and naturally, he saw the jade coffin resting in the main hall at first glance. The hall was otherwise empty so there really was no way not to. Suddenly, he felt subtle. Just what this coffin was for … he had a good guess.

Tian raised his head when Jing He’s steps stopped behind the door. He raised a hand and waved him over. “Come here.”

Jing He inclined his head and walked to Tian’s side. He didn’t dare to look at the coffin though and instead looked at the supreme sovereign as if waiting for instructions.

Tian gazed at him and then pointed at the person lying beside them. “Look.”

Jing He took a deep breath and finally forced himself to turn around, lowering his head to look.

The person … wasn’t as beautiful as expected. Somehow, this was his first thought after seeing him. He had heard the story of Tian and Xing for the first time when he was only a little child and what was always emphasized about Xing was his beauty. Still, there were no paintings that remained of him or maybe there had never been any in the first place. After all, he had been an unloved son, one whose appearance the Heavenly Emperor might not have cared to immortalize on a scroll.

Because of this, everyone would have their own ideas about what Xing should have looked like. Certainly, many ideas were exaggerated while others fell short. He himself had always wondered and there had been a quiet voice deep inside that always wondered how he compared to this legendary beauty. He never would have thought he would have the chance to see him and actually make the comparison. Now that he did … he suddenly felt that he didn’t seem to fall short.

Jing He closed his eyes, trying to rein in his thoughts. This wasn’t something he should ever think of. Xing might have been praised as a beauty but more than that, he was a kind and pure soul. And that was obviously something he couldn’t compare with. Just look at how he saw this person lying in a coffin and still wanted to compare their appearances! He was an evil jealous creature down to his very core.

Tian watched his expression and saw that he clearly wasn’t all that focused. It was normal though. Which fallen god had all their wits about them? As long as they encountered something that was even tangentially related to their fall, they would react strongly. In some, this would lead to them violently erupting. In others, all those heavy feelings were directed inwardly. It didn’t take much to figure out which kind the crown prince of the Nine Heavens was.

He finally pointed at Xing’s face or more precisely the spot between his brows to try and get Jing He to focus. “Look.”

Jing He still listened to this person so even though he felt horrible about this whole situation, he still raised his head and stared at the person in the coffin. To be honest, even though he wasn’t as beautiful as he had thought … he was still a beauty nonetheless. No wonder Tian had fallen in love with him. That, coupled with a kind personality, had to be fatally attractive to most men.

It really was no wonder that contrary to him, Xing had had many suitors. This kind of person naturally deserved it. He, on the other hand, he didn’t even deserve the little bit of happiness he had found.