Tian inclined his head. “Do you think it likely that your father will change his mind?”

Jing He shook his head. “No. I don’t think he would. He … he likely won’t accept it no matter what. He has always been … very set in his ways.” He lowered his gaze, his brows furrowing faintly before he forced himself to smooth his expression.

“Then what could be put in place to prevent the worst outcomes you can imagine?”

Jing He looked up and gazed at Tian in a daze. He had wished for more help and now, it seemed like he would receive it. It was just … he still wasn’t sure where Tian wanted to go with this. Well, most likely, that didn’t matter either. He should just answer one question after the other and see where it led.

He lowered his head and seriously thought about what Tian had asked him. “The worst outcome I can see is that the situation of both the gods and the dragons will decline as a result of my actions. Keeping the alliance seems to be the most important to ensure that this can’t happen. To make that a certainty …” He shook his head. “I suppose some kind of contract would be good but this is unlikely as well.

“In fact, it seems to be just as unlikely as my father changing his opinion. After all, both are related to him.” Jing He sighed after he said so and shook his head. “I don’t worry about Qiu Ling. He might not like my father but he is willing to put everything else aside for the sake of his people. My father … might be different. If I were to choose Qiu Ling, he might break the alliance out of rage. This is what I fear might happen. But if I choose him … can the alliance really survive?”

“You are doubtful.” Tian finally stepped further into the palace. Obviously, this was not going to be the short conversation he had expected earlier. “And because of your personality, these doubts can’t be assuaged without any kind of … proof, I suppose.”

Jing He hesitated but finally nodded. “I am sorry. I am making this more difficult than it has to be.”

Tian shook his head. “A god’s fall is the final result of a problem left unsolved. If it was easy, your soul wouldn’t have shattered. To unravel everything afterward when your mind isn’t even stable … that isn’t any easier.” He lowered his gaze, thinking of Xing who had been unable to extricate himself after Yuan died as well. This … was just how life as a fallen god was. Their obsession was too strong and they were powerless to stop it from continuing.

After a moment, he pulled himself out of his thoughts and looked up at Jing He again. “If there was a way to … make sure, would you do it?”

Jing He looked at him in doubt. “Is there a way to make sure?” Well, he probably could go to his father and ask but … “I couldn’t face my father like this. Qiu Ling can still accept this but he could never. My father … has always expected so much of me.” He clenched his hands into fists, unable to calm down for a moment.

Yes, his father had always believed him to do well. He had been his pride, the child that never made him worry. Until he met Qiu Ling, that was. Now, if he were to see him as a fallen god … he would surely blame Qiu Ling as well. He would think it was his interference that had caused this. How could he let that happen?

“What if it could be done without facing your father?”

Jing He’s expression turned blank. “Without facing him?” That … would naturally be good. It was just … “Since he is one of the parties involved, that seems impossible to me.” Although then again, would Tian ask him if it was? “Unless … the Supreme Sovereign has a way?”

Yes, this had to be it. Tian knew a way to let him put his mind to rest and get rid of his doubts once and for all. He had likely waited for something specific before he was willing to tell him and now, that time had come. He had no idea what the reason could be or what possibility there was but … he would be happy if it existed. After all, it really didn’t seem as if he would be able to do anything without this help.

Tian didn’t speak up immediately and instead continued to look at Jing He. When he finally spoke, he still didn’t tell him what could be done. “Would you be willing to give this a try even if there were consequences for this as well?”

Jing He hesitated. “I … suppose nothing is without consequences but it should depend on what those consequences would be, wouldn’t it?” He wasn’t sure if this was the right response. He wanted to heal his soul and become a trueborn god again, he wanted to return home, and … well, do whatever he finally decided on. Shouldn’t he jump on the chance to verify what the right decision would be? There should be no consequence bad enough to discourage him, right?

In the end though, he had to admit that he was timid and he indeed worried a lot. Since Tian asked like this, it shouldn’t be something simple. Of course, it was better to be careful. He just hoped this wouldn’t cause Tian to believe that he wasn’t ready yet.

Tian had no such thought. On the contrary, this seemed like a measured response to him. As for Jing He’s question … “I indeed have a way for you to make sure of what you want to know. But as for the consequence … that would be a sacrifice you yourself will need to make. It won’t have consequences for anyone else. Just you. So do you want to know more?”

Jing He didn’t even hesitate and nodded outright. If nobody else would be implicated, then what was there to think about? If everything only needed his own sacrifice, he would have been able to solve his troubles long ago. Naturally, he wouldn’t hesitate now.