Chapter 140 - With Time Comes Change (1/2)

It goes without saying that Qiu Ling was the first one to break down. After seven consecutive days of neither seeing Jing He nor hearing anything about him, he couldn't take it anymore. Thus, he barged into the nine heavens.

According to Bai Fen's account of the happenings in the heavenly emperor's palace, Jing He's father, who had thought that this annoying pest of a possible future son-in-law had finally given up and wouldn't bother his son any longer, flew into another fit of rage. Especially since his son who had looked slightly out of sorts for the last few days seemed instantly revived upon hearing that that guy had returned. There was even a beautiful smile on his lips!

Jing He, for once, had ignored his father's temper and hurried over to where Qiu Ling was without hesitation. He only halted when he saw him and his chest that had felt stuffed for these days finally lightened up. He breathed a sigh of relief and slowly walked over.

Ah, the crown prince was just as pretentious as the dragon king. All these insecurities he felt inside, he didn't want to display them before the man he loved. And yes, he really loved him. He just … had been too afraid to express it.

Qiu Ling saw him and the look in his eyes that was somehow different from before. This time, he wasn't cautious. He bet everything he had one this one moment.

He grabbed Jing He by the shoulder, pulled him into his arms and slid his fingers into his hair. Then he kissed him.

Jing He stiffened for a moment but then he relaxed and just let it be. He had only started to struggle again when Qiu Ling became greedy and wanted to take it one step further.

Qiu Ling shook his head with a smile when he thought of that. This first kiss, the day they finally, officially became a couple … it had been quite a bit of time since then. He wanted nothing more than to take the next step and make Jing He his official consort. Even if it was only in the mortal world, it would drive him crazy with happiness.

He sighed, looking at that dark window on the second story. One week. Maybe it would work here in the mortal world just like it had back then in the nine heavens. He really hoped so.

Unfortunately, Qiu Ling hadn't considered that Jing Yi in contrast to the Jing He of that time actually didn't know him. Jing He had been hesitating because of the way he grew up but he had loved Qiu Ling very much already at that point in time. Jing Yi, however, wasn't sure how to react because he knew nothing about marriage. If he knew what it was about, would he really agree? It wasn't likely. Instead, it was quite probable that Qiu Ling had tried this ploy too soon.

Well, he might still have a chance if Xiao Dong's answer the next day was able to convince Jing Yi. Thankfully, Xiao Dong was already worshiping Qiu Ling so he wouldn't say anything bad about him. And since he was searching for an opportunity to prove his worth to his king anyway, this was just what he wanted.

When Jing Yi woke up the next morning his thoughts instantly returned to the things that had happened the day before. He couldn't wait to ask Xiao Dong but there were still the chores he had to do. Just because he had another problem now he wouldn't slack off on the things he was supposed to do.

Jing Yi might not have had the opportunity to learn cultivation but he had listened to a hundred different stories about heroes thanks to Shao Hai and Xiao Dong's efforts. He had a pretty clear understanding of what kind of characteristics a hero should have. Not shirking his responsibilities was one of them!

He washed up, put the robe of the outer sect disciples on and went down to the first floor. Without hesitation he walked to the storage room and took out a broom, then he proceeded to sweep the floor.

After a while, two of the other disciples came down the stairs. The first one yawned and passed by him without greeting like on any other day. The second one wanted to follow, stepped past Jing Yi and suddenly froze. Slowly, he turned back and took in what he saw: Jing Yi. A broom. An incredibly clean floor.

Since Jing Yi hated everything dirty, of course, he would do this chore with special care. Since the day he took over this task of sweeping there had never been any dirt anywhere in the house. The other disciples didn't care and had never paid him any attention anyway so they had never thought about it.

But now, the disciple at the door felt cold sweat running down his back. When his friend returned to ask what was wrong, he slapped his arm. ”Fuck, are you serious? Look who he is! What is he doing with a broom in his hand?!”

The first disciple rubbed his eyes and looked. ”Seems to be that Junior martial brother, Jing-what's his name. And isn't he just sweeping the floor? What are you making such a ruckus for?”

The second one grabbed him by the collar. ”Idiot! That's the boy Grandmaster Zhangsun's disciple proposed to yesterday! Do you believe he'll have us pay if he ever sees him sweeping the floor? Fuck, haven't you seen yesterday how vindictive he is? I don't want to get on his bad side!”

Qiu Ling had already seen everything there was to see, though. If this was a normal situation the disciple would have been right to worry. In fact, when Qiu Ling noticed that his beloved had to do these menial chores he was ready to unleash his fury on these so-called martial brothers. But then he remembered the trial. It was probably due to this that his beloved had to suffer this humiliation. Thus, he had grudgingly postponed his revenge. That didn't mean he would forget about it, though. He had already noted all their names down for later.

The first disciple blinked and slowly shock spread on his face. Shit! His friend was right!

He hurried over to Jing Yi and just grabbed the broom. ”Hehe, greetings junior martial brother Jing. What are you doing this early in the morning?”