Even though Jing He moved away, a certain someone wouldn’t give up. Qiu Ling naturally followed suit, still clasping his hands gently.

Jing He’s gaze flickered and he glanced over to where his father and the Heavenly Guards stood. "Long … Longjun." His father’s face was already red from rage and he seemed like he was only one step away from attacking the dragon king himself. The Heavenly Guards didn’t look much better either. It seemed he’d have to make the dragon king stop or this would turn out estranging their two races.

Before he could react though, the guards had already moved. They rushed over and a dozen spears pointed at the dragon king’s throat, daring him to continue with his wayward behavior.

Qiu Ling didn’t care though. He even pulled Jing He’s hands closer and leaned forward, closing the distance between them a bit more. Jing He couldn’t help but look up to see what this man intended to do.

Around them, the Heavenly Guards’ faces flushed red. This … this really was too much! What did the dragon king think he was doing!

From the back, their closeness seemed even more offensive. The Heavenly Emperor gnashed his teeth and shook his fist at Qiu Ling. "What do you think you are doing with our son, Longjun? Get your hands off him right now! Is the crown prince of the Nine Heavens someone you can touch so easily?!"

Qiu Ling was unimpressed. That old man could roar all he wanted. He wouldn’t let his beloved go now that he had finally made his way over! Especially not if that other guy was still loitering around. Mn, he should show his beloved just how much he loved him!

Qiu Ling lowered his voice and caressed the beautiful hands he was holding with his thumb. "You know, I sent Fu Min over with a message for you. I don’t know what happened. It seems he couldn’t find you? So I thought … Why shouldn’t I come over myself? I hope you don’t mind. The truth is, I just couldn’t wait to see you again. You know, your smile is haunting me. Last night —"

A big hand grabbed onto his wrist and plucked his hands off his beloved before he could finish his touching story. Qiu Ling furrowed his brows and whirled around to the troublemaker. His eyes blazed when he saw that it was actually the man that had dared to spend time alone with his Jing He.

Ugh! This bastard! It seemed he wanted to challenge him! Then please go ahead! That way, he would at least have a valid reason to rip him apart. Nobody would be able to say anything against it!

Killing intent radiated off him, making Jing He shudder but Qiu Ling was unable to retract it. Even though he was sure nothing had happened between Jing He and that man, Qiu Ling was prepared to fight for his beloved. That guy certainly wouldn’t have come near his beloved if he didn’t have some intentions toward him! But this would end here. He wouldn’t give him any chances. Jing He was his. Nobody else could have him.

Qiang Yan smiled wryly. "Longjun. Care to tell me what you are trying to do to my nephew?"

"Hah?" Qiu Ling blinked, not understanding what this person meant.

Qiang Yan snorted. So once again, the dragon king hadn’t recognized him. Ah, if he wasn’t used to this already, he might have been miffed. Well, he should try and save some face for him. After all, it truly seemed as if Jing He’s heart was slowly warming up to this man. This person might turn into his nephew-in-law sometime in the future. "I’m afraid we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet. I’m the God of War, Qiang Yan, the Heavenly Empress’ brother. So, I’m Jing He’s uncle."

Qiu Ling blanked. Jing He’s … uncle? So the strange man that Fu Min had reported about was actually part of his beloved’s family? Qiu Ling’s gaze flitted about. "Oh. I …" He glanced at Jing He who was looking uncomfortable and couldn’t help but feel indignant. This stupid Fu Min! He had actually made him look bad in front of Jing He! Ugh, he’d have to go and teach him a lesson! "I didn’t want to do anything. I just came by to say hello. I … actually, I have something really important to do now." He gave a strained smile, turned around and dashed away, leaving the Nine Heavens as fast as he had come. Mn, Fu Min really, really deserved a beating right now!

Qiu Ling made his way back to the dragon realm in the shortest possible amount of time. He rushed into the palace and toward Fu Min’s room, flexing his claws in preparation for his revenge.

Making him look bad in front of Jing He, this guy obviously had some evil plan! Most likely, even when he told him about how that An Bai was trying to woo his beloved he had been speaking nonsense and was only trying to make him not pay as much attention to himself. Yes, that Fu Min was probably also after Jing He! Well, it was no wonder with how beautiful his beloved was …

Just when Qiu Ling turned into the corridor, the door opposite of Fu Min’s room opened. Fu Heng furrowed his brows. If he didn’t read his king’s expression the wrong way, then … he was angry. And considering how he was approaching Fu Min’s room … Fu Heng stepped out of the room and into Qiu Ling’s way with a serious expression. "Your Majesty."

"Yes, yes, now get out of my way!" Whatever this guy wanted to say, it would have time until after he had dealt with that Fu Min.

Fu Heng didn’t even think of it. On the contrary, he even took another step, completely blocking the door. "Your Majesty, it’s about the task you gave me."

Qiu Ling waved impatiently. "Tell me later."

Inside the room, Fu Min blearily opened his eyes. He hadn’t slept the whole night and it had only been a few hours since he returned but now, things were actually getting this rowdy outside! He already wanted to yell that these people should tone it down when the voice of his king registered. Fu Min blinked. Shit! He hadn’t thought about it too much before but naturally, his king wouldn’t be amused when he rushed over to the Nine Heavens to see just who had dared to try and have a go at his beloved only to find out that nothing had happened.

Fu Min winced and crept out of his bed, pulling his outer robe from the closing rack and throwing it over his shoulders.

Outside, Fu Heng still didn’t budge. "But your Majesty, didn’t you say that His Highness had the highest priority from now on?"

Qiu Ling paused and took a closer look at Fu Heng. The task he had given this person … What had it been again?

Seeing that he finally had the king’s attention, Fu Heng inwardly heaved a sigh of relief. He shifted to the side just in case before he nodded his head. "There was that guard you wanted me to beat up. I reckon he made some transgression in regard to His Highness?"

Qiu Ling’s eyes widened. Right! There had been that guy too. Ah, there really were too many people lusting after his beloved. He had to set an end to this!

Inside the room, Fu Min crawled to the window as fast as he could while not making a sound. Ah, Fu Heng, he could only hope that this guy would be able to hold His Majesty back a while longer. Unfortunately, he wasn’t too sure that this would be work. After all, this explanation had already taken more words than he had heard from Fu Heng in the last three months put together. His stock should already be depleted, shouldn’t it? Fu Min silently cried and crawled faster.

Meanwhile, Qiu Ling nodded to himself. Yes, all these guys couldn’t be tolerated any longer! "So you beat him up?"

Fu Heng nodded. "Mn, he had to be taken to the Temple of the God of Medicine. I hope this is enough for Your Majesty to vent your frustration?"

Qiu Ling nodded once again and took another step.

Fu Heng’s red brows furrowed and he shifted to the side once more. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Your Majesty?" He definitely couldn’t let him into the room! If he wasn’t wrong, then Fu Min still hadn’t been able to leave. He had to stall him for a while longer.

Qiu Ling frowned at him. It was nice for one of his advisers at least to really stand behind him and help him but this was a very bad moment to do so! He waved impatiently once again and reached for the door. "I’ll tell you when I think of something. Now, I have to beat this guy up."

Fu Heng clasped his hands, not budging an inch. "Since there’s somebody who angered Your Majesty, why don’t you let me help you? Is it somebody of the gods? Then I’ll hurry right over and teach that person a lesson."

Qiu Ling snorted. "What gods? It’s that guy in the room! That Fu Min!"

"Fu Min?" Fu Heng furrowed his brows in seeming doubt. "I can’t imagine that he would do anything that would make him deserve a beating from you, Your Majesty. Maybe this is a misunderstanding."

Qiu Ling gritted his teeth. "You step aside now! This stupid guy actually gave me the wrong information! Obviously, he is interested in my beloved and wants to have him for himself!"

Inside the room Fu Min made a mad dash for the window, pushing it open and jumping out at once. He had no idea why His Majesty would think something like that but if that was what he thought then there was no way he could risk seeing him right now. Who knew how he would end up if he did?

Qiu Ling dragged Fu Heng out of the way when he heard the movement inside and kicked the door, making it crash into the wall on the other side. "Fu Min, you bastard! You stand right there! You actually dare and give me the wrong information?! You’re obviously coveting my beloved!"

Fu Min’s eyes widened and he rushed over to the middle of the courtyard and changed his form into that of a pale yellow dragon.

Qiu Ling tsked and pointed at the creature that was already flying away. "Don’t think I’ll ever let you come close to my beloved ever again! You’re done for!"

Unfortunately, he couldn’t follow him. Turning into a dragon right above the capital wasn’t a good idea. Ugh, as much as he wanted to pay him back for what he had done, it probably wasn’t worth it.

He turned back and came face to face with Fu Heng who had followed him into the room. "You!" The claws that had already been extended lashed out and Fu Heng had to duck to evade the strike. Before he could say anything, those claws came for him again.

Fu Heng furrowed his brows but kept silent. If fighting a round with His Majesty would enable Fu Min to get away without punishment, then he would gladly take this task upon himself.