As for the person that Ye Yang had come to see … He was currently sitting at one of the lakes in the Yun Zou Sect next to Xiang Yong, looking over the surface of the water while his friend thoroughly explained everything that had happened while he had been away.
"So that happened." An Bai's gaze was complicated. Judging from everything that Xiang Yong had just told him, their king definitely hadn't thought of freeing him from the demon king's dungeon up until the moment when he had become useful again for him. Thinking of that, he sighed.
Xiang Yong looked over and gave a faint smile. "You know how he is. It's not that he doesn't think of you as important. It's just that … He probably didn't even think about it."
An Bai smiled as well but there was a bit of melancholy in there. "I sometimes wonder if I should feel gratified that he thinks we are able to do all of this on our own or if I should be worried because he doesn't take responsibility."
"It's easier to tell ourselves that it's the former. Anyway, it's better now than it was before. We've grown with the tasks we've taken up over time. In a sense, this also works, doesn't it? He doesn't need to do everything by himself."
"Sure." An Bai sighed again when he said so. "I guess it is just that when you think about it, then it is quite strange. Before him … Which of our kings ever behaved like this?"
Xiang Yong shook his head. "To be honest, you would know more about that than me. And it's not like any of us actively experienced that time. Most likely, only His Majesty himself knows what it was like living under the previous king. And even then …" He shook his head. "Speaking of which, I was a bit surprised. That person from the spirit beast tribe asked him about his father and the previous king. I knew that His Majesty's father was close to him but I had no idea that His Majesty must've known him as well."
An Bai turned to look at him, his expression subtle. "Well, the things that happened back then … We don't know very much for sure. It also wouldn't be good to pry too much."
"You don't need to tell me. I already know."
The two of them fell quiet and just continued to look at the lake in front of them.
After a while, Xiang Yong turned back to face An Bai. "The person of the spirit beast tribe … Do you think we should do something? It wouldn't be good to let him ask any further questions."
An Bai furrowed his brows, worried about the same thing. "I do agree that it would be better to stop him but … What can we do? Ask him to leave? Without an explanation, it wouldn't help at all. And we can't give one."
Xiang Yong agreed with that. "I'm afraid you're right with that. But what else can we do?"
"Maybe we're thinking too much. I'm sure that His Majesty will be able to deal with that on his own."
Xiang Yong gave a hum, feeling that that was also true. As his advisers, they knew better than anyone else that there was no way to force their king into anything. If he didn't want to speak about something, then you could ask however much you wanted, you wouldn't get even a single syllable out of him.
In fact, it might even be that you wouldn't be able to see him anymore if you tried too hard. Somehow, he was a master at being able to hide somewhere. Not that they would ever say that aloud. It was just something that they couldn't deny to themselves.
"So we will just let things be?"
An Bai kept quiet for a moment but finally nodded. "Yes. I do think that would be for the best. We can stay here for a few days and keep an eye on what else is happening if you're worried but other than that, I don't think that we should get involved. Anyway, His Majesty probably wouldn't like it either."
Xiang Yong gave a hum and then left it at that. After a moment, he glanced at An Bai once more. "What about you? I'm sorry I had to call you over here."
An Bai shook his head, not taking it seriously. "Didn't I already say that it wasn't a problem? Anyway, since His Majesty wanted to save that person and the equipment was needed for refining the potion, it's alright. Anyway, I only regret that I wasn't able to take a look at the refining process."
Xiang Yong gave a light laugh and shook his head. "Don't tell me you also picked up refinement?" He knew that An Bai had dabbled in it a bit but that had been all. He had always believed that it was only because of a theoretical interest. But now, it sounded as if that hadn't been the case.
An Bai shook his head though. "You're thinking too much. I really was just interested in having a look. Reading about it and understanding guiding principles is one thing but being able to see it for myself … That is a different thing altogether. It would've been interesting. But I do understand enough about refinement that I know that it wouldn't have been possible. It's just a pity."
"I see. Well, I guess you might have an opportunity in the future. If I understand correctly, then that Ma Zhi Wu person isn't completely healed yet. There might still be some potions needed later on."
An Bai nodded but he didn't seem too thrilled about the idea. "I do know that. It's just … there is still a difference between refining just any potion to help somebody and refining this kind of potion. Obviously, whatever recipe that person followed was a very high-level one. This kind of thing is something that can't be seen often. That's just why I'm a bit sad that I missed out on the opportunity."
Xiang Yong nodded. "Well, you probably won't have as much luck then. But who knows? Maybe there'll be one in the future. You never know."
An Bai chuckled lightly. "True."
With that, the two of them went back to looking over the lake in front, keeping quiet.