Envy... and that was the first thing that crossed Je Xi's mind upon hearing Lan Ming's explanation. However, Je Xi herself didn't want to judge Lan Ming because it seemed that the Wind God's words held some truth.
There will never be two great individuals in the same place. If there are, surely one of them must concede and leave.
Lan Ming clearly seemed to understand that concept well. His actions were in line with the principle he adhered to.
"Thank you for your explanation. As your friend, I can only offer my support to you," Je Xi said as she rose from the bench.
"Huh, sorry, are we friends?"
Je Xi was almost angry to hear those words come out of Lan Ming's mouth. However, her anger vanished instantly upon hearing the scream of a woman she recognized so well.
"Something's happened to your mother!" Je Xi was about to run, but when she turned, she found Lan Ming was no longer beside her. Apparently, the Wind God had already gone ahead of her.
***
Inside the house, Ying looked terrified as she faced a terrifying old woman who seemed to be intimidating her.
"Bi Kwe, stop whatever you're doing to my mother!" Lan Ming admonished. The Wind God immediately recognized the disguised figure of the Thief Goddess.
Bi Kwe smiled, then chanted a spell, causing Ying to fall into a deep sleep. "I won't harm her; I intend to use her as bait," she said, reverting to her original form.
Lan Ming raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked, puzzled.
"Just watch," Bi Kwe grinned widely, noticing Je Xi entering the house. Bi Kwe took out her magical scarf and commanded it to restrain Je Xi's body.
"What do you think you're doing, let me go!" Je Xi struggled to free herself, but found her body entangled by Bi Kwe's magical scarf. Je Xi was not the type of goddess to engage in combat due to her inclination towards beauty rather than fighting. Clearly, she was easily captured by Bi Kwe's magical scarf.
"I just want your beautiful voice. Once I have taken it, I will release you," Bi Kwe produced a scroll that floated in the air, ready to steal Je Xi's voice.
"Bi Kwe, stop this; it's outrageous! Let her go! I will grant all your wishes if you release her," Lan Ming interjected, trying to remain patient. Sometimes Bi Kwe's antics would provoke his emotions. The Thief Goddess was truly mischievous and loved to cause trouble even among other gods.
"No, I won't. I'm not your lackey," Bi Kwe refused as she prepared to steal Je Xi's beautiful voice.
Je Xi struggled to break free, but to no avail. It must be admitted that being a goddess who relied solely on the power of beauty left her lacking in basic fighting abilities.
"You really are testing me this time, Bi Kwe." Lan Ming approached Bi Kwe, intending to put an end to the Thief Goddess's actions.
THUD
Lan Ming's body was thrown quite far. If Lan Ming hadn't held onto the floor with his hands, he could have been thrown against the wall of the hut.
"Don't think I'm weak. All this time, I haven't just lived to steal. I've also trained and studied your techniques!" Bi Kwe showed her pride.
All this time, Bi Kwe had secretly observed Lan Ming's training. Quietly, the unofficial goddess stole Lan Ming's knowledge and trained herself.
"You've developed quite well, Bi Kwe. Seeing you like this, I believe you have the potential to be recognized as a goddess with an official title, much better than this," Lan Ming praised, proud of Bi Kwe's progress.
"Quiet! Don't praise me without a clear reason. You are my enemy!" Bi Kwe exclaimed angrily, but strangely her cheeks turned a rosy color, like the characteristic color of red envelopes.
"You seem flattered, Bi Kwe. Good, continue your efforts because... I won't hesitate to fight you!" Lan Ming suddenly darted forward and kicked the Thief Goddess, sending her flying far away.
Damn, I let my guard down, thought Bi Kwe.
Lan Ming rushed towards Je Xi, intending to free the Goddess of Sound from the clutches of Bi Kwe's magical scarf. However, his movement was momentarily halted as Bi Kwe swiftly attacked him again.
Bi Kwe pulled her magical scarf, then hurled Je Xi's body into the air, causing the Goddess of Sound to scream in terror.
"Defeat me with all your might, and I will release her," Bi Kwe challenged, "this time, I won't hold back like usual." Bi Kwe then took out a bottle containing magical liquor and greedily drank it in one gulp.
The Thief Goddess's body suddenly swayed, appearing intoxicated. Bi Kwe began to babble incoherently. Her body moved wildly, as if possessed by a wild horse. Not only that, her eyes turned a deep red.
"You're so reckless, drinking magical liquor," Lan Ming sighed. He knew well that magical liquor could enhance the abilities of the user while also numbing consciousness and temporarily dulling pain.
"Come forth, Lan Ming, oh Wind God!" Bi Kwe shouted in her intoxicated state. The plump-cheeked goddess ran towards Lan Ming and struck him with the Cricket's Foot technique. Although Lan Ming easily dodged the move, it tore his clothes at the chest.
Lan Ming chanted a mantra, summoning a simple bamboo staff into his hand. The Wind God threw the bamboo staff like a boomerang, hitting Bi Kwe in the neck.
Bi Kwe caught the bamboo staff and threw it back at Lan Ming. Unexpectedly, the bamboo staff returned to the Thief Goddess, who, with a palm strike and a reversing mantra, turned it into a staff adorned with peony flowers containing poison.
The staff, now infused with poisonous peony flowers, caused Lan Ming's skin to break out in rashes. The peony flower mantra was Bi Kwe's greatest power. Although not lethal, it was quite troublesome.
"If only you trained your abilities properly. You would surely become a goddess with an official title," Lan Ming remarked while healing himself with the Breeze Healer mantra. The gentle breeze from the mantra swiftly healed Lan Ming's skin.
"Don't... praise... your... opponent... hic... hic... hic...." Bi Kwe, in her drunken state, struggled to control herself, also suffering from hiccups. The Thief Goddess then chanted a mantra and created a spear from a cluster of peony flowers. She used the spear to stab Lan Ming.
Lan Ming caught the spear, twirling it around and turning it into a spinning weapon. Peony flowers scattered, accompanied by a gentle breeze, creating a small storm filled with peony flowers.
"Do you think you can win, huh? These peony flowers are my power. I can create poison from these flowers!" Bi Kwe raised both hands, invoking a poison-inducing mantra from her flowers.
Instead of feeling threatened, Lan Ming smiled triumphantly. The peony flowers followed the direction of the wind, gathering together to form one large peony flower. The large peony flower then exuded nectar, drenching Bi Kwe's body.
"Uwaaaargh... damn you, Lan Ming!" Bi Kwe screamed in pain as the nectar soaked her body. The Thief Goddess's skin slowly turned red and began to blister.