After completing the task to ensure Chan Do was alright, Lan Ming found the young man looking quite relieved now.
"Thank you," he said, with a more relaxed expression.
"You're welcome."
Bi Kwe glanced briefly at her younger brother. Seeing that he was okay, she wanted to immediately invite him to go home. The Thief Goddess was about to summon Fe Let, a female swallow spirit with a head shaped like a peony flower, which she often used as transportation in urgent situations.
Realizing her sister was about to summon Fe Let, Chan Do stopped her, feeling it wouldn't be polite to leave just like that after being rescued.
"Seems like your brother knows more about manners than you," Lan Ming remarked, finding Bi Kwe's earlier intention to leave disrespectful.
Bi Kwe clicked her tongue in annoyance. But Chan Do quickly reminded himself not to be rude in front of those who had helped him. And of course, Chan Do's action brought protests from Bi Kwe.
"Ahem... I apologize if I intruded on your argument earlier. But since you're awake now, there's no harm in you hearing this conversation," Lan Ming informed Chan Do beforehand.
Chan Do nodded his head. He then extended his hand to Lan Ming. "Before anything else, let me introduce myself. My name is Chan Do, I am Bi Kwe's younger brother. Like my sister, I don't have an official title. In fact, I am just a small god who was recently born and hardly known by anyone. But I don't regret it because I have a sister who loves me," he introduced himself politely. It seemed Chan Do had a different personality from Bi Kwe.
Lan Ming shook his hand in return. "And let me also introduce myself, my name is Lan Ming."
"It's an honor for a high-ranking god like you to introduce yourself to me," Chan Do said sincerely.
Lan Ming's expression turned slightly melancholic. "You have potential, and your character is good. I won't beat around the bush, Chan Do, do you want to join me on my journey?" he offered.
Chan Do felt confused. But it seemed he realized there was no time for him to think long. Even Bi Kwe herself whispered loudly in his ear.
"Shhh... just accept it. I accept his offer too. Maybe we'll benefit from it if we follow him. Besides, it'll make everything easier," Bi Kwe whispered loudly enough for Lan Ming to hear.
Lan Ming just chuckled wryly, fortunate that he was used to dealing with the wild behavior of the Thief Goddess.
"Alright, I accept it. But we can discuss this another time. I should probably head back now," Chan Do looked a bit nervous, especially when Bi Kwe kept urging him to go home quickly.
Understanding finally, Lan Ming agreed, then offered his help by opening a teleportation portal so Chan Do and Bi Kwe could reach their destination quickly.
After Chan Do and Bi Kwe returned to their cottage, Lan Ming, who had just closed the teleportation portal, was surprised to hear a knock on the cottage door. Hurriedly, the Wind God opened the door and saw Ying standing outside with an unfamiliar figure.
Ying suddenly came home escorted by the unfamiliar figure. The figure wore simple red clothes without any patterns. Around his neck hung a green checkered cloth. A simple black hat sat on his head. He also wore black flip-flops. Tied to his waist was a weapon like a machete.
"Your mother was robbed earlier, so I saved her. But it's alright, she's unharmed. I acted quickly when I saved her," the figure said kindly.
"Indeed, son, he's the one who saved your mother," Ying smiled gently. Indeed, as said by the figure, Ying looked fine.
Lan Ming felt relieved. He then welcomed the figure and invited him into the cottage. When he was about to entertain the figure, he suddenly reached out his hand, accompanied by a friendly smile on his face that never faded.
"My name is Pit Hong, nice to meet you," he introduced himself confidently, but not intimidatingly. Instead, an aura of friendliness radiated prominently from him. He looked simple yet exuded a strong sense of power.
"Lan Ming, nice to meet you again." After that, Lan Ming then went to the kitchen followed by Je Xi, who also wanted to help prepare cakes and tea.
When they both went to serve the banquet, they were surprised because now the figure named Pit Hong was nowhere to be found. There was only Ying busy arranging her merchandise.
"Mom, where's Pit Hong?" Lan Ming was curious why the figure disappeared suddenly.
"He's gone. He said he couldn't stay long because someone needed him. I couldn't stop him. He seemed very busy too," Ying replied.
Hearing Ying's answer truly made Lan Ming very curious about the figure named Pit Hong. Even since their first meeting, Lan Ming himself realized that Pit Hong was not an ordinary figure. His energy radiated so strongly, although it seemed he wasn't a god.
***
At night when Lan Ming was about to go to sleep, Ying suddenly asked the Wind God to massage her body. So Lan Ming followed the old woman's orders, whom he had regarded as his own mother.
"Child... if anything happens to me, just leave this cottage for your own good. I won't force you to stay and settle in a place that won't help you grow. I know very well your personality cannot be restrained and is very free-spirited. Whatever happens, I will always support you." Suddenly Ying spoke like that, making Lan Ming feel frightened.
Even Lan Ming's hands trembled greatly as he massaged Ying. And Ying, realizing Lan Ming's unease, tried to calm him down.
"Are you afraid, child? Hearing Mother talk like this to you?"
Lan Ming didn't answer. But somehow his heart was throbbing so intensely.
"No one will ever be able to separate us as mother and child. But Mother realizes that a powerful creature like you, inherently cannot be together with a weak creature like me."
Ying's words seemed to imply something within them. Lan Ming felt increasingly nervous but tried to remain calm.
"Mother, stop talking about such things. Words are prayers," he tried to speak as calmly as possible.
Ying smiled thinly. "But humans are inherently weak creatures. Perhaps it's best to let humans not be in direct proximity to a figure as powerful as you." The old woman cleared her throat. "I apologize for speaking out of turn. Let's just pretend this conversation never happened. Thank you for massaging me. Mother is going to bed now." Ying got up and then laid out a mat to sleep on.
Lan Ming was truly rendered speechless. He could hardly say anything after hearing all the words uttered by Ying.