Je Xi, who found Chan Do to be empathetic towards him, realized that Chan Do was a deity who would potentially have great power in the future. A god or goddess who truly had a sincere heart, even without an official title, was a blessed figure.
"Chan Do, I never expected that you would have such a kind and caring heart towards others. Bi Kwe is very fortunate to have a sibling like you," praised Je Xi to Chan Do through telepathy.
Chan Do, receiving praise from Je Xi, blushed and even couldn't bring himself to look into the eyes of his beloved. "That's not true. But thank you for the praise you've given me," Chan Do replied happily.
Je Xi felt that Chan Do was a sweet person. He really wanted to make Chan Do his close friend. Honestly, during his time in the heavenly realm, he had never encountered a deity who was as sincere and sweet as Chan Do.
"Do you want to be my friend? It seems I am very lucky to have met you. I feel like I've never had a friend who could truly become close to me before. Honestly, I've only ever socialized or been truly close with my siblings," said Je Xi.
Friend? Somehow hearing that word from Je Xi's mouth made Chan Do even happier. He never would have imagined that he, who was often forgotten among other great gods, could meet and even befriend someone like Je Xi.
"Well... um, do you mind being friends with me? Someone like you, who is admired by many, might not fit in with me," Chan Do felt insecure in his heart, although he felt happy to be friends with Je Xi. Especially since it was Je Xi himself who offered friendship to him.
Je Xi's face looked puzzled hearing Chan Do's seemingly insecure words. He didn't understand why Chan Do would say such a thing. Wasn't his sweet and kind-hearted nature attractive to him?
Seeing Je Xi's slightly furrowed brow, Chan Do felt afraid that he had offended the Voice Goddess with his words.
"Ah... um... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to reject your friendship. Actually, I'm grateful that you're willing to be friends with someone like me. I just felt insecure," Chan Do explained to Je Xi stutteringly.
Je Xi pursed his lips, looking annoyed. He then flicked Chan Do's forehead with his slender fingers.
"Don't talk like that. Among gods and goddesses, we shouldn't differentiate between each other. Since when has there been a difference that prevents us from being friends? Ugh, this is so frustrating," Je Xi voiced his complaint to Chan Do through telepathy.
Chan Do just chuckled awkwardly. But on one side, he secretly agreed with Je Xi's opinion.
Bi Kwe handed his bowl to Je Xi, intending to get more of the dish made by the Voice Goddess.
Je Xi took Bi Kwe's plate and refilled the bowl with bamboo shoot vegetables.
"You eat so heartily," commented Pit Hong, seeing Bi Kwe asking for more portions from Je Xi.
"Of course, it tastes good. Je Xi's cooking doesn't contain any dangerous ingredients like yours," retorted Bi Kwe, still feeling annoyed about the incident earlier.
Pit Hong sighed. Who would have thought that joke would be taken seriously by Bi Kwe until now?
"Tomorrow we will depart for the Village of Fēng Zhú Cūn. So, prepare yourselves. Don't waste energy because we will be traveling far," Lan Ming, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up to inform the others about their journey the next day.
Upon hearing Lan Ming's words, everyone agreed, though they each had their own way of agreeing. Like Pit Hong nodding in the usual way followed by Je Xi in a similar manner. Chan Do agreeing by whistling, and Bi Kwe with a sharp-eyed glance indicating his approval.
After the meal, Chan Do helped Je Xi clean the tableware. While washing the dishes, Chan Do sneakily glanced at Je Xi, feeling grateful when he noticed that the Voice Goddess seemed much happier than before.
Je Xi, realizing that Chan Do was sneakily glancing at him, immediately sent a telepathic signal to Chan Do, asking if the little deity had something to say.
Nervous upon receiving the signal from Je Xi, Chan Do tried to evade. But Je Xi's continued gaze made him even more awkward.
"Um... I... didn't... mean... any... harm. I... just... wanted... to... make sure... you... feel... better... than... before... that's... all," Chan Do stuttered, trying to express his intentions.
Je Xi laughed silently. He sent another telepathic signal to Chan Do, thanking him for the attention he gave. Je Xi smiled sweetly, successfully making Chan Do's heart flutter.
"So they will come here?" A figure resembling a young man with skin as pale as snow and long black hair asked, his blue eyes shining, especially in the darkness of the night like this, looking towards another figure sitting beside him.
"I don't know, really," he replied nonchalantly, puffing his cigarette vigorously. The night air felt colder, but it only made him feel more comfortable.
"My intuition tells me that their arrival might cause a disturbance," the young man replied to his friend. His white, sparkling attire, illuminated by the moonlight, made him even more enchanting.
"I guess it's just because you haven't had guests for a long time. You've been dwelling in this secluded mountain for quite a while. It's natural to feel uneasy with guests' presence," his friend replied calmly.
"Is that so?"
"Perhaps."
The man in sparkling white attire then gently waved his hand in the air, causing small ice flowers to fall from the sky.
"If indeed they come only to cause trouble or something similar, I won't hesitate to turn them into ice blocks and destroy their bodies one by one."
Meanwhile, the figure still enjoying his cigarette chuckled softly. "Don't be too harsh. Who knows, these guests might bring some interesting surprises. Unless they cause trouble, I'll surely give them punishment."
"By killing them all?"
He shook his head. "I'm not too fond of violence. But... still, they will receive an interesting punishment from me," he said, still with a calm voice.