Thanks to the threat Xu Feng made, the previous sullen mood of Zhao Kai disappeared in an instant.
He was no longer blaming himself and was even now casually threatening to beat up Xu Feng, who was still in a weakened state.
"Ahh, you truly are one cold-hearted bastard. To think you would even attempt to lay a hand on a weakened person." Xu Feng shook his head, seemingly disappointed in him.
"Tsk, a weakened person but still capable of threatening others, isn't weakened at all." Zhao Kai rolled his eyes.
Despite the bantering, Zhao Kai still made sure to pay attention to Xu Feng's state.
As if he was really such a fool to not understand Xu Feng's motive.
His method was not only effective in snapping him out of his previous mood, but it also helped alleviate the atmosphere to how it used to be.
Xu Feng's last remark especially was a warning and a piece of advice to him.
Mistakes are made not because you want them to be, but because they happened due to circumstances. Hence, people called them mistakes and not intentional.
To sulk in your mistakes and not attempt to improve yourself to lessen the possibility of errors was the most foolish decision a person could make.
"Anyway, I think we rested enough." Xu Feng glanced at the sky which seemed to be gradually turning brighter.
Very soon, the sun should rise up, meaning there was going to be less time for him to act.
Aside from Fiona's quest, there was one other quest that Xu Feng had, and it was the insurgence.
As he attempted to get up, Xu Feng's balance was shaky, stumbling.
"Ugh, why are you even moving when you're still weakened?" Zhao Kai scolded and lent a hand to help balance him.
In the next instance, he crouched and ordered, "Just climb on my back and I'll carry you."
"..."
After debating whether or not to climb on top of him, Xu Feng relented in the end.
"If you drop me or make me bump into something, then you're going to get it." Xu Feng warned sternly, wrapping his arms around his shoulders.
"Heh, rest assured. I did weight training, so even if you weigh a ton, I can still easily carry you." Zhao Kai attempted to boast, only to end up getting smack at the back of his head.
"Are you implying I'm fat?" Xu Feng scolded, ready to give him another smack if he said one more wrong sentence.
"No, I meant I'm strong only. I didn't imply anything." Defend Zhao Kai, clearly afraid of receiving another smack.
Of course, if it was someone else threatening other than Xu Feng, he would have thrown a fit and let the latter know how strong he truly was.
Besides some traces of guilt that still remained, only Xu Feng was a friend that he could truly be at ease with, unlike the bunch of hypocrites who leeched on him once they realized his eldest sister's identity.
Sometime later, Zhao Kai shifted Xu Feng's weight onto his back, feeling the strain but maintaining a steady grip. Each step was careful but firm, his feet crunching softly against the forest floor.
As he walked, Zhao Kai inquired, "Are you leaving once we complete the mission?"
"Yeah, I'm only assisting you with this mission. After that, you're on your own to learn and adapt." Xu Feng responded casually.
"Heh, got it. I learned enough so I should try to do my own mission."
"Indeed, your mission isn't easy, so don't lower your guard."
With that warning from Xu Feng, it reassured Zhao Kai and also helped him understand that nothing could escape his eyes.
After all, the original delivery mission was a chain quest, and he hadn't had the opportunity to tell Xu Feng.
Yet it was quite clear that Xu Feng had long known about it but kept silent.
Having been carried for the first mission, Zhao Kai was grateful already.
Time slowly passed by, and they arrived at the eerie fog once again.
"How do we exactly teleport there, Feng?" Zhao Kai turned his head and asked.
"Put me down first."
"Okay…"
A few seconds later, Xu Feng retrieved the locket that the registration guards had given to them previously.
"Upon meeting the condition, a system prompt would appear and inquire if we wish to teleport to the destination." Xu Feng calmly explained and accepted the "yes" button.
Soon, his body was shrouded by a bright light and he subsequently vanished from the scene.
Shortly after, Zhao Kai followed the procedure and noticed the system prompt. He clicked "yes", and a similar event occurred as he vanished from the eerie fog.
By the time he reopened his eyes, he noticed he wasn't teleported to the outskirts like last time. Instead, they were teleported directly to the location where they did their registration.
"Oh, you two have returned." One of the registration guards on duty said.
"Yes, we have completed the mission entrusted to us by Blacksmith Fiona." Xu Feng greeted him politely and responded.
Nodding his head, the guard looked at Xu Feng in a new light.
"Haha, Blacksmith Fiona's mission is never easy, so to think you completed this fast means you are capable people." The guard complimented genuinely.
Respect was given to those with strength and ability. Now that Xu Feng and Zhao Kai both proved themselves worthy, their impression of them was naturally improving.
After some more small talks to continue the amicable relationship, Xu Feng bid farewell as he used Fiona's grumpiness as an excuse.
As they began walking toward the Forgefire Blacksmith, Xu Feng reminded him, "Kai, you must never slight the NPCs unless you want to have a difficult life in the Divine World. NPCs are similar to humans in a way and if you leave a negative impression, it could spread all across. By then, you'll be lucky to even find a mission unless they're evil or insidious NPCs."
"I understand, Feng." Zhao Kai clenched his fist and nodded.