I looked down at myself, checking that I was dressed as normal as possible and that I didn’t have anything that might expose me as the Mortal God.

Not that there’s much to worry about. All I need to make sure was that the current clothes I was wearing aren’t something I’ve worn alongside my mask before and I should be ready to go. It wasn’t like I had some really stand out features in my persona as a Mortal God after all.

I heard that some of the Mortal Gods would have their bodies change slightly to resemble the god that they have awakened, like having glowing eyes or markings on their bodies.

Obviously, I had nothing of that sort on me... Aside from apparently having some halo or something the last time when I was explaining Magic and Qi to my Guardians which I still don’t know what caused it to appear in the first place.

I teleported myself out of the hotel since it would be too obvious if I were to walk out of the hotel as someone who was never seen walking in to begin with.

I already scouted a perfect spot ahead of time and I appeared in an alleyway between two buildings that connected to a small courtyard behind the building. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Taking a moment to look around to make sure I was alone, I stepped out and dismissed the door, taking a moment to straighten my clothes before stepping out.

The morning crowd occupied the streets of Chiang Mai and despite the Anomaly attack just a few days ago, it looks like things were back to normal again.

Well... Mostly normal at least...

I could still somehow sense there was a little bit of anxiety and melancholy in the air despite how everyone was just trying their best to act normal.

Still, I think they would be just fine given time.

Anyway, this isn’t time for me to be melancholic either. I’ve worked pretty hard these past few days so I’m here to relax!

I took out my phone and tapped on the screen to check my messages, scrolling through them until I found Dan’s contact.

I brought up our chat and typed a quick message asking where he was.

While waiting for a reply, I also went to check if I had other messages from my other friends, particularly the ones who I’ve met online.

My screen stopped on my chat with Bas, showing that my message was still left unread.

Did something really happen to him?

I was brought out of my thoughts as Dan replied my message and I tapped on the notification to bring up his message.

’Behind you.’

I turned around, seeing no one, only to raise up my hand and grab Dan’s arm before he could poke me on the cheek when I turned around.

He clucked his tongue at me, "Wah lau eh, you cheater sia."

I scoffed, "Come on, I sensed your presence approaching me from the start. Your lumbering form is too big to hide."

"You fucker, trying to call me fat is it?"

"You are pretty big in size after all. Anyway... Where’s your family?"

"Uncle Qing!!"

"Un... Uncle Qing!"

Two voices came from the side and I turned just in time to see Joanne and Amanda running up towards me.

I couldn’t help but smile at them as they ran over to hug me, both of them looking up with sparkly eyes.

Following behind them was Rachel, the mother of these two girls shaking her head in exasperation.

"Hello girls," I greeted them with a pat on their heads. "I hope you aren’t causing your parents trouble, are you?"

Amanda pouted up at me, "We are not! Uncle Qing!"

Joanne also made a cute pouty face, "We were good! We... We stayed with mommy!"

I chuckled, "Alright, alright, I know the both of you are good girls, I was only joking."

The two girls seemed to be appeased with that and I turned my attention to Rachel who had just arrived beside her husband.

"Good morning Rachel. I hope you and the girls were safe the last few days."

She smiled at me, "You should worry more about yourself, Qing. As one of the Guardians of our country’s Mortal God, you were on the front lines when that happened didn’t it? Are you ok?"

I nodded, "Fortunately, I am fine. I had people fighting alongside me so I wasn’t alone."

I gave Dan a glance when I said that and he rolled his eyes, the guy clearly understanding that I was referencing him during the fight.

Amanda looked up at me, "Uncle Qing! Was it dangerous? How big were the monsters?"

Rachel pulled her back from me, "Amanda... Let’s not ask uncle Qing these questions here, alright?"

"Mmm... Ok, mommy..."

I decided to change the topic, "Sorry for barging into your family vacation like this."

Dan huffed, "Ya lor. Who invited you?"

Rachel smacked her husband on the arm, "Daniel, he is practically part of our family. He has every right to join us. Especially after all that he’s done for us."

Of course, I knew that Dan was joking because he was the one who actually invited me to join them.

In fact, before I could even send the message yesterday to ask if I could join their vacation, I received a message from Dan telling me that he heard the rift had been cleared and asked if I was free to join their vacation.

The conversation basically went with me being worried that I would impose on them and Daniel basically threatening me that I should join them or he would come over to the hotel and pull me out of the room himself.

I threw him a lifeline, "So... What’s the plan for today? I honestly didn’t really come here with any travel plans because I didn’t expect to be given free time after we cleared the rift."

Rachel immediately took over the conversation, "We mainly planned for a walking tour today visiting the cultural sites, particularly around the old town area. The first place we intend to go is Wat Phra Singh temple and we can go for lunch afterwards before we visit another temple called Wat Chedi Luang. After that, we can have a massage in one of the shops nearby. And since it’s a Sunday, there’s a night market along one of the streets where we can go for both dinner and to end the day."

I can tell that this was definitely planned by Rachel considering she’s the cultural and the intellectual person between the two of them.

Well... Dan is ’cultured’ too but not in that area if you get what I mean.

I nodded, "Sounds interesting. How far is the first stop?"

"It’s just a street down from here. We can walk there."

I let Rachel take the lead as she guided us through the streets of the city while holding Amanda’s hand.

Joanne opted to hold onto mine instead which I had no problems with while Dan walked on her other side to hold her other hand, placing her in between us.

I’m not sure how this looked to outsiders but this wasn’t my first time going on an outing with this family either so I didn’t really mind this arrangement.

As we walked through the streets of the city, Joanne spoke up.

"Uncle Qing... Where are you staying? Are you staying at the same place as mom and dad?"

I chuckled, "Ahaha, unfortunately not. I am staying together with the other Guardians and the Mortal God."

"Mmm... Why can’t you just stay with mom and dad? Isn’t... Isn’t your work finished?"

"Technically, part of my work is also protecting the Mortal God so my work isn’t over yet. We’re just given the day off."

"Isn’t the Mortal God strong? Why does he still need someone to protect him?"

Surprisingly, it was Dan who spoke up, "Even someone as strong as him needs people to watch his back, you know? It’s easier for the burdens to be shouldered by multiple people instead of just one person. Right, Qing?"

What is this guy trying to get at?

Still, I don’t disagree with his words so I nodded, "Of course. That’s why Mortal Gods also fight alongside others when facing against the Anomalies."

Joanne looked down, "The monsters came to the city... Everyone was so scared... Daddy went out to fight and left us..."

I grimaced at Dan who had a grimace of his own as well.

I patted her head, "He was protecting you, Joanne. And your mom and sister too. If he didn’t, the monsters might have come to hurt you."

"But that means daddy might get hurt... Uncle Qing is also fighting... And you get hurt too... I don’t like it when daddy and uncle Qing get hurt..."

Oh geez, Dan... What have you been teaching your daughter? How did she become so cute?

Actually, that means she’s taught by Rachel instead because there’s no way Dan could make her this cute.

Don’t worry Joanne, both your dad and I won’t be going anywhere.