Chapter 158: The First Task

Heracles led the horse to the front of the Royal Palace, handed the reins to the attendant behind, and alone stepped onto the familiar stone steps.

The sunlight was dazzling, making the Royal Palace's snow‑white stone walls glint with a cold sheen.

He looked up; the palace remained towering, the corridor columns soaring, the eaves corners carved with uncanny patterns—identical to his memory.

The last time he stood here, he left in anger.

Then he swore never to return to this palace that had shamed him, this place that had shamed him.

But now......

Heracles smirked self‑deprecatingly, tugging at the corner of his mouth.

As expected, words cannot be spoken too fully.

He inhaled deeply and strode into the Great Hall.

In an instant, countless gazes swept toward him—some familiar, some stranger.

Officials whispered among themselves, nobles wore varied expressions, and the elders silently stared at him.

Heracles kept his eyes straight ahead, walking directly to the center of the Great Hall.

His sight fell on the Throne directly ahead—

Where no one sat.

Just like last time.

The previous time he was summoned, he waited from dawn till dusk before Eurystheus finally arrived tardily.

This time...........

Heracles let out a cold laugh and sat cross‑legged on the ground.

This time he has all the patience!

Yet, unexpectedly, this time did not make him wait long.

"Ah, Heracles, my dearest brother!"

An exaggeratedly caring voice came from behind.

Heracles turned his head—

Eurystheus was strolling slowly from the Side Door.

He was handsome yet pallid, his Royal Robe shimmering luxuriously in the sunlight, a Golden Crown upon his head, a false smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Why are you sitting on the ground?" Eurystheus feigned surprise, then turned to the attendant and scolded:

"Where is the attendant? Why haven't you prepared a chair for our hero?"

He pretended to reprimand:

"If this happens again, I will punish you!"

A nearby attendant lowered his head, inwardly cursing—clearly you ordered us not to give him a chair...

Yet they only knelt and respectfully said, "It was our oversight, please forgive the king!"

Heracles coldly watched this farcical scene, slowly rising.

"No need," he said calmly, "Why trouble those who obey the orders?"

"I'll stand."

Eurystheus seemed not to grasp the meaning in his words, his smile unchanged, he walked to the Throne and sat, looking down at Heracles from above:

"I heard you went to Delphi?"

"For Atonement?"

"Yes." Heracles replied briefly.

"Oh?" Eurystheus pretended curiosity, "Then, what does Apollo's Divine Oracle say?"

"Don't answer that question yet."

"My dearest brother, you are a hero; what's a mere woman? No need for you to atone."

"How about this: you stay, you may pick any princess you like, making our relationship tighter!"

"You said you'd never return here… we are brothers, that of course doesn't count."

"What do you think?"

Though appearing concerned, the mocking gleam in his eyes almost overflowed, unsettling Heracles's attempt at calm.

But he could not, the Divine Oracle is Zeus's Divine Oracle.

The Great Hall fell silent instantly, everyone held their breath awaiting Heracles's answer.

After a few deep breaths, he said, "No need for that nonsense."

"Eurystheus, I know you understand my purpose; state your request!"

Seeing he did not become angry as expected, Eurystheus's smile faded slightly.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, slowly readjusted his posture.

Straightening his back, chin slightly raised, his voice deepened with undeniable authority:

"Heracles, in the name of the king—"

The Great Hall fell into hush, even breath sounds were clear.

"Announce your first task."

Eurystheus's finger lightly tapped the Throne Armrest, a cold smile curling at his mouth:

"Kill the lion that devours humans in Nemea, and bring its hide back to Mycenae."

As soon as the words fell, the Great Hall erupted in low murmurs of astonishment.

"The Nemean lion?!"

"That's a monster that cannot be pierced by sword or spear!"

"Its sharp claws can shred a bronze shield......"

The crowd whispered among themselves, eyes filled with dread; some who were close to Heracles furrowed their brows, revealing their anxiety—this task was nothing less than sending Heracles to his death!

However, Heracles simply stood there calmly; he had long anticipated that Eurystheus would not let him go easily.

"I understand."

Heracles's voice echoed through the Great Hall:

"At most a month, I will bring it back."

Having said that, he turned and strode away.

Sunlight poured in through the hall doors, stretching his silhouette long and upright; his steps were steady and powerful, each one seeming to tread upon the crowd's heartbeat.

No hesitation, no fear, not even a glance back.

Eurystheus stared at his silhouette, his fingers unconsciously gripping the Throne Armrest.

He had expected to see Heracles's anger, resentment, or humiliation...... even fear! Terror!

Yet this man showed not the slightest wavering, and still equipped him with it......... damn it.

The people in the Great Hall watched Heracles's departing figure, and for a moment no one spoke.

Only when his silhouette vanished completely in the sunlight outside the hall did someone whisper softly:

"Fearless of any strong foe, that is...... the true hero."

"Shut up."

Eurystheus seemed to hear the words, and after a cold shout, rose directly from the Throne, flicking his sleeve:

"There's nothing left to do today; disperse."

Having said that, he turned and strode toward his Qin Gong, his steps hurried, showing his mood was not good.

The crowd exchanged glances and then each went their separate ways.

They should involve themselves less in disputes of this level.

And outside.

After leaving the Royal Palace, Heracles went to retrieve his horse, but instead of immediately seeking the Nemean lion, he planned to ask Yu Lin if he had any solution.

He is brave, but not foolish.

Retracing his steps and inquiring along the way, he eventually found the house where Li Ya lived.

He raised his hand and knocked on the Wooden Door, and Li Ya's voice sounded:

"Who is it?"

"It's me, please open the door."

Li Ya recognized Heracles's voice and opened the Wooden Door.

Even a Bronze Door would be nothing more than a decoration before Heracles, let alone a Wooden Door.

Li Ya looked up at him: "Uncle, what do you need?"

Heracles first glanced inside, saw no Yu Lin, and asked, "I'm here to find Yu Lin."

"Where did he go?"

Just as Li Ya was about to answer, Yu Lin's voice came from behind.

"I'm here, Heracles, shall we have a meal together?"