Chapter 159: Wooden Stick

Yu Lin brought back two half‑person‑tall big fish and a small fish that looked very beautiful.

Under the curious gazes of Heracles and Li Ya, he turned the three fish into a table of fragrant dishes.

Of course, he used a bit of seasoning not belonging to this era; his skill couldn't match those master chefs, it could only be called home‑cooked fare.

But for now, that was a dimensional‑reduction strike.

Heracles and Li Ya sat by the wooden table, eyes unblinking as they watched his movements, their nostrils involuntarily flaring.

"Start eating."

As Yu Lin's words fell, the two sprang into action.

Li Ya's small hand grasped a wooden spoon, scooped a ladle of fish broth into her mouth, her eyes instantly narrowing into crescents: "Delicious!"

Heracles simply grabbed a piece of fish meat with his hand—at the moment it entered his mouth, his eyebrows shot up.

The fish flesh was so tender it seemed about to melt on the tongue, carrying a faint sweetness and a hint of a spiciness he had never tasted, making his taste buds tremble.

For the rest of the time, only the clatter of bowls and chopsticks remained inside the Wooden House.

Heracles ate extremely quickly, but his motions were not crude; Li Ya was like a little squirrel, her cheeks puffed, yet she still helped Yu Lin pick up vegetables into his bowl.

Until the last piece of fish vanished, they only then leaned back on their chairs, satisfied, patting their round bellies.

And they even bought another one.

Yu Lin looked at the empty plate, wiped his mouth, and turned to Heracles: "Have you already taken the mission?"

Heracles was unsurprised that he would know, nodded and said: "Yes."

He sat up straight, his expression turning serious: "I came to ask you—"

"Can my bow and arrow and sword break through the Nemean lion's defense? Can my bronze shield repel its attacks?"

Yu Lin shook his head: "No."

"It is the offspring of Typhon and Echidna; with your current strength, you cannot breach its defense."

"Of course, you need not worry that it will hurt you; it also cannot break your defense."

"As for how to kill it."

"That is your business."

He did not elaborate.

But Heracles showed a thoughtful expression.

Since it cannot hurt him and he cannot hurt it, that settles it; at worst they'll fight a war of attrition and see who tires out first!

Li Ya, hearing this, exclaimed, "Uncle, you're going to fight that terrifying big lion?"

"Wait a moment, I have something for you."

She jumped down from the chair and ran upstairs.

Under Heracles's puzzled gaze, she came down holding a wooden stick that was half a head taller than her, and handed the stick to Heracles:

"Here, take this."

Heracles took the wooden stick, his eyes showing deep puzzlement: "Why are you giving me this?"

"Is it because I gave you a pendant that you now feel obliged to give me a gift?"

"No," Li Ya shook her head, her eyes flashing with recollection: "This was given to me by an old man."

"Earlier, when I went out to buy unleavened flatbread, that old man was lying on the ground, looking as if he were about to starve, clutching this wooden stick in his arms."

"I fed him some bread and water..........."

"When he woke up, he gave me the wooden stick, saying that if I ever met someone who needed to go to Nemea to fight a lion, I should give this stick to them."

"That's the whole story."

After she finished explaining.

Heracles didn't know who the old man was, but Yu Lin understood.

It must be that guy Zeus!

After all, the wooden stick that Heracles casually made from wood in the original story—how could it harm a creature of the Nemean lion's caliber?

One swing would knock it into a daze?

Sure enough, Zeus didn't trust his own son, secretly giving him a cheat!

That means he not only foresaw that Li Ya would later meet Heracles, but also predicted Yu Lin's encounter with Li Ya, the meeting among the three of them.

If later Heracles never came to find Yu Lin, Li Ya would never have handed this wooden stick to Heracles............

Zeus, was all of this part of your calculation?!!

Heracles thought it must have been some deity's assistance.

After all, he had previously encountered many gods and received their aid, so this belief seemed reasonable.

He nodded and said, "Alright, I understand."

"Thank you, Li Ya."

Li Ya waved her hand: "No need to thank me."

"I'm going to wash the dishes!"

She said so, then gathered all the pots, bowls, and plates from the dining table and took them to clean.

Very sensible.

Afterwards she rested for a short while.

Heracles saw that it was getting late, so he stood up and said farewell:

"Yu Lin, Li Ya, I'll be leaving now."

"Wait for my good news!"

Having said that, he lifted the wooden stick, strode out the door, and led his horse toward the city gate.

He just kept walking, then stopped, turned around and waved at Yu Lin and Li Ya, saying:

"Thank you!"

He turned back, continued forward, until he vanished around the corner.

Yu Lin withdrew his gaze, lowered his head and said to Li Ya:

"Alright, stop watching, let's continue training."

"Alright!"

Olympus.

As the god of war and violence, Ares usually sits beside Zeus; although often despised by the Gods, he still holds a high position on Olympus, being one of the twelve major deities.

Although his brutal, blood‑thirsty nature makes him unwelcome on Olympus, he does not care.

He only wants to have a good fight, win or lose, no matter who the opponent is, as long as it's exhilarating—of course, Zeus is not included.

At this moment.

Ares stands upright, his bronze battle armor shimmering with a cold light, his scarlet cloak hanging to the ground.

His features are resolute, with an inescapable aura of ferocity between his brows.

His gaze falls on Hera, who lies on a soft couch ahead.

The queen Hera reclines on a couch covered with snow‑white cashmere; a pure white robe outlines her voluptuous figure, and a gold‑threaded belt hangs at the edge of the couch, swaying slightly with her breath.

Her golden hair cascades like a waterfall, adorned with various jeweled hair ornaments; her face is stunningly beautiful, yet her eyes carry a hint of melancholy.

"Mother," Ares says in a deep voice:

"What did you summon me here to do?"

Hera lifts her hand, her slender fingertips lightly tapping the void—

A golden mirror materializes out of nowhere, its surface rippling like water, gradually revealing an image:

A blonde, blue‑eyed little girl practices poses on an open ground, her movements naive yet earnest; beside her, a black‑haired youth leans lazily against a wall, occasionally offering a few pointers.

"Your father has gone out," Hera says, her voice gentle yet tinged with coldness: "These days a dragon and a qilin have appeared again; I think he brought them to please me and keep me company..."

At that point, her gaze suddenly sharpens like a blade: "I cannot discern this youth's origins! It must be through this girl that I can sense his existence!"

"A power that can be called a Miracle resides within him, hindering my probing... and this power..."

She slowly sits up, her robe slipping down to reveal her fair shoulders:

"I suspect he is your father in disguise, and his purpose is that girl."

"So—" Hera looks straight at her son, her red lips slightly parting:

"Ares, I need you to test him."

"Is he really your father!"

Upon hearing this, Ares feels ecstatic—he has long wanted another duel with Zeus! Yet, restrained by his father's authority and strength, and by previous failed rebellions, he dared not act rashly.

Now that his mother consents, isn't it perfectly justified? Even if he loses, he can claim it was his mother's will!

Do it!

"Yes, Mother," he says, turning sharply; his bronze armor clangs, and his scarlet cloak moves without wind:

"I'll go right now!"

Watching his departing back.

Hera's gaze returns to the mirror, landing on Yu Lin's face, her eyes filled with deep meaning.

"Let's see who you become next time!"