Chapter 167: Preparation Phase

Olympus.

"Mother, what is this?"

Ares watches Hera, with an arrow lodged in her chest, return from outside, his face full of surprise, then great anger:

"Who did this?! I'm going to kill him!"

Hera pulls the arrow from her chest, stops the bleeding casually, and grits her teeth, saying:

"Who else could it be? Of course it's Heracles!"

Hera originally went to assist the giant Ge Lu Weng, to cause some trouble for Heracles, preferably to kill him outright!

But at this time Heracles's strength was already immense; he unceremoniously shot an arrow that went straight into Hera's chest!

He couldn't kill her, but the pain was all too real!

And Ares, upon hearing it was Heracles, immediately says, "Was it him?"

"I'll go fight him right now! I guarantee I'll avenge you, Mother!"

Saying that, he turns to walk outside.

But Hera calls out, "Stop."

"Your wounds from fighting Yu Lin haven't healed yet; you're not his match."

"Better not tarnish my face."

"........." Ares remains silent for a moment, then shakes his head, saying:

"I don't believe it."

Hera, exasperated with her foolish son, says coldly, "Do you think I'm deceiving you?"

"If you weren't my son, I'd gladly send you to your death."

"So I wouldn't have to lose face."

Seeing his own mother say that, Ares, even unwilling to accept the fact, has to, and asks resentfully, "Then what should we do?"

"Mother, are you so willing to endure humiliation?"

Hera leans back in her chair, sighs deeply, "What can I do?"

"I think I've figured it out; that bastard of your father had already set up a method before leaving the palace."

"But I refuse to let him succeed! Just wait and see!"

She grits her teeth, looking as if she could tear a piece of Zeus's flesh.

Ares, the guy whose brain only knows fighting, can only contribute strength; he can't help with strategy, so he just nods:

"I support you, Mother!"

"It's none of your business now; go heal your wounds yourself." Hera ignores him, merely waving him away.

"Oh."

Ares turns and leaves.

Thinking to himself, Hephestos has just left Olympus, so he'll go find… heh heh.

His steps quicken a few paces.

Though Hera knows what he's after, she never liked Hephestos, that ugly son, even having cast him away before, and later endured many unpleasant interactions…

Thus their mother‑son bond is not strong, arguably nonexistent.

Moreover, marrying Aphrodite to Hephestos was already a betrayal to Aphrodite… Aphrodite originally liked Ares.

Although Ares's mind isn't great, his looks and physique are top‑notch.

So she didn't choose to block it.

Hera casually grabs a divine fruit, crushes it, smears the juice on her wound to neutralize the Hydra venom on the arrowhead, while her gaze falls below.

Through the clouds, it lands on the summit of the Caucasus Mountains, onto a figure being pecked by a giant eagle.

"Prometheus........"

Mycenae.

Heracles rides a jet‑black steed, slowly heading toward the city gate.

Over a dozen years of wandering and trials have left obvious marks on him—

That once‑spirited face now bears a few more lines of world‑weariness, his thick beard interspersed with gray strands, and fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

Yet his body is even more robust than before, muscles bulging like granite, his bronze‑colored skin covered with a patchwork of old and new scars.

At a glance, he's far from ordinary; no wonder wherever he goes, countless admirers are smitten… regardless of gender, admiration is inevitable.

Beside him, two figures walk side by side.

On the left is a handsome young man—Iolaus.

He wears a simple short robe, a blue sash at his waist, and a light leather armor on his shoulders.

Golden short hair glints in the sun, his eyes as clear as the purest spring water.

Though young, his brows already exude a calm bearing, forged by following Heracles through life‑and‑death trials.

On the right is an elderly centaur—Heracles's teacher, also the mentor of many Greek heroes, Chiron.

This legendary Sage has silver‑white beard and equally silver mane, his upper half a sturdy old man, lower half the body of a swift horse.

He dons a plain brown cloak, a small leather pouch of herbs at his waist, and leans on an oak staff.

After handing the herd he brought back to Mycenae officials, Heracles kept only one bull.

The purpose, huh....

He pats his stomach, turns his head toward Iolaus and Chiron and says with a smile:

"Just wait a bit longer, soon we'll get to taste Yu Lin's cooking!"

"But that makes me think a lot! Hahaha."

He laughed heartily, looking eager and impatient.

Iolaus and Chiron naturally also knew Yu Lin in the past few years; after all, as capable aides of Heracles, they inevitably had dealings with them.

Especially Chiron.

When he learned from the Gods that it was because of Yu Lin that the Way of Authority Cultivation existed, Yu Lin's status in his heart directly rose to the highest!

Just then.

A voice appeared ahead, waving and shouting:

"Uncle, over here."

Heracles took a close look, saw Li Ya, immediately quickened his pace to her side, dismounted and said:

"Li Ya, long time no see, you've grown much taller!"

"Anyone you have a crush on? If not, let Uncle introduce you to someone."

Considering the age of women at this time, peers of Li Ya's age could already be mothers of several children.

But Li Ya has never experienced any romance, so it's normal for Heracles to want to introduce her to the excellent men he has met.

As for him...... he dare not make a move; if he pushes Yu Lin too hard, he's truly afraid, and besides, he's watched Li Ya grow up, regarding her as almost a daughter.

Li Ya shook her head, smiling: "I don't have that idea yet; let's talk about it later."

"Uncle, let's go home with me first to slaughter a cow."

"Brother is going to prepare some side dishes; he'll be back shortly."

Heracles nodded: "Hmm."

"Let's go."

The four walked toward Li Ya's home.