Chapter 168: Go Ask the Gods

Early morning.

After yesterday, Yu Lin and the others enjoyed a very satisfying meal.

Heracles' mood was quite good today.

Even his usual grim expression when visiting the palace now carried a hint of a smile.

But this good mood vanished the moment he saw Eurystheus.

To be precise,

It was the moment he heard that he himself had to undertake the eleventh task.

"Heracles, I have never seen a golden apple, so I need you to help pick a few golden apples and bring them back."

"Offer it to me!"

Eurystheus' voice echoed in the palace, drawn out with deliberate languidness. He sat on the golden throne, fingers lightly tapping the armrest, a smug smile playing at his lips, forming a stark contrast to Heracles' grim countenance.

Does he truly want the golden apples?

Of course not!

What he wants is for Heracles to die under the poisonous fangs of the hundred-headed dragon Ladon that guards the golden apples!

Heracles' grim expression stems from the fact that he simply does not know where the golden apples are! Or rather, no one knows!

He frowned, his voice low: "Then where exactly are the golden apples planted?"

"You must tell me at least a location, right?"

Eurystheus spread his hands, showing a regretful expression: "Too bad, I don't know either."

"If I knew where they grew, would I still need you to fetch them for me?"

"Right?"

Their gazes collided.

The attendants beside the throne lowered their heads, daring not to meet this confrontation.

Even among the nobles and royalty,

Only Alketos, who had invited Yu Lin to his home, received divine favor, and stepped into the hero's realm, could stare unblinkingly.

Eurystheus leaned back in his chair and, feigning encouragement, waved his hand:

"Go find it, bring it back to me, and then you'll have only one task left!"

He deliberately stressed the words "last one," his smile growing ever brighter:

"I believe you can accomplish it just as you have before!"

"Believe?"

The mockery almost spilling from his eyes had already betrayed his true thoughts.

Heracles clenched and unclenched his fists, his joints emitting a faint crack.

Finally, he said nothing more, turned and strode away, his cape snapping behind him.

Watching his retreating back, Eurystheus could not help but let out a low laugh:

"Go look for it......"

His fingers rubbed the carvings on the throne's armrest, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:

"Once you find it, you'll wish you hadn't."

"Hahaha.........."

The suppressed laughter echoed in the empty great hall.

Eurystheus rose, swept his sleeve, and said: "All of you, withdraw!"

The crowd, as if granted amnesty, hastily exited the great hall.

Instead, a few people gathered around Alketos, walking and speaking softly to him:

"Alketos, I always feel the king is a bit......"

He didn't finish his sentence.

Instead, Alketos bluntly added: "Unfit to be king?"

Upon hearing that, his companions quickly glanced around, making sure no one else had heard, then breathed a sigh of relief.

Although they thought so, they must not let Eurystheus find out!

Even if he were a premature baby, he is still a hero's descendant, with the blood of the Heavenly Father flowing in his veins!

His strength may not match Heracles', but it is more than enough to deal with ordinary people like them!

Moreover, his throne was personally promised by the Heavenly Father!

Alketos, however, was indifferent, merely saying lightly: "The victor becomes king."

"You and I shall wait and see."

Having said that, he strode forward, appearing somewhat inscrutable.

This struck the few as odd, but upon reflection, his words were not wrong.

They didn't think much of it and agreed to go eat at someone's house.

At Li Ya's home.

"Yu Lin, do you know where the golden apples are grown?"

Heracles sat before Yu Lin and Li Ya, looking troubled.

There's no way.

He had already asked Chiron and the other sages in the city, but none knew.

He could only come to ask Yu Lin.

Yu Lin certainly knew, but he could not say it outright, for even if he told Heracles, he wouldn't hear it, so he spoke allusively:

This kind of thing can't be known just by casually asking.

You'd better go ask those ancient beings.

"Ancient beings?" Heracles blinked.

"Who exactly is it?"

Yu Lin shook his head, looking profound: "This question requires you to find the answer yourself in the process of exploration."

"However, I suggest you ask those who were born before humanity."

"They might know."

"As for who exactly knows, I don't know."

"Those born before humanity..." Heracles repeated the phrase, his eyes lighting up, and he slapped his thigh: "That's it!"

"Since no one knows, I'll go ask the gods!"

"Yu Lin, thanks for the hint! Hahaha."

He laughed heartily, as if the fog in his heart had cleared, looking very pleased.

"Good that you understand." Yu Lin nodded, glanced at the sky, and called out to Li Ya, who was practicing outside:

"Li Ya, go Wash the meat and vegetables clean, we're preparing to cook."

"Okay!" Li Ya immediately lowered her stance and turned toward the kitchen.

Watching her silhouette.

Heracles couldn't help but praise: "Li Ya is getting stronger and stronger."

"If it were me before, I might not be able to beat her."

"Did you teach her Authority Cultivation?"

Yu Lin shrugged: "More or less."

"But I also taught her some mysterious power from the East."

"East." Heracles, hearing this, felt curiosity and longing rise in his eyes, and smiled:

"I'm truly curious about the East you speak of; if there's a chance, or if you need to return to the East,"

"I ask you to bring me along, okay?"

Yu Lin stood up and replied: "Then you might be disappointed."

"I currently have no intention of going back."

"However."

"Maybe in the future you won't need me to bring you; you can go to the East yourself, and when you do, come find me and I'll treat you to a meal."

"Alright then, I'm going to cook."

The future he spoke of, of course, is the modern era.

Heracles didn't know, could only silently note it, thinking that since Yu Lin wouldn't bring him, he would surely go to the East someday!

Of course, for now he must first finish his own business.

Taking out a map, he began to browse it, pondering where to go first.

Finally, not knowing exactly who to seek, he thought of going to the Athena Temple and Apollo Temple to ask those two gods.

"If they don't know, then by asking at various temples around, you'll surely find someone who does!"

What he lacks least is patience.

Just as he put away the map, Li Ya walked in and, smiling at him, said: "Uncle."

"We can go eat now."

"Mm, okay."

Heracles stood up and walked out.