Chapter 19
When the Goddess of Beauty arrived on the scene, the atmosphere on site was extremely strange.
Aphrodite surveyed everyone present with a beaming smile, finally settling her gaze on Fu Li. "For what matter has His Majesty the King of Gods called me here?"
Aphrodite asked despite already knowing the answer.
As the God of Love and Beauty, she had already caught the scent of a rich aura of love here.
"Has Apollo been bewitched by your authority?"
Zeus asked bluntly and without courtesy.
Aphrodite was somewhat displeased. Love was a component of her authority. For Zeus to ask this way was no different from insulting her to her face.
"Respected King of Gods, evidently not."
Aphrodite answered with less than good grace.
"That's what's strange then. Apollo, why won't you let me examine the bond within your body?"
Zeus's tone abruptly turned cold.
His desire for control could not tolerate the existence of something unknown to him.
The divine might of the King of Gods fully unfurled. Fu Li's face instantly went deathly pale.
Unlike Apollo, Zeus gave absolutely no consideration to whether others could endure it.
Fu Li only felt as if his chest was being crushed by a boulder. He could barely breathe.
A buzzing rang in his ears, and patches of darkness swam before his eyes.
Apollo sensed Fu Li's abnormal state almost the instant Zeus released his divine might.
The golden light around him flashed. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, completely shielding Fu Li behind himself.
A warm and steadfast power unfurled like a barrier, isolating most of the oppressive force coming from Zeus.
Fu Li sucked in a sharp breath, like a drowning man breaking the surface. Cold sweat instantly soaked his back.
"Father God!"
Apollo's voice was thick with suppressed anger. His molten gold eyes blazed as he looked directly at Zeus. "He is merely a mortal. He cannot withstand divine might, especially when this power comes from the King of Gods."
Zeus did not answer immediately.
His indigo-blue eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing the posture Apollo had subconsciously taken to protect Fu Li.
His good son was angry.
Because of such a trivial matter.
His protectiveness toward this mortal called Fu Li was strong to a degree unlike that of a Greek god.
"Apollo, you are very nervous about him."
Zeus was referring to how the light around Apollo had flared greatly, taking a stance opposed to him.
Apollo said bluntly, "Father God, mortals are very fragile."
Zeus could not deny that what Apollo said was indeed the truth.
He unhurriedly withdrew his unleashed divine might, as if the suffocating pressure from moments ago had been nothing but an illusion.
"One of the duties of the King of Gods is to ensure that the chief gods under his command are not controlled by unknown forces."
Zeus no longer looked at Apollo. His gaze turned toward the Goddess of Beauty.
"Aphrodite, since there is no interference from your authority, then we should all the more properly examine what exactly this bond between the God of Light Apollo and the mortal Fu Li is."
Aphrodite nodded. Very quickly, her smile vanished.
Nothing.
There was nothing at all.
That bond Zeus spoke of, she couldn't see it.
"King of Gods, I cannot see it."
Aphrodite very straightforwardly stated her difficulty.
It wasn't that she wasn't trying; she simply couldn't.
Zeus was astonished upon hearing this. Aphrodite, one of the chief gods, was actually unable to perceive it.
Could it be that none below the King of Gods could see it?
A bolt of lightning shot toward the sky. Very soon, a familiar goddess appeared.
Athena.
"Father God, I wonder what business brings you to Athens."
Athena swept her gaze over the pale Fu Li and the tense Apollo, inquiring.
"Athena, come and look at this mortal and Apollo."
Zeus commanded.
Athena shook her head. She knew Zeus had hidden implications. "Father God, speak plainly."
"Apollo and Fu Li have a mysterious linking bond. Aphrodite couldn't see it. You try."
Athena: "I cannot see it."
So this was what Apollo had come to ask her about before.
She reined in all her emotions.
Zeus showed no particular expression.
It was within his expectations.
"Apollo, do you not intend to say anything?"
Apollo said earnestly, "The existence of the bond has no adverse effect."
Zeus: "You cannot prove that."
Apollo gritted his teeth. "How can I prove it?"
Zeus smiled. "You truly are not yourself, Apollo."
He looked at the silent Fu Li. "Fu Li, look here. He likes you very much, you know. To even do such things to prove it, is this still the proud God of Light Apollo?"
Aphrodite stepped forward to smooth things over.
"How sweet love is. King of Gods, since you can say so much here, in your heart you also understand that this thing likely poses no threat to you."
She didn't believe for a second that Zeus could be that much of a chatterbox.
He was probably just displeased about the origin of this thing.
Athena interjected at the appropriate moment.
"Fu Li possesses great wisdom. I beseech Father God not to harm him. Athens needs him."
Zeus raised an eyebrow.
This mortal was quite popular.
"Enough. I had no intention of making a move."
The moment Zeus said this, Apollo finally relaxed his tensed muscles. Zeus thought to himself, utterly speechless, that his own son was actually a hopeless romantic.
It was practically a mutation.
The bond had no bewitching effect. The Eye of the King of Gods allowed him not to be deceived.
This thing was merely a bridge connecting the two parties.
"However, leaving it like this forever is not good."
"Mortals are too fragile. If something happens to him, Apollo, you will also feel it as if it happened to you."
Zeus's finger pointed lightly. Violet-red lightning power sank between Fu Li and Apollo.
He added a safeguard to this bridge.
When Apollo went into battle, the bridge would be severed.
What Zeus absolutely could not tolerate was an uncontrollable variable appearing during a divine war.
"Father God."
Apollo suddenly spoke. Zeus raised his chin, motioning for him to continue.
"I wish to beseech a blessing for him."
Aphrodite's eyes widened. Her mouth fell open in surprise.
A flicker of astonishment also crossed Athena's eyes.
Not to mention Zeus. Apollo was proud by nature and rarely asked anyone for anything.
Fu Li also looked at him, at a loss.
"This is your request?"
Zeus asked with interest.
Apollo said seriously, "That is correct."
"In what capacity do you make this request of me?"
Zeus was curious to see just how much Apollo could do for Fu Li.
Apollo pondered for a moment. "Whichever capacity can move you, I will use that capacity."
Zeus nodded jestingly. Not bad. Such a shameless approach was indeed worthy of his son.
"Good. In that case, in my name as King of Gods, I bestow a blessing upon Fu Li."
"The fate of mortals involves the arrangements of the Fates. I will not violate the rules. But when your life reaches its end, it will bring a new turning point. The seed of life is concealed within your soul."
Zeus summoned his scepter.
Violet-red lightning crackled.
A bolt of lightning sank into Fu Li's body, bringing powerful magic that quietly settled deep into his soul.
Aphrodite sighed with emotion. "I have truly witnessed a beautiful dream. Pure love is something to be longed for."
Zeus felt he was being insinuated against.
He had originally come looking for amusement but instead received no small shock. Zeus found it rather dull. Fickle-hearted as he was, he prepared to go find other beauties.
He and Aphrodite exchanged a glance.
He had found his date for today.
Athena departed silently and without a trace. Zeus and Aphrodite headed elsewhere to begin their tryst.
The courtyard returned to silence, leaving Fu Li and Apollo behind.
Fu Li stood where he was, his body still somewhat weak. He subconsciously raised a hand to touch his chest.
Apollo supported him as he sat down.
"Frightened?"
Fu Li took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.
He shook his head, then nodded, and finally gave a bitter smile. "That was Zeus, the King of Gods."
The one who partook in everything and everyone.
Apollo snorted lightly. He stepped forward, his fingers naturally brushing away the strands of Fu Li's hair plastered to his forehead by cold sweat. "Now you know fear? I told you long ago to come back to Delphi with me."
"You... why did you ask Lord Zeus for a blessing?"
He hesitated briefly, then still asked the question.
Clearly, he didn't have to do that.
Apollo's movements paused for a moment.
He withdrew his hand, averted his gaze, and looked toward the clouds in the sky, as though that scenery was extraordinarily captivating.
"I just thought you were too fragile."
His tone sounded very casual, as if stating an insignificant fact.
"Getting hurt at the slightest thing, being bullied by others, unable to even withstand a bit of Father God's divine might. Since this damned bond can't be undone for now, I have to find a way to make you live a bit longer. Don't always be a burden to me."
Fu Li listened quietly.
What came from the other end of the telepathic link was awkward concern.
Apollo really did love to say the opposite of what he meant.
"Thank you, Apollo."
Fu Li curved his eyes, revealing a light, clear smile.
Apollo froze for a second. He quickly recovered. "Thank me for what? I didn't do it for you! It was for myself!"
Only the tips of his ears were bright red.
"Mm, I know."
Fu Li nodded readily, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help quirking up slightly.
Even if the sky fell, your mouth would still hold it up.
Apollo's handsome cheeks flushed red. "So stupid."
Fu Li asked with a smile, "What do you want to eat today?"
"Whatever you want."
The topic changed too quickly. Apollo answered instinctively.
"How about grilled fish?"
"...Put more spices on it."