Chapter 24

Fu Li looked at Apollo, then at Hades.

In the entire Underworld, no one was more bewildered than him.

What did this matter have to do with Zeus?

Fu Li, who only knew of Zeus's amorous affairs, voiced his question.

However, no one answered his confusion.

"Rather than guessing here, it's better to go ask clearly right now."

Hades looked at Hermes.

After receiving his gaze, Hermes stepped forward a few paces, the smile on his face unchanged.

"Do you have a message to pass to the King of Gods?"

"The divine banquet is only ten days away. I hope what happened last time will not happen again."

Hermes nodded awkwardly.

"It certainly will not happen again."

He himself felt a bit guilty.

Zeus had pursued a beauty at the banquet, resulting in everyone getting a free show of a family ethical drama.

Recalling that scene, Hermes also found it embarrassing.

"Say your farewells. Apollo, you are severely disrupting the rules of the Underworld."

Having said this, Hades turned and left.

The God of Sleep and the God of Death hurried to follow.

As Hades's right and left hands, they were equally busy.

He still had a great deal of work to do.

You must be joking!

Apollo could not accept this.

The paranoid part of his divine essence reared its head once again.

Fu Li knew what Hades said was correct.

Apollo staying any longer would do him too much harm.

He was very happy Apollo could come to the Underworld to find him.

But Fu Li equally did not wish for Apollo to come to harm in the Underworld.

Fu Li squeezed back tightly with both hands, using some force, forcibly pulling Apollo's attention back to himself.

Apollo's gaze shifted back to him once more.

"Fu Li..."

"Apollo, listen to me."

Fu Li gazed back at him. His emerald eyes reflected Apollo's figure. "You need to leave this place right now. You're in pain. Even without the telepathic link, my heart still aches as if cut by a knife."

Apollo stared at him, stunned.

Fu Li rose slightly on his tiptoes. Two blushes stained his cheeks.

He kissed Apollo's forehead.

Apollo: !!!

Fu Li shyly ended the kiss.

This was the first time he had ever kissed anyone.

"I would feel heartache."

Heartache.

These two words were like sweet poison wrapped in honey.

Apollo admitted that after swallowing them, he was nearly losing his senses.

He caught Fu Li's hand in return. The warmth transmitted from his palm reassured him. He pulled the back of Fu Li's hand before him, then kissed it.

"Wait for me, Fu Li."

Apollo was unusually earnest.

"I won't let you stay alone for too long."

Fu Li curved the corners of his mouth. "Mm."

Hermes had been watching from the side for a long time. He clicked his tongue in wonder.

So Father God really could have a negative times a negative equal a positive.

A super philanderer could also have a devoted lover for a son.

"I don't want to interrupt you two. Apollo, are you about done?"

He cautiously raised the matter. The moment anything seemed off, Hermes would duck away.

This time, Apollo nodded. The sparks in his molten gold eyes reignited.

"Hermes, let's go."

His gaze didn't look at Hermes in the slightest.

Hermes nodded resignedly and led this God of Light out of the Underworld.

Of course, the ferrymen who saw them off were Fu Li and Charon.

The entire way, Fu Li shared his experiences in the Underworld, while Apollo sat on the boat and listened.

Hermes was like an oversized lightbulb.

After disembarking, Apollo looked back longingly with every step, unable to bear parting. Hermes couldn't stand his pace and forcibly dragged him away.

Fu Li watched Apollo leave.

Charon asked out of nowhere, "Missing him a little already?"

Fu Li rubbed his head sheepishly. "A little."

Charon smiled.

"It's normal, little one. Parting is always sad."

Fu Li returned with him to the ferry boat. The waiting time was so long that he remembered the forgotten lantern.

He picked up the lantern placed in the corner of the ferry boat. "Charon, thank you for the lantern you gave me. It helped me greatly."

Charon only needed a single glance to know the lantern had been used.

"Another spirit that refused to leave."

He sighed, his tone carrying sorrow.

Fu Li asked curiously:

"Charon, aren't you used to seeing this?"

Charon rolled his eyes at Fu Li. "I've been on this Styx for who knows how long. Can't I have my own past as well?"

"That's certainly not what I meant."

Fu Li knew he was teasing. After shifting into a different position, he continued asking:

"Want to tell the story?"

Charon said, slightly annoyed:

"You really want to hear it that much?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Fu Li's eyes sparkled.

Charon chuckled lightly and said, with a touch of nostalgia:

"Back then, I was just a newborn Underworld god."

Charon reminisced, the smile on his face growing gentler and gentler.

"The very first soul I guided was a young teacher. He was very talented and rationally accepted his own death."

"I fell in love with him, but he rejected me."

Charon grew despondent. "That was the first time I tasted failure."

Fu Li consoled him:

"Charon, you will meet someone."

Charon reined in his emotions. He looked at Fu Li with amusement. "Shouldn't you deal with your own matters first?"

Fu Li's face flushed again.

Very soon, he thought of something. Fu Li asked:

"...Doesn't the Underworld not allow taking spirits away?"

Charon: "Spirits with bodies?"

Fu Li let out an "ah." It was true; how had he forgotten?

He wasn't a flower anymore now.

Charon rowed the oar, his eyes gazing at the pervasive fog. "I just didn't expect you'd be connected to the Styx."

No one had expected this point.

"Why does everything feel more and more complicated..."

Fu Li murmured.

Charon agreed, "Doesn't it just."

Fu Li lowered his eyes. He hoped everything would go smoothly.

Had Apollo been resting properly?

Apollo naturally had not been resting properly.

He was busy hurrying to the Divine Mountain to find Zeus.

Hermes couldn't hold him back no matter what, so he simply sent a message ahead, so Zeus wouldn't be completely unprepared.

When Apollo pushed open the palace doors, Zeus was drinking himself drunk with the God of Wine.

Fine wine filled the table. Fresh fruits were scattered everywhere.

The God of Wine saw Apollo arrive and wore an expression of watching a good show.

He pointed at Zeus. "The one you're looking for is here."

Apollo furrowed his brows and quickly stepped forward. Zeus was already dead drunk and unconscious.

"Father God, gods don't get drunk."

Zeus still showed no reaction. Eyes closed, he simply played dead.

"The wine the God of Wine gave you was made from ordinary grapes." Apollo enunciated each word.

The God of Wine laughed without restraint.

Zeus opened his eyes. He looked at Apollo calmly. In his eyes, there was not a trace of drunkenness.

He then shifted his gaze to the wildly drunken Dionysus. The other's obvious expression of enjoying the show made Zeus understand that this good son of his had played him.

"Father God, splendid drama always requires the most genuine reactions."

Dionysus blinked innocently.

And this was your reason for selling me out!

Zeus shouted in his heart.

"Apollo, you cannot use this attitude to interrogate your Father God."

Zeus brought out the full imposing aura of his person.

"Father God, I only want an answer."

Apollo understood that when facing the King of Gods, he couldn't use direct force. He chose to play the "familial affection" card. Even a King of Gods like Zeus would have some scruples.

"Some answers themselves cannot be sought."

Zeus spoke in riddles. In truth, he himself didn't know the answer.

"Why does Fu Li carry the aura of the Styx?"

Apollo refused to take his bait.

If he followed Zeus's words, how could he ask the questions he wanted? He was waiting for Zeus to take up the conversation.

Zeus, waiting for him to take up the conversation: ...

This good son of his truly understood him less and less.

"You're saying Fu Li, a mortal, carries the aura of the Styx?"

Zeus asked despite already knowing the answer.

Before Apollo had arrived, he had already received Hermes's communication.

Faced with Zeus's attitude of feigning ignorance, Apollo grew increasingly impatient.

Father God was circling around him.

Apollo was now completely certain that he knew something.

"Father God, you know better than I do."

His tone was hostile.

Zeus: He genuinely didn't know better.

Fu Li being in the Underworld was indeed beyond his expectations.

"Did you know all along?"

Apollo's tone took on an interrogative edge.

Zeus furrowed his brows tightly:

"Watch your attitude, Apollo."

Zeus slowly rose from his throne and looked down at his son from on high.

Apollo met Zeus's gaze without the slightest flinch.

"My attitude depends on the answer you give, Father God."

Apollo's body was wound taut, like a bowstring drawn to its limit.

Zeus gazed at Apollo intently.

These eyes, so similar to his own, yet at this moment burning with a completely different flame.

Once upon a time, this son had been his proudest masterpiece.

Powerful, abiding by the rules, the perfect embodiment of Olympus's light.

But the matter involved Chaos. Zeus could not easily speak of it.

"The Three Fates will answer for you."

This was the only answer Zeus could give.

The Three Fates were one of the cornerstones. Even Zeus could not defy the fate woven by them.

Only they could speak of Chaos.

Apollo remained locked in a stalemate. He could find no trace of falsehood in Zeus's eyes.

Tsk.

Apollo was beyond irritated.

This feeling of powerlessness—he had already experienced it once when Fu Li died.

He would definitely bring Fu Li back!

"Father God, where are the Three Fates?"

Zeus raised an eyebrow. "You want to go find the Three Fates?"

"Yes."

Apollo was resolute.

Zeus sat back down on his throne and picked up a cup of fine wine.

"They are at the Pillar of Heaven."

His violet eyes looked at Apollo.

The Pillar of Heaven was the Axis of the World. According to legend, the Pillar of Heaven was the key that upheld the sky.

"The Pillar of Heaven..."

Apollo repeated Zeus's words.

This name was not unfamiliar. But the problem was that the Pillar of Heaven was not a thing that truly "existed" in the physical sense.

It, like the Three Fates, was the embodiment of a concept.

Only if it was willing to meet you could you find it.

Whoever it was, none could find it at will.

The Three Fates were there.

Apollo gritted his teeth. So what if that was the case?

He looked at Zeus. "Father God, please guide me in seeking the Pillar of Heaven."

A flicker of surprise passed through Zeus's eyes. No matter how many times, he would always be shocked by Apollo's resolve.

"Fine. Since you are going, then I shall guide your path."

"Legend says the Pillar of Heaven is at the ends of the great earth."

*

Fu Li's business in the Underworld was proceeding like wildfire.

But not being able to see Apollo always made him worried.

Unfortunately, Underworld gods could not leave the Underworld for long periods. They couldn't drop by to visit Apollo along the way.

"If you miss him, just say it, Fu Li."

Charon had walked to his side at some unknown time and patted Fu Li's shoulder.

"The Styx can hear all longing. It won't laugh at you."

Fu Li didn't deny it. He only sighed softly.

"I'm very worried about him. Apollo, he... doesn't know how to take care of himself either."

He chose a neutral word.

Charon nodded. "He is indeed obsessive."

"In the Underworld, waiting is the norm. But waiting doesn't have to be passive."

Hearing this, Fu Li's emerald eyes brightened slightly.

"Charon, what do you mean?"

"Hades is the master of the Underworld. The rules are set by him and may also change because of him." Charon's voice was very low. "Although he is rigidly impartial, nearly cold, he is not completely unreasonable."

"What should I do?"

Fu Li pursued subconsciously.

"A reason. A reason of value."

Charon answered.

Value?

Fu Li chewed on this word.

What value could he, a person who had just regained human form and barely counted as a resident of the Underworld, possess?

Fu Li's eyes darted around and saw Thanatos passing by.

"Thanatos!"

He called out to the God of Death.

The God of Death, holding his scythe, halted his steps. He looked at Fu Li, who had called out to him.

"A matter?"

Thanatos's voice was still as cold as ever.

"Thanatos, could I ask you for a favor?"

Fu Li pressed his palms together, a "please, I beg you" expression on his face.

Thanatos: ...

He nodded, tacitly agreeing.

Seeing him agree, Fu Li struck while the iron was hot:

"Thanatos, do you know what Hades needs?"

What better way to know the needs of Hades than to ask someone close to him!

Thanatos tried hard to recall and finally spat out two words.

"Work."

Thanatos also seemed to feel this answer was very abstract, but he also couldn't think of any other hobbies Hades had.

So he could only stare blankly at Fu Li.

"Then does Hades have any hobbies?"

"Work."

"Does Hades have a favorite food?"

"Work. Doesn't eat."

"Does Hades have someone he likes?"

"Does work count?"

Fu Li: ...

Alright. A complete workaholic.

It was hard to believe Greek mythology had this kind of model worker.

"Doesn't he ever take a breather?"

Fu Li said, abandoning all hope.

Devoting body and soul entirely to work was truly too terrifying.

Unexpectedly, Thanatos didn't immediately answer "work." He pondered for a moment instead.

"He's always wanted to walk around his garden, but he has no time."

Fu Li's eyes lit up. Finally, it came out. Hades's regret!

"Does Hades need an assistant who can do paperwork?"

His modern-day skills as a teacher's assistant could be put to use again!

Thanatos: ?

What did this mean?

Seeing that a rare blankness had appeared on the God of Death's usually expressionless face, Fu Li hurriedly added:

"I mean a subordinate skilled at work."

Thanatos looked at him with a bizarre expression now.

There was such a thing as a mortal skilled at work.

Mortals truly were wondrous.

"In need."

Thanatos was sparing with words.

In desperate need.

He gave Fu Li a deep look. "Don't regret this."

When Fu Li plucked up his courage and recommended himself, Hades was silent for a very long time.

Just as Fu Li thought he was about to be refused, Hades spoke.

"What are you good at?"

"I have some experience in sorting documents, categorizing, and optimizing processes."

Rich experience in doing odd jobs.

Hades sat up straighter. He pointed at a corner on the left side of the great hall, nearly submerged by scrolls.

"Over there are the archives of those who have died unnatural deaths and remain stranded outside the place of judgment for the past three hundred years."

"They are roughly piled according to the year of death. The internal order is chaotic. There are frequent discrepancies with the earliest records. This has led to low efficiency in subsequent judgments and a backlog of spirits."

His pace of speech was steady. He was stating facts, completely unaware of what a terrifying workload he was describing.

Fu Li: ...

Three hundred years.

Unnatural deaths.

Chaotic archives.

Conflicts with the earliest records.

Any single one of these phrases was enough to give someone a splitting headache.

"If you can accomplish this," Hades lowered his head once more, his gaze falling back onto his own scroll, "then stay and work."

"I understand."

Fu Li nodded solemnly and walked toward that corner piled as high as a mountain with scrolls.

Work began.

He cheered himself on.

Everything was to quickly resolve the current problem.

He'd endure it for Apollo.

This job was even more horrifying than Fu Li had anticipated.

The Underworld's records were not in a unified script.

Some were carved onto wax tablets, the handwriting sloppy and blurred.

Some were written on rough papyrus, the ink smudged and bleeding.

There were also transcriptions of oral accounts.

Fu Li: ... Who taught you to archive things like this?!

No wonder everyone in the Underworld was a workaholic, yet work still piled up like mountains.

These foundational parts were completely unusable!

Fu Li recalled the terror of being dominated by document organization.

He rubbed his throbbing temples and grimaced at a record entry.

What was even more terrifying than chaotic records were the fragile records.

The scrolls from far too ancient times managed to be both torturous and antique at once.

Antique in the sense that they easily fell apart on the spot. Torturous in the sense that the people who wrote them seemed to be composing novels.

The records were all subjective conjecture.

Just the classification alone took him two whole days.

Thanatos would occasionally appear in silence, replace the burnt-out Underworld flame candle holders, and then leave in silence.

As someone equally tormented by work, he understood Fu Li's pain very well.

Hypnos came by a few times. Every time, he saw Fu Li buried under a pile of yellowed scrolls, only half his head sticking out.

He couldn't help bursting out laughing and was chased away by Fu Li throwing a rigid label at him. He decided to come back next time.

Watching others work was indeed more enjoyable.

A month later, the originally chaotic corner had been completely renewed.

The scrolls were sorted by category and placed on temporarily erected, simple shelves. Each area had clear labels.

Every bundle of scrolls was attached with a number and a brief content summary.

A larger clay tablet beside them was filled with rows of neatly inscribed text.

The day he completed all this, Fu Li dragged his weak, unsteady steps and, with the friendly help of the God of Death and the God of Sleep, presented the results to Hades.

After verifying the results, Hades remained silent for a long time.

"You did better than expected."

This was straightforward affirmation.

Fu Li's heart relaxed. A surge of joy immediately followed.

"I'm glad I could help."

"From now on, you will work alongside Thanatos and Hypnos."

Hades picked up a new scroll again.

He didn't even raise his head. "I know what you want. Earn it with your value."

Having said this, he paid them no more attention.

Hypnos led Fu Li out of Hades's palace.

He said with amazement, "Little flower, how did you manage to sort out so many things?"

Could you really be a chosen worker sent by the heavens?!

The God of Sleep, who had worked for several centuries, indicated he really did prefer sleeping in after all.

Even the God of Death couldn't help asking:

"You don't find it difficult to adjust?"

Thanatos, who had also worked for several centuries, completely did not understand how someone could take to work so readily.

Fu Li smiled faintly.

Who hadn't been an odd-job worker before?

He raised his head and gazed into the distance. Had Apollo been obediently resting?