As for Su Ming, he thought about it for a while and decided to put his money somewhere safe.
Being undocumented in the Main World, banks were out of the question, and he didn't want to bury his money like a corrupt official digging secret holes.
So in the end, he carried a silver suitcase to Hephaestus's volcano.
Entrusting the money to the gods for safekeeping was the safest option; after all, they don't know what money is, and where else would you find security this strong?
Only the Fire God kept asking for his impression on the Gauss Rifle, though evidently, Su Ming hadn't had a chance to use it yet.
No opportunity to shoot stealthily lately, since he's been on the frontlines; you can't exactly use a rifle for melee combat, can you?
The Fire God seemed a bit impatient, but there was nothing he could do about it.
He swung his hammer, forging a bizarre weapon, amidst the metallic clamor, sporadically breaking in to ask other questions.
"Did you stir up trouble with Eris the last time you went to Olympus?"
"Not really? She tossed a Golden Apple at me, but I ignored her."
Su Ming recalled calmly; that shouldn't count as provoking her, right?
"She's been causing a stir on Olympus, saying a mortal, you, plans to marry the Three Virgin Goddesses at once and even presented evidence."
The Fire God remarked dreamily as he hammered away.
"What?" Su Ming almost choked. He hadn't even met those goddesses! How did this rumor start?
"Eris handed Athena a Golden Apple, claiming it was a gift from you to her. Athena, having lost to my wife in the last Golden Apple dispute, accepted it without hesitation this time."
"Uh....."
"Then Eris somehow found a glowing, singing white deer and gifted it to Artemis, the Goddess of Hunting, also claiming it was from you. Artemis loves deer, so she accepted it as well."
Su Ming fell into deep thought; Eris likely visited the Dream Country, as that deer probably came from there. But what dispute does she hope to spark with this? What's in it for her?
The Fire God tossed the weapon into a water tank for quenching: "Lastly, she went to the Cosmos, and somehow arranged with the 'Weapon Master' to custom-build the most advanced multifunctional intelligent stove in the universe, gifting it, in your name, to Hestia, the Female Kitchen God. Naturally, she couldn't refuse such a gift."
Su Ming thought for a while: "Doesn't seem like a problem; I could just deny it."
"The issue is she presented a second Golden Apple to Hera, claiming you wish for the Celestial Empress's permission." The Fire God put down his hammer, watching the weapon steam heavily in the water trough, waiting patiently.
"That shouldn't work, right? Hera would immediately see through her lies." Su Ming shook his head, not really worried.
The fire in the Fire God's eyes flickered, and he grinned, revealing sharp fangs: "Yet, Hera agreed."
"Hiss..."
Su Ming sucked in a cold breath. Is that old woman having menopausal syndrome? What's her game?
"Several factors made her agree; firstly, the Golden Apples, labeled as gifts to 'the Most Beautiful Goddess'. Refusing them would seem like admitting she isn't beautiful enough for a Golden Apple. Secondly, the Three Virgin Goddesses are renowned beauties in Olympus, and despite some bloodline issues, our Father God has been eyeing them."
"Zeus already has seven wives, and Hera doesn't want him rounding it off to an even number." Su Ming said helplessly, understanding things better.
"Moreover, they are nearly every male god's dream loves. Now, there's a bunch of gods wanting you dead, including the Nether God Hades."
"Hades...isn't he interested in Diana? Even if he is her uncle..."
"Yes, Eris also spread the word that you're Diana's partner; you didn't know? Hera endorsed this, too."
Su Ming nearly laughed in anger; do these gods have nothing better to do?
The Multiverse is on the brink of destruction, and they're playing this game? Cheer up the sick with joy?
"I actually can guess part of Hera's intent: she's set up twelve labors for you, as a condition to marry the Three Goddesses. Do you know what that represents?"
The Fire God patted Su Ming's armor-clad shoulder with his enormous hand and, as if acting on occupational habit, pinched it casually, examining the craftsmanship.
Su Ming understood when he heard "twelve labors".
It's not only the formal qualification for a mortal to enter Olympus, but also a test to become the War God; Hercules underwent this trial to become a War God.
Unfortunately, he was schemed against by Ares and ended up merely a Hercules instead.
But now that Ares is dead, Diana holds the title of War God, and Hera clearly wants Su Ming, with no faction or blood ties, to take this position.
She knows Diana doesn't enjoy acting as a War God, always appearing reluctant at conferences; Hera can rightful reclaim the divine office and rights.
By then, Su Ming would find himself isolated and surrounded by enemies, forced to rely on Hera.
Faced with irresistible gifts, the Three Goddesses would surely endure a blend of torment and joy, even Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, is a woman who can't resist the allure of a Golden Apple.
Eris's goal was achieved: she can watch the goddesses tear into Diana, see all the male gods cause Su Ming trouble, having stirred up a ruckus for entertainment, killing several birds with one stone.
Brought trouble upon her three sisters and an aunt, quite satisfied with herself.
She isn't afraid of being caught in her lies, for these machinations target individual weaknesses.
"I can see through her lies, but that doesn't mean everyone else can. Many believe Hera's declaration because it's the only voice from Olympus now."
"Those three goddesses, too?"
"Yes, Hera must have imposed a gag order, though they'd likely think of ways to assassinate you to preserve their purity."
"Alright then, I understand. Thank you, Fire God." Su Ming nodded; knowing was enough for him.
Assassination?
He's not worried at all; currently, he still has a task to find the Sleep Demon, Death won't let him die, and without Death's nod, dying would be challenging.
If he completes the task, the Endless Clan would owe him a favor, making Olympus insignificant by then.
Better get on with the task quickly, and find the Sleep Demon soon, no time to wander aimlessly.
Just then, an arrow suddenly fell from the opening above the volcano, lodging itself into Su Ming's chest unannounced.
It was an arrow made of moonlight, piercing right through Su Ming's armor, working on his body before slowly dissipating.
"Um...a hole in the heart, piece of cake." Su Ming touched his chest, shrugged in the Fire God's helpless gaze: "You Olympians call this assassination? We humans usually call it provocation."
"A human who can still chatter after taking an arrow to the heart, that's a first." The Fire God quipped, indicating his neutrality and that he wouldn't take any action.
Su Ming knew this arrow was shot by Artemis. As the Goddess of Hunting and Moonlight, her archery was undoubtedly of Cosmic Level.
But for now, while it had accuracy, the lethality was lacking, with unpoisoned tips, very amateurish...
This woman is cheeky; seems she needs a lesson to quiet down for a while.