One of Jason's survival principles,
When dealing with the gods, one must fawn over them in every way possible, striving not to offend any deity!
Recognize sisters, recognize brothers, and if absolutely necessary, even gain one more cheap father!
Of course, if no matter what one does, one cannot curry favor, and the relationship with the god continues to deteriorate, then...
In any case, at this moment, regarding the lord of the underworld Hades.
Hades, one of the almost universally acknowledged three great rulers of the current world, Jason naturally had no reason to refuse him.
Moreover, Jason's impression of Hades had always been very good.
And when Jason changed his address for Hades to brother-in-law, a faint smile appeared on Hades's always serious and indifferent face.
"Then let me look forward to it... The tribute you offer to me."
"Rest assured, brother-in-law. I will definitely offer a tribute for you and also Sister Persephone that will satisfy you both!"
Jason, unusually, patted his chest and gave a direct promise.
One must know that for the tributes offered to the various Greek gods so far, Jason had always approached them with an attitude of 'do my best, give it my all'.
"However... Brother-in-law, I hope you can wait a little while." Then, after a slight pause, Jason appeared somewhat embarrassed.
Seeing this, Hades contemplated for a moment and said, "It is about the matters with Apollo and Hermes, right... No matter. Go and complete their tributes first.
Persephone just left; there is no need to be in such a hurry."
Seeing Hades so understanding, Jason naturally breathed a sigh of relief and secretly resolved in his heart to make the wedding as grand as possible!
And just as Jason was secretly making this determination, Hades also brought Jason to the temple of the god of death Thanatos.
A slight mention here: just now, Jason had been following behind Hades, but now Hades deliberately slowed his pace to walk side by side with Jason.
Upon the lord of the underworld Hades's personal arrival, the god of death Thanatos quickly appeared and respectfully welcomed Hades.
Although Hades in the underworld actually did not hold too much real power... After all, the situation in the Greek underworld was truly somewhat overly complex.
The primordial god of darkness Erebus, the primordial goddess of night Nyx, and the primordial god of the underworld Tartarus.
A total of five primordial deities, with three of them frequently active in the underworld.
This made Hades's position seem somewhat awkward.
But no matter what, the lord of the underworld was still the lord of the underworld.
"Great lord of the underworld Hades, I wonder what brings you here... And who is this child?"
After bowing to Hades, the god of death Thanatos looked at Jason, who appeared very close to him, and could not help but size him up curiously.
"He is Hecate's child... My and Persephone's little brother."
After Hades explained faintly, the god of death Thanatos was slightly stunned and instantly reacted.
"The child of Hecate who brought the lady of the underworld Persephone to the underworld, Jason... That is him? Indeed, he is a very cute child."
Looking at the blond, green-eyed Jason before him, who was as handsome as the god of light Apollo, the doubt in the god of death Thanatos's eyes vanished, and he gave praise.
The underworld gaining a lady was a matter that few in the mortal world knew, but the spirits of the underworld naturally knew, and thus also knew of the highly active Jason in that event.
And as the god of death Thanatos sized up Jason, Jason was naturally also sizing him up.
Simply put, the god of death Thanatos was a rugged man with wings and a beard...
Like this, and he still wants to pursue my teacher!
Jason inwardly grumbled a little, but of course, his face showed nothing at all, and he still respectfully bowed to him.
"Then, great lord of the underworld Hades, may I ask what brings you to my place..."
"It is like this, great god of death Thanatos." Under Hades's nod of indication, Jason stepped forward and came before the god of death Thanatos, saying, "I heard that my senior brother Asclepius is here with you. May I ask how he is now..."
"Your senior brother Asclepius?"
The god of death Thanatos was stunned, then suddenly realized and said to Jason, "The Asclepius that Athena asked me to take care of?"
...Huh?
Jason blinked at the god of death Thanatos.
Athena...?
And at this moment, a familiar figure walked over.
"Respected god of death Thanatos, thank you very much for letting me gather the underworld herbs. May I ask if you have time now to take me to the River of Unquenchable Fire? I want to gather a lotus of unquenchable fire... Huh, Jason?"
Dressed in black clothes, with silver hair and green eyes, resembling the god of light Apollo somewhat but with a more feminine beauty unlike Apollo, Asclepius appeared before Jason.
Together with Jason, he was stunned.
Then, after some time passed, Jason understood the situation.
It was completely different from what he had initially guessed. Asclepius had not been abducted by the god of death Thanatos at all.
On the contrary, it was Athena who had asked the god of death for a favor.
Because Asclepius needed to gather materials in the underworld to create the divine medicine that could resurrect the dead.
Upon learning this situation, Jason could not help but feel somewhat speechless.
But soon, Jason understood. This was Athena's 'game' with him, and also Athena's 'game' with Asclepius.
Looking at Greek mythological stories, one would discover that over eighty percent of the stories and heroes had contact with Athena and received her help.
The mother of heroes... This title was not given in vain.
Yes, following this line of thinking... Athena must want me to help Asclepius create the divine medicine that can resurrect the dead, right?
After all, having become familiar with Athena, Jason was already quite acquainted with her style.
Thus, after a brief moment of speechlessness, Jason quickly noticed the second purpose of Athena sending him to find Asclepius, beyond Apollo.
And upon understanding Athena's intent, Jason immediately said to Asclepius, "Senior Brother Asclepius, do you need Sister Fire Spirit's unquenchable lotus? ...Actually, there is no need to trouble the great god of death Thanatos. I will take you there."
"Since you are Jason's senior brother, then go with Jason." The god of death Thanatos also smiled at Asclepius and said, "This child in the underworld... Might even be more useful than me. Haha!"
Hearing this, Asclepius hesitated for a while but shook his head at Jason, saying, "Sorry, Junior Brother Jason, I cannot leave for now."
"Why?"
Facing the puzzled Jason, Asclepius hesitated for a while, leaned close to Jason's ear, and whispered softly, "Actually, I still need some of the great god of death Thanatos's divine blood..."
"Yes, you need my divine blood? What do you want my blood for?"
The god of death Thanatos looked at Asclepius in confusion, just as Asclepius's face showed an 'oh no' expression.
"Never mind, it does not matter... I can give you the blood, but... Little Brother Jason, you have to help me with something in return!
Rest assured, it is a small matter for you!"
"Um... May I ask what the great god of death Thanatos means."
"It is that thing..."
The god of death Thanatos rubbed his hands and said to Jason, "In front of your teacher Hecate, could you put in a few good words for me?"
Hearing this, Jason looked at the god of death Thanatos expressionlessly, then righteously refused, saying, "Sorry, great god of death Thanatos. I am not only Teacher Hecate's student but also her most loyal believer. Such a thing..."
"No, I really do not need you to do anything. You just need to say a few good things about me to your teacher... Really, just a few good words!"
"...Then I cannot guarantee Teacher Hecate's reaction after hearing it. Great god of death Thanatos, does this work for you?"
Jason's eyes turned, and he then said.
"No problem, no problem!" The god of death Thanatos hurriedly nodded.
Thus, under Asclepius's strange gaze, Jason took out a fairly large container and drew the god of death Thanatos's blood...
"Asclepius, is this enough for you?"
Asclepius looked at Jason, who smiled and lifted the jar toward him, thought for a moment, and swallowed back the words that it actually only needed a little...
Asclepius knew Jason did it on purpose... Although he did not understand what was going on, with the goal achieved, Asclepius indeed had no reason to continue staying by the god of death Thanatos's side.
Then, Jason, Asclepius, and Hades arrived at the place of the unquenchable spirit.
Because of Hades's arrival, the fire spirit hurriedly came out to welcome him.
Thus, at this time, Asclepius only then realized that the cold-faced man following beside Jason was actually the lord of the underworld Hades!
The lord of the underworld Hades leading the way... Asclepius's gaze toward Jason instantly changed.
Although very early on, Asclepius... To be precise, Chiron's many students, already knew that Jason had great privileges in the underworld.
After all, the irreversible path of the underworld, Jason could come and go as he pleased.
But Asclepius truly did not expect that Jason's connections in the underworld were so strong!
And it was also at this time that Asclepius suddenly recalled something... A matter before coming to the underworld.
Before coming to the underworld, Athena had appeared before Asclepius and told him that upon this trip to the underworld, one person would appear to fulfill his wish.
At first, Asclepius thought it was the god of death Thanatos, but now...
"So... That person refers to you?"
Looking at Jason before him talking to the fire spirit, and then at the lord of the underworld Hades beside him, Asclepius understood.
Thus, just as Jason expressed thanks to the fire spirit and returned before Asclepius, saying, "Senior Brother Asclepius, in the underworld, do you need any more medicinal materials?"
"...No need."
Asclepius shook his head and said, "Thanks to the medicine field you left behind back then, I have already gathered most of the materials... Now, the only medicine catalyst still needed is not in the underworld but in the mortal world."
"But before going back, Junior Brother Jason, could you help me with something?"
"Senior Brother Asclepius, say it. As long as I can do it, I will definitely help you!" Jason said with a serious face.
Asclepius looked at Jason speaking to him so seriously, was silent for a time, then came before Hades.
After respectfully bowing to him, Asclepius said, "Great lord of the underworld Hades, my purpose in coming to the underworld this time actually has another goal.
I hope to take away my mother in the underworld, Coronis!"
The reason Asclepius followed the centaur sage Chiron to learn medical arts and pursued throughout his life to create the divine medicine that could resurrect the dead naturally existed... And clearly, that reason was that he had personally witnessed his mother Coronis's death!
Hades gazed at Asclepius before him; his expression was not surprised... After all, unlike Jason, Asclepius's soul was not protected by the gods.
Hades had long known his intent, as well as his pursuit in creating the spirit medicine that resurrects the dead. This was also why he had not left but continued following all the way here.
"...If you had not just come forward to tell me yourself but had Jason plead for you, I would absolutely not agree."
After a long time, Hades said faintly to Asclepius, "For the sake of Jason and your father Apollo, I can agree.
But any matter requires paying a corresponding price... Your mother can leave the underworld, but you must remain in the underworld.
When you create the divine medicine that resurrects the dead, I will personally come to the mortal world and take your life!"
Hearing this, Asclepius was stunned for a while, looking at Hades before him.
Then, a smile appeared on his face, and from the bottom of his heart, he bowed to Hades, saying, "Thank you, merciful lord of the underworld Hades!"
Listening to their words, especially hearing Hades say he would keep Asclepius in the underworld, Jason at first wanted to say something.
But when he heard that Hades's condition was the moment Asclepius created the divine medicine that resurrects the dead, Jason no longer spoke.
Because as long as Asclepius created that divine medicine, he absolutely could not remain in the mortal world.
Clearly, Asclepius was also very aware of this in his heart, thus he calmly accepted the condition given by Hades.
"Do not be too happy too soon. Even if I agree for you to take away your mother, that is conditional."
Hades continued, "Next, I will draw out the protections left on you by the moon goddess Artemis, the god of light Apollo, and the goddess of wisdom Athena.
Then, I will take you to the Elysian Fields, the place of bliss, to see your mother.
You need to carry your mother out of the gray plains and cross the River of Pain.
Along the way, you cannot put your mother down, nor can you stop your steps. Otherwise, you will be unable to bring back your mother.
And without the protections from the gods, the spirits of the underworld will launch attacks on you... Jason, you as well."
As Hades spoke, he looked at Jason and said, "If you want to help him, I will also suppress all the protections from the gods on you, including mine and your teacher's. You will face the spirits of the underworld launching attacks on you!"
"No, let me do it alone." As soon as Hades finished speaking, Asclepius spoke up.
"You alone... Senior Brother Asclepius, you are just a doctor with no combat ability. If I do not help you, how could you possibly walk out of the underworld?" Jason smiled at Asclepius.
"But..."
"Senior Brother Asclepius, did you not just already seek my help? I said I would definitely help you.
Yes... If you really feel bad about it, when you create that divine medicine that resurrects the dead, give me a share, how about that?"
In the three years at the centaur sage Chiron's, Jason could not ignore Asclepius.
Not to mention that Jason had already guessed this was probably also part of Athena's secretly arranged script... The script for offering tribute to the god of light Apollo!
Hearing Jason's words, after brief contemplation, Asclepius nodded seriously to Jason and said, "I understand... Rest assured, Jason. When the divine medicine that resurrects the dead is created, I will definitely reserve the best for you!"
"You make it sound like I am in great danger."
After Jason smiled, the matter was thus settled.
As for conducting a transaction right in front of the lord of the underworld Hades, and the transaction being that divine medicine capable of severely disrupting world order... The lord of the underworld Hades naturally turned a blind eye.
After all, who let the other party be Jason!
Thus, the lord of the underworld Hades brought Jason and Asclepius to the Elysian Fields and found Asclepius's mother.
After a brief reunion, Asclepius carried his mother on his back and began stepping one by one from the irreversible path of the underworld toward the mortal world.
On this path, Asclepius could not stop, nor could he put down his mother to rest.
And just as the lord of the underworld Hades had said, when they formally stepped onto the return path of the irreversible road, Hades sealed all protections on these two.
The instant the butterflies of the underworld vanished from Jason's body, the underworld's chill, as if piercing deep into the soul, instantly assaulted Jason.
Making Jason unable to help but shiver, and one must know, Jason's soul had been tempered by the inextinguishable fire!
Thus, Jason could not help but instantly look toward Asclepius, only to discover that at this moment, Asclepius's teeth had begun to chatter.
"Senior Brother Asclepius, hurry and walk... If we take too long, your soul will be thoroughly polluted by the underworld's aura. At that time, you will be a dead man!"
Asclepius looked at Jason and nodded to him.
Thus, the two, under Hades's gaze, walked out of the Elysian Fields. And when the two walked out, the cold wind on the gray plains was naturally even more biting than in the Elysian Fields!
But with matters having reached this point, the arrow loosed from the string obviously had no path of return.
Jason took a deep breath and prepared to take out the demon spear given to him by Typhon.
Although now, the gifts from the gods to Jason were no longer restricted.
But clearly, the sword of the god of light Apollo and the arrow of the moon goddess were these two strongest weapons, both unusable now...
Originally, Jason thought this way, but what he did not expect was that just as Asclepius, carrying his mother, difficultly took a step forward, the Apollo sword hanging at Jason's waist suddenly emitted a dazzling golden light.
The light enveloped Jason and Asclepius, dispelling the underworld's aura.
Jason and Asclepius were both stunned.
But Jason quickly reacted.
Of course; it would be strange if Apollo did not know about what was happening now...
And just as Jason thought this, he saw.
Because without the protection of Teacher Hecate, Hades, and the others, sensing the aura of the living, the spirits of the underworld came running from all around.
Jason thought for a moment, then took off the sword at his waist and hung it on Asclepius's body.
At the same time, he temporarily placed Athena's directional compass with him and said, "Senior Brother Asclepius, listen to me. Now, you just keep your head down and follow the direction of the compass forward.
No matter what you hear, do not lift your head. No matter what appears under your feet, just keep going forward. Because the path ahead, I will definitely pave for you!
Everything, leave it to me!"
As Jason spoke, he proactively stepped out of the warm light enveloping the two and took out the demon spear given to him by Typhon and also processed by Teacher Hecate.
"...Thank you." Asclepius looked at Jason, who raised the demon spear and swung toward the enemies ahead, said softly, then lowered his head, looked at the compass in his hand, and walked forward step by step.
Thus, he did not see the scene of Jason battling the gradually gathering spirits of the underworld.
But Hades and the gods observing in secret witnessed this battle.
This battle actually was not as shocking as Jason's battle with the hundred-headed dragon Ladon.
But the spirits wandering in the underworld could not be truly killed; even the demon spear in Jason's hand could not grant them death.
Thus, as time passed, hundreds of spirits came before the two, roaring and attacking Jason and Asclepius!
The reason Jason had Asclepius keep his head down was this; after all, unlike Jason, Asclepius could not look directly at these undead.
Looking too long would lead to being swallowed by the abyss!
But Jason's soul, strengthened by the inextinguishable fire, did not need to fear.
And this time, because it was very close, after the ancestor of all demons Typhon sensed it, she came to watch. Even the god of the abyss Tartarus and the three vengeance goddesses came to watch the excitement.
To be precise, as time passed, more and more gods of the underworld sensed the commotion and came running.
Regarding this, Jason naturally did not know.
But also because of this, such a scene attracted a special existence...
"Hm? Jason... What are you doing?"
The three-headed dog Cerberus, who was wandering around, sensed the lively atmosphere and leisurely came here.
Then, looking at Jason, who was bitterly holding on amid the attacks of the undead, protecting Asclepius and his mother, she could not help but appear very puzzled.
And upon seeing Cerberus, Jason's eyes naturally lit up!
"Lady Cerberus, help me. Hurry and help me... If you help me, next time I will ask Brother-in-law Hades and Sister Persephone to let you go to the mortal world to play!"
As soon as Jason's words fell, quite a few gods of the underworld around could not help but chuckle.
Hearing Jason's words, Hades could not help but laugh as well.
However, he did not intervene to stop it, because Cerberus helping did not count as breaking the rules... Even if it did, it would be Cerberus breaking the rules.
At that time, one only needed to punish Cerberus.
And upon hearing Jason's words, the eyes of Cerberus's three heads all lit up, and she excitedly said, "You mean that!"
"Absolutely true!"
Thus, under Jason's inducement, Cerberus joined the team.
With the arrival of the three-headed hellhound, instantly over half of the undead were dispersed.
Then...
"By the way, Jason, what are you doing? Where is Hecate's protection on you? And who is this beside you?"
"Lady Cerberus, this is my senior brother. I am taking him and his mother back to the mortal world."
"Oh... Wait, you said taking them back to the mortal world!"
The reacting Cerberus widened her eyes, then looked at Asclepius, who kept his head down following Jason's words, proceeding forward no matter what he heard or saw.
Cerberus knew she had been drawn into a troublesome matter.
"Jason, you tricked me. Your senior brother aside, his mother is clearly a dead person. How could you possibly let them return to the mortal world!"
As Cerberus spoke, she wanted to make Asclepius stop. Jason hurriedly stopped her and said, "Lady Cerberus, rest assured it will be fine, because this is what Lord Hades said. As long as my senior brother carries his mother back to the mortal world, it will not be pursued further!
...Never mind that. Lady Cerberus, hurry and help. I cannot hold them off much longer!"
Hearing Jason's words, although Cerberus was still somewhat hesitant, because she knew that the dead returning to the mortal world violated the rules of the underworld.
This would definitely cause trouble!
But she could also discern that Jason was not lying. If he were, Hades would have appeared long ago. Moreover, Jason's identity was something Cerberus knew well.
Thus, helplessly, although Cerberus sensed she had jumped into a deep pit, she could only grit her teeth and go along with it!
"Jason, let me tell you, if something happens, you handle it yourself. I am not getting involved!"
With that said, the barking Cerberus wagged her tail and vigorously drove away the undead drawn by the aura of the living.
"Yes, naturally!" Regarding this, Jason naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
However, even Jason did not expect that now Hades was already planning how to punish Cerberus after the matter ended...
As for punishing Jason?... Cerberus, you knew the rules and still broke them, so of course you get punished.
As for Jason, he is just a child; what does he know!