Chapter 36
If a deity has a partner, in theory, miracles will be performed and auspicious light will descend upon the world.
The radiant light that should have emanated from the stars, a result of Hera's union with the goddess of marriage, was quietly enveloped by a gentle yet domineering red divine power and dissipated into the depths of the sea of clouds.
Hera withdrew the faint light from her fingertips and turned to look at the girl standing at the palace gate.
The other person had their head down, and the light blue robe made their shoulders look even thinner, and even the ends of their hair looked a little awkward.
"Don't be afraid."
Hera stepped forward and gently brushed her fingertips across the golden markings on Li Jia's chest, a mark that appeared after their bond was formed.
"If you don't want the world to know, then we won't say anything for now."
Li Jia looked up, her eyes filled with a subtle unease: "No, I just feel that things aren't stable enough right now. The gap between our identities... I need some time to calm down."
Her voice grew softer and softer, the last few words almost disappearing into the wind.
Marrying someone of equal social standing seems to be an obstacle in any era.
She can disregard what others think of her, but Li Jia cannot accept Hera becoming the center of public discussion.
"I am flattered that you can accept me."
Hera kissed her cheek; it must have taken a lot of courage for Li Jia to approach her.
Li Jia also felt like she had gone crazy.
In modern society, this would be equivalent to Li Jia being trending on various social media platforms, with people saying how she seduced wealthy bachelors and used one-night stands to climb the social ladder.
Li Jia currently lacks the resilience to withstand such cyberbullying, the kind of pressure that would allow her to defecate and urinate on the heads of those who criticize her.
She needs to calm down a bit more. o_o
The task was one thing, but my own feelings outweighed the task, so I reluctantly agreed.
Being God's wife must be so troublesome.
Upon hearing this, Hera suddenly laughed: "What kind of barrier is this? I like you, and you like me, that's enough."
Hera grasped Li Jia's hand, the warmth from her fingertips gradually relaxing Li Jia's tense shoulders. "We are now husband and wife. My divine power will be shared only with you. The four continents and seas of the Divine Mountain will be at peace, and no one will dare to look down on you anymore."
Li Jia looked at her own clear reflection in Hera's eyes, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She suddenly realized that so-called miracles are never blessings bestowed by heaven.
Instead, it was the person in front of her who was willing to break the rules for her and personally present her with glory.
Back in the inner palace, the two lay down on the bed together. She closed her eyes, and soon heard soft, even breathing sounds.
"Master, the auxiliary function is complete, and the probability catalytic conversion rate is 100%."
"Congratulations, Master, your favorability has reached the target in one step. The favorability hourglass has now reached four-fifths of the target, and there are only 10% left to reach 100%."
Please keep up the good work.
An electronic voice echoed in her mind; it was a unique voice that only she and the system could hear.
Upon seeing the system appear, Li Jia was furious. She knew that the mermaid girl who had suddenly appeared in Lan Du was just a tool to lure her.
Seeing that Li Jia ignored it, the system roughly knew that she was angry and quickly searched the database:
365 ways to coax a girl when she's angry
How to minimize the risk of a girl getting angry?
And "If the system is shut down by the owner, can it be restarted?"
These are all issues related to intelligence (or intellectual disability).
"Master, I meant well but it turned out badly. But in a way, it's not a bad thing. At least you've registered your marriage with the person you're after, so you're no longer afraid of someone else getting there first."
The system still didn't understand where it went wrong. Although the process was a bit tortuous, the result was good.
Good intentions gone wrong?
Li Jia gritted her teeth, her voice so cold it could shatter ice crystals.
You tell me that by using the little mermaid girl to gain my sympathy and helping her destroy the light vortex of Landu, plunging the entire Landu into panic, I became the perpetrator, and that's what you call being kind?
The electronic voice in my head paused for a few seconds before replying confidently.
"I know this is wrong, but please rest assured, Master. Every mission is created and generated through precise numerical calculations, ensuring that you will not encounter any mishaps."
"My original intention was to create a scene where you and the person I'm pursuing staged a hero-saves-the-damsel situation, but I got an unexpected surprise: your and the person I'm pursuing's affection level increased by 30% on the spot."
"This is the most efficient upgrade to date, and no one will be able to break the bond between you two."
The system remembered its predecessor's advice to facilitate the event unintentionally with the host, and began to play dumb.
Li Jia took a deep breath, feeling her temples throbbing.
When she initially bound herself to this system, why didn't she notice how peculiar its logic was?
But for this 30% favorability rating, you're willing to kill so many children in Landu. Don't you think that's going too far?
Li Jia knew better than anyone the importance of the light vortex to Lan Du.
Qili's admiration for the mermaid ancestor, the mermaid clan chief's urgency, the shark guard's anger, and the clumps of bloody, mangled bodies made Li Jia frown.
The system sensed the breakdown in her voice and lost its confidence, so it had no choice but to retrieve data to defend itself.
"According to numerical evaluation, the probability of repairing the light vortex is 98%, and Hera, as one of the twelve gods, has the responsibility to protect all people and is capable of protecting Landu."
What about the 2% risk?
Li Jia interrupted it, if the mistake was just that two percent, and Hera just happened to be unwilling to repair the light vortex.
Will the children of Nalandu still be able to wait for your 98% repair probability?
It's utterly baffling that everything is calculated numerically.
The system was stumped by her question and couldn't speak. After a long while, it muttered something under its breath.
"Master, you've changed. You never used to consider anything other than yourself."
Just because I didn't consider it before doesn't mean I won't consider it now.
Li Jia replied to the system in her mind, her voice no longer filled with anger, but with a touch of calm.
You previously said that the mission was to help me and Hera reach 100% affinity so that we could complete the final mission and stop the war of the gods.
But if all this goodwill is built on the suffering of others, what's the point of it?
The system felt pain in its brainwaves. Most of its thinking came from numerical calculations in the database, but recently it discovered that it was slowly losing control of its brainwaves.
Having no choice but to bite the bullet and explain based on the calculated values, the electronic voice was halting:
"Task logic takes precedence over individual emotions. This auxiliary function is now complete. Please continue your efforts, host. Only by completing the task can you have a chance of survival..."
Hello.
Li Jia interrupted the system.
If next time I have to risk someone else's life for this invisible and intangible favor, then I'll just hang myself right in front of you.
The brief silence seemed to be processing her words, "I'll hang myself in front of you."
After a long while, a faint, panicked electrical buzzing sound came through.
"Master, the electronic library model does not include the risk of the 'host self-destruct' option, so calculations cannot be performed."
You don't need to calculate it.
Li Jia spoke softly, her fingertips unconsciously brushing against the golden markings on her chest, where the warmth of Hera's palm still lingered.
I'll only say this once: if you use someone else's life as a mission prop again, whether it's a child from Lan Du or anyone else...
I will terminate the mission immediately, even if the price is my own disappearance.
I would do anything to achieve that.
Li Jia wasn't threatening anyone; she genuinely meant it.
When she was bound to the system before, she was only thinking about completing the tasks and seeking a chance to survive. But after meeting many people here, she could no longer feel at ease just thinking about herself.
The war of the gods must be stopped, but the price of stopping it cannot be the blood of innocent people.
Aside from Winslow and Doreen, only Artemis and Lina knew about Li Jia's pact with Hera.
Lina and Li Jia are from the same hometown, and Li Jia felt it was necessary to inform her in order to avoid her complaining later that he hadn't told her.
As for Artemis, it was because of Li Jia's intuition.
Artemis is a goddess as gentle and resilient as moonlight.
Li Jia told her that she and Hera were now married. Contrary to Li Jia's expectations, Hera smiled at her and sincerely said, "Congratulations on finding each other. I wish you a lifetime of happiness."
The goddess of the hunt bestowed upon them the warmest blessings.
Li Jia thought Lina would ask for details or tease her about what it was like to suddenly marry into a wealthy family.
Unexpectedly, Lina only paused for a moment before patting her shoulder, her eyes full of familiar smiles: "That's good too. You're all alone in this world. Now that someone is with you, I can finally feel at ease."
He can't be serious for more than a few seconds.
"Oh my god, you're so amazing, little sister! You managed to pluck that high-and-mighty flower."
Lina's words became increasingly exaggerated, making Li Jia feel embarrassed.
There were no unnecessary questions, only the tacit understanding unique to strangers in a foreign land.
Li Jia was worried that if Lina heard about it from others in the future, she would blame her for not treating her as one of her own.
Clearly, her worries were unnecessary.
Lina excitedly ran to Claire to brag about having a goddess as her best friend.
The animals, with their pure and simple hearts, upon hearing the news and seeing Li Jia, all took out the wedding gifts they had prepared and presented them to her to congratulate her on her marriage.
Before long, Li Jia went to the Ephesus Grasslands empty-handed and returned with a full load.
Claire gave Li Jia a hat woven from his own fur, Lota and Betty brought a jar of honey they had picked themselves, a squirrel brought a handful of plump acorns, and a rabbit carried a clover covered in morning dew in its mouth.
Li Jia thanked them one by one. Just as the peacock chariot was about to arrive, Lina approached Li Jia, took off the blue and white crescent name tag around her neck, and put it into her hand.
“I don’t have anything to offer, and you don’t lack anything. As your family, it would be too disrespectful not to give you anything. Here, take this.”
“Artemis once granted me a wish, and she will do everything in her power to fulfill it. Now I am passing this wish on to you. Just take the name tag to her, and she will help you.”
"This is a promise from the gods."
"No, this is a gift from Artemis."
Li Jia wanted to return the designer brand to Lina, but Lina refused firmly: "Once it's given to me, it's mine. I have the right to give it to whomever I want."
"Little sister, you've married a goddess now. Nobody knows what will happen in the future. What if she's abusive? Or treats you badly? Or gets tired of you? This brand can at least save your life, so keep it."
Before Li Jia could answer, Lina disappeared in a flash.
Li Jia held the cold name tag in her hand, facing the flawed explanation, then a warm breath escaped from between her teeth, and she curled the corners of her mouth into a smile.
Alright then, let's take this as a "guarantee" from the bride's family.
But would Hera commit domestic violence?
Was she treated badly?
Are they fickle and easily bored?
Looking up, I happened to see a peacock chariot approaching from the distance through the clouds; blonde hair and red eyes were the hallmarks of a woman's appearance.
The only difference is that the storybook describes her as having an icy face, but when you see her, a smile appears on her face.
Hera led her onto the chariot, but Li Jia didn't move, so Hera gave her a puzzled look.
Li Jia pointed to a small pile of congratulatory gifts behind her, then waved her hand helplessly, indicating that she couldn't take them.
Hera: "..."
Plush hat, honey, acorn, clover, apple, orange, banana...
Hera: "Is it absolutely necessary to take it back?"
There was even a long, round piece of wood.
Hera: "Should we take this back with us?"
Li Jia nodded solemnly: "This was given to me by Bull. It's a beaver, and this is the best wood from its river."
Li Jia: "This is a wedding gift from everyone, it's very important, and we can't let everyone down."
Sure enough, Li Jia noticed that Hera's eyes flickered when she heard the words "celebration of the wedding," and she slowly accepted and acknowledged this pile of "junk."
Li Jia had a very good understanding of Hera's personality; she was someone who would respond to gentle persuasion but not force.
But Li Jia is a lazy bum who can attack or defend, and is flexible and adaptable.
When difficulties knock her down, she simply lies down on her own. Compared to dealing with all sorts of unpredictable clients, Hera, this super boss, is remarkably emotionally stable.
Li Jia couldn't help but mutter to herself:
Oh.
Simp.
You'll find everything you need by the end.
Finally, the Peacock Chariot dragged this small pile of "wedding celebration" items back to the Hot Spring Ravine. Hera handed the items directly to Winslow, instructing her to keep them safe and not damage them, otherwise Li Jia would be sad.
Winslow looked at the small pile of fruits and vegetables and a piece of... wood, and fell into deep thought. Finally, he decided to put them all in the freezer in the kitchen cellar, where there was ice that would never melt.
If you freeze it, it won't spoil; that's Winslow's understanding.
...
After becoming involved with Hera, his previous lifestyle with Li Jia was not affected in any way; the only difference was that his boss was now a boss with a marriage certificate.
Li Jia couldn't help but sigh, this is the benefit of marrying the right person.
She had no father, no mother, and no brothers or sisters.
Hera, a deity born from the sacred mountain, didn't possess these things.
This is the legendary person who owns a car and a house, is orphaned, has no conflicts with their mother-in-law, and has incredibly strong financial resources.
As for the issue of having children, Li Jia had subtly asked Hera what she thought, because she had secretly asked Winslow what methods the gods could use to have children.
Winslow said that if Hera wanted to have a child, she could get pregnant immediately.
The goddess's offspring come from her divine power, unlike male gods who need the help of a woman's womb to reproduce.
Goddesses, however, do not need to follow this rule; matriarchal clans are the natural continuation of bloodlines.
If a goddess gives birth to a child, the child will take her surname, inherit her divine power and divine status, and be loyal to her and share her divine duties.
While patriarchal societies are still fixated on the inheritance of surnames, maternal genes have already built a true and eternal lineage outside of chromosomes.
Hera asked her if she wanted to, and Li Jia quickly shook her head, saying she wasn't interested.
Li Jia doesn't like children. Her childhood was marked by displacement and uncertainty about where to eat. Many times, Li Jia wished she had never been born. But when she entered society, she discovered that there were far too many people who only gave birth but didn't raise their children, and whose children were raising their own.
But there are no "what ifs." Fortunately, she grew up, and all she could do was prevent children like her from being born.
Hera touched her forehead: "I'm not interested either. It's enough for me to take care of you."
The system notification sounded again at night, displaying new brainwave patterns:
"Master, the second half of the storyline has been connected. The storyline you need to follow is..."
"To advance the relationship between Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and Zeus, and to ensure the smooth birth of the goddess of spring."
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