An olive branch

Bai Mo was somewhat speechless. Dealing with these gods was such a hassle. You were the one who brought me here, and now you're putting on airs. Snakes are Athena's symbol. Does she really think I don't know that? Though inwardly exasperated, he still couldn't openly talk back to the goddess. After some thought, Bai Mo decided to accept.

If it's a blessing, it isn't a calamity; if it's a calamity, there's no escaping it. Among the Greek gods, Athena was relatively easy to talk to. Though he didn't want to get involved with gods, if he had no choice, Athena should be the best option. Bai Mo lowered his head and said, "O wise Athena, my heart is filled with confusion. I do not know which way to turn, for I stand upon a spider's web. Whichever way I go, I am bound. Goddess of wisdom, please show me a clear path."

Bai Mo felt his translationese was perfectly adequate. Now all that remained was to see how Athena responded.

The ethereal voice rang out again, echoing through the temple. "O warrior, you are not a butterfly trapped in a web. You are merely a bird that has fallen into a windless land. A single gust will let you spread your wings and soar. O warrior, the man you met today is this country's future king. Go and stand beside him. You will accomplish great deeds, and then glory will become your wings."

Some time later, Bai Mo walked out of the temple. Looking at the streak of sunset at the edge of the sky, he sighed. By now, he had roughly guessed what was happening. He then began carefully recalling the legend of the Argo. This was his advantage, and he absolutely couldn't afford to be careless.

While Bai Mo was thinking, footsteps approached. The newcomer was a woman dressed as a priestess, wearing olive branches on her head. Although a veil covered half her face, he could still sense the gentleness in her eyes. Holding an olive branch in both hands, she approached Bai Mo.

"Is this for me?"

"Yes. The goddess has bestowed a blessing upon your journey. Please accept this olive branch. You will receive the blessing of the goddess Athena."

After some thought, Bai Mo accepted the olive branch. Though he wasn't particularly devoted to Athena, it was still a gift from a god. Even selling it would fetch a good price. Besides, Greek mythology had plenty of good things. This olive branch presumably had some wonderful use.

Bai Mo examined the olive branch closely. Holding it brought only a cool sensation, but upon paying closer attention, he discovered that the coolness actually flowed straight into his brain, clearing his mind. The many thoughts troubling him all dissipated like passing clouds.

It is good stuff, Bai Mo thought. With this, he could remain calmer in battle, too. Still, he would have to find someone to check it for side effects later. He wasn't quite comfortable trusting it, after all. Free things were the most expensive. And speaking of free things...

System, are you there? Bai Mo called inwardly, but the system gave no response. Ever since he arrived in ancient Greece, it had fallen silent, leaving him unable to ask about anything. He had originally wanted to ask the system whether there was anything wrong with the olive branch, but now it seemed he could only rely on himself. As night fell, Bai Mo was invited to stay in the temple overnight. According to the legend, once Jason realized he had been tricked today, he should come to Athena's temple seeking help. That was probably why Athena had asked him to stay.

Athena knew Hera wanted to use Jason to take revenge on the king of Thessaly, but she couldn't anticipate the legend of the Argo. She was the goddess of wisdom, not a god of prophecy. If Athena learned that Bai Mo had transmigrated here, she would absolutely use every means possible to extract all the information from his head. This, too, was Bai Mo's advantage.

That night, many of the temple's attendants and priests eyed Bai Mo curiously. They were all very curious about this man who had received the goddess's blessing, and his current posture easily drew attention. A blade blank was planted in the ground, and Bai Mo sat cross-legged directly on top of it. The slightest lapse in his balance would send him tumbling off. This was a method Tiema had once used while comprehending the Dao, and Bai Mo had already maintained this position for several hours.

Unfortunately, Bai Mo's current state of mind still couldn't compare to Tiema's. This method could only train his perception and further improve his control over his own body. Compared with the seaside, the breeze here was practically negligible, and its effect was considerably weaker. Still, it was a decent way to meditate and pass the time.

It was around the middle of the night, after everyone had fallen sound asleep, that Jason finally arrived at Athena's temple.

"That crafty old man actually told me to find the Golden Fleece. Damn him!"

Jason was a capable man, but obtaining the Golden Fleece was already beyond human ability. He could only come to Athena's temple to seek guidance. Athena granted his wish, but afterward, she told him about Bai Mo.

"At this very moment, there is a warrior of unrecognized talent in my temple. Jason, go and recruit him. He will embark on this adventure alongside you."

Then he saw Bai Mo sitting on the blade.

"What? It's you?"

"It's me. I didn't expect fate to bring us together like this. I'll be counting on you from here on out, Captain."

Jason looked at Bai Mo, though his gaze rested mostly on the blade blank behind him. Figuring this fellow must have some strength, he nodded.

"All right, you're my underling from now on! Make sure you protect me if we run into danger."

"Of course."

The night was far from peaceful. Jason kept Bai Mo with him, pouring out an endless stream of complaints about how shameless his uncle was and how dangerous obtaining the Golden Fleece would be.

"You have no idea. Not only is it a long journey, but that king is no pushover, either. I heard he found an evil dragon to guard the Golden Fleece without ever sleeping or resting. Ugh, I'm really going to suffer on this trip."

Bai Mo wasn't particularly concerned. He knew the Argo's voyage wouldn't actually involve any great danger. When the time came, heroes from across Greece would gather once again. Not only did each possess exceptional abilities, but almost all of them were children of gods. Nothing would happen to this boatload of second-generation gods. Who would dare mess with them?

Soon, the sun rose. Bai Mo proposed splitting up, and Jason naturally refused.

"Hey, didn't you agree to be my bodyguard?"

"I'm responsible for keeping you safe, not being your bodyguard. Besides, you definitely won't encounter any danger here, or your uncle would be in serious trouble. You're not a child. Why do I need to follow you around?"

"Well, true. Even if that old bastard wants to attack me, he'd probably do it during the journey. But our goal is to build a ship. Do you have something else to do?"

"Yes. I'm going to take a few precautions. Let's split up."

With that, Bai Mo held out his hand to Jason.

"What?"

"I don't have any money."

"You say that like I do!"

Jason handed Bai Mo the token he carried.

"You want me to sell this?"

"Sell it, my ass, you idiot! Listen, take this..."

Jason explained his plan to Bai Mo. The wicked scheme brought a smile even to Bai Mo's face.

"If I go, that fellow will definitely find some way to wriggle out of it. Remember, make him bring the goods out before showing your hand."

"Don't worry. We'll make him bleed this time."

Afterward, Jason and Bai Mo went their separate ways. Bai Mo entered the royal palace alone and directly stated his purpose.

"I hear this place has countless extraordinary treasures. I'm willing to buy them at a price you'll find satisfactory."

The official in charge knew a sucker had arrived. This fellow had probably found some unknown fortune on an adventure. Coming to the royal palace to do business meant they would be the ones setting the prices.

Some time later, a group led Bai Mo into a room.

There was a table in the room with a flag on it. Made by skilled craftsmen, it shone with light, though he didn't know what materials had been used.

The steward said, "This flag was made using luminous powder and certain mushrooms. It shines brightly even at night."

Bai Mo picked up the flag. Even in daylight, it glittered, leaving him very satisfied. Seeing his expression, the official knew he could demand an exorbitant price.

"Is it to your satisfaction? This flag is absolutely one of a kind. At three thousand gold coins, it's excellent value..."

Bai Mo gave the greedy fellow a cold look. Though the item was rare, it was certainly not worth that much. Still, he didn't lash out and continued asking questions.

"I said I also needed an item that could track wild beasts, and another..."

No sooner had Bai Mo finished speaking than the steward said with a pained expression, "Those would be True Magic items. They're things you can't buy even if you have the money. Even the palace treasury hasn't collected any. Very few people offer such things to the king, and even if we obtain them, we can't keep them. They're usually sacrificed to the gods."

Very few, but not none. Bai Mo knew that some things couldn't be bought with money, no matter where you were. But this wasn't the time to fall out with him. Bai Mo put away the flag. Seeing this, the steward stroked his goatee with his fingers, smiling greedily.

But soon, he could no longer maintain that smile.

Bai Mo handed Jason's token to the steward and said, "Jason is preparing to embark on an adventure to find the Golden Fleece, and your king supports it. After giving him such a difficult task, surely that support can't be merely verbal? I saw quite a few supplies in the storehouse. Give me half of all that."

If Jason had come himself, the steward would certainly have tried every possible way to penny-pinch. That was why Jason had chosen to send Bai Mo with his token to shop for free.

When the steward saw the token, he wished he could slap himself hard across the face. Damn it, why didn't I consider that this man might be Jason's companion? Along the way, the man had seen plenty of supplies. Those, along with this flag, would probably all have to be handed over to him.

An uncertain gleam flickered in the steward's eyes. Then he put on another ingratiating smile and said to Bai Mo, "You look so mighty and heroic, sir. Surely you're no ordinary man. Why go off to your death with Jason? Destroy this token, and you will earn His Majesty's favor."

"Sixty percent."

Bai Mo couldn't be bothered to waste words with him. What use was His Majesty's favor? Having offended Hera, even if the king survived Jason, he wouldn't have any good days ahead. This was the Argo. Bai Mo was determined to join this voyage. Having been reborn, he had to live without regrets and make his life spectacular.