HCB Chapter 101 The God-King's Fear: My son Thor, go and apologize to that being!
Chapter 101 The God-King's Fear: My son Thor, go and apologize to that being!
On the armrests of the golden throne, Odin's knuckles were rhythmically tapping.
Hey.
Hey.
Hey.
The crisp sound was the only sound in the majestic hall at that moment, yet it was like a heavy hammer, each strike striking the depths of Heimdall's soul.
He stood with his head bowed, understanding that the God-King was making an incredibly difficult choice.
Midgard, that mortal world, has seen the emergence of a forbidden land that even he, the watcher of the Nine Realms, cannot glimpse.
This news alone is enough to overturn the established understanding of the Nine Realms for millions of years.
Asgard has always considered itself the guardian of the Nine Realms, with Midgard being of paramount importance.
But now, a terrifying plant that they consider their backyard has quietly grown out of this land, which they cannot understand at all, and may even strangle everything in the garden.
Should we risk cutting it off, or keep our distance?
"Loki..."
In Odin's single eye, the divine light was dim and unclear.
He could be indifferent to the fall of an ancient god.
He could also be indifferent to the destruction of the mortal forces on Earth.
But he couldn't ignore his son.
Even though Loki has a long history of misdeeds and has coveted his throne more than once, the bond of blood can never be severed.
The second prince of Asgard, the god of lies and trickery, was sweeping in a mortal's courtyard.
This is no longer a disgrace.
This is the most blatant provocation against the Asgardian gods.
But that being possesses the power to annihilate ancient gods and seize the Infinity Stones with a flick of its finger.
If Asgard were to rashly declare war, what are its chances of winning?
The shadow of Ragnarok always loomed over the Celestial Palace. He dared not, and could not, gamble the fate of the entire divine race on this game.
"Your Majesty, what should we do?" Heimdall's voice was very low.
The knocking stopped.
Odin slowly rose, strolled to the edge of the hall, and looked down at the magnificent divine kingdom below, constructed of glittering nebulae and a rainbow bridge.
"War is the last resort, and also the most foolish one."
His voice carried an absolute rationality honed by the years.
"The existence that can make Loki abandon all his dignity to sweep the floor must have a desire that transcends worldly power and conquest."
"He remained hidden in that small courtyard, not showing his fangs to the outside world, which shows that he had no intention of disrupting the existing order."
"It is us, these self-righteous 'gods' of the Nine Realms, who have repeatedly knocked on the door of his peaceful rest."
Odin's analysis is incisive and to the point.
"Therefore, we cannot send any more soldiers to probe."
"That will only invite devastating rage."
He turned around, his gaze passing through the magnificent palace gates and landing on the distant training ground.
There, his brave but simple-minded eldest son wields Thor's hammer, enjoying the worship and screams of the Valkyries.
"We need a messenger."
Odin's tone became meaningful.
"A messenger of sufficient stature, yet not in an aggressive manner, who can represent Asgard to communicate with that being..."
Heimdall followed his gaze, his heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood the God-King's intention.
"Your Majesty, you intend to send...Prince Thor?"
Heimdall's tone betrayed his deep concern.
"Prince Thor is brave, but his temperament... is probably not suitable for such a delicate mission."
Sending Thor to be a diplomat is like sending a raging Kraken to do embroidery.
"No, he is the most suitable candidate." A glimmer of wisdom flowed deep within Odin's single eye.
"That being can see through Loki's schemes at a glance. Any attempt to use words or tricks in front of him will only appear foolish and ridiculous."
"Thor is reckless, but he's also straightforward and not very calculating. Letting him go will better demonstrate Asgard's sincerity."
"And..." Odin's lips curled into a complex smile, "I also want him to see for himself that Midgard is no longer the fragile world he saw that needed to be saved."
"It's time to let him see what true power is."
"This is good for his development."
Odin's mind was made up.
He raised his voice and called out in a deep voice, "Thor!"
The sound traveled ten thousand miles and resounded throughout the celestial palace.
On the training ground, Thor, who had just leveled a mountain with a single blow, heard his father's summons and looked somewhat puzzled.
He casually put away the hammer, his figure transforming into a bolt of lightning, instantly appearing inside the main hall, his body still radiating the heat of battle.
"Father, you wanted to see me?" Saul asked casually.
Odin looked at his valiant and extraordinary son and nodded solemnly.
"Thor, I have an extremely important task for you."
"What mission? Father! Are those frost giants in Jotunheim causing trouble again? My Mjolnir can calm them down anytime!" Thor excitedly weighed his hammer in his hand, his face full of eager anticipation.
"Neither." Odin shook his head, his expression more serious than Thor had ever seen.
"I need you to go to Midgard."
"Midgard?" Thor was taken aback, then seemed somewhat dismissive. "Father, what could possibly happen in Midgard that requires my personal intervention? Jane's been perfectly fine lately, hasn't she?"
"Not for mortals." Odin's voice, every word seemed to carry the weight of the divine realm.
"It's for your brother, Loki."
"Loki?" Thor's expression changed drastically. "What trouble has that bastard caused in Midgard this time? Is he trying to become the king of Earth again? Don't worry, I'll go drag him back and lock him in the deepest dungeon!"
“He hasn’t caused any trouble,” Odin interrupted him. “Quite the opposite, he’s…behaving very well now.”
"He is in Midgard, in the courtyard of an Eastern country... experiencing life."
"Experience life?" Thor was completely confused.
Odin didn't offer much explanation, but instead issued the command in an unprecedentedly solemn tone.
"Thor, you are going not as the God of War, but as the Prince of Asgard, as my messenger to visit the master of that courtyard."
"Your mission is not to fight."
"It's communication."
"You must let go of your arrogance."
"Put your hammer away."
"Approach that being with the utmost humility and respect."
"Remember, no matter what demands the other party makes, do not resort to violence lightly. Because your opponent is someone... even I cannot see through."
"Your words and actions will directly determine the future of Asgard."
Odin's words were heavier with each one, striking Thor's heart like a hammer blow.
Looking at his father's extremely solemn expression, he finally realized that the seriousness of the matter far exceeded all his imagination.
A person whom even his god-king father admitted he "couldn't see through," and whom he needed to approach with "humility" and "respect"?
Midgard, when did such a person appear?
"Father, I..." Thor wanted to ask again.
Odin, however, had already waved his hand.
"Go, Heimdall will open the rainbow bridge for you."
"Remember my words, Thor."
"This time, use your brain, not your hammer."
Saul met his father's unquestionable gaze and could only suppress his surprise and doubt, nodding solemnly.
"Yes, Father."
He turned and strode towards the Rainbow Bridge.
A storm raged within him.
He couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of changes had occurred in Midgard, that fragile mortal world.
And what role does his brother Loki play in that mysterious Eastern courtyard?
With these questions in mind, Thor embarked on his journey to Earth.
He had no idea what kind of violent storm this journey would bring to his proud soul.
……
Meanwhile, in Beijing, in a traditional courtyard house.
Lin Fan lay on the rocking chair, watching the last rays of sunset fade away on the horizon.
He suddenly felt his right eyelid twitch for no reason.
"Um?"
He stretched out his finger and tapped it a few times in the air, as if he were calculating something.
"Is this... a guest arriving?"
"Moreover, judging from this divination, he's a stubborn and simple-minded guy."
He smiled, shook his head, and didn't take it seriously at all.
These days, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry can cross the threshold of his yard.
Want to come in?
can.
First, ask the person in charge of sweeping, watering the flowers, and the twelve guards at his house if they agree.