Apollo looked at Hermes, whose legs were trembling. Then he patted his chariot and smiled kindly.
"Do you want to put the noose around your own neck, or shall I help you?"
"I thought we could discuss this," Hermes said, trying to offer Cyd as a distraction.
Cyd blinked, trying to process what was happening. Convincing Apollo was no easy task.
"Cyd?" Apollo raised an eyebrow. "If you weren't here now, we could have had a good chat."
"Um, respected Sun God Apollo, I think I can resolve the conflict between you and Hermes," Cyd said, mustering his courage.
"Resolve? This isn't about a conflict," Apollo glared at Hermes, who was hiding behind Cyd. "You stole my cattle, but the lyre you crafted was valuable enough that I let it go. But now..."
Apollo produced two damaged harps. "I just want to tie you up and drag you around in my chariot for a week, or maybe shoot you into the Sun."
"What if I offer you a new musical instrument that satisfies you?" Cyd proposed, though part of him agreed with Apollo's plan to throw Hermes into the Sun. Since he had accepted a god's request, he couldn't go back on his word.
"Hermes, don't think you can get away with this like before," Apollo said with a spooky smile. "Fine. Create a unique musical instrument and play music that satisfies me, and I might consider dragging you for only half a day."
Hermes trembled, knowing the challenge was daunting. Making a new instrument was one thing, but creating music that could satisfy Apollo seemed impossible.
Cyd took a deep breath and handed the erhu to Hermes to give to Apollo.
"What is this?" Apollo asked, raising an eyebrow. He took the erhu and plucked a string, producing a sound that wasn't quite what he expected.
"Respected Sun God Apollo, it's played with this," Cyd said, presenting the erhu bow. "Just draw the string with it, and I believe you'll be satisfied with the sound."
Apollo raised an eyebrow, took the bow, and drew it across the string. Unlike the sound produced by plucking, the unique tonality made him narrow his eyes in pleasure. He began adjusting the strings, playing music that was unfamiliar yet captivating.
Hermes quietly sighed in relief. Annoying others while comforting them was his specialty. Although he had underestimated Apollo's love for music, he was now certain Apollo was pleased. At least Apollo wasn't threatening to shoot him into the Sun or drag him around.
After playing for a while, Apollo hugged the erhu and looked at Hermes with a softened expression when he turned his gaze to Cyd.
"Did you create this?"
"No," Cyd shook his head.
"If you claimed you did, you could receive many treasures," Apollo said gently. "Don't you want [blessing] now?"
"Because it wasn't my creation, I can't take credit," Cyd said earnestly.
"I am very satisfied," Apollo said, patting Cyd's head. "You've brought this instrument to me."
"Great!" Hermes wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"But Hermes, I never said I would forgive you!" Apollo raised his voice. "Unless you create another piece of music that satisfies me, I will still drag you for half a day!"
Hermes held his head and whined, looking to Cyd for help.
"Sir Sun God Apollo, I have a song..." Cyd began, nervously tugging at Apollo's sleeve.
"Cyd, you don't need to stand up for this trickster," Apollo said, ruffling Cyd's hair. "He's never had good intentions."
"That's a bit harsh," Hermes shrugged. "But Cyd, you really don't need to defend me. Your erhu has already pleasantly surprised me."
"Shut up, Hermes!" Apollo snapped.
"How about I play you a song?" Cyd suggested, coughing lightly. "I didn't create it, but I can try to hum its essence."
"Alright," Apollo stepped back, watching Cyd intently.
Cyd nervously began to hum "Moonlight on the Spring River," knowing his musical abilities were modest, especially in front of the god of music.
Hermes yawned and spun around, waiting to see if Cyd's humming would appease Apollo. Despite his own doubts, he sensed Apollo was pleased.
"How was it?" Cyd asked anxiously, swallowing hard as he looked at Apollo, who was frowning deeply.
"Your humming was terrible," Apollo smiled faintly, "but the music itself was extraordinary."
Cyd relaxed. As long as the essence of the music was conveyed, it didn't matter if his performance was subpar.
"Unbelievable," Hermes muttered, eyes wide in disbelief.
"How could you possibly understand the essence of this song?" Apollo glared at Hermes. "One more word and I'll punch you."
Hermes immediately covered his mouth, though he couldn't hide his rising smile. Apollo's anger had dissipated, and he was genuinely happy.
"It's the same as back then," Apollo mused. "Although you didn't create this instrument or this song, you brought them to me, and that makes me happy."
Apollo raised his hand. "I know the perfect reward for you."
"Pure Son of Man, your honesty is not a foolish act."
If Cyd had falsely claimed the erhu and the song were his creations, Apollo might have rewarded him with some treasures. But his honesty earned him something greater.
"I, Sun God Apollo, bless you."
Cyd looked at the bracer on his left wrist as one of the 13 transparent crystals began to glow, filling with an orange light.
"[The brilliance of the Sun will light the path you tread.]"