Deep within a supremely magnificent divine hall in the Heavenly Court.
Immortal music drifted through the air, and precious radiance flowed.
Graceful fairy maidens carried jade trays, their sleeves fluttering as they moved among the auspicious clouds.
Yet the Plague Emperor, one of the Eight Departments' Orthodox Gods, kept his head deeply bowed at this moment, his gaze fixed on the ground paved with ten-thousand-year warm jade beneath his feet, not daring the slightest transgression.
He reported respectfully, "Your Majesty, this year's Heavenly-Triggered Killing Intent quotas for the mortal realm's Tai Sui year have all been fulfilled, yielding a total of one hundred twenty-seven thousand five hundred forty-six loads of merit."
"Oh?"
A divine voice carrying a trace of surprise came from ahead.
"Shouldn't it have been one hundred forty thousand loads?"
Though the voice was soft, it seemed to bear the weight of ten thousand mountains. Fine beads of sweat immediately formed on the Plague Emperor's brow.
He lowered himself even further, his tone growing more devout. "Your Majesty, I was about to report this matter. As for the remaining twelve thousand four hundred fifty-four loads of merit, this humble god has already made arrangements. Seven thousand six hundred loads have currently been recovered. For the remaining four thousand eight hundred fifty-four loads, this humble god will certainly make them up for Your Majesty. There will not be the slightest shortfall in the one hundred forty thousand loads of merit."
"My dear minister has always been dependable. What was the reason this time?"
That voice, containing boundless divine might, sounded once more.
The Plague Emperor did not dare conceal anything. "Unexpected changes arose with the final two quotas. A mortal youth interfered with karma, and this humble god made a wager with him: if he could accumulate seven thousand