At eight o’clock sharp on the morning of the seventh day, the main marble plaza of Spiral Arm Grand Central Station was packed with hundreds of thousands of cheering spectators, while trillions more tuned in on the galactic 5G spirit-screens.
Up on the decorated stage in front of the golden clock tower stood Pei Xuan, surrounded by Old Wei, Hong Ling, Abacus Su, General Tie Zhan, Ye Guhan, Boom-Pot Sun, and Old Guo.
Seated in the front row below the stage were the 108 Sect Masters and 17 Elders in their bright yellow Debtor vests, clapping rhythmically in unison while holding up handmade banners that read:
[ CONGRATULATIONS TO SENIOR BAI ON PAYING OFF HIS 50-QUADRILLION-COIN BRIDGE FINE! ] [ SQUAD #1 WILL MISS YOUR MAGNIFYING GLASS! ]
Standing at the center of the stage opposite Pei Xuan was the Milky Way Sword Emperor, Bai Xinghe.
Even though he was about to be released from his debtor sentence, Bai Xinghe had washed his face until it shone, combed his long silver hair into a neat bun fastened with a wooden chopstick, and ironed his neon-yellow Probationary Debtor #109 vest so sharply that the creases could slice paper.
“Citizens of the Orion-Jade Spiral Arm,” Abacus Su announced into the brass microphone, adjusting his round spectacles as he held up a thick ledger stamped with a giant green [PAID IN FULL] seal. “Seven days ago, Mister Bai Xinghe accidentally severed Bridges #104, #105, and #106 during an unlicensed sword display, incurring a…
