After the Investiture of the Gods, the Heavenly Court introduced new regulations: immortals must be licensed to work, and undergoing trials in the mortal realm is mandatory!
Zhao Baixing is a minor, idle immortal in the celestial realm. Even the guards at the Southern Heavenly Gate have more secure jobs than he does. The big shots can go down to the mortal realm, make a token appearance, and earn all the merit they need. Meanwhile, he can’t even meet his KPI for undergoing a trial. Is his immortal career doomed?
Then he discovers a loophole in Heavenly Court law: “An immortal tribulation may be undertaken on another’s behalf, provided they consent.”
And so the celestial realm’s most cutthroat “Tribulation Substitution Agency” quietly opens for business:
“Star Lord, afraid of suffering in the mortal realm? Our VIP package guarantees a painless trial and a glowing performance report!”
“Fairy, worried about your love tribulation? Our romance tribulation hotline offers a convincing stand-in, with no risk of catching real feelings. A 100% satisfaction rate!”
“Professional tribulation substitutions, honest and reliable, fair prices, and installment plans for pills and magical treasures!”
From then on, he takes blows meant for others, suffers heartbreak on their behalf, and takes the fall for the big shots. His services expand from the three-tribulation “poverty, illness, and early death” package to premium custom trials such as “parting from loved ones,” “yearning for the unattainable,” and “being trapped with those you loathe.”
He thought he was just earning some extra cash to land a better position. But as he takes on more and more tribulations, some truly formidable figures end up among his clients, and the trials he has to undertake grow more and more outrageous… until even the emperor seated high in the Ninth Heaven takes notice.
