Chapter 176: Officially Implemented
His tone suddenly shifted, becoming serious: “During these long forty-eight thousand years, the events that occurred, while perhaps understandable, were nonetheless violations of the sacred duties you were meant to uphold. Therefore, punishment is necessary.”
As Zeus spoke, many of the gods’ faces turned bitter, and their hearts grew uneasy.
“However,”
Zeus’s voice softened, “I am also aware of the hardships you all endured during this period. Through this immense span of time, you have all earned merit through your labor. Therefore, this time, it will only be a minor punishment as a warning.”
“Any gods who, during this period, violated their sacred duties shall, starting today, be forbidden from participating in any feasts, drinking divine wine, or enjoying ambrosia for one hundred years.”
“Furthermore, all gods must remember that since the implementation of the Heavenly Dao System, you can now possess your own time and are no longer confined by endless hardship.”
“However, the sacred duties and sacred honor you bear must be upheld more resolutely, and fulfilled to the fullest!”
Zeus’s majestic gaze swept over every god present, and he spoke in an extremely stern tone, “You all remember this: the hardship you gods endure in fulfilling your sacred duties has now been greatly reduced.”
“If any of you neglect public duty for personal reasons, are negligent in your duties, or commit any other offense for any reason whatsoever, you will be severely punished. I will show no connivance or leniency whatsoever!”
“Do you all understand?!”
The gods responded in unison, and Zeus nodded slowly. He then instructed the gods to integrate their law operations entirely into the Heavenly Dao System and to familiarize themselves with its workings.
Zeus, accompanied by the primordial Great Gods, adjusted the system’s operations, resolved issues, and ensured the healthy functioning of the Sacred New Order.
This endeavor saw another thousand years swiftly pass.
With the exception of a few Law Gods who were not part of the Olympus Pantheon, almost all Law Gods had fully integrated their laws into the Heavenly Dao System.
Zeus then began to formally operate this grand Heavenly Dao System. After ensuring its stable operation without any major issues, Zeus declared it a great success!
It was entirely normal for minor issues to arise during the operation and fusion of so many laws within the system; absolute perfection was impossible.
What system doesn’t have a few bugs?
The more complex a system, the more this is true.
However, these were merely minor issues.
One of the gods’ future tasks would be to address these minor problems and, in the process, gradually perfect the system.
Although, as the universe becomes increasingly prosperous and complex, this system will never reach theoretical perfection.
However, the occasional emergence of small issues is also a good thing.
The gods cannot be too idle; over endless years, if they are too idle, they are bound to cause trouble.
These endless, and inevitably ever-changing, various minor flaws are precisely what can be used to consume the gods’ boundless and restless energy.
In fact, these minor flaws, which exceed the gods’ expectations, are themselves a good thing.
For these truly random collisions, in their essence, are proof of the universe’s ongoing evolution, representing all paths towards the unknown, brand-new changes.
Often, imperfection itself is a form of perfection.
Excessive “perfection” is merely a sign of rigidity and stagnation.
Only through “change” can there be “flow.”
Regardless, the fundamental origin of this system remains within the control of the gods, so there is no fear of any unsolvable problems.
Furthermore, there is no need to worry about these two systems, one the “origin” and the other the “manifestation,” developing any self-awareness.
This is because the gods themselves, who form the basic structure of these two systems, already possess independent consciousness.
The Supreme God King has taken a significant step forward on his path toward “omniscience and omnipotence.”
He is now the sole God Lord, transcending the Heavenly Dao that encompasses all existence.
He is the absolute controller of all things!
Immediately after, Zeus announced the grandest feast to celebrate the arrival of the New Era!
The gods cheered loudly and then plunged into a revelry of liberation.
As for the hundred-year punishment, well, the punishment itself was merely a declaration of intent; every offense would be punished!
This was a matter concerning the God King’s majesty; punishment must be meted out, and it must be enforced.
In reality, it was a case of raising a hand high but bringing it down gently. The integration into the rules of time was sufficient for the period of punishment to pass unnoticed.
During the feast celebrating this momentous occasion, Zeus finally had time to share his heart with the beloved goddesses he had so deeply missed.
Or, rather, it was mainly for the goddesses to pour out their hearts to him.
Immersed in the weaving of the Heavenly Dao order, he truly hadn’t felt time passing.
As the feast began, the goddesses eagerly surrounded Zeus.
Demeter was the swiftest and most uninhibited among them.
She rushed directly into Zeus’s embrace, so quickly that she nearly caused him to spill his divine wine.
The tender Goddess of Harvest tilted her delicate, lovely face, her verdant eyes filled with undisguised love.
She deliberately acted spoiled, saying pitifully, “My dearest Zeus, my love~ I missed you so much during this long time.”
“But, I have been diligently fulfilling my duties. I listen to everything you say. Don’t you think I’m good?”
Zeus’s heart softened, and he gently praised, “My dear Demeter is, of course, the best.”
Upon hearing this, the bountiful Goddess of Harvest’s beautiful eyes crinkled into a smile. She immediately pushed her luck, asking, “Then do you like this good me?”
Faced with such a lovely goddess, what could Zeus say?
Of course, he could only reply, “Of course, I like you. I will always like you.”
Demeter let out a soft hum and buried her head deeply into Zeus’s embrace, nuzzling him. Where Zeus couldn’t see, a triumphant smile was clearly visible on her lips.
Furthermore, she made sure to show this triumphant smile to the other goddesses who were watching with covetous gazes.
The Goddess of Wisdom, who had been smiling gently and preparing to be the first to embrace Zeus, instantly lost her smile after Demeter preempted her.
However, she still had to maintain her composure as the “God King’s first wife,” forcefully suppressing her anger and refraining from an outburst on the spot.
Yet, seeing the Goddess of Harvest’s blatant provocation now, she truly couldn’t bear it any longer.
The golden cup in her hand was instantly crushed into powder without a sound.
Of course, she wasn’t the only one angry at this moment.
At the very least, the Omniscient Goddess was standing aside with a displeased expression.
And the Goddess of Night was burning with rage. Her naturally cold and alluring face became even more frigid.
She was inwardly cursing, ‘Olympus is full of shameless little bitches!’
Hera, who had also intended to approach Zeus, retreated sadly into a corner of the Divine Palace upon witnessing this scene.
She was the only one drinking her sorrows alone.
However, her complex eyes still secretly observed Zeus.
She truly missed Zeus as well! During this arduous and long period, she could only get through it by sleeping.
And warm Hestia looked at Demeter with unconcealed envy in her eyes, mixed with a deep sense of loneliness.
Dione, however, showed no unusual reaction at all.
She had no intention of joining the fray, content to enjoy the fine wine and ambrosia at the feast with her beloved daughter.
Zeus’s affairs were none of my business, Dione thought.
After Metis crushed the golden cup, she strode forward. A cold smile played on her frosty face as she placed her hand on Demeter’s shoulder.
Then, with a forceful pull, she dragged Demeter out of Zeus’s embrace.
The moment she was pulled away from Zeus’s embrace, Demeter’s face instantly shifted to a pitiful expression of grievance.
She looked pitifully at Metis and was the first to speak in an incredibly gentle tone, “Respected Goddess of Wisdom, what is it?”
Metis smiled slightly and said in a very gentle tone, “My dear Demeter, a goddess should have goddess-like composure. While my beloved is wonderful, you should also maintain appropriate boundaries.”
“Because he is my beloved, not yours. Even if, in the future, you are fortunate enough to gain Zeus’s favor, you must still learn to show respect.”
“Do you understand, my younger sister? You must remember, I am the elder sister. No matter when.”
Zeus pretended not to see these minor disputes and arguments, acting as if he were both blind and deaf. He not only didn’t want to get involved but even wished he could leave immediately.
Demeter gritted her teeth inwardly but maintained a gentle smile, replying in an incredibly obedient voice, “Respected Goddess of Wisdom, I am terribly sorry. I was simply too overcome with emotion.”
“I haven’t seen my beloved in so long, I truly missed Him and couldn’t control myself. In front of everyone, I have indeed lacked composure.”
“However, in front of Zeus, I find it impossible to maintain that composure. Besides, Zeus is also my beloved; my dear has already confirmed our relationship.”
“It’s just that my dear God King has been busy with the order of the universe for so long and hasn’t had time to announce his personal affairs.”
With that, she turned to Zeus and said tenderly, “My love, you must have had a very hard time leading the many Great Gods in weaving this sacred and magnificent order. Please rest well in my hall later; I have many things I want to tell you.”
Hearing Demeter claim that Zeus had confirmed their relationship, Metis immediately shot Zeus a fierce glare. Zeus blinked awkwardly, continuing to feign innocence.
He truly hadn’t had the chance to tell Metis about this yet; he was indeed in the wrong.
Hearing Demeter’s words now, and to prevent further escalation of the conflict, Zeus pondered and said, “My dear Demeter, I have not been working hard. I still need to convene the Assembly of the Gods later, so there is no rush to rest.”
Then he changed the subject, returning the initiative to Metis: “Metis is right. You should respect your elder sisters, who are magnanimous. There is much you can learn from them.”
Hearing Zeus say this, Demeter’s dissatisfaction with Metis grew, but on the surface, she obediently nodded and replied in a soft voice, “I understand, my love. I will listen to you.”
Apart from giving Zeus a mild glare, Metis said nothing further.
She would never let her beloved God King lose face in such a public setting, nor would she make things difficult for Zeus.
And Zeus’s words, which clearly stood on her side, indeed made Metis feel very satisfied.
She then smiled slightly, “My love, so our dear Demeter has also become your wife. Then you should announce it to the gods as soon as possible. It wouldn’t be right to keep our lovely sister waiting for so long.”
She turned to Demeter and added with a gentle smile, “I’m looking forward to drinking the honey wine that symbolizes sisterly affection with you, my dear sister.”
Demeter inwardly gritted her teeth again, but her expression remained unchanged. Instead, she also smiled and nodded.
Zeus nodded as well and said no more on the topic, as long as they didn’t start fighting in front of him.
He stepped forward, hugged Metis tightly, and placed a cherished kiss on her smooth forehead, then softly asked, “My dear, I’ve missed you too. During this long period, did you miss me?”
Just such a simple action and simple words were enough to make all the dissatisfaction lingering in the Goddess of Wisdom’s heart vanish into thin air.
Her eyes could only see Zeus, and she said in an almost murmuring tone, “My love, the longing accumulated during this long time has almost destroyed all my thoughts. In my divinity, only your image constantly drifts.”
With that, the Goddess of Wisdom tightly embraced her beloved God King.
The display of affection between the two gods made several goddesses clench their teeth in envy.
However, they also knew that shaking Metis’s position would not be easy and was not to be expected anytime soon, as Zeus’s actions clearly showed his support for Metis.
Eurynome, who was low-key beside them, watched her sister with envious eyes. She was truly immensely envious.
Her mind involuntarily recalled the words her sister had once quietly spoken to her.
A charming blush appeared on her pretty face, and she was lost in thought, wondering what it was.
