The bitter wind on the Bridge of Helplessness carried the taste of Granny Meng’s soup. Ding Ling’er’s knuckles turned white around her coarse pottery bowl. Memories of her first three lives flashed before her like scenes from a revolving lantern: a rich heir had swindled her out of all her savings, a poor scholar had sold her to a brothel, and a noble young master had cut out her heart’s blood to make an elixir... Hot tears fell onto the rim of the bowl. Suddenly, she threw back her head and laughed, then hurled the soup into the River of Forgetfulness.
“I’m done with this!” Her hoarse shout startled the crows on the riverbank. “This wretched marriage thread, whoever wants it can have it!”
The water of the River of Forgetfulness suddenly churned, and a man in black robes emerged through the dark mist. His features were exquisitely drawn, yet cold and stern. Gold patterns rippled faintly across his wide black sleeves. He was none other than the Great Emperor of Fengdu. “You want to stay in the underworld?”
Ding Ling’er dropped to her knees with a thump. “My lord, please take me in! As long as I can get away from those awful love interests, I’ll do anything!”
Three hundred years later, the ghost guards looked at Ding Ling’er, tied to the Pillar of Rebirth, and shook their heads with sighs. Ever since the Great Emperor of Fengdu had taken this young lady as his disciple, and she had made the Ten Yama Kings her sworn elder brothers, the underworld had known no peace. Spoiled by everyone, she had started out spending her days gossiping, then helped Granny Meng brew her soup, and now dared to rip the roof tiles off the Hall of Yama. She had turned the underworld upside down. At that moment, she winked at the Great Emperor of Fengdu, who had hurried over after hearing the news. “Master, the teacup really did fall by itself!”
“Enough.” A chill radiated from the man as he raised his hand to form a seal. “Go to the mortal world and undergo tribulations. Accumulate merit, and return only when you have enough.”
Before Ding Ling’er could explain, the dark mist swallowed her. When she opened her eyes again, she was standing on a street in City B in the mortal world. Neon lights flashed, traffic streamed past, and a familiar yet strange atmosphere washed over her...
This book is super nice