A Petty Clerk from the Start: I Become a God Through Autopsies

Song Zhaomu, the illegitimate son of a clerk in Kaifeng Prefecture’s criminal office, starts out as a low-ranking copyist. His knack for remembering every law he reads and his corpse-examination skills rival those of a coroner. The second male lead, Lu Yifeng, has his own distinctive methods for solving cases and impressive martial arts skills, while the third, Ye Yunxuan, is blessed with exceptional social skills and an extensive network of contacts. The three work together, even as complicated feelings develop between them.

They unravel more than thirty bizarre cases, including the “Corpse in the Dry Well,” the “Poisoned Pastries at the Embroidery Shop,” and the “River Transport Silver Robbery.” They must withstand pressure from superiors and exclusion by colleagues, while upholding the law in the face of powerful people. Lu Yifeng grows from a young adviser fresh to the job, with a somewhat irreverent streak, while Ye Yunxuan evolves from a young gentleman skilled at navigating social circles into a dependable ally in criminal investigations. The three rise from the lowest ranks to become figures feared throughout Kaifeng Prefecture. In the end, they uncover the truth behind the wrongful death of Song Zhaomu’s father twelve years earlier and, despite their humble origins, drive reforms to the criminal justice system. Song Zhaomu becomes the youngest judicial commissioner of the Renzong court, while Lu Yifeng and Ye Yunxuan make their names in criminal investigations. “Using obscure knowledge to crack strange cases,” “turning case files against the powerful,” “career advancement with face-slapping at every turn”...