Xin Zhao, a second-generation deity, got herself into serious trouble one moment and was hauled off to face judgment the next.
The Heavenly Emperor gave her two choices:
One, be exiled to the Land of Chaos for 999 years to reflect on her mistakes.
Two, be demoted to the mortal realm and serve as a City God for one lifetime, atoning for her wrongs by helping the people.
Xin Zhao chose the second without hesitation.
Being a City God would be easy. She'd humor the humans by day and the ghosts by night, and a mortal's lifetime would be over in no time.
But less than three days after taking office, Xin Zhao regretted it.
By day.
"City God, bless me with wealth and prosperity. It'd be even better if I won the ten-million jackpot tomorrow."
Xin Zhao looked at the man kneeling below, whose merit and fortune amounted to less than five percent. "..."
"Heavenly deity, please bless me and my boyfriend with eternal love, until we're old and gray. My friends say he's a player, but I looked it up. His zodiac sign just means he doesn't like replying to messages at night."
Xin Zhao looked at the four red strings attached to her scumbag boyfriend. "..."
"My boss is awful. Please give him a period!"
Xin Zhao looked at her boss's gender. "..."
At night.
Xin Zhao: "Your good and bad deeds in life can earn you one wish. I shall grant it personally."
"I wish I could live for another five hundred years!"
Xin Zhao: "...Next."
"I died so suddenly, I didn't get to delete the chat logs on my computer and phone. Please, immortal, wipe them all with one click!"
Xin Zhao: "...Next."
"My stupid owner was pretty good to me. I hope she can live like I did, never having to go hunting and never worrying about food, even if she just lies around at home all day."
Xin Zhao: "I can't take another second of this job! Heavenly Emperor, I've changed my mind. Send me to the Land of Chaos!"
The temple keeper: "Immortal, there's a word for this in the mortal world: variety."
Before long, incense burned in abundance at the City God Temple, while strange tales about the temple's answered prayers spread across social media.
Xin Zhao: "I really am a City God who grants every prayer!"
The temple keeper: "...Heavenly Emperor, I have sinned. Please send me to the Land of Chaos!"
P.S. Inspired by online jokes about Yong Mou Palace. The actual story isn't just different, it has nothing to do with them.
Point: Believe in science, and believe in yourself
