A Lovecraftian Court Cleaner, Hard at Work

(Preparing for a major rewrite from the beginning) Xie Baojue hides her identity to take the imperial exams. She only wants to pass the jinshi exam, land a secure government job, and happily slack off at her desk in the yamen while collecting her salary every day.

Who could have guessed that a literary star's gift package would fall from the sky, with an imperial edict naming her the top scorer?

Hey, hey! I only ranked eleventh in the metropolitan exam. That result can't be right!

I demand a recount!

The recount failed. The top-scorer's flower was pinned on her. She rode through the streets on horseback. Now she was seated at the Qionglin Banquet.

Thinking of her bleak future as a top scorer, stuck working regular hours at the Hanlin Academy with no chance to slack off in some outlying post, Xie Baojue was overcome with sorrow and tried to drown her troubles in wine.

Just as she raised her cup, a voice drifted into her ear:

[Hello. Would you like to become a savior?]

What kind of gibberish is that? I'm not working overtime!

Xie Baojue raised her cup.

[Is the signal bad? Hello! Bind with the System, join us, and become a cleanup manager...]

No clue. My wine cup is so lovely.

Xie Baojue raised her cup again.

[Stop pretending! You clearly heard me. Don't act like you're deaf!]

Seeing that Xie Baojue remained unmoved, the voice took on a menacing tone:

[Heh heh... Top-scorer, you wouldn't want your slacking-off plans to be exposed, would you?]

Oh, wow!

Now she couldn't play dumb.

Xie Baojue scratched her ear, as if only just coming to her senses.

"What? What? Is the event still on? The wind was so loud I couldn't hear you just now."

The wind was so loud. You can't blame Baojue for not hearing you.

Shrugs innocently.JPG

Ever since the era name changed thirteen years ago, something foul had taken root in the Tianqi Dynasty.

All kinds of evil gods and illicit cults sprang up among the people, while nobles at court were plagued by indescribable entities. From imperial princes to low-ranking officials, everyone had to abide by the rules of ghosts and take part in bloody games with no way back...

For thirteen years, everyone lived in fear, and strange incidents spread far and wide.

Until the spring of Tianqi's fourteenth year, when the Imperial Observatory issued its pronouncement:

"A green aura over the Northern Star. A sage has received Heaven's mandate!"

The ruler on the dragon throne seized the words like a lifeline. He hastily called an extraordinary examination, summoning talented scholars from across the land in hopes of finding the Heaven-mandated sage and keeping that virtuous gentleman close by his side.

After careful consideration, the civil and military officials finally chose Xie Baojue, an examinee from the northern continent.

"Your Majesty, this person is dignified and comes from the Northern Lands. At a glance, she looks exactly like the person we're searching for!"

Outside the palace hall, Xie Baojue suddenly shivered.

This is bad. Is someone trying to drag her into a job?!

Becoming the top scorer should have been a happy thing. How did it all turn out like this?

Why had the voice claiming to clean up evil gods found her, a woman who just wanted to slack off, and tried to recruit her?

Xie Baojue didn't understand.

Xie Baojue just wanted to ask:

Friend, are you an enemy or an ally? Good or evil? Can you keep a secret?

You won't really report me for slacking off while collecting my salary, will you? It's hard to support a family!

[Heh heh heh, today's cleanup quota is incomplete. A report has been sent. Please pick up the pace, Host...]

The evil voice had already learned how to exploit Baojue's weak spot.

So she could lie flat and slack off once the evil gods were gone, Xie Baojue had no choice but to roll up her sleeves and work, work, work! Overtime! Overtime! She'd clean the whole world spotless!

Finished cleaning yours? Then I'll clean yours. Finished cleaning yours? Then yours next... Don't rush, don't rush, everyone will get cleaned up!

The cleanup manager of a Lovecraftian court is hard at work again today.

There will be no plotline about resigning and returning home.

An alternate history with made-up settings. Please don't scrutinize the historical details.

My take on the female lead: a woman disguised as a man.

Content warning: Some horror scenes.

Theme: Love and peace.