Zhou Quan ascends to immortality, becoming the first person in the Four Realms and Eight Districts to reach the celestial ranks. He is registered with the Purple Palace Imperial Commission, Balance and Justice Investigation Bureau, General Office of Adjudication.
Zhou Quan blinks. "What office?"
The welcoming deity repeats the name, unable to stop himself from laughing. "It's long enough to loop around the Southern Heavenly Gate three times. No wonder you can't remember it. We usually just call it the Adjudication Office. We mostly handle little things like cracking down on vice and illegal activities."
And so Zhou Quan begins his career in the Heavenly Court in a daze.
But wasn't he told they'd be cracking down on vice and illegal activities? Why, ever since he arrived, has every case at the Adjudication Office been as serious as a major criminal case in the Ministry of Justice?
Zhou Quan crouches on the ground and wails, "I'm going to work myself to death. Can I transfer to a desk job?"
"All right, don't rush to die." His immediate superior ruffles the back of his head. "Get back to work."
Zhou Quan suspects his boss just can't stand him.
Zong Yuanheng is the seal-bearer serving the Deity of Blasphemy at the Adjudication Office. His daily routine is carrying birdcages, admiring flowers, and leisurely sipping tea.
That is, until a celestial official named Zhou Quan ascends to the Adjudication Office.
His easy days are over.
He rushes back and forth between the Heavenly Court, the mortal realm, and the Puppet Domain, his feet never touching the ground and his head never touching a pillow.
Zong Yuanheng: "...Why did I join the Adjudication Office in the first place?"
But he has to admit, his new subordinate is pretty useful.
Hardworking and obedient, he runs when told to run and crouches when told to crouch. Toss him into the Puppet Domain and he'll yelp in terror. Quite entertaining.
"Don't go." Zong Yuanheng lounges in his reclining chair, sipping tea.
"I'm afraid I have to." Zhou Quan briskly packs a small bundle. "I'm transferring to a desk job in the Battle Department. Nine to five, peaceful and easy, and no more running around the Puppet Domain."
Zong Yuanheng spits out his tea. "What?!"
Zhou Quan: "Don't you think I'm a nuisance?"
Zong Yuanheng: "..."
"What if I told you I've come to like you?"
Eight thousand years ago, evil descended upon the world.
That thing was older than spiritual energy and came before the gods. Silently, it seeped into people's souls, turning the living into empty shells. When such people died, their obsessions wouldn't fade. They were trapped in place, living on for lifetime after lifetime, sustained by a sliver of lingering desire.
They are known as puppets.
A cowardly bottom who's afraid of ghosts but still has to solve cases
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A powerful top who always comes to the rescue
Reader note:
1. This story follows a case-of-the-week format and contains supernatural and folkloric elements.
2. The romance develops slowly. One won't say what's on his mind, and the other doesn't dare speak of his troubles. Together, they're more enthusiastic about solving cases than falling in love.
Theme: Those years spent cracking down on vice in the Heavenly Court
