Did the King of Hell Pass the Civil Service Exam Today?

Next novel: Marrying the Frail Heir to Bring Him Good Fortune. Blurb at the very bottom.

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[Devious chief examiner x struggling civil-service exam candidate]

After reforms in the immortal realm, the benefits for those with secure government jobs doubled, setting off a wave of civil-service exam fever.

But in the underworld, the unscrupulous Ghost Emperor is devoted to making empty promises and exploiting his employees. They work all year without a break, the work is plentiful and the pay is poor, and their lives are in danger.

Jiang Wan, the current King of Hell, angrily quits and joins the throng taking the immortal realm's civil-service exams. Who would have thought that the head of the underworld, the King of Hell herself, would be an unexpected failure?

After failing three times in a row, Jiang Wan saves a fox from the hungry ghosts and unexpectedly discovers that her exam score rises abnormally whenever she captures ghosts and judges souls!

Jiang Wan: Is that really a thing?

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Chi Zishi, chief examiner at the civil-service exam office, has studied military strategy extensively and wields it with consummate skill. His ploy of faking an injury nearly backfires right in front of the King of Hell.

Fortunately, he manages to stay by relying on his handsome face and shamelessness, then secretly manipulates the exam system to guide her into capturing ghosts.

The chief examiner's proctoring diary:

Drawing talismans: +5 points

Capturing ghosts: +10 points

Judging souls: +20 points

Later, after the underworld is reformed, the System's announcements change to:

Complimenting the new ghost on his looks: -30 points

Touching the hand of Pan An at the bridge: -50 points

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Hearing the deductions announced beside her from time to time, Jiang Wan shoots a fierce glare at the man sitting on the King of Hell's throne and reviewing official documents, then turns back to play mahjong with the handsome new officers in black and white.

The fox grits his teeth and spitefully keeps the King of Hell in bed for days and nights.

-Content warnings-

* Plot > romance

* The heroine's seven souls are hollow at first. She cannot feel the senses or human emotions.

* Before the hero's feelings awaken, his mind contains nothing but military texts and strategy. He knows nothing of love.

* Growth and healing

* Many original worldbuilding details

▽ 30% of the novel is locked to prevent piracy. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy reading!

Marrying the Frail Heir to Bring Him Good Fortune

By imperial decree, Yuan Weitang, the second daughter of the Yuan family, is pushed into marrying the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an to bring him good fortune.

What sort of person is the heir of the Marquis of Yong'an? He's a sickly young man known to everyone in the capital.

Marrying into the heir's residence is practically the same as becoming a widow.

She knows that the heir wanted to marry her elder sister, the Yuan family's legitimate daughter, Yuan Weishu.

All she wants is a marriage of mutual respect, with no danger or surprises, so she can send him peacefully to his grave.

In the bridal chamber, her frail husband, the heir, is slumped on the bed, coughing up blood with every breath. Two servants have to support him just to get through the wedding ceremony.

When she sees her frail husband's face, she thinks he looks like someone who belongs in heaven.

Yuan Weitang thinks it would be a shame if this beautiful, sickly man died young.

Si Yan has obediently played the part of a sickly hostage beneath the emperor's nose for four years. This is the first time he's risked being exposed to ask for an imperial decree of marriage, all for a woman's safety.

But the woman doesn't seem willing to marry him. No matter, he'll turn on the charm.

She likes money. He has several shops in the capital and a hundred mu of fertile land.

She likes bookish men. He is learned and talented, with a wealth of knowledge.

She likes lively company. His courtyard is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.

She likes men in good health. He... could be, too.

No one in the household expected that once the couple came to understand each other's feelings, things would take such a bizarre turn.

Husband and wife as one, singing in harmony: one pretends to be sick, the other puts on a mourning show. Together, they put on such a convincing act that the court officials are left stunned again and again.

▽ Springtime hilarity in the heir's household, with the whole place in an uproar

Theme: Every trade has its champions.