Even the Grim Reaper Gets Cremated

My new novel, The Celestial Master Doesn't Raise Gu, and my friend's novel, Slacking Off and Becoming a God in a Mysterious World [Infinite], by Xingdou Qianli. Please add them to your reading list, thank you!

That day was the grand sacrifice. Chu Jijiu knelt in the sacrificial pit, his clothes torn away and his body covered in blood. His status was so low that he was worth less than the dogs that guarded the tribe.

He thought he would die, but Ming Ji, who was patrolling the heavens, rescued him. Ming Ji said, "One day, you'll become the greatest shaman."

Because of those words, Chu Jijiu became a shaman of the tribe. Willful and obsessive, sensitive and prone to overthinking, he used the cruelest methods to become a great shaman whom everyone admired.

And Ming Ji, clad in pure white spiritual robes, became his greatest taboo. No one was allowed to touch him. If they did, Chu Jijiu would fight them to the death.

Chu Jijiu knew how lowly he was. If he wanted to follow Ming Ji forever, he would have to offer something no other great shaman could. He chose the most heroic way to pursue his light.

Atop Mount Yanshan, lashed by the blazing sun and bitter winds, his eyes held only the deity in white, who had descended from the heavens.

On the sacrificial altar, he sat cross-legged, his expression serene. The raging flames devoured his body, but he wasn't afraid.

He offered all the love in his heart to Ming Ji, asking only to stay by his side for a little while. Pain couldn't frighten him, but reality was the cruelest thing of all.

Their brief time together ended. Ming Ji returned to the heavens, and all Chu Jijiu could do was wait for the next sacrifice.

Chu Jijiu knew Ming Ji had never once looked his way. How could a lofty god care whether an ant lived or died?

The land of Chu was collapsing and disaster followed disaster. Chu Jijiu chose his homeland and his people. His gaze at Ming Ji was full of resolve and reluctance. "After we part today, we may never meet again. Is there anything you want to say to me?"

High above in the clouds, Ming Ji's face showed neither joy nor sorrow. His gaze was as cold as ever, and he didn't look at Chu Jijiu once.

Chu Jijiu's heart was filled with unwillingness, and countless resentments and dark thoughts engulfed him.

As utter darkness swallowed him, he suddenly let go. Fine, if he couldn't have Ming Ji, he would give up!

From then on, Ming Ji would sit high in the heavens, while Chu Jijiu sank into the underworld. They would never meet again.

Great shaman bottom, deity top. 1v1, both grow together.

Though it's a crematorium trope, that doesn't stop it from being sweet. It's really sweet.

Everything in this story is fictional and unrelated to reality. Please don't read anything into it.

New novel: Is President Lin in His Crematorium Today? Synopsis below.

Everyone who knew Lin Huaichuan wondered how long Luo Ze could stay by his side.

They all thought Lin Huaichuan and Luo Ze couldn't last, because Luo Ze had thrown himself at Lin Huaichuan.

They said that anyone who threw themselves at someone was cheap. Lin Huaichuan never denied it.

Lin Huaichuan said, "Li Zi likes him, so I gave him to him."

And so the plans for the marital home Luo Ze had designed, and the engagement ring he'd painstakingly chosen, became someone else's birthday gifts.

The custom essential oil he'd blended by hand for Lin Huaichuan ended up on someone else's bedside table.

He woke in pain at the hospital, but Lin Huaichuan wasn't there to watch over him. The plastic IV tube was filled with blood, twisted around itself and making it hard for Luo Ze to breathe, his heart aching.

When Lin Huaichuan told him to his face that he wouldn't get married, Luo Ze thought, greedy people always have to pay a price. This was his price.

Lin Huaichuan thought Luo Ze would never leave him. Later, he was the one who couldn't leave.

After Luo Ze disappeared completely, Lin Huaichuan fell ill and lost his mind.

He cut ties with Li Yue and anyone who had insulted Luo Ze, no matter the cost.

He swallowed his pride and begged Luo Ze to come back.

He did everything he could to make up for the regrets he'd caused.

But Luo Ze didn't come back. He didn't want him anymore.

Someone asked, "What do you do when you've lost your most precious treasure?"

Lin Huaichuan said, "I'll risk my life to bring it home and hide it away.

If I can't bring it home, I'll be buried beside it!"

Gentle, devoted, decisive bottom X an oblivious, regretful top

Both virgins, 1v1 crematorium trope, no switching tops

Old-school melodramatic, indulgent romance, tragic love

Theme: I will give everything I have to follow my faith. If I have to choose between my faith and my country, I will give everything to my country.