Chronicles of Strange Events at the Abyss Gate

CP: Younger, caring, irresistible top Lou Lianxiao x laid-back, discerning, flirtatious bottom Zhong Jiuqing

Legend has it that at dusk, demons roam, the realm gate opens, and yin and yang meet, allowing passage to another world.

Zhong Jiuqing, second director of the You Shi Agency, is immune to demons and ghosts, and his eyes can discern yin from yang. His job is to guard the realm gate connecting the human world and the realms of demons and ghosts.

He opens for business whenever he feels like it, enjoying retirement while still young.

--He can't help it. His adoptive grandmother Zhong Ling was a Pixiu, and left him enough money to sponge off her for three lifetimes.

His three subordinates are no ordinary people, either.

One is an all-knowing master of divination, whom he roped into tossing coins to predict the day's fortune.

One is Chenghuang, a divine beast recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, and now Uncle Huang, who has taken up cooking.

One is a century-old vengeful ghost who used to run circles around the ghost officials, but now tells hellish jokes and makes sure to eat well every day.

Then he meets Lou Lianxiao of the Special Amnesty Investigation Bureau, an investigation partner whose teamwork with him is seamless.

Zhong Jiuqing thinks: Surely this one's an ordinary human?

And Lou Lianxiao really is a completely unremarkable "ordinary human." He just happens to wear the divine sword Wanjun as a single earring, and is ruthless enough to cut even the world's rules in two.

Zhong Jiuqing looks disappointedly at his own passive abilities, then at the divine artifact book, Tiandi, in his sea of consciousness.

"How come I don't have some hidden identity?"

As soon as he says this, he makes some discoveries while investigating a case:

Zhulong, why does that name sound so familiar?

Jianmu, haven't I seen this one before, too?

Queen Mother of the West, didn't she strike me with lightning in a dream?

The realm gate, why does it feel connected to my bloodline?

Zhong Jiuqing: So I was an incredible immortal in my previous life.

The biggest beneficiary of nepotism is me?

Well, in that case, once I recover my identity, I'll abuse my power to tie my investigation partner to me!

They scheme against each other the first time they meet, meet again with suspicion, and on the third meeting, hints of something emerge. By the fourth, they're perfectly in sync; by the fifth, they feel for each other; by the sixth, they've become confidants...

When their colleagues finally catch on, they take another look and realize these two really do have something going on!

[While gathering clues]

Zhong, who starts performing anywhere: Stay here and don't move. I'll go check out the other side.

Lou, playing along: ...What are we pretending to do this time?

[When surrounded]

Zhong, weak and helpless, a total pushover: Director Lou, protect me! Protect me!

Lou, a god of war taking on a crowd: Coming.

[While chasing a suspect]

Zhong, watching the show: Take him out!

Lou, taking action: (afterimage) (flies off)

[Before they open up to each other]

Colleague: Wow, you two are moving so fast~

Lou Lianxiao: ? We're just working a case together. Don't make it sound so suggestive.

Zhong Jiuqing only smiles.

[After they open up to each other]

Their subordinates: We hereby report both our bosses for having an affair! Didn't you say working a case together shouldn't sound so suggestive?

Zhong Jiuqing smiles: We're just pure and innocent work partners.

Lou Lianxiao quietly installs a teleportation gate between their workplaces.

Please note:

1. Plot-focused with a small ensemble cast, and a slightly slow start. There is an outline, and the world is still being developed (the outline got a little too ambitious, orz). There will probably be three or four major cases plus the big-boss case. I'll do my best to tie up the foreshadowing.

2. The main couple are equals and exclusive to each other. They get together within 70 chapters (already achieved). There may be a secondary couple; if one appears, it'll be marked. Everyone except the villains gets a happy ending.

3. The fantasy setting is entirely fictional. Please leave a comment if you spot any plot holes, and feel free to chat and discuss!

Theme: All races should live together in harmony.