The Netherworld Empress: Judging Emperors Throughout the Ages

Shen Qingyuan, a talented modern history student, unexpectedly finds her soul transported to the primordial netherworld. She becomes the first female King of Hell in the Three Realms, ruling the underworld's cycle of reincarnation and judging the merits and sins of emperors throughout the ages. As a new ruler takes the throne, the seals on the netherworld weaken. Orthodox rulers and separatist emperors from every dynasty in Chinese history arrive in the underworld at random to face the fairest judgment of the Heavenly Dao. The trial begins with Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang. Shen Qingyuan assesses his achievements in expelling the barbarians and restoring China, while also punishing his harsh laws and slaughter of meritorious officials. Ming Chengzu Zhu Di arrives next. The charges of usurpation during the Jingnan Campaign enrage Zhu Yuanzhang, who tries to kill his own son on the spot, only for Shen Qingyuan to stop him with the full force of netherworld law. The First Emperor of Qin, Qin Shi Huang; Liu Bang, Emperor Gaozu of Han; Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Taizu of Song; Kublai Khan, Emperor Shizu of Yuan; Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang; Wu Zetian, China's only female emperor; and rulers from other dynasties all take the stage in turn, their achievements and misdeeds settled one by one. During the trials, Qin Shi Huang witnesses Liu Bang's destruction of the Qin dynasty and kills him in a fit of rage. Shen Qingyuan defies Heaven to resurrect the emperor, striking fear into the Nine Hells. Once all the orthodox rulers of the Ming and Qing dynasties have been judged, the Ming emperors gather in the underworld, where Zhu Yuanzhang reunites with Empress Ma and Zhu Biao. The emperors of the Tang dynasty also assemble, and Li Shimin welcomes back Empress Zhangsun and Li Chengqian, as the majesty of the orthodox emperors is fully revealed. Non-orthodox warlords and separatist figures such as Wang Mang, Cao Cao, and Li Zicheng grow envious. They secretly conspire with rogue spirits in the underworld, plotting to overturn the orthodox order and defy the laws of the netherworld. Rebel ministers from times of turmoil and orthodox emperors clash in an unprecedented battle. In the chaos, Empress Zhangsun is gravely wounded and brought to the brink of death, but Shen Qingyuan heals her with the power of her King of Hell's origin. Once the trials of all Chinese emperors are concluded and the cycle of good and evil restored, Shen Qingyuan fully consolidates her authority over the netherworld and begins the ultimate netherworld...