At that moment, he sensed something was wrong. He searched everywhere among his girlfriend’s family and friends, but just as Murphy’s Law says—when something can go well or badly, it usually ends up the worst—his girlfriend disappeared on the eve of their wedding.

　　William Carter searched every corner of the city, reported to the police, and waited longingly in their new home for several days and nights, hoping to hear his girlfriend knock on the door. But all his efforts were in vain, and then… while crossing the street, lost in a daze and not watching where he was going, he was hit by a speeding car and sent straight to the underworld.

　　As the ancients said: “Together in life and death, a promise across three lifetimes, love never abandoned…” But William Carter didn’t know what this counted as for him. Was it dying for love, or running away, or perhaps—just a joke played by fate.

　　William Carter’s thoughts were in a jumble as he arrived at the back door of the underworld’s court.

　　A short, stout judge in black robes stood there, with eight or nine ghosts already lined up in front of him. He wore a beaming smile and held a scroll in his hand, looking quite amiable. Before William Carter could speak, the judge asked in a sing-song voice, “This time, the Heavenly Court has assigned three types of jobs: Yellow Turban Strongman, Celestial Janitor, and Wine Server. Which one would you all like to choose?”

　　William Carter was slightly taken aback and asked, “What do these three jobs involve?”

　　“The Yellow Turban Strongman is responsible for moving heavy objects. The Celestial Janitor, as the name suggests, cleans the Heavenly Court—just like a cleaner in the mortal world. As for the Wine Server, it’s not just about pouring wine; you’ll probably have to serve dishes, wash dishes, and do other chores as well.”

Chapter Two: Yellow Turban Strongman

　　“Then… I’ll choose Yellow Turban Strongman!”

　　William Carter felt rather helpless. In the mortal world, he had been a senior white-collar worker at a multinational company—who would have thought that after death, he’d end up as a mover? From being above others to being beneath them! “Even though I’ve got the chance to immigrate to the Heavenly Court, I have to do menial work. Life is truly unpredictable. But at least there’s no more birth, aging, sickness, or death, and maybe I’ll get to learn some magic. Fine, I’ll just treat it as working abroad to support my studies!”

　　But he really had no choice. Judging by mortal standards, the Yellow Turban Strongman did the hardest labor. Unlike a company cleaner, who is always busy and rarely idle, nor like a hotel waiter, who has to bow and scrape to serve people, at least the status was a bit higher, and he could accept it. At most, it would just be more tiring, but he’d have more freedom of movement.

　　Of the other eight or nine ghosts, both men and women, the women all chose to be Wine Servers, the men all chose Celestial Janitor, and only one burly, bearded man—dressed like an ancient warrior—was willing to do the same job as William Carter. William Carter took a few extra glances at this big man, wondering if he was an actor who’d had an accident while filming. Although these people were all faint and ghostly, they seemed more clear-headed and energetic than the other new ghosts. He wanted to strike up a conversation, but didn’t know what to say, and with his mind preoccupied with how to get to the Heavenly Court, he ended up saying nothing.

　　Judge Thompson recorded each ghost’s choice in the scroll, then led the ten of them toward the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

　　“Ten miscellaneous workers for the Heavenly Court, reborn from the Path of Merit, sent to the Heavenly Court, identities verified, all correct—set out!”

　　The horse-faced guard of the Six Paths of Reincarnation shouted loudly, swung his strong arm, and pushed open a massive, ancient door. The door was carved with countless cloud patterns, its grayness exuding a sense of desolation. Judge Thompson urged them several times, sending William Carter and the others through the door, and called out loudly, “May your journey be smooth! I respectfully send off the new officials of the Heavenly Court!”

　　As soon as he stepped through the ancient door, William Carter felt his feet go soft, as if stepping into a bundle of cotton. The wind howled around him, carrying him upward. He didn’t know how long it lasted, when suddenly there was a loud splash, and he heard the roar of water. His head was soaked, and above him appeared a heavenly river blocking the way. He was swept up, and in an instant, his whole body plunged into the water at the bottom of the heavenly river.

　　The water of the heavenly river seemed alive, pouring into William Carter’s ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, seeping into his skin and pores, making him cry out in pain. Fortunately, he was now a ghost and didn’t need to breathe, nor could he die again. As the water entered his body, it suddenly changed nature—water giving birth to fire—like countless flames igniting, surging and clashing, unbearably hot, as if it would burn William Carter to ashes.

　　He heard a series of crisp cracking sounds, and his once ethereal body suddenly grew hard bones, flesh, and muscle. The strange energy of water and fire coursed through his meridians, circling several times before finally settling in his dantian, forming a ball of scorching heat that made William Carter feel as if his insides were burning up.

　　Luckily, the water’s buoyancy was great, so William Carter didn’t need to struggle; a force naturally lifted him upward. The river’s currents were winding and full of hidden flows, making it impossible to tell direction. William Carter drifted east and west in the heavenly river for over half an hour before finally feeling his body lighten as he broke the surface. He took a few breaths of fresh air, and all the strange sensations vanished. William Carter felt clear-headed, agile, and full of boundless strength, as if he had a brand new body. He wiped his face, only to find his hand was dry—the water hadn’t left a single drop on him.