Chapter 1 Prologue: Rebirth from the Ashes

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Situation Report:
At xx o’clock on x month x day, 20xx, the Fire and Rescue Brigade of xx City received an emergency call regarding a fire at a construction materials and decoration market.
Upon receiving the alert, the brigade rushed to the scene to handle the incident. While the brigade was organizing efforts to conduct in-depth rescue operations for trapped civilians, an accident occurred, resulting in injuries to two members, Mao xx and Liu xx, who were subsequently rescued and sent to the hospital.
At 8:23 and 9:46 on x month xx day, despite efforts to save them, Liu xx and Mao xx fell heroically in the line of duty.
Fire and Rescue Brigade of xx City
x month xx day, 20xx
……
Two men in long robes floated in the air, followed by several souls whose waists were bound by white beams of light.
“Is everyone here? We’re overdue.”
“Not yet, let’s wait a bit longer. The time assigned from above is off again.”
“Alright, give me fifteen minutes. I’ll go fetch the next one—letting him drift at the crossroads is no solution.”
“Mm, go ahead.”
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The first man vanished in an instant, while the second glanced down at the hospital below.
“Ah, in recent years, the timing from Lord Zhou, the City God, has grown less accurate. In this world, we weren’t so fortunate back then—so many doctors now.”
After a while, the second man joined his fingers with his right hand and pointed toward the hospital. Once he found his target, he flipped his palm and uttered, “Rise.” A white light flashed below, and another soul bound by the white beam appeared behind him.
……
“He’s back, we can go now.”
“Alright, has the next assignment come through?”
“Yes, it has. You’ll be guiding the newcomer, and I’m off to help at Mount Mang. It’ll likely take a few months—consider it a vacation.”
“Okay, let’s go, best hand in our report quickly.”
……
City God Temple Scenic Area, City God Temple.
“Report submitted, report submitted—two virtuous, ten ordinary. Hurry up and record it.”
The second man approached the clerk and whispered, “Is Old Lord Zhou down there again today? How long will he be gone?”
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The clerk glanced at the entrance. “Probably three days. He’s not fond of the new gadgets from above. He always says that reincarnation is the true way, that crossing into other worlds escapes the cycle of the Six Paths and vanishes like smoke. Sure enough, early this morning, he went down to find Judge Zhong again—nine times out of ten, he’ll bang his head against the wall.”
“Well, he may not like it, but the underworld is already overcrowded. Life and death in the mortal realm are imbalanced, and so many are queuing for reincarnation. What harm is there in sending them to cross over? It shortens the line.”
The second man shrugged and took a stick of incense from the clerk.
“By the way, since he’s not here, could you issue me a form? Let me send these two over, so they don’t have to wait in line again.”
“Sure, I’ll adjust the record. Two virtuous, marked. Take them directly—the door’s not closed over there.”
……
Passing to the underground of the neighboring ancestral hall, a grand gate stood in the center of the chamber. The double doors, carved with intricate patterns, were already open. The left pillar bore the inscription, “Transmigration Gate, Underworld Station 6.” Thick mist billowed within the gate’s boundary, surging yet never spilling beyond.
“Those who do ten good deeds shall receive virtuous recompense. May your new lives be smooth, joyful, and ever peaceful.”
The second man clasped his hands in salute toward the gate and lit the incense offering. A faint wisp of smoke rose, gently pushing the two souls into the dense mist. A flash of golden light, and they vanished without a trace. The second man leaned against the pillar, gazing at the slowly dispersing smoke, lost in thought.
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