“- Rejoice, O Lien Mei, for you have been chosen as the seat of the spirit! Three warriors bowed low, two stepped towards me. - No! Have mercy! I just passed the exam! My hands were twisted back and tied with a rope. They pulled the sword from his belt. The door slid aside, and a portly man in a crimson cap and a crimson scientist's robe stood in front of my nose. The eyes are attentive and cunning, the chin is decorated with a small beard. Plump hands. The mantle is embroidered with white cranes. The man knelt down and touched his forehead to the floor three times. “My name is Shim Tai-shi, oh shendi.” The Divine Emperor Gua-di of the country of Ve appointed me as the Dispenser of Death. I will accompany you to the Heavenly Pavilion. "Shendi"! Title of the condemned..."From the author: The story was first published in the Kirovograd magazine "Threshold" in 2001. Thank you very much to Daria Stepanova ( for the cover !