Please discard the Qing Yu Nian Supervisory Department Regulations and turn to the last page of Volume Five of the Supervisory Department's internal reference materials.

Volume Five is a compilation of cases from the Supervisory Department over the years, transcribing analyses and summaries of representative cases from recent decades. For various types of cases, it details the origins of the event's planning, the brewing process, the variables involved, and the final outcome.

With the many cases included in Volume Five, along with the Supervisory Department's intelligence system and the relevant evidence found in the events, it is sufficient to clearly discuss most of the so-called conspiracies in this world, find the real reasons for things happening, and the intermediate process arrangements—because humans are actually far less imaginative than they think they are.

However, there is also a type of case where people can only dig up one or two sides of the story and cannot explain everything. This is what is written on the last page of Volume Five, those three words that Fan Xian and Chen Pingping are both familiar with.

"Immortal's Game."

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The so-called Immortal's Game refers to an event where variables that cannot be judged by common sense appear, leading to a situation that even immortals cannot predict.

For example, when Chen Pingping led the Black Riders on a long-distance raid, deep into the territory of Northern Wei, and captured Xiao En, who was secretly returning home to attend his son's wedding. The Supervisory Department had calculated all the details, even accounting for a more terrible price. However, Xiao En actually did not drink the fine wine carefully prepared by Lord Fei Jie at the wedding. This Northern Wei secret agent controlled his diet and everything around him with a degree of composure that was almost cruel.

But when the Qing people thought that this conspiracy could no longer develop according to the planned process, the story took an unexpected turn—Xiao En listened to the noise coming from the bridal chamber and began to feel depressed. He wanted to drink to relieve his boredom. Coincidentally, the personal guard captain responsible for taking care of the fine wine in his pouch could not resist his craving during the journey and had already drunk it all. Therefore, this irresponsible personal guard captain, panicked when Lord Xiao En asked for wine, lost his head and directly poured him a bag of wedding wine.

So Xiao En was poisoned, and Chen Pingping and Fei Jie succeeded. And it was not until long afterward that Chen Pingping and the others learned that the reason why Xiao En was so depressed was that his son… was impotent.

This kind of variable does not exist in the plan but has a great impact on the situation.

Another example is that twenty years ago, a salt merchant in the south suddenly died violently after a birthday banquet. The Ministry of Justice had not been able to find out the cause of the case, so it was transferred to the Supervisory Department's Fourth Bureau. Who knew that after investigating, they found that fourteen people had criminal suspects that night, including the concubines. It seemed that everyone wanted the wealthy merchant to die quickly.

And who was the real murderer?

Three years later, a poor old man was caught stealing sesame cakes by the government. He probably didn't want to live anymore, so he confessed that the salt merchant three years ago had died at his hands. Upon receiving this news, the people from the Supervisory Department's Fourth Bureau were both ashamed and surprised, thinking how could they, as professionals, have let the real culprit go? When they arrived at the scene of the crime for interrogation, everyone suddenly understood and felt extremely embarrassed.

The old man and the salt merchant were childhood neighbors who grew up together. Later, the old man went to live in Wuzhou. When he returned to his hometown to settle down, he saw the salt merchant celebrating his birthday. He did not know what evil he had fallen under, but he climbed into the courtyard, picked up a stone, and smashed the drunken salt merchant to death.

The Supervisory Department had noticed the scratches on the courtyard wall, but they never thought that an old man returning to his hometown would risk climbing into the courtyard to commit murder without being discovered by the guards.

Yan Ruohai, who had not yet become the director of the Fourth Bureau, asked the old man curiously, "Later, I transferred the case file, and the guarantor also questioned you. Why weren't you nervous at all?"

The old man said, "What's there to be nervous about? At worst, I'll pay him with my life."

Yan Ruohai probably saw such a sturdy character for the first time, but he was still very strange, "Why did you kill him?"

The old man answered confidently, "When we were kids, he slapped me."

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The assassination attempt at the Suspended Temple seems to be an Immortal's Game as well.

His Majesty the Emperor, because he gradually became suspicious of the Ye family and was also afraid that there was a Grandmaster in their family, wanted to frame them with such a shameless trick. On the one hand, he used the name of the harem to transfer Gong Dian away, and on the other hand, he set a small fire downstairs in the Suspended Temple. As for this fire, Fan Jian and Chen Pingping probably both knew about it.

After the fire broke out, the top floor was slightly chaotic. The Xihu assassin saw such an opportunity and finally couldn't help but take action. He had been in the palace for more than ten years, and it was really hard to bear. This kind of infernal days were really uncomfortable. Three years later and another three years, he didn't know when it would end—at that time, Hong Gonggong was protecting the Empress Dowager downstairs. His judgment of Fan Xian's powerful strength was also somewhat biased, so looking at the Emperor only a few steps away from himself, he resolutely took action!

The guards' actions gave the white-clothed swordsman another opportunity.

The white-clothed swordsman took action, and the descendant of that prince, the little eunuch who had been hiding for a long time, saw the Emperor's back less than a foot away from him, thinking of the dagger hidden in the wooden pillar less than a step away from him—he believed that this was an opportunity given to him by heaven—faced with this naked temptation, he who had resolutely castrated himself to enter the palace for revenge, how could he miss it?

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His Majesty the Emperor started with an absurd act of arson, and all the people hidden in the darkness keenly smelled that there were too many opportunities to take advantage of in the incident. The assassins were of course resolute and brave people. Although there was no connection between them, they chose to seek opportunities to take action in succession with extraordinary skill. As the saying goes, helping each other is satisfying oneself. As long as they can kill the Emperor of Qing, they do not hesitate to sacrifice themselves, but they must cherish this opportunity created by accident even more.

They came from all over the world, and for the same goal, they came together and walked exceptionally resolutely and tacitly.

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In the Guangxin Palace late at night, Fan Xian lay on the bed, looking at the curtains on the bed. He couldn't fall asleep no matter what. He had been resting in the palace for these days after his injury, and he really slept too much during the day.

The candlelight in the palace was a bit dim. His eyes stared at the thin curtain, as if he wanted to tear it open with Sakuragi's killing technique to see the truth behind it clearly.

Wan'er was already asleep, far away from him on the big bed, for fear of touching the wound on his chest and abdomen when she moved at night. Fan Xian turned his head and glanced at her, gently stroking her black hair that was exposed outside the pillow with his eyes with some pity. The palace was very quiet. The eunuchs were all asleep, and the palace maids on duty were dozing off on the square stool. Fan Xian turned his eyes to the sky again and began to talk to himself.

He was just opening and closing his lips slightly, without making any sound. He was asking himself, and at the same time, he was sorting out the ins and outs of this matter.

"The Xihu assassin, the hidden little eunuch, these are all targets who will leave behind dead evidence, so the Supervisory Department's judgment should not be a problem." In the dark night, his lips opened and closed silently, looking a bit strange, "But what about Shadow? Besides myself, probably no one knows that the white-clothed swordsman is the head of the Sixth Bureau who has lived in the darkness for many years and has never been seen, the most powerful assassin in Qing, Shadow."

His eyebrows twisted in a somewhat beautiful manner.

"Immortal's Game? I think this immortal must be a cripple." He sneered, sneering at the empty space above the bed, "The Emperor wants to arrange a game to eliminate the Ye family's power in Kyoto and cut off the hands that the Eldest Princess might be holding in advance... presumably even the Emperor thinks that I am pushing the Second Prince too hard, and he must know about his actions in Xinyang after the New Year."

Thinking of this, Fan Xian couldn't help but gasp for breath, not knowing whether it was caused by the pain in his wound or by being shocked by the Emperor's despicable means, thinking to himself: "Your Majesty is really too despicable and too shameless!"

"Then what do you want to do?" He guessed Chen Pingping's true intentions. "If I ask you face to face, I think you will only sit in your wheelchair and say in an ambiguous tone: In Chen Garden, I told you about this matter of imperial favor, I will handle it."

"Imperial favor?"

"After the unexpected twists and turns, you still have the leisure to arrange for Shadow to assassinate, and then let yourself be the hero?"

"Is things that simple?"

As the number one assassin in Qing, Shadow's ability to deceive Hong Gonggong's ears is not such an unimaginable thing. It's just that Fan Xian refused to believe that Shadow's action was simply to set up a game so that he could save the Emperor's life, thereby being injured while saving the Emperor and gaining unshakable imperial favor. The movement was too big, and the results were not rich enough, which did not conform to Chen Pingping's character of calculating everything to the bone, so he always felt that Chen Pingping was hiding something from him.

"And you are not afraid that I know it was Shadow who took action." Fan Xian raised his eyebrows, "But if you want to assassinate the Emperor, that doesn't make sense. First of all, let's not talk about the problem of loyal dogs suddenly becoming disloyal. Just based on your strength, if you want to assassinate, you will definitely create a more perfect environment. Do you want to test those princes on behalf of the Emperor? Damn, you old dog are interfering too much, and the Emperor probably doesn't want to be so scared."

Thinking it over and over, he was entangled in the situation and could not break free, so he sighed and slowly fell asleep. But even in his dream, he still believed that his mother's old comrade-in-arms must have hidden the darkest thoughts in his heart extremely deeply and refused to give anyone a chance to peek at them.

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"There is no real Immortal's Game in this world." Chen Pingping sat in his wheelchair and said softly to the blindfolded person in the garden forest, "You also know that the death of the salt merchant mentioned in Volume Five... The reason why the old man who snatched the sesame cakes was able to kill the salt merchant so easily was because the servants and guards in the mansion had long been bought off by the concubines. They were very happy to see someone helping them do this."

"And the reason why that old man attacked the salt merchant was not just because the salt merchant slapped him many years ago."

"The exact reason is that the salt merchant snatched the old man's wife back then."

"The hatred of killing one's wife is always greater."

"And don't believe that Yan Ruohai couldn't find out about this matter. In fact, you and I both know that he was blinded by the fifty thousand taels of silver that the salt merchant's concubines sent him that time."

"So," the old cripple concluded, "there is no Immortal's Game. All things are arranged by people. Even if there are accidental variables in the middle, they are all under my control. If I can't control them, His Majesty should be dead by now."

Wu Zhu said coldly, "There has never been anything that is completely under control in this world."

"I admit that the existence of the Xihu assassin and that little eunuch did almost disrupt my entire plan... but fortunately, it did not have a fundamental impact on His Majesty's safety."

"From your tone, I cannot detect that you have enough loyalty to the Emperor."

Chen Pingping laughed, "I am loyal to His Majesty, but for His Majesty's real benefit, I don't mind His Majesty being a little scared."

"What is the real benefit? A successor who is mature enough?" Perhaps only when facing Chen Pingping, an old acquaintance, would Wu Zhu have so many words as today.

"Planning." Chen Pingping said solemnly, "Politics is a process of planning. If His Majesty wants to drive away the Ye family, just a fire is far from enough."

"Do you think that Emperor would believe your explanation if he knew the truth?" Wu Zhu said coldly.

Chen Pingping shook his head, "As long as it is good for His Majesty, whether I can be believed is not an important thing."

Wu Zhu believed that he and Fei Jie were both such old perverts, and said softly, "Your Emperor almost died."

Chen Pingping was very used to his rebellious title. It had been like this for many years. Wu Zhu would never call him Your Majesty like ordinary mortals and have reverence in his heart.

"His Majesty will not die." The old man said very powerfully, "This is what I absolutely believe. Don't forget that His Majesty will never let people know his last trump card."

"I don't care whether he lives or dies." Wu Zhu suddenly tilted his head, "I only care that he almost died."

The two "he" represent Wu Zhu's completely different attitudes.

Chen Pingping smiled bitterly. Of course, he knew that Fan Xian's accidental serious injury would turn Lao Wu into a terrifying killing machine. Even someone as cunning and treacherous as him still had a chill in his heart when facing the indifferent Wu Zhu, so he tried to explain, "Fan Xian is worried that the Emperor will be suspicious of him because his rise is too rapid, so I arranged this matter to solve his worries once and for all... Of course, I arranged the beginning of the story, but I didn't guess the ending of the story."

He smiled slightly, seeming very proud that he still remembered the young lady's mantra back then, "Although this also has a lot to do with Shadow, he always wants to fight with you, but you don't give him this opportunity, so it's rare to have a chance to fight with your direct disciple, he is really reluctant. Of course, if Fan Xian didn't chase out and suffer such a serious injury, this matter would not be of great significance."

Wu Zhu suddenly said very abruptly, "You let Shadow come back, I will give him the opportunity to fight with me."

This cold joke almost choked Chen Pingping to death. After coughing for a long time, he spread his hands and said, "It's just an accident."

Wu Zhu said very directly, "If it's just an accident, why did he run away before I came?"

Chen Pingping's wrinkled face was full of bitter smiles. He coughed for a long time before he calmed down, "This... is my arrangement, because I was worried that you would be unhappy and something would happen to him. You must know that he is the only truly useful person by my side... If you even kill him, how can my old bones live?"

Wu Zhu didn't speak. Only the black cloth fluttering in the night wind was expressing his dissatisfaction.

"After I die, Shadow will be loyal to him." Chen Pingping said his return very seriously and earnestly.

Wu Zhu tilted his head slightly, as if considering whether Fan Xian would accept this compensation. After thinking for a while, based on his judgment, someone like Fan Xian, who is fond of women and power, would definitely be interested in a super-strong assassin of the Ninth Rank.

He was silent for a while, then said, "You found me in the south and said there were fun things in the capital for me to see... is this the show?"

"Fan Xian always said you were playing in the south. I thought he was lying to me." Chen Pingping said, "I didn't expect you were really in the south. This matter is very coincidental."

Chen Pingping suddenly leaned forward, "I was going to let you watch a show, but unfortunately, I underestimated Fan Xian's strength and also underestimated Fan Jian's shamelessness. This old boy knew that the fire was set by His Majesty, so he was anxious to rush Fan Xian upstairs to save him..." The old man laughed sharply, "It's a pity you didn't see it."

Wu Zhu slowly raised his head, "You want to kill the Empress Dowager?"

Chen Pingping shook his head, "The Empress Dowager is Fan Xian's grandmother after all, and although she watched this matter happen without offering help to the Taiping Courtyard, she didn't personally participate in this matter after all... So far, what I have found out is not enough to explain anything."

Wu Zhu shook his head and said very coldly, "If you find out anything in the future, or if I find out anything, no matter what Fan Xian does... I will do it."

Chen Pingping knew what kind of determination and strength the three words "I will do it" represented, but he still shook his head firmly, "Lao Wu, although you are the most terrifying person in the world, still don't underestimate the true strength of a country, a palace... And since I am the Director of the Supervisory Department, I must also consider how the Qing Kingdom can be passed on safely."

"Don't forget, this is also the young lady's last wish." He said with a smile, "So, I will do these more boring things."

"Then what were you originally going to let me see?"

Chen Pingping suddenly sighed, his voice a bit lonely, "Since this show didn't play out, don't talk about it at this time."

Wu Zhu's reaction was not like that of ordinary people, as if he had no interest in asking at all. He turned around neatly, ready to disappear into the darkness.

"After you took the young master to Danzhou, we haven't seen each other again." Chen Pingping suddenly sighed behind him, "Seventeen years haven't seen each other, are you leaving so soon?"

Wu Zhu paused and said two dry words, "Take care."

Then he really disappeared into the darkness. Just with Wu Zhu's strength and temperament, it was already a very wonderful thing to be able to say the words "take care." At least, Chen Pingping felt a little warmth in his heart.

The old servant from Chen Garden came over and pushed his wheelchair into the room. Chen Pingping didn't know what he was thinking, but suddenly sighed with some satisfaction and said, "Do you think I am a very powerful person if I can successfully induce those two very patient guards and the little eunuch to take action...? But I have to thank the Xihu assassin. If he had watched Fan Xian go upstairs and then wisely continued to lie in ambush, this matter would have been very boring."

The old servant smiled bitterly and said, "Director Chen is all-knowing and all-powerful."

Chen Pingping sighed, "I am born with a hard life and always remember to pull out nails for His Majesty... How can I be a match for His Majesty."

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After living in the palace for a few more days, until the frost became heavier and there were hidden signs of snow in the sky, Qing's Emperor finally allowed him to go home under Fan Xian's strong request.

After experiencing the rescue at the Suspended Temple, anyone with eyes could find through the details of his injuries and His Majesty's anger during his stay in the palace that Fan Xian's imperial favor was not only restored to its original state, but even surpassed it. After all, blocking a deadly sword with one's own body, even if it was an act of seeking favor, was exchanged for grace with one's life. Not many people would be jealous, only blindly envious.

On the day Fan Xian left the palace, extremely generous gifts were sent from all the palaces, even the Empress was no exception. The gifts from Consort Shu, the Second Prince's birth mother, were particularly heavy. There were rumors in all the palaces that, except for Concubine Ning, who was bold and straightforward, and Consort Yi, who was close to the Fan family and didn't care much, none of the concubines dared to despise this matter.

Even the old ancestor Empress Dowager had given Fan Xian the evil-repelling pearl that she had been using for more than ten years. How could those concubines dare to be careless?

Fan Xian was half-lying in the carriage. Although the injury on his chest had not fully healed, at least it was no problem to turn over slightly. He lifted a corner of the carriage window curtain and, using the outside light, looked at the incomparably round pearl in his hand, squinting slightly, thinking, could it be that his real grandmother was finally willing to accept his existence?

Along the way, Lin Wan'er and Ruoruo were the happiest. They had been bored in the palace for so many days, and Fan Xian's injury was getting better day by day, which made the sisters-in-law feel a lot more at ease.

The carriage drove to the main gate of the Fan Mansion. Between the two stone lions, wooden planks had been laid on the steps, and the main gate of the Fan Mansion was wide open. Like welcoming an imperial edict, the carriage was carefully welcomed in.

Generally speaking, it was impossible for the carriage to directly enter the mansion through the main gate, but the young master was injured like this, so naturally, proper arrangements had to be made.

The carriage drove directly to the side of the backyard. Teng Zijing and the others carefully carried Fan Xian down, and Si Si carefully protected him beside him. She was not qualified to enter the palace and was very anxious at home these days.

Fan Xian looked at her slightly red cheeks and teased her a few times. Turning his head, he saw his father and Madam Liu.

Looking at the faint concern hidden beneath the pretended calmness in his father's eyes, his heart warmed, and he said softly, "Father, I'm back."

(What the old cripple wants to do will be revealed in Volume Seven, "Facing the Emperor." The name of Volume Six is "Joy Before the Hall." Of course, from then on, the old cripple will stay in Chen Garden to watch beautiful women and remain hidden for ten thousand years. The real reason for the assassination at the Suspended Temple will not have any impact on Fan Xian's happy life in the future. The above passage is of course not counted in the word count.)