179-186

Chapter 179: Small Flower

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Pinching off a small pink flower, Chen Pingping carefully put it in his hair. Seeing it would fall at any moment, Fan Xian fixed the old man's hair, ensuring that the flower would stay put.

Chen Pingping laughed joyfully and gently tapped Fan Xian's hand. "After seventeen years of turmoil, you've finally come to the capital and finally grown up into a man. Your mother's wishes have been answered."

Fan Xian had always been curious about "those" years. He couldn't help but ask, "How many of you were there back then?" By that he meant: how many powerful people had followed his mother, wanting to change the world?

"Do some counting."

Fan Xian did. He smiled. "Six."

"Yes, your mother was most impressive." Chen Pingping smiled. "Looks like you're a smart one too."

"Regarding the former, Fei Jie told me when I was little."

"Well, I suppose he didn't tell you how much we miss your mother. From a certain point of view, she was our guide."

"Somewhat surprising." Fan Xian smiled. "But not unimaginable."

"Be more respectful towards Count Sinan and the Fan clan." Chen Pingping suddenly became solemn. "They sacrificed a lot for your sake."

Fan Xian closed his eyes slightly. All those years ago, under such a dangerous situation, father must have sacrificed a lot to save his life as an infant and make those in the palace believe he had died. "Who are my real enemies that I must watch out for? Thatt crazy Eldest Princess can't be among them; she was too young back then."

"Eldest Princess is a pitiful woman. To the royal family, she spent her entire life in your mother's shadow. While she was smart, talented, and obtained many benefits for Qing, she was never able to match your mother in His Majesty's heart. All that jealousy made her insane. As for your enemies… there are none, none." Chen Pingping repeated the last part quietly as if trying to convince himself.

"If I take charge of the Overwatch Council, and then the palace treasury, I think some people will notice that things aren't right," Fan Xian said with a smile. "What exactly do you want me to do?"

Chen Pingping asked lightly, "Don't you wish to be a powerful minister?"

Fan Xian looked into the old man's eyes calmly. He suddenly said, "I do. And I know what you are planning."

Chen Pingping's expression remained unchanged. "I hope you keep feigning that you don't know."

Fan Xian frowned. "Even though I don't have any blood relation with them, I still don't want to see too much bloodshed."

"It's still too early for that," Chen Pingping said quietly. "Besides, bloodshed tends to always be caused by stupid people trying to slit others' throats and who ending up slitting their own instead."

Fan Xian smiled somewhat bitterly. While he respected and trusted this old man, he still needed to walk his own path. This Director of the Overwatch Council had cooperated flawlessly with Fan Xian without meeting him, and done many other things for him. But should things come up in the future and spark disagreement between the two, Fan Xian would choose to act in favor of his own interests.

Chen Pingping waved his hand and frowned, "You should learn to broaden your views. Don't always pinpoint each individual official. Learn to see things from a wider perspective…"

Fan Xian responded with a chuckle, "The sky's the limit?"

Chen Pingping smiled. "Perhaps even higher than that."

Fan Xian was puzzled and fell silent.

"Go now. Be careful while in Northern Qi." Chen Pingping coughed and took the small flower out of his hair and gently kneaded it between his fingers. "Xiao En must die. Of course, you must ensure your own safety first. Other than that, take care of those three duties as you see fit. If the situation will allow it, you can even try to investigate the location of the temple. After all, so far only Northern Qi's Imperial Advisor Ku He had contact with it."

Fan Xian frowned. "The temple… That was sudden. I'm not so sure about this, although I tend to enjoy such adventures."

"So did your mother." Chen Pingping nodded. "But to tell you the truth, I'm rarely worried for your life. If you don't come back alive after all Sir Wu has taught you, I will most definitely show my disappointment during your funeral."

The old man smiled. He ripped the small flower to pieces and spread them across the ground. He thought, "The real enemy isn't one that can be dealt with by you."

After saying goodbye to his mother's dearest old comrade, Fan Xian returned to the building and met up with Yan Ruohai. He took some scrolls to study back at the manor. Northern Qi was currently in an unusually messy situation. Even if Chen Pingping wanted to use this opportunity to have Fan Xian officially take over the council, no one could force Fan Xian to go to that strange country if he didn't want to.

But Fan Xian wanted to.

In his previous life, he was imprisoned in his sickly body, and now he was imprisoned by his unusual social status. This envoy to Northern Qi was a rare chance for him to roam freely, a chance he would never want to let pass. So he diligently asked Yan Ruohai about all the aspects he should pay attention to, as well as the people he must take note of.

Yan Ruohai shook his head as he looked at this young Commissioner, seemingly not able to understand the reason behind his enthusiasm. "Northern Qi has always been unstable; both the emperor and empress dowager are too young to truly rule. But the capital appears to have been stabilized since that war last year. Sir Commissioner, you must pay attention to three people. One is Friar He, one is Shang Shanhu, and the last one, of course, is the rarely-seen Ku He the Imperial Advisor."

"Friar He?" Fan Xian frowned. Taoism did not exist in this world. Why was he called "Friar", a title which was usually reserved for Taoist priests?

Yan Ruohai didn't know why Fan Xian was puzzled, and so didn't explain. He continued, "Friar He is a master in the Rear Faction. Cheng Jiushu, whom you slayed, was his disciple. Shang Shanhu is a rare "tiger general" of Northern Qi who had been fighting barbarians in the northern tundra. Supposedly, after Northern Qi's defeat last year, he was moved back to their capital by the young emperor. Sir Commissioner, you must pay extra attention to him; the council had been suspicious about his school of teaching for a while. And Ku He, as one of the Four Great Grandmasters, shouldn't interfere with such worldly matters. However…"

Yan Ruohai frowned. "Ku He took in a secretive disciple who officially starts training this year. Sir Commissioner, with your name being so well-known, it's best to watch out for that disciple."

Fan Xian blanked out for a moment as he inexplicably remembered those Valkyrie warriors from the novels in his previous life. "Don't tell me that disciple is a woman."

Yan Ruohai said expressionlessly, "That is unknown. All we know is that, for the past three months, this Great Grandmaster's disciple traveled across Northern Qi and dueled countless high-ranking masters. There is even the rumor this disciple is a legendary Tianmai being." He looked at Fan Xian and asked quietly, "You know what that is, correct?"

That word sounded somewhat familiar. Suddenly, Fan Xian remembered: when he was little, Fei Jie had mentioned it once, and Eldest Princess said it too while she spoke with Master Zhuang Mohan.

Hearing Yan Ruohai's explanation, Fan Xian frowned. "A gifted person with the blood of Heaven and Earth in their veins, appearing only once every five hundred years. They're not like growing leeks in a field, where one shoot grows to replace the one that was just cut off. I don't believe that at all."

Yan Ruohai nodded. "According to our analysis, it is likely that due to Northern Qi's repeated defeats, they must have felt the need to create the image of a young individual whose might is world-breaking in order to boost their people's confidence."

Fan Xian smiled. "Quite likely. Like how the council shaped my image as a Commissioner… What's the disciple's name?"

"Hai Tang."

Fan Xian felt a headache coming on. "I hope whoever it is is a pushover, but I definitely hope it's not a woman."

The two then chatted for a bit. In the end, Yan Ruohai looked at Fan Xian calmly, "Regarding things on my end, I hope you can be of assistance, Sir Commissioner."

"I already said so in front of the Ministry of Justice," Fan Xian answered very seriously. "I will bring you safely back to Qing."

Walking out of the Fourth Bureau, Wang Qinian, who had been waiting outside, hurried over to carry the documents Fan Xian had brought. While Fan Xian's eyes were looking straight ahead, he said quietly to his "aide", "I will definitely take you with me to Northern Qi."

"I am grateful for your faith in me," Wang Qinian answered with a smile. This gilded trip to Northern Qi, had there not been other arrangements, could have been truly a relaxing one. No nation in this world would dare to harm an envoy.

Fan Xian shook his head and laughed. "I'm bringing you because you're the fastest in the Overwatch Council, not including Zong Zhui, of course."

Wang Qinian smiled uneasily and didn't say anything. He had just paid Zong Zhui a visit and spent a long time talking about the past. He and Zong Zhui were once called the wings of the Overwatch Council. But due to Wang Qinian eventually moving on to a civil position, Zong Zhui felt greatly frustrated that Wang Qinian had become rather trivial. Now that Wang Qinian became Commissioner Fan Xian's aide, Zong Zhui felt his old friend had returned to his former glory, and was overjoyed.

The head of the Third Bureau, Senior Disciple Leng, was already waiting by the secret room. He didn't offer a greeting after seeing Fan Xian, giving off a cold impression. With the opening of the door came a gust of wind, which wasn't too fast. Fan Xian raised his eyebrows as he knew immediately that places with airflow like this one must have nothing to do with making poison.

Leng took a look at this junior disciple and suddenly grinned. "You're well built."

Fan Xian looked at his senior, whom he had just met and shuddered, thinking "It can't be…?" only to hear Leng senior immediately shout to the inner room, "Standard!"

Fan Xian froze. A while later, a few people came out from the inner room carrying a large table. On the table were some boxes and clothing made from some strange fabric. Those people who carried the table—there were five or six of them—were all expressionless as they stared at Fan Xian. Perhaps they had stayed in this strange bureau for too long and became numb. But after being debriefed, they couldn't help but show admiration as they kept on saying to Commissioner Fan, "He really is well built."

Chapter 180: Chilling Equipment

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

What those weird officials from the Third Bureau meant was that Fan Xian's body conformed to standard proportions; the equipment they had provided would fit him perfectly without the need for adjustments.

Fan Xian put on his outfit and frowned as he recalled that night when he was five years old. Fei Jie was wearing the same kind of clothes which were very resistant to tearing.

Senior Disciple Leng explained, "It is mildly resistant to fire, and it effectively reduces damage from bladed weapons. But if someone is coming at you with a great axe, young disciple, I advise that you dodge."

Fan Xian smiled bitterly and spread out his arms. The outfit was in accordance with the newest style in the capital, only it had a hood on the back.

"I shall be taking your hidden crossbow." Leng recognized the crossbow on Fan Xian's left arm with a glance.

Fan Xian sighed as he reluctantly obliged. That crossbow had accompanied him for about five years now, rarely leaving his person.

Boss Leng judged the circumference of Fan Xian's arm and opened a box on the table. He took out a small and delicate crossbow that was painted all black. He carefully put it in Fan Xian's sleeve and made some adjustments. Leng then took another glance at the crossbow Fan Xian just took off. "What a piece of junk. To think you're still using a model from seven years ago."

Fan Xian smiled sheepishly. "It works. I'm not greedy."

Leng carefully explained the mechanism of the crossbow to Fan Xian: "…This is a repeating crossbow. But due to size restraints, it only has a capacity of three bolts. Those bolts have been dipped in poison number four. You should know what it is."

Fan Xian knew indeed. Poison number four of the Third Bureau was poison obtained from the golden gourd. It was potent enough to kill as soon as the bolt drew blood. Fan Xian tested the trigger with his pinkie and frowned, "I need a range of ten meters."

"It can only guarantee three meters. At ten meters, it won't reliably hit the eyes, throat, or groin," Boss Leng said calmly. "As for your dagger, it's Sir Fei's favorite short weapon, and it is peerlessly sharp. You may hang on to that. Here are also some unconventional weapons, as well as some tools. Because we didn't know what kinds of missions you will undertake, you must decide what to take."

Fan Xian knew his choices would heavily affect his operations in Northern Qi, so he took his time to look at his options before picking out a few items. One of the items he did not choose was a grappling hook that could be launched over thirty meters into the air.

One of the officials was curious. He asked, "Sir Commissioner, while I do not know the details of your mission, I assume you will have to venture into Northern Qi's imperial palace. Their palace walls are no shorter than ours."

It was a naïve thing to say; very much like something Wang Qinian would say, in fact. This made Fan Xian laugh. He stared at the intricately-designed iron claw and shook his head without explaining anything—in this world, there was yet to be a person who could scale walls better than Fan Xian.

"Regarding poison, Sir Fei told us that your talents lie far above the personnel of the Third Bureau, so we did not make preparations." Leng checked over Fan Xian's equipment again and nodded in satisfaction.

Fan Xian said, "But I lack ingredients for making them."

That got Senior Disciple Leng's interest. "What do you need?"

"Maokouzi, arsenic, strychnine seeds, Southern Sea camphor."

"Maokouzi is too bitter. It also won't work well in your plan," Leng said curiously. "But arsenic and strychnine seeds are very common."

Fan Xian smiled apologetically, "With my current position, it's really difficult to have people purchase those items for me. It would draw unwanted attention."

"Then go with some chloroform. It's a very effective sedative. Fei Jie created it two years ago." Leng became excited. "It's better than strychnine seed."

Fan Xian was even more excited. He couldn't stop nodding. "But arsenic is a must. I've tried it in Danzhou. It's good stuff—acts faster than poison arrows."

The topic of poison invoked a sort of professional excitement. The three other officials, also from the Third Bureau, joined in and began a heated debate regarding which poison would bring the slowest, most painful death, and which drug could turn the widow living under the memorial archway into the most ferocious animal on Liujing River.

All things considered, the Third Bureau of the Overwatch Council was a bizarre department, occupied by a bunch of bizarre people.

After stepping out of the Third Bureau, Wang Qinian noticed Sir Commissioner Fan wasn't as steady as usual. His face was slightly flushed, as if having done some… things.

Fan Xian spoke excitedly: "Acting like a learned scholar every day is hard work. It's much better to talk about useful skills at a place like this."

The bizarre senior member of the bizarre Third Bureau was currently having a cup of tea. He looked at Fan Xian in the distance with a satisfied expression.

"How about you stay with the Third Bureau?" Fei Jie walked with his disciple. "Forget going to Northern Qi, forget being a minister, forget taking over the palace treasury. A quiet life here isn't bad at all."

Fan Xian was silent. He knew his teacher was worried for him.

"Growing up, you were always quiet. Yet you know very well what you want." Fei Jie's eyes became somewhat misty. "After coming to the capital, your heart has become even more vigilant. But with things like power, it's easy to become intoxicated by them. Are you clear on what you want?"

Fan Xian was silent for a while before answer respectfully, "I am."

Fei Jie suddenly cackled. "If that's the path you wish to take, then you must learn to kill, learn to be willing to kill, learn to enjoy killing."

Fan Xian held a bitter expression. "I'm not some little psychopath."

Fei Jie blinked tiredly. He coughed twice and said, "This world is psychotic. How can you get by if you're not psychotic in return?"

Fan Xian, standing in front of Fei Jie, felt he was once again the little kid from the past. He smiled sweetly, "There are many different degrees of getting by… By the way, Master Fei, why did the Director sigh when he saw me?"

"Hm, perhaps it was out of disappointment. You aren't as… prideful as the Lady was."

Fan Xian was troubled. "A real man does not compare himself to women."

After that, he took his teacher's hand and went to Yishi Tavern. Today they would drink to their heart's content. Now that the entire capital knew his relationship with the Overwatch Council, there was no longer any need to be discreet. Wang Qinian, on the other hand, suffered. He huffed and puffed as he carried a huge collection of documents. He knew they were all top secret, so he didn't have the leisure to go to the tavern. He called a few subordinates to make some preparations and grumpily headed to Fan Manor.

The Crown Prince sat in Eastern Palace with a gloomy expression. He tightly gripped the cup in his hand, his fingers shaking. After a while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence. "How come all the women in the palace never learned how to settle down?"

Vice-minister Xin dared not interject. He knew the Crown Prince was in an exceptionally bad mood today. The events that happened these past few days angered everyone in the Eastern Palace, including the always gentle Taifu.

First it was the spring civil service examination scandal. That actually caused the Eastern Palace the least amount of setback. Among the dozen officials who were arrested, only a few belonged to the Eastern Palace. Though in the eyes of other officials, the fall of Director Guo appeared to be a huge loss for the Crown Prince, the prince gradually discovered that the Guo clan were actually lackeys of the Eldest Princess.

The Crown Prince wasn't angry over Fan Xian taking down Director Guo. On the contrary, he was secretly elated.

"No one guessed that Sir Fan was the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council." Xin Qiwu frowned. He had drunk many times with Fan Xian. Never did he imagine that Fan Xian, with his gentle face, would be a senior member of that special organization.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian shook his head, his face still gloomy. "Fan Xian is a sensible person. He uncovered this case mainly because of his duties. Him not contacting the palace wasn't unreasonable. He gave us enough prestige, so I do not blame him too much. Besides, Wan'er delivered a hand-written letter from Fan Xian. I believe he was not targeting the Eastern Palace

Vice-minister Xin had befriended Fan Xian because he hoped Fan Xian in the Overwatch Council would be a tremendous source of help for the Eastern Palace. The vice-minister nodded in agreement, "Indeed. While Commissioner Fan didn't say anything beforehand, afterwards he made plenty of amends… Unfortunately he is to leave for Northern Qi soon. Otherwise I would have arranged that he meet with Your Highness."

The Crown Prince snorted and put down his cup loudly. He was enraged. "Even so, dare he still have a change of heart? News of what happened at the Hall of Justice is now all over the capital. Even though the Prime Minister and Director Fan haven't made a move, they still know about Han Zhiwei's relationship with us. I fear the Fan clan will waste no time to loathe the Eastern Palace. Don't even mention them asking us for help."

m Xin was silent, he knew the prince was wise in how he handled this matter. But there were two masters in the Eastern Palace.

Suddenly, a eunuch's voice rang out: "The Empress has arrived!"

Vice-minister Xin gave the prince a look and signaled him to keep calm. He then saluted the Empress, who had just entered, before taking his leave.

The Empress stared silently at her son with her thin and graceful eyes.

The Crown Prince just sat there with a smile, unwilling to start the conversation.

The Empress bit at her bottom lip. A flash of disappointment and sadness flashed across her eyes. Suddenly, she raised a hand and slapped it down!

Chapter 181: Blasphemy

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The Crown Prince tilted his head and dodged the incoming slap. In response he grabbed his mother's cold wrist and stared calmly at her.

The empress wasn't expecting the always meek prince to have such a sharp gaze. She impulsively shuddered and pulled back her hand. She said slowly, "Do you believe your mother to be in the wrong?"

The Crown Prince frowned. "I wouldn't dare."

The empress suddenly raised her voice, "Do you not know Fan Xian is meeting the Second Prince on his boat?"

The prince suddenly raised his head and stared directly into the empress's eyes. He said calmly, "Mother, will you allow me to handle these matters? As a leading poet, it isn't unusual for Fan Xian to meet with Second Prince."

The empress was angry and frustrated, but she didn't know how to respond.

The Crown Prince looked at her and continued: "I have often wondered; can you not be so sensitive? You will only chase my potential allies away to join my brothers."

The empress clenched her teeth. "As the mother of this nation, what's wrong in punishing a mere subject? Does he dare to hold a grudge?"

The prince said in faint ridicule, "Mother, you shouldn't have let Minister Han do that the other day. There is no way you would really have Fan Xian beaten to death. Why make enemies out of the Prime Minister and the entire Fan clan? I believe Minister Han will lose his standing in a few days. The number of officials, the ones with real power, who would willingly get involved with the Eastern Palace are already few in number, and you just had to stomp on your own foot. I really don't know what you were thinking."

The empress frowned. "Han Zhiwei is a proper minister. And on that day, he was acting under Imperial order. What can the Prime Minister and Fan Jian do? With the Eastern Palace's protection, His Majesty should save face for him."

"Don't forget; Fan Xian is the Commissioner of the Overwatch Council, and Lord Father always liked him very much," the prince spat out. He frowned and sighed. "This time, Han Zhiwei severely angered too many people. You should know that it was Lord Father's idea to rework the examination. It will be impossible for us to protect him."

The empress jeered, "And you must not forget Fan Xian also alienated many officials in the capital; even the Imperial Censorate. Although your aunt is now far away in Xinyang, her remaining influence will not go idle in the court."

"Do not bring her up." The Crown Prince seemed to dislike Eldest Princess. "She has been acting so strangely for the last two years, being so bold as to conspire with Northern Qi. What happened to Qing's dignity? As for that Guo-whatshisname of the Imperial Censorate, he is a mere bookworm; the Eldest Princess's toy. Even if he gets assassinated by the Overwatch Council, she would not bat an eye."

Despite the fact that the Eldest Princess had been close to the Eastern Palace in recent years, after Fan Xian's propaganda fell upon the capital like snow, even the Crown Prince started to become wary of her. Of course, there were other reasons as well.

The empress painfully said, "We have no other help to rely on; only the Eldest Princess."

"We shall rely on Lord Father," the princess replied calmly. He, who had always appeared somewhat meek, finally exhibited political judgement and senses befitting a prince.

The empress slowly closed her eyes, "In any case, I do not like Fan Xian. He must die, somehow."

The Crown Prince slapped the table in anger. "Die? Did you forget he is Chen'er's husband? Please do not listen to everything the Eldest Princess says. That woman is insane; a psychopath! Do you know that? Do you want to be a psychopath and get chased out of the palace too?"

This enraged the empress. She began to tremble uncontrollably. Pointing at the prince's nose, she said in a shaking voice, "What do you know? What do you know? What do you know? You… what do you know?" Perhaps what the prince said really hit the empress where it hurt. She repeated the same question four times.

The eunuchs and palace girls had already left this heated exchange. Only the mother and son remained in the Eastern Palace. After an extremely long period of silence, the empress stood up. Feeling weak, she swayed. The Crown Prince immediately stood up and held her steady. Without much choice, he begged her pardon.

The empress was heartbroken as she watched her son. Wrinkles already appeared around her graceful eyes. "Throughout history, the Crown Prince has always had the most difficult position. You have to watch out for those in front of you and behind you. There is no one else on my side of the family. The unrest twelve years ago—I doubt you have memories of it, but I do, clearly. Things that belong to you, if you don't struggle for them, others will take them from you."

The Crown Prince softened his tone. "I understand. Mother, please go rest for now."

The empress shook her head. "You don't understand. You don't… I've had this feeling recently that something unfortunate will happen… Just like many years ago, when that woman entered the capital."

"Which woman?" The Crown Prince was curious.

At that moment, the heavy doors of the Eastern Palace were pushed open.

"Who is it?!" the prince asked angrily.

An old eunuch, with his back hunched over, walked in. He said respectfully, "Hong Sixiang, at your service. I've come under the order of empress dowager to invite the empress to Hanguang Hall."

The empress had a fleeting expression of fear before she took on a bright smile. With the help of some palace girls, she followed that hunched over eunuch to where the true matriarch of the palace resided.

The Crown Prince frowned. While he disliked the insolence of that old dog, he knew that eunuch was the closest servant of his grandmother. Not even his mother would want to displease Eunuch Hong, so why would he do anything unnecessary?

As the candlelight started to dim, Crown Prince Li Chengqian recalled that absurd scene in the Ministry of Justice. Inside, he was even more troubled; he couldn't figure out why his mother was so obedient to Eldest Princess. As soon as he thought of his young and enchanting aunt, the prince felt a wave of heat rush to his heart. While he appeared to be slightly fearful, in his eyes there were faint signs of lust.

He walked to the back hall. Moments later, suspicious groaning could faintly be heard. As he breathed heavily, he wondered why all the beautiful women must play such tricks instead of obediently staying in bed.

It was spring. The flowers were blossoming and the birds were singing. Yang Wanli's group of four—now newly-appointed officials—visited Fan Manor, hoping to be graced by Sir Fan's presence. However, Sir Fan was not in the manor today. Even more frustrating was that Sir Fan was on official duty, and was to leave for Northern Qi tomorrow.

Second-degree scholars do not go to the Imperial Academy. Going by usual customs, they could be appointed anywhere. With the Board of Civil Office sending an envoy soon, it was unsurprising that the other three—aside from Shi Chanli—would come to ask Fan Xian for orders. After all, during this year's spring examination, they had gotten to this point entirely thanks to Fan Xian's power. So naturally, they believed Fan Xian would have them do something.

Fan Xian could not meet with them. He left them two letters. One was for the three newly-appointed officials who had to leave the capital soon. The other was for Shi Chanli who would return home to prepare for the next spring examination.

The four sat in Fan Xian's study. Disregarding any formalities, they opened up the letters.

The letter for the three officials had only two sentences:

"Do your best as a person. Do your best as an official."

There was one more sentence for Hou Jichang. Fan Xian wrote, "Jichang, don't be so spineless."

That was an inside joke only Fan Xian understood, so the three new officials focused on the former two sentences. While simple, they were very true. To be an official, they must first learn to conduct themselves as people.

Those two sentences had another meaning. It was unclear which one of them realized it—"do your best as a person" did not necessarily mean to be a good person, and "do your best as an official" did not necessarily mean to be a good official.

After reading that letter, Yang Wanli was curious to see Shi Chanli's. So far, only Shi Chanli was rather silent.

A bit unsettled, Shi Chanli opened up his letter. Upon seeing what Fan Xian had written for him, he almost laughed aloud.

"I know things aren't going well. Life is decided more by fate than by men. Do not worry that there will be no friends to share an umbrella with. Enjoy your time leisurely. "

The last three characters of the letter hinted that Shi Chanli should wait for Fan Xian's return, as Fan Xian's name was a homophone for leisure.

Currently, Fan Xian was at the estate he had bought. Frowning slightly, he ran his fingers across the hollow belt and felt the pills Fei Jie had given him long ago. His teacher said that should there be something wrong with his overpowering zhenqi, those few pills were there to save him. After coming to the capital, there hadn't been any mishaps, and Fan Xian almost forgot about the pills until now. So many years had passed, he didn't know if the pills were still effective.

Wang Qinian sat across from him and said respectfully, "We've found the person." Raising his head, he continued, "The likeness is there. With some careful makeup, there shouldn't be any observable flaws from a distance. But the flaws are still there."

"What flaws?" Fan Xian asked. "Didn't you say the likeness is there? It's been a month. The skin tone more or less matches."

Wang Qinian answered lightly, "Sir, to find someone as striking and attractive as you among those men is already difficult enough. Even if the appearance were to match, he still has to be able to act out your learned, scholarly demeanor. That would be exceedingly difficult."

Fan Xian was surprised. He jeered, "You're a real joker. Your skill at brown-nosing is getting deadly."

Chapter 182: Night

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

That night Fan Xian went home, and having learned that Yang Wanli and his group had come by, Fan Xian was not greatly concerned. What he had wanted to say to them was what he had said in the tavern: he asked them to be good officials, to love and protect the common people, and to work to rise through the ranks. Though Fan Xian was not some great hero of the people, if his own disciples could become such people, then he would be satisfied. As for any clandestine tasks he could give them to carry out, that was a matter for another time.

As he was about to depart, he naturally wanted to meet with his younger sister Ruoruo for a tearful goodbye, and to warn Sizhe about the issues of his money-making ventures. He paid his respects to his father and to Lady Liu, and then returned to his bedroom, preparing himself for bed, and comforting his own forlorn young wife... only to find that his brother-in-law, the simpleminded Dabao, was in his bedroom.

Fan Xian smiled as he chatted with Dabao, and nearby, Lin Wan'er watched them, feeling somewhat odd. Her husband and her brother had a strange relationship. She didn't think they'd have that much to talk about, and she didn't know why Fan Xian had such a patient temper.

Some time later, Fan Xian and Dabao put their left hands on each other's shoulders with a laugh and said something that sounded like a catchphrase. Finally, Fan Xian had a servant lead Dabao out.

"What were you saying to Dabao?" Lin Wan'er clutched a thin quilt miserably as she watched him, pouting as if she were jealous of her brother. Her bare feet poked out from the hem of the quilt, snow-white under the golden coverlet. They were very beautiful.

Fan Xian smiled and sat on the side of the bed, extending a hand to rub his wife's feet, his fingertips pressing down on her soft soles. "He was promising little Xianxian that he would be a good boy when I'm not here to play with him in the capital.'

Lin Wan'er felt an ache in her sole, and heard the play on words in his terms of endearment, and her snow-white face suddenly turned red. Even her ears went somewhat rosy. It seemed she was very pleased. She hurriedly withdrew her feet. "It's still early, isn't it?" she said timidly.

Fan Xian laughed. "It's not too soon. Tomorrow I shall be leaving, and it must be as early as possible."

"I see. Will your father see you off in the morning?" Lin Wan'er touched her husband - a refined scholar in public, and a shameless pervert behind closed doors. She didn't know what to do, and had no choice but to distract him. But she had tried to distract him too many times.

Fan Xian had long been immune to it. "Your father scolded me, firstly about the exam hall scandal, and then about the diplomatic mission to Northern Qi. I don't want to listen to his and my father's arrangements." In truth, he could clearly see that his father-in-law was concerned during his visit to the Prime Minister's manor, but he didn't know what the Prime Minister was worried about.

As he responded, he slid his feet under the quilt to stroke his wife's. In a moment, he penetrated the covers, spread out his toes, and took hold of her soft flesh, leading her to cry out in surprise.

In their pillow talk as husband and wife, they would remember back to their meeting at the Temple of Qing. In the midst of such sweetness, Fan Xian's heart pounded. He thought of the grandmaster Ku He of Northern Qi, and he thought of the Temple of the Void; for some reason, he became serious.

Sensing that he was out of sorts, Lin Wan'er propped herself up and leaned lazily onto his chest, smiling. "You leave tomorrow. What else are you thinking about?"

Feeling his wife's hair tickling his own bare chest, Fan Xian smiled. He put such trivial matters out of his mind, and with a furtive glance his gaze went past his wife's night-black hair and greedily fell onto her soft, half-exposed bosom.

Wan'er looked him in the eyes, and felt that her husband's clear and bright eyes seemed as if they could talk, with their soft gaze even gentler than that of any average woman. For a moment it seemed as if they were saying he would miss her, that they were saying he hated to have to part with her, that he would return as soon as he could... Hey—how could a gaze seem to say such vulgar words?

Following Fan Xian's gaze, she finally realized that her undershirt had slipped down to her waist, and her top half was completely exposed. With an embarrassed squeal, she hurriedly dug under the quilt.

The sight inspired his arousal, and he feigned anger: "We are husband and wife, and yet you still hide?"

Lin Wan'er's face half-emerged from the blanket, and she looked at her husband shyly. But there was a shy smile in her limpid eyes, and her covered lips trembled as she spoke.

Fan Xian couldn't make out what she had said. Her pale bare foot softly made its way out of the quilt, and her face emerged, revealing those soft and tender lips. With strands of hair just falling by them, she spoke bashfully. "My husband, did you not say before that... you wish to preserve... some... sense of mystery?"

The erotic scene had left Fan Xian staring in awe, and now she kept that damnable sense of mystery - he lifted the quilt, drew her close, and together they watched Venus descend.

Some time later, after the winds had ceased, the rain had stopped, and the clouds had scattered, they were tired, Lin Wan'er finally opened her lake-like eyes. "You must come back soon," she said tiredly.

Fan Xian's eyes were closed, and he had a satisfied smile on the corners of his lips. He ran his fingers through his wife's hair. "Don't worry," he said gently. "I've lived a life full of good luck. The journey will go just fine."

The next day, outside the prison of the Overwatch Council, which Fan Xian had seen once before, one of the current heads of the Overwatch Council stood by the iron gate, his face expressionless. Fan Xian narrowed his eyes and saw this former head of the Seventh Bureau, and was somewhat surprised to see the uneasiness in the man's eyes.

And, surrounded by secret agents and swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau, a handful of carriages stopped outside the grand gate. Fan Xian stood some paces away from the carriages, and found that his Overwatch Council colleagues all seemed inexplicably nervous. The carriages had all been specially made, with walls of steel. The horses, whether from tiredness or nervousness, were panting incessantly.

With such a tense atmosphere, Fan Xian could not help but frown. He recalled the rumors surrounding this man who was about to be released from prison.

Xiao En, spymaster of Northern Wei, had had countless subordinates under his command, spread throughout the land. His spies were placed in every nation, skilled in manipulating the hearts of the people, trained in the use of poisons, toppling the sovereigns of countless petty kingdoms. Those who died by his hand, directly or indirectly, were enough to form a mountain of bones. And most fearsomely, this once-celebrated spymaster had a world-class mind and many powerful methods to employ; who knew how many times he had avoided the blades of assassins dispatched from enemy countries?

At that time, the civilian official most trusted by the King of Wei was Zhuang Mohan, and the military official he most relied on was Zhan Qingfeng; but the true pillar of the nation was Xiao En, who was always hidden in the shadows.

At that time, all of the land was in chaos. Thanks to the ruthless methods of Xiao En, the nations surrounding the Kingdom of Qing had been eliminated, which, as well as greatly expanding Northern Wei's territory, had indirectly helped the Kingdom of Qing stabilize the country and found the nation.

But as the Kingdom of Qing slowly rose, Xiao En's dark hand naturally reached southward. In those years, there had been chaos in the bureaucracy of the capital. After the demise of the founding Emperor, the two princes had pit themselves against each other, and behind this was the work of Xiao En. Northern Wei's fierce armies were waiting for one of the princes to make a move against the other, at which point they would ride south and swallow up the Kingdom of Qing as their own territory.

But nobody knew that just at that moment, a young woman named Ye Qingmei, along with her young, blind manservant, entered the capital of the Kingdom of Qing. On the manservant's back, he carried a black box.

Thus the two princes had mysteriously died, and King Cheng, the father of the current Emperor, had ascended to the throne. The Kingdom of Qing had not seen any real damage to its strength, and the capital gradually settled down; Northern Wei had missed its best chance to invade.

And it was at that moment that a man named Chen Pingping gradually emerged on the stage of history. Chen Pingping had started as a servant to King Cheng, but for some unknown reason, he had become King Cheng's trusted aide, always by his side. And after the unconventional creation of the oddity that was the Overwatch Council, Chen Pingping had become its Director, a position he held to this day.

The people did not know what the Overwatch Council was at first; nor did they know that Ye Qingmei was still working behind the scenes. They only gradually became aware of Chen Pingping's ruthlessness and of his dark gifts.

The world's two most fearsome secret organizations answered to the world's two greatest military powers. As the situation between Northern Wei and the Kingdom of Qing became more and more fraught, they began to secretly move against each other.

One year, the Kingdom of Qing finally took the plunge and carried out the first northern expedition. This operation, attempting the impossible, led to miserable defeat by Northern Wei, the most powerful country in the world.

In the face of Zhan Qingfeng's cavalry and Xiao En's dense spy network, the Crown Prince of the time - now today's Emperor - suffered a series of losses, finally almost dying in the mountains and rivers of the north. The Black Knights, under the command of Chen Pingping, had led a daring rescue mission, clearing a bloody path through the battlefield to save his life and bring him back. At the same time, hidden within Shangjing, the capital of Northern Wei, a spy from the Overwatch Council disseminated rumors and bribed high officials, framing the High Commander Zhan Qingfeng. After a series of military operations, a small crack finally showed in the battlefield of the mountain ranges of the north.

The road home to Qing was long and dangerous, and troops were caught in dire straits without food or water many times. Chen Pingping - still young and strapping, unlike today - stoically gave all of his provisions to the Crown Prince and his subordinates, choosing to drink horse urine and eat wild grass... Finally, they were able to return to the capital, but with only a tenth of the men they had started with.

On the road, they had depended on a female prisoner from the City of Dongyi to attend to the Crown Prince, who had seen to his wounds and nursed him back to health. This female prisoner from Dongyi was the mother of the Great Prince of the Kingdom of Qing: Ning the Talented.

Some time later, the people still surmised that some plot of Chen Pingping's had caused the royal family of Northern Wei to lose trust in Zhan Qingfeng, but nobody could say for sure. Even the Empress Dowager could not find out. Only a handful of people were faintly aware that it was said to have secretly had something to do with the Empress of Northern Wei.

From that day on, Chen Pingping had the absolute confidence of the Emperor and the Crown Prince. At the same time, a rumor spread through the land.

The North had Xiao En; the South had Chen Pingping.

Chapter 183: Xiao En Leaves Prison

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The thick iron door slowly opened, its oiled hinges making no creaking sound at all. But the pressure of the silence made those keeping watch outside the gate of the Overwatch Council all the more nervous.

Fan Xian lowered his head slightly. His left eyelid twitched. The air that flowed out from behind the iron door felt slightly cold. It was as if this 80-year-old man - who had lived only as a character in the yellowing pages of history, imprisoned for 20 years - still gave off all the airs that a spymaster would.

The sound of the iron chain scraping against the paved road was ear-piercing. It got louder and louder, meaning that the person inside was coming closer and closer to the great iron door.

Fan Xian lifted his head and looked calmly at the iron door. He thought about how Chen Pingping, during the Second Northern Expedition, had led the Black Knights on a daring surprise raid, kidnapping Xiao En from a wedding he was attending and secretly bringing him back from Northern Qi. What graceful skill must it have taken? But as a result of this, Chen Pingping had also lost both of his legs. This Xiao En was a powerful man indeed.

After Xiao En had been imprisoned, the Kingdom of Qing attacked the north once more. After the Third Northern Expedition, Northern Wei - which had once considered itself unparalleled on the world stage - was left shattered, fracturing into numerous petty kingdoms. The family of the military commander Zhan, who directly inherited the power of Northern Wei and the majority of its territory, founded a new nation: Qi.

This was the history of the current nation of Northern Qi. Commander Zhan Fengqing had been censured despite his innocence, and Northern Qi had then fallen apart. Finally, the Zhan family had arisen from these shambles. It was quite a story indeed.

The spring sunshine softly filtered through the big trees outside the prison, shining onto the iron door. The mottled traces of light upon the door also fell upon that old face at the same time. The sound of the iron chain dragging against the floor came to a sudden halt, and there was the sound of an aged sigh.

The four swordsmen of the Sixth Bureau of the Overwatch Council held firmly to his chains as if they were facing some great enemy, keeping their distance from the man in the cangue [1] fastened around his neck. The man in the collar had a head of completely white, unruly hair. He looked to be in complete disarray. His wrists and feet were bound in steel manacles and leg irons, and yet the clothing on his body was completely clean.

The sound of the aged sigh had come from his wizened old lips. "It has been a long time since I last saw the sun," he sighed again quietly.

This was Xiao En, imprisoned by the Kingdom of Qing for 20 years. Seeing him walk out of the Celestial Prison, the guards around him felt inexplicably nervous, as if the air had slowly been filled with the slightly-sweet smell of blood. Fan Xian frowned. The air around the old man was enough to drive people mad. The people around him gripped the blades on their waists tightly, or fingered the triggers of their crossbows, taking aim at this tall but stooped old man.

There was a muffled cracking sound!

The former head of the Seventh Bureau, now a cloudy-eyed jailer, had hit Xiao En in the spine with his stick for no reason!

But Xiao En did not seem to feel a thing. He slowly turned his head to look at the former head of the Seventh Bureau, and coughed gently. He brushed the messy hair from his face, exposing a pair of cold, dark, serene eyes. A croak came from his withered lips. "Neighbor, we have lived together for 20 years. I am leaving now, and this is how you see me off?"

The former head of the Seventh Bureau slowly closed his eyes, the hand holding his wooden cudgel drooping down. He seemed scared of Xiao En's gaze, and forced himself to breathe as he spoke. "These people are all of a younger generation. Why should you provoke them? If these children were to accidentally kill you, I presume you would not be so willing."

Xiao En slowly blinked. He looked at the handsome young man among the crowd who surrounded him.

Realizing that Xiao En was looking at him, Fan Xian used his zhenqi to settle his mind, and smiled back at him.

Xiao En was somewhat surprised. Such a young person, and yet so calm. He shook his head slightly. "I am leaving the Kingdom of Qing," he said to the jailer. "I presume you will not stay inside the Celestial Prison any longer. But I think you hope for my death. Otherwise I will find a way to repay you for your 20 years of company."

The jailer's face did not change. "I wish you a pleasant journey. Do not return."

Xiao En hissed with laughter. "I shall return." He looked the jailer in the eye, speaking each word carefully. "Every punishment you have inflicted upon me, I shall inflict upon your children."

The jailer closed his eyes. He knew that if Xiao En could recoup his hidden power in Northern Qi, then he would make sure to exact revenge upon him specially. He would have difficulty keeping his family safe.

Xiao En looked up at the sky and laughed, and the thick iron chains fastened to him clanked, seemingly also afraid of this terrifying man who had gained his freedom.

The gathered personnel of the Overwatch Council were thoroughly nervous. Fan Xian, hearing the bitter resentment in his laughter, was not only slightly nervous, but narrowed his eyes, still completely puzzled as to why the Eldest Princess had played such a trick.

There was an air of trepidation outside the prison of the Overwatch Council. It seemed they had sensed the slight sheen of blood on the wooden collar the man wore.

At that moment, there was a groaning sound, and an ordinary black wheelchair slowly approached the man in the cangue.

Fei Jie pushed the wheelchair which Chen Pingping sat in.

The wheelchair rolled quietly, but like a temple bell, it freed those gathered from their anxious mood. Seeing the Director arrive, they let out a simultaneous sigh of relief.

Their nervousness in facing Xiao En was because they did not know what this person - who they had heard of only in legend - would do if he were ever to escape from prison.

With Chen Pingping's arrival, they felt more at ease, because the personnel of the Overwatch Council all deeply believed that as long as Director Chen was there, Xiao En would not be able to resist them.

Chen Pingping slowly raised his head and looked at the old man in the cangue. "What are you laughing at?" he said gently. There was a hint of disdain in his voice, and a hint of curiosity.

The disheveled Xiao En looked at Chen Pingping in his wheelchair, and suddenly spoke. "I was laughing about your legs, destroyed by my hand."

Chen Pingping smiled and shook his head. "I thought you were laughing at your own pathetic life. I've had you locked up for 20 years. Is there anything else that needs to be said? I am the victor, and you have been defeated. It is a fact that has gone down as part of history. And you can never change it."

Xiao En snarled. His hair, as silver as a blade, scattered behind him. Furious, he took two steps forward, his iron chains shaking. The four swordsmen from the Sixth Bureau, holding the chains fastened to his thick cangue, finally pulled him to a stop. As they struggled, the dust in front of the prison was kicked up.

Chen Pingping was not worried in the slightest. He regarded him with pity. "So old, and yet so angry?"

Xiao En suddenly closed his eyes and faced the sky. Some time later, he opened them again, and they shone with a frigid cold light. "Chen Pingping, are you truly daring to let me return to the north?"

Chen Pingping smiled. "Go back and live out your retirement in peace. These days, my arms and legs are old. I don't feel like running so far to capture you again."

Xiao En's voice was as sharp as a knife, his aged timbre was like a streak of rust, scraping the ears of everyone who heard him. "My son died by your hand at his wedding. I hope you do not get the chance to capture me again."

Chen Pingping beckoned Fan Xian, who walked over with a smile on his face. The closer he got to Xiao En, the more he felt his innate coldness, but he did not let it show on his face.

"We are old. What can you still do? Supposing I were to capture you again..." Chen Pingping smiled. "Xiao En, this is Fan Xian. He is my successor. He will accompany you on your journey north. I hope you will not be lonely."

Xiao En leaned to one side, the chains of his cangue and leg-irons making clanking sounds. Through his hair in front of his eyes, the old man looked at the young man, this delicate and handsome young official of the Overwatch Council. He said nothing for a long time. Fan Xian finally saw clearly the unfading resentment in the man's eyes.

Pushing the wheelchair, Fei Jie spoke slowly. "Master Xiao En, the poison at the wedding was my doing. It just so happens that Fan Xian is my student."

Chen Pingping and Fei Jie both smiled. Fan Xian saw fit to speak with a smile. "Xiao En, as you are an elder, I shall accompany you in the days that follow."

Xiao En chuckled, but there was no happiness in his laughter, only cold-blooded murder. He had suffered the greatest defeat of the era, inflicted upon him by Chen Pingping and Fei Jie, but he had not imagined that his young escort to the north would be so deeply connected to them. He turned his head slightly to look at Fan Xian, and spoke slowly. "You are green. You should take more care on the road."

Fan Xian bowed politely. "On the road, I hope to learn much from you, sir."

The thin grass on the side of the road was like shards of jasper. The trees hung low in the air by the side of the carriages. The silent convoy left the prison of the Overwatch Council, going along Tianhe Avenue to the north of the city. Along the road, the city garrison had set up security checkpoints. The long street was emptied of people, and only soldiers stood guard. In the distance one could faintly make out bowmen from the Sixth Bureau, stationed in the high towers.

The side door to the palace grounds was closed, and vice-commander Gong Dian coldly watched the convoy go past on the street from a distance. Suddenly, he spoke. "I rather admire Fan Xian."

The military officer to his side frowned. "Sir?"

The corner of Gong Dian's lip curled upward. "You have never had dealings with Xiao En, so you have no idea how dangerous this is. Fan Xian's name is known throughout the land, and he is a powerful person with connections to the Emperor. There is no need for him to take such a journey to Northern Qi. And yet the boy has the gall to take on such a task... I really do admire him."

Fan Xian sat in the front carriage of the convoy, resting his eyes. The real diplomatic mission had left the capital yesterday. This group of people plus himself—because Xiao En had been part of Yan Bingyun's secret agreement—had followed along later. Last night, he had vetoed his family's absurd notion of seeing him off. His mind was focused entirely on the mission.

The rocking of the carriage was making Fan Xian sleepy. He was calculating a number of things. Other than Xiao En, he was also considering the thorny problem of Si Lili and Operation Red Sleeve. He finally recalled that the charming young woman he had once spent the night with was in the carriage behind them, and he couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised.

At that moment, the carriage jolted. He knew that the convoy had just passed over the stone threshold of the city's northern gate.

[1] A cangue was a large square wooden board fastened around the necks of prisoners in feudal China. It was often so large that the prisoner would be unable to reach their face to feed themselves.

Chapter 184: Outside the Capital

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Once outside the capital, the sun started to set. The envoy slowly made its way north along the main avenue, under the gazes of willow and poplar trees.

The accompanying city guards returned after about nine kilometers. Guard duty for the rest of the journey fell on the Commander of Defense. For this diplomatic mission, the most important vehicles were horse-drawn carriages. There were dozens of them; other than carrying people, many were carrying gifts as well.

Xiao En was still in shackles, locked in the second carriage. In it with him was an official of the Overwatch Council who took care of his daily necessities. That official was all smiles as he carefully wiped the prisoner with a towel. The towel was very soft, it wouldn't cause any harm to Xiao En's already withered face.

"If I catch you and use you to threaten that Fan youth, would it work?" Xiao En's old and dry voice rang out with the sound of chains. He said this in a nonchalant manner, as if he already guessed the answer.

The official smiled warmly and said, "Mister Xiao, since they assigned me to take care of you, of course I am prepared. As a loyal subject of Qing, if you were to hold me hostage, I could only ingest poison so that I wouldn't cause unnecessary trouble for my higher-ups in the Council."

Xiao En closed his eyes. The chilling aura surrounding him seemed to be fading a bit. He said lightly, "My hair is too long, help me tie it."

As they talked, they seemed to be overlooking one thing—Xiao En was still restrained. How could he do anything to this official? Perhaps they both knew that once they were far from the capital, those shackles couldn't restrain Xiao En forever.

The official walked over to Xiao En and took out a comb from a small cabinet. He then carefully combed Xiao En's waist-length white hair. His hand was incredibly steady.

Many decades ago, Xiao En was one of the few ninth-ranked masters in the world. Had he not been imprisoned for twenty years by the Overwatch Council and subjected to torture and poison, he would have been at the level of a grandmaster by now.

Even so, an ill tiger is still a force to be reckoned with. From the way he stepped out of prison, and the natural aura he gave off, one could tell this old man still had terrifying power.

If Xiao En decided to make a move now, that official would have no chance of resisting. But with his calm smile, Xiao En knew his resolve must have been firm. Once captured, he would immediately ingest poison. Xiao En did not know where the poison was hidden.

"Is Qing really that good? Good enough for you to happily accompany a demon like me?" That was something Xiao En never managed to understand. Despite Qing's political circle being equally rotten, the nation was illogically powerful. In comparison, the Imperial court of Northern Wei split apart, although it was partially due to Xiao En being captured with Master Zhan Qingfeng.

The middle-aged official said respectfully, "Should I die, the council will take care of my family. Once my child turns twelve, he will be awarded. Besides, I believe Sir Fan will help my family. He is very rich. This cheap life of mine can be exchanged for so much. It's a great deal."

Xiao En moved his wrists, the sound of the chains accompanied his annoyance. "Same old tricks… What is your name?"

The middle-aged official chuckled, "My name is Wang Qinian."

Fan Xian opened the curtains of his carriage and looked at the second carriage of the envoy. He summoned a Tiger Guard and asked, "How is the person that was assigned next to the carriage doing?"

What were the Tiger Guards? That topic would have to go back to when Count Sinan talked with Director Chen Pingping for the second time outside the palace. In any case, with his son about to leave to a foreign nation, Director Fan finally could not hold back the hidden strengths he held and assigned a detachment of Tiger Guards to the envoy.

Each one of the Tiger Guards was quite strong. While they couldn't compare to the Fifth and Sixth Bureaus, they were still carefully chosen for the job. Their loyalty to their master was unquestionable, to the point of being indescribably ferocious.

Fan Xian had vaguely guessed that his father was actually taking charge of the Tiger Guards for that emperor deep within the palace. They might even help to keep the Overwatch Council, but obviously it wouldn't be just them doing the controlling. In order for Count Sinan to dispatch seven Tiger Guards to follow his son, he must have gotten permission from the palace.

The leader of the Tiger Guards was named Gao Da. He answered respectfully, "Rest assured, Young Master. Even though no one is from the Sixth Bureau, we can guarantee safety."

Because these Tiger Guards belonged to Director Fan's private forces, Gao Da called Fan Xian "Young Master" rather than "Sir". But Fan Xian still wasn't used to it, so he laughed.

The soldiers of the Commander of Defense surrounded this strange envoy, slowly making their way north. They were silent in their armor; for them, it was a rather casual trip. But the leading military officers who knew the details felt unpleasant. Their silence represented a type of humiliation.

For the past dozen years, under the leadership of the current emperor, the Qing military had never suffered a single defeat; winning had become a habit for the soldiers. Last year as well, in what was deemed to be a "border conflict", Qing had still been the victor. However, now the victor was forced to back down—for a severely despicable reason—and return Xiao En to Northern Qi!

As if given wings, Fan Xian's propaganda had spread to every corner of the capital, so those military officers knew about the Eldest Princess's detrimental involvement. All of the military's dissatisfaction toward the royal family seemed to be focused on that beautiful yet insane woman.

Fan Xian was still troubled by that—the Eldest Princess, while insane, was not stupid. What good could she gain by selling out Qing's leading spy, Mister Yan, to Northern Qi? If she had done it only to have Zhuang Mohan come to the capital to embarrass Fan Xian, there was no way Fan Xian would believe that; he didn't believe he was that important.

If the Eldest Princess called for Northern Qi's aid for the struggle for the throne, wouldn't it severely offend the majority of the military? No matter how one looked at it, this was not a profitable deal.

The envoy had journeyed for half a day. As the sun descended behind the mountains, and the light grew dim. The group stopped by the edge of a vast forest to take a rest. An assistant officer came up to Fan Xian. According to regulations, the envoy should stop by the courier station one and a half kilometers ahead and settle for the night.

Fan Xian shook his head. He ordered to discuss the matter later and have the group rest here for now. He then got out of his carriage, stretched his body, which was getting numb from long periods of sitting, and walked toward the back.

That leader of the Tiger Guards followed Fan Xian in silence, his hand on the hilt of his long saber. Fan Xian noticed the length of that saber was a bit absurd, so he asked, "Won't it be difficult to draw from the scabbard?" Wu Zhu had taught him the importance of reaction speed in combat. The longer the weapon, the slower its wielder would react.

Gao Da raised his long saber to Fan Xian and explained, "There is a mechanism that enables a quick draw. Because of our guard duty, all seven of the Tiger Guards use these extra-long sabers. The extra range is all we need."

Fan Xian nodded, signaling to Gao Dao not to follow him. He had already reached the second carriage. Slightly sniffing the air, Fan Xian thought he felt a chilling aura and smelled the faint scent of blood. He smiled as he thought of the possibility of Wang Qinian going crazy from staying with that old monster for the entire trip.

As he had expected, as soon as he got into the carriage, Wang Qinian was standing at the entrance with a pained expression. "Sir, when may I take a break?"

"In two days." Fan Xian patted him on the shoulder and then asked, "Did Xiao En make any strange moves?"

Wang Qinian shook his head and calmly reported Xiao En's every move to the young Sir Fan. Fan Xian listened quietly, knowing all Wang Qinian said would be heard by Xiao En. But he wasn't worried. After some time, he told Wang Qinian quietly, "I'm going in to take a look."

"It's dangerous." Wang Qinian shook his head in disagreement. "A sickly tiger is still a tiger. While he may not be his former self, he was still once a ninth-ranked master. If you aren't careful and get taken hostage, what are we going to do?"

Fan Xian replied, "Be at ease. Xiao En is not stupid. We are not yet ten kilometers from the capital, for him to make a move now would seal his death." Of course, Fan Xian knew how scary Xiao En could be. What does it mean to be ninth-rank? Fan Xian had experienced the power of one through Yan Xiaoyi's arrow on the night when he infiltrated the palace.

"There's still a long way to go. I'll have to see him eventually." Fan Xian laughed.

In the dark carriage, the cold Xiao En kept a gloomy expression. His white hair had already been tied back. Fan Xian held a small box and entered. "Mister Xiao, the journey to Northern Qi is a long one. Please have some food and water."

Xiao En slowly opened his eyes. Their cold bitterness flashed for a brief instant. He smiled and replied, "Please, if Sir Fan would go through the trouble."

Fan Xian didn't appear to be afraid in the slightest as he opened the box with a bright smile. Carefully, he held a pastry up to the old man's still-withered lips. He then gave the old man some water.

There was silence for a while, and then Xiao En suddenly spoke. "Those poison are useless."

Chapter 185: An Artless Poisoning

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Naturally, inside the pastry was an essential, first-rate poison that Fan Xian had meticulously prepared for the journey northward.

He presumed that his companion, owing to his identity, also felt it beneath his dignity to cheat. Seeing that he had seen through it, Fan Xian gave a pained smile. "I was confident that this drug powder had no unusual taste to it at all. How did you detect it, Master Xiao?"

Xiao En looked at him and slowly closed his eyes. "You are a student of Fei Jie. No matter how you may try to distinguish yourself, you cannot escape his shadow. I consumed Fei Jie's poison in your prison for decades. He and Chen Pingping could not bring themselves to kill me. They could only use poisons to damage my body's meridians. If you had eaten pastries from a vendor for over a decade, and then one day, that vendor had a new apprentice who made a pastry, although it might taste of scallion, I think you would still be able to taste that vendor's product."

Fan Xian felt a slight admiration deep in his heart. He sighed. "Perhaps every vendor's flour and water quantity is different."

"Correct." Xiao En smiled. It was a smile that could make one feel a chill. "Poison is the same. For an old bastard like me, sampling poison is not a case of detecting flavor, but simply feeling with the mouth."

Fan Xian opened his mouth, wanting to speak, though ultimately just sighed and smiled. "It's like eating poison as if it were simply plain cooked rice." Since Xiao En had tasted the poison in the pastry, and yet still ate it calmly, it appeared as though the poison was useless. "There are three grandmasters specializing in the poison in all the land," he said with a smile. "My teacher is one. Another one is already dead. I almost forgot that you were the third, Mr. Xiao. It appears I rather overestimated my own capabilities."

Xiao En moved his wrist, and his iron chains clanked. Fan Xian placed fresh water into his hand. Having drunk the water bowl dry, Xiao En suddenly closed his eyes and smiled. "If I wish to relieve myself, then what is to be done?"

"There is a chamber pot in the carriage."

"The sun is quite nice outside."

"It has already set behind the mountains."

"It is also nice to see the evening sky in the Kingdom of Qing."

"It gets cold at night. You are old, sir. It is best that you rest inside the carriage."

The old man spoke softly, his eyes closed, and the young man replied with a smile. Xiao En opened his eyes calmly. "I have spent many years in prison, seeing only a crack of light from the door. Master Fan, will you allow me to go out and look?"

Fan Xian shook his head resolutely. But a smile still hung on his face. "It is dangerous."

"I am not dangerous," said Xiao En gently. "Since you have already reached an agreement with the north, anyone with even the slightest wisdom would know that it would be my smartest choice to peacefully follow the diplomatic mission."

"Mr. Xiao," Fan Xian replied calmly, "on the road out of the capital, the safety of the diplomatic mission throughout its journey is the responsibility of the city garrison. I think you can guess why the Kingdom of Qing wishes to exchange you with Northern Qi. It is quite a humiliating affair. So I am worried that if you were to get out of the carriage wearing your leg-irons and manacles, it is possible that a volley of arrows might suddenly be launched from afar, turning you into the hedgehog."

Xiao En knew that this young enemy was not telling falsehoods. He smiled. "Can it be that you do not wish to kill me? If I return to the north, then within three years, I will have wreaked unbearable damage upon your nation."

Fan Xian shook his head, his self-confidence showing through the smile on his handsome face. "I am not of the older generation, so my respect for you is solely a product of legends. I never presumed that you would return to the north and cause as much damage as you did in the past. Of course, if I could kill you, it would be the simplest way of dealing with you, but by comparison, I consider exchanging you as a bargaining chip to be more important. So do not be concerned. I will protect your life until you arrive in the Northern Qi city of Shangjing and are handed over to those friends of yours."

Xiao En was silent.

Fan Xian smiled. "Until now, I had no way of precisely determining your current strength, so I have been extremely careful throughout the journey. As for you leaving the carriage, I have enough power at any time to ensure that should you try to leave , I can respond quickly and appropriately."

Xiao En smiled, still saying nothing.

Since the secret poisoning had been seen through, and clearly had no effect, it seemed time for a more uncivilized approach. Fan Xian exhaled and stood up, stepping over the iron chains firmly bound to Xiao En's hands, and tied a length of black cloth around Xiao En's elbow, softly but impolitely patting the back of his hand.

Then he removed a small box from inside his jacket, opened it, and took out a sharp and slender needle. The thin syringe had been skillfully hollowed out. The back end of the needle bulged. It wasn't clear what material it was made from, but it could be presumed that it was used to store medicine. Xiao En's eyes went blood red and he looked Fan Xian in the eye coldly. Fan stepped steadily closer, carrying the needle.

There was a sudden eruption of a strange feeling in the carriage. Fan Xian sensed a slight sweetness on the tip of his nose. The air was filled with the smell of blood, faintly red, coming from Xiao En's angry body.

The guards and the officials of the Overwatch Council outside the carriage immediately felt that something was amiss inside it, and silently rushed forth, drawing their weapons. Keeping watch outside the carriage, Wang Qinian turned his head and frowned, then waved his hand dismissively at them to indicate that there was nothing wrong.

In the carriage, Fan Xian slowly withdrew the needle from the back of Xiao En's hand, using a cloth to wipe the tip. He raised his head and smiled. "Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Xiao."

Unsure which acupoint the needle had pierced, and unsure what drug he had injected him with, Xiao En's astonishing and imposing manner had already diminished greatly. Even his face appeared to have become more withered.

"My respect for you is as an elder," said Fan Xian, stooping to step out of the carriage. "But remember, right now, you are not the spymaster of Northern Wei, neither are you the one who struck fear into hearts across the land. You are merely my prisoner, and nothing more. If you try to escape, I have many ways to kill you."

"Master, there is no need to be so cautious," said Wang Qinian, accompanying him as he sat beneath a tree by the side of the road. He saw the fatigue on Fan Xian's face. "If Xiao En wishes to regain his freedom, then he should co-operate with us in passing the border to Northern Qi."

Fan Xian shook his head. "You don't understand. For someone like Xiao En, given that he has been imprisoned for nearly 20 years, what else is there? Look into his eyes. Other than resentment what else is left? A terrifyingly clear vision, and a burning ambition. If he only seeks freedom, then he will cooperate with us. But if he seeks more, he will think of a way to flee. In the Overwatch Council prison, he was watched closely, and didn't have a chance. But on this slow road north, there are too many opportunities. So I want to think of every single way possible to weaken his strength and his resolve while still keeping him alive."

"Why does he want to escape?"

"Because the regime now in the north is not the regime of Northern Wei - the one he served for many years and was even imprisoned for - but rather that Northern Qi." Fan Xian smiled. "Although the royal family of Northern Qi is the House of Zhan, and Commander Zhan Fengqing and Xiao En had good relations at the time, there has been a change of dynasty. Xiao En has been imprisoned for many years, and is not sure how the current northern royal family sees him. If the royal family of the north considers him to still be of use, then he will be treated as an honored guest. But if he is of no use, do you think that the royal family of Northern Qi would be mad enough to allow such a terrifying spymaster to establish himself in Shangjing once more?"

Then why does Northern Qi wish to trade Master Yan for Xiao En?"

"Because of two people," Fan Xian explained cursorily. "One is Zhuang Mohan, and the other, I presume... is the famous northern general Shang Shanhu."

"Master, you presume that the reason that Xiao En would risk an escape is because he does not trust the royal family of Northern Qi?"

Fan Xian thought of what Wu Zhu had told him, and sighed quietly. "For people in our profession, no one can be trusted. As for Xiao En, he undoubtedly has other ideas, but I am unable to guess at them. All I know is that he must reach Shangjing alive. It is that simple."

"Where could Xiao En make his move?"

"Before we cross the border. If we cross the border into Northern Qi, even if he escapes, he is also the responsibility of Northern Qi. Since Xiao En wants to have Northern Qi recognize his position, he cannot break the agreement," said Fan Xian calmly.

He suddenly stood up. "We cannot go to the relay station today," he ordered. "We will make camp in the countryside."

His subordinates received his order, and each went to his own team to organize setting up camp. Wang Qinian looked at Fan Xian, somewhat puzzled. Fan Xian shook his head. "We must train ourselves and adapt. After leaving Cangzhou, there will be no relay stations we can use in the north. We must take advantage of our closeness to the capital and get the subordinates used to the situation as quickly as possible."

"A battlefield operation is not playing house." Wang Qinian, seeing his master's concern, tactfully began to play the supporting role.

Fan Xian quietly clapped his hands together and waved him away with a smile. Then he sat quiet and alone beneath the tree, looking at the carriage and thinking about the old man inside.

"I hope you don't change your name to Shawshank." [1]

When he had injected him with the needle in the carriage earlier, Fan Xian had still been somewhat nervous. He didn't know whether or not Xiao En might have flown into a rage. After some investigation, he still did not know how much strength was left in this ninth-level master - one of only a handful in the world - after his years in prison. But he knew that before he caught sight of his best opportunity, the fearsome Xiao En would be honest.

The mountain wind blew past the tree behind Fan Xian, blowing past the cold wet patch of sweat on the clothes on his back. Some time later, he stood up, his face expressionless, and headed toward Si Lili's carriage.

[1] The character "Xiao" in Xiao En's name is also used to spell the word "Shawshank" in Chinese, as in "The Shawshank Redemption", a movie about an escaping prisoner.

Chapter 186: Romance in the Carriage

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Time can change a great many things, including people's faces and minds. But there are exceptions. As Fan Xian walked into Si Lili's carriage, the first thing he saw was a gaunt, pale, but still beautiful woman. She had been in prison for the greater part of a year, but it didn't seem to do any damage to the complexion that she flaunted on the pleasure boats of the Liujing River.

When she saw Fan Xian enter, Si Lili felt a slight joy, her eyes frenetic. It seemed that she didn't know how to address him, nor was she sufficiently prepared for this encounter.

Fan Xian calmly looked the young woman in the face. Her eyebrows were still as supple as willow branches, and her dark eyes still darted around the room, but her lips had no color to them, looking somewhat pale.

When the two of them had first met, Fan Xian was the illegitimate son of a noble who had just entered the city for the first time. Si Lili was the most popular young woman on Liujing River. That night, they had caressed each other to the point of madness, and though it was not true ecstasy, they had essentially performed the most intimate of acts between a man and a woman.

But he had not expected Si Lili to be a Northern Qi spy planted in the Kingdom of Qing; by way of the Second Prince's invitation, she plotted Fan Xian's assassination with Wu Bo'an. Fan Xian was lucky to escape with his life. Finally, he had entered the Overwatch Council, and now had received the duty of returning Si Lili to Northern Qi.

He calmly looked her in the face, his gaze going from her eyes to her nose to her lips. Somehow, he found himself recalling her touch that night on the pleasure boat; although it did not give him pause, he still felt something indescribable. After all, before he had gotten married, and apart from a couple of servant girls in Danzhou, she had been the woman with whom he had been the most intimate.

"A few days ago, I was passing by the Liujing River on horseback." Fan Xian gently broke the silence in the carriage. "I saw that pleasure boat."

Si Lili was somewhat taken aback. She hadn't expected this handsome and elegant young man to start off with that sort of opening remark. She had fully believed that what was to follow would be a solemn conversation.

Fan Xian laughed. "It's already in ruins, but I don't think you much cherish the memory of the place anyway."

Si Lili smiled, a little embarrassed. "We are but duckweed, adrift on the waters. Please, do not mock your servant, sir.

"I do not like to hear the words 'your servant'." Fan Xian looked into her bright, intelligent eyes and smiled. "Some things in life are truly remarkable. You once wanted to kill me. Such was your mission. Although I cannot forgive you, I also have no prejudice against you for this. I told you in the prison of the Overwatch Council that if you provided me the name of the mastermind behind it, I would find a way to let you live. But I must tell you clearly, I made no effort to have you returned to Northern Qi. So there is no use in thanking me."

Slightly startled, Si Lili raised her head, her lips slightly parted, wanting to speak but saying nothing. She was less and less sure of this young man - at one moment pure and amiable, the next cold, dark, and frightening. Why did he want to say such things?

"From the day you left prison, we became colleagues." Fan Xian sat down beside her and leaned in relaxation against the side of the carriage. He could smell a faint fragrance, and he knew that it was her own bodily scent. He inhaled it, appreciating it. "I do not know what agreement you have with Chen Pingping. But since he believes you are trustworthy, then I trust you. I hope that you can trust me, and we can carry out Operation Red Sleeve."

Si Lili grasped the green sleeves of her garment with her hands and softly bit her bottom lip, unsure what to say.

"Will you massage me? I'm on edge every day. I don't know when that old bastard in the front carriage might explode. There's a lot of psychological pressure." Fan Xian wasn't lying. He really did look exhausted.

Si Lili let out a slight noise of acknowledgement and leaned to one side, kneeling on a soft floor cushion. She carefully placed her supple, gentle hands on Fan Xian's head and began to slowly knead his temples.

Fan Xian closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of comfort radiating through his skull and the gentle touch of Si Lili's fingers. Unthinkingly, he sighed.

"What is it? Do you feel heavy, sir?" He didn't know what methods Chen Pingping had used, but Si Lili seemed completely unlike she had been in the prison - desperate and stubborn - and instead had returned to the way she had been in the pleasure boat: tender and charming. Her voice penetrated Fan Xian's heart.

"I was just thinking of punishments," Fan Xian said gently. "In truth, I was worried what damage they could do to a young woman's beautiful hands."

Si Lili's fingers stopped at his temples. After a long while, she spoke quietly. "People who have had a hard lot in life are not so easy to break."

"There is no need to be resentful. It's of no benefit to our agreement in Shangjing," said Fan Xian calmly, his eyes still closed. "You wanted to kill me, I only wanted to punish you. When you look at it, you owe me."

Si Lili gently bit her bottom lip once more. The points of her pearly white teeth pressing down on her lip looked utterly beautiful. There was a soft light in her eyes. "Your s... I do owe you, sir. You could take me back at any time."

"Take you? Like I did on our first night?" Fan Xian opened his eyes, filled with mischief.

Si Lili opened her eyes that fixed on him with a tenacious, unyielding look. There was a long silence. She looked at this handsome and elegant young official, and found herself somehow recalling the shameful events on the pleasure boat. She felt a sudden weakness in her body, and slowly leaned to one side onto Fan Xian's shoulder, her fingers still massaging him. "All the women of the world have had a hard lot in life. I don't know how you are preparing to take me."

That night on the pleasure boat, Fan Xian had used knockout drops and aphrodisiacs, and Si Lili had reacted strongly. It was engraved in her memory to this day. Then, in the prison, Fan Xian had punished her without even a hint of remorse, his heart full of hatred and many other odd feelings.

Fan Xian became aware of the softness on his right shoulder, and knew, without thinking, that it was Si Lili's soft bosom. He presumed that she wanted to seduce him, and he took a deep breath to calm himself. As he did, he unexpectedly inhaled her faint scent, and his heart skipped a beat. He turned his head with a smile. "So where did that Si Ling end up?"

"Still locked up in the capital." There was no expression on Si Lili's face. It appeared that Si Ling was not a true friend of hers.

Fan Xian was increasingly curious as to what Chen Pingping could have done to make Si Lili heed the orders of the Overwatch Council. He thought for a moment, then frowned. "You are not pathetic, young lady. At least the young Emperor of Northern Qi still always keeps women in mind."

Si Lili creased her brow and sighed. "One cannot win people over with beauty forever."

"That's something I doubt too," said Fan Xian with a smile. "I don't know if you're able to speak of your past with Emperor of Northern Qi in detail. It is best if we arrange for you to enter the palace after we have arrived in Shangjing."

This so-called Operation Red Sleeve, as Fan Xian saw it, was merely copying the story of Xi Shi entering the Kingdom of Wu. From the terms of this secret agreement, he could see that the Emperor of Northern Qi and Si Lili truly had some feelings for each other; otherwise they would not have stressed the importance of her return. But Si Lili was of low birth - even if Northern Qi respected her service to the country, they could only show respect, nothing more. Compared to the Kingdom of Qing, Northern Qi placed even more importance on one's bloodline and the circumstances of one's birth. They could never allow a woman who had once been a prostitute to enter the palace.

Si Lili seemed unwilling to discuss matters of her past. She simply lowered her head. "Do not worry, Master Fan. Simply get me into Shangjing. Everything after that will be for the Emperor of Northern Qi to worry about.

Silence fell upon the carriage once more. Fan Xian sat by her side, smelling her faint scent. For some reason, he felt some regret at separating from her touch. He sat in silence for some time before he finally spoke. "You had best get some rest."

To his surprise, she suddenly spoke at the same time. "Sir, do you want me to massage you some more?"

"That would be fine," replied Fan Xian quickly.

"Very well." There was a trace of disappointment in her response.

After this odd exchange, they both found that a strange atmosphere had fallen upon the carriage. It seemed they could both vaguely sense something. A warm darkness began to ferment in the air.

Si Lili bit her lower lip once more and kneeled on the pillow, her hands kneading Fan Xian's shoulders, secretly using her strength. She did not want to be alone in the carriage, and so she was willing to debase herself in attending to... this enemy.

There was a slight smile on Fan Xian's face as he enjoyed the soft touch of the woman behind him. Not only did she not hold a grudge, she made great effort to fawn on him. Why? Could it be... she had fallen for him? As soon as he thought of it, he immediately wanted to slap himself around the face. Although he was Pan An, he reminded himself, he was not the kind of brute to release an aphrodisiac into the air. [1]

Why did he want to stay in Si Lili's carriage? Fan Xian frowned, and tried to think of a persuasive answer. Perhaps he was uncertain about this trip to Northern Qi. Perhaps it was because Xiao En was not easy on the eyes. Perhaps... it was really nothing. He was an ordinary man, and Si Lili was a beautiful woman whose naked body he had once touched. It was only normal to want to stay with her.

Fan Xian did not linger too long in his fantasies. He knew he was a lech, but he was also a person of unswerving determination. He would not allow himself to be trapped by tenderness, unable to free himself. He let Si Lili massage him, just to rid him of some of his fatigue, then he left the carriage.

Wang Qinian came to greet him, and accompanied him as he walked to the rear of the convoy. "Sir, be wary of who may be listening or watching. After all, we want to deliver Si Lili to the Emperor of Northern Qi. If you are going to spend so long in her carriage, then make sure the subordinates are dispersed first, so as not to allow rumors to spread throughout Shangjing. It will have an effect on your future plans."

Fan Xian knew that his aide had gotten the wrong idea, but he explained nothing, and simply rubbed at his temples.

[1] Pan An, a young prodigy and poet, known for being one of the most handsome men in Chinese history.