Fan Shao, holding a scroll, stepped out of the pavilion garden, sensing something amiss…

  The air was cold, the palace guards were nowhere to be seen, and the silence was suffocating… Everything was brewing an ominous atmosphere! Previously, Fan Shao had received an ultimate list that listed all the hostile forces and factions in the court... Since then, high-ranking officials, bureau chiefs, and even ordinary clerks have become dangerous in his eyes, and every step seems to bring him one step closer to death!

  Fan Shao sighed deeply. Although court officials inevitably faced perilous situations, Fan Shao's career had been relatively stable as a bureau chief. But now, he had suddenly become the grand chancellor, ranking at the top of the official hierarchy—a seemingly illustrious promotion, but in reality, his life hung by a thread!

  He glanced down at the scroll in his hand, lost in thought. "So many names on this scroll… I have to memorize them all. This is my most valuable intelligence right now!" His gaze returned to the imperial pavilion at the edge of his field of vision, and he sighed. "…Those attendants were already suspicious. They heard everything in the hall. Although the emperor was clearly discussing state affairs, it's not impossible for the attendants to have noticed something, especially if they were spies from their sects!"

  However, this scroll had a problem: it recorded names, but not faces. Fan Shao knew almost all the civil officials in the imperial court, but he didn't know any of the palace attendants! He had to try hard to identify which attendants belonged to which sect or faction!

  Just as he was pondering these things, Fan Shao suddenly saw a line of servants walk past him, bow slightly, and then continue on their way. Fan Shao returned the greeting, but as they passed each other, he sensed something was amiss…

  “Wait. Those attendants, aren’t they from the emperor’s pavilion?”

  By the time Fan Shao realized this, it was too late…

  He had barely turned around when one of the attendants threw a poisoned dagger—pointed directly at Fan Shao’s face… with astonishing speed!

  It was as if time had slowed down in Fan Shao's eyes. The dagger drew ever closer, its speed measured in milliseconds… Countless images flashed through his mind, as if his entire life were unfolding before his eyes!

  No… it’s more like a premonition of the future, showing everything that might happen in the future!

  Just a split second before the dagger pierced Fan Shao's eye, another dagger was thrown from another direction with incredible speed, deflecting the incoming attack…!

  “What?” Fan Shao immediately fell weak to the ground on his back, utterly shocked by what had just happened!

  Suddenly, after the dagger was deflected, an assassin dressed in black appeared, wielding two swords. Without the slightest hesitation or word, the assassin pounced forward and killed all the attendants who didn't even have time to draw their weapons!

  His movements were like lightning, or more precisely, like black thunder, easily slaying all the attendants!

  Fan Shao remained seated on the ground, witnessing the bloody massacre that had lasted only a few seconds. He had witnessed countless deaths and assassinations in the gloomy court, but he had never seen anything so swift...

  After the killing ended, the assassin turned to look at Fan Shao.

  His steps were slow, and blood seeped from his twin blades... Even though he was completely covered in black, his figure was still terrifying…

  It was as if he was preparing to make Fan Shao his next target!

  Fan Shao was already terrified! Just seconds before, he had almost been blinded by a dagger. Now, he saw another assassin approaching him with such ferocity...! However, suddenly…

  "Imperial Envoy Pang Li has come to protect Lord Fan on His Majesty's orders!"

  Unexpectedly, the assassin claiming to be Imperial Envoy Pang Li, knelt on one knee and clasped his hands together before Fan Shao!

  Fan Shao was utterly shocked. He had never expected any of this, much less would he encounter someone claiming to be an imperial envoy! He trembled all over, managing to utter only one word: "What?"

  The imperial envoy said nothing more, immediately showing Fan Shao a jade slip, etched with the imperial dragon that only the emperor's trusted confidants could possess! He said out loud, "Lord Fan, this place is no longer safe... You must come with me!"

  As soon as he finished speaking, the imperial envoy grabbed Fan Shao's shoulder, snatched the scroll from him, and fled with Fan Shao in his arms!

  "H-Hey! Don't act so roughly!” Fan Shao shouted, but the imperial envoy remained silent. He carried Fan Shao, weaving between rooftops and pavilions, trying his best to avoid the scene of the incident!

  Fan Shao could only scream in terror; being taken to so many places in such a short time felt like riding a celestial horse!

  Only when they reached a safe area far from the scene of the incident did the imperial envoy release Fan Shao. Of course, Fan Shao was pale and slightly nauseous, clearly from his near-death experience and the violent jumping...

  "Imperial Envoy Pang, thank you for saving my life..." Fan Shao said, feeling dizzy. He tapped his head to fully regain his senses and asked, "Did His Majesty send you?"

  "Yes," the imperial envoy, Pang Li, replied simply, then tossed the scroll back to Fan Shao. The force of the throw was so great that it almost caused Fan Shao to drop the scroll from his hand!

  "His Majesty anticipated the movements of the emperor’s pavilion attendants. They are disciples from Death Valley, so their audacity is not surprising." Pang Li sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was nearby or eavesdropping.

  Upon hearing this, a thought flashed through Fan Shao's mind. He pondered, "Death Valley? That's right, the shape of that dagger... is the symbol of Death Valley. They are not only the masterminds behind the darkest sect in the jianghu, but also seem to be the biggest trouble for the imperial court! Even this scroll says that at least 560 of the 1,000 servants are related to Death Valley, not to mention the eunuchs and imperial chefs!"

  Pang Li suddenly removed his black mask, revealing an adult face with a slight beard and moustache. He clasped his hands together, and said to Fan Shao, “From this day forward, I, Pang Li, am ordered by His Majesty to protect Grand Chancellor Fan Shao. My lord, please give your orders.”

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  It seemed Pang Li was indeed a trustworthy ally. He had saved Fan Shao from a near-to-death situation and possessed an imperial slip. Such a reliable ally was naturally dependable! However, Fan Shao still harbored doubts, constantly pondering Pang Li...

  "This Pang Li did indeed help me, and he even has an imperial slip. But, something's fishy..." he mused, "...If Pang Li were an envoy personally sent by the emperor, His Majesty would certainly mention him to avoid misunderstandings or to allow me to use him. But, in our previous conversation, there was absolutely no mention of any secret guards! The scroll does mention that anyone possessing the jade dragon slip is a member of the emperor’s faction, but it also warns against counterfeit slips… This, coupled with the lack of mention of secret guards, makes me even more suspicious!”

  Fan Shao racked his brains, finding it difficult to fully trust Pang Li. This person is extremely suspicious! He finally sighed and pondered, "The name 'Pang Li' isn't on the scroll’s list. At least we know he's not a detected enemy… The cabinet meeting to welcome the new Grand Chancellor should be held soon. I can have him as my bodyguard then, but for now, we must keep our distance. Later, I will verify Pang Li's situation with the emperor, and then I will surely see his true colors."

  Fan Shao instructed, his expression abruptly shifting from a serious stare to a friendly smile: "In that case, I'm truly delighted. However, your presence accompanying me like this will inevitably arouse suspicion in court. I will be holding a cabinet meeting later, Envoy Pang, you must observe from a distance and watch for anything suspicious."

  "Yes!" Pang Li clasped his hands together and then departed.

  “This way, I can both use him and maintain a certain distance for now…” Fan Shao thought, glancing around, then suddenly realized something:

  “Wait, where am I?”

  It turned out that Pang Li had led him far away to a secluded corner of the grand palace!

  “It seems I'll have a hard time getting to the office…”

  ***

  Meanwhile, in the Department of State Affairs’ office, court ministers were gathered for a cabinet meeting. Whenever a new grand chancellor took office, they had to gather like this to discuss national affairs and policies with him. But now, everyone was present, but the most important person was missing—the Grand Chancellor himself!

  High-ranking officials from the first to the third rank had gathered in their respective chairs... They were all dressed in the highest-ranking purple and red robes of the Yong dynasty. They sat quietly, awaiting the arrival of Grand Chancellor Fan, exchanging intense glances!

  Suddenly, a man stood up and angrily moved his chair behind him. All eyes immediately turned to him—it was Li Gaozhong, the Minister of War!

  “This new grand chancellor probably doesn’t even know the way to his office! Are we just going to wait for him like this?!” he said angrily, a hint of tension on his face!

  The well-known Minister of Works, Kun Changsheng waved his hand. There’s a hint of mock on his smile, saying, “Calm down, calm down… Grand Chancellor Fan is here for the first time; he might be a little out of sorts. I think he’s not mentally prepared yet! Let’s give him some time to catch his breath, shall we?”

  The old man spoke with a smile, appearing dignified, but his words were full of sarcasm and ridicule!

  Those ministers who had defended Fan Shao alongside Yuan Yi also sighed with worry. This first meeting with the new Grand Chancellor would determine the officials' true opinion of Fan Shao—was he a capable leader in the court, or a weak and easily defeated figure?

  However, a scholar-official rose and clasped his hands together. This man was none other than Tang Xu, the Minister of Rites, Yuan Yi's right-hand man, and the one who had previously defended Fan Shao!

  Tang Xu clasped his hands together, a kind smile on his face, and said to everyone, "Gentlemen, Chancellor Fan is a newly appointed official, so it is understandable that he encountered some difficulties before coming here. Let's wait patiently since this is his first meeting."

  Li Gaozhong slammed his fist on the table and roared, "I disagree! His first time chairing a cabinet meeting is enough to judge his leadership ability! He's late on his very first day; are you sure he can govern the court well?!"

  Another official in a red robe suddenly stood up and pointed his finger at Li Gaozhong like a spear, "Your tongue serves your sect master, not the dynasty! What right do you have to speak of governance?"

  Li Gaozhong roared, his voice deafening like a war drum: "My tongue serves my sect master? Hmph! You hypocrites of the Nine Virtues Sect, mind your own business first! You keep talking about justice, yet you roar like wild beasts… spitting on etiquette, daring to speak disrespectfully to me, as if hierarchy and order are utterly worthless!!"

  “Nine Virtues Sect..!?”

  The words had barely left his lips when more officials stood up, arguing incessantly! They shouted and argued fiercely—in this room filled with sect agents, even court etiquette had vanished. Even Luo Chen and Yuan Yi could only exchange a glance; they and a few other senior officials were the only ones still seated…

  Amidst this chaos, a single sentence pierced the air like a sharp sword—silencing everyone present!

  "Grand Chancellor Fan has arrived!"

  The gatekeeper attendant pushed open the sliding door to the cabinet meeting room, and Grand Chancellor Fan's figure immediately came into view! The young official knew he was late, and he knew the people inside were arguing about him intensely… but his steps were steady, his expression calm, and his purple robe gleamed in the sunlight!

  Fan Shao clasped his hands together and said calmly, "Everyone, I apologize. I encountered a very dangerous situation before I came..." As he spoke, Fan Shao reached into his sleeve, as if he was taking something out…

  What Fan Shao took out shocked everyone..!

  It was the very dagger the Death Valley attendants had used to attempt to assassinate him!

  Fan Shao paused, allowing the shock to settle in everyone's hearts, before continuing with a confident tone, "That's right. When I came here just now, a group of servants tried to assassinate me! Fortunately, a kind senior helped me, and I was able to escape…"

  A cold smile suddenly appeared on Fan Shao's face!

  Earlier, just before he entered the Department of State Affairs’ office, Fan Shao whispered Pang Li's name. As soon as Pang Li appeared and clasped his hands, Fan Shao immediately scolded him in a low voice, "Brother Pang, you almost got me lost! Luckily, I still remembered some of the paths, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get back!"

  Pang Li almost burst out laughing, but he managed to hold it in! He clasped his hands together apologetically, "I'm sorry, my lord, I really forgot!"

  Fan Shao sighed. Suddenly, he remembered that Pang Li had taken the dagger the Death Valley agent had used to assassinate him. Just then, a brilliant idea struck him!

  “Brother Pang, do you still have that Death Valley assassin's dagger? I need it.”

  “My lord, why do you need that dagger?” Pang Li asked. Of course, Pang Li was utterly baffled as to why Fan Shao would use the dagger that had nearly injured his eye!

  "You'll understand soon enough!" Fan Shao said confidently.

  Pang Li handed the dagger to Fan Shao, who immediately curled his lip into a cold smile and concealed the dagger in his sleeve. He thought, “I’ve witnessed many assassinations by the Death Valley before. Anyone who sees this dagger will immediately recognize it—it’s a symbol. If I show this dagger to everyone, they will be astonished that I survived the Death Valley assassination attempt, while everyone connected to them will panic…”

  The scene shifts back to the cabinet meeting room. Fan Shao remains motionless, gripping the Death Valley dagger tightly, ensuring everyone present can clearly see it!

  "Judging from this dagger, it seems to belong to a faction we know..." Fan Shao takes a few steps forward, his expression very serious, and silently places the poisoned dagger on the long table.

  Under the sunlight, the dagger's blade gleamed green, its venom flashing like a viper's fangs. It lay silently on the table, more than just a weapon; it was a symbol—silent, deadly, and undeniable!

  Fan Shao turns to the crowd and asks a question that leaves everyone holding their breath—"Who’s responsible for this?!"