A single divination predicts life and death; the entire internet begs me to start a live stream.

"Immortality?"

Qin Ruoxue finally saw the two characters on the bottom of the pottery jar.

Inside the ancestral hall, the Qin family members were still immersed in the fear of the strange noises coming from the coffin.

An elder was cursing and spitting on the ground as a response to the eeriness of the night.

From the crack in the coffin, a wisp of black smoke was still seeping out.

Not strong.

Yet it was so cold and damp that it sent chills down your spine.

Chen Bufan stood in front of the coffin, his gaze fixed on the bottom of the pottery jar.

Those two characters were engraved very deeply.

longevity.

It wasn't just carved on randomly.

It's not a typical signature either.

Each stroke seemed to be slowly carved out with the tip of a knife, carrying an indescribable sinister intent.

Chen Bufan stared at those two words.

This was the first time he had ever seen "immortality" before, but he couldn't remember where.

But for some reason, as soon as those two words appeared, he felt as if something was pressing down on his chest, and his thoughts became somewhat chaotic.

Just like many years ago, someone left the same traces in the ruins of the Chen family's ancestral home.

Qin Ruoxue suddenly spoke:

"Mr. Chen."

"I feel like I've heard of this 'immortality' before."

Chen Bufan turned to look at her.

"Where have I heard of that?"

Qin Ruoxue frowned as she recalled.

"It's not a person's name."

"It's a foundation."

"Longevity Foundation"

Several members of the Qin family in the ancestral hall looked up at the same time.

Third Grandfather's expression also changed.

"Ruoxue, are you referring to the medical foundation that we partnered with the Qin family about twenty years ago?"

Qin Ruoxue looked at him.

"Third Grandfather, you know?"

Third Grandfather's face was grim, and he gripped his cane tightly.

"I know a little."

"Back when the Qin family was just starting out, the old man did get very close to a charity called the Longevity Foundation."

"They are doing charitable medical care."

"Sponsoring seriously ill children."

"Build clinics in impoverished areas."

"We also have collaborations with several hospitals."

Qin Ruoxue pressed further:

"What about in reality?"

Third Grandfather's lips moved, but he didn't speak.

Chen Bufan continued.

"It's actually related to many wealthy families."

Third Grandfather suddenly looked up.

How did you know?

"You can even call that?"

It's not hard to guess.

To navigate modern society, one cannot rely solely on the reputation of metaphysics to change one's fate.

It needs a shell.

Money is needed.

Project needed.

We need channels to reach the wealthy, patients, the elderly, celebrities, and entrepreneurs.

Charitable medical care is the best guise.

Help.

Extend life.

Cure.

Donation.

These words themselves radiate light.

But the brighter the place, the better it is for hiding shadows.

Chen Bufan looked at Qin Ruoxue.

How did the Qin family collaborate with the Longevity Foundation back then?

Qin Ruoxue took out her phone and immediately sent a message to Uncle Fu.

"Check the old house records."

"Send all materials related to the Longevity Foundation to the ancestral hall immediately."

Ten minutes later.

Uncle Fu returned with a group of people carrying an old file box.

The box was covered in dust.

The seal has turned yellow.

Qin Ruoxue opened it herself.

Inside were old contracts, donation certificates, newspaper clippings, and several group photos.

In the first photo, Mr. Qin is seen cutting a ribbon at the entrance of a township hospital.

The banner read:

[Chang Sheng Foundation - Qin Family Charitable Medical Assistance Project]

The second picture is a photo of a check for ten million yuan donated by the Qin Group to the Changsheng Foundation.

The third photo is of Mr. Qin with several entrepreneurs.

Standing in the very center was a man wearing a long black robe.

The face was still blurry in the photo.

It seemed as if they were deliberately avoiding the focus of the camera.

But on his chest hung the black jade pendant with the inscription "Life".

Qin Ruoxue handed the photo to Chen Bufan.

"It's him again."

Chen Bufan took the photo.

Their gazes fell on the man in black.

"The head of the Longevity Foundation?"

Qin Ruoxue opened the documents.

"He is not the person in charge listed in the documents."

The legal representative is Zhou Jimin.

"The chairman's name is Gu Huai-ren."

"It's just that this person's name isn't listed."

Chen Bufan said:

"It's natural for someone not to have a name; such a person wouldn't put their name on paper."

Qin Ruoxue continued flipping through the pages.

It was as if a historical scroll was slowly unfolding before her eyes.

"After the Changsheng Foundation partnered with the Qin family, the Qin family did indeed secure several supporting projects for the medical park."

"There are also port medical logistics projects."

"These projects later became the key to the Qin family's turnaround."

She paused for a moment.

"The Qin family's first large repayment was also facilitated by the Changsheng Foundation."

The ancestral hall was completely silent.

The Qin family members dared not speak.

They could just say that Chen Bufan was guessing randomly.

But now, the old files are right in front of me.

Changsheng Foundation.

Old Master Qin.

The "Mr." on the black jade pendant with the inscription "Mr."

A money-borrowing jar.

These things, when put together, are no longer a coincidence.

Qin Ruoxue looked at Chen Bufan.

"So, the Longevity Foundation is the key to changing one's fate?"

Chen Bufan shook his head.

"not necessarily."

Qin Ruoxue was taken aback.

Chen Bufan said:

"As I said, it's more like an outer shell."

"A tangible shell that allows the 'Fate-Changing Gate' to connect with the wealthy, patients, businesses, hospitals, and charitable projects."

"The real key to changing your destiny lies inside."

Qin Ruoxue understood why Chen Bufan said this thing was dirty; she had heard about it over the years.

If the Changsheng Foundation is just a cult, it's easier to investigate.

But what if it's disguised as charitable medical care and becomes entangled with hospitals, corporations, wealthy families, and public welfare projects?

Then it is not a simple esoteric sect.

It is a net.

A web that intertwines money, life, illness, power, charity, and capital.

Just then, Chen Bufan's phone rang.

It's Lin Wanqing.

He answered the call.

"explain."

Lin Wanqing's voice was very low on the other end of the phone.

Are you available now?

Chen Bufan glanced at the ancestral hall.

"explain."

Lin Wanqing said:

"New discoveries have been made in the old waterworks case."

Chen Bufan's eyes flickered.

"Jiang Kun?"

"right."

Lin Wanqing said:

"We checked Jiang Kun's recent accounts."

"He received three payments in the month before committing the crime."

"The amount isn't large."

"One transaction of 20,000, one transaction of 50,000, and one transaction of 100,000."

"The transfer accounts are layered several times."

"The technical team has just traced the source."

Chen Bufan had already guessed it.

But he did not interrupt.

Lin Wanqing paused for a second.

"The source account is related to the Chang Sheng Foundation."

Inside the ancestral hall, Qin Ruoxue looked up.

Chen Bufan turned on speakerphone.

Lin Wanqing's voice continued to come out:

"To be precise, it's not the official account of the Chang Sheng Foundation."

"It's an affiliated project under its umbrella."

"It's called the Longevity Psychological Assistance Program."

"On the surface, it's about helping the unemployed, those in debt, and those experiencing psychological crises."

"Jiang Kun joined the online community of this aid program six months ago."

Psychological assistance.

unemployment.

Debt.

Marginalized people.

People like Jiang Kun are the easiest pawns to be chosen.

Someone screens them first.

Reassure them.

Understand them.

Then, gradually bring out the resentment in their hearts.

Finally, give them a reason to "change their fate".

Qin Ruoxue couldn't help but speak up.

"Is the Chang Sheng Foundation also involved in the old waterworks case?"

There was a moment of silence on Lin Wanqing's end.

"Is Chairwoman Qin Ruoxue here too?"

Qin Ruoxue spoke:

"Officer Lin, hello, I'm here."

Lin Wanqing didn't waste any words.

"President Qin, if you have any old documents related to the Changsheng Foundation and the Qin family, please keep them safe immediately."

"Do not hand it over to any non-police personnel."

"Do not disclose the full content."

"We will send someone over."

Qin Ruoxue immediately said:

"clear."

Chen Bufan asked:

"What else did Jiang Kun say?"

Lin Wanqing said:

"He wouldn't speak."

"But we found an encrypted chat application on his phone."

"There is a contact person whose account has been deactivated."

"The nickname has only two characters."

"Immortality".

Chen Bufan tapped the table lightly with his fingertip.

despair.

The candlelight in the ancestral hall flickered.

Lin Wanqing continued:

"There's one more thing."

"You mentioned the 'method to change one's fate' before, but we can't find it."

"But the Longevity Foundation is a real entity."

"Moreover, it has cooperated with many companies and wealthy families over the past twenty years."

"In the list..."

She paused.

"In recent years, many people have experienced unusual deaths, inheritance disputes, life-saving procedures for serious illnesses, and asset transfers."

Chen Bufan remained calm, as if he already knew the answer.

"Officer Lin, continue the investigation."

Lin Wanqing said:

"We will investigate."

"But this matter involves a wide range of issues."

"Chen Bufan, you should also be careful."

Chen Bufan said calmly:

"They've arrived."

Lin Wanqing paused.

"What do you mean?"

Chen Bufan has not yet answered.

Suddenly, footsteps could be heard outside the ancestral hall.

Uncle Fu rushed in, his face pale.

"Miss."

A delivery arrived at the door.

Qin Ruoxue frowned.

"express delivery?"

"So late?"

Uncle Fu handed over a black envelope.

The delivery person has already left.

He said it had to be handed over to Mr. Chen.

All eyes immediately fell on Chen Bufan.

Chen Bufan looked at the black envelope.

The envelope is very thin.

No shipping information.

There is no tracking number.

Only on the front are three words written in gold ink.

Chen Bufan.

The handwriting is neat and legible.

Yet it exuded an indescribable chill.

Qin Ruoxue wanted to stop Chen Bufan:

"Don't touch it."

Chen Bufan reached out and picked it up.

The envelope felt very cold to the touch.

It looks like it was just taken out of the ice.

He opened the envelope.

There was only one invitation inside.

Black background with gold lettering.

At the very top is a very simple logo.

A closed eye.

There is a thin, long line running through it.

Black life mark.

The invitation letter is very short.

[Chang Sheng Foundation 20th Anniversary Charity Gala]

We cordially invite Mr. Chen Bufan to attend.

[Time: 8 PM tomorrow night]

Location: Nameless Clubhouse

Signature:

Changsheng Foundation.

"Are they inviting you?"

Qin Ruoxue seemed to have thought of something.

"This is the Primordial Banquet! You can't go!"

Chen Bufan looked at the invitation and suddenly smiled.

"It's not an invitation."

"Open the door."

Just then, a line of tiny black text slowly appeared on the back of the invitation.

Like ink seeping from paper.

The old scores of the Chen family can be settled tomorrow night.

The old copper coins in the ancestral hall also began to vibrate violently at that moment.

hum-

hum-

hum-

The black mist inside the coffin suddenly shot upwards.

The crack widened by another inch.

Chen Bufan closed the invitation.

"Finally, they've shown up."