This Cao Hansheng is really too narrow-minded.

Fang Duobing harbored deep resentment towards Cao Hansheng. If Shi Shui hadn't repeatedly warned him never to provoke Cao Hansheng, he would have kept a close eye on him. Not only was Cao Hansheng dangerous, but he had also "monopolized" his chosen partner in the martial arts world, Li Lianhua.

"So Mr. Cao is here too. I wonder why Mr. Cao isn't enjoying his retirement in Yucheng? Why is he hanging out with Li Lianhua? Is there some ulterior motive behind this?"

As expected of a detective from Baichuan Academy, her mouth is like it's been coated with poison. "You're a detective, if you get into the habit of talking to yourself, then you'll be biased."

Brother Li, he is, after all, a guest who has come to visit. How can you not let Young Hero Fang in? We happen to have extra dishes today, but we were worried about not having enough wine. Why don't you go and get some more?

Cao Hansheng's words annoyed Fang Duobing. Just as he was about to retort, his stomach started growling loudly, making him even hungrier. He quickly thought, "So what if the words were unpleasant? I didn't lose anything anyway."

"No, no, I don't drink. I'm afraid if I drink, someone will leave me on the side of the road." After saying this, Fang Duobing glanced at Li Lianhua with an indescribable resentment, which made Li Lianhua feel a chill down her spine.

"Young Master Fang, if you don't want to eat, you can continue talking."

Li Lianhua's words were laced with the threat of hunger, and Fang Duobing immediately understood the situation. He forced a smile and tried to save face, saying, "Forget it, you can't force things. Let's just consider this our farewell dinner."

These words had no effect on Li Lianhua. Instead, he invited Cao Hansheng to join him for dinner. After some polite exchanges, they each sat on one side, while Fang Duobing stood to the side, feeling extremely awkward.

"Young Master Fang, why aren't you sitting down to eat? Are you waiting for me to feed you?"

"Ah, no need, I'm coming right away," he replied to Li Lianhua, quickly sat down on the other side of the table, looked at the food on the table, and could no longer suppress his will to be ravaged by hunger, so he picked up his chopsticks and started eating dry rice.

His eating manners were worse than a beggar's, let alone those of a noble young master. However, Cao Hansheng and Li Lianhua did not pay attention to him. Li Lianhua picked up the wine and poured a bowl for Cao Hansheng.

"Brother Cao, my Lotus Pavilion is rather simple and certainly not as luxurious as Jade City. I don't even have a decent wine cup, so you'll have to make do with drinking from a bowl."

"Brother Li, you're too kind. What I'm drinking is wine, not a wine cup. Drinking from a bowl is much more refreshing. I didn't expect to run into you while just out for a stroll. We really are destined to meet. Also, I want to thank you for the gift you gave Qiushuang. I'll toast you."

"This is just a small gift, nothing to show of respect. Brother Cao, please don't take it to heart. Please accept it."

As he said this, he raised his wine bowl and clinked it with Cao Hansheng's. However, unlike Cao Hansheng, he did not drink it all in one gulp, but sipped it slowly. He finished the bowl of wine very quickly.

"Brother Cao's gift to me was very effective. Although it was only for a short time, it has benefited me greatly. I would also like to offer Brother Cao a toast and thank you very much."

"Good, this drink was worth it. If the world were without Li Lianhua, wouldn't it lose eight parts of its color?" Cao Hansheng knew that Li Lianhua did not want to reveal his identity in front of Fang Duobing, but of course he had no intention of exposing him.

However, Fang Duobing scoffed at their conversation. In his heart, even if Li Lianhua was the partner he wanted, she was not as good as his master Li Xiangyi, who had made the martial arts world lose eight parts of its color. How could he dare to say such a thing?

"Mr. Cao, your words are far too exaggerated. It is true that Li Lianhua is a miracle doctor who can bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded, but in terms of influence on the martial arts world, in the past twenty years, no one has surpassed my master, Li Xiangyi."

"Your master is Li Xiangyi?"

Cao Hansheng asked about Fang Duobing, but he was actually looking at Li Lianhua, intending to see how Li Lianhua would respond when she was being praised like this in person. However, when Li Lianhua saw his feigned surprise, she almost lost her composure.

This Cao Hansheng is really too narrow-minded, he doesn't have the demeanor of a master of the martial arts world at all. Fortunately, he has an amazing ability to withstand criticism these days. Although he was complaining about Cao Hansheng in his heart, he looked serious on the outside.

"Young Master Fang, why get angry? Everyone is entitled to express their own opinion. There is no need to impose one's own opinion on others. Of course, I am certainly not as good as Brother Cao says."

In fact, Fang Duobing acted on impulse and regretted it as soon as he said it. His master was very good, but Li Lianhua was not bad either.

However, this topic could not be continued. After thinking for a moment, he took out a sign from his pocket and slammed it on the table. "You should have heard about the case of the seven headless corpses on Puchu Mountain, right?"

Let me show you something good. This was obtained by the local government from a corpse. Look at this half skull. It is the unique mark of the "Fourteen Thieves of the Underworld," a group of tomb raiders who disappeared nearly ten years ago.

Also, when those corpses were discovered, they were still wearing the burial goods of King Fangji. King Fangji's tomb has a very famous name in the martial arts world: the First-Class Tomb.

Moreover, rumors circulate that the martial arts treasure "Guanyin's Tears" is among the burial goods. The Fourteen Thieves of the Underworld, the First-Class Tomb, and the rumors of Guanyin's Tears—Li Lianhua, don't you really want to go and see for yourself?

Seeing Fang Duobing's smug look, Li Lianhua glanced at the jade pendant again, then snorted coldly, "No interest. I've already told you before, I have absolutely no interest in investigating cases, let alone being with you."

"Hey, Li Lianhua, don't be ungrateful. I only brought you along to thank you for letting me in for dinner. If you don't get involved in this strange case, you'll definitely regret it later."

"Heh, what do I have to regret? I told you, I invited you in for dinner today because of Brother Cao. If you want to thank someone, thank Brother Cao instead."

Faced with Li Lianhua's 'ungrateful' attitude, Fang Duobing glared at him angrily, but Li Lianhua acted as if he didn't see Fang Duobing's expression. Fang Duobing turned his head to look at Cao Hansheng in a huff.

Fang Duobing had many doubts about Cao Hansheng. This man appeared out of nowhere seven years ago, fought against martial arts masters one after another, and wiped out all those who had offended him. He destroyed more than a dozen sects.

Although Shi Shui forbade Fang Duobing from investigating, the more he did so, the stronger Fang Duobing's curiosity became. What he wanted to know most was why Cao Hansheng and Li Lianhua had such a good relationship, yet were so polite to each other.

"I should thank Mr. Cao. If it weren't for his righteous words, you probably wouldn't have let me in for this meal. I don't understand, how could someone as cold as you become friends with Mr. Cao?"

It was obvious from the start that this kid was trying to probe his background. After all, with such blunt language, who wouldn't understand? How could Cao Hansheng possibly give in to his wishes?