A bloody storm is likely to rage on Puchu Mountain.

Before Li Lianhua could speak, Cao Hansheng waved his hand and said, "This thank you is not for me. However, if Young Master Fang is interested in me, we can get to know each other better."

Hearing that Cao Hansheng did not address Fang Duobing as Young Hero Fang, Li Lianhua's heart skipped a beat. She thought to herself that her brother Cao's temperament was really unpredictable. Could it be that he had his eye on Tianji Manor? Thinking of this, Li Lianhua glared at Fang Duobing.

"Fang Duobing, if you've eaten your fill, you can leave now. It would be best if we never crossed paths again from now on, because every time I run into you, something unlucky happens to me."

Fang Duobing was a little confused. He had only asked a question, so why did Li Lianhua get so angry and so blatantly give him the boot? This instantly shattered his fragile composure. Then he looked at Cao Hansheng's ambiguous smile.

His face was flushed, and tears even welled up in his eyes. He stood up abruptly, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Li Lianhua, and said, "Fine, I'll leave. If you won't see me, then so be it. I'll investigate the case myself."

After saying this, the man hurriedly left. Watching his retreating figure, Cao Hansheng picked up his wine bowl and took a sip. "Brother Li, am I really that scary? Is it worth it for you to chase this young hero Fang away like this?"

"Brother Cao, what are you saying? I don't understand. It's just that this kid is too clingy, while I prefer peace and quiet. Besides, young people need to be toughened up, otherwise they'll cause trouble sooner or later."

Seeing that Li Lianhua was being stubborn, Cao Hansheng didn't continue the topic. Instead, he changed the subject, "Brother Li, I'm afraid you didn't come to Huilong Town just to pass through, did you?"

"So, Brother Cao, you came all this way specifically for this purpose?"

"To be honest, Brother Li, I've heard some rumors about Guanyin shedding tears. Since I'm just idling around in Yucheng anyway, I might as well come out and take a look. What if I could get my hands on this divine medicine? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"I suspect Brother Cao has come for the same reason, but I wonder why Brother Cao is so confident that he can succeed?"

"Brother Li, why bother testing me? We both know who the most eager person in the world is to find Guanyin's tears, and I also know what you're thinking. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle.' How could I not be confident?"

Cao Hansheng's words made Li Xiangyi secretly groan. Although the two had never actually fought, judging from the new version of Yangzhou Slow Kung Fu that Cao Hansheng had deduced, Cao Hansheng's strength was no longer what it used to be. This was troublesome.

"Brother Cao, do you still remember the ten things you mentioned before?"

"Although I am not a man of absolute word, I am a man of my word and will not go back on my word. Brother Li, please just tell me what you want me to do."

"In that case, I will not stand on ceremony. I hope Brother Cao will not get involved in the matter of Pu Chushan. I know that this request is a bit excessive, so not only will the ten-item agreement be dropped, but I will also owe Brother Cao a favor."

Hearing Li Lianhua say this, Cao Hansheng pondered for a moment. Although Guanyin's tears were good, they would only increase his internal strength slightly. Compared to Li Lianhua's favor, it was still inferior, and besides, he had no ambition for it.

"Alright, as Brother Li says, I will not get involved in this matter. Moreover, I will not lift a finger to deal with Guanyin's weeping. However, Brother Li, you won't protect those grave robbers who like to dig up people's ancestral graves, will you?"

"That's natural, but those people don't deserve to die. I hope Brother Cao will punish them lightly as a warning."

"Then I wish Brother Li all his wishes come true. Farewell."

Watching Cao Hansheng drift away, Li Lianhua's heart was not at ease, because he knew very well that Cao Hansheng's question meant that there was probably going to be a bloodbath in Puchu Mountain. He could only hope that his brother Cao would restrain himself a little.

After tidying up the Lotus Pavilion, Li Lianhua went to town to gather information. As expected of a seasoned veteran, after obtaining a series of clues, he focused all his attention on Wei Zhuang, who conducted black market transactions in the area.

Just as he arrived at the gate of Weizhuang, Fang Duobing also arrived. "Hey, why aren't some of you accompanying Cao Hansheng? This is a place for investigating cases, what are you doing here?"

"You have so many questions, how am I supposed to answer them? Besides, this is the black market. Can't I come here to sell something? That doesn't seem to have anything to do with your investigation, does it?"

"Really? It doesn't look like it to me."

"Young man, always remember this when you're out in the world: what you see with your eyes isn't always the truth."

"They're blind. I only believe what I see. You're overthinking it. Whatever, I've already said I'm not going to bother with you anymore. Do whatever you want."

After saying this, he tried to head into the Weizhuang black market, but was stopped by the two gatekeepers. "I'm here to do business, why are you stopping me?"

"According to local custom, a deposit of one hundred taels is required to start a business."

Fang Duobing didn't have a hundred taels on him. He touched his nose and said, "You want a hundred taels?"

"Sir, you can't go out on business without money, can you?"

Just as he was feeling awkward, Li Lianhua walked over. "We're together, I'll pay for his," she said, reaching out to pull the jade pendant from Fang Duobing's waist and tossing it over. "Is that enough?"

"Gentlemen, please come in."

Fang Duobing was bewildered by his actions. He had initially thought that Li Lianhua would have a change of heart and actually pay for him, but in the end, he had to bear all the consequences himself. He quickly caught up with Li Lianhua.

"Hey, Li Lianhua, isn't this going a bit too far? Why should I use my jade pendant to pay your deposit?"

"You can't say that. If you want to investigate the case, you have to come in, and coming in means paying money. The only thing you have on you is that Hetian jade pendant, which is worth something. You'll have to pay sooner or later anyway, so it's better for two people to come in than one, right?"

Fang Duobing frowned after Li Lianhua said that. It seemed that what Li Lianhua said made some sense, but he also felt that something was not right. However, he thought that since he was already in, he could only let it go.

"Alright, I'll be magnanimous and let you off this time, but don't expect me to help you again unless you agree to investigate the case with me."

"Then let's forget about it. If you feel you're losing out, I'll just leave now."

"You're something else, fine, you win. I hope I never see you again."

Seeing that Li Lianhua was unmoved by his words, Fang Duobing angrily turned and left. A little while later, he walked to a doorway and saw the man in front of him display his thief's sign before entering the courtyard. He then also displayed his own thief's sign.

Upon seeing this, the gatekeeper thought to himself, "This is an important person." He quickly bowed and scraped as he welcomed Fang Duobing inside, saying, "Distinguished guest, please come in."

When Fang Duobing went in, he deliberately turned around and glanced at Li Lianhua, who was standing not far away. He had a smug look on his face, as if to say, "If you don't come with me to investigate the case, you won't be able to get in."

Seeing this, Li Lianhua sneered and turned his head away. Fang Duobing, seeing this, lost his last hope and went straight into the courtyard.

The gate to the courtyard didn't look big, but the courtyard itself was huge and quite luxuriously decorated. He saw that there were already quite a few people sitting in the flower hall not far away, and none of them seemed to be of any proper character. So Fang Duobing picked up his sword and walked over.