Master Duan's tea-frying skills are superb.

The lamp burns at midnight, the rooster crows at dawn; the spring night is fleeting, the sun rises high; how can we, men of such talent, be mere commoners? I pity the lush, fragrant grasses; I'll fight again at Shishui, crossing five rivers, and return, a single string of a zither echoing my thoughts of bygone years.

The name Shishui is perfectly chosen. The first line reads: "Water in the stone, water reflects the sky, waves ripple like broken jade." The second line reads: "Wind in the lotus, wind carries the fragrance of lotus, leaves dance like light gauze." The horizontal inscription reads: "Still waters run deep."

Shi Shui left the inn just before dawn. As expected of a first-rate martial arts master who had practiced martial arts for many years, he returned to normal after taking a few unsteady steps.

Two more days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Sword Appreciation Conference was just three days away. After washing up in the water, Shi Shui said, "Mr. Cao, I will not be coming tomorrow. The Sword Appreciation Conference is about to begin, and many friends from the martial arts world will be coming."

"You can go about your business. Since you've kept your promise to stay with me for three days, I naturally won't go back on my word. But as I said before, if there are any fools, I won't hesitate to destroy the Hundred Rivers Academy."

"Are we really not going to let Xiao Zijin go?"

"Did they heed your advice and cancel the sword appreciation tournament?"

"Okay, I understand what you mean. I hope you keep your word."

There's something else I've been wanting to ask you these past few days. That day in Yucheng, I was defeated by you in one move. Why did your internal energy feel so familiar to me?

"I thought you could hold out for a while, but I didn't expect you to ask anyway. That's right, the internal force I used was Yangzhou Slow, and I know that the reason you agreed to put your body on me so easily is also because of Yangzhou Slow, isn't it?"

"Cao Hansheng, what do you mean?"

"Literally, if I didn't want you to perceive the internal energy of Yangzhou Slow, how could you possibly detect it with your current cultivation level?"

"So you did it on purpose?"

"I just didn't expect you to wait until today to ask. The martial arts manual of Yangzhou Man is indeed from Li Xiangyi. That's all I can tell you. As for the rest, you'll know someday."

"If I'm willing to stay with you for another month, can you tell me where he is?"

"No, I always stand by my word. I promised Li Xiangyi to keep it a secret, so I can't go back on my word because of the conditions you offered. If there's nothing else, you can leave."

"Cao Hansheng, I'll remember you. If you ever fall into my hands, I'll make you pay!" With that, Shi Shui stormed off from the inn.

For the next three days, Shi Shui came to the inn to see Cao Hansheng on time every day. Except for the first day when she was somewhat reluctant, she was much more cooperative on the remaining two days.

Things always change a person's temperament, just like Yu Qiushuang who stayed in Yucheng. Cao Hansheng learned from Shishui that she was doing very well in Yucheng now. As long as everyone takes a step forward, the world will be a paradise.

He thought she would understand, but her heart was still in the past, and he would have to spend time to guide her. Thinking of this, Cao Hansheng suddenly wanted to go to Pudu Temple. He set off immediately after leaving the inn.

Pudu Temple and Baichuan Temple were built on the same mountain, somewhat like Shaolin Temple and Songshan Sword Sect in The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. Moreover, Songshan Sword Sect was the leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sect Alliance and also bore the heavy responsibility of dealing with the Demonic Sect.

More than half an hour later, Cao Hansheng arrived at Pudu Temple. The temple was not small, with about four or five courtyards. However, the main hall in the center enshrined Guanyin Bodhisattva, the teacher of the Seven Buddhas.

As Cao Hansheng was looking at the clay Buddha statue painted with gold in the main hall, a Buddhist chant came from the side: "Amitabha, this humble monk is at peace. I have disturbed your enjoyment, and I am truly sorry."

Looking at Master Wuliao, who didn't even have a novice monk by his side, he only glanced back before staring at the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva again, "Since you know your sins, why did you come?"

"Since you have come, how could this old monk dare not come?"

"Buddha said that all living beings are equal. Why is it that when others come, the Master doesn't come, but when I, Cao, come, the Master comes of his own accord? Is this equality?"

"Amitabha Buddha, if Your Excellency clings to equality as a form, then the blue sky has the moon but no clouds, and sentient beings have Buddhas but no form. Now that Your Excellency has arrived, it is because of the convergence of causes and conditions. The absence of others is because of the dispersal of causes and conditions. Convergence and dispersal are inherently empty; how can there ever be coming or going?"

"I'm so annoyed by you monks. You always think you're right no matter what you say. Since the master has come, he must have something to say. Why don't you say it in front of Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

"Your Excellency is quite free-spirited, but this old monk's cultivation is shallow. I would like to invite you to my meditation room for a chat."

Cao Hansheng was already quite eye-catching in his Taoist robes when he visited the temple, but after being invited by Master Wuliao, even more people came to see him.

"Alas, everyone says that Buddha has no form, but who says that Buddha cannot be the Tao, or the Tao cannot be Buddha?"

"Your Excellency has the most open mind of any person I have ever met. Buddhism and Taoism are like mountain paths, each leading to the highest peaks and clouds. The only difference is the scenery along the way. Please come in."

"Master, there's no need to be so polite. You should know very well who I am. I'm not the kind of demon who would wipe out an entire family just because someone calls me by name. There's no need to address me as 'Your Excellency' all the time."

"Then this old monk will listen to Benefactor Cao. Please."

The two arrived at the meditation room and took their seats. Master Wuliao poured Cao Hansheng a cup of tea. "Benefactor Cao, this water is spring water from the mountains, and this tea is wild tea grown on the back mountain. However, the combination of the two has a certain rustic charm. Please taste it."

Cao Hansheng picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Hmm, this tea is quite good. The tea soup is rich in color, pure in taste, and has a lively aroma. It doesn't seem like wild mountain tea at all. Master, you have truly mastered the art of tea frying."

"It's just a matter of practice; I hope you won't laugh at me, Benefactor Cao."

"Alright, the tea has been tasted. Master, you may begin what you wish to say now."

"Benefactor Cao is indeed a man of character. In fact, I have known of Benefactor Cao's existence for ten years and have been paying attention to him all these years."

Ten years ago, Benefactor Cao saved Master Li of the Si Gu Sect and was taught the "Yangzhou Slow" by him. Three years later, Benefactor Cao changed his name to Wumingzi and sparred with masters from all walks of life.

However, they only ever exchanged blows using techniques, never engaging in a contest of internal strength. With his swift swordsmanship, he rarely suffered defeat. Cao was exceptionally intelligent and thus learned many martial arts moves.

Therefore, many people, either because of Cao's martial arts skills or for the sake of fame, took many risky measures, but they were all killed by Cao, thus earning him the title of "Bloody Hand Sword".

However, two years ago, Benefactor Cao disappeared without a trace. This old monk thought that Benefactor Cao had grown tired of his life in the martial world. I wonder why Benefactor Cao has returned to the world this time?

"Why beat around the bush? Master knows me, you must have learned it from Li Xiangyi. These past events are no secret. I just don't understand why Master wants to know my intentions. Is it perhaps something that concerns you?"