All Heavens: At the beginning, I was forced to marry into the family by the Bodhisattva of Great Joy

Shi Shui followed Yu Qiushuang to Cao Hansheng's courtyard. When she saw Cao Hansheng for the first time, she was somewhat surprised. How could there be such a handsome man? Seeing her gaze, Yu Qiushuang couldn't help but think to herself, how could a woman from a respectable family be so frivolous?

"Sir, Dean Shishui of Baichuan Institute has arrived."

Cao Hansheng glanced at Yu Qiushuang, "Alright, you go and greet the guests first." Then he looked at Shi Shui, "Baichuan Academy has four great deans: Buddha, Bi, Bai, and Shi. They are all very famous. Now that I have met Dean Shi, he is indeed extraordinary. I am Cao Hansheng, and I greet Dean Shi."

Despite her good looks, Shi Shui harbored considerable resentment towards Cao Hansheng, given his previous lack of courtesy towards Baichuan Academy. Her tone was naturally unfriendly: "Mr. Cao, you're too kind. But should I address you as Mr. Cao, or as Daoist Wumingzi?"

They're digging into my past right off the bat. Looks like they're up to no good today. But Cao Hansheng isn't surprised that Shi Shui knows about my past. If Baichuan Academy didn't even have that ability, how could they have the nerve to call themselves the Jianghu Punishment Hall?

"It seems Dean Shi cares about me quite a bit. I don't mind being called anything, and if Dean Shi is happy, he can even call me 'Devil's Bane.' But Dean Shi didn't come here to say these things, did he?"

"It seems Mr. Cao was well-prepared. I'll get straight to the point. Mr. Cao must give an explanation regarding the former city lord of Yucheng, Yu Mulan, his wife Yu Hongzhu, the eldest daughter of the Yun family, and Zongzheng Mingzhu, the grandson of the current prime minister."

This wasn't just straightforward and fierce; she was clearly here to establish her authority. Cao Hansheng naturally didn't tolerate her, so he leaned back and casually sat in his chair, looking at her with a slightly amused gaze.

"Explain?"

"What kind of explanation does Dean Shi want from Cao? Is it an explanation for Dean Shi personally, or for the Jianghu Punishment Hall's Baichuan Academy?"

"According to Baichuan Academy's investigation, since Mr. Cao entered Yucheng, Yucheng has undergone tremendous changes. Yu Mulan and the eldest daughter of the Yun family are dead, and Yu Hongzhu and Zongzheng Mingzhu have disappeared. Mr. Cao, do you dare to say that these things have nothing to do with you?"

"How so?"

It doesn't matter, so what?

Dean Shi, please don't be so aggressive. These are all Yucheng's family matters. When did Baichuan Academy start worrying about them? Does Baichuan Academy want to dominate the martial arts world and unify the Jianghu?

"I, Cao, have long wanted to experience the skills of the four masters of Baichuan Academy firsthand, and to see how you truly seek fame and fortune while harboring your filth. Therefore, I hereby issue this challenge, and in due time I will naturally come to learn from you."

As soon as Cao Hansheng finished speaking, the stone water exploded on the spot.

"Cao Hansheng, how dare you insult Baichuan Academy?"

"Does Baichuan Academy need Cao to insult it?"

Then I, Cao, would like to ask Dean Shi, before Li Xiangyi of Sigumen went to the East China Sea for the decisive battle, who poisoned him with Bicha, causing him to be defeated by Di Feisheng and disappear without a trace since then?

Who led the entire Sigu Sect into the Thunderfire Array set up by the Golden Mandarin Duck Alliance, causing Sigu Sect to suffer heavy damage, never recover, and eventually fall apart?

And then there's who proposed dividing up Sigumen after Li Xiangyi's disappearance. Some got gold and silver treasures, some took Sigumen's signboard, and some took Li Xiangyi's sweetheart—it really was a distribution according to need.

By the way, I heard that your Baichuan Academy also has a portrait of Li Xiangyi enshrined. This is not enshrinement; it's clearly an attempt to exploit even the remaining influence of Li Xiangyi.

"Dean Shi, what exactly is your Baichuan Academy?"

Upon hearing these words, Shi Shui was so surprised that she couldn't even control her expression. These things were top secrets of Baichuan Academy. How did he know them? Her first reaction was to keep quiet, even though she despised what those people had done.

She immediately jumped up from her chair, drew her sword with a clang, and pointed it at Cao Hansheng. "Cao Hansheng, stop talking nonsense! Baichuan Academy is not something you, the infamous Bloodhand Swordsman, can slander. If you dare to spout nonsense again, do you think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"

"So you resort to violence when you can't win an argument? That's more like it. In the martial world, it's all about who has the bigger fist. Dean Shi, you should know the consequences of drawing your sword against me. Are you sure you want to fight?"

Just then, a maid entered. "Mr. Cao, Lord Yang Yunchun, the Commander of the Imperial Censorate, requests an audience. The City Lord has instructed me to inquire whether you wish to see him?"

When Shi Shui heard that Yang Yunchun was coming, he breathed a sigh of relief. According to the records of Baichuan Academy, he might not be a match for Cao Hansheng. If he could join forces with the Supervisory Department to deal with Cao Hansheng, it might not be a bad idea.

After all, the Censorate is different from the Hundred Rivers Academy. It is an official institution of the imperial court and represents the face of the court. Once anyone or any force dares to offend the Censorate, they will be regarded as treasonous and will certainly be suppressed by the court.

Ordinary martial arts practitioners dare not challenge his might. The so-called "county magistrate who ruins a family" and "prefectural governor who wipes out a clan"—even if one's martial arts skills are superb, one would probably be powerless against the imperial army. Who doesn't have family and friends?

Cao Hansheng glanced at Shi Shui and chuckled, "Heh, things are getting lively today. First it's Baichuan Academy, and now it's the Censorate. Go and invite them in."

"Yes."

Then he looked at Shi Shui, who had already sheathed his sword, and laughed mockingly, "Dean Shi, I've heard that Yang Yunchun is deeply in love with you. Are you perhaps planning to rely on him to uphold 'justice' for you?"

Seeing Cao Hansheng's overbearing attitude, Shi Shui felt a surge of resentment. However, she couldn't ignore his words, otherwise, if word got out, the reputation that Baichuan Academy had managed to maintain would be shattered. She stiffened her neck and spoke with a fierce but weak tone.

"Cao Hansheng, don't be so arrogant. First you insulted Baichuan Academy, then you slandered my innocence. You think you can act recklessly just because you are skilled in martial arts? Justice will prevail in the martial world."

"axiom?

Aren't you Baichuan Academy the so-called "axioms"?

"Alright then, let Yang Yunchun from the Supervisory Department judge this matter. Let's present the facts and reason things out. What exactly in my words insulted your Baichuan Academy?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Shui was shocked. Although she didn't want to admit it, she knew clearly that it was true. If it were to spread, it would be far more terrible than the entire Baichuan Academy being defeated by Cao Hansheng.

"Cao Hansheng, no, you can't say these things to Yang Yunchun."

"Oh, you can't say that? Then what I said is true? The Hundred Rivers Academy of Jianghu Punishment Hall, bah! But for your sake, Dean Shi, I can keep quiet. However, your attitude of begging won't do. Why don't you think carefully about what to do?"

Shi Shui had been traveling the world for many years and was certainly experienced in dealing with various situations, but at this moment she was completely under Cao Hansheng's control. She wasn't confident she could kill Cao Hansheng. "Cao Hansheng, what exactly do you want to do?"

"I don't want anything right now. Everything was fine in Yucheng, but you people from Baichuan Academy insisted on coming here to cause trouble. Now it's like I'm the one looking for trouble."

Faced with Cao Hansheng's challenge, Shi Shui naturally had to defend Baichuan Courtyard. She snorted coldly and was about to speak when Yang Yunchun was led into the courtyard by a maid.

Cao Hansheng glanced at Shi Shui, and she naturally understood his meaning. If she didn't express her opinion, he would lay bare all the things that happened at Baichuan Academy. Thinking of this, Shi Shui suddenly became anxious.