Cao Yi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Cao Yi (曹毅)
Alias(es)	Uncle-Master Cao; Senior Brother Cao; Supervisor Cao; Steward/Deacon Cao Yi
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Prajna Temple
Occupation/Role	Formal monk; supervisor of the Sweeping Monk Disciples and Labor Courtyard; later a senior Martial Monk
Status	Deceased; found among the victims of a Crimson Hair Stronghold raid on Prajna Temple’s tenant properties 37
First Appearance	Chapter 2

Background / History

Cao Yi was a formal monk of Prajna Temple assigned to supervise the Sweeping Monk Disciples. He tested their Meditation Scripture progress after their daily labor and was initially disappointed by their listlessness, though Su Haoran’s composure immediately caught his attention 2.

After recognizing that Su had genuinely entered the initial Unity of Mind and Spirit state, Cao Yi privately gave him three steamed buns from his own ration. He regarded Su as a promising talent whose temperament and comprehension surpassed those of ordinary service disciples 3.

As supervisor of the Labor Courtyard, Cao Yi supported Su’s cultivation despite the latter’s lowly status. When Su reached Minor Accomplishment in Arhat Fist and requested additional work to afford more food, Cao Yi arranged a rent-collection assignment and promised formal-disciple meal provisions if it was completed well 4.

When Li Gui falsely accused Su of abandoning him and losing the rent money, Cao Yi remained skeptical rather than accepting the accusation outright. Once Su returned unharmed with the full rent and recounted the attack, Cao Yi praised his courage and decisiveness, then expelled Li Gui for fleeing, lying, and slandering a fellow disciple 5 6.

Cao Yi granted Su permission to move into the abandoned woodshed, recognizing that the secluded location would better support his training. He later continued to worry over Su’s safety when Su requested another rent-collection assignment, supplying him with a tenant roster and map while instructing him to return before dark 6 10.

Following Su’s successful Martial Monk assessment, Cao Yi delivered his black Martial Monk robes and token. He explained the privileges of Su’s new status: residence in the Martial Monk Courtyard, a Monk’s Knife, and access to a first-floor Scripture Repository technique 21.

During Crimson Hair Stronghold’s later campaign against Prajna Temple’s properties, Cao Yi was killed alongside tenant farmers and Qingshi Army soldiers. His death provoked Su’s immediate resolve to take revenge on the stronghold 37.

Appearance

Cao Yi is a middle-aged monk with a calm face and watchful, scrutinizing eyes. When serving as a senior Martial Monk, he wears formal black robes and is described as energetic 2 21.

• Carries prayer beads while meditating in his office 10.
• Maintains a composed demeanor, though Su’s progress repeatedly leaves him visibly astonished 4 6.

Personality

Cao Yi is observant and discerning. He identifies Su’s unusual potential early, distinguishing genuine meditative attainment from pretense even when Su is exhausted and starving 3.

He is compassionate but practical. He gives Su food from his own ration, provides opportunities to earn better provisions, and approves a private place for cultivation; however, he also repeatedly warns Su that descending the mountain is dangerous 3 4 6 10.

As a supervisor, Cao Yi is fair and decisive. He does not immediately trust Li Gui’s accusations, judges the evidence after Su returns, and expels Li Gui for cowardice and deliberate slander 5 6.

Abilities & Skills

Arhat Fist

Cao Yi’s primary martial art is the Arhat Fist, which he has cultivated to Great Accomplishment—one step below Perfection 4.

• Could recognize that Su’s punches had grasped the essence of the technique 4.
• His own mastery allowed him to appreciate the extraordinary speed of Su’s one-month breakthrough 4.

Supervision and Talent Recognition

Cao Yi oversees the Labor Courtyard’s disciples and identifies potential among the temple’s lowest-ranking members 2 4.

• Tests Sweeping Monk Disciples’ progress in the Meditation Scripture 2.
• Recognizes Su’s Unity of Mind and Spirit attainment and exceptional potential 3.
• Supports Su’s advancement through food, assignments, lodging permission, and later Martial Monk registration guidance 3 4 6 21.

Equipment / Items

• Prayer beads used during meditation 10.
• Formal black Martial Monk robes 21.
• Martial Monk robes and token delivered to Su after his assessment 21.

Relationships

• Su Haoran — Supervisor, early benefactor, and mentor figure. Cao Yi recognizes Su’s talent, provides food and opportunities, permits his move to the woodshed, and later delivers his Martial Monk credentials 3 4 6 21.
• Li Gui — Former service disciple under Cao Yi’s supervision. Cao Yi expels him from Prajna Temple for desertion and false accusations against Su 6.
• Zeng Qiu — Fellow Prajna Temple Martial Monk. Zeng Qiu informs Su that Cao Yi tried to help advance him into the Martial Monk Courtyard, but the elders refused to break the rules 19.
• Elder Hui Jue — Elder Hui Jue credits Cao Yi’s discerning eye for discovering Su Haoran’s talent 20.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Meditation Scripture test — Tests the Sweeping Monk Disciples and first notices Su Haoran’s exceptional concentration 2 3.
• Su Haoran’s early cultivation — Supports Su with food, better provisions, rent-collection work, and a secluded woodshed for training 3 4 6.
• Li Gui incident — Investigates Li Gui’s accusation, accepts Su’s account after his return, and expels Li Gui from Prajna Temple 5 6.
• Martial Monk promotion — Helps formalize Su’s new position by bringing his robes and token and explaining his new privileges 21.
• Crimson Hair Stronghold raids — Dies during the stronghold’s attacks on Prajna Temple’s tenant properties, becoming a personal catalyst for Su’s revenge 37.

Trivia

• Cao Yi’s three steamed buns given to Su were explicitly stated to be his own ration 3.
• Su remembers that Cao Yi also provided medicinal ointment for training injuries, among the acts of kindness that made Cao Yi’s death especially painful to him 37.