Arhats Subduing Demons: Starting with The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber

Chapter 109 Subduing Demons: The Nine Suns' First Battle for Supremacy

The ragged young man was none other than Zhang Wuji. He thought of his adoptive father, who often went mad, indiscriminately killed innocent people, ruined his reputation, went blind, and was stranded on a deserted island. He was filled with resentment and was determined to kill him!

However, his divine skill was only in its early stages, and his internal strength was extremely profound. His martial arts moves were too mediocre. When Cheng Kun struck his wrist acupoint with a "Phantom Yin Finger", he felt a cold energy rising up his arm. However, his "Nine Yang Divine Skill" flowed around him, and the cold energy was immediately dispelled. He even countered with it.

In addition to his severe injuries, Cheng Kun's internal energy was less than one-tenth of what it usually was, and he felt as if all his strength was about to dissipate. Therefore, in that instant, his "Phantom Yin Finger" was broken by Zhang Wuji's "Nine Yang Divine Skill".

Seeing Cheng Kun running towards the door, Zhang Wuji wasn't about to let him get away. He took a step forward, only to be met with a loud bang, and nearly fell to the ground.

The Ming Cult members were puzzled. They exchanged glances with strange expressions, all thinking, "This kid is so strange. His internal strength is so profound, how can he be so clumsy?"

It turned out that Zhang Wuji had mastered his divine skill. When he raised his hand or foot, he had more than ten times the strength he usually had. He had no sense of distance or scale, so he failed to chase after the person and instead crashed into the door frame.

However, the Ming Cult members were not worried that Cheng Kun had escaped, as Yun Changkong had said that today was the anniversary of his death.

That must be it!

After all, although opinions on Yun Changkong are mixed, he has a good reputation. Since his debut, he has never broken any of his promises!
Before everyone's eyes, Yun Changkong, with a slight smile, stood before the door with his hands tucked in his sleeves. Cheng Kun seemed unable to stop himself and crashed straight into him, much to everyone's surprise.

However, Cheng Kun leaned forward as if to pounce on the other party, but in a turn, he had already pounced on the window on the right.

Despite his severe injuries, Cheng Kun appeared to charge forward, but in reality, he lunged out from the side. His mind was still so meticulous and his movements so swift that Yang Xiao and the others were all filled with admiration!
A figure flashed, and Yun Changkong, his legs unyielding, moved like a wisp of smoke, already at the window. This superb skill of shifting positions left everyone both astonished and amazed.

Cheng Kun grew even more anxious. With a flick of his right hand, the dagger in his hand flew straight away. Chang Kong pointed a finger, snatched it, and the dagger flew out, embedding itself in the windowsill.

Cheng Kun changed his move with lightning speed. He lowered his body, pushed off the ground with his legs, and leaped backward. But then Yun Changkong shouted sharply, "Lie down!"

The sound might not seem like much to others, but Cheng Kun felt as if he were inside the Shaolin Temple bell, with someone smashing it with a giant iron hammer. His teeth ached, his ears rang, the world spun, and his internal organs seemed to churn. He let out a loud scream.

Everyone saw Cheng Kun spurt out a mouthful of blood in mid-air, and then fall straight to the ground with a thud.

Everyone was astonished. They had already experienced Cheng Kun's formidable martial arts skills firsthand. Yet, he had been knocked down by Yun Changkong's single shout. Everyone was terrified, thinking, "Who in the world can match the depth of this man's internal strength?"

It turns out that Cheng Kun's sudden "Vajra Chant" had caused Yun Changkong to suffer a loss in the past. Now, with the "Arhat Subduing Demon Skill" fully mastered and all laws unified, he used the same method against him. Even with Cheng Kun's profound internal strength, he could not withstand it.

However, his sound was so focused that no one else in the room could understand this feeling except for Cheng Kun.

Of course, it was also fortunate that they couldn't sense it. With Yang Xiao and the others' severely injured bodies, if he didn't condense his sound into a line, he could kill them with a single shout without even making a move.

Cheng Kun lay on the ground, writhing in agony, his face contorted. He gave Yun Changkong a bitter laugh and gritted his teeth, saying, "We have no grudge against each other. I've already been manipulated by you. Are you still going to discard me after I've served my purpose?"

He naturally realized that the reason Yun Changkong made Yang Dingtian's scandal public was to make it easier for him to control the Ming Cult.

"No enmity or grudge? You're just using me and then discarding me?" Yun Changkong sneered. "You make it sound so easy. Xie Xun has become the knife in your hand, and you're still not satisfied, so you're plotting against me now."

"Hmph, if I were as reckless as Xie Xun, relying on my martial arts to kill those who troubled me, I would have long ago made an irreconcilable enemy of the entire martial arts world. Now that you're in this predicament, you still think you can live? You're dreaming!"

Cheng Kun coughed up another mouthful of blood and said in a hoarse voice, "It was my fault back then for offering advice to the princess, but times have changed. You should forgive me this time, considering that I taught the princess martial arts."

"It's only because of her that I let you commit suicide!" Yun Changkong said calmly. "Do you think I don't understand the principle that letting an enemy go for even a day will cause trouble for generations? Or should I teach you?"

Cheng Kun's face was deathly pale, but blood kept seeping from his mouth due to the pain. He said in a trembling voice, "Yun Changkong, I really admire you. It seems that no matter what happens, your mind is always so peaceful and unmoved!"

Yun Changkong chuckled and said, "It's not that exaggerated. I just know that it's common for a dog to bark and bite randomly when it's cornered. If I were to argue with that, it would lower my standards!"
I just feel that, despite being a disciple of the eminent monk Kongjian and spending decades at Shaolin Temple, you couldn't even grasp the basic truth that all things in the world are nothing but illusions. Your death today is not unjust!

"What utter nonsense! Everything in this world is nothing but an illusion!" Cheng Kun roared, his eyebrows furrowed. "If that's the case, why do you insist on getting entangled with the Mongol princess?"

Yun Changkong said calmly, "You don't understand the principle that what seems real and illusory, whether it's Buddha or demon, is just a matter of a single thought. What Buddha says is real, and what he says is illusory, do you understand?"

Cheng Kun suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter shrill and maniacal: "Princess, did you hear that? This is Yun Changkong, whom you can't forget. He is the most heartless and ruthless person in the world!"

"Alas, a dying man's words are often wise!" Yun Changkong laughed heartily. "What you've said makes me feel exactly like myself. As the saying goes, 'If only I had known then what I know now.' Just now, you were in control of the situation, how smug and triumphant you were!"
If you hadn't been so verbose and had only wanted to kill everyone in the Ming Cult, even if I had wanted to save them, I might not have been able to in time, let alone before I even got in.
It's a pity. You thought you had meticulously planned everything, but if you hadn't let Yang Xiao and the others understand, if you hadn't acted like fools, how could you have enjoyed the thrill of revenge? So what's this called? Hmm, this is heaven's punishment, which can be avoided; but self-inflicted punishment is unforgivable! Haha…”

Seeing him like this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and they felt that Yun Changkong was the real devil.

Cheng Kun stared at Yun Changkong, his expression a mixture of sadness and surprise. He had been toying with the Ming Cult members, chatting and laughing, and was feeling quite pleased with himself. He had intended to use these words to declare the fate of the Ming Cult, but he never expected to be summed up like this.

Upon realizing this, "Pfft!" Cheng Kun spat out another mouthful of blood.

The crowd grew even more astonished. Zhou Dian shouted, "You bald thief, this is what you call immediate retribution! It's come fast! Aren't you dead yet?"

Cheng Kun gazed at the sky and said softly, "My junior sister is dead, and my heart is dead too. Originally, I was thinking of destroying the Demonic Sect and then committing suicide in front of my junior sister. I didn't care about life or death, and I didn't care what others thought of me."

Chang Kong laughed and said, "Are these your last words?"

Cheng Kun endured the pain and got up, sat cross-legged, and said: "No matter what, I, Cheng Kun, am a person with hatred and love. And you, Yun Changkong, no matter how high your martial arts are, no matter how invincible you are, you are a demon without sincerity. Hehe, the Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill has subdued the demon, so what joy do you have as a human being?"
"My death today is better than your whole life, ha ha ha."

He was laughing when suddenly he pointed to his heart, blood gushing from his mouth. His eyes widened, his body convulsed a few times, his head lolled to the side, and he fell silent.

Everyone fell silent for a moment, realizing that Cheng Kun's words made sense!
As long as you have feelings in your heart, it's not hard to get them!
Only the heartless are the most terrifying!
Take Yun Changkong for example!

Four years ago, everyone was saying that Yun Changkong and the Mongolian princess were having an affair, and that the Mongolian princess was going to marry someone else. Rumors were spreading like wildfire, but Yun Changkong disappeared without a trace and never appeared at all.

Such a person is impossible to defeat in a fight; and he doesn't care much about anyone or anything, so if you want to plot against him, you won't have a chance!
How can this be controlled?
Just like Yang Xiao dared to provoke the Wudang Sect and steal Zhang Sanfeng's disciple's wife, if it were Yun Changkong, he wouldn't dare to do it even if he had ten times the courage!
Just because Zhang Sanfeng has the Wudang Sect, he dares to be arrogant. He can deal with your disciples and their descendants in a way that makes it impossible for you to investigate, and it will also make you feel sorry for them.

This is why Yin Yewang dared to harm Yu Daiyan. No matter how skilled Zhang Sanfeng is, how could he possibly know who did it?

However, Yun Changkong truly possessed extraordinary abilities, seemingly unaware of everything, from the most secretive matters concerning Ruyang King, the Ming Cult, and Cheng Kun.

As for Yun Changkong practicing the Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill, it had long been known among the Shaolin Temple disciples, so it was no secret.

Zhang Wuji slowly approached, bent down to check Cheng Kun's breathing, and found that he had no breath at all. He checked his pulse and found that it had stopped beating. His face turned red and white in an instant.

He thought of all the misfortunes his adoptive father had suffered, and how his parents had endured countless hardships and near-death experiences to return to the Central Plains, only to be threatened and killed on Wudang Mountain. In the end, it was all because of Cheng Kun. And yet he had died just like that. He couldn't help but mutter, "You dog of a thief, you just died like that?"

Yun Changkong chuckled lightly, "What, do you want him to live?"

Zhang Wuji turned and glared at Yun Changkong, only to see a mocking look in his eyes. He thought that Cheng Kun's death was not the main issue; rather, clearing his adoptive father's name, explaining the origins of everything to the righteous faction, and resolving the enmity would all be in vain.

Recalling what Cheng Kun said, his adoptive father's Dragon-Slaying Saber was snatched by Yun Changkong. Given his adoptive father's temperament, he would not have given it away so easily, and a fight must have broken out. This man's martial arts were so high that his adoptive father, who was blind, could not possibly be his match. He would surely be harmed by him!
Overwhelmed with grief, Zhang Wuji felt as if his chest was about to explode, and he said in a hoarse voice, "You know, it was all Cheng Kun's conspiracy."

Seeing that his eyes were red, Yun Changkong assumed it was because he had just mastered his newfound martial arts skills and said, "Yes, I know, what's wrong?"

Just as Zhang Wuji was about to speak, Yang Xiao said, "If it weren't for Hero Yun's intervention today, we would have lost face big time."

“Yes!” Peng Yingyu said with a bitter smile, “Once people find out about what happened today, how will we face the world?”

He said, "Brother Yun, Brother Zeng, the honor and disgrace of the Ming Cult are all in your hands."

"What a load of crap," Zhou Dian cursed inwardly, but dared not say it aloud, his long face full of regret.

He didn't want to go out one day and find out, "Hey, you know what? Yang Dingtian of the Ming Cult stole Cheng Kun's lover, and he had an affair with Madam Yang, which angered Yang Dingtian to death. Then he would take revenge on the Ming Cult. How could he ever hold his head up again?" It was clear that they had to swallow their pride and bear the pain.

Yun Changkong smiled slightly: "What happened today was at most an added bonus. As long as you all abide by your religion's teachings, truly take it as your mission to expel the Tartars and restore China, completely forget the fact that your fellow believers died at my hands, and have no hatred towards the martial arts sects, I will treat it as a dream and let it pass without a trace!"

The group was overjoyed and said in unison, "We will never forget your great kindness and virtue, and we would never dare to have any other thoughts!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wuji felt a surge of heat rush to his eyes and nose, and tears welled up in his eyes. He trembled all over, and he quickly wiped away his tears with his sleeve. With a fierce shout, he said, "You shall pay with your life!" He struck out with his palm, and his true power surged like a raging torrent towards the sky.

This was quite abrupt, and everyone was baffled.

"Brother Zeng, you mustn't!"

He couldn’t help but shout immediately, knowing full well that Yun Changkong wanted to kill Zeng Aniu, and one move would be enough!
Yun Changkong guessed the reason, smiled, and gently welcomed the attack with his right palm.

With a sharp crack, their palms collided. Zhang Wuji felt as if he had hit a pile of cotton. Knowing something was wrong, he tried to withdraw his force, but his face flushed red.

Uncontrollably, like a kite with a broken string, it flew several meters away, crashing into the statue of the Venerable One in the Sacred Fire Hall with a loud bang. The statue collapsed in half with several loud cracking sounds. Incense burners and candlesticks on the table fell to the ground.

Yun Changkong remained unmoved and smiled, "The Nine Yang Divine Skill lives up to its name!"

Zhang Wuji's arms trembled, and his whole body was burning hot, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. Upon hearing this, he jumped up and said, "You...you...how do you know about the Nine Yang Divine Skill?"

Everyone was shocked, thinking, "Nine Yang Divine Skill? This person has such unfathomable internal strength, how could he be so ineffective?"

It turns out that Zhang Wuji obtained the Nine Yang Manual by a stroke of incredible luck. For the past five years, he has been practicing it according to the manual. However, without a wise master to guide and instruct him on the subtleties and intricacies of cultivating superior internal energy, it is tantamount to embarking on a path of no return. The higher one's skill level, the more severe the backlash, and the greater the chance of going into qi deviation or even eternal damnation.

Zhang Wuji himself was taught the "Wudang Nine Yang Skill" by Zhang Sanfeng and inherited Hu Qingniu's medical skills, which enabled him to overcome dangers and perfect the Nine Yang Skill. However, in the end, he hit an insurmountable wall.

The reason he was unable to break through the final barrier was simply because he lacked guidance and didn't know how to use his internal energy. This resulted in an extremely strong yang energy within his body, which would have been fine if left unchecked.

However, while inside the "Qiankun Yiqi Bag," he overheard that Yuanzhen was Cheng Kun, his adoptive father's mortal enemy. Knowing that Yuanzhen was about to flee, he used the sound to locate him and tried to stop him. However, his martial arts skills were weak, and he was struck by the Illusionary Yin Finger. His yang energy was surging, and when he encountered the cold current, his divine power was activated on its own to neutralize it, but it was as if he had lit the fuse on gunpowder.

Upon hearing Cheng Kun say that Yun Changkong had killed Xie Xun and seized the Dragon-Slaying Saber, his mind immediately went into chaos. The Nine Yang True Qi stored in his dantian lost its master and wandered aimlessly. He felt as if he were in a furnace and couldn't help but cry and groan in pain.

This is why everyone noticed something was wrong just now.

Zhang Wuji initially thought his adoptive father was on a deserted island overseas, unknown to anyone. But then he thought, "I was deceived by the Zhu family and told the Zhu and Wu families about my adoptive father's whereabouts. They might have leaked it!"

He was in pain and regret, and the Nine Yang True Qi surged even more rapidly. Being inside the Qiankun Qi Bag, the True Qi had nowhere to go, and instead surged back into his body. The Qiankun Qi Bag gradually expanded, and there was a faint danger of Yang fire burning him.

While everyone else's attention was on Yun Changkong, he was focused on his "little brother" Zhang Wuji, so he let Cheng Kun talk endlessly.

If the Qiankun Qi Bag had exploded first, even if Zhang Wuji had escaped, he wouldn't have been able to control the incredibly fierce internal energy within him, and his skin would have been torn apart and burned to a crisp. However, when he attacked Cheng Kun, the opponent desperately resisted, and Zhang Wuji was tossed around like a ball.

When Cheng Kun unleashed his final palm strike, the external force was immense, and the internal energy surged, filling him completely. It was as if dozens of masters were massaging his acupoints. When the "Qiankun Qi Bag" exploded, Zhang Wuji had opened up all the acupoints in his body, and his divine skill was complete!

As soon as he got out of the bag, he wanted to avenge his adoptive father, but his strength was out of control and he crashed into the door frame. Then Yun Changkong shouted, and Cheng Kun was so shocked that he could not move and died!
Zhang Wuji was feeling bewildered when Yun Changkong said something about forgetting the hatred for his fellow believers. He naturally assumed that this referred to the killing of Xie Xun. He loved his adoptive father dearly, so how could he not seek revenge?
That's why he attacked Yun Changkong, but he only had the Nine Yang Divine Skill and hadn't even mastered the martial arts taught by Xie Xun and Zhang Cuishan. He was far inferior to Yun Changkong!
Yun Changkong said, "I have fought against the Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei sects. I have heard that the Nine Yang Divine Skill in the Nine Yang Manual is incredibly powerful and unpredictable. Today is a fortunate occasion, but unfortunately..."

Zhang Wuji was shocked: "This person fought with the Emei Sect and wasn't killed by Abbess Miejue. That's really amazing!" He said, "What's a pity?" He then stepped forward and made a stance with his right hand.

No matter what his adoptive father had done, he was determined to avenge him!

The crowd gasped in surprise. They were well-informed and immediately recognized the move as originating from Wudang Long Fist. They were incredibly puzzled: "When did the Wudang Sect have such a powerful disciple?"

Just as he was wondering, he heard Yun Changkong laugh and say, "It's a pity that you have the will but not the ability. The Wudang Sect was established too recently, and its martial arts were inherently flawed. Zhang Sanfeng is doing his best to make up for it. How much can you learn from your father? Even if your Nine Yang Divine Skill is already perfected, it would only take me a moment to kill you!"

Zhang Wuji felt that the person before him was becoming increasingly unfathomable, not only possessing astonishing martial arts skills but also seemingly knowing everything about him. For a moment, he opened his mouth wide, unable to answer.

It should be noted that the palm strike he just used was a move called "Seven Star Hand" from the "Wudang Long Fist" style. The "Wudang Long Fist" style is the basic skill of the Wudang school, and its moves are not particularly profound.

However, Wudang martial arts take a different approach in martial arts, emphasizing using softness to overcome hardness and weakness to defeat strength. Instead of using one's own strength to injure the enemy, it reflects the force of the enemy back. If the enemy strikes with a force of one pound, the force reflected back will also be one pound. If the enemy strikes with a force of one hundred pounds, it will reflect back with a force of one hundred pounds. It is like punching a wall. The harder the punch, the more severe the injury to oneself.

Zhang Wuji's skills were extremely rudimentary, but he had already mastered the Nine Yang Divine Skill. This punch contained the superior martial art of countering the enemy's force.

However, Yun Changkong's light palm strike just now actually deflected his Nine Yang Divine Skill back, leaving him with no room to use any of his skills. He didn't even dare to think about such a divine skill.

He was terrified and looked at Yun Changkong with a pleading expression: "Great Hero Yun..."

Yun Changkong responded and looked over. He hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "This Brother Zeng has a deep connection with Tian and Yin Baimei's granddaughter. Please, please..."

He wanted to plead for Zeng Aniu, but he didn't know how to phrase it.

It turns out that Zhang Wuji had also reflected on his past. Ever since he returned from overseas at the age of ten, he had suffered greatly because he was coerced and tricked by people because of Xie Xun's whereabouts. So when he met Yin Li, he named her Zeng Aniu.

The character “曾” is derived from the phonetic combination of the characters “张” and “殷”, while “阿牛” is derived from “胡青牛”.

In this way, even if they encounter someone ten times more powerful than Zhu Changling in the future, they won't fall into his trap and unintentionally harm their adoptive father. That's why he told Yin Li the name Zeng Aniu.

They might encounter the Emei Sect on the road, along with Zeng Aniu and Yin Li. The White Eyebrow Sect then appears, and Yin Yewang wants to kill Yin Li.

Zeng A Niu stepped forward to protect Yin Li, but Wei Yi Xiao snatched Yin Li away. He then chased after Wei Yi Xiao with Yin Ye Wang. Perhaps he thought this was an opportunity to resolve the conflict with Yin Tian Zheng, which is why he was caught in a sack and brought up.

"Brother Zeng?" Yun Changkong laughed, "What's your name, and why did you attack me?"

Everyone looked at Zhang Wuji.

“I…” Zhang Wuji hesitated, then sighed and said, “My name is Zeng Aniu. I’m not doing this for any other reason than I can’t stand your behavior!”

He wanted to avenge his adoptive father, but he told his cousin, uncle, and others that he was called "Zeng Aniu". He couldn't possibly tell them that he was called Zhang Wuji. How could he face them then? When he named himself Zeng Aniu, he had already decided that Zhang Wuji was dead.

Besides, these Ming Cult members are strange and eccentric, and he doesn't want to reveal his identity!

Upon hearing this, everyone was filled with astonishment: "Has this kid lost his mind? There are so many people who can't stand Yun Changkong, but does he have a death wish?"

He couldn't help but want to cover for him, saying, "Brother Zeng, I think you've been cooped up for too long, and your mind's gone foggy!"

Zhang Wuji said, "I'm not confused. Since he knew Xie Xun was framed by Cheng Kun, why..."

"Haha..." Yun Changkong naturally understood why Zhang Wuji was like this, but he had originally intended to take Zhang Wuji as his "little brother". At this moment, he was in a playful mood and laughed loudly: "What a Zeng Aniu! You can't stand me, but you can't get rid of me. Aren't you going to be furious?"

He walked toward the motionless corpse of Cheng Kun, picked him up, tucked him under his arm, and strode toward the door.

Suddenly, Zhang Wuji shouted, "Put it down!" In a flash, he struck Yun Changkong in the back with a palm strike.
He strode forward, and as soon as his palm moved, the force of his palm pressed down like a mountain wall. It was truly swift, powerful, and extremely fierce.

Everyone was horrified; they felt they could not withstand such a blow.

Yun Changkong didn't turn around, but smiled slightly: "Do you have that ability?" His right hand moved lightly, as if playing a zither.

There was a snap.

If we compare strength, in terms of internal energy, the Arhat Subduing Demon Skill and the Nine Yang Divine Skill are evenly matched. But in terms of martial arts, Zhang Wuji is no match for the Emei disciples. Even if Cheng Kun is only one in ten, he is powerless against him. How could he possibly contend with Yun Changkong?
However, when their palms met, Yun Changkong was sent flying.

Zhang Wuji was stunned for a moment, then realized that the other party had used the force to leave. He stomped his foot hard and shouted, "Stay here!"

I wanted to call out to him, but he stopped abruptly and shot off like lightning.

Zhou Dian shouted, "Aren't you afraid of death? That's a demon!"

Everyone glanced at him and found it amusing; even Zhou Dian thought Yun Changkong was a demon.

But then again, it does seem to be true.

What is the devil?
That is to do whatever you want!
Yun Changkong can do whatever he wants!
Whether you flatter him or despise him, he seems indifferent. But when he wants to kill, he does so without blinking an eye or giving any warning. Just look at people like Li Tianyuan and Xihua Zi!

Yang Xiao paused for a moment, then sighed.

Zhou Dian turned his head and smiled, "Left Envoy Yang, what do you have to say?"

Yang Xiao sighed and said, "Aside from the saying 'The world is vast and full of wonders,' I have nothing to say."

The others fell silent; it was indeed true.

Yun Changkong is one thing.

He has been famous for many years and is invincible in his time!

But what about Zeng Aniu?

Having been struck by Cheng Kun's illusory Yin finger and beaten so badly, they were unharmed, while those who were hit by it felt a chill creep into their dantian as soon as they circulated their qi.

What's even more terrifying is that he was struck by Yun Changkong's palm. They figured that if they were to be thrown out like that, they would either die or be crippled!

Peng Yingyu sighed, "Yun Changkong's way of doing things is truly a headache!"

The men's faces grew even more somber.

They all understood the implication: Yun Changkong could have easily crushed Cheng Kun, but he deliberately refused. He insisted that Cheng Kun reveal everything, just as he had said, if the Ming Cult did not act according to its doctrines in the future, and he spread the news of today's events, the martial arts world would instantly be in an uproar.

The dignified leader of the Ming Cult, Yang Dingtian, was cuckolded!

With tens of thousands of followers under his command, what face do they still have left?

He thought of this huge piece of dirt on two outsiders and told them to listen.

They were all highly skilled in martial arts and had been kind to the Ming Cult. Thinking of this, he felt a mix of emotions.

(End of this chapter)