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

Chapter 116 Personal Testimonial
Yun Changkong looked up at the sky and said slowly, "This is a long story. Would you all be interested in hearing it?"

"Yes, yes, please speak, Master Yun."

"We are all ears!"

Everyone knows that Master Kongjian died from the "Seven Injury Fist" of the Kongtong Sect. The three monks Kongwen, Kongzhi, and Kongxing had secretly discussed the matter and concluded that the Kongtong Sect currently had no top-tier masters capable of killing Kongjian, who had mastered the "Indestructible Vajra Body" divine skill. Moreover, at that time, the Five Elders of Kongtong were all in the southwest region, while Kongjian passed away in Luoyang.

Since it was not the work of the Five Elders, and no other master in the Kongtong Sect could harm Kongjian, it was later learned that Xie Xun was the one who impersonated Cheng Kun and committed countless bloody crimes. But how could Xie Xun kill the monk Kongjian? The Shaolin monks all wanted to know the truth!

Yun Changkong said loudly, "You're all too kind. How could Yun Changkong deserve everyone's special attention..."

Before he could finish speaking, the crowd burst into laughter.

Most of the people present were rough and uncouth martial arts practitioners, yet they listened attentively to his explanation, which speaks volumes about their character.

Yun Changkong sighed deeply, and the laughter of the crowd subsided as he said, "Xie Xun made it clear that the time when the monk Kongjian fought him was not a normal duel. Instead, he did not move his body and never fought back, enduring thirteen punches before passing away!"

"what?"

Everyone was astonished upon hearing this.

Kongzhi and Kongxing, in particular, were deeply puzzled as to why their senior brother Kongjian, who possessed unparalleled martial arts skills, had died at Xie Xun's hands. Unexpectedly, they learned today that Kongjian had never fought back.
The Ming Cult's experts were especially shocked, realizing that Xie Xun's internal strength was truly remarkable. They knew Xie Xun's abilities well; if they were to take a single punch, they would either die or be crippled, and if they were struck by thirteen punches, even the most invincible body would be destroyed.

The Wudang disciples were somewhat skeptical. Xie Xun had once used the "Lion's Roar" on Wangpan Island to turn dozens of skilled martial artists from the Jiangnan sects into idiots. With such divine skill and internal strength, even their master Zhang Sanfeng might not have been able to withstand a single punch without injury, let alone thirteen punches.

They shared the same thought as Zhang Cuishan when he first heard about it.

The Shaolin monks were deeply moved, and the assembled heroes were all speculating, unable to reach a consensus.

Kongzhi clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, although Brother Kongjian is said to be compassionate, why did he willingly accept the punch without retaliating? What is the reason for this? Please enlighten me, Benefactor Yun!"

Yun Changkong sighed, looking heartbroken, and said, "To talk about this matter, I will tell you about the grudges between the Ming Cult, Cheng Kun, and Xie Xun. You can judge for yourselves who is right and wrong!"

The Ming Cult members and Zhang Wuji were all startled. The Ming Cult members were afraid that he would reveal that Yang Dingtian had been cuckolded, while Zhang Wuji thought to himself, "If you don't want me to say it, why should I say it myself?"

Then Yun Changkong said, "Back then, Yang Dingtian and Cheng Kun fell in love with the same woman. She was Cheng Kun's junior sister, but she married Yang Dingtian."

Cheng Kun was heartbroken at the loss of his beloved and believed that he was inferior to Yang Dingtian simply because Yang Dingtian was the leader of the Ming Cult, so he wanted to destroy the Ming Cult.

But he also thought that the Ming Cult had many masters and a long history, so how could he possibly shake it with his own strength?

He needs to rely on the power of the martial arts world, but how can he unite people in hatred against a common enemy?

Therefore, he thought of his disciple, the Golden-Haired Lion King. Pretending to be drunk, he killed Xie Xun's entire family of thirteen, including his infant son, Xie Wuji, who was thrown to his death!

"Beast!"

"brute."

Thousands of people shouted in unison, like a thunderclap.

Zhang Wuji clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with brilliance. Even though many years had passed, he was still furious when he heard about this incident!
But a question lingered in his mind: how did Yun Changkong know the name "Xie Wuji"? Could it be that he had actually met his godfather?

When Yun Changkong heard Zhang Wuji and the others talking about the Seven Injury Fist and the monk Kongjian, he immediately had an idea. He intended to use him as a witness to quell the dispute. However, he would not tell the truth about the grudges and affections between Yang Dingtian and his wife and Cheng Kun.

This infuriated the heroes, who angrily cursed Cheng Kun for being too vicious, not even sparing a child, let alone his own disciple's child!
Yun Changkong said loudly, "As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his father. Xie Xun was trained by Cheng Kun, who knows his personality and temperament very well. He knows that Xie Xun wants to take revenge on him. If he hides and doesn't come out, Xie Xun will definitely kill innocent people indiscriminately and force him out."

Sure enough, Xie Xun committed crimes throughout the martial arts world, leaving behind the name of Cheng Kun.

At this moment, Master Taixu stood up and said loudly, "Although Xie Xun's plight is pitiful, it is no excuse for him to harm the innocent!"

Yun Changkong said, "This is naturally not a reason, but rather the cause. Imagine, if someone's entire family is killed by their respected master, how could their spirit not be shaken?"

Everyone saw what Yin Liuxia looked like just now. Compared to Xie Xun, his experience was far worse. If he was still like this, then Xie Xun, whose temperament was even more unrestrained than Yin Liuxia, must have been even worse.

Even I might do the same!
If there is no true love, then there are very few people who are willing to distinguish right from wrong.

Besides, even an ordinary person, after such an event, might develop thoughts of revenge against society, let alone Xie Xun, who possessed unparalleled martial arts skills.

Yun Changkong took the opportunity to give the martial arts world a heads-up. After hearing this, everyone had to admit that it was indeed true. If a person has no one they care about and has the ability to go crazy, it seems difficult to keep them from going crazy!
Yun Changkong sighed: "So it is a great pity that those martial arts figures who suffered undeserved disasters. Among them is the Kongtong Sect. Back then, Cheng Kun stole the Seven Wounds Fist Manual so that Xie Xun's martial arts could improve further and he could commit another bloody crime."

As he had predicted, Xie Xun obtained the Seven Injury Fist manual. Although his internal strength was insufficient, his heart meridian was damaged, and he would occasionally go berserk, his martial arts skills improved greatly.

Xie Xun had killed many people, yet Cheng Kun still hadn't shown himself. Xie Xun reasoned that the people he had killed before hadn't been of high enough caliber, so he turned his attention to Song, the great hero of the Wudang Sect!

"Huh?" The crowd of heroes were startled again and turned to look at Song Yuanqiao and the others.

They all looked puzzled. Song Qingshu was indignant and shouted, "Yun Changkong, you're talking nonsense! How come my father didn't know?"

Zhang Cuishan and his son Zhang Wuji both knew about this, but naturally they wouldn't say anything, as that would be embarrassing for Song Yuanqiao.

Yun Changkong snorted coldly: "Of course, Master Song doesn't know, because when Xie Xun wanted to come looking for him, he was stopped by Master Kongjian."

"What?" an old man with a ruddy face exclaimed, "Why doesn't Master Kongjian kill this murderous maniac!"

Yun Changkong looked up at the sky and said slowly, "At that time, Xie Xun was about to kill Hero Song when he was suddenly patted on the back, which startled him."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines. How could Xie Xun, with his martial arts skills, be so easily bullied and remain completely unaware?
Yun Changkong said, "This person is naturally Master Kongjian. Why did he come? It's because Cheng Kun, that villain, clearly had a ulterior motive to harm Xie Xun's family, but he told Master Kongjian that he was just drunk and acted rashly!"
He was crying his eyes out, looking heartbroken and sincerely repentant, saying he hoped Master Kongjian would mediate. He said that as long as Xie Xun stopped indiscriminately killing innocent people, he was willing to face Xie Xun directly and settle this score!

Upon hearing this, White-browed Eagle King shrugged repeatedly and suddenly said, "Aside from Master Yang, I have only ever admired the Venerable Monk Kongjian in my life. With Cheng Kun's sweet talk and the Venerable Monk Kongjian's reputation for benevolence and chivalry spreading throughout the world, he will naturally be determined to resolve this grudge."

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "Eagle King is right. I also have great respect for Master Kongjian, because of his great compassion in sacrificing himself to save others."

You should know that Master Kongjian saw Cheng Kun kill thirteen of his disciples and did not hide it. He was naturally sincere in his repentance and was determined to mediate the matter. That's why he sought out Xie Xun!
He intervened just as Song was about to kill him. Xie Xun then said, "If you want to stop me from killing, killing is a simple matter for me; why waste your breath?"

Master Kongjian said, "I came here to save people, how can I kill them? What's the point?"

“Amitabha!” Master Kongzhi said, “Although the Buddha is compassionate, when encountering evil spirits and heretics, displaying great supernatural powers to drive them away is also the righteous path!”

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "What you said, Master, is exactly what I said four years ago!"

Although the monk Kongzhi was highly skilled in martial arts, his Buddhist knowledge was not particularly profound. Upon hearing this, his face turned red.

Yun Changkong said, "Master Kongjian said that Cheng Kun's martial arts are far superior to yours, and even if you find him, you will not be his match. Xie Xun was filled with revenge at that time, so how could he listen to advice? He said that if he couldn't beat him, he would just die. Don't think that he would not take revenge!"

Master Kongjian said, "Since you are determined to seek revenge and die, then come and fight me. Thirteen lives, so you can hit me thirteen times. If you injure me, I will not concern myself with this matter, but Cheng Kun will come out to see you."

The monk Kongxing said in a deep voice, "So my senior brother Kongjian was killed by Xie Xun?"

"No!" Yun Changkong sighed softly, "Master Kongjian was a master of Buddhism and a giant in the martial arts world. If that were true, it wouldn't be so regrettable."

He scanned the crowd and said loudly, "One life, one punch." Xie Xun also felt that Master Kongjian could not tolerate it, so he said, "If you can't withstand it, call out Cheng Kun."

Then he began to throw punches at the monk Kongjian. At first, Xie Xun did not want to hurt this kind old man. He started by using 30% of his strength and then 70% and threw three punches. The monk Kongjian took them as if nothing had happened.

Xie Xun was also impressed and said, "Master Kongjian, with your intervention, I will spare Song Yuanqiao's life."

The Wudang disciples found these words offensive, as if Song Yuanqiao and Xie Xun could be killed at will!
Yun Changkong continued, "When the monk Kongjian asked what would happen in the future, Xie Xun replied that he would only seek out Cheng Kun himself and would never kill unrelated martial arts practitioners indiscriminately."

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood. No wonder Xie Xun disappeared without a trace after Master Kongjian's passing, and no more bloodshed occurred in the martial world; it turned out to be Master Kongjian's doing.

The heroes whispered amongst themselves, while the Shaolin monks clasped their hands together, chanted Buddhist prayers, and shed tears.

Yun Changkong sighed and said, "Master Kongjian saw that Xie Xun was able to say such a thing, which shows that he was blinded by hatred. So he said, 'You should throw all ten punches.'"

Everyone understood that Master Kongjian was sacrificing himself to save others, and they all remained silent.

Yun Changkong said, "Xie Xun was provoked by Master Kongjian's persistence, which stirred up the resentment that had been building up in his heart for a long time. He no longer cared and used the Seven Injury Fist!"
This Seven Injury Fist was indeed formidable. Master Kongjian used his Vajra Indestructible Divine Skill, thus deflecting all the force of Xie Xun's punches. Xie Xun could strike, but he himself couldn't withstand the force of these punches. Master Kongjian, fearing for Xie Xun's safety, had no choice but to endure the blows, offering his lower abdomen to be struck!

"Huh?" The crowd gasped.

This was partly due to Master Kongjian's compassion, but even more so because of his incredible internal strength and skill.

The lower abdomen is where the Qi Sea is located, a vital point in the human body. To withstand Xie Xun's Seven Injury Fist in this place shows the unimaginable strength of his martial arts!

Yun Changkong looked at everyone, a deep sorrow welling up in his eyes, and slowly said, "Xie Xun was hitting the monk Kongjian like this, throwing several punches in a row, but not only could he not hurt the other party, he was also shocked and suffered pain. Xie Xun thought that the other party spoke, so his true energy was not pure, and he had an opportunity to take advantage of it. So he provoked him to speak and then threw punches. But who knew that even when Master Kongjian spoke, his divine power was still there."

And so, Xie Xun finished his remaining nine punches, leaving only one punch.

Although Master Kongjian received the punch with his lower abdomen, which greatly reduced the force of the recoil, it still caused Xie Xun's blood and qi to surge, making it impossible for him to control himself.

At that moment, he thought, "With only one punch left, how can I possibly injure the monk Kongjian? Since I can't take revenge, what's the point of living?" He immediately raised his hand and struck his own head!

"Huh?" Everyone was surprised again.

Some clever people, however, realized what was going on.

Yun Changkong said, "You guessed right. Xie Xun wanted to commit suicide. How could Master Kongjian sit idly by? He immediately flew forward and blocked Xie Xun's palm. But Xie Xun's left fist struck him in the chest and abdomen with lightning speed."

Everyone remained silent, deeply saddened by Master Kongjian's fate.

The Shaolin monks chanted Buddhist mantras in unison!

It should be known that Shaolin has been the leader of the martial arts world for hundreds of years. However, due to its reputation, many people have been eager to see Shaolin Temple's reputation ruined. Therefore, the truth about the death of Master Kongjian has finally come to light today. Their inner feelings are something that outsiders cannot understand.

Simply put, monks are detached from worldly desires. Even if they don't want revenge, the words of others can be as sharp as knives, forcing them to seek it out!

Only now do I know the truth!

Yun Changkong sighed and said, "I also practice Shaolin Divine Skill. I know very well that Divine Skill moves at will and arises from a single thought. However, Xie Xun's punch that led to his suicide was a full-force attack, not an act, and contained no real power."

Master Kongjian swept past several feet and managed to parry Xie Xun's palm in time. In that split second, he naturally used his inner strength to save people, leaving himself unprotected. As a result, Xie Xun's punch struck his vital point, shattering his bones!

Xie Xun threw a punch, committing a grave mistake, and burst into tears, crying out that he was ungrateful, worse than a pig or a dog, and filled with boundless remorse.

As he spoke, he looked at the Shaolin monks and saw them all sitting down with their palms together, showing expressions of regret and sorrow.

Yun Changkong said, "Master Kongzhi, Master Kongxing, do you know what Master Kongjian was thinking at that time?"

Kongzhi Kongxing's mind was momentarily dazed.
Kongzhi stood up, put his palms together, and said, "Brother Kongjian's actions are comparable to the Buddha cutting off his own flesh to feed an eagle and sacrificing himself to feed a tiger!"

“Good!” Chang Kong said, “My understanding of Buddhism is shallow. I have studied Buddhist scriptures and know that in order to attain enlightenment, one must uphold the ten forbearances of Mahayana precepts.”

Cutting flesh to feed eagles, sacrificing oneself to feed tigers, beheading to thank Heaven, breaking bones to leave the body, turning the body into a thousand lamps, gouging out eyes to give alms, peeling skin to write scriptures, piercing the heart to make a decision, burning the body to offer to Buddha, piercing blood to sprinkle on the ground.

I've never met anyone like this before, but Master Kongjian taught me a lesson. This is actually why, although Master Kongjian's reputation isn't as high as that of Masters Kongzhi and Kongxing, his martial arts skills far surpass theirs.

Master Kongzhi and the other monks were all filled with immense emotion. Kongzhi put his palms together and said, "What were my senior brother's last words?"

Yun Changkong said, "He left no last words because he didn't die immediately after taking Xie Xun's fatal punch. Instead, he comforted Xie Xun, who was filled with regret, and told him to regulate his internal energy and wait for Cheng Kun to arrive."

Everyone looked puzzled, and someone asked, "Why hasn't Master Kongjian killed Xie Xun yet?"

“Yes!” Yun Changkong sighed, “Master Kongjian did not blame Xie Xun at all, because if he wanted to kill Xie Xun, it would not be difficult for him to do so while he was seriously injured. On the contrary, he said that Xie Benefactor was a great man of his generation, but his nature was blinded by hatred. If I do not let you vent your resentment, your evil thoughts will accumulate and sooner or later the dam will break down and you will be unable to stop, sinking into an abyss of no return!”
But if you kill Cheng Kun to avenge yourself, the people you kill will also seek revenge on you. In the end, the hatred will continue endlessly!
It's a pity that Cheng Kun is a big liar. Why would he come? Master Kongjian waited and waited until he was almost out of breath. He thought that Cheng Kun was held up by something and that's why he didn't come.

Until the very last moment, as he breathed his last, Xie Xun cried out, "You lied to me!" The master realized that he had been deceived by Cheng Kun, but by then he was powerless to help. Xie Xun desperately tried to send him his true energy, but it was all in vain.

Master Kongjian realized that Cheng Kun was a treacherous villain, and that the martial arts world would not be at peace unless he was eliminated!
Cheng Kun had always had a good reputation, while Xie Xun was infamous. If he were to say anything to the Shaolin Temple, he would likely be killed by the monks in revenge. Therefore, the only recourse was to tell Xie Xun that Cheng Kun's martial arts far surpassed his own, and that he should only leave this world if he obtained the Dragon-Slaying Saber.

"what?"

"Was it Master Kongjian who instructed us to seize the Dragon-Slaying Saber?"

The crowd was in an uproar.

Yun Changkong said, "It's not about seizing, it's about finding. When Master Kongjian passed away, the Dragon-Slaying Saber disappeared from the martial world. How could he have known that the Eagle Sect would later obtain the saber, use it to establish its authority, and cause another uproar!"

He was a highly virtuous monk, not an omniscient god. Even so, though he is dead, his good deeds continue to influence countless people.
Take Zhang Cuishan, for example. If Xie Xun hadn't thought of Master Kongjian, he would have died long ago. How could Zhang Wuji have existed then?

Everyone listened in silence.

Zhang Wuji nodded in agreement. He had heard about this from his adoptive father. Master Kongjian, with the great vow and courage to sacrifice himself to save others, would rather suffer the calamity of the Seven Injury Fist than retaliate, hoping to make Xie Xun repent. At this moment, Yun Changkong's words once again shook the martial arts world, causing over two hundred monks of Shaolin Temple to chant Buddhist mantras in unison, their faces solemn and dignified, their voices resounding throughout the surrounding area.

Master Kongzhi said, "Many thanks to Layman Yun for allowing my senior brother Kongjian's illustrious name to reappear in the martial arts world. He enlightened Xie Xun and has already attained enlightenment. It is laughable that we are still deluded and have not understood our senior brother's good intentions. We are truly ashamed!"

"Master, you flatter me!" Chang Kong said, pressing his palms together. "Master Kong Jian's story should not be forgotten by the martial arts world!"

He also said that desires lead to obscurity, and that overcoming one's own willfulness and restraining one's own delusions is much more difficult than overcoming a powerful enemy.

Therefore, in order to enlighten Xie Xun, the monk Kongjian was willing to sacrifice himself to the Seven Wounds Fist, and even on the verge of death, he had no thought of revenge.

This is all because the monk Kongjian comprehended the profound truth that without death there is no birth. Birth and death are the cycle of reincarnation, inseparable from cause and effect and karma. Only by transcending birth and death can one see the true nature of the Great Way.

From the perspective of martial arts practitioners, his selfless and chivalrous spirit is truly a model for us martial arts practitioners. After hearing about this, I felt deeply ashamed.

I once committed a great massacre on the Han River. At the time, I didn't think much of it, but now I realize that I couldn't control my willfulness. I was blinded by rage and wanted to destroy everyone standing in my way. I left the entire Han River shrouded in gloom and despair.

So today, we've all gathered here to seek revenge. Once this killing begins, we're all hot-blooded young men, and our eyes will turn red with rage. Seeing our loved ones and comrades die before our eyes, we'll inevitably crush all enemies. But what will the result be?

In the end, a bloody battle, where fire and water cannot coexist, will inevitably severely damage the vitality of our martial arts world. As Young Hero Zeng just mentioned, the conspiracy between Prince Ruyang and Cheng Kun is indeed true.

Cheng Kun used Xie Xun's affair to incite hatred against the Ming Cult. After Xie Xun seized the Dragon-Slaying Saber, it was revealed that the person who impersonated Cheng Kun and committed murder was actually the Ming Cult's Protector King, which led to the siege of the Eagle Cult by twenty-two sects. Later, with the return of Zhang Wuxia and his wife to the Central Plains and their suicide, Xie Xun's whereabouts were lost, and this feud came to an end.

But Cheng Kun's ambition to destroy the Ming Cult, and Prince Ruyang's plot to tear us apart and eliminate the martial arts world, have never ceased to this day. Why is this?

One of the heroes shouted, "Because he's afraid!"

"He's afraid we'll rebel against the Yuan dynasty and lose our empire!"

“That’s right!” Yun Changkong said loudly, “If we fight each other, the Yuan court will roam the world and destroy countless countries. What is there to fear? But he is afraid that the righteous and demonic martial arts practitioners will melt into one furnace and shine together, and unite all the anti-Yuan forces in the world into one rope. That would truly form an overwhelming force. How could the Mongols compare to the number of Han people? How could the Yuan court not be afraid?”
But what about us now? We've been constantly expelling the Tartars and launching uprisings and rebellions, yet we're giving them the opportunity to defeat us one by one. Why is that?

Peng Yingyu said, "Because everyone is preoccupied with personal grudges and hatred, it is difficult for us to unite and work together to drive out the Tartars!"

"That's right!" Yun Changkong nodded and said, "Actually, when Master Kongjian found Xie Xun, did he not know that he was the Dharma King Protector of the Ming Cult? No!"

That is the lofty ideal of Master Kongjian, who truly upholds the principles of universal salvation, having the world in his heart, being compassionate to all things, and uniting good and evil!

As the saying goes, "A great Buddha may resemble a demon, and a great demon may resemble a Buddha!"

"Amitabha!"

Master Kongzhi chanted a Buddhist prayer, his voice powerful and resonant, making everyone's ears ring. He put his palms together and said, "Brother Kongjian is detached from worldly affairs, with Buddha in his heart. This is his destiny. If we still cling to revenge, we will only harm his Buddhist teachings!"
From this day forward, all enmity between Senior Brother Kongjian and Xie Xun is wiped clean!

Zhang Wuji was overjoyed. He knew that his adoptive father deeply regretted killing Master Kongjian, but he was powerless to tell him.

As a result, Yun Changkong's words resolved the feud, which was a great joy.

As Master Kongzhi slowly approached, he noticed that although he looked like a short-lived hanged ghost, he now exuded a serene and peaceful aura, appearing as an enlightened monk. This puzzled him.

The heroes are just average.

Master Kongzhi then clasped his hands in prayer and said, “My master once said that Brother Kongjian could bring glory to Shaolin. Brother Kongwen, Brother Kongxing, and I thought it was because Brother Kongjian was the most skilled in martial arts among our disciples. Only now do we realize that it was because we monks were harmed by the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance, that we did not know our true nature and did not understand the Great Way, which led to the decline of Buddhism in our temple.”

Brother Kongjian risked his own life against Xie Xun, wasn't he also enlightening us lost sheep? Only today do we understand his good intentions. Many thanks, Benefactor Yun!

He then put his palms together and bowed.

"How dare I!" Yun Changkong helped Master Kongzhi up: "I have an obligation to tell the world about Master Kongjian's matter, and we should also know about it. Xie Xun was able to recount this matter without reservation, even revealing his own despicable nature. This shows his sincerity in repenting!"

He said his biggest mistake in life was killing the revered monk Kongjian, a peerless master of martial arts. He added that if Shaolin Temple sought revenge, he would accept his fate without resistance! Therefore, seeing that he was already crippled, I gave up!

"What? Xie Xun has become crippled?"

The heroes were unaware that Xie Xun was blind, and Yun Changkong had not described his specific disability, so some people began to imagine that he was missing an arm or a leg.

"Indeed!" Yun Changkong said loudly, "Xie Xun is already crippled, and I saw that he had repented, so I didn't kill him. I believe that there are countless heroes here whose character surpasses mine, and I'm afraid that even if this cripple were standing here, there probably wouldn't be many willing to kill him for revenge, right?"

Everyone was extremely surprised, thinking that Xie Xun had become a cripple. If they sought revenge, wouldn't that be humiliating a disabled person? What kind of hero would that be?
For a moment, everyone who had a grudge against Xie Xun was stunned!
"Has he really become disabled?"

Yun Changkong raised his hand to the sky: "Xie Xun is on a deserted island overseas, crippled, and only keeps company with beasts. He says that the person he respects most harmed him, and that a complete stranger saved him. He doesn't understand what's wrong with this world. He would rather chant scriptures and worship Buddha on this deserted island. If I utter even half a lie, may I be struck by lightning!"

With the story of the Holy Monk already known, and Yun Changkong making a vow, the crowd was still filled with doubt.

This is the benefit that Yun Changkong has gained from being forced by Yun He to uphold his principles since his debut; it has become apparent all at once.

Taixuzi stood up proudly, bowed and said, "Although I did not see Xie Xun avenge my senior brother this time, I heard about the story of the monk Kongjian and his profound words. I am truly unworthy of being a member of the Daoist sect."

"My sword has slain heroes of both the righteous and the wicked; I seek revenge, and others may seek revenge against me as well. When will this cycle of vengeance end!"

As he spoke, he drew his longsword, flicked his left finger, and with a clang, the longsword broke in two.

Everyone was deeply moved, never expecting that this Taoist priest, whose name was unknown, would possess such extraordinary martial arts skills.

To be able to break a longsword with just one finger while wielding it requires astonishing finger strength, something only a top-tier master could accomplish.

But he only broke the sword with a flick, with no point of contact, which was much more difficult than breaking a sword.

Yun Changkong and Kongzhi returned the greeting with their palms together. Changkong clasped his hands and said, "Daoist Master, your willingness to emulate the virtuous is truly admirable!"

Taixuzi laughed heartily, threw the broken sword to the ground, and said, "Today I have witnessed the unparalleled skills and benevolent hearts of Hero Yun and Young Hero Zeng, so this trip has not been in vain. I hope that you young people will all behave yourselves and bring benefits to the martial arts world." He bowed and turned around, flicking his sleeves, and drifted away down the mountain like a wisp of green smoke.

As soon as he left, many people's faces changed color. Some lowered their heads and pondered, reflecting on their lives, while others got up immediately, either alone or in groups of three or five!
In a short time, dozens of people went down the mountain.

Master Kongjian is right. You can take revenge, but others can too. Can you guarantee that you won't die in the process of seeking revenge? Besides, Xie Xun is now crippled and won't return to the Central Plains. Even the Shaolin Temple, the leader of the martial arts world, isn't seeking revenge. Waiting doesn't seem to achieve our goal.

Yun Changkong looked around and said, "Since there are still people who want the Dragon-Slaying Saber, I'll just tell you the secret of the Dragon-Slaying Saber: the benevolent are invincible."

The assembled heroes exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions shifting between uncertainty and uncertainty.

Knowing their doubts, Yun Changkong said, "The way of martial arts has always revered Taoism and Buddhism. Today the East Wind prevails over the West Wind, and tomorrow the West Wind prevails over the East Wind, but it cannot break out of this circle."

Why?

A Shaolin monk once said that Buddhism seeks to save the world, while martial arts are about taking lives; the two are diametrically opposed. Therefore, the stronger one's compassion, the higher one's martial arts skill will be. I didn't quite understand this before.

Why? "

"Really? Why?" The group of heroes also had this question.

Yun Changkong said, "It is because any profound martial art, when practiced to its deepest level, requires the mind and will to be in harmony. This means that the mind is controlled by the skill. If it cannot be harmonized, one's character and personality will change drastically. At best, one will act recklessly; at worst, one will go astray and become possessed by demons."

Xie Xun is a living example.

The Seven Injury Fist is so vicious that anyone struck by it dies instantly, causing great harm to the natural order. Why then does it require extremely high internal strength?
This is because the founder of the Kongtong School also learned martial arts at the Shaolin Temple. Although the styles are different, the principles are the same.

If a practitioner lacks compassion and chivalry, their internal strength cannot be developed. Forcing practice will allow malevolent energy to seep into their internal organs, naturally harming both themselves and others. Consider the predecessors of your sect who mastered the Seven Injury Fist; weren't they all chivalrous figures?

The five elders of Kongtong exchanged a glance, and Zong Weixia stepped forward, cupping his fists, and said, "Hero Yun's words are truly enlightening. We are indeed inferior to our predecessors. Everything is predestined and cannot be forced. I think it is a great fortune for the Ming Cult to have such extraordinary people as you and this young hero Zeng today. The grudge between the Kongtong Sect and Xie Xun should be settled. But I have a request to make, so that our trip will not have been in vain."

Yun Changkong said, "Speak freely!"

Zong Weixia blushed and said, "Is there any hope for the five of us brothers?"

Yun Changkong looked at Zhang Wuji, raised his hand respectfully, and said, "This young master Zeng is a renowned physician. If he says there is hope, then there is hope!"

Zhang Wuji, a man of integrity and magnanimity who disliked holding grudges, quickly exclaimed, "There's hope! There's hope!"

The Five Elders of Kongtong immediately stepped forward, and Zhang Wuji went to treat their illnesses.

Yun Changkong said, "Martial arts are a good thing, but water can carry a boat but also capsize it. Buddhism teaches compassion, and so does Taoism."

The founder of the Quanzhen School, Master Chongyang, once said, "To learn my martial arts, without a heart dedicated to helping the world and saving lives, one cannot reach the pinnacle. The same applies to the Nine Yin Manual!"

One of the heroes said, "This doesn't seem right!"

“A hundred years ago, the Black Wind Duo were renowned throughout the martial arts world for their Nine Yin White Bone Claw and White Python Whip techniques. Such martial arts were far too insidious; did they really need any magnanimity?”

Older martial arts practitioners have all heard of the "Nine Yin White Bone Claw and White Python Whip Technique." Although they have been lost for a long time and no one has ever seen them, they all know how insidious they are.

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "You all only know one thing, but not the other! These two martial arts are not the orthodox teachings of the Nine Yin Manual. Back then, when Huang Chang was ordered to lead an army to besiege the Ming Cult, he killed some of the Ming Cult's envoys and Dharma Kings, and then his entire family was killed by their relatives and friends. He hid in the deep mountains to seek revenge, so he memorized the enemy's martial arts. This is the principle of 'to know how to break the law, one must first know how to practice the law.'"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately tensed up.

Firstly, I thought of Huang Shang's massacre of Ming Cult masters; secondly, I thought of how, despite his high level of martial arts and immense power, he still ended up with his entire family being killed, which made me feel inexplicably sentimental.

Yun Changkong wanted them to know that no matter how high your martial arts skills are or how great your power is, if the hatred is not resolved, you may be safe, but your family may not be.

You can kill someone today, and someone can kill you tomorrow!
Yun Changkong continued, "Huang Shang originally wanted to take revenge, but he didn't expect that after he left the mountain, all that was left of his enemy was an old woman. He had a great awakening and lost his desire for revenge. That's when he started writing the Nine Yin Manual."

Later, it passed through the hands of many people, but only Chief Hong, Master Yideng, and Master Guo and his wife truly received the true transmission of the Nine Yin Manual.

When the Condor Heroes and his wife became famous, although they possessed the Nine Yin Manual, it was not the complete version, nor did it include the most crucial Nine Yin Divine Skill, which is the essence of the Nine Yin Manual.

Both Chief Hong and Master Yideng were compassionate people. Although both Master Guo and Chief Huang received their skills from them, their levels of mastery differed.

After two years of training, Master Guo was almost on par with the Eastern Heretic, Western Poison, Southern Emperor, and Northern Beggar. However, Chief Huang had been training for decades, and his martial arts skills might not be as good as Master Guo's at the age of twenty.

Why? Is it due to insufficient talent and comprehension? Or is it because they lack the heart to save the world and its people?
No, it's not that. Rather, her patriotism and love for the people were primarily based on Guo Jingming.

This is also why the Emei Sect's founder, Lady Guo, did not receive the Nine Yin Manual from her father. It wasn't that Lady Guo was being overly protective of her skills, but rather that without the corresponding mental cultivation, practicing this skill would be more harmful than beneficial! Lady Guo was too young at that time.

The same applies to the Beggar Clan's direct lineage divine skill, the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms!
Consider this: Master Guo once had disciples, but where are they now? Even with the systematic inheritance and direct instruction from their predecessors, they still couldn't learn it. So, you lot, those of you tempted by this martial arts manual, even if you obtain it, what makes you think you can master it?
Is it because of their self-importance?

"If anyone doesn't believe me, I'll recite a few lines of the incantation for this practice, which is the Arhat Subduing Demon Technique I cultivate. You can try it!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with joy: "Really?"

Yun Changkong immediately recited a set of qigong techniques, and people immediately followed them. As a result, they all suffered from surging blood and qi and collapsed in pain.

Yun Changkong said, "I won't lie or deceive people, but this divine skill is truly not something everyone can practice. If you still don't believe me, look at the heroes of Wudang. They were trained by the number one master in the world, Zhang Zhenren, for decades, but he couldn't teach anyone to be like him. Is it because Master Zhang Zhenren was not dedicated or was hiding his secrets?"

Zhang Songxi sighed, "My master's martial arts are profound and extensive, yet we have only scratched the surface of them over the decades. It is not that my master has not been dedicated enough, but rather that we have not worked hard enough; we simply cannot comprehend his martial arts principles!"

This example further convinced everyone.

They've been guarding the title of the world's number one martial arts master for decades, but they can't even get close to him. All we need is a martial arts manual.
Song Yuanqiao clasped his hands in a fist salute to the assembled heroes and said, "Gentlemen, it is clear that the Ming Cult's fate is not yet sealed. We shall take our leave!"

Yun Changkong waved his hand and said, "Hero Song, please wait a moment."

Song Yuanqiao asked, "What advice do you have for me?"

Yun Changkong said, "How dare I accept the title of 'instructor'? Shaolin, Wudang, Beggars' Sect, and Ming Cult are all major sects today, and can be said to be the lifeblood of the martial arts world. Since Master Kongzhi has said that the enmity with the Ming Cult has been settled, and your sect is also willing to back down, it is truly a blessing for the martial arts world."

Although I am young and lack virtue, I am honored by the high regard of Chief Shi of the Beggars' Sect, who appointed me as the Chief Protector of the Beggars' Sect. Therefore, on behalf of the Beggars' Sect, I would like to make a proposal!

Wang Xiaotian shouted, "Please give your instructions, Protector Yun!"

"Guardians! Guardians!"

A group of beggars swung their green bamboo canes, their movements so powerful they blotted out the sky and the sound was like thunder, as if a mountain had been overturned and the sea had been plunged into chaos.

Yun Changkong declared loudly, “Today, heroes from all over the world have gathered. Regardless of their thoughts, I propose that we first select a martial arts supreme who is willing to take on the great task of driving out the barbarians. From then on, he only needs to issue orders wherever he goes, and all sects and factions must obey without question and must not disobey!”

He said something, and the beggars cheered.

After he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in cheers. Only Zhao Min was lost in thought, pondering her own concerns.

Yun Changkong glanced around and said, "Anyone who doesn't want to participate in this grand event and has other plans, please feel free to do so!"

(End of this chapter)