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

Chapter 119 The tree wants to be quiet but the wind doesn’t stop
At that time, the sun was setting and had been obscured by the highest peak of the Kunlun Mountains. The sky was half bright and half dark, like blood slowly spreading.

Yun Changkong, Zhao Min, and Xiao Zhao walked slowly down the winding mountain path, facing the shadows.

Each of them was preoccupied with their own thoughts and didn't say much.

Xiao Zhao suddenly turned to look at Yun Changkong and said, "Master Yun, why don't you see the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader being truly implemented?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "No need to look, Zhang Wuji will also become the leader of the martial arts alliance."

"Are you so sure?" Xiao Zhao's eyes widened.

Chang Kong said, "To be the leader of the martial arts alliance, one must be respected by everyone. Putting aside other abilities, one must have extraordinary martial arts skills and win fairly and squarely."

Given the prestige of the Beggars' Sect and the Ming Cult, since this issue has been raised, even if there are objections, they must be countered with martial arts. Although Zhang Wuji lacks experience, he is still invincible in the world with his Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Great Shift of the Universe.

Given his past ties with the Wudang Sect, the Kunlun Sect's guilty conscience, and the Emei Sect's Abbess Miejue's desire for something, they'd have to reluctantly agree!

Xiao Zhao made a face and smiled, "You might as well say that if you were here, you'd be afraid Zhang Wuji's title of martial arts alliance leader would be just a name without substance!"

Yun Changkong smiled but remained silent.

Xiao Zhao continued, "But my mother said that since ancient times, if one wants to achieve great things, one must be able to kill one's own parents and children. Young Master Zhang is too soft-hearted; he will not succeed in the end!"

Yun Changkong sighed: "That's true, but there's a premise: the situation forces you to that point, and you can abandon your loved ones, rather than killing your parents and children to prove your sincerity before you can achieve great things."

Furthermore, in order to start a rebellion, the most important thing is to win people's hearts.

This means that at the very beginning, we need to reach a consensus.

You can't expect one group to start a rebellion while another group not only refuses to help but also sabotages it; how can you expect to succeed that way?
But once it's implemented and that step is taken, as events unfold, people's thoughts and actions will change accordingly, whether driven by interests or the battlefield situation!

Zhao Min said calmly, "This is also the principle of adaptability in martial arts!"

"That's right!" Chang Kong nodded and said, "Just like Zhang Wuji taking over the Ming Cult and deciding to rebel against the Yuan Dynasty, perhaps his thoughts will change as he gains more experience!"

Xiao Zhao smiled and said, "I think he looks dull and simple-minded, how could he have changed?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Alas, you have only seen his outward appearance. Zhang Wuji is no ordinary person. He was born on a deserted island overseas and was raised by Xie Xun, a man of both literary and martial talents. He is also extremely intelligent and has an exceptional memory. Although he does not understand everything Xie Xun taught him, he remembers it all."

After returning to the Central Plains, having endured many hardships, he had long since regarded the matters of life and death that people cared about most as trivial matters. Even when his life was nearing its end, he remained cheerful and optimistic, sending Yang Buhui from the Central Plains to Kunlun Mountain, and even when he was boiled alive for this purpose, his will remained unchanged!

Now that the Nine Yang Divine Skill is complete, his mind is at peace and his spirit is focused. Given time, he will integrate all his learning and become truly remarkable.

Xiao Zhao stuck out her tongue: "Is he that amazing?"

Zhao Min said, "I don't think so. With his soft heart, corruption will inevitably arise within the sect. Perhaps in the end, he will just be a puppet in name only!"

Yun Changkong shook his head and said, "As a leader, the first thing to guard against is being stubborn and self-willed. As the saying goes, many people have many ideas. The Ming Cult is full of talented people. He is good at listening to the opinions of others, can make good use of his expertise, make the best use of everyone's talents, tolerate differences, unite people's hearts, trust and delegate authority. These qualities will surely enable him to accomplish the great task of resisting the Yuan Dynasty!"

Whether he's all talk and no action is simply a matter of his final choice, and has nothing to do with his ability!

Yun Changkong knew that Zhang Wuji could have Yang Xiao, the Left Guardian of the Brightness Sect, who was good at strategy, to coordinate the teaching affairs and formulate plans, Peng Yingyu, who was proficient in teaching affairs, to assist him, Leng Qian, who was impartial and highly respected, to serve as the enforcer, and the brave and skilled "Five Elements Flags" to be responsible for charging into battle, so as to maximize the use of individual abilities.

Knowing that the Ming Cult was internally divided into factions, such as the past conflicts between Yang Xiao and the Five Wanderers, and the enmity between the Eagle Sect and the Five Elements Banner, he did not dwell on the past because of his close relationship with Yin Tianzheng and Yang Xiao. Instead, he respected each person's personality and used his benevolence to resolve internal conflicts, transforming the originally fragmented sectarian forces into a core force against the Yuan army in a short period of time.

He knew that although his martial arts skills were high, his knowledge was insufficient, so he avoided "an amateur directing an expert" and listened to the opinions of Yang Xiao and others. However, he was very upright in his decisions, such as joining forces with the six major sects to fight against the enemy, issuing orders in an orderly manner, and choosing subordinates who were good at carrying out the orders.

He doesn't have the perspective of God or the advantage of prophecy. He can grasp things accurately based on his limited experience, which is a capability that most people don't possess.

If it were someone else, the only reason might be that Yin Tianzheng and Yin Yewang are their relatives, and they might be biased towards them.

However, when Zhang Wuji gave the order, he clearly stated that elders such as maternal grandfather and maternal uncle were included without exception.

To say that he lacks the ability to accomplish great things would be to underestimate him.

It's just that his final choice didn't lead to the domineering achievements readers expected, which disappointed them and thus negated their previous abilities.

Even worse, some people don't understand Zhang Wuji at all and only focus on his procrastination in romantic relationships.

Little did he know that his procrastination in romantic relationships stemmed from his excessive kindness. He had considered marrying all four women, but then he thought that each of them was a rare and wonderful woman, and that having even one of them would be a great blessing. Marrying them all would be a great insult to them, which is why he hesitated.

After all, marrying someone else isn't difficult; deciding who is the wife and who is the concubine is the most difficult thing!
This is something Zhang Wuji couldn't escape because he lived in this era!
The idea that there is no distinction between big and small is merely wishful thinking. Even an emperor with immense power cannot make things equal.

Because you say that everyone is equal, but people's deeply ingrained beliefs will naturally lead them to distinguish between superior and inferior.

So who is bigger and who is smaller?

Who would willingly be the superior or the inferior?
Clearly, apart from Xiao Zhao, who might have originally meant "small," none of Zhao Min, Zhou Zhiruo, or Yin Li would feel that they should be small!

Zhang Wuji was too kind-hearted, treating women as equals to himself, and too intelligent, seeing through everything, which made him unable to make a choice.

Those who want to marry all four beauties don't actually love them in their hearts; they are simply driven by the mentality of treating these women as their own appendages.

Outsiders always have the most discerning eye.

"How to choose?" Zhao Min was somewhat puzzled when she heard Yun Changkong give Zhang Wuji such a high evaluation.

“That’s right!” Yun Changkong nodded and said, “In fact, a person’s life is just a constant series of choices due to various circumstances, so thoughts are changing all the time.”

Zhang Wuji was too kind-hearted, and the Nine Yang Divine Skill was also a skill of benevolence. He stayed in the valley for several years, living a life of peace and strife, and mastered the divine skill. He appeared gentle and weak, but deep down he was still that passionate young man.

Once he enters the martial world and witnesses rivers of blood, heavy casualties, and his brothers fighting for power, he will change again!
With his abilities, it would be very easy for him to seize power and control people's hearts!
But he himself must be deeply troubled, and thus, the real test for him begins.

"Uneasy?" Zhao Min and Xiao Zhao seemed to be deep in thought.

This time, they had less interaction with Zhang Wuji, and Zhang Wuji did not single-handedly defeat the six major sects as in the original story, thus becoming a figure of great power and attracting everyone's attention, so they had less understanding of him.

Yun Changkong said, "Once the uprising succeeds, many people cannot resist the temptation of power. Therefore, some people will inevitably want to be the only ones in power. It is easy to kill such people, but what if killing them affects the overall situation of the anti-Yuan movement?"
So many things are not that they can't do them, but that they simply don't want to! It's not, as many people think, that people can't learn or can't do them!
"The Nine Yang Divine Skill and the Great Shift of the Universe—many people spend a lifetime trying to master them and still can't, yet he managed to learn them through trial and error. Do you think he's stupid?"

Zhao Min curled her lip: "If someone steals my victory, what's wrong with killing him? I can't let such a wolf in sheep's clothing get away with it."

“I believe you!” Chang Kong laughed. “But he’s not you. By then, he’ll have more experience, and perhaps he’ll have his own vision for the life he wants, so he might give up.”

It's important to know that Han Shantong, Liu Futong, and Guo Zixing were all disciples of the Ming Cult. After Han Shantong died in battle, Liu Futong enthroned Han Lin'er as emperor. Han Lin'er had always been obedient to the main altar, and Zhang Wuji felt that this wouldn't cause a split within the cult, so he didn't prohibit it. On the contrary, he felt that there was nothing wrong with this way of winning people's hearts.

Guo Zixing had Zhu Yuanzhang, Xu Da, and others under his command. Soon after, Guo Zixing died, and his troops came under the command of his eldest son, Guo Tianxu. Guo Tianxu was the Grand Marshal, Zhang Tianyou was the Right Deputy Marshal, and Zhu Yuanzhang was the Left Deputy Marshal.

Guo Tianxu led his army across the Yangtze River, captured Taiping, and then attacked Jiqing Road. His subordinate general Chen Yeguang betrayed him and killed Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou. Zhu Yuanzhang led Xu Da and others to quell the rebellion, appointed himself Grand Marshal, captured Jiqing Road, and renamed it Yingtian.

Zhu Yuanzhang's achievements were immense, earning him the official position of Pingzhang Zhengshi and the title of Duke of Wu, thus consolidating his power. Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang's growing strength, Liu Futong led his troops westward, where Chen Youliang joined his ranks, forming the Western Route Red Turban Army, which also expanded successfully.

Later, Zhu Yuanzhang mentioned Zhao Min to Zhang Wuji, asking him to choose between the Han and the Mongol.

Zhang Wuji knew the other party's intentions. He thought that killing Zhu Yuanzhang and the other rebel leaders would be easy for him, but if he killed Zhu Yuanzhang and the others, the Hao-Si rebels would be severely weakened, and the Yuan army might take advantage of the situation to launch a counterattack, ruining the favorable situation of the anti-Yuan movement.

He also felt he lacked the talent to govern the world, which was not what he desired. Therefore, he decided to relinquish his position as leader and retire with Zhao Min. He also passed on the "Military Manual of Yue Fei" and the Mongolian field battle strategies that Guo Jing had observed during Genghis Khan's westward expedition to General Xu Da, knowing that Xu Da possessed the talent of a marshal!

This was his own decision to choose beauty over power in the face of the situation, not because he was ignorant or naive!

Therefore, what Yun Changkong clearly told Zhang Wuji was that what he couldn't see was the human heart.

Since Zhao Min isn't by Zhang Wuji's side this time, only heaven knows what choice he will make!
Xiao Zhao couldn't help but ask, "Master Yun, from what you're saying, it seems you can see through Young Master Zhang's future?"

"It's not Young Master Zhang!" Zhao Min stared at Yun Changkong: "I feel like he knows everything about each and every one of us! You, me, and your mother!"

Zhao Min was always puzzled by this.

Xiao Zhao initially disagreed with Zhao Min's words, but suddenly felt that they made some sense!

Yun Changkong laughed heartily.

Zhao Min said, "What are you laughing at? Am I wrong?"

She was incredibly intelligent. Since meeting Yun Changkong, she felt that he had never made a mistake in anything he did, and even when he was in dire straits, he could always find a way to fight back.

It involves her personality and her past. Even now that she is married to Chang Kong, she is still unfathomable, like a fog.

"It's not that exaggerated!" Yun Changkong laughed. "I just understand human nature too well and have seen too much of the world."

For example, I know very well that those who achieve great things must be cunning and treacherous, possess a heart of stone, and treat human lives as nothing! Zhang Wuji is gentle and kind, full of gentlemanly qualities, so when he embarks on the path of rebellion against the Yuan Dynasty, he will definitely encounter many things that do not conform to his inner thoughts.

But he was too clever, and he immediately realized that there was nothing wrong with doing this, and that it was actually beneficial, but he couldn't get rid of the discomfort in his heart.

As the saying goes, "The sea can be crossed by boat, and the mountain can be leveled by road, but the human heart is hard to calm." Faced with this emotional conflict, he had to make a choice!

Zhao Min asked, "If it were you, what would you choose?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Haven't I ever been clear about my choice? I'll just keep going in my own way!"

"Keep going my way!" Zhao Min looked at him for a moment, then suddenly said, "Whether you like it or not?"

Chang Kong sighed: "Minmin, is there anything in this world that you can like?"

Just like in life, whether it's a great and lasting legacy, fame and fortune, family ruin and death, or eternal glory or infamy, everyone has their own thoughts.

But life is like the sea, the world is vast, flowers bloom and fade, heroes grow old, and beauties grow old. In the eyes of Heaven, no matter if you are an emperor or general, or have unparalleled martial arts skills, you are no different from an ordinary person.

Whose life isn't filled with regrets?
However, at the moment each person's life page is turned on, God gives you something different.

Some are born into noble families, with no worries about food and clothing, while others are born with immense pressure, whether it be life or death, or even just basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter!

Since one cannot choose how to begin or how to live in the future, and everyone's personal experiences and thoughts are different, things always take unexpected turns.

Whether this is the life you want or not largely depends on yourself.

For example, people from the lower classes who want to become emperors or powerful figures can only dream about it and cannot actually achieve it.

Some people lamented, "I regret being born into an imperial family!"

I've always dreamed of sailing the rivers and lakes, wandering through forests and springs, walking on snowy nights, listening to the snow on a mountainside, brewing tea around a stove, and quietly savoring the tea. If I were accompanied by a beautiful companion, that would truly be a wonderful experience!

This is my way, this is the life I want.

But those who crave power will think I have no ambition, waste my youth, and fail to live up to expectations and abilities.

They felt that their choice was the most correct one.

He never considered that this was the life he wanted, not someone else's!

"Really?" Xiao Zhao sighed. "So you like Miss Zhao!"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Yes. As long as you can live your life in your own way, that is the greatest success. So Minmin and the Dragon King are both successful, and I like them!"

Zhao Min smiled, then sighed, "But our choices are not understood by the public!"

Yun Changkong said, “There is no solution to this. However, the Buddhist scriptures say, ‘If one seeks me by form or sound, that person walks a false path and cannot see the Tathagata!’ I think this makes the most sense. This is what I have felt most deeply about after studying the Buddhist scriptures for three years.”

Although the two women were intelligent, they only vaguely understood what she was saying.

Zhao Min pouted and said, "Buddhist scriptures, Buddhist scriptures, do you really think you're a bald monk?"

Xiao Zhao clapped her hands and laughed, "Master Yun has shaved his head, I really want to see him..." Then she glanced at Zhao Min and said, "But never mind, lest someone hate me!"

Yun Changkong laughed heartily, and seeing Xiao Zhao's tired face, he said, "It's getting late, let's rest!"

By this time, it was already dark, and the group had reached the mountainside. They saw a clear spring flowing from the mountain, and a vast forest stretched before them. They entered the woods, lit a campfire in an open area, and...

Chang Kong casually shot a few snow chickens, and the group roasted them.

Xiao Zhao said, "Master Yun, I've noticed that you remain calm and composed whenever anyone makes things difficult for you, as if you never lose your temper. What's the reason for that?"

Zhao Min snorted: "What's so difficult about it? Even when life hangs in the balance, you don't change your expression!"

Chang Kong laughed and said, "It's not that exaggerated. Maybe it's because he's read too many Buddhist scriptures!"

Zhao Min curled her lip and said, "More Buddhist scriptures. I'd like to hear what the reasoning is."

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Actually, the purpose of Buddhism is to break people's attachments and guide them to realize emptiness from within. But it's too difficult to reach that level. Since we can't achieve a state of no attachments, we should at least be able to ignore other people's opinions and not try to prove ourselves to anyone."

Then you won't be mentally tense, and your heart will naturally be at peace. Since your heart is like a calm lake, you will naturally be strong. In other words, your joys and sorrows will not be easily swayed by anything, and this is the most important thing in cultivating superior internal strength.

Xiao Zhao clapped her hands and said, "I understand. So when the Beggar Clan leader and the Shaolin monks flatter you, you remain calm and collected. When Song Qingshu belittles you, you don't care!"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "It's not the same. I don't care if others scold or hit me, because at worst, I can just kill them with one palm."

Those who flatter you and sweet-talk you are the ones you can't scold or hit, and they're the most troublesome!

Xiao Zhao sighed, "You really are different from others."

Zhao Min smiled and said, "When others criticize him, saying he's promiscuous and lustful, he accepts it all calmly without uttering a word in defense."
If you call him a chivalrous hero or a knight-errant, he immediately denies it. I just don't understand, it's as if it's wrong for someone to respect or value you!

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Whether others praise or belittle you is not important. The only thing you need to know is your own worth. Only then can you be at ease. If you just follow what others say..."

If someone praises you as a great hero, does that mean you have to risk your life and sacrifice yourself to be a great hero? If someone accuses you of being fickle and treacherous, does that mean you have to prove yourself wrong by killing your lover?
Isn't that just plain stupid?
To be angered or pleased by these words is utterly foolish. Do you really want your husband to be that kind of person?

Zhao Min spat, "I don't want such an idiot!"

Xiao Zhao smiled and said, "I want it!"

Upon hearing this, all three of them were stunned!
After a long silence, the chicken was roasted and Xiao Zhao tore off a piece and handed it to Chang Kong.

Chang Kong had just taken a bite when he suddenly put it down, his brows furrowing slightly.

Xiao Zhao asked in surprise, "Is it not tasty?"

"No!" Yun Changkong shook his head and slowly stood up.

The two women exchanged a glance. Yun Changkong heard the footsteps of eight people in the distance, their steps light and quick, like the wind rustling through the grass. He sneered, "The trees may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease!" These sounds echoed through the mountains and forests.

After a moment of silence, a whooshing sound was heard, and two people landed on a rock. They were very tall, with flowing black beards, and were quite old. One of them held a pair of judge's pens in one hand and acupuncture point stake in the other.

The three on the left are holding longswords, while the three on the right are wielding knives or whips.

Under the moonlight, their faces were cold and gloomy, clearly those of fierce and violent individuals. Moreover, judging from their movements, each of them was an extraordinary master.

Zhao Min's heart tightened, and she unconsciously gripped the sword at her waist. Xiao Zhao turned to look at Yun Changkong.

Yun Changkong's eyes flickered, and his face showed a hint of bitterness: "You guys have really gone to a lot of trouble! This is Ye Changqing, a master from the Qinghai Sect. Now that I've met him, could the others please introduce themselves?"

"I wouldn't dare!" a black-bearded old man laughed. "Hao Mi and Bu Tai from Hejian!"

"The Twin Fiends of Hejian!" Xiao Zhao exclaimed in surprise.

Grandma Jinhua was very knowledgeable; she had heard her mother talk about these two people, who had been famous for forty years.

Yun Changkong asked calmly, "What brings you here?"

Hao Mi stroked his beard and said, "After listening to Hero Yun's righteous words, we are ashamed and have thought of doing something beneficial to resist the Yuan."

"Oh?" Yun Changkong said calmly, "I'd like to ask you!"

Bu Tai laughed and said, "The Prince of Ruyang commands the Yuan army. With her daughter, he can be controlled."

"Is that so?" Zhao Min smiled slightly. "In that case, why not bring up this idea at Bright Peak?"

Judge Hao Mi raised his pen and said, "Hero Yun, do you think what I said is right?"

Yun Changkong said calmly, "Yes, but can you really do it?"

Ye Changqing sneered, "Master Yun is the best in the world. If you were alone, the eight of us would naturally be no match for you. But you're with these two girls, and we still can't subdue you? Heh, you're overestimating yourself..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yun Changkong suddenly roared, his voice like thunder. At the same time, he flicked his sleeves and struck out with both palms in mid-air.

(End of this chapter)