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

Chapter 124 Natural and man-made disasters
Under the twinkling stars and moonlight on the Ganliang Avenue, several people rode side by side on horseback. Yun Changkong said softly, "How did our whereabouts get leaked?"

Zhao Min smiled and said, "I also have some doubts, but this old man won't tell me. You're wearing a human skin mask, and Xiao Zhao and I are also dressed as men, not to mention my mother-in-law."

Chang Kong slowly said, "The more I travel in this world, the more I realize that there are many talented people emerging."

Granny Jin Hua said, "Situ the Drunkard has the ability to know everything under the heavens. Besides, you are wearing a human skin mask, but your deep eyes cannot be concealed. With Situ Qianzhong's extraordinary eyesight, it is quite possible that he can see through the clues."

Yun Changkong said, "Yes, this shows that some pretense is useless, so I have a vague feeling."

"What?" Xiao Zhao asked with a smile.

Chang Kong said, "If you continue to stay on Ling Snake Island, it will definitely be extremely dangerous. Perhaps someone has already sent news of your mother's true identity back to Persia, and the people who are here to capture you are on their way!"

Zhao Min glanced at him sideways: "So, your real intention wasn't what you thought."

Yun Changkong took a deep breath and said, "Sometimes there are things I can't say. For example, I can guess that Zhang Sanfeng will be targeted, but can I say, 'Be careful, someone might impersonate a Shaolin monk and try to assassinate you'?"

Zhao Min chuckled and said, "If you say that, neither Shaolin nor Wudang will let you off the hook. One will say you are slandering the reputation of our temple, and the other will say you dare to underestimate the martial arts master Zhang Zhenren, and really think that you, Yun Changkong, are the best in the world! If my brother doesn't make a move, you will immediately become the one who elevates yourself and belittles Zhang Zhenren."

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "Yes, they are outsiders, and there are many things I can't say. But we are all on the same side, and I won't hide anything from them. With our Central Plains launching a major uprising, the Persian headquarters might still be thinking of controlling the Ming Cult. If they really come to the Central Plains, it's not impossible."

Zhao Min smiled without saying a word, and Granny Jin Hua slowly nodded: "What you said is not without reason. The Persian headquarters is under the orders of the Mongols."

Yun Changkong's eyes lit up as he looked at her: "You know, since I debuted, it has been a real stroke of luck that I have survived. I am truly weary of the turmoil in the martial arts world. The reason I am leaving the mountain this time is for my family, so that I can live a peaceful and carefree life with my beloved."

If you've truly made up your mind, then please wait for me at the Tianjin dock. We'll set sail together; Ling Snake Island isn't the only place we can find shelter.

His words struck a chord with the three women. Because he didn't mention any issues of seniority, Yun Changkong's carefree spirit alone made them feel like kindred spirits.

Granny Jin Hua sighed, "Let's talk about it when we get to Chang'an!"

Xiao Zhao said slowly, "Wherever Mother goes, I will go. Don't even think about abandoning me."

She knew perfectly well what her mother meant. She returned to the island to end her ill-fated relationship with Yun Changkong. How could she end it?
She would absolutely not allow it.

At noon that day, the group was on their way when they saw a large group of people, some on horseback and some on foot, coming towards them in a chaotic manner.

The riders were all Yuan soldiers, numbering fifty or sixty, while over a hundred women were being led by ropes. Their clothes were disheveled, and their hair was like straw. The riders uttered obscene words, and the women screamed and cried, while the Yuan soldiers laughed and made merry.

With a "whoosh," the Autumn God Sword was slowly drawn from its sheath, and Yun Changkong wore a cold smile on his lips.

Zhao Min spurred her horse forward and shouted, "Which department are you from? Don't you have any superiors to discipline you? Release these women immediately!"

She spoke in Mongolian, which Yun Changkong and the others did not understand. An officer from the Yuan army rode out from the crowd, with a young girl in his arm. He glanced at her with drunken eyes and saw that Zhao Min had a face as white as jade and a beautiful appearance. He coldly snorted, "Rabbit husband, come here and let me give you a kiss."

As he spoke, he spurred his horse forward, and a hand as large as a palm fan reached out to grab Zhao Min's shoulder.

Zhao Min was furious, feeling that these people had made her lose face. Suddenly, a white light flew from behind her and with a hiss, it pierced the officer's chest.

With a rustling sound, the woman landed lightly, and with a thud, the officer screamed and flew out, his body colliding with a soldier behind him. They both fell to the ground, spitting blood, and died instantly.

The one who made the move was naturally Yun Changkong. He flew out and drew his long sword. A cold light flashed, like a ghost. His body floated back and forth on the horse, and screams were heard all around.

Some of the Mongol soldiers, seeing the situation was dire, tried to flee, but Yun Changkong would swing his sword and spear, or flick the arrows from their quivers with his sleeve, sending them flying. In an instant, fifty or sixty soldiers lay dead on the ground.

Yun Changkong had already returned to his mount, and with a clang, his longsword was sheathed once more.

With the martial arts skills of Granny Jin Hua, Zhao Min, and Xiao Zhao, killing these people would naturally not be a problem. However, Yun Changkong never landed on the ground, which dazzled everyone.

Xiao Zhao dismounted and cut the ropes binding the women, saying, "Find the silver on them, and then you can leave."

Seeing the women leave with profuse thanks, Yun Changkong and the others continued walking, and the group rode off for a while.

Zhao Min coldly said, "It is because of these scourges that war has broken out all over the world. They truly deserve to die!"

Granny Jin Hua said, "The Mongols have been invading China for nearly a century and have always treated the Han people worse than livestock. However, it is extremely rare to see them so openly committing lewdness and humiliation in broad daylight."

Yun Changkong remained silent, his face clouded with gloom.

Seeing his smug expression, Zhao Min felt uneasy and said, "Not all of us Mongols are like that."

Yun Changkong said, "I understand. This is a sign of the end of a dynasty. Natural disasters and man-made calamities have always been like this. However, it is hard to say whether the common people can be spared from such calamities and live a good life after the change of dynasty!"

His tone was extremely indifferent, yet there was a sense of desolation in his words.

Zhao Min couldn't help but sigh and said, "Brother Yun, you always put me first and spoil me so much, how can I accept this?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "What you have done for me and what you have given up is far beyond what I can ever repay. I can't spoil you any more than you deserve. Besides, this was not your fault in the first place."

Granny Jin Hua said, "A big tree has withered branches, just like the Ming Cult's mission is to do good and eliminate evil, to have pity on the people of this world, who have many worries. This is no different from the mission of Buddhism and Taoism to help the world and save people. However, many people in the cult rely on their high martial arts skills to act recklessly, which is why they are despised by the martial arts world and have earned the name of a demon!"
However, the Ming Cult's Sacred Flame Edict strictly forbade anyone from holding office or becoming a ruler. From the leader down, no one was allowed to take the imperial examinations, accept government appointments, serve as generals or prime ministers, hold any official position, or even declare themselves emperor. But what then? If people yearn for change, will the common people live a better life? That's highly uncertain.

To explain the evil deeds of the Ming Cult members, from the Messenger of Light to the Five Wanderers and the Five Elements Flag, only the Purple-Robed Dragon King has no evil deeds.

This was personally certified by Abbess Miejue, who hated the Ming Cult, which shows its value.

Of course, Granny Jin Hua was the Purple-Robed Dragon King, which she didn't know, but Granny Jin Hua was not the Dharma King of the Ming Cult either.

Xiao Zhao sighed, "Yes, Young Master Zhang is kind-hearted and has reformed the Ming Cult. But if he achieves great things, how can the Ming Cult be willing to become commoners? How can they give up their honors, titles, and bestowals?"

But if we don't give up, the common people will continue to be oppressed!

Zhao Min laughed and said, "Since Xiao Zhao is so sensible, why don't you have Brother Yun take you to Zhang Wuji so you can give him advice? After all, they're saying nice things now, but once they establish a base and have cities and troops, there will definitely be people who oppose the common people!"

Xiao Zhao shook her head and said, "I can't do that. I was just saying. If you find me an eyesore, just say so, Mr. Yun. Why do this?"

Zhao Min frowned and said, "What have I done? I only helped Zhang Wuji because I was kind to you. What do you think of me?"

Xiao Zhao said calmly, "If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place!"

"Alright!" Yun Changkong said, "Xiao Zhao, we were just making a suggestion, don't take it seriously!"

Xiao Zhao said calmly, "Master Yun, you don't need to worry about me. I'm very happy to have met you, thank you."

Having said that, he squeezed his legs together, spurred his horse forward, and never looked back.

Granny Jinhua chased after her.

Yun Changkong sighed sadly, turned to look at Zhao Min, and after a long while said, "You're right after all."

Zhao Min snorted: "See, I only tested them, and they turned against me."

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "I'm about to become one of those who start relationships and then abandon others, and I don't want to be like that either."

Zhao Min chuckled: "Is it my fault? You can't have your cake and eat it too, haven't you read that?"

"Giddy up!" He spurred his horse and rode off.

On this day, the group arrived at the Kongtong Mountain area and found many people, young and old, coming from the direction of Shaanxi. They were thin and pale.

When Yun Changkong stepped forward and asked, he learned that Shaanxi was suffering from a severe drought, resulting in a complete crop failure and people fleeing to various places.

Yun Changkong and his companions were all highly skilled in martial arts and came from wealthy families. No matter what kind of disaster they encountered, they could eat whatever swam in the water, ran on the mountain, or flew in the sky, so they naturally would not suffer from hunger.

Furthermore, these individuals cultivate internal energy, refining essence into qi. Even if they only drink a few sips of spring water and eat wild fruits, they can remain energetic throughout the day. However, ordinary people are quite different; they would feel hungry if they missed a meal.

As Yun Changkong and his companions traveled eastward, the closer they got to Shaanxi, the more refugees they encountered. Along the roads and in the fields, the land was parched and barren, and they could often see people lying dead, mostly the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled.

Zhao Min suddenly remembered what Yun Changkong had said a few days ago: "The end of a dynasty is marked by natural disasters and man-made calamities!" She broke out in a cold sweat, thinking to herself, "Could it be that my Great Yuan Dynasty is really going to perish?"

She was also well-versed in history, and thinking of the fall of dynasties throughout history, she felt utterly lost.

Although she followed Yun Changkong, she ultimately refused to believe that the once invincible Great Yuan Dynasty would truly perish.

Just as I was thinking this, I turned a corner and saw a large crowd of people, with about a hundred people gathered there.

Upon closer inspection, they were all emaciated, poorly dressed farmers with sallow complexions. Around them, about thirty men, armed with weapons, guarded a large pot from which steam rose, revealing a pot of thin porridge.

The group didn't understand what was going on, but then they heard a woman crying from the crowd. Yun Changkong leaped up a large tree and looked down from above.

Then a middle-aged woman holding a five or six-year-old child cried out, "Sir, please have mercy and give me some food! My son is starving to death!"

I saw several girls standing to one side, their mouths stuffed with cloth.

A man wielding a weapon shouted, "Our master is distributing porridge here. You can have some, or even grain. But this business is fixed-price, fair and square, no credit. Anyone who wants porridge, has children and land, just sign this contract! If you want to cause trouble here, don't blame our swords for being merciless!"

Yun Changkong understood perfectly well that this was a heartless rich man taking advantage of someone's misfortune. Suddenly, he leaped down onto the scene, grabbed a stack of contracts on the table, and with a gentle touch, shattered them into pieces, which then scattered in the wind.

Only then did the guards realize what was happening.

"Be bold!"

"presumptuous!"

Seven or eight people rushed forward at once, but Yun Changkong waved his sleeves, and a strong wind swept through them, causing them all to lose their footing and roll into a heap.

Yun Changkong put his hands on his hips and shouted, "Anyone who wants to die, get out of here!"

His shout was like a thunderclap, and everyone was terrified.

The dozens of thugs scrambled away.

Yun Changkong immediately ordered the disaster victims to drink porridge. Just as the victims were about to scramble for it, he shouted, "Children, women, and the elderly come first, and the strong and healthy come last!"

His imposing presence commanded respect, and the crowd, not daring to disobey, lined up in formation.

Zhao Min felt a pang of desolation. She thought about how she had never had to worry about food or clothing since she was a child, and had never known what "bitterness" or "hunger" meant. Only now did she realize that people would really sell their children for a bite to eat.

Soon, the grain ran out, but the number of disaster victims continued to increase. Just then, the sound of horses' hooves could be heard.

The people immediately dispersed, and a few turned to look, only to see more than ten riders galloping towards them.

The middle-aged man at the head of the group reined in his horse a few feet away and said coldly, "I am Wu Yimang. Who is this expert who is making things difficult for me?"

Yun Changkong saw that he was thin, had a hoarse voice, and a sinister look. He sat upright on his horse with a solemn aura, indicating that he was not weak in martial arts.

Granny Jin Hua said coldly, "The Soul-Severing Centipede Dart is a well-known name in the martial arts world, yet it actually does this kind of shady business!"

Wu Yimang was a powerful figure in Liangzhou, extremely famous in the martial arts world. The middle-aged man looked at her with slight surprise and laughed, "Since you know who I am, and you still meddle in my affairs, you must be no nobody. Who are you people?"

Yun Changkong sneered, "Enough with the nonsense. If you want to live, take out all the grain in your house and give it to the disaster victims. Otherwise, today will be your death anniversary!"

"You son of a bitch!" a man cursed. "What kind of thing are you!" With a flick of his wrist, a steel dart shot out with a whoosh.

The sky, shimmering blue in the sunlight, was cloudless and expressionless as it flicked its sleeve.

With a hiss, the poisoned dart bounced back, striking the man squarely in the throat. He tumbled off his horse, blood flowing down his face. His eyes were wide open, filled with doubt and fear; it seemed that even in death, he did not understand how he had died.

Everyone was shocked. This man was Wu Yimang's second disciple, who had truly mastered the martial arts. How could he have been killed by someone shooting him with a poisoned dart?

Wu Yimang's face turned ashen. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Friend, impressive skills. Just who are you?"

Yun Changkong said coldly, "Don't make me say it a second time."

Wu Yimang said coldly, "My friend dares to kill someone, dares to offend me, Wu Yimang, so why don't you dare to sign up?"

Yun Changkong laughed and suddenly swung out a palm. With a bang, the horse that the second disciple was riding overturned and fell to the ground, already lifeless.

The crowd was instantly shocked. Such a tall and magnificent horse had been knocked down by his palm strike and died without a sound. His martial arts skills were unprecedented!

Wu Yimang said in a trembling voice, "Go quickly, bring all the grain from home to help the disaster victims!"

"Yes!" The disciples immediately turned their horses and galloped away.

Yun Changkong said calmly, "You surnamed Wu, I am surnamed Yun. If you dare to slack off in the slightest, his today may very well be your tomorrow!"

"Ah? Surname Yun?" Wu Yimang fell off his horse, knelt on the ground, and stammered, "I wouldn't dare. I wouldn't dare, I certainly wouldn't dare to disobey!"

Zhao Min found his initial arrogance followed by obsequiousness amusing and said, "Can you also be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant?"

Wu Yimang said, "I dare not, I dare not. My actions were absurd, and I will never do it again."

Yun Changkong and the others led the horses over, mounted them, and rode away.

When Wu Yimang saw that they were out of sight, he got up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

One of the disciples asked, "Master, are we really going to distribute food to them?"

"Slap!" Wu Yimang slapped him hard across the face. "Otherwise what? Are you waiting for this devil to come after me?"

The disciple covered his face and asked, "Who is he?"

Wu Yimang said angrily, "With such high martial arts skills in the world, who else but Yun Changkong could it be?"

"Huh?" The disciples chimed in, "We haven't heard from him for eight or nine months."

"Everyone says he not only found a Mongolian enchantress, but also has a beautiful maid by his side, enjoying a life of tenderness and bliss. Why is he back out here, and why does he have to meddle in our business!"

Wu Yimang was furious. He kicked another disciple to the ground and cursed, "Damn it, do you expect me to ask him? Yun Changkong, you bastard, why aren't you enjoying your time with your lovers? Why are you meddling in this?"

Everyone shuddered.

They felt like they didn't dare to.

Considering that even with the formidable force of the Sky Eagle Sect on the Han River, they were still able to ambush and kill them, and he wasn't some superhuman being, he figured that losing money to avoid disaster was a good thing.

……

Granny Jin Hua looked at Yun Changkong and said, "This Wu Yimang is no good person, but since you love meddling in other people's business, why not retire from the martial world?"

Yun Changkong smiled slightly and said, "There is no conflict. In fact, I also like the chivalrous act of carrying a three-foot sword and intervening in all the injustices of the world. It's just that nowadays, the affairs of the martial arts world are intertwined with those of the nation and the country."

"When I encounter injustice, if I act too harshly, it weakens the Han people; if I act too leniently, I'll just feel uneasy. If it weren't for the current situation, I would have killed this Wu Yimang on the spot."

Zhao Min nodded and said, "You are expressing your helplessness in the face of this world."

Yun Changkong said leisurely, "In chaotic times, gentlemen suffer losses while villains gain power. If you don't want to be a villain, there is no other way but to retire."

If the martial world were simply a simple martial world, where one could kill a man in ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles, and then vanish without a trace, concealing one's identity and name, how carefree and unrestrained that would be! But now, there are countless people like Wu Yimang who take advantage of others' misfortunes by abusing their power. Killing him might not do any good for the common people!

Zhao Min stared at him intently for a while, then smiled and nodded silently.

Xiao Zhao laughed and said, "Young master, you can be proud of the world if you learn martial arts. If you want to learn how to govern the country and bring peace to the world, that would be easy. It's just a pity that you don't want to learn."

Chang Kong smiled and said, "Xiao Zhao, it's not like that. I'm not that powerful. During the Song Dynasty, there was a Murong family in Jiangnan. Their ancestors were from the Xianbei Yan Kingdom. They always wanted to restore their country. There was a Murong Longcheng whose martial arts were so high that he was invincible. However, the country was ruled by Zhao Kuangyin. Seeing that the people were living in peace and prosperity, he gave up on restoring the country."

This is actually greed and desire, which is the greatest enemy of superior martial arts. Once his martial arts skills are high enough, the thought of restoring his country becomes dispensable to him, and he will naturally prioritize the people.

Later, when it came into the hands of his descendants, Murong Bo and Murong Fu, they were single-mindedly focused on restoring their kingdom, and for this purpose, they did not hesitate to provoke war between two countries, causing immense suffering. However, although they were also highly intelligent, their martial arts skills had declined, and they no longer possessed the invincible might of Murong Longcheng.

Therefore, if I were to think about governing the country and bringing peace to the world, I would lose my martial arts skills, because you would have to understand people's hearts, from court officials to ordinary people, and perhaps even your spouse.

Because she might plan and scheme for her children, all of which could interfere with her spiritual practice, making a peaceful end difficult!

Zhao Min said quietly, "Zhao Kuangyin is an example."

Chang Kong sighed, "Yes, he was a martial arts prodigy rarely seen among emperors. However, he was limited by the affection between his mother and younger brother, as well as their ambitions, which led to the unsolvable mystery of the candlelight and axe shadow. If he hadn't been an emperor, it wouldn't have been impossible for him to be a brotherly lover!"

Xiao Zhao said, "Sir's insight is far beyond our reach."

Chang Kong laughed heartily: "Don't flatter me. I just see things a little more clearly than others. All this talk of dominating the world and being the number one in the martial arts world is ultimately just empty talk."

Even now, in the fight against the Yuan dynasty, Zhang Wuji has connected various factions and placed them under one leader. But even after the Yuan dynasty is destroyed, who knows if someone won't abuse their power and act recklessly? In the end, another group will still emerge to oppress the people.

Yun Changkong knew all too well that Zhu Yuanzhang, having seized power, had several sons who were all beasts, oppressing the people far worse than anyone else. Yet he simply let it all go.

Although the bond between father and son is innate.

But those victims were just as heartless, weren't they?
However, Yun Changkong knew he was powerless to change anything. At worst, he would have to kill him!
Zhao Min also sighed, "Hero Yun is kind and virtuous; I hope his benevolence can benefit all."

Xiao Zhao was filled with admiration and said, "Yes, we could only have foreseen one aspect, not the other. Just these words alone are something no one else could have said!"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Alright, stop trying to fool me. Others might see through it, but they just don't dare to say it!"

(End of this chapter)