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

Chapter 129 Unparalleled Lightness Skill
Tianjin is not far from Yuan Dadu (present-day Beijing). If one travels at full speed without stopping, it can be reached in a day. However, Yun Changkong has superb internal strength and is tireless. He can do this, but he cannot bear to see Zhao Min travel too hard, so he naturally travels more slowly.

The two chatted all the way. Yun Changkong was erudite and knowledgeable, while Zhao Min was skilled in both literature and martial arts. They got along very well, and the couple couldn't stop talking and laughing, never leaving each other for a moment.

Both of them knew the vicinity of Kyoto and were afraid of being recognized by spies, so they disguised themselves. Zhao Min used greasepaint to make her face yellow, then stuck on two rat whiskers, and wore a felt hat from Fanyang. Anyone would think she was a man.

To outsiders, their excessive intimacy seemed out of step with the world and human nature, and they secretly despised it.

That evening, the outline of the capital could be seen in the distance, with evening smoke rising and the red sun shining down, the giant city stretching out, flowing with blood and gold.

Yun Changkong couldn't help but say, "Ten thousand households and a thousand gates are lush and verdant, the city walls of the Han dynasty are depicted in a painting." After reciting it, he let out a long sigh.

Zhao Min understood his thoughts and smiled, "Rebellions are breaking out all over the country, but most people no longer consider themselves Han people."

Yun Changkong knew she was right.

Since Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to the Khitan, it served as the secondary capital of the Liao Dynasty for several centuries, then as the Zhongdu during the Jin Dynasty, and was renamed Dadu after the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty, until it was recovered by Xu Da's northern expedition.

A few decades is a generation, let alone several hundred years.

The common people naturally became less concerned about whether the regime belonged to the Han.

Yun Changkong said, "Therefore I believe that in our generation, someone will lead troops to reclaim Dadu and truly make it the capital of the Han dynasty."

Zhao Min looked somber and said, "What you're saying is utterly treasonous."

Without saying another word, the two arrived at the west gate and saw a troop of soldiers lined up in a menacing array, searching merchants entering the city.

These people were dressed in armor, well-equipped, and in orderly formation. Although they were conducting a search, they were doing so in a methodical manner, which the two men observed and nodded in approval.

Yun Changkong nodded, indicating that the Mongol elite troops, who had roamed the world, had their own unique strengths.

He knew that the Mongol cavalry had once reached not only the Central Plains but also the Western Regions, extending to tens of thousands of miles away. No dynasty in history could match its vast territory.

Zhao Min nodded because the world was in chaos, and the morale of the soldiers in the capital was still high. She said to Yun Changkong, "With such strict checks, it won't be easy for you to sneak in with weapons."

Yun Changkong said, "I can get in no matter what, it's you who's hard to sneak in."

Zhao Min's face flushed.

She disguised herself as a man to avoid being noticed, but to enter the city gate, she would inevitably be searched by Mongol soldiers. She didn't want to be searched by those unscrupulous hands, but to avoid being searched, she either had to reveal her identity or fight her way in, both of which were unwise moves.

Yun Changkong sighed and said, "It seems even Heaven doesn't want you to come into the city with me!"

He knew full well that his meeting with the Prince of Ruyang was merely a matter of doing his best and leaving the rest to fate; he had no guarantee of success. If the negotiations failed, he was alone, and even with the magnificent capital city as a barrier, he was confident he could leave or stay as he pleased. But if Zhao Min followed him into the city, it would be a different story. Therefore, he did not want her to participate.

Zhao Min gazed at Yun Changkong for a moment, then whispered, "Brother Yun, it would be best if you could persuade Father, but if you can't, so be it. You must take care of yourself. My father is a man of his word, but my brother is not like that. Don't believe anything he promises. You know, if I never see you again..." At this point, her eyes immediately reddened.

Yun Changkong laughed: "Don't be so pessimistic. Even if I really never come back, it's my choice. It's like I've risked everything for you, and I feel better about it. Besides, don't discourage me, or I won't know what to say when I see my father-in-law."

Zhao Min laughed too: "I'm not trying to vent your anger. You don't know how much my father and brothers hate you. I think that when my brother killed Yin Liting, although it was to kill Zhang Sanfeng, it was actually to show you what I was doing."

Yun Changkong was stunned.

Zhao Min said, "In the eyes of my father and brothers, the relationship between you and me is a tragic one, all because you wanted to repay the kindness of the Wudang Sect. They not only hate you, but also hate Wudang. Don't you understand?"

Yun Changkong's face showed bitterness: "That's right. I was wondering how Yin Liting could have died. It turns out it was me. I've really caused a lot of trouble!"

Zhao Min chuckled: "Yes, you've really gotten yourself into trouble. The city gates are under such tight security now, it's obvious they're afraid outside martial arts practitioners will cause trouble, and I think it's all because of you."

Yun Changkong could not refute it, and after a long while he sighed, "Yes, I abducted the princess, and your brother failed to kill the number one expert in the world. We have to take precautions! But this may not be of any use! Let's go, I'll find you a place to stay."

Zhao Min turned her horse around: "Follow me!" She spurred her horse, and it neighed and headed north.

Yun Changkong followed, and after leaving a forest, they saw a hill ahead with a small temple standing on it.

Zhao Min said, "This is a Maitreya temple. It used to be very popular, but my father destroyed it."

The two entered, finding themselves in a dilapidated three-courtyard temple. The main hall and side rooms had mostly collapsed. The main hall was missing doors and windows, and the Buddha statue in the center was broken into pieces, though it was vaguely discernible that it was enshrining Maitreya Buddha.

Zhao Min said, "The Ming Cult used the idea of ​​Maitreya descending to earth to bewitch people, which led to the situation we are in today. If there really is a Maitreya Buddha, do you think they would find it strange?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "The Diamond Sutra says: 'All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning; thus should you contemplate them.'"
Maitreya Buddha is used to win people's hearts, so he doesn't care; he naturally doesn't care if people destroy his incense offerings. Otherwise, what kind of Buddha would he be!

Zhao Min smiled and said, "You live each day like a dream, then am I not a dream?"

Yun Changkong quickly laughed it off: "Of course not, I was talking about martial arts. My internal energy comes from Buddhism. If I can cultivate it to the level of 'like a dream, like an illusion, like a bubble, like a shadow, like dew, like lightning,' I will be invincible in the world! So if I want to take another step forward, I must study these twelve words more deeply."

Zhao Min said, "Oh, amazing, amazing! You have such a deep understanding of just one Buddhist scripture. I really have a lot to learn from you."

Yun Changkong said, "Thank you for your praise, Madam. Actually, someone as intelligent as you would find it very easy as long as you put in the effort."

"Is that so?" Zhao Min smiled and said, "But I have a question that I would like to ask my husband to answer."

"What?" Yun Changkong replied casually, picking up firewood from all around.

Zhao Min slowly said, "You once said that there was another woman who was entangled with you. She was extremely skilled in martial arts. You never said who she was. After today, I'm afraid I won't have the courage to ask."

Yun Changkong paused in his hand, nodded and said, "Yes, if I don't come back, you will probably always remember it."

Zhao Min pouted and said, "I won't allow you to say that."

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "There is a time to be born and a place to die. There are some things that should be said, and they must be said. If we don't say them today, perhaps it will be difficult to say them later, haha." He laughed as he spoke.

After laughing for a while, he suddenly showed a look of reminiscence and slowly said, "That woman was extremely beautiful and had superb martial arts skills, but her predecessor once loved but could not be with her, so he established a rule that anyone who inherits the mantle can never leave the mountain, unless someone willing to die for her appears, then he can break the oath and live with him and enjoy the pleasures of love, but no one can know about this oath in advance."

Zhao Min asked, "How did you know? Did she tell you?"

Chang Kong shook his head and said, "Later, this sect took in a male disciple. This person longed for the mortal world and lived a carefree life. Later, when enemies came, this disciple was willing to die in place of his master to protect her!"

Zhao Min smiled and said, "Isn't it normal for a disciple to be willing to die in place of her master?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "That's how it is. But that sect originally did not allow men to enter, let alone accept male disciples. So, this female master and male disciple had already developed feelings for each other without realizing it while spending time alone together."

Zhao Min was very surprised: "Master and disciple in love, are you Han people the most concerned about these social norms?"

Yun Changkong said, "The two of them cannot be judged by common sense. The female master is pure of heart and does not like the secular world. She has never seen any secular people. As for the male disciple, although he knows that this is wrong, he is a free spirit and does not care that much."

However, he later made changes so that he could be with his female master. He gave up the outside world's temptations, and the couple rescued Guo Xiang from Xiangyang City on a giant eagle. After killing Möngke, they went into seclusion and disappeared from the martial world.

Upon hearing "Kill Mongke," Zhao Min had a sudden realization and blurted out, "That male disciple is Yang Guo?"

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "That's right, it's Yang Guo, and that's the origin of the story of The Return of the Condor Heroes!"

"The Condor Heroes." Zhao Min murmured to herself, then smiled bitterly, "The death of Möngke Khan has always been a disgrace to the Mongols. If my ancestor hadn't been Genghis Khan's fourth brother, I wouldn't have known about this. I never imagined there would be such a thing as 'The Condor Heroes'."

Yun Changkong said leisurely, "Yes, it is precisely because Yang Guo, his wife Xiaolongnu, and the Divine Condor charged into the midst of ten thousand troops, killed Möngke, rescued Guo Xiang, the daughter of the great hero Guo, lifted the siege of Xiangyang, and extended the Song Dynasty for more than ten years, that they deserve the title of 'Divine Condor Couple'. Although they have disappeared from the martial arts world, they still have descendants in the world, even to this day."

Many years ago, I met her while practicing martial arts. At that time, my skills were not yet fully developed, and I behaved much like Zhang Wuji at the age of fifteen.

Zhao Min laughed and said, "You've fallen for a honey trap just like that good-for-nothing boy?"

That day, Wu Lie Wei Bi recounted Zhang Wuji's shameful deeds in front of Zhu Jiuzhen. Zhao Min, Xiao Zhao, and Granny Jin Hua all heard it clearly and couldn't help but feel contempt.

This is one of the reasons why Zhao Min and Xiao Zhao, who were deeply in love with Zhang Wuji in the original story, felt nothing when they met him this time.

In the original story, when Xiao Zhao and Zhao Min first met Zhang Wuji, he was a powerful and imposing figure with superb martial arts skills.

But this time, before even seeing him, I heard clearly the shameful story of how he happily dressed as a servant to please Zhu Jiuzhen and revealed all of his adoptive father's secrets!
When I see him again, no matter how great his heroism is, I will naturally feel no affection for him!
This is like having a girl you grew up with, and even if many people like her when she grows up, you just don't like her.

Why?

Others only see her glamorous side, but the person who grew up with her can't help but recall the times she cried with her mouth wide open and snot bubbling from her nose. It would be strange if they could love her.

Therefore, many people miss out on opportunities once the timing isn't right, and that can last a lifetime.

Fate is both wonderful and cruel!

Yun Changkong said quietly, "Back then, I did do some things that seem ridiculous now, just like Zhang Wuji."

But you have to understand, I practiced martial arts every day in the deep mountains for five years, and apart from my grandmother, I had never seen a woman. And my mind is not like that of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy. Suddenly seeing such a beautiful woman is like having suppressed feelings for a long time and needing to release them. It's inevitable that we would talk about love under the moon and flowers and say sweet words. And her!
To this day, I still don't know whether her feelings for me stemmed from love, or from the fact that I was a promising talent, or perhaps from the fact that my father was an anti-Yuan patriot, and that's why she passed on the martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect's founder, Chongyang, to me!

"Ah?" Zhao Min laughed out loud: "So she taught you martial arts?"

Yun Changkong smiled slightly: "Yes, without her gift of martial arts, even with the Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill, it would still be far from enough for me to compete with the heroes of the world!"

Zhao Min walked up to Yun Changkong and grabbed his head, turning it towards her: "Look at me!"

Yun Changkong asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Min slowly said, "Then do you want to learn from Yang Guo?"

Yun Changkong was taken aback: "How did she know I wanted to learn from Yang Lai?"

Seeing his smug expression, Zhao Min sneered, "What? Did I guess right? Let me tell you, the matter with that old woman was a fluke, and she even saved you, so I won't hold it against her. If you were to show her no kindness, I would think you were too cold-hearted, so I think it's perfectly reasonable for you to protect and help her however you want."

But if you think I'm truly magnanimous, you're mistaken.

Seeing her serious expression, Yun Changkong found it quite amusing and said, "Aren't you naturally broad-minded?

Zhao Min understood what he meant and was about to scold him, but when their eyes met, they both saw deep affection in each other's eyes and couldn't help but feel their hearts flutter.

Zhao Min let out a soft moan and rested her head on Yun Changkong's broad chest, her whole body limp, as if she had no strength at all.

Chang Kong held her in his arms. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were unfocused, and her cherry lips trembled slightly, making her look incredibly beautiful. Even though there were two fake mustaches stuck to her lips, they could not hide her stunning beauty.

Yun Changkong lowered his head and kissed Zhao Min's lips deeply. With this kiss, both of them were completely intoxicated.

Yun Changkong could no longer hold back. Coincidentally, just as he was about to take further action, the Autumn God Sword at his waist slammed against the shrine with a clang.

The sound seemed to strike Yun Changkong's heart, making him suddenly remember the purpose of his trip. It was as if cold water had been poured over his head, and all his desires vanished. He quickly put Zhao Min down.

Zhao Min blushed and scolded, "You even tried to bully me in the temple? You're really audacious! Did you dare to treat that Miss Yang like that back then?" Yun Changkong composed himself and said, "Don't compare her to you. I'm a treasure in your eyes, but in her eyes, I might just be a tool to achieve her goals."

Zhao Min was taken aback: "Tools?"

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "Yes, she may have a mission to supervise the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber Project. She even sent someone to tell me that if my martial arts are inferior to hers when we meet again, she will kill me."

"Kill you?" Zhao Min exclaimed in shock. "Why would she help you and then kill you? Is she insane?"

Chang Kong sighed softly, "It's not her fault. I did offend her greatly back then. If it were you, you would have killed me too! The reason I'm still alive is perhaps because I'm still useful!"

Zhao Min asked, "How did you offend her? Did you bully her?"

"I suppose so!" Yun Changkong said, "However, this is a view that only women would hold. I personally don't think so!"

Zhao Min looked him up and down: "I don't understand!"

Yun Changkong said, "Under certain circumstances, I held her in my arms and pressed her down, but I didn't do anything else!"

Zhao Min nodded and said, "If that's the case, then it's only right that they kill you!"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "So, you don't need to treat a woman who wants to kill me as a rival in love!"

Zhao Min laughed and said, "But it's not uncommon for hatred to turn into love, isn't it? Aren't I one of them?"

Yun Changkong couldn't help but smile bitterly: "You are you, and she is she. Besides, I don't even know her name. How can she compare to you?"

Zhao Min laughed: "So you don't even know her name, hehe, so that's why you came to me when she didn't want you, right?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Changkong was greatly shocked and murmured, "Is that so?"

Zhao Min felt a sudden surge of anger and retorted, "That's bullshit! I was just kidding!"

Yun Changkong stared at her blankly for a moment, then sighed, "Minmin, the more you act like this, the more I feel indebted to you, and unworthy of you!"

Zhao Min jumped up and punched him hard: "At a time like this, you still say such things! Then I'm leaving!"

As he spoke, he walked out of the temple. When he reached the temple gate, he stopped, turned around, and laughed, "Aren't you afraid I won't come back?"

Yun Changkong turned around and said, "Of course I'm afraid, but I know you don't want to leave me!"

"You're so vain!" Zhao Min said sternly, "Promise me you won't say anything about whether we're a good match or not anymore. I can't control my temper sometimes, so just coax me."

Yun Changkong said in a serious tone, "If you ask me what my strengths are, no one in the world can match me, it's that I have a thick skin."

"Shameless!" Zhao Min laughed and scolded, "Is this considered a virtue?"

Yun Changkong slowly walked towards her: "That's right, how can you pamper your wife without being thick-skinned?"

Zhao Min laughed and said, "You just have a lot of fallacies!"

Yun Changkong said, "It's not that I have a lot of twisted logic, it's that you're being willful. I don't have a thick skin, and I don't know how much anger I'll get!"

Zhao Min hugged him tightly and said softly, "My dear husband, I am truly grateful to the Eternal Heaven for bestowing you upon me. Aren't you afraid of spoiling me by pampering me like this?"

Yun Changkong hugged Zhao Min's head, kissed her gently, and said, "You were born a vixen, but you can't be all that bad!"

Zhao Min nestled her head against his chest and said softly, "I should have gone with you, but I was afraid that if Father kept me here, it would only harm you. But if you are captured, you should put aside your pride and tell Father that if you lose even a single hair, he will have no daughter!"

Yun Changkong was touched, but said aloud, "Are you concerned about me, or are you underestimating me?"

Zhao Min suddenly raised her head and said, "Stop being so glib and promise me!"

Yun Changkong said, "If I depend on you for my life, I will despise myself for the rest of my life."

Zhao Min gripped his hand tightly and said, "Promise me! Otherwise, don't go! We'll abandon everything!"

Yun Changkong smiled helplessly: "Fine, fine, I promise you, if my father-in-law wants to kill me, I'll use you as my talisman!"

"A gentleman's word!"

"It's hard to chase a horse!"

The two remained silent for a long while before Yun Changkong said again, "Minmin, I used to think that the imperial court's decision to have you wipe out the martial arts world was a sign that your fate was sealed. Now I realize how wrong I was!"

Zhao Min's lips curled slightly: "What do you mean?"

Yun Changkong said, "Being loved by you, any man would be willing to give up everything."

"Are you happy then?"

"I feel so happy!"

The two whispered sweet nothings to each other, and time flew by unnoticed.
As night fell, the two hunted some game, roasted it, and ate it. Yun Changkong changed into black clothes, took his sword and rope, and went to Dadu.

Zhao Min waited anxiously in the temple.

Suddenly, a tinkling sound was heard, like the sound of a zither. Zhao Min immediately became alert, and a sobbing sound arose again, this time the sound of a xiao (vertical flute).

Soon, the sounds of the flute and the zither blended together, creating a melodious and beautiful sound.
Zhao Min rushed out of the temple and saw an astonishing scene: four maids dressed in white and four maids dressed in black descended from the sky and landed lightly on the ground, holding either a zither or a flute, and their feet seemed to be in the shape of a Bagua symbol but were not.

Just as they were surprised, a yellow figure slowly landed in the middle of the eight people. When it landed, its toes lightly touched the ground, like a feather touching the ground, without disturbing a speck of dust. Its movement was so light that it was beyond imagination.

Zhao Min's heart skipped a beat. She thought that the lightness skills of the Green-Winged Bat King, Yun Changkong, and Zhang Wuji were unparalleled. Could there be such amazing lightness skills in the world?
At this moment, eight women surrounded the woman in yellow and strolled over gracefully.

Although Zhao Min found them mysterious, she was bold and courageous. She secretly gathered her energy and was on guard, while also carefully observing the calm and mysterious beauty in front of her.

She appeared to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, with an elegant demeanor, graceful bearing, and exceptional beauty. Her pale face was devoid of any color and was untouched by any rouge or powder. Her two slender, long eyebrows almost reached into her hair, and her deep eyes were clear and bright.

Bathed in the bright moonlight, her serene face showed no trace of a smile, but rather a cool and aloof air that gave her a sacred and inviolable aura, making her exceptionally beautiful and otherworldly.

Zhao Min thought to herself, "So it's true what they said in the book about her being astonishingly beautiful!"

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at the woman in yellow again, but she was also scrutinizing Zhao Min.

The two locked eyes, and Zhao Min smiled sweetly, ripped off her fake mustache, clapped her hands, and said, "Sister, are you a fairy? Not only is your appearance extraordinary, but your lightness skill is also the best I've ever seen in my life. I admire you so much!"

When it comes to stunningly beautiful women, there are Zhou Zhiruo, Xiao Zhao, and the Purple-Robed Dragon King, each with their own unique charm. However, when it comes to the allure of her eyes and the brilliance of her smile, no one can surpass Zhao Min.

At this moment, Zhao Min's eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushed, and her gentle smile was like a hundred flowers blooming, causing the maids' hearts to flutter.

The woman in yellow maintained her cold and aloof demeanor, her face calm as still water, and said indifferently, "No wonder Yun Changkong was willing to be an unfilial son. She is indeed as delicate as a flower, and I feel sorry for her!"

Zhao Min frowned slightly: "Watch your words. How is Yun Changkong unfilial?"

The woman in yellow said calmly, "Xiao Hong, go and experience the martial arts of the Mongolian princess."

A young girl holding a long flute leaped out in response to the call.

Zhao Min laughed and said, "Since you are willing to teach me, why don't you come in person? Wouldn't it be beneath your dignity to have a mere maid challenge me?"

Xiao Hong said, "Do you think you're worthy to fight with a young lady?"

Zhao Min drew her long sword with a swift motion and slowly stepped forward. Suddenly, her body swayed, and with a whoosh, a cold light flashed towards the yellow-clad woman's shoulder.

Upon seeing this sword strike, the woman in yellow's eyes lit up: "Alright, I'll do it!"

She knew that Zhao Min's sword technique was infinitely versatile; it was crafted by Yun Changkong for Zhao Min, and only a master among masters could discern its secrets.

Upon seeing that these women were incredibly mysterious and their target was Yun Changkong, Zhao Min naturally used her strongest technique.

Seeing the sword coming, the woman in yellow suddenly reached out and brought her hands together. Zhao Min felt a tremendous shock in her hands, as if she had pierced through soft, flowing water. The longsword hummed and came to an abrupt halt.

The woman in yellow, with her sword between her hands, pushed forward. Zhao Min's arm trembled violently, her feet touched the ground, and she floated more than ten feet away. Her whole body trembled and shook before she looked at the woman in yellow and said, "It's you. You are the woman who taught my husband the Quanzhen martial arts?"

As she spoke, her face turned deathly pale.

She considered herself a prodigy, a first-rate woman. Although this woman was older than her, her skill was so profound and her martial arts so powerful that, apart from the descendant of the Yang family mentioned by Yun Changkong, there was no one else in the martial arts world who could match her!
Upon hearing this, the woman in yellow forced a smile onto her indifferent face and coldly said, "You're not stupid. Didn't you say I was crazy? Are you coming with me yourself, or should I take you away?"

Zhao Min sighed: "You heard everything."

The woman in yellow did not answer, her two cold, electric eyes staring directly at her.

Zhao Min asked, "Are you here to kill him?"

The woman in yellow coldly replied, "This is none of your business."

Zhao Min snorted, "It's related!" With that, she drew a dagger from her waist and plunged it into her heart.

Suddenly, a woman in yellow flashed by, like a startled swan. She flew over, flipped her wrist, and snatched his dagger away. Then, she poked his waist with her right index finger and reached out to catch him, preventing him from falling.

Zhao Min was more than ten feet away from the woman, and the dagger was only a foot away from her chest, but the woman in yellow was too fast and subdued her in an instant, preventing her from even committing suicide.

Only now did Zhao Min understand what Yun Changkong meant when he said that if she were to kill her, even he wouldn't be able to protect her.

This woman's movements are too fast; she's practically inhuman.

It should be known that the Ancient Tomb Sect's lightness skill is unparalleled in the martial arts world, surpassing that of any other sect.

The Green-Winged Bat King possessed unparalleled lightness skills. In the original story, Xie Xun dared not step forward when Zhou Zhiruo threatened him, fearing that he would not be able to stop her in time.

The woman in yellow not only knocked away Zhou Dian's weapon, but also floated towards Zhou Zhiruo with unparalleled speed and agility, leaving her no room to react.

Zhao Min was naturally far inferior to Wei Yixiao and Zhou Zhiruo, who were masters of lightness skills.

"Take her away!" The woman in yellow tossed Zhao Min to her maid and drifted away.

(End of this chapter)