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

Chapter 142 A Child's Play, Yet Completely Convinced
Upon hearing Xie Xun's words, both Yun Changkong and Zhao Min were startled. Zhao Min thought to herself, "Zhou Zhiruo has always been arrogant and values ​​her reputation above all else. She has already made a fool of herself today. If Zhang Wuji listens to his godfather and cuts ties with her, how can she let it go?"

Yun Changkong knew all too well how a white lotus flower could turn into a black lotus flower.

Zhou Zhiruo's emotions were like a taut bowstring as she looked at Zhang Wuji.

Zhang Wuji was confused. He originally wanted to be with Zhou Zhiruo forever, but then he thought about it. Even if Abbess Miejue stopped seeking revenge, there was probably no chance for his successor to marry the son of his enemy. His adoptive father had been very kind to him. How could he be a son if he was so attached to this love?

Zhang Wuji looked at Zhou Zhiruo and saw that her face was as clear as the moonlight, her beautiful face was exquisite, but it was too pale, which made her look pitiful and delicate.

Xie Xun said, "Wuji, you are my only attachment in this mortal world! I am overjoyed to see you take over as the leader of our sect. Do you know the sect's verses?"

"Yes, I understand!" Zhang Wuji bowed and said, "What joy is there in life, and what bitterness in death? Pity us mortals, for we have so many worries."

Xie Xun nodded and said, "As the leader of a sect, you bear the heavy responsibility of driving out the Tartars. How can you devote your mind and body to personal feelings? You used to think everything was so beautiful, but now that Miss Zhou has revealed all her feelings, if we don't come to a conclusion, do you really want people to ridicule my Ming Cult?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wuji thought to himself, "Zhang Wuji, you can't just be so concerned about your feelings for your children. The Tartars have not yet been driven out, and our land has not yet been restored. What's the point of thinking about these personal matters?"

Then he thought, "As the leader of the Ming Cult, my every word and action is related to the rise and fall of the cult and the martial arts world. I am confident that my character has been impeccable throughout my life, but if I indulge in women, I will be ridiculed by the heroes of the world and ruin the reputation of the cult."

Then I thought, "My mother repeatedly told me on her deathbed that beautiful women are the most deceitful, and that I must be careful and vigilant throughout my life. I forgot my mother's last words because of Zhu Jiuzhen. How can I not keep them in mind and repeat the same mistake?"

He composed himself and looked at Zhou Zhiruo.

She stood gracefully to one side, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.

Zhang Wuji hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke: "Zhiruo, we martial artists should be like Hero Guo, serving our country and people, upholding justice and righteousness. My feelings for you remain unchanged, but we should discuss our marriage later! As the saying goes, 'How can I think of a home when the Xiongnu are not yet defeated?' I am willing to follow his example..."

Zhao Min said in a deep voice, "Master Zhang, it's one thing for you, a grown man, to be hesitant about such an important matter as your life's destiny, but why make excuses for yourself? What's with this 'How can I have a home when the Xiongnu haven't been destroyed?' Do you even know that Huo Qubing died before the Xiongnu were destroyed?"

Zhang Wuji blushed deeply upon hearing this.

Zhou Zhiruo smiled sadly and said, "Well said, 'With the Xiongnu not yet destroyed, how can I think of a home?'"

Her pitiful eyes, like dewdrops and stars, adorned the desolate night: "Then why don't you destroy the Xiongnu who are right here?"

Zhang Wuji's face flushed again.

He is gentle and unassuming, somewhat indecisive, and tends to let things take their natural course. When forced to do so, he is unwilling to go against the wishes of others and would rather sacrifice his own interests to follow their lead.

When Xi Jinping learned the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth, he was forced to become the leader of the Ming Cult, partly due to the circumstances, and partly due to the reasoning and emotional appeals from Yun Changkong, Yin Tianzheng, Yang Xiao, and others.
At this moment, Xie Xun's words had put him in a dilemma, which is why he made up an excuse for himself.

However, Zhou Zhiruo was competitive and deep-seated. She said resentfully, "Zhang Wuji, are you going to obey your godfather's orders and abandon me? Tell me!"

"Alright, alright!" Yun Changkong hurriedly interjected, "Miss Zhou was forced by her master, and Leader Zhang was forced by his adoptive father. You two are truly in the same boat!"

However, you elders all use the guise of doing good deeds to do things you think are right, which is utter nonsense!
Leader Zhang, if you truly love Miss Zhou, why care what your godfather says? Can he stay with you for a lifetime? Miss Zhou, if you truly love Zhang Wuji, why bother with what your master says?
One of you has a very strong will, while the other has no will, but both of you still want love and a good reputation for loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness.

Haha, is there such a wonderful thing in this world waiting for you?
Look at me! Not only am I insulted, but countless people are plotting against me, all without violating the code of the martial arts world!

Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao exchanged a glance, both knowing that Yun Changkong had overheard their conversation.
"Love is a thing that often leads people astray." Yang Xiao said softly, "Master, since ancient times, those who are deeply in love have only ended up with regrets. Even lovers may not be able to become a couple. Moreover, Miss Zhou has someone else in her heart. Even if she were to marry you, it would probably be difficult for them to live happily ever after."

The cult leader and Miss Zhou are both outstanding individuals, insightful and wise; they should understand this principle.

Zhang Wuji looked at Zhou Zhiruo again, his lips moving slightly.

Xie Xun shouted, "Wuji, why are you being so indecisive? People don't only care about you, Zhang Wuji. At this point, can't you even say a single straightforward thing?"

Yun Changkong said, "Thank you, Lion King. Why are you, as an elder, meddling in the affairs of young people? Perhaps after they get married, everything will be fine once they become husband and wife. But you insist on forcing your adopted son here."

Xie Xun sneered, "Once you become husband and wife, everything will be fine. Why didn't you marry her back then? Even now, it's common for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Why don't you marry her then?"

"Thank you, Lion King!" Zhao Min was also extremely annoyed: "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll slap you across the face."

Xie Xun said, "You, Yun Changkong, don't want a woman, but you want my son Wuji to marry her? What are you up to?"

Let me tell you, because you, like this old blind man, have seen through her true nature, you fear you might die at her hands at any moment!

Upon hearing this, Yun Changkong was speechless for a moment.

Because Xie Xun had hit the nail on the head.

Fortunately, it was Zhao Min who caused Yun Changkong's affair with the woman in yellow and the dragon king in purple. If it had been Zhou Zhiruo, the situation would have been completely different.

Zhao Min always protected her lover's interests, even at the cost of her own reputation and life.

However, Zhou Zhiruo always considered herself, regardless of her reputation or interests, and was willing to hurt her lover even if it meant doing so.

Therefore, Yun Changkong could accept the Purple-Robed Dragon King, a woman who had been married before, but he would not accept Zhou Zhiruo.

Because he can't afford to gamble!

Failure will cost you your life!
"Love-obsessed" people are different; when they feel wronged, they will comfort themselves and convince themselves to accept it!
Seeing that the men were completely disregarding her, treating her like a commodity, Zhou Zhiruo was furious and sneered, "Fine, Zhang Wuji, I have Yun Changkong in my heart, so what?"

Yun Changkong didn't want to see a "black lotus" emerge, so he quickly waved his hand and said, "Brother Zhang, she's just being stubborn. It's not impossible for her to find a husband just to spite you. Don't listen to that!"

You said the Xiongnu have not been destroyed. Let alone destroy them, even just driving out the Tartars is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It will take at least several decades, and at the fastest, it will take five or eight years. You said, "Why should I have a home?" Does getting married have to wait that long?

Which girl has the best years of her life waiting for you?
Besides, would getting married really stop you from doing great things?
I think that's bullshit. As someone who's been there, let me tell you, just take him away, like Yang Xiao did, and make it a fait accompli. Everything will be fine!

Yang Xiao raised his eyebrows, yet he was helpless.

"You shameless bastard!" Zhou Zhiruo, who was always dignified and composed, suddenly burst into a tirade after being provoked by Yun Changkong: "What do you take me for? Zhang Wuji, even your godfather's subordinates want us to separate. What do you think? Give me a straight answer!"

Zhang Wuji was in a real dilemma when Xie Xun said, "Wuji, are you really trying to drive me crazy?"

Zhang Wuji stamped his foot and said, "Zhiruo, my godfather has been incredibly kind to me. I hope you will understand."

Zhou Zhiruo sneered, "Fine, fine. From this day forward, Zhou Zhiruo and that Zhang fellow are severing all ties. Yun Changkong, if I do not avenge this humiliation, I, Zhou Zhiruo, swear I am not worthy of being called a human being!"

Saying that, he turned around and left.

Yang Xiao, Wei Yixiao, and the others were all somewhat shocked by what they saw.

"Slow down!" A chill ran through Yun Changkong's heart. He rushed forward, turned around, and blocked Zhou Zhiruo's path.

The four faced each other, and Zhou Zhiruo coldly asked, "What are you doing?"

Yun Changkong said, "Are you kidding me? Did I humiliate you? What are you asking me to avenge?
You've always used me as a shield and Zhang Wuji as a pawn, so where does this deep hatred come from?

Fine, I didn't marry you, that's an insult to you, is that acceptable?

You know I'm a womanizer. Today, in front of my wife, Zhang Wuji, and his adoptive father and subordinates, I agree to marry you. Are you willing to share a husband with another woman?

"Sharing a husband?" Zhou Zhiruo's fair cheeks flushed red, and she laughed, "You think you're worthy?"

Yun Changkong's eyes were full of sarcasm: "Of course I'm not worthy!"

But don't try to shift the blame. The truth is, you don't love anyone but yourself! Hate whoever you want, but please don't act as if I were truly unfaithful and heartless, starting something and then abandoning it!

Yun Changkong understood Zhou Zhiruo very well; she perfectly combined gentleness with ruthlessness.

In the original story, he was gentle to those who were useful to him and ruthless to those who were not, switching between the two with ease. He was also very good at shirking responsibility. He claimed that stabbing Zhang Wuji and stealing the Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber to frame Zhao Min were done on his master's orders. He could also claim that his ruthless killings at the Lion-Slaying Assembly were done on his master's orders, in order to bring fame and fortune to the Emei Sect.

But if she listened to her master so much, how could she have completely forgotten the vicious oath she made at Wan'an Temple when she married Zhang Wuji in Haozhou?
If anyone thinks that a few vows can restrain Zhou Zhiruo, not only is Madam Miejue underestimating Zhou Zhiruo, but many readers have also been deceived by her!
In reality, she did what was in her own interest and then shifted the blame to others; shirking responsibility is the simplest and most effective method.

Whether this person is Abbess Miejue, Zhang Wuji, Song Qingshu, or just some random cat or dog, it doesn't really matter; they are all just stepping stones and pawns for her.

However, Yun Changkong was unwilling to take the blame.

He'd better tear everything apart, making it seem like Zhou Zhiruo's descent into darkness was also his own doing!
"Really?" Zhou Zhiruo's beautiful eyes flashed coldly as she gritted her teeth and said, "You dare to marry me? Aren't you afraid Zhao Min will be jealous?"

"I'm not jealous at all!" Zhao Min said with a grin. "My husband has several women, and I've always wanted a maidservant. Sister Zhou, would you like to come?" Zhou Zhiruo was furious and about to curse when she suddenly sneered and said, "So, you agree?"

Zhao Min chimed in with a laugh, "Of course! Would you like to be my concubine?"

A sharp glint flashed in Zhou Zhiruo's eyes, and she sneered, "Fine, then let's give it a try!"

In Zhou Zhiruo's eyes, Yun Changkong and Zhang Wuji were both humiliating her, one because of Zhao Min and the other because of Xie Xun.

She was determined to take revenge, so what could be more thorough than becoming Yun Changkong's concubine at this moment?
But when she said that, neither Yun Changkong, Zhao Min, Yang Xiao, Xie Xun, nor even Zhang Wuji took it seriously, knowing it was just something she said in anger.

Zhang Wuji sighed and said, "Zhiruo, it doesn't matter that you abandoned me, but why demean yourself like this!"

Zhou Zhiruo said sternly, "Master Zhang, please have some self-respect. Our relationship is over, how can you still use our old titles?" With that, she walked around Yun Changkong and was about to leave.

Suddenly, Yun Changkong reached out and, with a series of sharp movements, struck several pressure points on her before tossing her to Zhao Min.

Zhao Min caught it easily, and Zhang Wuji was taken aback: "Brother Yun, you?"

Yun Changkong said, "You brat, you're so indecisive. Why can't you learn from me? Why don't you dare to stand up to your father for once? If you let her leave like this, she'll hold a grudge and might take revenge on you and me. You'll never have peace again."

Zhang Wuji was taken aback. He thought Zhou Zhiruo was gentle and mild-mannered, so what could she possibly do?
In the original story, Yun Changkong knew what Zhou Zhiruo did after she turned evil, but what about now? Nobody knows what she will do after turning evil!
Therefore, we must not let this time bomb go!
Yun Changkong looked at Xie Xun and said, "King Xie, will you give me the Dragon-Slaying Saber? I need to go find Abbess Miejue."

Xie Xun laughed heartily and walked towards Yun Changkong. Under the moonlight, his eyes, now blinded, stared in Yun Changkong's direction. He placed his hand on the Dragon-Slaying Saber and said, "Back then, for this saber, I not only injured the Kunlun Sect, the Divine Fist Sect, and the Giant Whale Gang, but also killed Brother Yin's subordinates. If I were to hand it over with both hands based solely on Wuji's words, I would be unwilling!"

Yun Changkong's sculpted face remained calm and composed, ignoring the martial arts master who slowly walked in, wielding the Dragon-Slaying Saber.

Zhao Min smiled and asked, "Is King Xie unwilling, or is he afraid?"

Xie Xun said calmly, "I have roamed the world, killing and burning, and my victims are many. Now that Cheng Kun is dead, I have no more attachments except for my son Wuji. Now I only ask to learn the ultimate skills of the world's number one master to make up for my life's regrets!"

The Golden Lion King, once a formidable figure in the martial world, has, though blinded, made great strides in his martial arts and internal energy cultivation on Icefire Island, free from worldly distractions. He has even integrated all his knowledge to create a comprehensive internal energy cultivation method that embodies the culmination of his life's martial arts prowess. He is certainly capable of challenging a peerless master like Yun Changkong.

You should know that Yun Changkong is famous throughout the martial arts world. For any martial artist, being able to spar with such a master is the luckiest thing in the world.

Xie Xun, in particular, had not fought anyone for twenty years, so his joy at meeting Yun Changkong was even greater than that of others.

Yun Changkong shook his head and said, "Learning is endless. I would never dare to claim to be the best in the world. Besides, you have extraordinary skills, but you are blind in the end. You are no match for me."

Furthermore, I've resolved to no longer concern myself with the affairs of the martial world. I was only asked by your adopted son to take this to Abbess Miejue to retrieve the military treatise. To fight you would be as if I were fighting for this very blade!

Xie Xun laughed and said, "You're not tempted by the Nine Yin Manual?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Let me tell you, the Nine Yin Manual begins with the Tao Te Ching, which states that the way of Heaven is to take from those who have more than enough and give to those who have less than enough. Therefore, emptiness overcomes fullness, and insufficiency overcomes excess."

If one cannot achieve a mind as free as the clear blue sky, letting the wind and moon roam freely without restraint, even if the Nine Yin Manual were placed before one's eyes, it would be difficult to truly enter its hall. Going with the flow is the true essence; why cling to anything?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiruo, Zhang Wuji, Zhao Min, and others were all pondering the words "the way of heaven."

Xie Xun chuckled twice and said, "You don't take the Nine Yin Manual seriously, but if you don't accept my challenge, people in the martial arts world will surely say that the dignified Hero Yun is afraid of a blind lion like me. I'm afraid you can't afford to lose face like that!"

Yun Changkong smiled slightly: "Provocation won't work on me. Whether I'm ashamed or not is up to my own opinion!"

Everyone knew that this was the real Yun Changkong; if he cared about his reputation, he wouldn't have done many things.

Suddenly, Yun Chang said casually, "However, since you say so, it would be a disservice for me not to see just how capable the Golden-Haired Lion King really is. Now, make your move!"

"Good!" Xie Xun laughed loudly, brandishing the Dragon-Slaying Saber. With a whoosh, the blade's energy dissipated before it even reached the target, and with a hiss, a large tree was snapped in two. He said, "The Dragon-Slaying Saber is extremely sharp. This name is very unfavorable to someone like you, a dragon among men. Be careful."

Yun Changkong chuckled and said, "Is this psychological warfare?"

Xie Xun braced himself on the ground with both feet and soared into the air like a giant bird soaring through the clouds. While he was in mid-air, the Dragon-Slaying Saber slashed down from the sky.

Although he swung his sword down in mid-air, the force of the blow came from within three feet of Yun Changkong.

The wind was strong and fierce, the clouds were high and the hair was flying, and it looked like it was about to hit me.

To everyone's surprise, Wei Yixiao exclaimed "Eh!" and saw Yun Changkong move like a fish in water, his body twisting with incredible ease, dodging Xie Xun's blade.

Such a mysterious and profound movement technique stirred something in everyone's hearts.

As soon as Xie Xun landed, he shouted, "Be careful!" He spun around, and the Dragon-Slaying Saber instantly conjured up a series of sword shadows, circling towards Yun Changkong.

Seeing that the Dragon-Slaying Saber looked unassuming and dark, but was actually forged from black iron and Western refined gold, Yun Changkong knew it was a true treasure and sharp weapon. Even with his superior skills and daring, he dared not underestimate it, but it also ignited his competitive spirit, making him determined to seize the Dragon-Slaying Saber with his bare hands.

In the blink of an eye, Xie Xun had unleashed forty-nine attacks, each move closely linked to the last, with slashes and sweeps, left and right thrusts, a constant stream of ingenious and unpredictable moves.

All the onlookers saw was a flash of dark light and a howling wind, like a black dragon circling the sky.

Zhao Min and Zhou Zhiruo, standing offstage, both had their hands sweating profusely.

They all knew that the Heaven-Slaying Sword could cut through metal and iron as easily as cutting wheat, and the Dragon-Slaying Saber was the same. If Yun Changkong fought someone bare-handed, even if he was careless and took a hit, it would not be fatal. But now, it was hard to say.

At this moment, all that could be seen was the two advancing and retreating, sometimes joining and sometimes separating. Zhao and Zhou were dazzled, unable to see or understand many of the moves, and had no idea what the two were trying to do.

Yang Xiao and Wei Yixiao possessed profound skills and exceptional eyesight. They saw Xie Xun's sword techniques growing faster and faster, but no matter how swift his blade was, he could never strike Yun Changkong.
Yun Changkong moved with the agility of a dragon. If Xie Xun were to be struck by his palm at the first opportunity, the outcome of the battle would be decided instantly.

Zhang Wuji, whose martial arts were superior to theirs and who saw things more clearly, had never seen his adoptive father fight anyone before. Now, seeing Xie Xun's amazing moves, profound skill, and agile movements, he was overjoyed: "The Golden-Haired Lion King was once a force to be reckoned with, and his reputation is well-deserved. My adoptive father's martial arts are even better than Wei Bat King's, and he is on par with my maternal grandfather."

However, his adoptive father was awe-inspiring, but Yun Changkong's strength was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. It was because Yun Changkong remained calm and composed under such a strong offensive. He thought to himself, "Why did Brother Yun let go of so many opportunities to seize the knife?"
"Yes, that's right. The Dragon-Slaying Saber is too sharp, and he let many opportunities slip by out of caution. With any other weapon, he would have disarmed it within ten moves!"

Then he thought, "What if I were to face a formidable enemy wielding a dragon-slaying sword empty-handed?"

In the blink of an eye, the two had exchanged forty or fifty moves. Xie Xun had previously been unmatched in the world, except for a handful of people such as Cheng Kun, Yang Dingtian, and Master Kongjian.

However, twenty years later, he was no longer the same as before, but unexpectedly, dozens of moves were all in vain.

At that moment, a gust of wind arose, and figures darted about. Suddenly, a clanging sound was heard, like the sound of metal clashing, or perhaps a deep, somber sound that was neither metal nor wood.

The light from Xie Xun's blade vanished instantly. It turned out that Yun Changkong, following the direction from which the Dragon-Slaying Blade swept, grabbed, pressed, and pulled along the back of the blade with his left hand. His palm contained his profound true energy, and he struck the back of the Dragon-Slaying Blade, immediately producing a strange sound and breaking Xie Xun's blade move.

Xie Xun's arm went numb, his sword stopped abruptly, and he felt a gust of wind from a palm strike to his face. He roared and threw out his left fist, its power unmatched, its momentum overwhelming, and it faintly carried the sound of wind and thunder.
Yun Changkong couldn't help but praise, "Good."

The two exchanged blows, fists and palms.

With a loud thud, Yun Changkong felt an unusual force from the punch. Xie Xun's face turned pale, and he stammered, "You, you..." Before he could finish speaking...

Yun Changkong's left hand flew up with both fingers and palm, and with a flick of his wrist, Xie Xun's right hand went numb. The Dragon-Slaying Saber in his hand had already fallen into Yun Changkong's hand. He was unable to control himself and staggered back three steps, his bones crackling like popping beans.

"Godfather!" Zhang Wuji floated forward.

Xie Xun waved his hand, exhaled, and sighed, "I never imagined that such a young master like you would emerge in the world. My decades of hard work have been so insignificant in your hands."

The crowd found it a bit strange; wasn't it normal for him to lose?
Only Yun Changkong, Zhang Wuji, and Xie Xun understood the reason behind this.

Xie Xun, filled with a sense of vicissitude, felt a pang of a hero's decline: "Back then, after I obtained the Seven Injury Fist manual, I was full of vigor, thinking that by hiding the Seven Injury Fist within the Thunderbolt Fist, I could create a deadly technique. What appeared to be a single punch was actually the Thunderbolt Fist, but in reality, it was the Seven Injury Fist. What ambition I had! Alas..."

He sighed deeply, his voice filled with desolation and loneliness: "I never imagined that my fistfight with Master Yun just now would be like child's play."

Yun Changkong shifted his gaze from the Dragon-Slaying Saber and said, "If I hadn't exchanged a punch with Sect Leader Zhang that day and gained some understanding of the Seven Injury Fist, I wouldn't be able to do it so easily. Please don't take it to heart."

Xie Xun clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Excellency is not only exceptionally skilled in martial arts, but also possesses a magnanimous heart. I am completely convinced and deeply admire you!"

It turns out that Xie Xun suffered internal injuries while practicing the Seven Injury Fist in order to achieve quick mastery, and his fist power was originally flawed. When he used the Thunder Fist, the fist and palm collided, which was actually the "Seven Injury Fist", with seven different forces coming out at the same time.

Unexpectedly, Yun Changkong knew the truth as soon as they made contact. The palm strike seemed ordinary, but due to the change in the opponent's strength, Xie Xun's fist changed, and he also changed accordingly. He followed the situation and pushed back, thus sending Xie Xun's Seven Injury Fist back.

As a master of martial arts, Xie Xun knew that when his punch landed on empty air, his entire body's internal energy was resisting the force of his punch. If Yun Changkong were to increase his strength, he would have no way to think of a way out and nowhere to avoid it; it would be a dead end! How could he not submit?

Moreover, this was when I harbored ill intentions towards him!
(End of this chapter)