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

"careful!"

"No!"

Qu Feiyan and Yilin also heard the man's sigh and were both startled, thinking they had encountered a thief. They rushed out and suddenly saw Yun Changkong. Amidst their cries of alarm, the tip of the sword was already at Yun Changkong's throat.

At this moment, Yun Changkong's martial arts skills were truly unparalleled. In this critical moment, he gently stretched out his right hand, smiled, and pinched the tip of the sword with his thumb and forefinger, controlling it at will.

The woman wielding the sword was a young woman with fair skin, a round face, and long, narrow eyes. She had a heroic air about her. Her long sword whistled as it was drawn. He thought to himself, "This is the first woman to say that the Songshan Sect is more evil than the Demonic Sect! She is also the woman who was cut in two by the broadsword of the Songshan Sect."

Liu Jing's sword was blocked. Upon seeing Yun Changkong's gentle and kind smile, she didn't try to draw her sword, nor did she have the mind to. Her heart was pounding, and she asked softly, "Who are you?"

Liu Zhengfeng then coughed and said, "Jing'er, this is my honored guest."

"Ah! Father, you're here too!" Liu Jing was secretly startled and quickly jumped back, looking at her father, thinking, "Why don't I see Father here!"

Liu Zhengfeng said, "Master Yun, this is my daughter. Please excuse her."

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Your daughter's moves are swift and unpredictable, truly demonstrating a deep understanding of swordsmanship. Her family's profound knowledge of swordsmanship is quite remarkable."

Hearing his praise, Liu Jing felt shy, and a blush rose to her cheeks.

Suddenly, Qu Feiyan rushed over, grabbed Yun Changkong, and said, "Brother Yun, Sister Liu's sword strikes are as swift as the wind. This is a killing move against flower thieves. I don't think you can even dodge it. How can you catch it and let everyone see it clearly?"
What you're practicing, martial arts or evil magic?

Yun Changkong smiled slightly.

Liu Zhengfeng slowly said, "This is not an evil technique, but the Shaolin's unique skill, the Flower-Picking Finger."

Liu Zhengfeng had always wanted to see for himself how skilled Yun Changkong was in martial arts, so when his daughter drew her sword, he focused all his attention on Yun Changkong, watching him make a gesture of plucking flowers with his thumb and forefinger, and a gentle and kind smile appeared on his face.

This is the "Finger of Flowers" technique from the Seventy-Two Arts of Shaolin Temple. Having witnessed this skill, there is no doubt left about his claim of a conspiracy by the Songshan Sect.

In today's world, the only sects that dare to provoke the Songshan Sect besides the Demonic Sect and the Shaolin Sect are the Songshan Sect.

Qu Feiyan asked in surprise, "Are you from Shaolin Temple?"

Yun Changkong looked at Yilin: "Do you know the origin of the 'Smiling with a Flower'?"

Yilin pressed her palms together and said softly, "According to the *Wudeng Huiyuan*, when the Buddha held up a flower at the Vulture Peak assembly, all the disciples remained silent, puzzled, except for Venerable Kasyapa, who smiled. The Buddha then said, 'I possess the true Dharma eye, the wondrous mind of Nirvana, the true formless reality, the subtle Dharma gate, which is not established in words, but transmitted separately outside the scriptures. I entrust it to Mahakasyapa.' From then on, Zen Buddhism transmitted mind to mind, and Venerable Kasyapa was revered as the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism."

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "So, little master, the mind is Buddha. Whether you are a monk or a nun or not makes little difference. As long as you do good deeds, a layperson can also attain enlightenment."

Similarly, even if one shaves their head, dons a monk's robe, but engages in acts that harm others for personal gain, they will still descend into the eighteenth level of hell, never to be redeemed!

Since her experience with Tian Boguang, Yilin had been unsettled and lost. But after hearing Yun Changkong's words of guidance, she felt a sense of belonging and was overjoyed. She put her hands together and said with a smile, "Thank you, nameless hero. I am deeply grateful."

She smiled, and in the soft moonlight, her beautiful eyes shone brightly, radiating an indescribable brilliance.

Yun Changkong's face darkened.

"Pfft!" Qu Feiyan couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Yun, are you trying to get Sister Yilin to return to secular life so that... someone can find a home?" Her eyes were full of teasing. She originally wanted to say "so that she can be your wife," but she was afraid that Yilin would be too shy, so she said something else.

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "For a woman, marriage is not necessarily a good ending. If she meets someone who is understanding, considerate, and caring, and they can enjoy each other's company day and night, sharing a bed, that is indeed a lifelong blessing."

If you marry an ordinary, unskilled man with a violent temper, it'll be a living hell!

Qu Feiyan smiled and asked, "Then which type are you?"

Yun Changkong sighed and looked at Liu Zhengfeng: "You want me to sleep here?"

Liu Zhengfeng was somewhat embarrassed. Her daughter usually stayed in the inner quarters and rarely appeared in the outer quarters, which was why she had lured Yun Changkong here. However, she never expected that her daughter would meet with friends here in secret, so she had no choice but to find another place.

Then Yilin put her hands together and said, "Uncle Liu, Master Wuming, elder brother, this little nun is going to find Master." With that, she hurriedly left.

She was going to call him "Hero," but then she remembered that Yun Changkong had said he didn't like her calling him "Hero," and he had just suddenly frowned, so she figured that was why. Not wanting to go against his wishes, she could only call him "Big Brother."

Yun Changkong actually liked hearing girls call him "brother," and since Yilin could call him "elder brother," it was already quite amusing. He smiled and said, "Miss Qu, you go with her and leave her to the nun!"

Qu Feiyan smiled and said, "Yes, ma'am!" and followed Yilin.

Liu Zhengfeng glanced at Yun Changkong and saw that he was looking at Yilin. He thought to himself, "Yilin's beauty is not only unparalleled in the sect, but even in the mortal world, I have never seen anyone who can compare to her. It is normal for a nameless hero in his prime to be moved by her."

Liu Jing stared intently at Yun Changkong, then suddenly smiled and said, "Father, my two sisters and I just ate some fruit and chatted for a while. Let this young master rest here."

Yun Changkong didn't want to make any more of a fuss: "Alright, then I'll take my leave."

Liu Zhengfeng said, "Then you will take care of Hero Yun's daily life. I have other things to attend to."

"Yes!"

"I apologize!"

"please!"

Yun Changkong followed Liu Jing into the house and saw that the furnishings were very elegant. Yun Changkong's sense of smell was beyond that of ordinary people, and he could faintly smell a woman's intoxicating fragrance. He couldn't help but have romantic thoughts.

Liu Jing blushed as soon as she entered the room, which puzzled Yun Changkong.

Liu Jing held a lamp and led him into the bedroom, where he saw that the room was luxuriously and exquisitely furnished.

"Master Yun." Liu Jing turned on the bedroom light, her pretty face flushed even more, and said, "You should rest now!" With that, she withdrew.

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Thank you!"

As Yun Changkong lay in bed, he thought about how he had been embracing Zhao Min, Zhou Zhiruo, the Purple-Robed Dragon King, and other women last night, and now he was all alone. He felt a pang of sadness.

He suddenly understood what it meant to be unable to be together, yet to yearn for each other day and night.

Thinking to himself, he murmured, "I know I shouldn't, but I miss you all."

Yun Changkong deeply understands the word "knowledge," but there is no solution or cure for it.

Heroes grow old, beauties turn gray; all that is beautiful is fleeting, like flowers in a mirror or the moon in water, like a dream or a bubble.

Therefore, even though I know I shouldn't miss them, I can't help but feel that way.

Perhaps this is what it means to have love that is not physically present, but deeply felt in one's heart.

Yun Changkong was in a daze when he suddenly heard light, quick footsteps, and a yellow shadow flashed through his mind.

There was a knocking sound at the door. Yun Changkong recognized the person by the footsteps and said, "Miss Qu, what brings you here so late?"

Qu Feiyan snorted, "You don't want me to come?"

Yun Changkong smiled, opened the door, and saw Qu Feiyan carrying a square box as she walked in.

Yun Changkong smelled the aroma of food and wine and said, "So you brought me food?"

Qu Feiyan was very displeased and said, "Then what do you think we should give?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing!"

Qu Feiyan smiled and said, "Grandpa invited you to drink, but what you said was too scary. You didn't eat or drink anything. I asked Sister Liu to prepare some wine and dishes for you, and I'll have a drink with you." She then laid out the wine and dishes.

Upon hearing her words, Yun Changkong recalled how she was killed by Fei Bin with a single sword in the original story and asked, "How old are you this year?"

Qu Feiyan looked slightly puzzled, then chuckled and said, "In two more months, I'll be fourteen."

Yun Changkong asked, "Where are your parents? Why did they run off with your grandfather?"

Qu Feiyan's bright and mischievous eyes flashed with a melancholy look as she said, "My parents were both murdered. I only have my grandfather left."

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "It seems to be another feud between martial arts practitioners. Qu Yang probably wants to leave the martial arts world because of this."

She was an orphan, and thinking of the ending in the original story, Yun Changkong felt a pang of pity and said, "Miss Qu, don't cause trouble anymore, or you might run into bad people!"

Qu Feiyan smiled radiantly and said, "Are you concerned about me?" She poured Yun Changkong a glass of wine.

Yun Changkong said, "That depends on how you think about it." He took the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Qu Feiyan smiled and asked, "Do you like Sister Yilin?" Her expression was ambiguous, with a hint of sadness in it.

Yun Changkong laughed and asked, "Isn't she beautiful?"

Qu Feiyan said, "Very beautiful." Then she pouted and snorted, "But I know someone who is even more beautiful than this great beauty."

Yun Changkong glanced at her, recalling her hesitant words earlier, and said leisurely, "You're not talking about the Holy Maiden, are you?"

Qu Feiyan was taken aback and asked in surprise, "You know that too?"

Yun Changkong laughed and asked, "You've seen her before?"

"Of course!" Qu Feiyan shook her head again: "I've seen her, but she was wearing a light veil, so I didn't see her face clearly. But she was very, very beautiful. Her skin was fair and smooth. She was a great beauty. Even half of her face was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting. In my opinion, if Sister Yilin had long hair and dressed up, she would be comparable to her. There is no other woman in the world who can compare to her."

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "She is beautiful, but you are beautiful too."

Although he had never met Ren Yingying, comparing her to Qu Feiyan was actually a way of praising her because he knew that women cared about beauty. Qu Feiyan blushed slightly and shook her head, saying, "Then you are talking nonsense. I am neither as beautiful as Sister Yilin nor as beautiful as the Holy Maiden. If I were as beautiful as her, I would be truly satisfied."

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "Women don't distinguish between age, they only care about their own appearance." He laughed and said, "You and Dongfang Bubai are really similar in their pursuit."

Qu Feiyan asked in surprise, "What do you mean? I don't understand."

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "Dongfang Bubai's dream is to become a beautiful woman like Ren Yingying!" He then said, "You're right not to understand."

Qu Feiyan smiled, poured Yun Changkong another glass of wine, stared at him, and said, "Brother Yun, why are you helping Grandpa Liu and my grandfather?"

Yun Changkong said, "Human hearts are more treacherous than mountains and rivers, which is why we sigh that even old age feels like new. But sometimes they are like a clear pool of water, allowing you to see right to the bottom, which is why we feel like old friends after just meeting."

Your grandfather and Liu Zhengfeng just wanted to retire from the world of martial arts and enjoy music. He wouldn't hurt anyone, and this kind of tranquility is what I've always sought.

It is said that true friends are hard to find, but in fact, they are not only hard to find, but throughout history, how many pairs of true friends have there been?
It's a miracle that your grandfather and his family could connect on such a deep level; it's a bond that can't be judged by the superficiality of worldly relationships. Such friendships are rare, so when I encountered this situation, I was willing to help!

Qu Feiyan said, "But my grandfather is a member of the Sun Moon Divine Cult. You know that the Sun Moon Divine Cult is known as a demonic cult by the world. Why don't you treat us the same as others?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "How do others treat you? Do they just draw their swords and kill you without asking why?"

Qu Feiyan nodded and said, "Yes!"

Yun Changkong smiled slightly: "Those who think and act this way are the real demons."

"Your demonic sect may not have true heroes, but it certainly has true champions. In my heart, they far surpass those renowned righteous sects, those powerful figures who do not perform good deeds and are treacherous in their hearts. Therefore, different allegiances are merely a matter of status, not character."

Qu Feiyan chuckled and said, "I understand what you mean, but I'm also confused. I don't know what kind of person could have taught such a talented person as you. Brother Yun, then do you dare to marry the Holy Maiden of the Divine Sect?"

Yun Changkong was taken aback and said, "What do you mean? Why would I marry her? And you're asking if I dare to?"

Qu Feiyan chuckled and said, "You don't know, do you? This Holy Maiden is extremely domineering. If anyone sees her face without permission, she will definitely gouge out their eyes."

Everyone says she doesn't respect any man in the world, but I refuse to believe it, so I..."

Yun Changkong chuckled and said, "So you want me to try and satisfy your wicked desires, and then she'll gouge out my eyes?"

Qu Feiyan chuckled and said, "You're afraid too, aren't you?"

Yun Changkong sighed: "It's not that she's afraid. She's actually suffering a lot inside, but others just don't know it."

Qu Feiyan was puzzled and frowned, saying, "She commands extraordinary people from all over the world, and is second only to the leader of the Divine Sect. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she controls half of the martial arts world. What is she complaining about?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Do you think she wanted to be the Holy Maiden? It's because Dongfang Bubai needed her as the Holy Maiden to stabilize people's hearts. If she didn't do it, she would be of no value. Everything she did was just to find joy in hardship."

Qu Feiyan was stunned.

Yun Changkong ate a few bites hastily and then went to sleep fully clothed.

Qu Feiyan tidied up the table, glanced back reluctantly, and left.

……

Hengshan City is located on the west bank of the middle reaches of the Xiang River. Around noon, Yu Canghai, along with more than ten disciples, arrived at the west gate of Hengshan City.
It wasn't raining today; it was a sunny day with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze blowing from the river, which made people feel refreshed. However, the people of the Qingcheng Sect were in a very heavy mood.

Yu Canghai, with a sword at his waist, remained calm.

Those who had attended the banquet at Liu Zhengfeng's house last night also came over. After all, Yu Canghai was famous throughout the world, and being challenged to a duel was no small matter.

The opponent was no ordinary person either. Everyone who heard about Tian Boguang's death felt that this man was of uncertain morality, and that he called himself "Nameless" and had extremely high internal strength, which aroused everyone's curiosity.

Furthermore, the day Liu Zhengfeng was to retire from his criminal life was tomorrow, so those who arrived early were eager to witness it. Hundreds of people had already gathered along the Xiang River.

Tianmen Daoist asked He Sanqi, "Mr. He, do you think this nameless man challenged Yu Canghai to a duel because he really wanted to seize the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual, or was he just deceiving him?"

He Sanqi said quietly, "Yu Canghai suffered such a huge loss, and he's already here. Do you think he might be trying to deceive us?"

Everyone understood that Yu Canghai had his disciple killed in front of him and was challenged to a duel. In fact, before the fight even started, Yu Canghai had already lost three points.

They could choose not to fight and instead scatter and flee back to Qingcheng Mountain. But if they did, the Qingcheng Sect would be destroyed, with no chance of ever establishing themselves in the martial world again. They would have to come, even if it meant risking their lives.

As for "Nameless", since he mentioned noon, the martial arts world values ​​"trust and righteousness". In comparison, "righteousness" is indeed more important than "trust". However, people from reputable sects cannot go back on their word.

Some unorthodox figures, despite their wicked deeds, are also unrepentant once they make a promise. This act of breaking their word and profiting from it is highly despised in the martial arts world.

Therefore, since this "nameless" person has said so, he must come. If he doesn't come, he will have no place in the martial arts world in the future.

A middle-aged scholar stuck a twig in the ground, muttered incantations, measured the shadow of the sun with his finger, and said, "The time is almost here." He was Mr. Wen, a famous acupressure master from southern Shaanxi.

Everyone tensed up and looked around on the road.

Only a few seniors with extremely high concentration closed their eyes to rest.

After a while: "The time has come!"

A man pointed to the shadow of a tree branch and shouted. The crowd then saw that the area was empty; no one had come.

"Damn it, this nameless guy doesn't keep his word!"

Someone shouted loudly.

Suddenly, a clear and melodious laugh came from the Xiang River. Everyone turned to look and saw a fast boat on the Xiang River with white sails riding the wind. It was coming very fast, and a person in a green robe stood at the bow of the boat, fluttering in the wind.

Yun Changkong's voice drifted from afar: "Life is like a dream, yet not quite a dream; birth and death are but a matter of fate. Looking down upon heaven and earth, my heart is content; I am both demon and hero, both demon slayer and demon subjugator. Laughing at the world, all worries vanish; the mortal world is water, yet not water."

These six lines are subtle, profound, and full of meaning. They caused all the martial arts heroes to frown and fall silent.

Yu Canghai laughed heartily, gathered his inner strength, and slowly said, "So, is today's nameless hero a hero, a demon, or someone who will subdue demons?" He deliberately revealed his inner strength, his voice sounding like thunder.

The small boat reached the shore, and Yun Changkong leisurely disembarked. He was still dressed in the same scholar's attire as yesterday, looking elegant and refined, as if he were strolling in a garden. He didn't look like he was here for a martial arts contest at all. If he were accompanied by a beautiful woman, that would be more fitting.

As everyone looked at Yun Changkong, many of those with low martial arts skills were greatly surprised and wondered, thinking, "Tian Boguang was ruined by him."
"I could crush this kid with one hand, yet he dares to make an appointment with Yu Canghai?"

"Could it be that Tian Boguang is just overrated, or that he has been ambushed?"

"Damn it, he chose the banks of the Xiang River as the venue for the duel. Is he planning to run away because he can't win?"

Yun Changkong walked calmly and gracefully towards the crowd, smiling as he said, "Whether you are a hero, a demon, or a demon slayer, it all depends on your choice, Abbot Yu."

Upon hearing this, Yu Canghai sneered, "That depends on what Mr. Wuming wants!"

"Sir?" Yun Changkong smiled slightly: "That's a rather elegant form of address, but I do have more knowledge than you, Abbot Yu, so it's quite appropriate!"

In the midst of their conversation, Yun Changkong had already reached within a few feet of Yu Canghai.

Yu Canghai placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and said coldly, "I'll say it again, I don't have the Evil-Slaying Sword Manual. As for the Lin family's valuables, only a few good-for-nothing disciples took some of them, but they were also stolen by petty thieves."

Yun Changkong nodded slightly: "So, based on your word, I'll have to work for nothing? Do you think that's a good idea?"

Yu Canghai was furious inside, but dared not show it on his face, and forced himself to say, "Then what would be considered good?"

Yun Changkong smiled calmly and said, "Simple. Hand over the Lin couple. I want to question them myself."

Yu Canghai's eyes flashed with cold light, his lips trembled, and he said in a deep voice, "My own child died at the hands of Lin Pingzhi. I haven't avenged this yet, and now you've killed two of my disciples. You've gone too far."

Yun Changkong sneered, "Then draw your sword!"

Yu Canghai gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, there's no point in saying more."

With a clang, the longsword was drawn.

At this moment, it was noon, and the sunlight and the sword light reflected each other, melting like water, shimmering in front of Yu Canghai.

Seeing the sword in Yu Canghai's hand trembling as the tip pressed against his lower abdomen, Yun Changkong nodded slightly: "The Qingcheng Sect Leader's sword draw is so extraordinary, not bad!"

Seeing that Yu Canghai was short in stature but had a long sword blade, and that he exuded a commanding presence with just one draw of his sword, everyone thought, "This short man has been famous for a long time, and he is indeed no ordinary person."

"Draw your weapons!" Yu Canghai said coldly, "We're not here to test our skills today." He thought to himself, "The moment you draw your weapon, I'll use the move 'Azure Abyss Soaring Dragon,' my longsword will slash you from your abdomen to your throat, leaving a two-and-a-half-foot gash. Then everyone will only say I was swift, not that I, as the head of a sect, launched a sneak attack!"

Yun Changkong chuckled, "Alright!" He then turned to Yilin in the crowd and said, "Little Master, I was in a hurry to leave and didn't bring any weapons. Could I borrow your sword?"

Yilin glanced at her master, and seeing that Abbess Dingyi nodded, she said, "My sword is broken in half."

Yun Changkong laughed heartily: "That's perfect, I can't take too much advantage!"

Yu Canghai was furious, but he remained outwardly calm. He knew that when masters sparred, one must not be impetuous.

Yilin took the longsword off its sheath and handed it to Yun Changkong with both hands.

Yun Changkong accepted it and said softly, "Thank you!"

Yi Lin's face flushed, and she hurriedly stepped back. Just as Yun Changkong placed his empty hand on the hilt of his sword, Yu Canghai unleashed his "Azure Abyss Soaring Dragon" technique, his longsword flashing like a rainbow, seemingly intent on ripping him in the stomach. (End of Chapter)