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

It's spring again.

On a misty afternoon, the sky was vast and boundless, both high and far.

It's time for Yun Changkong to leave.

In the past, because he had Zhao Min, the Purple-Robed Dragon King, Xiao Zhao and other beauties, he wanted to live a peaceful and harmonious life with them until old age, so he wanted to live in seclusion and no longer care about the affairs of the martial world.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. So he decided to witness all the ups and downs of life and experience the hustle and bustle of the world, no longer wanting to waste his time on Purple Bamboo Island.

A small boat is moored on the shore, its sail rolled up on the mast, with only a small white corner showing.

The boatmen were two of Liu Zhengfeng's disciples, Xiang Danian and Mi Weiyi.

Like Liu Jing, they had long regarded Yun Changkong as the "god" who gave them life.

Even though their lives were given to them by Yun Changkong, because in the original story, the two of them died earlier than the Liu family in order to protect their master.

Liu Zhengfeng's family and Qu Yang's grandson saw Yun Changkong off to the shore, still reluctant to part.

Yun Changkong clasped his hands and said, "Go back now. It's fate that we met, but all good things must come to an end."

Qu Feiyan said in a tearful voice, "Why? Why won't you let me follow you? I'll listen to you, okay?"

It should be known that "people are fond of women" is a common nature shared by men and women. Yun Changkong was originally handsome and dashing, with unparalleled martial arts skills and demeanor. When he appeared in the Liu family, which young girl would not be moved?
Yue Lingshan and Yilin were both kind-hearted women from respectable families, and they were naturally afraid when they saw his ruthless methods.

Qu Feiyan and Liu Jing are different. One grew up in an extreme and eccentric upbringing, while the other knows that Yun Changkong saved his whole family's lives.

If he hadn't used ruthless methods to intimidate everyone, how could his whole family have survived unscathed and had the opportunity to travel overseas?
Therefore, different people will have different views on the same thing.

Yun Changkong wiped away Qu Feiyan's tears and smiled, "The world is dangerous. You are still young. You should practice martial arts more at this time. As long as you understand the traces I left on the island, I will take you away."

"Where am I small?" Qu Feiyan puffed out her chest and said with great dissatisfaction, "As for the mark you left behind, even my grandfather and Grandpa Liu could only decipher it to some extent. How could I possibly decipher it? You're just being a scoundrel."

Qu Feiyan is almost fifteen years old in the blink of an eye. A year ago, she already looked like a graceful young lady. Now, her figure is even more slender, and her face has lost some of its childishness. She is like a magnolia bud, bright, fragrant, and full of vitality.

However, as she grew older, she remained clingy to Yun Changkong, showing no restraint whatsoever and disregarding the boundaries between men and women.

Yun Changkong simply smiled and nodded: "Good Feifei, remember my words: martial arts are for application, but character is the essence. Never let desires cloud your kind heart, and you will surely achieve great things."

Qu Feiyan pouted, as if she had thought of something again. She took out a book from her bosom and said, "Big brother, this 'Laughing at the World' musical score is the culmination of my grandfather and Grandpa Liu's life's work. I hope that when you go to the martial world, you can pass it on to a true connoisseur. It would be best if you could find a couple who understand each other. I don't think I'll ever be able to comprehend your martial arts in this lifetime, otherwise I wouldn't have given it to you."

Qu Feiyan's voice was clear and melodious as she chatted and laughed, composing the music for "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" for Yun Changkong.

When Yun Changkong heard her say she wouldn't give it to him, he understood what she meant: she wanted to play a duet with him. He said softly, "How could I possibly find a couple who understand each other so well?"

He knew that even in the original story, Linghu Chong and Ren Yingying were not quite truly in sync.

Qu Feiyan chuckled and said, "Although it's not much, isn't it enough that you find your sister-in-law? You two can play the qin and xiao together, a harmonious blend of music and poetry. When you come back to the island, you can play together again so I can enjoy it, okay?"

Yun Changkong sighed, took the qin and xiao score, and said sadly, "Then I'll take your good wishes and hope that I can find your sister-in-law and have her come to see you."

Qu Feiyan noticed a melancholy in his expression whenever he mentioned this matter. She had spoken with her grandfather and felt that Yun Changkong's lover might no longer be alive. Otherwise, with his high level of martial arts and his willful nature, he could have easily snatched her away, instead of leaving her to wander alone.

Qu Feiyan immediately said, "Big brother, the world is dangerous. Although you are skilled in martial arts, many people will not treat you fairly. You must be wary of poisons, sleeping pills, and especially aphrodisiacs."

Once you're in the martial world, you really should go and meet the Holy Maiden. Although she's eccentric and ruthless, she's actually a pretty good person. If you had her protection…”

He paused for a moment, then said, "If you join forces with her, the underhanded tricks of the martial arts world won't be able to harm you."

Yun Changkong saw that she was about to ask the Holy Maiden to protect her, but then hesitated because she thought that would be underestimating her. However, her concern was naturally revealed. She smiled and said, "I am extremely grateful for your concern, sister. I will take care of it on my journey."

Liu Jing stepped forward carrying a bundle and called out, "Master Yun..." She paused, then said, "May I call you elder brother?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "What's wrong with that? Doesn't Feifei always call me that?"

Liu Jing smiled awkwardly and stammered, "I..." Suddenly, she lowered her head and said, "Come with me, I have something to tell you, you must come." Without waiting for his reply, she flew away.

Qu Yang, Liu Zhengfeng, and their wives looked at each other, sighing inwardly. In ancient times, a woman would call a man "elder brother" only if she was interested in him.

As the saying goes: "Brother lover, sister lover."

Everyone understands Liu Jing's feelings for Yun Changkong, but no one can do anything about it.

Yun Changkong watched Liu Jing's retreating figure and thought, "This is not a good outcome either." He immediately followed after her.

Turning past the bushes, I saw Liu Jing sitting blankly on a large rock, her back to me.

Yun Changkong stepped forward and saw that Liu Jing's face was already covered in tears. He sighed, "Miss Liu."

Liu Jing hurriedly wiped away her tears and said, "Brother Yun, I...I like you. I...I know you have someone you love. I shouldn't, but I...but I just can't control myself..."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again, which she wiped away, forcing a smile: "I know you don't like me at all, and you hate me for being like this... But I know that this farewell may be forever, and I... I want to tell you... I..."

When Yun Changkong saw her forced smile, he knew it was bitter, and he felt a pang of unease in his heart.

Yun Changkong was a sentimental man, and it's not that he could have only one person in his heart for anyone else. Even when he made flirtatious remarks, it was only for those he was interested in. If he were to truly establish a romantic relationship, he would only choose someone with whom he shared mutual affection. Otherwise, he would have been too busy to keep up with the many women he had attracted.

Yun Changkong hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "Miss Liu, if you hadn't said this today, I wouldn't have been able to tell you the truth. You are a good girl, and I am no ordinary person; how could I not understand your feelings?"

But I'm not as good as you think. I'm just a drifter. If I accept your feelings, you might not get the happiness you imagine, but rather a disaster.

You come from a gentry family, a wealthy young lady, and have many choices for the future. I am definitely not a good match for you.

Liu Jing has a round face, delicate curved eyebrows, cherry-like lips, bright red and translucent skin, and snow-white skin. She certainly has the elegant demeanor of a wealthy family and is a voluptuous and voluptuous beauty.

But Yun Changkong had long been spoiled by beauties like Zhao Min, the Purple-Robed Dragon King, Xiao Zhao, and Zhou Zhiruo, who were rare in the world.

Otherwise, why didn't he take maternity leave when he had considered taking such beautiful women as the woman in yellow and Yilin?

This is because these women were all dispensable to him, not something he was determined to have. Therefore, he never truly made any effort for them!

If a man has many good women throwing themselves at him, he will have to choose one over the other. How can he actively pursue a woman?
Yun Changkong never forced anything; he always let things take their course. So no matter how much Liu Jing did, it was all in vain!
Liu Jing suddenly reached out and hugged Yun Changkong's waist, saying, "Big brother, no matter what, you gave me my life. I have always admired people who truly sacrifice themselves for others. Even if I were to become your maid, I would be willing."

Yun Changkong whispered, "Why are you doing this willingly?"

Liu Jing was taken aback.

Yun Changkong sighed and lifted Liu Jing's head with both hands.

Facing him, Liu Jing's eyes were full of tenderness as she said, "I don't know why, but I just want you to love me, even if it's just once and there's no future."

Upon hearing this, Yun Changkong suddenly realized that while he had changed someone else's fate, he had also unknowingly given her this chaotic life.

Yun Changkong said, "Young lady, the mutual attraction and affection between men and women is a matter of nature and follows the natural order. The key lies in having similar interests and aspirations."

"You're actually grateful to me, which is why you're willing to give yourself to me. This isn't love. If I were to actually sit here like this, it would defeat the purpose of my helping your family, do you understand?" Liu Jing nodded: "I understand. To do good without expecting anything in return is the conduct of a true gentleman."

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "Yes, if you were to repay me with your body now, I wouldn't feel any sense of accomplishment. Instead, I would feel burdened. Would you be willing to let me do that?"

Liu Jing said softly, "You know it's not like that... but... I didn't know..." She hesitated, then stopped.

Liu Jing remained silent for a long time, then picked up a bundle from beside her. Inside the bundle was a long sandalwood box, which she handed to Yun Changkong.

Yun Changkong took it, and Liu Jing said, "There are new clothes and some land here. In this box is a pair of dragon and phoenix flutes, which are my father's treasured collection. If you can find your sister-in-law in the future, come back and take a look." With that, she turned and left.

Yun Changkong was a natural romantic and always forgiving towards women, but seeing her like this, he couldn't help but feel bad.

He pulled out the box, and as soon as he opened the lid, his eyes lit up. On the bright yellow satin satin were two jade flutes.

The flutes are nearly three feet long; one is slightly thicker, with a soaring dragon carved on it. The other is thinner, with a flying phoenix carved on it.

These are a pair of male and female xiao (vertical bamboo flutes), exquisitely carved, with a rich, lustrous green body; truly a treasure.

Yun Changkong took out his xiao (a type of vertical bamboo flute), brought it close to his lips, and played a tune.

For a moment, it sounded like a cascading waterfall, murmuring and whispering, mournful and melodious, as it blew towards the boat.

Just as they were about to board the ship, Qu Feiyan burst into tears, grabbed Yun Changkong tightly, and cried out, "Good brother, I won't let you go."

Yun Changkong's flute music continued. With a determined heart, Qu Feiyan suddenly felt a powerful force rushing towards her, causing her to stumble.

Yun Changkong had already flown onto the ship without looking back.

Xiang Danian raised the sail, and Mi Weiyi picked up the oar and gently pushed off, and the small boat slowly sailed away from the shore.

Qu Feiyan and Liu Jing on the distant hillside could only watch the ship gradually disappear where the sea and sky met, like a drifting leaf, appearing extremely small in the vast ocean.

They knew that the world was vast, and that this parting today would be a dream for a thousand years, making it extremely difficult to meet again!
Only the sound of Yun Changkong's flute revealed that he too was immersed in boundless melancholy.

Yun Changkong knew that behind him was a home he could never return to, and beneath his feet was a road leading to the unknown.

Since I have already saved Liu Jing and Qu Feiyan, two women who died tragically in their original world, why should I drag them into this endless darkness?

If that's the case, how can we save people?
A small boat bobs on the waves of the East China Sea. Yun Changkong stands at the bow, gazing at the boundless ocean, where the sky meets the water and the water meets the sky, truly resembling a magnificent landscape painting.

As Yun Changkong played his flute, listening to the roar of the sea, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he said, "I understand now. As the saying goes, 'sound depends on rhythm, and rhythm is in harmony with sound.' But only when sound and rhythm are combined with natural sounds can they reach a wonderful realm, which is why we have the term 'heavenly sound.'"

Xiang Danian and Mi Weiyi exchanged a glance, their faces solemn, and said, "Has Master Yun perhaps gained another insight?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "I wouldn't call it comprehension, but we martial artists pursue a state of perfect harmony and unity with nature, which is the same as the way of music and calligraphy!"

Xiang Danian and Mi Weiyi listened to these words and felt that they contained profound meaning, yet were still somewhat vague about them. However, they both felt that they should firmly remember every word Yun Changkong said.

In your master's words, when you send Yun Changkong back to the Central Plains, he will only need to give you a few pointers along the way. If you can understand them, you will be able to make a name for yourselves in the martial arts world.

Only a top-tier master like Liu Zhengfeng could truly understand Yun Changkong's prowess. Not only was his martial arts unparalleled, but he was also a genuine grandmaster, already showing signs of becoming a grandmaster himself.

Yun Changkong's mood at this moment was in harmony with this magnificent and exhilarating natural landscape, for his thoughts were surging like the East China Sea, and of course, also encompassing the boundless vastness of heaven and earth.

Yun Changkong sighed again. This "Swordsman Song" was too difficult to play. He could not even play a flute piece perfectly, let alone integrate his internal energy into it to capture people's hearts and control their minds.

What he wanted was to be like Huang Yaoshi, able to control the other party with a single tune, making them do whatever he wanted!
Hearing him let out a sigh, Xiang Danian couldn't help but say, "Hero Yun, with your superb martial arts skills, fame and status are within your grasp, but I see you looking melancholy. Why is that?"

Yun Changkong chuckled softly and said, "Many people, when they first venture into the martial world, think that with their martial arts skills, they can accomplish anything. Little do they know that in the martial world, there are many things that are beyond their control, and the most powerful thing is not martial arts, but rather endless and treacherous tricks!"

Xiang Danian and Mi Weiyi were slightly taken aback, and were greatly impressed. Although Yun Changkong was young, he was truly remarkable. He was a natural genius, but he was never complacent.

Seeing that he had taken out a book and started reading again, the two of them remained silent, leaving only the lone boat drifting on.

……

At the same time, clear Fujian folk songs echoed from the Cliff of Contemplation on Mount Hua, plunging Linghu Chong into endless sorrow.

His mind was filled with Yue Lingshan's anger towards him: "I'm angry with you, I'm angry with you! You're always plotting bad things, thinking that if I don't teach Junior Brother Lin swordsmanship, you can come and keep me company every day. Humph, I will never, ever pay attention to you."

At first, Linghu Chong was able to comfort himself, thinking that his junior sister was young and active, and he was being punished to reflect on his mistakes. He had no one to talk to and keep her company. Lin Pingzhi was about the same age as her, so it was alright for him to keep her company!
But what angered him was that he had grown up with Yue Lingshan, while Lin Pingzhi had only been at Mount Hua for a short time, yet his junior sister treated him so differently in terms of their relationship.

Linghu Chong was overwhelmed with longing for Yue Lingshan, but his face went from a bitter smile to a complete lack of joy, only showing dejection.

Even though Linghu Chong had already witnessed the secrets of the Five Mountains Sword Sect's sword techniques, he also saw a person dressed in a green robe with a green cloth covering their face, wielding a sword in their hand and executing dozens of moves of the "Nineteen Jade Maiden Swords" in one go.

He executed dozens of moves as if it were a single move; his speed was simply unbelievable, leaving Linghu Chong dumbfounded.

Linghu Chong also learned the man's name; it turned out to be "Feng Qingyang," which was carved in the cave, and he should call him Grand Uncle.

He also mastered the unparalleled "Nine Swords of Dugu" and grasped the profound meaning of "no moves are better than moves." His swordsmanship improved rapidly, but he still couldn't shake off the frustration and helplessness in his heart.

Because the Dugu Nine Swords has nine major forms, namely the General Formula Form, the Sword-Breaking Form, the Saber-Breaking Form, the Spear-Breaking Form, the Whip-Breaking Form, the Rope-Breaking Form, the Palm-Breaking Form, the Arrow-Breaking Form, and the Qi-Breaking Form.

There was no "female-breaking technique" that could make his junior sister change her mind.

However, Linghu Chong only knew that Dugu Qiubai, wielding the "Dugu Nine Swords," had never been defeated and could not win, but he did not know that Dugu Qiubai's only fate was to befriend the condor and end his remaining years in this way.

Clearly, although Dugu Qiubai's martial arts skills were extraordinary, he was also a failure when it came to women.

Feng Qingyang was tricked into leaving Mount Hua by someone's promise of a marriage in Jiangnan, which led to the Sword Sect's utter defeat, with some dying and others going into hiding. This became his lifelong regret, and he could only swear an oath never to fight anyone again and live in seclusion in the back of Mount Hua, never seeing outsiders.

So, both of these predecessors were failures when it came to women. As the successor of the "Nine Swords of Dugu," Linghu Chong should feel a little better about it.

Of course, it's only natural that he suffers a bit when it comes to women. Linghu Chong wants to marry Yue Lingshan and live happily ever after. If he could have his wish fulfilled, wouldn't the world be full of benefits, without any price to pay, without suffering, and with everything he desires going smoothly?
Even though he's the main character, that's impossible!

Because the protagonist, Yun Changkong, is also impossible!

He longed to live happily and carefree on Peach Blossom Island with Zhao Min, the Purple-Robed Dragon King, Xiao Zhao, and Zhou Zhiruo. But how could he possibly have his way?
Because "once you're in the martial world, you're not in control of your own destiny"—this isn't just eight characters, but a vivid description of the experiences of protagonists throughout history, such as Huang Shang, Qiao Feng, Duan Yu, Xu Zhu, Guo Jing, Yang Guo, and Zhang Wuji, based on their own personal journeys.

Which of them doesn't have regrets?

They were all unparalleled martial arts masters of their time, yet even knowing the truth, there were things they were powerless to change! In the end, they all lamented that things in this world cannot be accomplished solely by martial arts skills!
As for the supporting characters, needless to say. Dongfang Bubai, the greatest martial artist in the world, who controlled the most powerful sect in the world, ended up dead and his soul was destroyed. He couldn't even ask his beloved to live!

Zuo Lengchan's grand plan, which he had been scheming for decades and thought was sure to succeed, ended up benefiting others.

Yue Buqun abandoned his wife and daughters for his grand ambitions in the martial arts world. Just as he was about to achieve his goal, he was extremely proud, but he died at the hands of a little nun with low martial arts skills.

Isn't this a huge irony?
Ultimately, it all proves that life is a constant state of disappointment, with eight or nine out of ten things going wrong.
Even if someone holds absolute power and is the best in martial arts, they are still indispensable!

It's simply a matter of where the cage is! (End of Chapter)