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

As Yun Changkong walked, he pondered. Linghu Chong's "no moves are better than moves" echoed Sun Tzu's Art of War, "Military tactics are like water; they have no constant form. He who can adapt to the enemy's changes and win is called a god." However, he felt that something was missing. He needed to figure this out as soon as possible, so he no longer cared that Lan Fenghuang had gone with Ren Yingying.

After all, his actions did not affect the structure of the Sun Moon Cult, and he did not feel that there was any danger involved.

Ren Yingying and Lan Fenghuang on the Luo River exchanged a glance upon hearing the man's voice, both knowing it was indeed Linghu Chong. They remained silent.

Just then, Old Man Green Bamboo walked in, bowed, and said, "Aunt, is Young Master Linghu alone? Shall we dock?"

Ren Yingying whispered, "Weren't the Huashan Sect supposed to be leaving? How did he end up here?"

Last night, Yun Changkong took Lan Fenghuang away in front of Ren Yingying. Ren Yingying was naturally very worried about her friend's safety and ordered her informants to find out where he was. Yun Changkong used his superb lightness skill to run into the mountains and forests, which was unknown to others.

However, when he brought Lan Fenghuang into the city that morning, they walked, chatting and laughing all the way without any pretense. Lan Fenghuang and he attracted a lot of attention, and someone immediately reported this to Ren Yingying. Thus, from the time the two rested at the inn, to when they encountered Linghu Chong being beaten, and then to when Yun Changkong diagnosed his injuries...

Ren Yingying was fully aware of Linghu Chong's infatuation with Yue Lingshan, which allowed her to sit on a boat on the river and watch the battle without attracting attention.

Although Yun Changkong did not know all of this, he immediately guessed from the fact that Ren Yingying was able to find him that she had been eyeing him for a long time, otherwise, how could Luoyang be so big!
This was a deliberate encounter, not a chance coincidence.

Although she and Linghu Chong did not speak, after Lan Fenghuang and the others had said so much, and considering that Linghu Chong was disappointed because of Yue Lingshan, he must know Ren Yingying's character. That was equivalent to matching the code, so she naturally took Ren Yingying's so-called return to Blackwood Cliff as an excuse.

Because this woman seems shy, but is actually extremely bold in pursuing love. In the original story, Linghu Chong left Luoyang, and then Ren Yingying gave him gifts. Green Bamboo Elder helped Linghu Chong get revenge and broke the arm of a member of the Wang family. Along the way, his subordinates fawned over him. Ren Yingying did not return to Blackwood Cliff, but instead went to Five Tyrants Hill. She was even willing to be imprisoned by Shaolin Temple for ten years in exchange for Linghu Chong's life.

Old Man Green Bamboo understood the Holy Maiden's thoughts, bowed, and ordered the boat to dock.

When Linghu Chong saw an old man, he cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Greetings, senior."

Green Bamboo Elder laughed and said, "Why didn't Young Master Linghu go to the Huashan Sect? Why did things come to this?"

Linghu Chong was startled: "How did he know?" He sighed and said, "To be honest, senior, I was feeling a bit tired and wanted to rest. But after hearing your elegant music, I felt much better, which is why I took the liberty of requesting an audience."

Green Bamboo Elder nodded silently.

Linghu Chong smiled and said, "I have not yet asked what piece you played, senior, nor do I know your esteemed name."

Green Bamboo Elder looked towards the cabin and asked, "Aunt?"

Linghu Chong was startled again, thinking to himself, "This old man is seventy or eighty years old, his aunt must be a hundred!"

A woman's voice came from the cabin: "Do you know who I am? Do you recognize me?"

Linghu Chong heard that her voice was soft and not very old, but her tone was full of imperiousness. He thought to himself, "Judging from her voice, she sounds like a young lady from a wealthy family, not an old woman!"

"Yes, it must be because she is skilled in music and has been immersed in it since childhood, which is why even her voice is pleasant to hear, and it hasn't changed even in old age." He then said, "I am hearing your beautiful voice for the first time today, and I do not know your esteemed name."

The woman said, "Since you don't know who I am and we don't know each other, why are you looking for me?"

Linghu Chong heard her voice was cold and her tone extremely arrogant. According to his personality, if he didn't retort, he should have turned away. However, he had heard the song "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" and sincerely admired it, so he didn't take it to heart and said, "Grandma is a refined person, so of course she has heard this song..." He stopped speaking for fear of displeasing her.

Ren Yingying was stunned for a moment, then said coldly, "You're also stammering. Why do men only say half of what they mean?"

Linghu Chong laughed loudly and said, "Grandma is right. We are all fellow sufferers in this world, why should we need to have known each other before?"

Lan Fenghuang giggled. Linghu Chong found the laughter and voice to be completely different from his own, yet somewhat familiar, which surprised him greatly.

Amidst the laughter, the woman scoffed, "We're both wanderers in this world, why should we need to have known each other before? Hmph, how could you possibly know my feelings?"

Linghu Chong said, "Although I do not understand music, I am captivated by your elegant playing, but the sound of the flute inevitably evokes sorrow. I feel that the emotions within are very complex and contain a sense of lament. You must be a heartbroken person, Grandma!"

Linghu Chong was a kindred spirit, and Ren Yingying paused for a long time before snorting, "Since you know I'm venting my emotions, why bother me?"

Linghu Chong sighed and said, "Grandma, please don't be offended. I was actually quite sad on the shore just now, which is why I was attracted here by your beautiful voice."

Ren Yingying said, "You are sad because you are suffering from the true energy of the monk Bujie and the Six Immortals of Peach Valley, and your life is not long. You also like your junior sister, but your junior sister does not like you, is that right?"

Linghu Chong was stunned again, thinking to himself, "This old woman is incredibly resourceful; she even knows this."

But he was naturally open-minded and intelligent. He thought of how many people had gathered on the street when Yun Changkong treated him, and how even his master and mistress had been alerted. It was no wonder that the matter had spread over several hours and reached the other party's knowledge. He said, "Grandma is right. Linghu Chong is indeed suffering from an incurable disease. But I don't really care much about matters of life and death. It's just that the thought of being separated from my junior sister by death is truly unbearable!"

Ren Yingying sighed: "You're so young, yet you've already taken life and death so lightly. It's not necessarily a good thing. Besides, your junior sister isn't dead, so what's there to be sad about? How can you compare yourself to me, saying you're in unbearable pain!"

Linghu Chong thought to himself, "Judging from her tone, could it be that her lover is dead? But at her age, if her lover isn't dead, wouldn't she be a monster?" He sighed deeply, "Grandma is truly a devoted woman. There are very few people like her in this world anymore!"

Ren Yingying's voice turned cold: "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think I'm like you, heartbroken over a lover?"
Linghu Chong blurted out, "Isn't that right?"

Ren Yingying said sternly, "I am heartbroken that I cannot see my father."

Linghu Chong couldn't help but exclaim "Ah!" in surprise, thinking to himself, "You're a hundred years old, and you still miss your father? Aren't you just asking for trouble?" But he didn't dare say it aloud.

Ren Yingying said coldly, "Why aren't you saying anything? Don't you believe me?"

Linghu Chong hurriedly said, "This junior wouldn't dare, I was just a little surprised! Your nephew is already so grown up, and your father is already quite old..."

But then another burst of laughter came from inside the cabin, as if someone had said something ridiculous.

Then Ren Yingying said, "Young man, let me give you another piece of advice: you can't force things like fate. What do you love about your junior sister? Is she really worth your grief? If you really die here, will she be sad for you?"

Linghu Chong had naturally considered these things, and cautiously asked, "Is this based on Grandma's experience?"

“You could say that!” Ren Yingying sighed. “Do you believe in the Old Man Under the Moon? I do, otherwise there’s no way to explain: ‘Everyone has their own destiny, so don’t envy others.’ Young Master Linghu, although you are disappointed today, you may find another good match in the future!”

Linghu Chong said loudly, "I don't know how many more days I have left to live. As for the thought of having a family, that will never come again."

Ren Yingying stopped speaking, but Lan Fenghuang saw the regret on Ren Yingying's face and naturally understood why.

From the moment Ren Yingying was born, everyone in the Sun Moon Cult treated her like a princess, and no one dared to disobey her in the slightest. As she grew older, she became even more domineering, doing whatever she pleased. However, she was cold on the outside but warm on the inside. It was only because of Dongfang Bubai's killing of his wives and concubines that she harbored a deep-seated hatred for men. The kind of feelings Linghu Chong had for Yue Lingshan made her feel extremely fond of him.

I think that's how a real man should be.

She disliked men like Yun Changkong, who had married several wives but still harassed her.

Ren Yingying also fell silent at this moment, because she had to admit that when she saw Linghu Chong being beaten up by thugs, she did not think of revenge. She loved Yue Lingshan to death, but did not feel any hatred towards Lin Pingzhi. Her magnanimity was unprecedented and unheard of.

This made her heart flutter, but wouldn't that be exactly what Yun Changkong had predicted? Thinking of his vulgar words, she realized that he would know what she was going to do the moment she bent over.
This left Ren Yingying with mixed feelings, a mixture of bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and spiciness, leaving her feeling lost and melancholy.

This situation may seem unexpected, but it is actually quite reasonable.

It should be known that Yun Changkong is a man of elegant demeanor and unparalleled martial arts skills, making it extremely easy for him to win the hearts of young girls.

Although Ren Yingying was extremely wary of men, she was, after all, a beautiful young woman. As the saying goes, all people share the same feelings and thoughts, and most young women's psychology is the same.

Previously, she had made things difficult for Yun Changkong, partly because of what she had seen and heard over the years. She did not tolerate anyone being superior to her and firmly believed that everyone held a sense of awe towards her only because they wanted something from her. Therefore, she felt that Yun Changkong's deliberate approach to her must have some hidden agenda.

Another reason was that Yun Changkong seemed unmoved by her beauty, saying that she was not enough to move him, and treating her like an ordinary woman, calling her "Miss," which made her resent Yun Changkong.

Furthermore, Yun Changkong frankly stated that if he were to meet Linghu Chong, he would do the same thing Linghu Chong would do to Yue Lingshan.

She had never heard the word "lick" used in this context before, but she was extremely intelligent and could understand its meaning.

This means that she harbors strong feelings for Linghu Chong, and it wouldn't be unreasonable to call it a mutual affection.

Coupled with that ambiguous smile,

What arrogance!
What a blatant underestimation of oneself!

It was as if she was determined to marry Linghu Chong?
Furthermore, with Linghu Chong appearing before her at this moment, and it seemed that she was doing exactly what Yun Changkong had said, the usually arrogant Ren Yingying couldn't help but feel a little annoyed and became unwilling to say anything more.

Seeing that there was silence on the boat for a while, Linghu Chong asked, "May I ask what tune you were playing just now, Granny?"

Ren Yingying said irritably, "What?" Linghu Chong sincerely praised, "This is the first time I've heard such beautiful music, and I want to learn it!"

Ren Yingying's heart skipped a beat, and she exclaimed, "You...you also want to play the 'Swordsman's Song'?"

Linghu Chong blushed and nodded, saying, "This disciple is very envious to have the opportunity to hear Senior's elegant playing of the qin and xiao."

Ren Yingying did not answer immediately. After a moment, she said, "Linghu Chong, how is your zither playing? Could you play a tune?"

Linghu Chong's face flushed, and he said, "Senior, this disciple has never learned to play the zither before, and can say that I know nothing about it. It is really presumptuous of me to ask to learn such profound zither skills from you. Please forgive my arrogance, Granny." He then bowed deeply to the Green Bamboo Elder on the painted boat and said, "Seniors, this disciple takes his leave!"

But after taking only a few steps, he heard the woman's voice again: "Are you just going to leave like that? It's fate that we met by chance today. If you answer a few questions for me, I will grant your request!"

Linghu Chong pondered for a moment, took a few steps back, and said, "What would you like to ask, Senior?"

Ren Yingying said, "I heard from Yun Changkong that your injuries are serious and difficult to heal, but in fact he has the ability to save your life. It's just that the price is too high and he is unwilling to do it."

I've heard rumors in the martial arts world that this man is a lecherous and fickle person. If he asked you to abandon your junior sister to save your life, would you do it?

Linghu Chong felt a surge of disgust and sneered, "What kind of hero is Yun Daxia? How could he do such a dirty thing? As for being lecherous, that's utter nonsense! Senior, let me give you a piece of advice: what you hear in the martial world may not be true!"

Linghu Chong had witnessed how Yun Changkong treated Yilin, his junior sister, and Qu Feiyan. While he couldn't be described as a gentleman, the claim that he was lecherous and fickle was utter nonsense.

If that's the case, which of these women could possibly escape?

Ren Yingying said sternly, "Are you lecturing me?"

Linghu Chong, finding her unreasonable, had long lost his enthusiasm for learning the music. He raised an eyebrow and said coldly, "We can't see eye to eye. Farewell!" He turned and walked away quickly.

Lan Fenghuang watched him leave through the window and asked curiously, "You just let him go like that?"

Ren Yingying rolled her eyes at her and said, "My legs are his, do I have to beg him?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he added, "Old Zhu, convey my message: let all the heroes find a way to save Linghu Chong's life and take Yun Changkong's head."

Lan Fenghuang suddenly stood up and asked in surprise, "Holy Maiden, what's the matter with you?"

Ren Yingying sighed and said softly, "I've said it before, most men in the world are lustful, falling in love with every woman they see, causing women heartbreak. Linghu Chong is devoted to love, and even at the cost of his life, his resolve remains unchanged. Such devotion should put all men to shame. For this reason alone, I must save his life!"

Lan Fenghuang said, "You should have saved Linghu Chong, so why did you have to kill Yun Changkong!"

Ren Yingying snorted: "You heard how he humiliated me. Shouldn't I kill him? Besides, he's the one who caused my being sent back to Blackwood Cliff. If this order isn't passed down, I'm afraid I won't be able to come back!"

Lan Fenghuang said anxiously, "But what if he is really killed?"

Ren Yingying chuckled and said, "So you go and stay with him! You're skilled in poison, and he's a master of martial arts. If you two are together, who in the world can kill him!"

Lan Fenghuang suddenly realized, "So you didn't want me to go to Blackwood Cliff?"

Ren Yingying sighed, "You consider me a friend, how could I let you put yourself in danger? Places like Blackwood Cliff should be avoided if possible!"

Lan Fenghuang said, "Actually, you and Yun Changkong are the same kind of people, both so proud. No wonder you two clashed the moment you met. If he knew how to coax you and make concessions..."

Ren Yingying interrupted sharply, "Don't talk nonsense! It's not like I can't get married. Do I have to find someone who has multiple wives?"

Lan Fenghuang shook her head and said, "His wives are all dead."

A cold glint flashed in Ren Yingying's eyes as she said, "That's why I said he's just like Dongfang Bubai. Dongfang Bubai lost his mind because he practiced the Sunflower Manual. I guess this person also practiced martial arts in the same way, so he definitely doesn't have any good intentions towards us."

"In this vast world, you're my only true friend. You must be careful not to let this evil person use you as a breeding ground for wickedness."

A hint of warmth appeared in Lan Fenghuang's eyes as she said, "Holy Maiden, I know you mean well, but I think you're worrying unnecessarily. Although I've never met the Eastern Cult Leader, I don't think Yun Changkong is that kind of person."

His flaws are that he's too proud and a bit arrogant, just like you.

But consider this: if he were truly an evil person, you would certainly have been spared last night. Given Linghu Chong's exceptional swordsmanship, would anyone else have refrained from interrogating him?
Rumors circulate that he covets the Lin family's Evil-Repelling Sword Manual and is interested in the Liu family's wealth; I think that's all nonsense!

Ren Yingying smiled and said, "Do you trust him that much?"

Lan Fenghuang said, "I've met countless people. Yun Changkong seems a bit wicked in his actions, but he has a righteous demeanor and an open heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't have told you and me so frankly that he has several wives. We know nothing about his background."

In particular, you said that the score of this song "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" is exquisite. He said frankly that it was written by someone else and that he was just finding a successor for them, without taking credit or showing off.

Think back to last night. We treated him like that, but today when he sparred with Linghu Chong, I couldn't even withstand three or two moves of his swordsmanship, let alone the power of his amazing internal energy.
How could such a person be an evil person with ulterior motives?
You say he practices Shaolin internal skills, and that all this talk of illusions and the difference between Buddha and demon is just a thought away. I actually think it's because he has seen through everything, which is why he lives life like a game.

As he said, a true man moves with the flow of clouds and water, doing whatever he pleases, it's not as complicated as you think!

Ren Yingying listened in silence.

Having grown up in the power struggles of the Sun Moon Cult, she always felt that people have ulterior motives for doing things, and she had never met anyone like Yun Changkong.

Because Yun Changkong said last night that he came to him because of music, but when he asked him, he ignored him.

Today, he gave it to her without asking for anything in return. This unfathomable behavior left Ren Yingying truly baffled.

In fact, she was half right. To Yun Changkong, everything in the world was dispensable.

He never felt a strong desire to possess anyone or anything.

Even for women, the thought of whom to marry is just a fleeting one.

It can truly be said that the words flowed like water, leaving not a trace.

Therefore, even though Yun Changkong knew why Ren Yingying was in love with Linghu Chong, he didn't bother to pretend.

If he were a despicable and vile person, he wouldn't say anything to his wife, let alone kiss Lan Fenghuang in front of Ren Yingying.

That's just the kind of person he is; he doesn't care what others think.

As Lan Fenghuang said, he was simply playing with life.

Ren Yingying remained silent for a long while, then suddenly said, "Let's go!" She pulled Lan Fenghuang off the boat.

While the others were pondering, Yun Changkong had already reached a mountain peak and was deep in thought about the outcome of his sword duel with Linghu Chong.

The moon was already high in the sky, and the battle with Linghu Chong was still vivid in my mind.
It's important to know that their battle relied entirely on inspiration.

All martial arts are based on internal strength. Techniques are the surface-level content of martial arts, while the understanding of the essence of martial arts determines the level of martial arts mastery.

Therefore, internal strength and the essence of martial arts are the core content of martial arts.

In modern parlance, one is the material foundation, and the other is the spiritual guideline; these two are the necessary conditions for achieving great things.

The same principle applies to martial arts. So-called moves are merely specific external expressions; their application requires flexibility and adaptability. Therefore, for true masters, the outward appearance of moves is not so important.

Because when they show off their skills, they can do all sorts of variations, but ultimately their signature skills are only one or two.

So this "no moves are better than moves" sounds very sophisticated, but after thinking it over, Yun Changkong felt that it was not the highest level in terms of moves.

The so-called "state of no moves" simply means that the changes in moves are no longer limited by fixed routines, and it emphasizes adapting to the changes in the opponent's moves. This requires flexibility and adaptability.

But there are actually still strategies, with a greater emphasis on adapting to changes in the opponent's moves.
However, Yun Changkong believed that once martial arts skills reached a certain level, one should leverage personal strengths and specialties to develop a unique and inimitable style, making opponents follow one's rhythm – that was true mastery.

Even the most skilled and capable person cannot always win if they constantly adapt to their opponent's moves.

This echoes Feng Qingyang's words: "If the opponent also has no moves, perhaps it is he who is superior, or perhaps the opponent is superior." (End of Chapter)