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

The newcomer was none other than Master Fang Sheng. Lan Fenghuang said with a smile, "Great monk, you've come at just the right time!"

Master Fang Sheng did not answer, but simply smiled and walked slowly towards him.

Yun Changkong clasped his hands and said, "I misspoke, Master, please forgive me."

He can eavesdrop on other people's conversations, and he doesn't care if others listen to him.

Master Fang Sheng clasped his hands together and said, “Amitabha! As the saying goes, ‘No one is perfect, who can forget emotions?’ Although I have taken refuge in Buddhism since childhood, I have not yet attained true enlightenment, and my practice is insufficient. Naturally, I must adhere to the great precepts. What you have said is not inappropriate; what fault is there?”

As they spoke, they were already more than ten feet apart from Yun Changkong.

Yun Changkong clasped his hands and said, "Master, you are truly an enlightened monk. I admire you greatly!"

Master Fang Sheng said, “The Buddha’s teachings are boundless, and it is not easy to attain enlightenment. However, you have a connection with Buddhism. I wonder if we can form a good relationship and make offerings to the monks.”

Lan Fenghuang was taken aback and said, "Since the Buddha's teachings are boundless, why doesn't the great monk return to secular life?"

Master Fang Sheng shook his head, but his eyes were bright as he stared straight at Yun Changkong.

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "It is only right that a master asks me for alms. May I ask what you would like to show my sincerity?"

Master Fang Sheng smiled and said, "This old monk would like to ask for your guidance!" He then put his hands together in prayer, his monk's robe billowing like a sail.

His words stunned not only Lan Fenghuang, but also Yun Changkong, though he remained silent.

After a long silence, Yun Changkong smiled and said, "I await your guidance!"

Master Fang Sheng laughed and said, "This old monk will use the Eight Strikes of Shaolin Divine Palm!" With that, he spread his palms apart and used the "Eight Strikes of Divine Palm" that he had practiced with all his heart and soul. His moves were wide and powerful, yet mysterious and unpredictable, with clouds rising and flying, and ever-changing.

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Excellent palm technique!" He made a fist with his right palm, his index and middle fingers bending and straightening at the same time.

As the wrist swayed, the fingertips covered more than ten acupoints on Master Fang Sheng's palm, wrist, and chest, a move that was both real and feinting, and was one of the techniques he created, the "Heavenly Gang Subduing Demon Finger".

Seeing that his technique was something he had never heard of or seen before, Fang Sheng quickly turned around and struck with both palms as fast as flowing clouds and lightning.

Lan Fenghuang couldn't even see the two people make a move. She only felt a strong wind sweeping by, and then she heard a hiss as a corner of her clothes fluttered in the wind and got caught on a tree.

Master Fang Sheng leaped back more than ten feet, but Yun Changkong remained completely still.

Master Fang Sheng put his palms together and said, "This old monk has heard of a young hero in the martial arts world named Yun Changkong, who is renowned for his Shaolin and Wudang martial arts. I wonder if you have ever met him?"

Yun Changkong laughed heartily: "A country bumpkin like me, my humble name is an insult to your ears."

"Amitabha!" Master Fang Sheng said with his palms together, "I knew there were two female benefactors present, but I never imagined there would be such a young master in the world who I did not notice. It is indeed the benefactors who have arrived. I have offended you."

It turned out that Master Fang Sheng already knew that two women were spying on him, which is why he turned back to investigate. He didn't expect that Yun Changkong was also there. He didn't even recognize Yun Changkong's breathing. When he made a move, although he blocked one of Yun Changkong's attacks, his clothes were also torn by the force of Yun Changkong's fingers. He then realized who Yun Changkong was.

Lan Fenghuang chuckled and said, "Great monk, you have such sharp eyes. Do you know who I am?"

Master Fang Sheng smiled and said, "Please forgive my poor eyesight."

Lan Fenghuang was dressed in Han Chinese men's clothing and didn't display any special skills, so he naturally didn't recognize her.

Yun Changkong, not wanting to reveal Lan Fenghuang's identity for fear of being caught off guard, said, "Master, what brings you here?"

Master Fang Sheng said, "May I have a word with you in private?"

Yun Changkong nodded and said, "Good!"

Master Fang Sheng flicked his sleeves and floated several feet away as if his feet didn't touch the ground. Lan Fenghuang chuckled and said, "Is this old monk trying to test your lightness skill again?"

Yun Changkong shook his head and said, "He's afraid that someone might overhear him."

With that, he and Lan Fenghuang followed.

The three of them ran for two or three miles when Fang Sheng suddenly stopped. He saw that the place was full of rocks and weeds, with no big trees, so it was not a place to hide people. Clearly, Fang Sheng had something important to say, so he chose this place.

Master Fang Sheng said, "Please sit down!" and took the lead in sitting on a stone.

"Please!" Yun Changkong sat down on another rock, with Lan Fenghuang standing beside him.

Master Fang Sheng turned to Lan Fenghuang and said, "You must be a member of the Five Immortals Sect, right?"
Lan Fenghuang said sweetly, "Good eye."

Master Fang Sheng looked at Yun Changkong and said, "Although I do not know the origin of your sect, you must be an extraordinary person with unparalleled skills. You must have a great connection with my Shaolin Temple. I wonder if you could tell me?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "My ancestors had a connection with a high monk from your sect, which is why my internal strength originated from Shaolin."

Lan Fenghuang laughed and said, "I often heard in Yunnan that all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin, and it seems that it is indeed true."

"Amitabha!" Fang Sheng put his palms together and said, "Martial arts have developed to the point where they are intertwined with each other. Our humble temple dares not accept such an honor."

Yun Changkong smiled slightly.

Master Fang Sheng then asked, "I heard that you are going to challenge Alliance Leader Zuo to a duel at Baiyun Mountain. Is that true?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "That is indeed true."

Master Fang Sheng smiled and said, "My senior brother Fang Zheng from this temple, upon learning of this matter, wishes to descend the mountain to meet with you as the gathering approaches." He paused and continued, "In fact, he had wanted to meet you a year ago after learning of the events in Hengshan City, but since you, despite your unparalleled martial arts skills, are unknown, it is clear that you are unwilling to get involved in the grudges of the martial world. So there is no need for that now."

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "I am not willing to get involved in these endless grudges of the martial world now. However, if I do not, everyone in the world will think of me as someone who can be bullied by others, which would be very troublesome."

Master Fang Sheng understood this principle, and said, "I heard that the leader of the Left Alliance also came down from Mount Song a few days ago and met with you, benefactor!"

Lan Fenghuang laughed and said, "Great monk, how do you know everything? Could there be spies from your Shaolin Temple in the Songshan Sect?"

Master Fang sighed and slowly said, "Leader Zuo is not only a rare talent among the Five Mountains Sword Sects, but also a genius that only appears once every few centuries in the entire martial arts world. It's just a pity that he relies on his superb martial arts skills to commit indiscriminate killing and wants to unify the Five Mountains. This is truly not a blessing for the martial arts world!"

Lan Fenghuang laughed and said, "Your Shaolin Temple is the number one sect in the world, why don't you stop it?"

Master Fang Sheng's expression darkened slightly, and he sighed, "Leader Zuo is a hero of the world, and his ambitions over the decades cannot be swayed by words alone. But if he hadn't indulged his ambitions, indiscriminately slaughtered fellow disciples of the Five Mountains Sect, and attempted to destroy the Hengshan Sect, how could he have attracted Benefactor Yun? If Shaolin Temple were to forcibly stop him, it would also be an endless catastrophe."

Lan Fenghuang laughed and said, "Since it's also a catastrophe, why are you telling my elder brother? Isn't your Shaolin Temple supposed to be compassionate?"

Master Fang Sheng said, "Leader Zuo's martial arts are extremely high, far surpassing mine. Even compared to Senior Brother Fang Zheng, the number one expert in this temple, the difference is minimal. If the two of them were to fight, the outcome would be uncertain!"

Yun Changkong naturally knew that in the original plot, Ren Woxing had used trickery to defeat Fang Zheng, and Zuo Lengchan had used schemes to defeat Ren Woxing. Both sides had taken the other by surprise and caught them off guard.

However, rumors circulated that Fang Zheng was inferior to Ren Woxing, and Ren Woxing was inferior to Zuo Lengchan, which made his reputation even greater and strengthened his resolve to follow the sect.

In reality, the true martial arts skills of Ren Woxing, Fang Zheng, Chongxu, Zuo Lengchan, and others are all at the same level, with very little difference between them.

Yun Changkong said, "I have met with Alliance Leader Zuo before. He is indeed highly skilled in martial arts and has profound wisdom, but Master, you don't need to worry too much about him."

Because fortune and misfortune in this world are not determined by individuals, even the greatest men, heroes and valiant men throughout history have not been able to guarantee that their wives would not be virtuous and their children would not be filial, let alone the vast world of martial arts.
Even without the Left Alliance Leader, who knows if the others aren't ambitious? Could a virtuous gentleman not turn into a heartless and cruel demon? I am powerless to change that!

Yun Changkong knew perfectly well what Master Fang Sheng meant; he wanted him to use the martial arts competition to get rid of Zuo Lengchan.

Master Fang Sheng opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly a powerful whistling sound rang out, interrupting his words.

"Not good!" Fang Sheng hurriedly said, "It's Junior Nephew Xin!" He then looked at Yun Changkong and said, "Benefactor, you are very insightful, but I wonder if you could accompany this old monk? My sect's abbot has long admired you and longs to meet you!"

Lan Fenghuang smiled and said, "Then can I go to Shaolin Temple?"

“Of course!” Master Fang Sheng said, and with a swift movement, he rushed towards the direction from which the sound came.

Lan Fenghuang laughed, "I heard that Shaolin Temple has always forbidden women from entering, but this old monk actually allowed me to go. It's all thanks to you. Let's go and take a look." She was about to chase after him.

Yun Changkong tugged at her and said, "I'm not going. The Shaolin Temple wants to see me because they want me to use my duel with Zuo Lengchan to subdue him and dissuade him from his idea of ​​uniting the martial arts world."

Lan Fenghuang's eyes darted around, and she said, "Big brother, are you some kind of deity? How come you can know the purpose of anyone who comes to you, and even see through a person's destiny?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "This is the meaning of cultivation. We cultivate to improve our abilities, which is not limited to martial arts or solving problems, but rather to equip us with the ability to avoid risks."
If you can refrain from greed, anger, and delusion, and treat everything as insignificant—what you don't have, what you've lost, what you've gained, and especially what you've lost—you can truly not take anything seriously.

Only in this way can one avoid falling into anyone's trap. This is the true meaning of navigating the world and cultivating oneself in this life!

Lan Fenghuang nodded: "Now I understand, you really have no feelings for Yingying?"

Yun Changkong laughed and asked, "How do you know?"

Lan Fenghuang said, "She is naturally aloof and eccentric. In her entire life, apart from exchanging a few words with me, a woman, she has rarely spoken to men face to face. With your knowledge and skills, if you were so inclined, how could you not know how to deceive her? But you didn't, which naturally means you have no feelings for her."

Yun Changkong stared intently and said solemnly, "Phoenix, do you know that your concept is completely wrong?"

Blue Phoenix asked in astonishment, "Where did I go wrong?"

Yun Changkong looked into the distance and said slowly, "In this world, whether things are right or wrong, as long as they are in the past, there is no need to mention them again."

The word "emotion" is the most mysterious and unpredictable. It can turn enemies into friends, or friends into foes. It can dispel one's will to die, or leave one with no interest in life. Therefore, even if something seems dispensable or indifferent to me, I will not deceive my feelings.

Of course, this doesn't mean I have any particularly noble character; I just want peace of mind!

"Peace of mind?" Lan Fenghuang didn't understand.

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "During the Han Dynasty, Xiang Zhongshan of Anling would water his horse in the Wei River and throw in three coins each time. Considering that there weren't many people on the banks of the Wei River, he still threw in coins every time. People say that he maintained his integrity by 'throwing coins when watering his horse' and 'three coins from the Wei River.' But I think he was just seeking peace of mind when he threw in coins when watering his horse!"

Lan Fenghuang was unaware of this story and said, "Then why would Yingying make you feel uneasy? I don't understand!"

Yun Changkong smiled slightly and said, "Because although she comes from the Demonic Sect, she is not without kindness and is willing to make sacrifices for love. Given her personality and status, she should have a partner who truly loves her."

He sighed suddenly and said, "So-called love is just a thousand words pieced together into one sentence. If you can't even love everything about the person you love, then you're not worthy of talking about love at all! But I can't do that for Ren Yingying, do you understand?"

Yun Changkong is a Buddhist scholar, well-versed in Zen principles. He is extremely fond of martial arts, power, and beautiful women, and will stop at nothing to obtain them. However, Yun Changkong considers all of these things dispensable and never goes to great lengths for them.

Take Ren Yingying for example. If he were a person with ulterior motives, it would be very simple for him to cut off the fate between Ren Yingying and Linghu Chong, but he was unwilling and disdained to do so.

He never believed that all the martial arts, beauties, and power in the world were prepared for him, and he disdained to deceive someone's feelings.

He clearly married Zhao Min and other women. He wouldn't deny this fact just because they lived in different worlds. Therefore, when he mentioned his marriage, it meant that Ren Yingying, who had witnessed great hurt in women's relationships, had already drawn a red line in her heart. It wasn't that he didn't know, but that he didn't want to deceive her.

But if someone like Lan Fenghuang knew he had a wife before, yet was still willing to have a relationship with him, then he wouldn't feel obligated to stay with her just because he had been married.

In this vast world, everything is false, perhaps it is just empty talk, but the truth is the truth, even if it is not.

Lan Fenghuang raised her eyebrows and said, "How could I be so confused? I forgot that you killed so many of Yingying's subordinates!"

Yun Changkong smiled but remained silent. He was actually referring to Ren Woxing. If he got together with Ren Yingying, would his father save him?

I'd be guilty if I didn't help!
If I save him, he'll inevitably end up like Linghu Chong—fighting me. If he doesn't, I'll turn against him.

Wouldn't that make me just like Linghu Chong? I can't exactly think of killing my wife's long-awaited father again, can I? That would be too heartless and cruel!
Yun Changkong had no desire to bother with this matter anymore.

Because dealing with one's father-in-law is the most difficult thing.

The Prince of Ruyang alone was enough to put him in a difficult position, let alone someone as arrogant and eccentric as Ren Woxing.

Lan Fenghuang suddenly chuckled and said, "Big brother, what do you think is happening to Yingying right now?"

Yun Changkong shook his head and said, "I won't guess."

Blue Phoenix whispered, "Come closer."

Yun Changkong listened to her mysterious words, lowered his head, and leaned closer. Lan Fenghuang tiptoed and whispered something in his ear, though he couldn't quite make out what she said.

But Yun Changkong smiled broadly, coughed, and said, "No, once isn't enough. After we've made our promise at Baiyun Mountain, you have to travel the world with me, and we'll enjoy the scenery together."

Lan Fenghuang nodded earnestly and said, "As long as you guess right, it's certain. Even if I have to step down as the sect leader, that's fine! I swear!"

Yun Changkong couldn't help but laugh and said, "What oath? I believe you. Right now, the clichéd plot of Linghu Chong rescuing a beauty and defeating a Shaolin monk is unfolding."

Lan Fenghuang exclaimed in surprise, "How could a sick man like him save a beauty?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "That's why I said Linghu Chong is a freak. He looks like he's about to die, but when he fights someone, it's like he's fully recovered. That's the protagonist's halo, there's nothing we can do about it!"

"Protagonist halo." Blue Phoenix naturally didn't understand his novelty and said, "I'd like to see if that's true?"

So, he grabbed Yun Changkong and ran out.

A moment later, the two heard the whooshing sound of wind, the sound of weapons cutting through the air. They rounded a hillside.

Two figures, one gray and one green, appeared and disappeared in a flash, their moves elegant and fierce; it was Ren Yingying fighting against Master Fang Sheng.

Lan Fenghuang stared intently at Yun Changkong and said, "You guessed wrong."

Yun Changkong smiled calmly: "Keep watching, the old monk showed mercy."

Yun Changkong was right, of course.

This is not only because he knows the plot, but also because he understands human nature.

Linghu Chong was abandoned by his sect and dreamed of Yue Lingshan, who was also trying to kill him, but she was laughing beside him. He felt sad and heartbroken, but he was also touched by how kind the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect had been to him. He wondered why this woman, with whom he had only a shallow relationship, was so kind to him. He thought that since his death was imminent, he wanted to see her before he died and ask her some questions. He felt that he would die without regrets.

Linghu Chong was weak and out of breath after walking only a mile when he suddenly heard Yi Guozi shout, "Who goes there!"

Linghu Chong turned his head and saw Xin Guoliang, Jueyue and others rushing over. Linghu Chong said, "Master, there are people over there!"

Jueyue said, "We all saw it. A slender woman in green clothes hid in the bushes."

Yi Guozi stared at Linghu Chong, and said with disdain, "Killing someone like you would only tarnish my weapon." He raised his longsword, pointed it at a clump of bushes in the distance, and continued, "That demoness is hiding behind the bushes. Call her out."

Linghu Chong's gaze shifted, and he saw the bushes in the distance. He then looked at Monk Jueyue, who had a serious expression on his face, and said, "Master, I know you are concerned about the safety of Shaolin, but this old woman is kind-hearted. She definitely did not kill Brother Tan of the Kunlun Sect. Please invite Master Fang Sheng over."

Master Fang Sheng is currently with Yun Changkong and the others.

Yi Guozi coldly snorted, spat out a mouthful of saliva, picked up his long sword, and leaped towards the bushes, saying, "Witch, I see you! Come out and die!" He then plunged into the bushes.

But his offensive seemed so ridiculous and clumsy in front of Ren Yingying.

However, Ren Yingying thought that Linghu Chong's injuries still needed to be treated by Shaolin Temple, so she did not kill him this time.

Her entire body floated back half a step like a willow catkin, just avoiding Yi Guozi's powerful and heavy slash.

Immediately afterwards, with a gentle twist of her wrist, a scabbard that resembled a sword but was not quite a sword danced nimbly in her palm like a silver dragon, and was thrust forward like lightning, striking Yi Guozi's "Qihu" acupoint on his chest with perfect precision.

"Well!"

Yi Guozi's strength completely dissipated, and he flew limply several feet before crashing to the ground, unable to speak.

one move!
With just one move, Yi Guozi's life was in danger. Xin Guoliang, Huang Guobai, and Jueyue were both shocked and furious, and they rushed out to help.

Linghu Chong laughed loudly, "So all Shaolin Temple knows is how to bully the weak with numbers!"

Upon hearing this, the three immediately stopped. Xin Guoliang angrily shouted, "You surnamed Linghu, do you have any shame?"

Huang Guobai shouted, "You wicked scoundrel who can't distinguish right from wrong, you're a disgrace to the Huashan Sect!"

Linghu Chong laughed and said, "I forgot to tell you all, right now only Linghu Chong, a former disciple of Mount Hua, is here!"

Upon hearing this, all three of them were taken aback.

At this moment, none of them knew that Linghu Chong had been expelled from the sect.

Linghu Chong looked at the bushes, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Grandma, I have a question in my mind, please answer it."

A crisp voice came from the bushes: "What?"

Upon hearing this, Linghu Chong was overjoyed to hear that this was indeed the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect whom he had met the previous night, and said, "Why is Grandma so kind to Linghu Chong?"

Ren Yingying asked, "Does that matter?"

"Important!" Linghu Chong said decisively, "If my doubts are cleared up, I will have no regrets even if I die!"

Ren Yingying sighed, "You're so young, yet you always say you'd die without regrets. Do you really value your life so little?"

Linghu Chong laughed heartily: "Who doesn't know that I, Linghu Chong, am just a wandering swordsman? My life is naturally not that important to me!"

Seeing that the two were acting as if no one else was around, and realizing that the rest of them were no match for them, Xin Guoliang suddenly let out a long howl that carried for miles, hoping that his martial uncle could hear it. (End of Chapter)