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

As Yun Changkong disappeared, Zuo Lengchan turned his gaze to Fang Sheng, Fang Ming and others from Shaolin, and said, "Masters, Yun Changkong killed three of our junior brothers, but he has a deep connection with your sect. I wonder if any of you masters could discern his martial arts prowess when you fought him?"

The heroes also speculated about the origin of Yun Changkong.

Master Fang Ming said, "His internal strength is of pure lineage, and he is indeed from the Shaolin school."

Le Hou said, “Although your sect has been doing good deeds and accumulating good relationships for hundreds of years, you have all seen what happened today. Can’t ‘Shanyuan Hall’ do something to investigate? Today, he took away the murderer who killed your sect’s disciple in front of everyone in the hall. Just like my Songshan Sect, we have lost face, and the high monks of Shaolin Temple have no honor either.”

Among the assembled heroes, those with extensive knowledge and experience all knew that each hall of Shaolin Temple had its own responsibilities. Just as the Bodhidharma Hall was dedicated to the study of martial arts and Buddhist teachings, the Arhat Hall was responsible for external combat, and the Disciplinary Hall was responsible for punishing disciples who broke the precepts, this "Hall of Good Karma" was the hall within Shaolin Temple specifically responsible for contacting heroes of the martial arts world.

This is also why Shaolin Temple has extensive connections with the martial arts world. If "Shanyuantang" wanted to investigate a family that truly had ties to Shaolin Temple, they would certainly be able to find out.

Master Fang Sheng put his palms together and said, "Amitabha. Our temple has already investigated. Although there are many martial arts families in the world with the surname Yun, none of them are related to the name Yun Changkong."

However, Yun He, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of the Jinyang镖局 (escort agency) in Taiyuan Prefecture at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, had some connection with my Shaolin Temple. His son was named Yun Changkong, but his entire family was wiped out overnight. Not only father and son, but also Yun He's mother, maids, and bodyguards were not spared. This is a mysterious case.

Master Fang Ming coldly said, "Alliance Leader Zuo, are you suggesting that this Yun Changkong is the same Yun Changkong who died over a hundred years ago, and that's why you're coming to this temple to interrogate me?"

"How dare I?" Zuo Lengchan said coldly, "I once exchanged a blow with him. His style is somewhat similar to your sect's 'Arhat Pure Yang Skill' and 'Bodhidharma Palm.' I'm afraid even the eminent monks of your temple don't know much about this kind of martial art. Are you just going to let it be passed on to outsiders?"

Fang Sheng and the others exchanged glances. How could they not know this? It was just that they couldn't say it in front of outsiders.

At this moment, Zuo Lengchan pointed it out, which the eminent monks could not deny, but they were also very surprised. "Damo Palm" is a famous palm technique of our temple, which originated from Bodhidharma. As for "Pure Yang Arhat Skill", practitioners must be virgins, and it is difficult to reach the superior level without more than forty years of hard practice.

Unless one is a highly accomplished monk who has renounced worldly life and cultivated purity, it is extremely rare for someone to abstain from women for forty or fifty years and remain a virgin even in old age. Therefore, it was truly unbelievable that Yun Changkong, at such an age, still craved beauty, yet possessed such a divine skill.

Master Fang Sheng said, “Excellent, excellent. The martial arts of our temple originated from Bodhidharma and were not originally of Chinese origin. However, over the past thousand years, the eminent monks of our temple have refined and improved them, making the martial arts even better than before. This is why we have the reputation that all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin.”

Logically speaking, it wouldn't be surprising if someone else innovated upon Shaolin martial arts.

"Even though Master Zuo has studied your sect's ancestral martial arts, your sect's martial arts in your hands are no longer what they used to be, are they?"

When everyone heard Zuo Lengchan rebuke Shaolin Temple with righteous indignation, and when they heard Fang Sheng's words, they all nodded in agreement.

Some well-informed people know that many of the 72 Shaolin skills that are famous throughout the world were not passed down by Bodhidharma, but were created by other eminent monks.

Zuo Lengchan was speechless for a moment.

Although he didn't create any new techniques in the Songshan School of martial arts, he was a major contributor to the refinement of the Songshan School's sword techniques. He modified the original seventeen internal and external sword styles of the Songshan School, which were deemed insufficiently grand and ruthless. If he could do it, why couldn't others?

Zuo Lengchan said, "Master, the members of the Demonic Sect are currently in Luoyang. Since we share a common hatred for this enemy, we must join forces to deal with them."

Master Fang Sheng put his palms together and said, "The Buddhist community is vast, and our temple is not too narrow-minded. Moreover, this matter involves many complexities, and this old monk does not know how to handle it."

"Alas, nothing lasts forever. Since Ren Woxing died, the martial world has enjoyed ten years of peace. But since the Fuwei Escort Agency incident, the bloodshed in the martial world has only intensified. I think it's a blessing for the martial world that the divine power can be passed on to someone like Yun Changkong, who has no ambition for fame. I'll take my leave now!" With that, he clasped his hands in a respectful bow and drifted away.

Fang Ming and the other monks followed.

As Teng Bagong watched them walk away, he whispered, "These bald monks have nothing to do all day but study how to debate. When they're powerful, they step in to mediate the conflicts between different factions in the martial arts world, acting like the big bosses. But when they encounter someone they can't afford to offend, they act like cowards, and whatever they say is right!"

“Amitabha, what this benefactor says is not entirely wrong! But as the old saying goes, when one is successful, one should help the world; when one is unsuccessful, one should cultivate one’s own virtue.” A powerful, aged voice seemed to ring in their ears, startling Zuo Lengchan and the others.

Zuo Lengchan slowly said, "Master Fangzheng has also come." He thought to himself, "This old monk's internal strength is truly unfathomable!"

But after he spoke, there was no response; clearly, the old monk was unwilling to show himself.

Meanwhile, Daoist Chongxu had already vanished without a trace.

……

Ren Yingying's snow-white dress fluttered in the wind as she ran wildly, her heart filled with extreme sorrow.

She thought back to when she was a child, Dongfang Bubai would often take her to the mountains to pick fruit and play. He always treated her very well and would often give her pointers on martial arts. But why did he feed her the "Three Corpse Brain God Pill" to control her because of the rumors about Yun Changkong? She had been wondering about this before.

Now, everything is clear!
It's clear that Dongfang Bubai murdered his father, and out of guilt, he feared being discovered and would contact his subordinates for revenge. Everything makes sense now.

Dongfang Bubai must have thought that he already knew the truth about his father's murder and that befriending Yun Changkong was to prepare for revenge, which is why he struck first. But now it's too late. What can he do now that he knows the truth?
Ren Yingying became increasingly agitated as she thought about it. She came to a stream, scooped up some water, and splashed it on her face.

The cold water poured over her face calmed her down considerably. Just then, a figure appeared reflected in the water, dressed in white, pure as snow.

Ren Yingying turned her head without realizing it, and Yun Changkong was quietly looking at her.

The gentle breeze by the river dispelled much of Ren Yingying's melancholy. She said calmly, "What are you doing here? Are you here to laugh at me?"

Yun Changkong said, "In your eyes, am I just here to laugh at you?"

Ren Yingying scoffed, "Otherwise what?"

Yun Changkong came to the stream, picked up a stone and sat down, saying, "I have implicated you, and I feel very uneasy."

Ren Yingying said, "How have you implicated me? This is all a matter between my father and me. Even if you didn't exist, Dongfang Bubai would still be wary of me, and Yang Lianting and Zuo Lengchan would still try to deal with me in the same way. It's just that without you, I could..."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, and as she gazed at her reflection in the water, the tears fell into the stream.

Yun Changkong was initially curious about what she was saying, but seeing her filled with sorrow, he couldn't help but think, "Alas, she originally met Linghu Chong in the Green Bamboo Lane in Luoyang, fell in love at Wubagang, cultivated herself at Shaolin Temple, and then met her father who came out of seclusion. Everything went smoothly, but because of me, Dongfang Bubai made her eat the Three Corpse Brain God Pill. Now Zuo Lengchan has made her conflict with Dongfang Bubai public."

How could she possibly defeat Dongfang Bubai? Yes, that's it. If word gets out today, Dongfang Bubai, to avoid any unforeseen complications, will likely order Ren Woxing's execution in West Lake prison. Then the rescue scene between Xiang Wentian and Linghu Chong in the original storyline will be nonexistent!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh, "Miss Ren, this is not the time to suffer, you..."

Ren Yingying interrupted him, saying, "Don't try to persuade me. Life is full of hardships, and I've gotten used to it over the years. You've said a lot too. Everyone dies eventually and grows old. Why not take advantage of the present to do what you want to do, see the people you want to see, and say what you want to say?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Then I am the person you want to meet?"

Ren Yingying's expression suddenly changed, and she said, "You're always like this. You do things that are true and you lie, and you say the same thing. Who knows which of your words are true and which are false?" With a flick of her sleeve, she stood up and turned to leave.

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "I've said it before, this world may all be fake, so why bother about what's real and what's fake? Just be happy in the moment."

Ren Yingying said angrily, "Hmph, but I'm not happy!"

Given Yun Changkong's appearance and character, he had never experienced such humiliation from a woman before. But strangely enough, the more indifferent and aloof she was, the more interesting he found it.

This is partly human nature, and partly because after he mastered his divine skills, he could do whatever he wanted in the world. He found it quite novel that Ren Yingying was putting on airs for him.

Ren Yingying was no different. She harbored resentment towards Yun Changkong, without a doubt. Yet, she also enjoyed being with him, finding contentment even in just a few words. She didn't know if it was because she had never had friends growing up, or if feelings had blossomed within her. Perhaps it was a case of "seemingly heartless, yet harboring deep affection."

The thought of Yun Changkong's numerous romantic entanglements, and his claim that Linghu Chong was his lover, made her hesitant to take that step, fearing that Yun Changkong would think she was like Yue Lingshan, a "fickle and fickle person." Therefore, whenever such matters were mentioned, she felt unbearably ashamed and only wanted to escape.

Yun Changkong had no idea how Ren Yingying perceived him or how she regarded him. After all, a woman's heart is unfathomable, and anyone who claims to know everything about a woman's mind is just bragging.

His judgment on the relationship between Ren Yingying and Linghu Chong was based on his precognitive advantage, since her playing the zither for Linghu Chong and healing his injuries were clear signs that she had secretly fallen for him.

She never said anything to him, not even a word like, "I want you to never leave me." Therefore, Yun Changkong never considered taking Ren Yingying as his wife, since this woman was easily prone to failure.

Thinking of this, Yun Changkong revealed a bitter expression. He had never really put in the effort to pursue a woman, and he had never experienced failure. Was this also a kind of regret?

Yun Changkong smiled bitterly to himself, when suddenly he heard light footsteps and saw a pair of embroidered shoes with a few small green flowers adorning the purple satin surface.

Yun Changkong unconsciously raised his head and saw Ren Yingying's eyes, like autumn water, quietly gazing at him.

Yun Changkong was about to get up when Ren Yingying asked, "How long have we known each other?"

Yun Changkong said, "Less than a month!"

Ren Yingying said, "It's twenty-eight days!"

Yun Changkong said "Oh," and then said, "You remember it quite well."

Ren Yingying asked, "Are we friends?"

Yun Changkong glanced at her and said, "Am I not frivolous, vulgar, despicable, and shameless? Do you consider me a friend?"

Ren Yingying narrowed her eyes and said, "You feel wronged, don't you? Putting aside others, what about that little nun from the Hengshan Sect?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "You want to know about this too? But what does it have to do with you? You're not my wife!"

Ren Yingying's cheeks were flushed with rouge, and she spat lightly, "You, you, this person... This really has nothing to do with me, but did you tell Phoenix? You and the nun have an ambiguous relationship, aren't you ashamed?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "If it were unclear, that would be easy to talk about, but that little nun is wholeheartedly devoted to your Young Master Linghu."

In her eyes, I was a vicious person who couldn't distinguish right from wrong and bullied others by relying on his skills.

In the martial arts world, I might be even more hated than you, you witch. Listen to what that monk Bujie said: his daughter is so obsessed with Linghu Chong that she can't eat or drink and wants to be my wife.

Tell me, who wouldn't feel that Linghu Chong was giving me what he didn't want, and that this was a slap in the face to me, Yun Changkong?
If I hadn't known beforehand that Monk Bujie was a scoundrel who wanted to kill you to make room for his daughter, I would have slapped him across the face long ago. It's outrageous!

"Princess..." Ren Yingying burst into laughter upon hearing this. She was of dignified character, always reserved, and rarely showed joy.

Her smile was like a shy flower just beginning to bloom, exceptionally bright and beautiful, revealing her girlish charm and making her even more captivating.

As Yun Changkong watched, he laughed and said, "Good, the clouds have parted and the moon has appeared. Now you've seen me make a fool of myself. It's fair!" Ren Yingying smiled and said, "Those who laugh at others will always be laughed at."

Yun Changkong asked, "Do you have any paper?"

Ren Yingying asked, "What?"

Yun Changkong said, "I have to write this down! Miss Ren has just released some new quotes; I need to leave them for my son to pass down through generations!"

"Pah! Shameless!" Ren Yingying said disdainfully, "Who had a son with you!"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "If you don't give birth to my child, there are plenty of others who can. I didn't say anything about you, so why are you bringing it up?"

Upon hearing this, Ren Yingying stomped her foot and exclaimed, "I didn't! I didn't! How could you be so annoying!"

Yun Changkong's expression turned serious as he asked, "What are your plans for the next step?"

Ren Yingying looked up at the endless sky and the red sun on the mountainside, biting her lip so hard that it bled without her realizing it. After a while, she said slowly, "Zuo Lengchan wants to use me, and that guy surnamed Yang wants my life. Humph, fine, I'll satisfy them. But before I do anything, I have something to do!"

"What?" Yun Changkong asked.

Ren Yingying curtsied and said, "This is our first meeting. You said you were hungry and thirsty, but I refused you. It was indeed my fault. You invited me to eat roast pig, so it would be impolite not to reciprocate. Young Master Yun, please!"

Yun Changkong laughed heartily, stood up and said, "It would be impolite of me to refuse Miss Ren's invitation!"

Ren Yingying smiled and said, "That's right, only by being obedient can you win the nun's favor."

"Ha ha……"

"Cuckoo..."

The two smiled at each other, both feeling a sense of relief and joy.

Ren Yingying is proud and competitive in everything she does. After getting to know Yun Changkong, she initially found him confident, sunny, eloquent, and witty. However, upon closer inspection, she discovered he was quite the rogue. He appeared kind and gentle, but his eyes held a fierce and untamed spirit. He either remained silent or acted with great depth, but when he did, it caused a huge uproar.

The turmoil of the martial world was stirred by him, naturally causing ripples in Ren Yingying's heart. However, Yun Changkong's carefree and nonchalant attitude towards everything instilled a sense of fear in Ren Yingying, a fear that was truly hard to describe.

The two walked very fast, and after about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a small alley, which was the Green Bamboo Alley that Yun Changkong had visited before.

However, last time Yun Changkong came here at night and did not take a close look. This time, with the sky clear and the clouds bright, he saw a large bamboo forest swaying in the wind at the end of the alley, elegant and natural, a world apart from the city of Luoyang outside.

Yun Changkong said leisurely: "The bamboo forest gently shakes the dust and dew, the green branches dance in the setting sun, the wind rustles and the sound is long, just like the sound of immortals floating."

Tender bamboo shoots add a touch of novelty, bamboo joints stand tall and proud, and famous flowers leaning against bamboo create an unparalleled scene; immersing oneself in this beauty is unforgettable!

"What a wonderful phrase!" Ren Yingying was both delighted and surprised. Her eyes sparkled with charm as she smiled and said, "You have this skill too!"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "I know a lot more than that. Would you like to see it for yourself?"

Ren Yingying snorted: "I wouldn't dare praise you!"

She went straight to the bamboo house and said, "Old Bamboo Master, make some tea!"

Inside the bamboo house, a hoarse voice asked, "Is that Auntie?"

Ren Yingying said coldly, "Of course it's me."

After a moment of silence, the hoarse voice suddenly asked, "Who is the other person?"

Ren Yingying said coldly, "Why do you need to ask so many questions?"

Yun Changkong had already heard that the old man from the Green Bamboo House who was speaking inside was already standing behind the door, but the wooden door was tightly closed and did not move for a long time.

Ren Yingying seemed to be furious. She raised her jade-like hand and slammed it open with force. With a "yikes," the wooden door opened with her palm.

Suddenly a figure flashed out and pounced on Yun Changkong. Just as Yun Changkong was about to make a move, Ren Yingying shouted, "Are you looking for death?" and struck diagonally with her palm.

The old man with the green bamboo shrieked, "Auntie, only by killing this brat can you save your life!"

With a shout, he pointed his left finger at Ren Yingying's palm, while his right palm landed on Yun Changkong's forehead.

Yun Changkong took several steps back, when he heard Ren Yingying shout, "Stop!" and swing her short sword toward her own neck.

"Auntie! No..."

"clang!"

Yun Changkong was immediately startled. He flicked his finger like the wind, and a gust of wind from his finger struck Ren Yingying's short sword, knocking it out of her hand.

Green Bamboo Elder clasped his hands in a fist salute and said solemnly, "I am deeply grateful, but I still have to kill you."

Ren Yingying angrily retorted, "How can you not distinguish between friend and foe!"

Green Bamboo Elder said coldly, "Aunt, Zuo Lengchan claims that his martial arts are the best in the world, and you are so close to him. Dongfang Bubai is known as the number one master in the world, how can he tolerate you?"

Ren Yingying said slowly, "Whether it's acceptable or not is another matter, but what you're doing is not how you treat a guest."

Green Bamboo Elder glared at Yun Changkong and said, "He..."

"You still dare to talk?" Ren Yingying raised her eyebrows high, her eyes filled with frost, and Green Bamboo Elder had no choice but to shut up.

Ren Yingying gestured respectfully and said, "Young Master Yun, please!"

Yun Changkong followed her into the house. The hall had windows on all eight sides, and a gentle breeze blew in. Outside the windows, the willows swayed gracefully, and inside, a beautiful woman was as lovely as a flower. She said, "If I could stay here for a while, I wouldn't trade it for the emperor!"

Ren Yingying waved her hand and said, "Please sit down."

Yun Changkong chuckled and said, "You sit down too."

The two sat down on two bamboo chairs, and Ren Yingying said, "Serve tea!"

Before long, Old Man Green Bamboo carried a wooden tray and placed two cups of tea on the table.

Ren Yingying said solemnly, "Old Zhu, did you already know that there was something fishy about my father's matter?"

Green Bamboo Elder glanced at Cloud Sky.

Yun Changkong picked up the teacup and felt the room filled with a refreshing fragrance that soothed his mind and made him feel clear-headed and invigorated. He raised the cup to his lips and took a sip.

The old man with the green bamboo said, "Yes!"

Ren Yingying's expression changed, and she said coldly, "Why didn't you tell me?"

The old man with green bamboo remained silent.

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "You can't blame him for this. You must understand this principle as well."

Green Bamboo Elder glanced at Cloud Sky.

Ren Yingying said "Oh" and then said, "Please enlighten me."

Yun Changkong said, "Dongfang Bubai usurped power after bloodshed and sacrifice. Those who truly care about you will naturally not tell you their suspicions. Otherwise, no matter how smart you are, you will find it difficult to grow up with Dongfang Bubai."

Ren Yingying sighed softly, "Yes, I am young and naive. If Dongfang Bubai had seen through my doubts about his position as leader, I probably wouldn't be alive now."

Yun Changkong smiled slightly and said, "Yes, those who deliberately hide things are the ones who truly care about you. I think they all want you to at least maintain the status quo and live a carefree life!" He picked up his teacup and took another sip with relish.

Green Bamboo Elder said coldly, "If anything happens to my aunt, Yun Changkong, this old man will fight you to the death!"

Ren Yingying waved her hand and said, "You may leave!"

"Yes!" Green Bamboo Elder withdrew.

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Could you play me a piece called 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer'?"

Ren Yingying said, "You really like listening to this?"

Yun Changkong said, "This place is beautiful, and there are beautiful women here. If we could also listen to wonderful music, wouldn't that be a great pleasure in life?"

Ren Yingying sighed: "I don't know what you're thinking all day. You made an appointment with Zuo Lengchan, but you won't fight him. If it's because I want to win the bet with him, you won't hurt me. What exactly are you thinking?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Want to know?"

Ren Yingying nodded slightly.

Yun Changkong chuckled and said, "Actually, there's nothing to it. I originally challenged Zuo Lengchan to a duel because I thought that old bastard was setting me up for a fight, so I had to deal with him."

But after meeting him, I found him quite interesting. If I were to eliminate him as well, the martial world would become far too dull. (End of Chapter)