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

Gushan Island in Hangzhou is located between the inner and outer lakes of West Lake. Surrounded by clear waters and lush vegetation, it is a picturesque place that was already famous during the Tang and Song dynasties. An ancient poem says: "Gushan Island is a paradise on earth, and it is a good place to lean on the railing when there are plum blossoms."

At the foot of this mountain, a large villa-style building stands tall, with its courtyard walls painted entirely in white. Above the two vermilion gates are two large, gilded characters: "Plum Villa," with the inscription "Inscribed by Yu Yunwen" next to them.

At this moment, two people dressed in close-fitting clothes and wearing straw hats looked up at the manor a few times, then walked away, bypassed the manor, and disappeared into the mountains and forests.

Ren Yingying glanced at Yun Changkong and secretly transmitted her voice, "You came here to find the Four Friends of Jiangnan?" A hint of mockery flashed in her eyes: "Do you think they can suppress the Sun Moon Sect?"

Yun Changkong said, "Remember what you're saying now. You don't need to ask anything. Let's go to the top of the mountain and keep a close eye on this manor. Anyway, I'm going to make you call me uncle."

Ren Yingying snorted softly, a faint smile appearing on her face, and said, "Why do you insist that I call you uncle? Is it that fun?"

Yun Changkong revealed a mysterious smile: "You don't understand!"

As the moon sets in the west and the morning star fades, the lonely mountain forest is deep and ancient, with only the gentle breeze rustling the leaves, like a beautiful melody, adding a touch of mystery to the vast night.

Lonely Mountain was not high to begin with, and before long Yun Changkong and Ren Yingying had reached the top of the mountain and looked out into the distance.

There were only a few lanterns in the entire manor, and everything else was shrouded in darkness. There were no guards running around in the manor.

Ren Yingying didn't know why there were so few people in this huge manor, but she felt that there was a mysterious atmosphere everywhere.

Yun Changkong came to rescue Ren Woxing for two reasons. Firstly, because of his butterfly effect, he caused Ren Yingying and Dongfang Bubai to break off their relationship. It remains to be seen whether Ren Woxing will be able to wait for Xiang Wentian and Linghu Chong to come to his rescue.

Secondly, Ren Yingying was poisoned by the "Three Corpse Brain God Pill." If he didn't get the antidote from Yang Lianting, he wouldn't be at ease. Therefore, Ren Woxing had to rescue her.

Because only he, the former leader, had the ability to subdue the Sun Moon Cult.

He also knew that even if he could defeat the Four Friends of Jiangnan in terms of martial arts, it didn't mean he could rescue Ren Woxing. This was because Ren Woxing was imprisoned at the bottom of West Lake.

It would take a very, very long time to walk through the tunnel, and it's almost impossible to imagine whether there were any traps or hidden weapons inside.

So he secretly decided to observe the situation first. If Dongfang Bubai did not show any inclination to act towards Ren Woxing, then he would not interfere and would just wait for Xiang Wentian and Linghu Chong to arrive.

After all, if Ren Woxing were to reappear in the martial world, he would be an ambitious man. If I were to intervene, why bother to save him? If I were to ignore it and watch the martial world descend into bloodshed, that would be too cruel.

This is the trouble of intelligent people: the more they know, the more worries they have. This is because the affairs of the world are intricate and intertwined. Even if one's mind is empty of worldly concerns, one cannot escape these uncontrollable worries.

Therefore, he had long hoped that he would not have this precognitive advantage. Just because it might make his actions more difficult, and he would also have fewer scruples.

For example, in the world of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," if one wanted to destroy the Ming Cult, one would have to consider whether it would affect the outcome of the war between the Han and Mongol empires. Without the advantage of foresight, who could have succeeded? One would have already wiped out all the Ming Cult's masters!
Therefore, Yun Changkong's decision at this moment was rather careless and has not been considered in detail. He did not say anything, nor did he discuss it with Ren Yingying.

Ren Yingying couldn't hold back any longer and said, "If you want to save people, why don't we just sneak into Plum Manor and capture the Four Friends of Jiangnan? What are we looking at here?"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Looking out from a high place, the night view is especially beautiful. My wife and I once married under the moon. Perhaps in the future you and your lover will pledge your vows to the green mountains and witness the clear waters, newlyweds, deeply in love. Don't you want to see more?"

He knew that in the original story, Ren Yingying and Linghu Chong got married at Plum Manor.

Ren Yingying exhaled and slowly said, "I will never marry in this life. Whether the world thinks I am in love with Linghu Chong or that I have an ambiguous relationship with you, Yun Changkong, I will not marry either of you!"

Yun Changkong was stunned. Thinking back, it made sense. In the original story, her relationship with Linghu Chong was known to all, and they always avoided each other. Now that she was under the influence of the "Three Corpse Brain God Pill," how could she possibly consider such a thing? As for herself, she could understand that.

How could a woman like Ren Yingying allow herself to share a man with another woman?
Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Bai Letian once wrote, 'North of Gushan Temple and west of Jia Pavilion, the water is calm and the clouds hang low.' But he was unlucky. How could he compare to me, Yun Changkong, with green willows drooping and ripples playing in the clear water, walking hand in hand with a beauty on the white sand embankment, the gentle moonlight condensing under the plum blossoms, and the fluttering snowflakes filled with fragrance? It was a truly beautiful sight."

Therefore, men and women don't necessarily have to get married. As long as they can cherish each day and enjoy the present, that's perfectly fine. So, you don't need to carry any psychological burden. Don't say that you and Linghu Chong didn't end up together, and that you didn't end up together with me either.

That's right. If you meet someone you feel an instant connection with, and then turn away, that's perfectly normal. There's no need to be so heavy-hearted, much less so resolute!

Upon hearing this, Ren Yingying's face blossomed like a delicate flower, her beautiful eyes filled with spring-like tenderness. Her expression was both resentful and plaintive, sometimes she smiled lightly, and sometimes she looked sad and heartbroken. She thought to herself, "Yes, being with him has broadened my horizons. If we separate in the future, that will be for the best!"

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "Back then, I said I would take Zhao Min to travel the world, traverse mountains and rivers, and herd horses and sheep on the grasslands, but it all came to nothing. Now, Ren Yingying is like this because I've made her so troubled. If I hadn't gone to Luoyang that day, and if she hadn't met me, wouldn't that have been better for her?"
Lost in thought, the two gazed at the waves, occasionally spotting a light oar drifting by. Just as they were lost in thought, Ren Yingying's wrist suddenly tightened, and Yun Changkong pulled her up, sending her flying into the woods.

Ren Yingying then saw a figure step onto the mountaintop.

He walked slowly, carrying something in his arms.

When the man reached the dangerous rocks at the top of the mountain, he stopped and stood still, concentrating intently.

Ren Yingying was even more surprised and suspicious when she saw him standing alone.

Who is he?
The thought flashed through his mind, and with a flick of his sleeve, he sat cross-legged on the rock, placing the zither in his arms on his lap.

The moonlight, like a ribbon, poured down onto the strings and bridges of the instrument, reflecting the traces of time that had settled between the wood grain.

The person gently raised their hand, their fingertips lightly touching the strings. The mountain wind blew through the forest, carrying a mournful sound. With a light pluck of the strings, a clear, ringing sound blended perfectly with the wind.

Ren Yingying's heart skipped a beat, but the sound of the zither began to rise, like a clear spring gurgling over stones, making a clear, melodious sound; then it gradually deepened, like a lone goose crying in the sky, carrying a sense of resentment and indignation.

Both Yun Changkong and Ren Yingying could hear in his music the sorrow of a hero's downfall, and the impermanence of life. The profound sense of loneliness deeply moved Ren Yingying.

She longed to jump out and play the flute in harmony, but felt a surge of heat flow into her body. Her mind cleared instantly, and she realized that, without her noticing, she had been controlled by the other person's music.

Then one could see the man's fingers moving like butterflies, the music sometimes soaring high, like an eagle soaring through the sky, piercing the long night; sometimes lingering low, like a secluded spring sobbing over rocks, silently telling its heart.

Ren Yingying felt increasingly distressed, sometimes wanting to cry out loud, sometimes wanting to jump out. Just then, Yun Changkong reached out and grasped her hand.

Ren Yingying felt a warm current coming from his palm, knowing that he was using his internal energy to help her calm down, so she closed her eyes, lowered her head, and secretly circulated her internal energy.

Then, several loud clanging sounds were heard, and the music of the zither became rapid, like a silver bottle bursting open, or like the drums of the capital, which inspired courage and a fierce and murderous aura!

With the help of Yun Changkong's divine skill, Ren Yingying was no longer as uncomfortable as before. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Ren Yingying wouldn't have believed that there was anyone in the world with such superb zither skills and profound internal strength. This was truly an extraordinary figure in the martial arts world.

The mountaintop was desolate, with only the moonlight, the sound of the wind, and the music of the zither intertwining. It seemed as if only he and his zither remained in the world, silently facing the eternal sky and the fleeting moonlight.

After a long while, the man flicked his fingers, and the music stopped.

However, even as the music fades away, the spirit of the zither remains.

Ren Yingying's heart was in turmoil, and she could not calm down for a long time.

At this moment, the man slowly raised his eyes, his gaze like an ancient well, falling upon the forest. His voice was hoarse yet carried an undeniable authority: "Who are you? What brings you to Lonely Mountain?"

Yun Changkong knew that Ren Yingying's heart was pounding unsteadily as this person played the zither, and he had already noticed it. He transmitted his voice to Ren Yingying and said, "Listen to my arrangements later. Don't interrupt, and don't make a move."

Ren Yingying was taken aback.

Yun Changkong laughed heartily, stepped out of the forest, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Your skill is truly astounding and lives up to its reputation!"

Ren Yingying followed them out.

Upon seeing the man's face, they were somewhat surprised. The old man was about sixty years old, extremely thin, with sunken facial muscles, resembling a skeleton, yet his eyes were bright and piercing. The man was also surprised and uncertain. He saw that Yun Changkong was handsome and upright, with sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples, and a gentle and warm smile on his lips.

Ren Yingying has exquisite features and an unparalleled demeanor. Although she has a beard, he could tell that she was a woman disguised as a man. He thought to himself, "Their appearance is different, but their hair is black and their voices are clear. They are at most in their twenties. How can they have such skill? They can hear my zither music without being disturbed."
To everyone's surprise, upon hearing this, the old man's expression changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Does Your Excellency know my name?"

Yun Changkong said, "I do not know your name, but in Hangzhou, everyone knows that the Four Friends of Jiangnan of Plum Manor on Gushan Mountain are unparalleled in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. So, the master of the manor is called 'Huang Zhonggong', which is certainly well-deserved."

The man chuckled and said, "So that's how it is! My nickname is 'Huang Zhonggong,' but it's just presumptuous of me. I'm sorry you two have laughed at me."

Yun Changkong said, "Not at all!"

Huang Zhonggong: "So, what are your esteemed names and what brings you here?"

Knowing that he had become suspicious, Yun Changkong said, "This young lady's surname is Yun, and mine is Zhao. My lady has obtained a musical score, which she considers to be the best in the world."

I do not think so. That is why I came to Hangzhou in high spirits, intending to invite the master of the manor to taste my creations. However, it was too late, and I did not want to disturb him, so I decided to take a night stroll around West Lake. Before I knew it, I had arrived at Gushan Island, thus disturbing his enjoyment.

Upon hearing this, Ren Yingying blushed and thought, "Even if I'm lying, why say my surname is Yun? Is it because I'm afraid my surname is Ren and it will arouse suspicion? Why not say my surname is Zhao?"

Yun Changkong had no idea that his casual remark carried immense weight in Ren Yingying's heart.

Huang Zhonggong laughed and said, "Easy, easy. May I ask what score it is?"

Yun Changkong took out the sheet music for "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" from his pocket and said, "This piece is said to be derived from 'Guangling San'. My sister spent a fortune to buy it. I told her she was cheated because 'Guangling San' has been lost for a long time, but she didn't believe me and argued with me about it."

Finally, she made a bet with me, saying that if I was right, she would become my wife, and if I lost…

He paused for a moment and then said, "Senior, you understand."

Before Huang Zhonggong could answer, Ren Yingying said sharply, "You keep saying I've been deceived, do you think you're the only smart one?"

Yun Changkong sneered a few times and said, "Don't take advantage of my love for you to act recklessly and unreasonably. I don't care about a thousand pieces of gold, but I don't want you to be deceived without even realizing it."

Is this song, "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," really so good that you're arguing with me about it?

Ren Yingying said, "It's good, it's good, so what?"

Huang Zhonggong's skinny face revealed a slight smile as he said, "Please, gentlemen, do not quarrel. I have also heard that Guangling San was lost with Ji Kang. Is this 'Song of the Smiling, Proud Wanderer' true? I am quite fond of music, but I have never heard of such a piece of music in ancient scores."

Ren Yingying said, "This score was created by a modern person. Take a look." She then took it from Yun Changkong's hand and handed it to Huang Zhonggong.

Huang Zhonggong bowed and accepted the book: "Oh, is it a work by a recent person? I have been living in seclusion for a long time and am ignorant of the world. I didn't know that a music master has emerged in this era." His words implied disbelief.

Ren Yingying pursed her lips, because just like when Ren Yingying first heard the song "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," he didn't believe it, but in the end, he was completely impressed.

Huang Zhonggong turned to the first page and said, "This is the score for a qin and xiao duet. Hmm, the piece is quite long." After only a moment, his face changed color.

He flipped through the sheet music with his right hand, while his left hand used five fingers to pluck and press on the instrument. After only two pages, he looked up, lost in thought, and muttered to himself, "The melody here changes from 'jiao' to 'zheng' so quickly. Can it really be played on the instrument?"

Ren Yingying said, "Of course!"

Huang Zhonggong stared straight at him and asked, "How do you know? Can you play?"

Ren Yingying replied, "Of course!"

As she spoke, she began to play the zither, and the sounds of pearls and jade, like flowing water, flowed forth from her fingertips.

Huang Zhonggong said with a surprised look, "Miss Yun, your zither skills are far superior to mine. I would like to take the liberty of inviting you both to stay at my humble abode for a few days."

Ren Yingying looked at Yun Changkong and asked, "How is it?"

Yun Changkong has not yet answered.

Huang Zhonggong said, "Young Master Zhao, my only love in life is the zither. To have met a kindred spirit is a rare treat. Please allow your younger sister, Yiyu, to have a chat!"

Seeing his sincerity, Yun Changkong sighed and said, "To tell you the truth, my sister is very capable, but she has an even bigger temper and is a bit unreasonable. I'm just afraid she might disturb your peace and quiet, sir."

"It's alright, it's alright!" Huang Zhonggong glanced at Ren Yingying and said, "You are a young hero, and your sister is so beautiful and refined, like a figure in a painting. How much temper could she possibly have? Besides, she's a girl, so just be more accommodating!"

"Hmph, listen to that, you stingy person!" Ren Yingying pouted.

Yun Changkong laughed heartily: "You dare not praise her! The more you praise her, the more intoxicated she becomes."

Huang Zhonggong laughed heartily: "If lovers don't quarrel or make a fuss, they're not lovers anymore."

Ren Yingying suddenly felt shy and lowered her head.

Yun Changkong smiled slightly.

Huang Zhonggong laughed heartily and said, "Please!"

"Thank you!"

The two followed Huang Zhonggong down the mountain and into the garden. Under the cover of night, the garden looked elegant and majestic, but it also exuded an eerie atmosphere.

The houses were scattered like stars, all the lights inside were out, and there wasn't a single person in sight, not even maids or servants.

Yun Changkong looked around and saw that the walls and treetops were covered with dense silk threads, with bells tied to them.

This kind of defense is designed to prevent infiltration; if there is any disturbance, someone will likely take over the controls.

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "No wonder Xiang Wentian and Linghu Chong didn't dare to use force against the Four Friends of Jiangnan. They were clearly afraid of harming people instead of saving them!"

As Yun Changkong pondered, Huang Zhonggong led the two into a small hall. After the guests and hosts took their seats, Huang Zhonggong ordered tea to be served.

In a short while, two servants brought up three cups of tea.

The two men walked with steady steps, their eyes were sharp, and their temples were bulging. They were clearly highly skilled in martial arts, yet they were doing this lowly job as servants.
The man on the left bowed and said, "Please!" He placed the tea in front of Yun Changkong and Ren Yingying.

Huang Zhonggong said, "Please, both of you, drink up. There's no need to be so polite." He then began to peruse the score of the song "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer."

Ren Yingying picked up the cup, and as soon as she lifted the lid, she saw the fine jade hairpin and smelled the fragrance.

Taking a light sip, I immediately felt the aroma of the tea fill my mouth and my tongue refreshed. I couldn't help but exclaim: "Two new flags under Baiyun Peak, the tender green tea fresh from the spring rain. What a fine tea! May I ask if this is Longjing tea from Meijiawu before the rain?"

Huang Zhonggong was secretly surprised. He had not expected that this young man would have such a profound understanding of tea ceremony. He immediately replied, "Indeed, I did not expect that you could taste it. At such a young age, not only is your zither playing superb, but you are also so proficient in tea ceremony. I admire you!"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Yes, I must look at you with new respect!" (End of Chapter)