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

Seeing that Yun Changkong had finished his wine, Linghu Chong picked up the wine pot, filled his cup, and said, "I am being ridiculous and unruly, please forgive my foolishness."

Seeing that his arms were trembling and he was obviously unsettled, Yun Changkong laughed and said, "This is not absurd. It is the nature of young people. It is very common. And you are able to speak frankly, which is better than those who are full of filth but claim to be noble and affectionate."

So, while a flirtatious woman might not like someone like you, you're a killer for a devoted woman!

Upon hearing this, Linghu Chong felt that Yue Lingshan was not a devoted woman, and hurriedly shook his head, saying, "That's not true, that's not true."

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Brother, you're good at everything, but when it comes to women, well... or rather, your nonchalance is all fake."

Yun Changkong looked out the window. It was almost dusk, and he said softly, "As the saying goes, 'Knowing that the setting sun cannot be held back, I still entrust my heart's thoughts to the twilight.' If I could go back to the time when we first met, I would only look at the twilight and not at people!"

Linghu Chong remained silent for a long time, then poured himself a bowl of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and said with a bitter smile, "Yes, I acted recklessly, but what kind of carefree attitude is that? I don't even know if my feelings for Junior Sister are due to the unrequited love I have for her, or if my feelings for her truly transcend everything, including my life. I am very confused myself!"

Yun Changkong said, "The smarter a person is, the more worries they have. If they are also upright, they will have an even harder time living."

This is because such people consider too many issues, and when it comes to human relationships, they become entangled in countless complex and intertwined relationships. No matter how carefree a person may be, they cannot escape these common entanglements.

So a junior sister made you, one of the top figures in the martial arts world, put your hand on the hilt of your sword? Heh, are you trying to commit suicide?

Linghu Chong fell silent, his throat incredibly dry and his heart filled with bitterness.

In his entire life, his martial arts skills had never been as high as they were today, yet he had never felt so lonely and desolate.

He knew that his master and mistress could never teach him his skills. But he would rather live a carefree and happy life in the Huashan Sect, with nothing of value in terms of internal energy and swordsmanship, than be alone in the martial world like this, a wandering ghost.

Yun Changkong suddenly asked, "What do you think of Tian Boguang?"

Linghu Chong was taken aback and said, "He committed heinous crimes and deserved to die. What else is there to say?"

Yun Changkong's eyes flashed, and he said, "If he hadn't died, do you think you would have been friends with him?"

Linghu Chong didn't know why he said that, but he knew that Yun Changkong's words must have a deeper meaning. After thinking for a while, he said, "Tian Boguang is also an upright and courageous man. He could have killed me in the cave that day, but he said he admired my character. If he can turn over a new leaf, perhaps we can be friends one day."

Yun Changkong nodded slightly: "Yes, then why can't you follow Tian Boguang's example? Or what if Tian Boguang met a woman who could make him want to commit suicide?"

Linghu Chong's eyes were bloodshot. He suddenly stood up and said coldly, "Brother Yun, I admire your martial arts and character, which is why I invited you for drinks and confided in you. If you see me as that kind of person..."

"What?" Yun Changkong smiled and picked up his wine glass. "You look down on someone like Tian Boguang? What makes you think you can look down on him?"

Linghu Chong said, "We martial arts practitioners may not be able to uphold justice, but we should at least not bully the weak. This is the most basic principle of justice!"

"Heh..." Yun Changkong sneered, "Upholding justice and righteousness, not bullying the weak, and the principles of justice—you're really naive. So what does it mean to uphold justice and righteousness, and what does it mean to not bully the weak? Tell me!"

Linghu Chong's face flushed red, and he sat down angrily, saying, "It seems you have some unique insights."

Yun Changkong said, "You have insights, but they may not be unique. You can try listening to them."

As he spoke, he dipped his finger in wine and wrote the character "义" (righteousness) on the table, saying, "We're out here in the world, and we value loyalty, that's true. But what is the essence of chivalry? It's about sacrificing yourself to please others. I'm the lamb, and they're the wolves."

To put it bluntly, if you want to be a chivalrous hero, you have to be stronger than the other party to be able to do so.

If you hadn't been more skilled than the Hengshan Sect members, you would have been chopped into pieces and fed to the wolves in the mountains long ago.

In other words, in their eyes, aren't you someone who bullies the weak? Who cares that Wu Tiande, the military officer? Who's afraid of him being an official of the imperial court?

To get to the heart of the matter, the ultimate outcome of martial arts is based on the strong defeating the weak. How can it be the weak defeating the strong?
Then how can we talk about the natural justice of not bullying the weak?
You must have had contact with Ren Woxing. Those people from the Demonic Cult are all difficult to control, and he's been in prison for many years, neglecting many important matters. If you're not ruthless towards them, you can't manage them. But wouldn't this be considered bullying the weak?

Linghu Chong couldn't help but swallow hard. He had once spoken with Ren Woxing and found him to be eloquent and insightful, which greatly impressed him. Therefore, he believed that heroes could act in ways that defied conventional wisdom. Now, hearing Yun Changkong's words, a voice seemed to shout in his heart: "Yes, he's right! He doesn't bully the weak, but weren't those Songshan disciples weak in front of me? Yet I still bullied them! Linghu Chong, Linghu Chong, what right do you have to say such things?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "So, the so-called weakness is only relative. The peddlers and laborers here are weak when they meet General Wu. General Wu is weak when he meets the Songshan Sect and you and me. You are weak when you meet certain people, and so am I!"
Just like people, they are neither entirely good nor entirely evil. For a good person may one day do evil, which is so bad that it is impossible to guard against them. They are even worse than evil people. They can abandon their wives and daughters. They are worse than beasts!
So, returning to the question of Tian Boguang, he is naturally seen as evil by many, but he showed you mercy, and you consider him an upright man. Why then do you despise him? Is it because his act of raping a woman is essentially a form of bullying the weak?

Linghu Chong nodded and said, "Of course, shouldn't this be condemned?"

"Yes!" Yun Changkong nodded slightly: "After all, they have no emotional foundation and they forced themselves on each other. This must be condemned and despised. We are all decent people and must be irreconcilable with evil!"

Linghu Chong couldn't help but smile upon hearing such witty remarks.

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "Then I would like to ask, how many of those powerful and wealthy families who take a fancy to ordinary people's women, forcibly bring them into their homes, and indulge in their lust, are actually punished for it?"
Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang claimed that he came from the common people and shared the world with them, not with the scholar-officials. He touted himself as loving the people like his own children. Yet, several of his sons were like demons and beasts in their fiefdoms, bullying men and women and disregarding human life. Did he stand up for the people? Why didn't he enforce the law that those who kill should die?

Then there are the emperors who hold real power. They don't spare ordinary people, but also the women of high-ranking officials and their own brothers. They even take their daughters-in-law into the palace to satisfy their lust.

Did they ever ask for the women's consent before abusing them? Or did they care about their opinions? The history books tell the story, haha. They may have seemed like kings and generals, but compared to Tian Boguang, what made them any better? They were essentially the same kind of people, yet their reputations are much better; there are always people speaking well of them.

Linghu Chong picked up a large bowl, poured himself a bowl of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and said, "Yes, those with power and influence can do whatever they want! Just like the Songshan Sect, which is very powerful. Even if we know they have done evil things, no one dares to say anything. They all know how to protect themselves so that they can advance and retreat freely!"

Yun Changkong said, "I'm telling you all this so that you can understand a principle: the principles in books and the rules of the martial arts world are only used to restrain ordinary people."

Those in power set everything, yet trample on everything.

"Leaving aside other things, let's just talk about you. Can you find any similarities between you and your master?"

Linghu Chong hurriedly said, "What I did was simply due to my temperament and had nothing to do with my master's teachings."

Yun Changkong chuckled: "What a temperament! So you've mastered this martial art just to benefit others, not yourself? Is that your temperament too? Is it your temperament to suffer injustice?"

Linghu Chong said with a wry smile, "It's a sin that I've mastered this martial art!"

Yun Changkong said, "In this world, it's always the case that the more wealth one has, the more people envy one; the more power one has, the more people resent one. It's all too common for people to hate us with martial arts skills like yours and mine. Do you think Lin Pingzhi hates you or me?"

Linghu Chong was startled and said, "Junior Brother Lin is a gentleman, and we have no grudges against him, so why would he hate us?"

Yun Changkong smiled slightly: "So, you don't understand human nature. The destruction of Lin Ping's family and your expulsion from the sect are ultimately due to the Divine Sword Technique."

And him? His family was destroyed, he gained nothing. But you, though banished, are displaying great power, wielding influence and having the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect heal your illness. Do you think he's envious?

Linghu Chong was stunned: "No way?"

"Perhaps," Yun Changkong smiled slightly, "but your martial arts skills have long sown the seeds of enmity and death. Including his relationship with Yue Lingshan, do you think it was all based on feelings and not exploitation?"
Or do you think Lin Pingzhi wouldn't consider why, knowing the Qingcheng Sect was about to attack them, the Huashan Sect, which claims to be a righteous sect, wouldn't even offer a warning, but instead kept watch on them every night? What was their purpose?

Upon hearing this, Linghu Chong recalled his own life experiences, which all seemed to coincide with what he had said. In addition, Yue Lingshan, Lao Denuo, and Fuzhou, his master and his disciples were going to the Liu residence, but they did not go with them. So where did he go?

Linghu Chong dared not think too deeply about it, and asked in a trembling voice, "You said that Lao Denuo is a spy of the Songshan Sect. Does my master know this?"

Yun Changkong smiled faintly and glanced at him: "What do you think?"

Linghu Chong's mind went blank. He knew Yue Buqun's character extremely well. He was extremely strict in disciplining his disciples, and if he thought something was inappropriate, he would never allow it. Yet, he had agreed to let his junior sister and Lao Denuo go to Fuzhou and appear in public. Lao Denuo was a spy for the Songshan Sect. If his master knew, wouldn't his junior sister's trip be a hindrance to Lao Denuo's actions?

Then there was the thought of being punished at the Cliff of Repentance, and his master forbidding his junior sister from seeing him. The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.

Yun Changkong said calmly, "So, aren't you afraid that Lin Pingzhi also thinks the same way, that your junior sister's kindness towards him is for ulterior motives, a conspiracy? Do you really think he would be kind to a woman with ulterior motives? If it really leads to bitter consequences, will you be able to swallow it?"

Linghu Chong was in a state of utter confusion, his face flushing red and then pale. He murmured, "But what can I do? My junior sister has a deep misunderstanding of me. She's only thinking about Junior Brother Lin and doesn't believe me anymore... I..."

Yun Changkong snorted, "What's the point of practicing all this martial arts? Is it just to wrong yourself for the benefit of others? What's wrong with learning from your Tian Jun?"

Linghu Chong was shocked, his eyes wide with surprise: "You want me to forcibly take my junior sister away!"

“That’s right!” Yun Changkong said decisively, “Let me tell you, I have also been envied for my martial arts skills, and I have been poisoned, surrounded and ambushed. But does that mean that just because I have good martial arts skills, I have to abandon my martial arts skills and go into seclusion in the mountains?”
Everything we've gained through countless near-death experiences, though not enough to make us emperors, gives us the power to say no to anyone or anything.

We are the ones who can take whatever we want, when it comes to conspiracies and coercion.

We can do it too!
Brother, beauty fades quickly. If you ask me how to win the heart of my junior sister, I don't know what to do.

But I know that if there is a woman in this world who, because I cannot have her, either thinks of committing suicide or wants to leave the Central Plains, then I will do what Tian Boguang did!
With your three-foot-long sword in hand, even if you don't achieve unparalleled feats, you should at least live a comfortable life! Do you want to end up like that good-for-nothing Feng Qingyang?
Why are they bound by so-called code of conduct, hiding away all day and afraid to see outsiders?
"Heh, you can learn his swordsmanship, but never learn his character. He talks about how a true man acts with grace and freedom, which sounds nice, but it's all bullshit. His life is ruined. Do you want to end up like him?"

Linghu Chong was stunned by these words. He had heard Yun Changkong talk about Feng Qingyang before, and Yun Changkong had been very disdainful of him. He asked why Feng Qingyang had gone into seclusion, but Yun Changkong did not answer. Now, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, he asked, "Do you know why Grand Uncle Feng went into seclusion?"

Yun Changkong sneered, "Just as pathetic as you, all for a woman."

"A woman?" Linghu Chong was genuinely surprised. Yun Changkong continued, "Back then, the conflict between the sword and qi factions of Mount Hua was so intense that it could only be resolved by killing them all. However, Feng Qingyang's Dugu Nine Swords were renowned in the martial arts world. Knowing that they were no match for him, the Qi Sect arranged for him to get married in Jiangnan. As a result, his father-in-law bought a prostitute to impersonate a lady and left him in Jiangnan. At that time, the Mount Hua Sect launched the Jade Maiden Peak Sword Competition, and the Sword Sect was utterly defeated, suffering heavy casualties."

By the time he returned to Mount Hua, it was too late. All his fellow disciples from the Sword Sect were dead, leaving only those from the Qi Sect. If he sought revenge, the Qi Sect would be gone, and the Mount Hua Sect would inevitably disappear. So he could only seal his sword, swear an oath, and live in seclusion. But was he happy? What difference was there between him and being dead?

Linghu Chong suddenly realized: "No wonder Uncle Feng looked so melancholy, saying that he didn't want to see the people of Huashan Sect or fight with them. It turns out he has such a great humiliation on his hands."

Yun Changkong said, "So, for the sake of the Huashan lineage, he wronged himself, which is really hard to bear."

If I were him, and he dared to bully people like that, I would have wiped out the entire Qi Sect, regardless of whether the Huashan Sect still existed. But they dared to act this way precisely because they knew his temperament!
If you were to follow his example, it could very well lead to another tragedy.

Linghu Chong sighed deeply: "We are fellow disciples, why must it come to this!"

Yun Changkong said, "In the struggle for power, fellow disciples are nothing. Aren't there enough cases of fathers and sons killing each other? To be honest, I think your junior sister is quite pitiful."

She was clearly a bright and cheerful young woman, yet she was used as a pawn by someone, and it was even one of her closest people. I actually wanted to help her, but she seemed somewhat afraid of me.

Fortunately, I have no relation to her, so whatever happens to her in the end won't affect my mood. And you, if she dies a violent death, could you, Young Master Linghu, act as if nothing happened?

Yun Changkong stood up casually, and Linghu Chong had just stood up when Yun Changkong had already gone downstairs.

Linghu Chong shook his head with a wry smile, thinking to himself, "This really is a strange and eccentric man, but am I really going to try and steal my junior sister away?"

Yun Changkong stepped out of the restaurant. It was already dusk, and the air was crisp and clear. He strolled along the street, and as he walked, he saw a huge crowd of people blocking the way. He couldn't help but go forward to see what was going on.

Before we even got close, someone said, "Yun Changkong, the number one martial arts master in the world, is a lecherous and shameless man who loves young girls. He was previously accused of forcibly taking Liu Zhengfeng's daughter, and of having illicit affairs with the leader of the Five Poisons Sect and the Holy Maiden of the Demonic Sect. Recently, he has been seducing a nun from the Hengshan Sect, which is an outrage against both gods and men..."

Yun Changkong was extremely curious, so he squeezed to the front of the crowd and saw a large white sheet of paper pasted on a wall, which read: "Yun Changkong, the number one master in the world..."

In short, the story of Yun Changkong's relationships with Qu Feiyan, Liu Jing, Lan Fenghuang, Ren Yingying, Lan Fenghuang, and Yilin is written in great detail.

Yun Changkong found it amusing, resting his chin on his hand and thinking, "The Songshan Sect has lost many skilled fighters in Fujian this time, and Zhong Zhen and others even had some of their internal energy absorbed by Linghu Chong. If Zuo Lengchan doesn't seek revenge, how will he save face?"

But since General Wu Tiande has become a waiter, he can only come to me. So, to embarrass me, well, that works too.

Unfortunately, Yun Changkong was too thick-skinned. With a smile, he retreated from the circle of people, but suddenly heard a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "You really have no shame. How can you laugh like this?"

Upon hearing the sound, Yun Changkong ignored it and walked into a secluded alley without looking in the direction of the sound.

He knew that since this person was a persistent ghost, he would definitely come back. Just as he entered the alley, he heard someone shout from behind, "Stop right there!"

Yun Changkong sighed, but he was obedient enough to stop and turn around. He saw a bloated, bearded man standing six feet in front of him.

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Sir, we are complete strangers. What do you want?"

A sly yet alluring smile flashed in the man's eyes as he said, "Are we really complete strangers?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "I, Yun Changkong, have a vivid memory of beautiful women, but I have never paid attention to a rough man like you."

The man stamped his foot and said angrily, "Then I'm leaving. Don't regret it." With that, he walked past him.

Yun Changkong was stunned, not expecting her to leave so suddenly. By the time he realized what was happening, she had already reached the alley entrance. He hurriedly followed and said, "Miss Ren, what do you mean by that? Why would I regret it?"

It turns out that the man was actually Ren Yingying in disguise.

Ren Yingying transmitted her voice, saying, "Since you're so afraid of me, don't follow me!"

Yun Changkong asked, puzzled, "What makes you say that? How am I afraid of you?"

Ren Yingying snorted, and Yun Changkong followed her into an inn.

Yun Changkong followed her into the room. Ren Yingying pulled off her beard, took out some sandbags from her clothes, let down her hair, and poured a basin of water to wash her face.

This surprised Yun Changkong, who thought to himself, "So casual? Is this lecherous scoundrel really that trustworthy?"

Yun Changkong thought of how Yilin could just go to sleep right in front of him, and how this woman was even more uninhibited, as if no one was afraid of him unleashing his beastly nature. This feeling made Yun Changkong very unhappy.

He sat down in the chair and said, "What brings you to Fuzhou?"

After washing her face, Ren Yingying said, "I received news that Dongfang Bubai intends to meet you, and the decisive battle will take place at Gorilla Beach, not far from Blackwood Cliff."

Yun Changkong glanced at Ren Yingying. At that moment, her hair fell over her shoulders, her face was delicate and pretty, her eyes were clear and bright, and her skin was fair. She was truly beautiful and otherworldly. Standing there gracefully, she was like a jade tree growing among green mountains and clear waters, making people infatuated with her.

Ren Yingying said, "There are also notices like this at all four gates of Fuzhou City. They are all Zuo Lengchan's doing. He promoted you as the number one expert in the world, but actually he just wanted to provoke Dongfang Bubai to kill you. As for the matter of women, his target is still the Hengshan Sect. The nun Yilin broke the precepts, and he used his position as the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance to force the Hengshan Sect to agree and send..."

Ren Yingying spoke eloquently, then turned her gaze to Yun Changkong. Seeing that he was just smiling and looking at her, she said, "I'm talking, are you listening?"

Yun Changkong seemed to suddenly come to his senses and hurriedly said, "I'm listening, I'm listening."

Ren Yingying turned her delicate body and snorted, "I see you weren't listening to me properly. You're probably thinking about that little nun, aren't you?"

Yun Changkong stretched out his hand and said, "Heaven and earth bear witness, I did not. It was just that I had some impure thoughts when I saw your true face just now. This is called being unable to control one's feelings."

"Nonsense!" A blush instantly spread across Ren Yingying's pretty face, with a hint of shyness at the corners of her mouth: "Shameless!"

Yun Changkong said in a serious tone, "I will certainly remember this lesson. Admiring a beautiful woman is important, but being obedient is of paramount importance."

Ren Yingying couldn't help but burst into laughter, her beauty as radiant as melting snow and blooming flowers in spring.

Seeing her laughing so heartily, Yun Changkong sighed and said, "Miss Ren, please don't do this. I am a man, and a lecherous man at that, and a very capable man. You are being disrespectful to me."

Ren Yingying asked in confusion, "Offended? How did I offend you?"

Yun Changkong said, "Tian Boguang and I are the same kind of people. If you're so informal, aren't you afraid I'll deal with you? If that happens, I won't be able to take responsibility for you, and you won't be able to marry Linghu Chong. Wouldn't that be all my fault?"

Seeing his serious expression, Ren Yingying felt a surge of anger and said coldly, "Are you so eager for me to marry Linghu Chong? Am I so repulsive, some kind of demon or monster?"

Yun Changkong retorted, "Are you even being reasonable? Who said they wanted to find Linghu Chong and become his wife? How did it become me hoping you would marry Linghu Chong?"

Ren Yingying was stunned for a moment, speechless. She had broken up with Yun Changkong in Hangzhou because she had said she was going to become Linghu Chong's wife. After thinking for a moment, she said, "I said it, so what?"

Yun Changkong laughed heartily: "It was my fault. I actually tried to reason with a woman. This was wrong of me. I apologize to Miss." He then bowed.

Ren Yingying laughed, "That's a good girl, I forgive you." Then, her expression turned serious, "Are you going to Gorilla Beach?"

"Go!" Yun Changkong said without hesitation, "I must go. In this world, apart from the battle with Dongfang Bubai, which interests me greatly, everything else is insignificant. How can I not go!"

Ren Yingying sneered, "Really? I seem to remember someone saying that taking nuns into their household is a great interest."

Yun Changkong's mind was about to explode. He said, "Just how long have you been following me?"

Ren Yingying said with a smug look, "Guess?"

Of all the martial arts skills Ren Yingying possessed, her lightness skill was the one she was most proud of. Being able to track down a master like Yun Changkong gave her a great sense of accomplishment.

Yun Changkong thought about how his words and actions were all being observed by others. Although he wasn't particularly shameless, the feeling was still unpleasant. So he said, "The dignified Holy Maiden actually likes to eavesdrop. That's truly a strange story!"

Ren Yingying stared at him for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter, laughing so hard she almost fell over. "You didn't expect this, did you? It's quite funny. But you, a philandering, arrogant, fickle, and heartless man, who claims to be like Tian Boguang but is all talk and no action, is not so remarkable."

Yun Changkong sneered, flipped his hand, and arrived like lightning.

Before Ren Yingying could dodge, her fair wrist was grabbed. She tried to break free but was powerless. Suddenly, she felt a tightening around her waist and realized that Yun Changkong was holding her in his arms.

Ren Yingying was naturally aloof. In her entire life, not only had her skin never been touched by a man, but she had also rarely spoken face-to-face with him. The only time was when she was talking about her past and was so emotional that she leaned on him for support.

This time, however, it was Yun Changkong who took the initiative. He held her slender waist, her delicate body pressed against his chest, and his masculine scent overwhelmed her, making her heart flutter. After regaining her composure, a feeling of shame and anger suddenly welled up in her heart, and she screamed, "Let me go!"

Yun Changkong sneered, "If I don't follow Tian Jun's example today, won't you look down on me!" With that, he picked her up and carried her to the bed. (End of Chapter)