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

Chapter 40 Dragon-Capturing Skill

Yun Changkong and Wang Xiaotian bought two horses. The two went out of the north gate and rode for a while. When they reached an intersection, Changkong said, "Brother, it's time for us to part ways."

Wang Xiaotian grinned and said, "What exactly happened? You've got me all confused."

Chang Kong looked around, led the horse to an open area where no one would overhear, and then looked at him directly: "Listen, after seeing these martial arts figures and the conversation between those two, I've figured it out. Our encounter with that girl might just be a coincidence, but her appearance here is definitely not with good intentions. She's probably here to deal with us Han people. It concerns the martial arts world, and it concerns the world!"

"Deal with Han people? The martial arts world, the entire world..." Xiaotian looked incredulous: "She's still so young..."

Chang Kong shook his head and said, "How is she small? Have you ever seen any other children like her?"

Wang Xiaotian thought for a moment and nodded: "She's just like you. You killed Yin Wushou when you were eleven years old. You've grown up to be this powerful. She's not even flustered when she sees you. With that kind of composure, she'll definitely be a formidable character when she grows up."

Chang Kong remained silent, thinking to himself, "She's grown up. She's not just powerful, she's capable of destroying the martial arts world." He said, "This woman might be the daughter of the Prince of Ruyang of the Yuan Dynasty. Her presence here makes me extremely uneasy. Tonight, I will search Kaifeng and find out the truth!"

"She really is a Tartar! I suspected it because she was so pale!" Wang Xiaotian said excitedly. "I can help you! At the very least, I can provide backup, right?"

Chang Kong thought for a moment and said, "Then you'll find a place ahead to meet me! You can't travel with me!"

Wang Xiaotian said, "Alright, I'd only be a burden if I went. I'll have a fast horse ready to pick you up at General Yang's Temple in Zhuxian Town!"

"Good! General Yang's slaying of the Tartars is a model for us all. His spirit will surely protect me!" Chang Kong nodded: "If you don't see me tomorrow morning, you must leave immediately and tell your master that the current situation in the martial arts world is not only due to the Ming Cult's improper behavior, but also because the Mongols and 'Hun Yuan Thunderbolt Hand' Cheng Kun are deliberately stirring up trouble and creating waves in the martial arts world!"

He knew that without concrete evidence, revealing Cheng Kun as Shaolin Yuanzhen in the name of the Beggars' Sect would only cause chaos between the two factions, so he didn't mention that. He continued, "The purpose is to provoke a conflict between the Ming Cult and the righteous sects, and to ask your master to warn the major sects such as Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and Kongtong to pay close attention to Prince Ruyang of the Yuan Dynasty."

They possess a poison called "Ten Fragrant Tendon-Softening Powder," which is colorless and odorless. It is added to food, drink, and alcohol, making it impossible to guard against. No matter how high your internal strength or how immune you are to all poisons, you cannot resist it.

"You absolutely must deliver this message! We can't afford to be caught off guard one day; the martial arts world could be destroyed!"

Wang Xiaotian was shocked and impressed. He gave a thumbs up and praised, "Brother Yun is so concerned about the world. He is truly a hero!"

But this girl looks so beautiful and seems quite forthright, could she really be so despicable and vicious? It's truly unbelievable!

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "You don't understand that girl. Her idols are Temujin, who unified Mongolia; Kublai Khan, who established the Yuan Dynasty; and Batu Khan, who led the army to conquer the west. She hates that she is just a weak woman and not born a man."

From our perspective, her methods are despicable and vicious, but others wouldn't see it that way. Instead, they would think they are one step ahead, so there's no need to discuss this further.

When I was buying horses earlier, I inquired and learned that the Prince of Ruyang is in Henan because he was suppressing the Jianghuai rebels.

Wang Xiaotian, his brows furrowed with murderous intent, nodded without speaking for a long time. Suddenly, he said, "Since that's the case, why do you need to go and investigate again? You and I can go to my master and have him inform the martial arts world with the gang leader's order to be more vigilant. Why do you have to risk your life alone?"
Her four archers are skilled with their bows and arrows, and she has countless others under her command. You also said she has many men like Yin Tianzheng under her. If you go, do you think you'll ever come back?

Chang Kong laughed and said, "Brother Wang, why do you ask a question you already know the answer to?"

Wang Xiaotian sighed and said, "Yes, you suspect that the Mongols want to take advantage of your martial arts competition with Yin Tianzheng and the gathering of martial arts figures to wipe us out in one fell swoop!"
I understand that the Mongol Tartars are afraid that since the various martial arts sects are located in different places, they dare not act rashly, for fear that if they make a move against one, others will receive the news and cause big trouble.

But if they gather in one place, they will have the opportunity to catch them all in one fell swoop, so how could they let it go?

But this is ultimately just your personal speculation. If my master were to act using the Green Bamboo Token to notify all the martial arts factions, and the Mongols did nothing in the end, then the Beggars' Sect's centuries-old reputation and my master's prestige as the sect's leader would be completely destroyed!

“That’s right!” Chang Kong nodded: “I caused this whole mess. If I were to worry unnecessarily and let your master issue orders to the whole world, and his big gang leader lose his word, it would be adding insult to injury for the Beggars’ Sect, whose prestige is no longer what it used to be.”

Furthermore, the medicine to cure Yu Sanxia is in that girl's hands. I originally intended to find her, but now that I've run into her, even if it's a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, I have no choice but to go!

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaotian was overjoyed and clasped his hands in a fist, saying, "Good! This is the true nature of a great man—knowing what to do and what not to do, the true character of a hero. Brother Yun is truly deserving of this title! I will wait for you at General Yang's Temple in Zhuxian Town for one day. If..." He couldn't finish his sentence, because the martial arts world values ​​repaying even the smallest kindness with the greatest gratitude, and also emphasizes the fearless character of taking responsibility for one's actions.

Yun Changkong's actions and deeds are those of a hero, and even though his own martial arts skills are low and he can't help him, Yun Changkong has never looked down on him. How could Yun Changkong not be moved by this?

"Brother, you don't need to worry too much!" Yun Changkong smiled, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "I'm just going to investigate, not to fight. I possess divine skills and carry a precious sword. I fear no one in a one-on-one battle. Even if there were seven or eight Yin Tianzhengs attacking me together, defeating me would be easy, but capturing me would be difficult!"

Wang Xiaotian nodded: "Brother Yun is invincible. Apart from Zhang Zhenren of Wudang, who else do you fear? I doubt there is such a person among the Tartars!"

Chang Kong smiled, then sighed and said, "But you have to leave yourself an escape route and consider the worst-case scenario. If I don't arrive, you don't need to wait. Just send the message to your master!"

Wang Xiaotian knew the two men were speaking with great bravado, but in a battle between masters, things could change in an instant; it was never that easy. His eyes welled up with tears: "Brother Yun... I..."

Chang Kong patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "Why are you acting like a woman, a grown man? A person's luck can't always be good, nor can it always be bad. I've died once, so if I really do fail, it's fate."

You'd better do what I asked you to do perfectly. Don't let me end up getting caught by the Tartars, and then people in the martial arts world say I'm afraid of Yin Baimei and have gone into hiding. If that happens, I'll be the laughingstock of everyone after I die, and I'll haunt you even as a ghost!

“Heh…” Wang Xiaotian gave a bitter smile: “If you can’t come back, I’ll keep my promise for you. Even if I die at Yin Tianzheng’s hands, I won’t let you be known for breaking your promise and bring shame to the Yun family!”

"Good brother!" Yun Changkong patted him on the shoulder: "Let's go!"

Wang Xiaotian, pulling his horse along, had only taken two steps when he turned back and said, “Brother Yun, in this chaotic world, a true man who cannot dominate the winds and clouds, roam the world, and perform chivalrous deeds, is truly ashamed to be called a man. But you think highly of me and treat me as a brother, and as your brother, I am powerless to help you, nor can I share life and death with you. I am no hero. If I don’t do something, I will have no face to call you brother in the future. Please memorize the incantation and moves of ‘The Dragon Regrets’, and please don’t think I am being presumptuous.”

He knew that saying this would be seen as disrespecting the other person's skills and betraying his master, both of which were major taboos in the martial arts world. However, he had long been impressed by Chang Kong and could not care about such things now.

Chang Kong smiled and said, "You risked being punished by my master to pass on your divine skills to me, how can that be considered an offense?"

Wang Xiaotian laughed heartily: "Even if Master expels me from the sect, I am willing to bear it!" He immediately recited and demonstrated the incantation and moves of "The Dragon Regrets" to Yun Changkong, repeating it only twice.

Yun Changkong pondered for a long time, then drew a circle with his left hand and suddenly struck out with his right palm, sending a gust of wind rushing towards Wang Xiaotian's chest.

Wang Xiaotian was startled and retreated quickly, but Chang Kong's palm strike was three parts released and seven parts withdrawn, the force returning as it left.

Wang Xiaotian felt his body freeze, as if he had been immobilized in mid-air by a powerful force.

Suddenly, Chang Kong laughed and said, "Excuse me!" With a flick of his hand, the iron rod at Xiao Tian's waist flew towards Chang Kong with a whoosh.

Wang Xiaotian felt a tremendous suction force in Changkong's palm, which first immobilized him and then absorbed his weapon. He was pleased, but hurriedly shouted, "I can't give you my weapon!" He reached out and pulled the iron rod.

Chang Kong laughed heartily, withdrawing his palm force. Wang Xiaotian grabbed the iron rod, and as soon as his feet touched the ground, he was stunned. He thought to himself, "He really is a martial arts prodigy. My master always said that the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms also has the ability to manipulate objects in the void, but I can't do it myself. I never expected that he would have such ability after only hearing it twice!"

Chang Kong thought to himself, "With this divine ability to capture dragons and control cranes, if I am unable to do so, wouldn't it be wonderful to capture someone by surprise?" He clasped his hands in a salute and said, "With this skill of yours, brother, I am even more confident."

Wang Xiaotian smiled and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "You've returned safely. The secrets of my master's Eighteen Palms are all here. Once you've mastered them, you'll surely be able to stand above all heroes like Chief Hong and Hero Guo back then! To be honest, my master sent me out of the mountains this time to get to know some young talents so that I can succeed him as the leader of the Beggars' Sect. You..."

"Oh, no rush!" Chang Kong heard him mention Shi Huolong: "You said your master is recuperating at Lotus Villa on Junshan Mountain, but that's just a cover. In reality, he's at Wutai Mountain."

I imagine the climate there is quite cold, and even in the height of summer it's not hot. Perhaps it's because his body's yang energy is blocked, which is why he's like this?"

(End of this chapter)