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

Chapter 56 Emei Sect Leader
Ding Minjun grabbed her master's sleeve and gritted her teeth as she said to Yun Changkong, "Master, this person spied on our sect's secrets and was also rude. Please..."

"Master, this is slander!" Wang Xiaotian hurriedly explained.

Abbess Miejue was renowned far and wide, known to everyone in the martial arts world. However, she rarely descended the mountain, and very few people had actually seen her. Some who admired her went to Mount Emei to visit her, but she refused to see them.

Wang Xiaotian knew even better that this nun was extremely domineering and fiercely protective of her own, but Yun Changkong was also the type to never admit his mistakes. The two were at loggerheads, and things were bound to get out of hand, so he hurriedly tried to explain.

Abbess Miejue snorted, grabbed Ding Minjun and threw her away like a straw, she fell with a thud in front of the statue of General Yang.

The Emei disciples and Wang Xiaotian were all astonished. Abbess Miejue was known throughout the martial arts world for her protectiveness. Zhou Zhiruo exclaimed in surprise and went to check on her. Suddenly, she heard Abbess Miejue shout, "Ignore her!"

Zhou Zhiruo's fingers had already touched her senior sister, but she awkwardly withdrew them.

Abbess Miejue coldly said, "If you really want to pay your respects, why don't you kneel in the rain? Are you afraid of getting your clothes dirty? Humph, do you think I don't know what just happened? Where does this hypocrisy come from?"

Yun Changkong was secretly surprised. His hearing was exceptional; he could hear even the falling flowers and leaves within ten feet clearly. According to what Abbess Miejue said, she had clearly been lying in wait for a long time, yet he had been completely unaware. Although there was the sound of pattering rain, it was enough to show that the other party had profound inner strength. He couldn't help but think, "No wonder she is a master who can go toe-to-toe with Crane Pen Elder!"

After reprimanding her disciple, Abbess Miejue looked up at the sky, her eyes gleaming.

As the saying goes, "A true expert can be known by their skill at a glance!"

But for a master of internal martial arts, a single glance is enough to tell whether someone has it or not.

She saw that Yun Changkong was fifteen or sixteen years old, of medium build, neither fat nor thin, with a chiseled face and bright, intelligent eyes. Although he was dressed as a farmer, he was still heroic and had an extraordinary bearing.

Even the proud and arrogant Abbess Miejue nodded secretly, "This boy is truly remarkable!" She coldly asked, "Who are you?"

Seeing her standing tall and stern like a pine tree, embodying the essence of the Buddhist "Four Dignities," Wang Xiaotian felt a deep respect for her and hurriedly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Master, because of what happened before, he can't say for himself, so let me do it for him. He is the Yun Changkong that the senior sisters have been talking about!"

Yun Changkong, whose name is renowned throughout the martial arts world, was speechless after Ding Minjun's words, "Just say you are Yun Changkong."

This clearly shows they don't believe it.

There was no point in talking about it, so Yun Changkong was unwilling to bring it up again.

At this moment, Wang Xiaotian thought to himself that after he said this, the Emei disciples should suddenly realize something or show their admiration.

Unexpectedly, when Master Jingxuan and Bei Jinyi exchanged glances, their expressions were not those of either of the two mentioned above, but rather of disdain.

Deepest contempt!
Abbess Miejue's face was filled with anger, her monk's robes fluttered without wind, and her bones crackled as if an iron pot was too hot and had popped beans.

Yun Changkong dared not be careless. He channeled his inner energy throughout his body, his eyes flashing like lightning as he stared intently at her.

As the saying goes, "A man lives for a breath of air, and a Buddha fights for a stick of incense."

People in the martial arts world come and go, all for the sake of "fame".

Whether it's a sect or an individual, fighting and killing each other doesn't necessarily stem from deep-seated grudges; it's mostly just about "fame."

Take, for example, the conflict between Gu Hongzi of the Emei Sect and Yang Xiao. They originally had no enmity; it was just a matter of reputation. Then, Gu Hongzi was defeated, lost the Heaven-Slaying Sword, and died of anger. It was all because of his "reputation."

Take, for example, the matter between Yun Changkong and Fan Yao. There was no enmity between them. It was just that Fan Yao appeared at the wrong time. If he hadn't taken Zhao Min away, Yun Changkong would have never cared whether he was an undercover agent or not.

But by getting rid of Zhao Min, he not only rendered Yun Changkong's efforts futile, but also allowed the Right Envoy of the Ming Cult to defeat him, which is why he resorted to such ruthless measures. Ultimately, it all came down to "fame".

At this moment, Yun Changkong's reputation is so great that he is the most outstanding new talent in the martial arts world in decades. He is at the height of his fame. The Emei disciples are discussing that if the Emei sect leader comes, you will be the one.

Is it such a coincidence?

This is really hard to believe.

They also felt that Wang Xiaotian was using a big name to inflate his own status.

It's like everyone knows Zhang Sanfeng is a slovenly old man, but if someone happens to be discussing it and a slovenly old man suddenly appears, even if he really is Zhang Sanfeng, the first reaction of others will not be fear or admiration, but disbelief and contempt.

If he has a bad temper, you might have to hit him!
This is a classic case of you playing me for fools. The world is so big, you can just say whatever you want and he will appear. It's all just a joke!
Seeing Abbess Miejue's posture, Wang Xiaotian hurriedly said, "Abbess, my master is a master of the Golden and Silver Palms. We are all on the same side, so we must not act rashly!"

He knew that Yun Changkong had offended the Demonic Sect, and that if he were to confront the Emei Sect again, it would be extremely difficult for him to gain a foothold in the martial arts world. Therefore, he had no choice but to invoke his master's name.

Abbess Miejue gave Wang Xiaotian a sinister look and said, "Are you a disciple of Chief Shi?"

“That’s right, that’s right!” Wang Xiaotian nodded hurriedly.

Abbess Miejue snorted coldly: "Shi Huolong has been out of the public eye for many years. Hmph, I don't believe it!"

“The goods are genuine, Master, please accept this palm strike!” Wang Xiaotian drew a circle with his left hand and pushed Miejue with his right palm.

Abbess Miejue was slightly startled: "Indeed, it is the 'Regretful Dragon' technique!" She reached out to catch it and felt the force of the palm strike. With a light flick of her wrist, she sent Wang Xiaotian back two steps.

Abbess Miejue shook her head and said, "The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms is one of the most powerful martial arts in the world. What is this?"

Wang Xiaotian scratched his head: "I didn't learn it well."

Abbess Miejue said, "Fine! For the sake of our patriarch, you can stand aside!"

Huang Rong, the former leader of the Beggars' Sect, was the biological mother of Guo Xiang, the founder of the Emei Sect. Therefore, even with the ruthlessness of Abbess Miejue, she would not make things difficult for Wang Xiaotian.

Abbess Miejue looked at Changkong and said in a deep voice, "My disciple is indeed useless, but it's not up to outsiders to teach him a lesson!"

Yun Changkong chuckled and said, "Master, the reasoning is correct, but since you know what your esteemed disciple has done, and you still protect her like this, she'll become arrogant and it might not be a blessing for your Emei Sect!"

Ding Minjun's face turned pale and then red. Abbess Miejue shook her head and said, "My Emei Sect is different from other sects. Most of our disciples are women. If I, as their master, don't take good care of them, who knows what kind of despicable things you men will do."

Chang Kong frowned slightly and said, "She's causing trouble, but she's not as skilled as others."

Abbess Miejue said coldly, "Whatever my disciple does, I, as his master, will bear the full responsibility. But as long as I have breath, I will never tolerate anyone bullying my disciple!"

“Master…” Jingxuan and the other disciples were deeply moved, their voices slightly choked.

"Alright!" Yun Changkong nodded: "Master, that's how it should be. Then what does Abbess want?"

Abbess Miejue sneered, "I have long heard that you have received the true teachings of Shaolin internal energy and possess extraordinary internal strength. This old nun would like to learn from your esteemed master!"

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged bewildered glances, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.

It should be noted that Abbess Jingxuan was already a highly renowned master in the martial arts world. For someone to be able to take action with her was already a significant elevation of the status of the person being attacked. In the original storyline, during the siege of Bright Peak, when they encountered a small group of demonic sect disciples, it was the Emei disciples who intervened.

As the leader of the sect, Abbess Miejue, in terms of status and position, was not as good as the leaders of Shaolin and Wudang. In terms of martial arts and internal strength, she might not be as good as Abbot Kongwen, but she was definitely not inferior to Song Yuanqiao.

Abbess Miejue can be considered a top figure in the martial arts world. When she said "I would like to ask for your guidance" to Yun Changkong, regardless of the outcome, it was tantamount to elevating Yun Changkong to the level of a master on the opposite side.

This kind of thing happens often. In the original story, Zhou Zhiruo fought Yin Liting for more than two hundred moves at Shaolin Temple, saying that she was giving him face because he was a good person. If it were you, Yu Lianzhou, you would be dead in thirty moves!

In fact, Yu Lianzhou's martial arts skills were superior to Yin Liting's.

Similarly, when Yun Changkong defeated Yin Wushou and Wulu in two hundred moves, and swiftly defeated Yin Yewang, it was to elevate the status of Yin Wushou and the others, making Yun He, who had been defeated by them, sound more impressive. It's the same principle. Likewise, if Abbess Miejue says something like that, then it's absolutely necessary to see it done. Wang Xiaotian was so anxious he was scratching his head, but he couldn't stop her.

Since both of them were renowned masters in the martial arts world, whoever yielded first was clearly inferior.

"Master!" Zhou Zhiruo stepped forward, standing between the two, and said, "Master, Young Hero Yun is still young. You are a senior master. I will learn from him after I have mastered my martial arts!"

Abbess Miejue does not easily reveal her martial arts skills. Even her disciples do not know how high her skills are. However, if she is defeated by carelessness, she will surely be disgraced. Zhou Zhiruo lost her mother at a young age and later her father. When she came to Emei, Abbess Miejue treated her like a daughter, teaching her by word and deed, and even passed on the "Emei Nine Yang Skill".

This is a treatment that even Ding Minjun's long-time disciples have not received.

Ding Minjun asked anxiously, "Junior Sister Zhou, what do you mean by that?"

Zhou Zhiruo said casually, "Master is such a master. If he were to fight a junior, wouldn't that be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?"

As disciples, how can we repay our master for his years of cultivation? Besides, we have important matters to attend to; why delay any longer?

Abbess Miejue was quite pleased to hear this: "This disciple is so obedient and sensible."

Zhou Zhiruo noticed that Yun Changkong seemed nonchalant in front of his master, but his eyes shone brightly, and his face exuded an air of superior confidence. She was terrified that her master might lose even a single move, following in the footsteps of Yin Yewang, Yin Tianzheng, and the Right Envoy of Light, their lifelong reputation vanishing like water.

Even though Yin Tianzheng hasn't officially fought Yun Changkong yet, he's already become a laughingstock in the martial arts world. His son was crippled in front of everyone. Is there anything more humiliating than that?

However, Zhou Zhiruo knew her master's temper well. She couldn't say that Yun Changkong was powerful; she had to make him look incompetent in order to make it work!
But fearing that Yun Changkong would challenge him, he stuck out his tongue, blinked, and looked pleading.

Yun Changkong found her childish behavior quite amusing, and since he didn't want to fight with Abbess Miejue over Ding Minjun, he remained silent.

Ding Minjun felt annoyed. Yun Changkong called her "poisonous and shameless." She was powerless to retaliate herself and wanted to let her master vent his anger, but her junior sister kept dissuading her. She said angrily, "If we leave like this, wouldn't it be the same as bowing down to people? If word gets out, our master's reputation and the name of Emei will be ruined. How can you face our master?"

Master, you know, matters between men and women in this world are often complicated and difficult to explain; Ji Xiaofu is a prime example. This man surnamed Yun is handsome, highly skilled in martial arts, and has a great reputation. Not to mention Junior Sister Bei, Junior Sister Zhou, I'm also tempted."

Bei Jinyi coldly replied, "You're talking nonsense!"

Ding Minjun's lips twitched: "So you don't like this kid?"

Bei Jinyi snorted: "I'm not telling you, lest people laugh at me!"

Yun Changkong and Wang Xiaotian were both stunned. In such a solemn occasion, why bring up this? They were both amused and annoyed, and looked at Abbess Miejue!

But she remained calm and didn't utter a single word.
The two exchanged a glance, neither daring to utter a sound, for saying anything now would only make things worse.

Ding Minjun became even more enthusiastic: "Master, Junior Sister Zhou is usually very timid, but look at her today, she's been siding with outsiders the whole time!"

Zhou Zhiruo's chest heaved violently, her eyes sparkling with tears as she cried out, "Senior Sister Ding, why are you doing this?"

"You're either arranging a marriage for me or saying I like someone, isn't it just because you're afraid I'll steal the sect leader position from you! Today, in front of Master, even if Master gives me the position in the future, I won't take it, okay?"

Ding Minjun sneered: "She wants to be someone's wife, and she doesn't even want to be the sect leader anymore. Master, in her heart, the sect's foundation is not even as important as a man!"

Zhou Zhiruo trembled with anger, her expression changing drastically. Before she could speak, Yun Changkong said, "Isn't this going too far? Are you using me as a tool? Heh, Emei Sect, Abbess Miejue, has no successor!" He shook his head.

After hearing this, Ding Minjun was about to speak when Abbess Miejue coldly snorted and said, "You should know that I have the heart to destroy demons, so why do you not act?"

The girls didn't utter a sound!
Abbess Miejue said, "It's not for any other reason than that I'm afraid that if I don't return, the Emei Sect will be unable to establish itself in the martial arts world."

I had hoped to wait until you were a few more years old and able to be entrusted with important matters, so that I could then unite with other sects to destroy the Demonic Sect. But what about you?

My Emei Sect has never easily ventured into the martial world. Your squabbles on the mountain are just child's play. The reason I sent you down the mountain this time, and will follow you, is both to broaden your horizons and to see how you would behave without me.”

The girls exchanged glances and then lowered their heads.
Abbess Miejue snorted and said, "Minjun, you want to be the sect leader. You targeted Xiaofu before, and now you're targeting Zhiruo. What if I break the sect rules and pass the position of sect leader to a man? What will you do then?"

Upon hearing this, all the disciples of Emei trembled in their hearts.

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "In the original story, Abbess Miejue went to Bright Peak and said something that broke the rules of the sect, which led to the later fact that a man from the Emei Sect became the sect leader."

"None of you understand my good intentions!" Abbess Miejue raised her head and said with a sigh, "Your grandmaster passed the position of sect leader to me, and I haven't accomplished a single thing she entrusted to me! Hmph, look at you all, people say that my Emei Sect has no successors, and that's absolutely true!"

Looking at the strand of white hair under Abbess Miejue's monk's hat, Yun Changkong felt a mix of emotions. He thought to himself, "She looks quite beautiful, but her hair is white. She must be under a lot of mental stress."

What does it matter if you're a sect leader or a head? The higher your position, the heavier your responsibilities. If she were all alone and didn't have to worry about these good-for-nothing disciples, wouldn't she be incredibly happy?
Well, learning from past mistakes, once this matter is over, I'll go straight back to the mountains to cultivate in seclusion. No matter who tries to give me more responsibilities, I won't do it!

"I'll just live my own life well!"

Zhou Zhiruo tugged at her master's sleeve and whispered, "Master, let's go!"

"Where are you going?" Abbess Miejue glared at her: "You spineless thing, you cry after being criticized a few times."
Now there are only two outsiders, and the rest are your senior sisters. If I die, and you are left alone, facing dozens, hundreds, or even heroes of the world, if someone attacks you with words, will you still cry?
To accomplish extraordinary things, one must have extraordinary ambitions. Does this kind of character live up to my expectations of you?

Zhou Zhiruo turned pale and trembled as she heard what she said.

Bei Jinyi advised, "Master, Junior Sister is still young..."

"She's too young!" Abbess Miejue glared at her again, and said angrily, "And what about you? How much do you know about Yun Changkong that you'd be willing to draw your sword in anger over a few words?"
"So what if I pulled it out? It's no big deal. But you didn't dare stab me. Is this the kind of useless disciples my Emei Sect has taught?"

Chang Kong finally understood. Wang Xiaotian was one thing—Guo Xiang was raised by the Beggar Clan leader and even had a close relationship with him—but he was far too presumptuous, acting as if he were family.
It turned out that Abbess Miejue not only used Ding Minjun as a tool to temper Zhou Zhiruo's character, but now, in this on-site teaching, she herself had become a tool to give a firsthand account. Feeling utterly bored, she nodded to Wang Xiaotian and was about to leave.

"Wait!" Abbess Miejue coldly shouted, "Yunhe admitted defeat and cut off his own left arm, never breaking his promise. This is the courage of a hero and the integrity of a true man! You are Yunhe's son and have destroyed the prestige of the Heavenly Eagle Sect. It is only fitting for you to take action yourself. Do not try to persuade me any further!"

After saying that, he gently pushed Zhou Zhiruo aside and faced Yun Changkong from afar.

Yun Changkong shook his head and said, "If I had known that the abbess intended to train her disciples and secretly protect them, I wouldn't have been so curious." His tone was quite regretful.

Abbess Miejue's eyes flashed with a chilling light that pierced the soul, and she said, "Your father's act of cutting off his arm to keep his promise is indeed heroic, but the honor of our sect is more important to me. Let's make our move!"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "I'd rather accept your offer!"

The two stood motionless, about ten feet apart.

These two are both top-tier figures in the contemporary martial arts world. Since they are going to fight, they are naturally very different from ordinary people. They will not attack fiercely as soon as they make a move, but will try to find the other's weaknesses and flaws first.

Seeing that Abbess Miejue was trembling like an ancient tree, both strange and majestic, standing tall and unique, Chang Kong thought to himself: "If I win against her, it would be a real shame to ruin her lifelong reputation because of Ding Minjun!"

But if I back down, given her arrogance, conceit, and ruthlessness, she might even put me in danger. Even if I survive, and am defeated in a single move, who knows what kind of lies Ding Minjun will tell me!

Seeing Yun Changkong's calm and collected expression, his unsteady gait, and his imposing and majestic presence, as if unshakable by any tidal wave, Abbess Miejue thought to herself, "Yin Yewang is no ordinary person. No wonder I was defeated by him. Judging from his appearance, he must have at least fifty years of cultivation. Could it be that my lifelong reputation is truly going to be wasted today?"

She was always arrogant and conceited, but at this moment she dared not make a move rashly.

The two stared at each other, their inner energy surging, their clothes rustling.

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(End of this chapter)