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

Chapter 95 Who Dies
Abbess Miejue remained calm and composed, slowly asking, "What makes you say that?"

Yun Changkong asked, "Does the Ming Cult have a leader?"

Abbess Miejue shook her head: "I have never heard of it."

Yun Changkong walked slowly to the window, looked at the full moon outside, and seemed to be lost in thought.

He knew that in the original timeline, it was the Purple-Robed Dragon King who brought Xie Xun back from overseas in order to plot against Yang Xiao and Fan Yao with the Dragon-Slaying Saber. But now that she was with him and had his help, he could reach Bright Peak without any planning.

Furthermore, in the original storyline, the Zhu and Wu families learned from Zhang Wuji that Xie Xun was on Icefire Island, but they never went to look for him because the sea was boundless and the waves were unforgiving, and they couldn't afford to take the risk.

But these are all secondary factors, because anyone could possibly welcome Xie Xun, but the Ming Cult is the only exception!
Yun Changkong looked at Zhao Min and said, "Minmin, what do you think?"

Zhao Min was taken aback, then said, "I agree with you."

Abbess Miejue's face was ashen. Suddenly she said, "Why? Tell me."

Zhao Min paused for a moment, then suddenly whispered, "Brother Yun, do you think this is part of my scheme?"

“No.” Yun Changkong slowly shook his head: “I just want to hear your opinion.”

Zhao Min stared at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Anyone can go to the Golden-Haired Lion King, but the Demonic Sect is the only exception!"

It's important to understand that the Demonic Cult was torn apart because of the position of its leader. The Golden Lion King was never a highly respected figure with widespread support, otherwise the Demonic Cult would have elected him as its leader long ago.

While it's true that the Demonic Sect is hated by the righteous sects of the martial arts world because of its past misdeeds and deeply ingrained evils, the main reason for its recent downfall is Xie Xun.

He killed Master Kongjian of Shaolin Temple, Tang Wenliang's nephew from Kongtong, stole the sect's signature boxing manual 'Seven Wounds Fist', robbed the Dragon Slaying Saber on Wangpan Mountain Island, kidnapped Zhang Cuishan of Wudang, and turned the Kunlun Sect disciples into idiots..." He looked at Abbess Miejue and said, "He also killed Abbess Miejue's own brother, Old Hero Fang, so the hatred of the entire righteous sects in the martial arts world is almost all on Xie Xun."

Brother Yun made it clear at the last meeting at Yellow Crane Tower that if anyone wanted to oppose the Mongols, everyone had to put aside personal grudges and work together. Regardless of what others thought, firstly, Xie Xun was overseas and might even be dead, and secondly, they couldn't defeat him anyway, so naturally no one would dare to raise any objections.

However, if the Demonic Sect were to bring Xie Xun back, wouldn't that be handing a knife to the righteous sects of the martial world? The Demonic Sect wouldn't be that foolish!

Yun Changkong nodded: "That makes sense. This news is definitely fake and is malicious."

Yun Changkong knew that in the original story, the Ming Cult members were willing to welcome Xie Xun back because of Zhang Wuji.

No one believed Yang Dingtian's dying wish that Xie Xun should be the leader. When Zhang Wuji said he would pass the leadership to Xie Xun, others thought that Xie Xun might be dead already, so they just agreed first.

Abbess Miejue looked at Zhou Zhiruo and said, "Zhiruo, what do you think?"

“Yes!” Zhou Zhiruo stood up and replied, “Whether this news is true or false is not important. What is important is that rumors can spread like wildfire and destroy people. Even if Xie Xun did not return, this news can still be turned from false to true because of the Dragon-Slaying Saber.”

Abbess Miejue smiled slightly.

Her precious disciple has always been kind and intelligent, a true friend, which is one of the reasons why she loves her so much.

Zhao Min clicked her tongue repeatedly and praised, "Sister Zhou, you have a brilliant insight! You martial arts people may not be enthusiastic about fighting demons and seeking revenge, but you are quite interested in pursuing fame and fortune."

In the martial arts world, who doesn't want to make a name for themselves, stand out, and become the next Yun Changkong?

Xie Xun himself had relatively few enemies, but everyone coveted the Dragon-Slaying Saber. Therefore, if Xie Xun was at Bright Peak, then the Dragon-Slaying Saber was also at Bright Peak!

Abbess Miejue, with her hands on the table, stood up with a solemn expression and said, "The other day I met with Chief Shi and learned that all the major sects and many martial arts heroes are eager to make their move and are preparing to go to Bright Peak."

The number of people involved this time is greater than the number of people at the Yellow Crane Tower gathering back then.

But Chief Shi said, "You said that Cheng Kun, under the alias Yuanzhen, has joined the Prince of Ruyang's mansion. That's why I've been traveling day and night to Mount Wutai to find you, to verify the truth of this news and discuss countermeasures."

Yun Changkong gazed leisurely into the distance and nodded, saying, "That's right, it's true."

Zhao Min snorted: "Master, please don't make things difficult for my brother Yun."

Zhou Zhiruo said quietly, "Why is it difficult?" People in the martial arts world generally agree that Young Master Yun is a martial arts prodigy who is rare in history. His martial arts skills are so high that, apart from Master Zhang of Wudang, probably no one in the martial arts world can surpass him.

In addition, his insightful understanding and decisive actions caused the Eagle Sect and the Demonic Sect to suffer greatly, to the point that they were terrified of him.

It was because of him that those evil sects and heretics dared not run rampant in the martial arts world and commit evil deeds anymore!

"Young Master Yun, with your exceptional qualities, should set aside your personal feelings, quell the schemes of wicked villains, and drive out the Tartars. This is the true act of a chivalrous and passionate man!"

"A woman's view!" Zhao Min said casually, "Master, forgive my boldness, but what do you think is the fundamental reason for the existence of your Emei Sect to this day?"

Abbess Miejue snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing!

Zhao Min laughed and said, "You martial arts gangs sound like you're talking about 'driving out the barbarians and restoring our land,' or 'slaying evil and upholding justice.' But in reality, from martial arts masters like Zhang Sanfeng to your young disciples, you're all a bunch of people who are afraid of losing and hesitant to move forward."

When faced with problems, most people hesitate and observe, and very few dare to step forward. Otherwise, how could the power of the Demonic Sect have grown so much?
Leaving aside the distant past, let's talk about the more recent past. At the Yellow Crane Tower gathering, members of the Demonic Cult also came, so why didn't anyone destroy the demons?

The Wudang Sect knew that Yu Daiyan was one of my men who crushed his bones. All my father and brother's elaborate traps, waiting for Zhang Sanfeng and the Wudang heroes to take the bait, have been in vain for years, and no one has come to take revenge.
why?
The relative calm in the martial world wasn't so much because the Demonic Sect had stopped causing trouble, but rather because all the major sects were simply avoiding conflict; no one wanted to be the first to die, pointlessly!

Looking at the spirited Zhao Min, Yun Changkong's eyes were full of admiration. That's it!

"That sounds nice." Zhou Zhiruo sneered slightly. "Anyone can talk big, right? If Master Zhang wanted to kill you, he could do it with a single finger! You're going to set up a trap for him?"

Zhao Min said casually, "Zhang Sanfeng is a god in your eyes. Haven't you heard that a true man fights with wisdom, not strength?"

"I could easily take his life if I wanted to deal with him. What do you know?"

Zhou Zhiruo laughed and said, "Then why don't you take action? Why bother with empty talk here?"

Zhao Min glanced at her: "Sister Zhou, do you even understand the very foundation of the existence of your martial arts sects?"

Zhou Zhiruo smiled faintly and said, "Our sect punishes evil and eliminates wickedness, upholds justice and righteousness, adheres to the principle that Han and Hu people cannot coexist, specializes in killing Tartars, and is respected by everyone."

"Alright, alright," Zhao Min sneered. "We Hu people aren't necessarily all beasts, and there are probably beasts among you Han people too. Stop talking about how Han and Hu people can't coexist."

Go to Dadu and see for yourself. The Han people there are proud of our Great Mongol Empire. Well, that has nothing to do with what we're talking about.

Let me tell you why your sects exist. It's not because of chivalry, nor because of evil deeds. Otherwise, why would a demonic sect exist? Is it because your master's resolve to exorcise demons is wavering?

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiruo's face flushed red, and she was speechless.

Abbess Miejue glanced at her, frowned, and said, "Tell me, why do we exist?"

Zhao Min said calmly, "The various sects of the martial arts world have always been a thorn in the side of our Great Yuan Dynasty. We have long harbored the intention to destroy you all!"
Unfortunately, your sects are all located high in the mountains, and the various sects communicate with each other. If we were to attack a particular sect, such as Huashan or Kongtong, even if we killed them all, we would not be able to damage the foundation of the martial arts world. On the contrary, it would only incite the martial arts world to unite against a common enemy.

If someone like Abbess Miejue can steal a sword from my house, then naturally she can also kill people. We are indeed wary of such people.

If we were to deal with powerful sects like Shaolin and Wudang, where there are countless masters, we would certainly fail if we sent a small number of people. If we sent a large army, they would have already disappeared before even reaching the mountain.

We mobilized our entire army, eating and feeding the horses, only to find an empty mountain. We got nothing but to set it on fire to vent our anger!
Just like when the army besieged the Quanzhen Sect back then, they gained nothing but burned down the Chongyang Palace on Zhongnan Mountain.

But they immediately established their own sects in various places, and ultimately, Emperor Kublai Khan could only rely on the Great Living Buddha Phagpa to instigate a conflict between Buddhism and Taoism. After two such battles, the foundation of the Quanzhen School was finally destroyed, but it wasn't completely eradicated. Therefore, the large-scale military campaign was more of a loss than a gain!

Abbess Miejue gave a heavy, cold snort: "Since you see things so clearly, you must already know what's going on in this matter?"

Zhao Min smiled calmly: "Don't think this is a trap I set!"

But "The supreme martial arts master wields the Dragon-Slaying Saber, commanding the world with absolute obedience." Who wouldn't want to become the supreme martial arts master? Who wouldn't want to possess the Dragon-Slaying Saber for themselves?

The martial arts world is vast, and many talented people and extraordinary individuals have emerged. Besides prominent figures like the Abbess and the Demonic Cult's Dharma King, how many reclusive masters exist in the deep mountains and marshes?

Take the people in my household for example. There are many whose martial arts skills are no less than yours, but they are willing to submit to me, not because they are without ambition for fame and fortune.

"Hehe, forgive my bluntness, but in literature there's no first place, in martial arts there is. They wouldn't even look at me if I competed with you, but they know they're no match for Zhang Sanfeng, so they might as well just enjoy their offerings in the Prince's mansion. But if Brother Yun hadn't exposed my secret, how many people in the martial world would know?"

Several people fell into deep thought.

Zhao Min said softly, "Expel the Tartars and restore our land," what a beautiful wish.

But whoever obtains the Dragon-Slaying Saber and deciphers its secrets will become the supreme master of the martial arts world. Faced with immense gain, everyone has ambitions and believes they have a chance.

Even if Xie Xun couldn't comprehend the secret after more than ten years, others would only think that Xie Xun was stupid, not that he was incapable of understanding it!
"So, for the sake of the Dragon-Slaying Saber, who knows how many masters will be drawn out? Are you pushing Brother Yun forward, as if you want him to die even faster?"

Abbess Miejue sighed and said in a peculiar tone, "Actually, what you said is right! As a Buddhist, I should be detached from worldly desires, yet I still have thoughts of hatred and attachment, let alone others!"

Zhao Min nodded slightly: "Therefore, the ambitions and hopes of people in the martial arts world far surpass anything like 'expelling the Tartars and restoring our land.'"

Otherwise, why would Zhang Sanfeng stay cooped up on Wudang Mountain every day? Wasn't it because he feared that if he made a move, he would incur the wrath of the imperial court and have Wudang Mountain burned down? If even he had such concerns, it's understandable that the abbess couldn't let go of them. Why make things difficult for others?

Suddenly, Zhou Zhiruo said, "Then, a huge storm is brewing in the martial world. Should we just watch others drive away the tiger and devour the wolf, and witness the bloodshed in the martial world..."

He suddenly stopped speaking and stared intently at Yun Changkong: "Let the Mongol Tartars reap the benefits?"

Yun Changkong was preoccupied with his own thoughts, his mind elsewhere, and he paid no attention to the matter.

Zhao Min said calmly, "Miss Zhou, do you still think that Brother Yun can solve this problem?"

As you said, his martial arts skills are unparalleled in the world, but is it only revered? Is there no jealousy or resentment?
Do you know what Zhang Sanfeng's nickname is?

Zhou Zhiruo was taken aback.

Abbess Miejue said, "Zhang the Sloppy!"

Zhao Min clapped her hands and laughed, "Yes, could it be that Master Zhang came up with this nickname himself? These are all people who harbor jealousy and resentment, calling him that. If you don't believe me, try calling him that in front of the Wudang disciples."

Zhou Zhiruo snorted, "Only barbarians who don't know manners would do that."

Zhao Min smiled and said, "Including the time when martial arts practitioners went to Wudang Mountain and asked Shaolin Temple to represent them in a decisive battle against the Wudang sect. But Zhang Cuishan committed suicide, so the battle didn't happen."

What if they don't die?
If the heroes of Wudang fought against the seven masters of Shaolin, and lost, the prestige of the Wudang sect would be ruined; if they won, they would either be injured or killed.

Several of my masters have been hiding in my manor, waiting for the battle to break out so they can incite the heroes to claim that the Wudang Sect wants to find Xie Xun alone, exploiting their greed to wipe out the Wudang Sect in one fell swoop. Even if Zhang Sanfeng's martial arts are superb, could he possibly defeat thousands of martial artists?
It would be better if he could escape unscathed, as he would surely hold the deaths of the Wudang disciples accountable to the Shaolin Temple and other sects.

The old Taoist priest's slaughter of the martial arts world plunged the heavens and earth into darkness, which suited my heart even better.

However, with Zhang Cuishan committing suicide, no one could find Xie Xun's whereabouts, leaving them without a legitimate reason to attack. This is why they returned empty-handed, thus averting a catastrophe!
It's not that Zhang Sanfeng could truly prevent people from being swayed by self-interest; otherwise, those people wouldn't have gone to Wudang Mountain!
Now that rumors of Xie Xun's presence at Bright Peak have spread throughout the martial arts world, and Yun Ge's martial arts skills and achievements have already aroused jealousy, what would others think if he were to say that the Dragon-Slaying Saber was all a conspiracy and that everyone should not believe him?
As the saying goes, cutting off someone's path to wealth is like killing their parents. The stronger his martial arts are, the more he tries to stop others from becoming stronger. People will think that he doesn't want others to become stronger because he is strong, and he will immediately become the target of everyone's criticism.

Everyone's hatred is being directed at him, what right do you have to do that?

Yun Changkong let out a long breath: "That's only secondary. While we're gathered together and fighting, there might be someone watching from the sidelines, ready to wipe us all out at the crucial moment!" He glanced at Zhao Min: "Minmin, what do you think of my guess?"

Zhao Min's expression was somewhat unnatural as she said, "If it were my plan, then of course it would be so."

You people of the martial world are like birds, scattered in the forest. To shoot them one by one would not only be time-consuming and laborious, but the smarter ones would have already flown away upon hearing the bowstring and the sound of birdsong.

But if it were locked in a cage, any one person could burn it to pieces with just a tinderbox.

Hmph, once I get to Kunlun Mountain, I'll shut down Yumen Pass!
Do you think you'll be able to come back?

Upon hearing this, the world fell silent.

After a moment, Abbess Miejue said in a low voice, "The most vicious part of this matter is right here!" She looked at Yun Changkong and said, "At this moment, besides you, who else can save us from this calamity?"

Zhao Min snorted, "Aren't you going to push people forward?"

Abbess Miejue glared at him: "What? Are you afraid he'll go against your father and brothers?"

Zhao Min's face turned ashen, and her heart pounded wildly.

She had long suspected that this was a scheme devised by her brother and Cheng Kun.

She didn't care how many others died.

If Ke Yun Chang Kong gets involved, the two sides will inevitably go to war!

She didn't want either side to get hurt, so she analyzed the pros and cons and tried her best to stop it.

Abbess Miejue looked at Yun Changkong: "Since you have made this choice, there is no way you can escape it. Do you know why your father and Chief Shi came to propose marriage to me?"

Yun Changkong knew perfectly well what Abbess Miejue and Zhao Min were up to. One was using her father's orders to push him forward, while the other was using love to pull him back. He couldn't help but feel a bitter taste in his mouth and said, "I'm afraid they're just using the guise of doing what's best for me again."

Abbess Miejue snorted, "Zhiruo, you speak!"

Zhou Zhiruo looked up at the sky, her eyes revealing a sense of difficulty.

Abbess Miejue's face darkened as she said, "Speak!"

"Yes!" Zhou Zhiruo lowered her voice and said, "Master Yun, if you were the great hero Guo Jing, and you were defending Xiangyang now, with the Mongols' power growing, what would you do?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Changkong was greatly shocked and swayed.

In that instant, he remembered what Yunhe and his grandmother had told him about Guo Jing, but he had dismissed it, saying that if it were him, he would have taken his family and abandoned the city instead of risking their lives there.

Seeing his expression change drastically, Zhao Min quickly stood up and helped him up, saying, "Brother Yun."

Yun Changkong took a deep breath and said, "I'm fine."

Zhou Zhiruo glanced at him and said, "Your father said that although you are his son, he can never figure out your thoughts. Your martial arts skills are far beyond his expectations, and your behavior is even more unexpected."

At such a young age, you've already put your despicable schemes into action. Others may understand these things, but they're hardly honorable, yet you're capable of doing them.

Although it was a matter of life and death, and a necessary expedient, he feared that you might taste the benefits, become deeply entrenched, turn into a wicked person, and go astray. He had taught you for many years, yet you completely ignored him, even using the so-called "seeing through three thousand worlds" theory to refute him!

He was constantly worried, and sure enough, after you entered the world of martial arts, you immediately became entangled with Mongolian women, showing no regard for the distinction between Han and non-Han peoples!
Your father was truly afraid that you would become infatuated with beautiful women, and as he predicted, the Yun family would produce a traitor. That's why, without your consent, he asked Chief Shi to propose marriage to my master.

"Master Yun, your father looked so sorrowful then, it moved everyone present. Only then did my master agree."

Yun Changkong understood everything. He had been too disdainful of worldly affairs and his behavior was different from ordinary people. Yun He was too upright. Perhaps from the day he flattered and fawned over Yin Wushou and then ambushed and killed him, Yun He had felt that his son had gone astray.

Therefore, he used Guo Jing's story to teach himself, but he did not agree with Guo Jing's behavior and felt that being a great hero was a disadvantage.

This incident has once again caused a great stir in the world of martial arts and the Legend of Zhao Min.

This made Yunhe fear that he had become a traitor, so he took it upon himself to propose marriage for him.

Yun Changkong guessed correctly. Ever since the day he, his father, and grandmother fled for their lives, Yun He and his mother had been afraid that a traitor would emerge from the Yun family!

Yun Changkong was hit by the "boomerang" again. Thinking of this, he was startled again. Where was the woman in yellow?

Back then, he flirted with her and talked about freedom, but now he's with Zhao Min. To outsiders, this is probably seen as deception and a potential problem.

Thinking of this, cold sweat poured down Yun Changkong's forehead.

Why was he so foul-mouthed back then?
Zhao Min, unaware of the reason, assumed it was Yun He's problem and said, "Brother Yun, let's not worry about that. Let's retire to the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains, swordsmanship and singing, and not care about the world of martial arts!"

Upon hearing "singing while fencing," Yun Changkong couldn't help but think of the Purple-Robed Dragon King.

Abbess Miejue said solemnly, "Changkong, you usually like to argue and are careless about details. Although you are highly skilled in martial arts, I am not satisfied with your marriage to Zhiruo. I have no intention of marrying her off to anyone else, because she is going to take over the Emei Sect and cannot get married!"

Zhao Min smiled slightly, her smile full of disdain: "Since that's the case, why not refuse?"

Abbess Miejue took out an ancient sword with pine-patterned patterns.

She stroked the ancient scabbard, then suddenly drew the sword. A chilling light shone from the scabbard, illuminating her face.

Abbess Miejue stared at the gleaming sword blade, her gaze deep, as if lost in memories of the past. She said softly, "This sword was passed down to my grandmaster by Hero Guo and Chief Huang, and then passed down to my master, Abbess Fengling."

"Master Fengling?" Zhao Min blurted out, "Is it related to Fengling Ferry?"

Abbess Miejue said quietly, "This Fengling Ferry is where my grandmaster first heard the name of the Condor Hero! This temple is also where my grandmaster first met the Condor Hero while following the One Cave Ghost of Shanxi."

Zhao Min's mouth dropped open in disbelief, but Yun Changkong couldn't help but be moved.

He had heard the story of Fengling Ferry, a place that supposedly led to a lifetime of regret. But this was the very place where Guo Xiang met Yang Guo, something he was unaware of.

Recalling the past, Abbess Miejue couldn't help but feel a little emotional. She ran her fingers along the blade of the sword and said, "This sword carries the hopes of several generations. Actually, I didn't quite understand it before. It's just a precious sword. What does it matter if you have it or not?"
But as this Mongol princess later said, many Han people became accustomed to Mongol rule, and it constantly reminded us that we should regard "expelling the Tartars and restoring China" as the most important thing.

Back then, the demonic sect master who threw down the Heaven-Slaying Sword was none other than Yang Xiao, the Left Guardian of the Brightness Sect. In terms of martial arts, my senior brother might not have been much weaker than him, let alone wielding the Heaven-Slaying Sword. Yet, Yang Xiao used despicable means to ambush him, preventing the Heaven-Slaying Sword from even being drawn.

Hehe, our Emei Sect is mostly female. Ever since our founder Guo Xiang established the sect, the person who takes over the sect must be a nun. I also know that she had unrequited love, which led to her profound enlightenment.

But when I was fifteen, my master, Abbess Fengling, knew that I would one day achieve great success in martial arts, and she had already decided to make me the third-generation leader. At that time, I already had the intention to abolish the rule that the leader could not marry.

"Huh?" Zhou Zhiruo and Zhao Min exclaimed in unison.

They never expected Abbess Miejue to be so daring.

Yun Changkong knew that Abbess Miejue liked Gu Hongzi; otherwise, why would she have lent him the Heaven-Slaying Sword? But Gu Hongzi died, and Abbess Miejue became a nun. As for breaking the sect rules, she did indeed do so.

Abbess Miejue said quietly, "Our Emei Sect is mostly composed of women. If we want to establish ourselves in the martial arts world, having an outstanding martial arts master is the most basic requirement."

I originally intended to pass on my mantle to Ji Xiaofu, and I didn't stop her engagement to Yin Liuxia of Wudang. She was later forced into marriage by Yang Xiao, and all I felt was heartache. But what angered me most was that she said she had no regrets! So worthless, don't you think she should be killed?

The longsword trembled, its sharp light flashing as it pointed at Zhao Min.

Zhou Zhiruo was terrified and her face paled.

Yun Changkong took a step forward, shielding Zhao Min behind him.

Zhao Min laughed and said, "Master, so you killed your disciple?"

"Not bad!" Abbess Miejue raised her face and said, "I asked her to kill Yang Xiao, but she refused even to the death, saying that she had no regrets. Hehe, she even told me to let go of this grudge."

"Heh heh, my good disciple has abandoned her parents' reputation, her sect's honor, and even her fiancé's family's honor for a demonic disciple. Doesn't this lewd and shameless slut deserve to die?"

Yun Changkong's heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Zhao Min and saw that her face was pale. He knew that Zhao Min was thinking of him.

Zhao Min's eyebrows trembled slightly, and her eyes gradually reddened.

Yun Changkong sighed, "Master, the word 'emotion' is truly difficult to control."

Back when Master Guo and Chief Huang got together, the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan and Master Huang did a lot of things to stop them. They were either scolded as little vixens or silly boys.

Even though Lady Guo knew that Master Yang had a wife, she still pursued him relentlessly for decades. Even though Chief Huang was afraid that his daughter would get hurt and tried to dissuade her many times, it was all in vain.

"Even you, with your looks and character, didn't you ever make someone's heart flutter when you were young? Didn't you ever do anything outrageous?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Min suddenly felt that she had found a way to vent her grievances, realizing that she still had someone protecting her.

She wanted to cry her heart out, but she didn't want to cry in front of Zhou Zhiruo, so she could only endure it!
Yun Changkong noticed her trembling body and felt even more pity for her, so he patted her hand.

Abbess Miejue gave him a deep look and said, “Your father said you have innate wisdom, and seeing you today, it’s not an unfounded statement!”

You know the stories and anecdotes of the martial arts world like the back of your hand; even this old nun can't match you."

Yun Changkong smiled and said casually, "That's right, it's not an exaggeration that I've seen three thousand worlds with my mind's eye. It's just that my father doesn't believe me!"

Abbess Miejue looked at Zhou Zhiruo and said, "Zhiruo, as her name suggests, is a flower-like woman, elegant and noble, intelligent and quick-witted, and understanding."

In my eyes, no man in the world is worthy of her. But there are some things I have to do.

Now that she has grown up, I still can't put my mind at ease. Before I die, I need to find someone for her to rely on!

Hearing this, Zhou Zhiruo frowned and said, "Master, no matter what, I am willing to remain unmarried for the rest of my life and devote myself to Buddhism!"

Zhao Min was overjoyed.

A strange light flashed in Abbess Miejue's eyes as she said meaningfully, "Some grudges must eventually be settled. This time, I will have a good showdown with that demon and see if my Heaven-Reliant Sword is just a piece of scrap metal!"

"However!" Abbess Miejue changed the subject, looking at her disciple with affection: "Since you are unwilling to marry, I will not force you!"

Yun Changkong already had a bad reputation for womanizing; at worst, people could say he was a toad lusting after a swan, and that he was just making things up himself—that wouldn't be so bad either.

Zhou Zhiruo nodded silently.

Yun Changkong nodded: "That would be perfect. I have no other intentions towards Miss Zhou; mere empty fame is not worth mentioning!"

Zhao Min giggled, her smile as beautiful as a blooming flower, exuding charm and allure.

Zhou Zhiruo asked, "Are you very proud of yourself?"

Zhao Min said softly, "Sister Zhou, I wouldn't dare. I'm just happy that Brother Yun said that."

Zhou Zhiruo snorted: "Do you think anyone cares about him?"

Yun Changkong said happily, "That's right, that's right. A person like me is not worth getting angry over by you, Miss."

Yun Changkong had absolutely no feelings for Zhou Zhiruo!
It should be noted that although Zhao Min is a bit fierce, she is good at loving and hating and has a straightforward personality.

Zhou Zhiruo looked at Bai Lianhua, but she was actually very shrewd and cunning, far surpassing Zhao Min in her scheming.

Many people believe that Zhou Zhiruo's actions of drugging, stealing swords and secret manuals were carried out under the dying wish of Abbess Miejue.

They've actually focused on the wrong thing.

The motivation is forced, but what about the behavior?
She stole Zhao Min's "Ten Fragrant Softening Powder," poisoned Yin Li to kill her, threw Zhao Min into the sea, and even returned to the Central Plains to kill Xie Xun to silence him. She repeatedly told Zhang Wuji that if she did something wrong, he would kill her, which led Zhang Wuji to suspect that his adoptive father had gone mad and done this, but he never suspected the gentle and weak Zhou Zhiruo.

It's because most people, whether they know secrets or plot conspiracies, inevitably show their true feelings and arouse suspicion. However, Zhou Zhiruo never did. Even when she inquired about the rumors surrounding Xie Xun's Nine Yin Manual, she only gave a light reply and said nothing more.

Then he said something to Zhang Wuji about becoming emperor and empress, two women fighting for one man, blood splattering in the hall, which made Zhang Wuji's blood boil, and with a light flick, he made Fan Yao's body go numb!
Zhang Wuji would rather suspect that the Emei Sect had a secret martial art passed down by its leader than expect her to ask about the Nine Yin Manual.

How terrifying is Zhou Zhiruo's scheming nature!

It wasn't until the very end, when Zhou Zhiruo defeated the Wudang masters at Shaolin Temple and became famous throughout the world, that Zhang Wuji realized that while Zhou Zhiruo was refined and polite, her cunning and ruthlessness far surpassed that of Zhao Min.

So why Zhou Zhiruo did this is not important!
The most terrifying thing is that she did so many things without anyone noticing, and that's the root of the problem!
In short, with Zhou Zhiruo's cunning, harming someone and even helping them count the money after being betrayed is not difficult at all.

Yun Changkong knew that Zhao Min was "love-struck" and would rather die than hurt her lover, so he felt at ease being with her. But what about Zhou Zhiruo?
She's the type who would rather her lover die than suffer any harm herself!
What makes the two comparable?
As for beauty, Zhao Min is in no way inferior to her!

Yun Changkong doesn't have a penchant for female friends; he only loves being in love!

Seeing that Yun Changkong would do such a thing to reject her beloved disciple, Abbess Miejue said coldly, "Yun Changkong, you may not like my disciple, but if you really crave comfort and pleasure, how can you face the expectations of your father, your grandmother, and me?"
"The Han and the Hu peoples are irreconcilable. If you act recklessly and immorally with the Mongol princess, you will inevitably suffer disgrace and ruin! Zhang Cuishan, the lesson is still fresh in our minds!"

She gave him a stern warning, her tone quite harsh.

When Yun Changkong heard her mention his father and grandmother, he couldn't help but waver. But then he thought to himself, "I despise the world, so what do I have to fear?" With that thought, he laughed and said, "Master, you flatter me. Driving out the Tartars and restoring our land is a matter of great principle, how could Yun Changkong dare to disobey? But I, Yun Changkong, am not Zhang Cuishan!"

Even if I loved several women, it wouldn't necessarily affect the great cause of "expelling the Tartars," let alone tarnish my father's reputation.

Haha, if that's the case, then I'll ask Shaolin Temple: when the abbot of Shaolin Temple had a child with a woman, he violated a major Buddhist precept!

How can Shaolin Temple have the audacity to stand on Shaoshi Mountain?
Yelü Qi, the leader of the Beggars' Sect, was a Khitan. He was also the brother-in-law of your sect's founder, Lady Guo. Wasn't he a barbarian?

Xiao Feng, the former leader of the Beggars' Clan, was a hero of unparalleled skill, far surpassing Yelü Qi. Yet, he was expelled from the Beggars' Clan precisely because of his Khitan identity.

However, just because times have changed, did Master Guo and Chief Huang care about his Hu (non-Han) identity when they appointed him as their leader? If others can do it, why can't I, Yun Changkong, do it?
No one in this world can control me!
My father was no exception!

He spoke eloquently and righteously, leaving Abbess Miejue speechless as she gazed at the vast sky.

Zhao Min's eyes reddened; she felt she had made the right choice.

However, Zhou Zhiruo glared at her, her beautiful eyes filled with deep resentment. She said loudly, "You keep talking about love, but it's all just lust! And you claim to practice Buddhist martial arts? What do you love about her? It's just her looks! Why put on such a high-sounding act!"

Zhao Min sneered, "The thief cries 'Stop thief!'"

Abbess Miejue coldly said, "What use is someone as disloyal and unfilial as you to live in this world!"

Suddenly, the Heaven-Slaying Sword pierced through the sky and shot straight into the clouds.

Abbess Miejue was highly skilled in martial arts; this sword strike was not only incredibly fast, but the tip of the sword also targeted vital acupoints on the chest.

Yun Changkong dared not withstand the might of the Heaven-Slaying Sword with his own body. He leaped aside, dodging the sword, and sighed, "Master, why did you do this!"

Suddenly, Abbess Miejue swayed and lunged at Zhao Min.

Yun Changkong was suddenly taken aback: "No!"

With a loud shout, before the rescue could arrive, he hooked his left hand inward and thrust his right palm forward, unleashing a move called "Hidden Dragon, Do Not Use" that surged like a raging tide, heading straight for Abbess Miejue.

Zhao Min heard the shout and saw the sharp tip of the longsword, only an inch away from her throat.

Yun Changkong pulled with his palm force, and Abbess Miejue quickly flipped over, striking Zhao Min's shoulder!

She let out a groan, her body went limp, and she was already caught in Abbess Miejue's arms, with the Heaven-Slaying Sword pressed against her neck.

Zhao Min was stunned; she hadn't expected Abbess Miejue to be so swift.

"Master!" Yun Changkong exclaimed, surprised. "What are you doing?"

Abbess Miejue glanced coldly at Zhao Min and said, "Tell me again whether the Emei Sect's martial arts are so-so!"

Abbess Miejue made several moves, each clean, swift, and incomparably fast. She used the pretense of attacking Yun Changkong to distract him, while her real target was Zhao Min. She easily struck Zhao Min's pressure points and shielded her in front of her.

However, upon hearing this, Yun Changkong knew that Abbess Miejue knew about Zhao Min and Zhou Zhiruo's fight.

Zhao Min understood, and the princess giggled, "I knew it! How could you let your precious disciple wander around at night? Turns out you were hiding in the shadows. Hehe, I think your sect's martial arts are nothing special, what do you think?"

Abbess Miejue sneered, "Yun Changkong, I came out of seclusion this time with the intention of dying. Today, I killed this Mongolian princess. Tell me, does that count as doing my part for the righteous path of the martial world?"

Yun Changkong slowly said, "Aren't you planning for your disciple's future?"

Abbess Miejue sneered, "Did the Emei Sect even exist before? If it's worth it, I'd be willing to wipe out the entire Emei Sect. Do you believe me?"

Yun Changkong sighed and said, "Master, why did it have to come to this?"

Abbess Miejue sneered, "Hmph, my Emei Sect is a renowned and righteous sect in the martial arts world. My disciple is not as good as a Mongolian woman. Hmph, you keep talking about love, fine, I'll grant your wish! Today, either you die or she dies, you choose!"

Yun Changkong was slightly taken aback and said, "Master, I don't want you to test me!"

Abbess Miejue sneered, "I'll only count to three. If you don't die, she will!"

(End of this chapter)