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

Chapter 10 The Reincarnation of Buddha
The old lady's brows were also furrowed, as if she couldn't figure out a difficult problem.
Yun Changkong knew that his behavior just now was not like that of a ten-year-old child, so he deliberately spoke mysteriously in order to bring up this question and dispel the doubts in the hearts of the two. So he said, "If there is anything wrong, it is that when I was practicing that divine skill, a monk appeared in my mind chanting scriptures. He said that in those days, the demonic path was rampant, and coupled with years of war, the people were suffering."

He hoped to subdue the evil demons and villains, so that they would no longer dare to openly harm others, and the world would be at peace! That's why he created the 'Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill'.

"The Arhat Subduing Demon Divine Skill?" Yun Hechong and his mother locked eyes, their gazes flashing, revealing the drastic change in their thoughts.

Suddenly, Madam Yun exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be the power of predestination? Cough cough..." She coughed violently and could no longer speak.

Yun Changkong hurriedly stepped forward and gently patted her back. Yun He pushed his hand away and placed it on her mother's "Lingtai" acupoint on her back, circulating her internal energy and injecting it into her body.

The old lady stopped coughing, took a few deep breaths, and said in a hoarse voice, "Kong'er, do you still remember my and your father's birthdays?"

Yunhe also turned his gaze to the sky, his eyes filled with even more doubt.

Yun Changkong knew they were testing him: "Well..." He paused for a moment: "Grandma, I only know that you are seventy-seven this year and your father is fifty-four. I don't remember your exact birthdays."

Yun Changkong indeed had no memory of the two people's birthdays. In both his past and present lives, he didn't know this when he was eleven years old.

Upon hearing this, Yunhe's expression became subtle, and he muttered to himself, "No wonder..."

"No wonder what?" the old lady asked.

Yunhe asked, "Mother, what did you mean by saying during the day that Kong'er had a near-death experience?"

The old lady said, "A few days ago, my grandson fell ill. After he woke up, he was a little different. Greenie even told me that he was acting strangely and asked me to ask a doctor to take a look at him."

Yun He looked at Yun Changkong for a while, then suddenly burst into laughter. He said, "No wonder Kong'er was able to discover the secret of the puppet so quickly and cultivate that divine skill, while I couldn't. It seems he is the reincarnation of that divine monk."

Buddhism believes that once one's cultivation reaches a certain level, one will naturally possess great supernatural powers, including the six supernatural abilities of Buddhism: the divine eye, the divine ear, the ability to know others' minds, the ability to know past lives, the ability to travel at will, and the ability to eliminate all defilements.

Both of them had deep ties to Buddhism. After Yun Changkong said that, they thought of the power of knowing past lives, because this supernatural power could know the past lives and deeds of themselves and all sentient beings in the Three Realms and Six Paths.

Yun Changkong saw this and was quite pleased. He knew that if he didn't use a fictitious person as a cover, these two might mistake him for some old ghost who had been resurrected!
Anyway, when you're out and about, you give yourself your own identity!
He learned Buddhist martial arts; he is the reincarnation of Buddha!

To learn Taoist martial arts, one must naturally become a Taoist master.

Learning demonic martial arts, and even if I were the Demon Ancestor, it wouldn't be so bad!
Should one adapt to any situation as long as it benefits oneself?

Morality, in Yun Changkong's case, can also be used flexibly!
Madam Yun said meaningfully, "Kong'er, are you really my grandson?"

"Of course!" Yun Changkong said seriously, "Grandma, as I just said, everything has a cause and effect. No matter what my origins are or why I am here, it doesn't negate the fact that I am now your grandson!"

Even if we keep investigating the reasons, they may not be the reasons we know. What we can do now is to escape Taiyuan, this dangerous place, as quickly as possible, save our lives, and then plan for the future!

Although Yunhe and the old lady were confused, they also felt that this was the right thing to do.

Yunhe said, "Okay. Let's change our clothes first!"

He then found some coarse cloth clothes in the house and disguised himself as a farmer. Five years ago, his rebellion failed, nearly killing his elderly mother and young child, so he prepared a backup plan afterward.

Madam Yun changed into a blue cloth dress and disguised herself as a servant.

Yunhe had also become a farm boy, but when he looked in the mirror, his skin was delicate and his features were exquisite. Seeing the ink on the inkstone in the room, he said, "I'll go fetch a basin of water."

Seeing him pick up the basin and leave the house,
The old lady said, "My child, Kong'er is so thoughtful, he doesn't seem like a child at all. Could he really be the reincarnation of a high monk?"

She couldn't believe it all at once.

Yunhe briefly recounted Yun Changkong's behavior just now, saying, "He is indeed different from before. If he is not a reincarnation of a high monk, then it doesn't make sense!"

Yun Changkong drew water from a well in the courtyard, dissolved the ink in the basin, and said, "Father, let's both put our faces a little black."

He was pampered and his complexion was unlike that of a poor child. Yunhe had been famous in the martial arts world for many years. He was tall and thin with a refined face, looking exactly like a handsome middle-aged man. However, he had lost an arm, making his features too obvious. So they smeared ink on his face.

Yunhe did not refuse.

After they finished, they went to the main room, lit candles, and Yun Changkong saw a portrait of Bodhidharma hanging in the central hall, along with an ancestral tablet, presumably Yun He's father. He wrapped the tablet up and put it in his bag.

Remembering his earlier question, Yun Changkong asked, "Father, was that the Weituo Dharma Sword you were using just now?"

“It’s not the Bodhidharma Sword!” Yunhe shook his head. “It’s the Weituo Subduing Demon Sword. I’ve heard that the Bodhidharma Sword Technique is the most superior sword technique of the Shaolin School. How could I possibly learn it?”

Yun Changkong's lips twitched. He'd heard his grandmother mention it briefly, but hadn't paid much attention and had misremembered. He said, "But aren't you afraid those monks will cause you trouble if you use Shaolin martial arts to roam the martial world?"

Yunhe rolled his eyes at him and said, "Why do you run a security escort agency if you think you're the father?" As he spoke, he knocked on a wall, and a hidden compartment appeared.

A thought flashed through Yun Changkong's mind. He saw the statue of Bodhidharma in the hall. Yun He had also worshipped Bodhidharma when he was in charge of escorting goods at the escort agency. His mind suddenly cleared, and he blurted out, "Ah, I understand now. It's because of Bodhidharma, the Patriarch?"

Yunhe nodded slightly and said, "Shaolin martial arts are widely known in the martial arts world. Take 'Luohan Fist' for example, it is the authentic Shaolin fist technique. Who who knows martial arts doesn't know it?"

Escort services are also a martial arts profession. Bodhidharma crossed the river on a reed and created the Shaolin Temple's divine skills, which are revered by everyone as a martial arts legend and admired by all!

Therefore, we all worship Bodhidharma, praying for peace and protection. Besides, every three to five years, we, the head镖师 (chief镖师, a group of镖局, a kind of security escort agency), organize various镖局 to donate incense and gild the statue of Shaolin Temple. In this way, isn't it perfectly natural for us to worship the same patriarch as Shaolin Temple and use Shaolin martial arts?

Yun Changkong said, "Oh, I see!" He thought to himself, "No wonder Lin Yuantu wanted to open a security escort agency and make a name for himself in the martial arts world after he left the monastic life."

I assumed this old guy was a Shaolin disciple. Looks like he's opened a security escort agency, worshipped Bodhidharma, and now he's making a name for himself in the martial world—Shaolin Temple can't touch him! "I worship Bodhidharma! He's a dragon among men!"

Yunhe added, "Shaolin Temple forbids those who learn martial arts without a master's instruction, not those who possess Shaolin martial arts skills."

Shaolin monks travel the world, and they will pass on their martial arts to those who are destined to learn them. Otherwise, how could so many martial arts have been passed down to the outside world?

Even Shaolin's unique skills, such as "One-Finger Zen" and "Eight Strikes of the Divine Palm," have been passed down, only with some variations added by others!

The founders of sects such as Wudang, Emei, and Kongtong all practiced Shaolin martial arts, which is why the saying "all martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin" comes from this!
"For centuries, Shaolin Temple has been the pinnacle of the martial arts world. Do you think it's just because of the thousand or so monks in the temple?" Yun Changkong replied, "It's because of the entire martial arts world."

Yunhe said, "Yes, there are tens of thousands of Shaolin disciples in the martial arts world, and they are found in various places. That's why they are the number one sect in the world. Wudang produced a Master Zhang, whose skills were unparalleled in his time and who has been famous for more than 60 years, but he still couldn't shake their position. That's why."

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "No wonder these monks are so arrogant, daring to challenge Zhang Sanfeng on Wudang Mountain! Maybe they only came up the mountain with a few people, and brought many more with them!"

While pondering, Yunhe took out a sword from the hidden wooden box, wrapped it in cloth, and showed it to Changkong.

Yunhe said, "Get some sleep, we still have to travel when it gets light."

He then closed his eyes to rest.

As soon as it was light, Yunhe went out and returned in a donkey cart. Yun Changkong put his luggage on the cart, got in with his grandmother, and left through the west gate of Taiyuan.

Yun Changkong had just breathed a sigh of relief when he was jolted so badly by the broken-down carriage that he finally understood what it meant to be exhausted from a long journey. He thought to himself, "Damn it, I was forced to flee by the Sky Eagle Sect in a donkey cart as soon as I arrived. Isn't this just like Zhao Er's doing? Zhao Er will never be able to wash away this humiliation, and it will become a stain on my life."

Thinking of this, he felt even more resentful and said, "If we don't make the Sky Eagle Sect taste the same humiliation as we have, then we've come all this way for nothing!"

Madam Yun said, "Grandson, when the master who gave you the puppet taught your grandfather, he said that martial arts are a way of killing, but those who practice martial arts must be careful to practice compassion and must never kill the innocent or use evil."

Yun Changkong nodded: "That's natural. The person who created this divine skill possessed extraordinary abilities, and he must have hoped to pass it on to someone to quell the demonic calamity. Therefore, everything I do is acting on behalf of Heaven." He thought to himself, "The Arhat Subduing Demon Skill is self-explanatory; everything I do is righteous!"

Madam Yun continued, "Grandson, when my parents were young, they told me about a hero named Guo who sacrificed his entire family in battle in Xiangyang for the sake of the common people. We Han people became slaves of a conquered nation and were constantly bullied by the Mongols. I told your father about this, and that's why your father always took hero Guo as his role model and plotted against the Yuan dynasty."

"You've mastered your skills and avenged your father, that's enough. But more importantly, your grandmother hopes you can slaughter the Tartars and bring glory to our Han people. If I live to see our Han people restore their homeland, I can make them happy in the afterlife!"

Hearing Yun He's words, Old Madam Yun was also filled with fear. After all, Yun Changkong was so young, yet he was so unscrupulous in his pursuit of survival, and even justified it. If the imperial court were to threaten his life one day, would the Yun family produce a traitor?

Upon hearing this, Yun Changkong understood the meaning and thought to himself, "They're afraid I'll go astray, which is understandable. But if it happens once, it will happen again. If we don't solve this once and for all, they might start interfering with my behavior in the future. If this goes on and on, it'll be too boring."

Upon realizing this, he immediately said, "Grandma, sometimes, how we think about certain things is not really important."

I have used my wisdom to survey the Three Realms and learned of the actions and origins of the Heavenly Eagle Sect. Those people treat human life as worthless, and many of them are rapists, murderers, robbers, and all sorts of evildoers, yet they are relatively loyal. Now that I have killed Yin Wushou, even if I kneel before the Heavenly Eagle Sect, they will definitely take my life; otherwise, the people's hearts will be scattered, and the group will be difficult to lead.

So even if I don't intend to destroy him, he will still have to destroy me.

As for the great hero Guo you mentioned, I just examined his life story with my discerning eyes. He lost his father before he was born, and after he mastered his skills, both his master and mother died.

After becoming a revered hero, his wife, daughter, and son all died in battle. Such a person, who sacrificed himself for his ideals and beliefs without regard for his own family, is certainly admirable, but his grandson would never do the same.

If I were him, upon seeing that Xiangyang couldn't be defended, I wouldn't care whether others could save me or not; I would definitely flee with my wife and children first.

However, you can rest assured that I will never become a traitor for personal gain. If I were to do so, it would definitely be to infiltrate their ranks and undermine them.

In the eyes of Buddha, Buddha and demon are but a thought apart. Amitabha!

His voice wasn't loud, and his face still looked quite childish, but his words were very firm.

Both Madam Yun and Yun He, who was driving the carriage, realized that Chang Kong had his own understanding of everything, and they couldn't change his mind. He even went so far as to say things like "seeing the world with discerning eyes."

This is a classic example of someone claiming to be the Buddha.

If they don't believe it, how can they say anything when Guo Jing's deeds and experiences are explained so clearly?
Guo Jing's past deeds were known not only in the martial arts world but also among ordinary people in Madam Yun's generation. So Madam Yun had heard of him.

Yun Changkong wasn't lying!

So, this grandson is Buddha.

How can mortals possibly control how the Buddha acts?
……

A rumor began to circulate in the martial arts world, shaking all the powerful figures and influential clans. Yun He, the chief镖头 (bodyguard/escort) of the Jin Yang镖局 (escort agency), along with his son Yun Changkong, had killed Yin Wushou of the Tianying Sect.

Several years ago, the "Wangpanshan Island Sword-Raising Ceremony" of the Tianying Sect sparked a great bloodbath in the martial arts world. The Tianying Sect fought against various martial arts sects, but never before had it lost a master like Yin Wushou.

Yin Wushou's martial arts skills and reputation were unmatched by many renowned figures in the martial arts world, yet he fell to Yunhe and his son. As this bloody incident unfolded, the story of Yin Wushou and his two brothers seizing the flags of three escort agencies—Huju, Yanyun, and Jinyang—and causing the chief escort to lose an arm and swear never to go to Wudang Mountain, also became widely known.

When people in the martial arts world heard this, they all came to the same conclusion: the Jinyang Escort Agency was not one to be easily manipulated by the Sky Eagle Sect.

However, by the time the massacre at Jinyang Escort Agency was discovered and the news began to circulate, Yunhe's family had already arrived at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain.

Looking at the endless mountain range of Zhongnan Mountain, Yun Changkong couldn't help but stare blankly, thinking to himself, "Zhongnan Mountain has countless strange peaks and deep valleys. How easy is it to find an ancient tomb in such a mountain? I really thought it was too simple!"

It should be noted that Zhongnan Mountain stretches across the Qinling Mountains, like a giant dragon winding and coiling, with an east-west length of more than 200 li. The mountains rise and fall, with a majestic momentum, five large valleys and more than a hundred small valleys.

Standing at the foot of the mountain and looking up, the main peak pierces the clouds, seemingly connecting with the sky. Hence the saying: Of all the great mountains, besides Taihang, none surpasses Zhongnan.

Yun Changkong pondered: "Such a large mountain, if we had the Quanzhen Sect's headquarters as a reference point, finding the ancient tombs might not be difficult. But what about now? In the past, the Mongol army besieged the Quanzhen Sect and set fire to the mountain. A hundred years have passed, are there still any ruins to be found?"

However, Yun Changkong was not in a hurry. There was still plenty of time. He would first practice the "Arhat Subduing Demon Skill" and then point to a high peak in front of him and said, "Father, let's go to the highest peak!"

Yunhe said, "That's Mount Taiyi, let's go!"

Yunhe carried his mother on his back, and Yun Changkong carried several bundles on his back, and they began to climb the mountain. The terrain was treacherous and the road was rugged, but it was late spring, and the trees were all lush and green. Although climbing the mountain was tiring, the scenery made it a pleasant experience.

The group climbed for a long time, passing through many small valleys. On the mountainside, they discovered a valley covered with wildflowers and lush bamboo, a truly wonderful place.

The three of them built a few thatched huts in the valley and settled down there.

(End of this chapter)