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

Chapter 2 There’s a long way to go
Yunhe spoke casually, but when he spoke to Yun Changkong, it was like a bucket of ice water being poured over his head.

He understood that Yunhe had lost an arm and was no longer a skilled fighter; distributing the money was a way to avoid further trouble.

Yun Changkong could accept this damned reality of being treated like a young master for three days.

In his memory, countless people from the martial arts world had tried to disrupt Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday celebration. But apart from Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu committing suicide in front of everyone, nothing else happened that day. Why did Yunhe end up losing his flag, losing his arm, and swearing an oath? Could it be that his precognitive advantage was wrong?
Or perhaps this isn't the world of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber?

He didn't believe in the butterfly effect either, because he hadn't left the house or done anything for the past few days! If it were as he thought, that would be a huge blow!
Without any external advantages, without any powerful backing, and without any foresight, how am I any different from a mere native?
How can one survive in such chaotic times?

The head镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were also filled with grief and indignation, and they all shouted: "Chief镖师, we will not leave, we will live and die with you!"

When Yun Changkong heard them stop talking, he could no longer contain his questions and said, "Father, didn't you go to the Wudang Sect? How could this happen?"

His voice was childish, but seeing his concerned expression, everyone felt a pang of sorrow. However, Yunhe said with great displeasure, "Do you, a child, have the right to speak like this?" In his heart, he thought, "Kong'er is timid, yet he dares to ask me here, which shows his love for his father. How can I vent my anger on him? Yunhe, Yunhe, you deserve to die!" Thinking of this, he suddenly laughed loudly three times, which shook the roof of the hall and caused dust to fall.

With three loud laughs, Yunhe released the sorrow in his chest and slowly said, "Alright, my mind is made up. You all must not be arrogant in the future. There is always someone better in this world. Hehe, Jinyang Escort Agency is all talk and no action. Let's disperse now!" After saying that, he took Yun Changkong's hand, smiled, and walked out.

Although Yun Changkong's body was that of an eleven-year-old, his mind was that of an adult. At this moment, being led around like a child, he was unwilling, but he did not resist.

Yunhe's apprentices, along with the bodyguards and porters, knew that the chief bodyguard was a stubborn man. Having said all that, they knew the matter was beyond repair and had no choice but to agree.

Soon someone went out and lowered the escort agency's flag at the main gate. Footsteps could be heard, and the maids and servants went to collect their money. And just like that, the largest escort agency in the Northwest provinces disbanded.

Yun He led Yun Changkong to the study, released his son, sat on the armchair, and said, "My child, you are about to turn eleven. I need to explain everything to you. From now on, the Yun family will depend on you."

His voice was deep and melancholy, as if filled with boundless grief, indignation, and resentment.

Yun Changkong felt as if he were giving his last instructions, so all he could do was stand and listen.

"My father, along with Chief Escort Qi and Chief Escort Gong, went to Wudang Mountain not for any other reason than to save the lives of all 72 members of the Longmen Escort Agency, young and old, and to seek justice for the injustice suffered by our agency members for losing their goods!"

The Wudang Sect is founded on chivalry and righteousness, yet Zhang Cuishan committed such an act of annihilating his entire family. He is utterly unworthy of the title of chivalrous, and it is truly outrageous!

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "But all of this was done by that witch Yin Susu!" He asked, "Could it be that the Wudang Sect disliked Father for disturbing Zhang Sanfeng's birthday celebration, so they attacked Father to make an example of him? Hmm, to send a warning to others!"

Yunhe revealed a bitter expression and shook his head: "I only found out about Master Zhang's 100th birthday afterward. When we went to Wudang Mountain, we did not go with other sects and did not know his birthday."

Ten years ago, Yin Susu of the Eagle Sect murdered the entire Longmen Escort Agency, including all seventy-two members of the family. When she committed the crime, she deliberately impersonated Zhang Cuishan, the "Iron Hook and Silver Brush" of Wudang, and intentionally let the Shaolin disciples see her, hoping to provoke a fight between the two major sects of Shaolin and Wudang, so as to satisfy her desire to see which sect was more powerful.

But only Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu knew all this. After the two were captured by Xie Xun from Wangpan Mountain, the matter of Longmen Escort Agency became an unsolved mystery.

After all, such an act of wiping out an entire family is something that the righteous path of the martial arts world despises, let alone coming from the hands of a Wudang disciple who claims to be chivalrous and righteous. Shaolin said that Zhang Cuishan did it, while the Wudang sect said that Zhang Cuishan could never be so inhuman.

Yu Daiyan was injured by the "Vajra Finger," and the two sides blamed each other, almost turning into a fight just as Yin Susu had predicted.

However, both Zhang Sanfeng and Abbot Kongwen of Shaolin were cautious people, and they did not meet with Zhang Cuishan, thus suppressing the conflict between the two sides.

Among all the escort agencies in the world, the one with the highest martial arts skills and reputation is Qi Tianbiao, the chief escort of the Jinling Tiger Crouching Escort Agency, who is the head of all the escort agencies in Jiangnan. In the northwestern provinces, Yun He, the chief escort of the Taiyuan Jinyang Escort Agency, is respected as the most important. Gong Jiujia, the chief escort of the Yanyun Escort Agency in the capital, is the head of all the escort agencies in the Hebei and Shandong areas.

Upon hearing the news of Zhang Cuishan's return to the Central Plains, the three chief镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) went to Wudang Mountain to directly question him about his ruthless actions. Unlike other martial arts sects who used the pretext of celebrating Zhang Sanfeng's birthday to visit Wudang for the sake of their reputation, they did not.

Yunhe said, "After I was injured and recuperating in Xiangyang, I learned that Yin Susu of the Tianying Sect admitted on Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday that it was not Zhang Cuishan who slaughtered the entire Longmen Escort Agency, but her. I never expected that the person who saved my whole family five years ago was Zhang Sixia."

Yun Changkong was puzzled and asked again, "Zhang Songxi? What does this have to do with him?"

Yunhe looked at his son and felt a chill run down his spine. He said, "How do you know Zhang Sixia's name?"

Yun Changkong realized that he, a child, knew too much, so he said, "I overheard the head镖师 (bodyguards) in the manor chatting, and they were talking about the Seven Heroes of Wudang."

Yunhe nodded and said, "Right now, the Tartars have occupied our Central Plains and treat us Han people like cattle and horses. As your father, I am determined to drive out the barbarians. Five years ago, I contacted many heroes in Shanxi and Shaanxi to prepare for an uprising."

"Wow!" Yun Changkong was taken aback, thinking, "Is my cheap father really that manly?" He couldn't help but give a thumbs up and exclaim, "Father is amazing!"

Yunhe snorted coldly and said, "If I were truly so great, I wouldn't be where I am today!"

Yun Changkong has memories of the future. At that time, the Han and Mongol people were one family and there was no hatred towards the Mongols. But in this era, driving out the barbarians was the politically correct thing to do.

Moreover, while it's easy to talk about rebellion, it takes immense courage to actually do it, especially for someone with a large business like the Jinyang Escort Agency. It's even more difficult for them to take such a risk.

But if this were done, Yun Changkong knew his family would never stay in Taiyuan City, so he asked, "Did it not work out?"

Yunhe couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and cursed, "Because a great traitor has emerged!"

"Back then, my father contacted heroes from Shanxi and Shaanxi to launch an uprising simultaneously in Taiyuan, Datong, and Fenyang. However, one of the members of the alliance turned out to be a traitor. He stole the list of contact persons and the uprising plan, and informed the Tartars in advance."

When I discovered the list had been stolen, and knew the uprising had failed and would implicate many heroes in Shanxi and Shaanxi, I wanted to send a message to let the heroes know, but the entire city of Taiyuan was already under lockdown. I thought I couldn't escape this disaster, but to my surprise, nothing happened. Later, I learned that the prefect of Taiyuan and that great traitor had been murdered that very night in the prefectural government office.

Yun Changkong said, "Is the murderer Zhang Songxi?"

“That’s right!” Yunhe nodded and said, “Only when we went to Wudang Mountain did he hand over the list of allies and the plan to me. If it weren’t for his help, my whole family would probably have been killed by the Tartars long ago.”

Yun Changkong asked, "The Wudang Sect has always been known for its chivalry. How did Father get injured?"

Yunhe looked bitter: "I know that Zhang Songxi saved our whole family's lives. I thanked him and then left Wudang Mountain."

Although I have no face to ask Zhang Cuishan about the Longmen Escort Agency, this matter concerns chivalry and justice, and I cannot simply ignore it!

Yun Changkong thought to himself, "Throughout history, those who talk about chivalry always end up losing out while others benefit. What's the point?"

It turns out that Zhang Songxi, the fourth of the Seven Heroes of Wudang, knew that after the incident at Longmen Escort Agency, the three escort agencies, Huju, Jinyang, and Yanyun, would definitely come to Wudang Mountain to demand an explanation. Therefore, he preemptively showed favors to the three escort agencies.

People in the martial arts world value clear distinctions between gratitude and resentment. The three chief镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) owed each other a debt of gratitude and had no face to ask further. After descending the mountain, the three planned to go to Kaifeng to find Master Tan, the "Divine Spear Who Suppresses All Directions," and ask him to step in and seek justice from Zhang Cuishan, this scoundrel of the martial arts world.

Unexpectedly, in Xiangyang they encountered Yin Tianzheng's three servants, Yin Wufu, Yin Wulu, and Yin Wushou, who claimed that Zhang Cuishan was the son-in-law of their Heavenly Eagle Sect, and that going against him was going against the Heavenly Eagle Sect. So the two sides started fighting. As a result, the three chief镖头 (bodyguards) lost their flags, cut off their arms, and swore oaths to save their lives.

Yun Changkong understood everything. It wasn't that the world was different; rather, their accident hadn't occurred at Wudang Mountain, and he hadn't been aware of this information. A weight was lifted from his heart. He thought, "Thank goodness, as long as it's the world of Yitian, there's still hope."

While relieved, Yun Changkong was still dissatisfied, thinking, "Before Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday, everyone thought that Zhang Cuishan was responsible for the massacre at Longmen Escort Agency. However, Jinyang Escort Agency did not join the crowd in the fun, but went to Wudang Sect to inquire openly. Wudang Sect, as the party involved, treated them with courtesy. But Tianying Sect actually used Zhang Cuishan's name to commit such a heinous act. Not only did they destroy Longmen Escort Agency, but they also wanted to destroy our three escort agencies. This is truly unscrupulous and domineering!"

After Yunhe and the others were injured, they recuperated in Xiangyang for a few days. The events surrounding Zhang Sanfeng's 100th birthday celebration began to spread throughout the martial arts world. Only then did they realize that the murderer of the Longmen Escort Agency was Yin Susu of the Tianying Sect, not Zhang Cuishan of Wudang. They then understood what the Tianying Sect had done! It wasn't for Zhang Cuishan, but for Yin Susu.

Yunhe said, "The Heavenly Eagle Sect has only been established for a short time, yet it has always been fierce and barbaric, displaying an overbearing attitude. As your father, I have suffered this humiliation, and all my hard work has been in vain. I should have died rather than suffer this dishonor and preserve my reputation! But I have unfinished business and cannot die now. That is why I agreed to cut off my own arm and swore never to set foot in Wudang Mountain again!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Changkong's anger flared even more. He gritted his teeth and said, "You mean your arm wasn't cut off by them, but that you were forced to cut it yourself, and then you were made to swear never to enter Wudang Mountain again?"

Deep down, Yun Changkong did not regard the man in front of him as his father, but upon hearing these words, he deeply resented the viciousness of the Sky Eagle Sect and was extremely angry.

You must understand that cutting off someone's arm in a fight is a completely different kind of humiliation from forcing them to cut off their own arm!

A man's knees are worth their weight in gold. If someone hits your leg and you can't bear the pain, you kneel down. Even if you're perfectly healthy, they might force you to kneel voluntarily.

Which is more humiliating is obvious.

Furthermore, the Eagle Sect is not the Wudang Sect, so what right do they have to make people swear never to set foot on Wudang Mountain? Isn't it just bullying people because they are powerful and rude?
Yunhe chuckled, then sighed and said, “Father cut off his arm and swore to save his life, disgracing the Yun family. My child, with a father like this, you will inevitably be ridiculed in the future. Do you blame me?”

Yun Changkong shook his head: "Father spent his life upholding justice and righteousness, regarding money as dirt, and determined to drive out the Tartars and reclaim our land. I am deeply proud of that. Now I only want to think about one thing!"

"What?" Yunhe smiled slightly.

Yun Changkong clenched his fists: "How can I take revenge?"

In his past life, Yun Changkong was an outsider who put himself in Zhang Wuji's shoes and found it quite enjoyable to see Yin Susu being cunning and unreasonable, and the Demonic Sect being ruthless!

But when I became someone else, I felt a sense of awe and thought, "Killing someone is just a matter of beheading them, how can you bully people like this!"
Yun He was the original owner's father, and now he was Yun Changkong. If he didn't swallow this insult, how could he face anyone in the future?
Yun Changkong has made up his mind. He must take a gamble and get to Zhongnan Mountain as soon as possible. Even if it is dangerous, he must obtain the martial arts manual and avenge this great humiliation!
Since he could no longer be the young head镖师 of the Jinyang镖局 and could no longer enjoy life, he thought, "If I can make the Sky Eagle Sect swear not to go to Bright Peak, it seems quite fulfilling."

At this moment, he no longer cared about right or wrong, only about his stance!

Seeing his son's face turn red, Yunhe stroked his hair and thought, "I used to think Kong'er was a bit lax and unambitious, but you can only see a person's backbone in a critical moment! He's a member of the Yun family!"

Yunhe's eyes suddenly gleamed, and he said loudly, "Good, nothing is immutable. You are still young, and there is always a chance. From now on, your father will do nothing but urge you to practice martial arts diligently so that you can wash away this shame!"

With a buzzing sound, Yun Changkong's head suddenly grew several times larger.
Yun Changkong's own thoughts were one thing, but Yun He's opinions were another. He couldn't help but think, "You think too highly of yourself and your son. If you were to lose to Yin Tianzheng, I would practice your martial arts and give it my all, and perhaps we would still have a chance."

But you can't even beat Yin Tianzheng's servants. Even if I train your martial arts to the highest level, how much can I achieve?
Besides, I haven't had any system cheats or anything yet, so it's hard to say what my martial arts aptitude is really like. You're still going to urge me on? Isn't that like keeping me confined?

Given the current conditions, if we don't go out and seek opportunities, what will we rely on to compete in the future?

Yun Changkong scratched his head and said, "Father, I have my own ideas about this matter, so you don't need to worry about it."

Yun Changkong knew that the feuds in the martial world were endless. The Yun family’s enemies seemed to be Yin Tianzheng’s servants, but if they were dealt with, how could the Tianying Sect not step forward?

Can it withstand the Eagle Cult and the Ming Cult?
There are many experts there, not to mention the connection with Zhang Wuji. This matter has far-reaching consequences, and if handled poorly, we might have to face Zhang Sanfeng!

As it stands, Yun Changkong has nothing to offer except for a bit of prophecy. The task of washing away his shame is arduous and long-term!
I'm not even eleven years old yet, so going out alone is practically impossible. It seems it's better to be like the original owner of this privileged background—unambitious, arrogant, and proud—that way I might have a chance to slip away unnoticed.
Seeing his son's pretentious manner, Yunhe was both amused and annoyed. His face darkened, and he was about to speak.

Suddenly, with a creak, the door swung open.

(End of this chapter)