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

Chapter 54 Nine Yin Nine Yang
Yun Changkong and Wang Xiaotian both knew that the disciples of the Emei Sect had arrived.

Wang Xiaotian was even more aware that the senior disciples of the "Jing" generation of Emei were already quite famous in the martial arts world, and any one of them could handle important matters independently.

When Abbess Jingxuan led her disciples from the Emei sect to Wudang Mountain to celebrate Zhang Sanfeng's birthday, she was already on par with the leaders of the Kunlun and Kongtong sects.

Another Emei disciple, Bei Jinyi, glanced at Ding Minjun and said reproachfully, "Senior Sister Ding, Junior Sister Zhou is still young, and you're already arranging her marriage. If Master finds out, will he forgive you?"

Since its founding by Guo Xiang, the Emei Sect has always favored women over men. Male disciples are not allowed to learn superior martial arts and their status is lower than that of female disciples. The position of sect leader is traditionally held by women. Not only are men not eligible, but even married women cannot serve as sect leader.

Ding Minjun was determined to become the sect leader, but seeing that Zhou Zhiruo was highly talented and greatly favored by her master, she became jealous. She said she was going to find a husband for her, but in reality, she was just warning her not to compete with her for the sect leader position.

Ding Minjun said angrily, "Junior Sister Bei, what if you tell Master? Didn't Junior Sister Ji also have a marriage agreement with Yin Liuxia of Wudang back then? Am I wrong to hope that Junior Sister will find a heroic figure like General Yang as her husband?"

Bei Jinyi took Zhou Zhiruo's hand and said, "Junior sister, let's go get something to eat and let Senior Sister Ding make veiled accusations. Anyway, you won't be another Senior Sister Ji."

"Okay, thank you, Senior Sister." Zhou Zhiruo sat down next to Bei Jinyi, took out some dry food, and ate it with water.

Ding Minjun couldn't help but feel angry, raising her eyebrows and saying, "Junior Sister Bei, I know you and Ji Xiaofu are close. But back then, when Master ordered us to go down the mountain to find out the whereabouts of the Golden-Haired Lion King, she, along with several senior brothers from Shaolin and Kunlun, finally managed to capture Bai Guishou. That monk Peng came out to stop us and killed the senior brothers from Shaolin and Kunlun. Yet Ji Xiaofu repeatedly helped and protected him."

Isn't this a case of being physically in Emei but having one's heart in the demonic sect? As her senior sister, I saw her violate the sixth precept of our sect, and I reported it to our master. What wrong have I done? Why do you hate me for this?"

Bei Jinyi raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Fine, Senior Sister Ji violated the sect rules, that's her fault, but what did Junior Sister Zhou do to you? Why are you always nagging her? If you're so capable, why don't you do it in front of Master?"

She was on good terms with Ji Xiaofu. The fact that Ji Xiaofu had been raped and given birth by Yang Xiao was originally unknown to others. When Ding Minjun found out, she initially tried to hide it, but because Ji Xiaofu protected Monk Peng, Ding Minjun was severely injured. She immediately returned to the mountain and reported Ji Xiaofu's childbirth to Abbess Miejue.

This angered Abbess Miejue, who personally descended Mount Emei, found Ji Xiaofu in Butterfly Valley, and forced her to kill Yang Xiao. When Ji Xiaofu failed, Abbess Miejue killed her and ordered Ding Minjun to kill Yang Buhui.

While Ding Minjun was searching, Bei Jinyi, unable to bear seeing her senior sister's child killed, lied to her master, saying that the child had already left the valley.

After Abbess Miejue left the valley, she couldn't find her, so she gave up.

Ding Minjun knew that Bei Jinyi was deceiving her master, but she had no evidence and dared not speak out.

After all, Abbess Miejue was stubborn and self-willed. To say that she had been deceived by her disciple was tantamount to saying that she was incompetent. She couldn't bear that responsibility, but it was certain that she would be at odds with Bei Jinyi.

Bei Jinyi believes that her master hates Yang Xiao because of the death of her senior brother Gu Hongzi. However, Ding Minjun and Ji Xiaofu were fellow students and sisters for many years, but Ding Minjun killed Ji Xiaofu in a moment of argument, showing no sisterly affection and not being tolerant of her senior sister.

Ding Minjun blushed deeply, both embarrassed and flustered, after being retorted by her junior sister. She blurted out, "Do you think I wouldn't dare?"

Bei Jinyi snorted and was about to speak.

Zhou Zhiruo, however, spoke first in a melodious voice, saying, "Senior Sister Bei, thank you for your care. Our purpose in coming out this time is not to watch the martial arts competition, but to find out Xie Xun's whereabouts from the Eagle Sect."

We should work together wholeheartedly. If I cause a dispute and ruin important matters, and become a laughing stock in the eyes of outsiders, Master will surely punish me.

"Senior Sister Ding, if there's anything I didn't do well enough, please tell me when you get back to the mountain, and I'll definitely listen."

"Look at this!" Ding Minjun's face turned pale as she pointed at Zhou Zhiruo and said, "She is so young, seemingly weak, but actually she is cunning and ruthless. Isn't she just like Ji Xiaofu back then?"

Even Master considers them talented. Hmph, in my opinion, our sect is a disgrace to the martial arts world. One Ji Xiaofu isn't enough!

"Insolence!" Master Jingxuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, her gaze turning cold as she said icily, "Minjun, do you want to try and see what the consequences will be if these words reach your master's ears?"

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over her. Ding Minjun turned pale, shook her head, and then nodded.

Chang Kong and Wang Xiaotian found it quite amusing to see Ding Minjun switch between being fierce and cowardly, but they couldn't help feeling intimidated by Abbess Miejue.

But the two were determined to watch the show; after all, they had arrived first and hadn't intentionally eavesdropped, so they had no qualms about it.

“Minjun!” Jingxuan shook his head and sighed, “Don’t try to force things that don’t belong to you, or you’ll suffer the consequences sooner or later. Isn’t Junior Sister Ji a prime example?”

"Yes!" Ding Minjun recalled the decisiveness with which her master killed Ji Xiaofu, and panicked, daring not to speak further.

The group ate in silence.

Yun Changkong found it quite amusing to watch the women scheming against each other, but he also sighed inwardly: "Alas, it must have been tough for Zhou Zhiruo to grow up under Ding Minjun's machinations."

Suddenly, Ding Minjun seemed to remember something extraordinary and asked, "Senior Sister, is it true that Yun Changkong possesses both the Nine Yang Manual and the Nine Yin Manual?"

Chang Kong was shocked: "What the hell? The so-called Nine Yin and Nine Yang appearing in the world, are you talking about Lao Tzu?"

Chang Kong, caught up in the drama, his brain racing: "Was this Zhao Min's doing? Or Fan Yao's?"

He knew that Zhao Min might have saved Fan Yao out of genuine affection for her master, as a way to win people's hearts.

But if Fan Yao is alive, whether I beat him up or expose his identity, he won't let it go. How could he not come after me?
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, that has always been true!

He had already become an enemy of the Eagle Sect, so he didn't care about adding Fan Yao, which is why he used the money to exchange for the "Black Jade Broken Heart Ointment".

But at this moment, Zhao Min is capable of using people's greed to harm themselves, and so is Fan Yao.

This guy even said that Zhou Zhiruo was his illegitimate daughter with Abbess Miejue, and he even hoped that all the righteous sects would die.

We just can't be sure who it is!

Yes, Cheng Kun is also a possibility!

Wang Xiaotian naturally knew the names of the two great martial arts classics, Nine Yin and Nine Yang, but he looked at Chang Kong with a grin, as if to say, "You're not being fair by not telling me."

In his view, it was only natural that Yun Changkong, who was so powerful, possessed the Nine Yin and Nine Yang techniques.

Inside the temple, Zhou Zhiruo and Bei Jinyi turned their gaze to Master Jingxuan's face.

Master Jingxuan said, "Although I entered the sect earlier than you, my knowledge is limited. My master mentioned that the Nine Yin and Nine Yang are two great martial arts manuals."

The Nine Yang Manual is possessed by Shaolin, Wudang, and Emei, each having obtained a portion, and its power is already extraordinary, as everyone knows. The complete version has long been lost; otherwise, Master Zhang wouldn't have written to his master because of Zhang Wuji.

The Nine Yin Manual is hailed as the ultimate guide to martial arts. Back then, two disciples of the Peach Blossom Island Master only learned a few techniques, such as the Nine Yin White Bone Claw and the White Python Whip, yet they still stirred up a bloodbath in the martial world. Fortunately, the manual later came into the possession of Master Guo, restoring peace to the martial world.

Aside from Guo Zushi's parents, Guo the Hero and Huang the Gang Leader, and the Condor Hero, no one else knew that. As for the specifics of their extraordinary martial arts skills, perhaps only Zhang Zhenren had the good fortune to witness them; no one else knew.

My master said that Grandmaster Guo's temperament was incompatible with Guo Daxia's martial arts, and he was unable to pass on the skills; my master only had it in his imagination. In the eyes of others, the Nine Yin Manual was almost just a legend that could be believed or disbelieved. As for whether Yun Changkong possessed two great martial arts skills, let alone just rumors, even if I saw it with my own eyes, I would probably have no idea.

After listening to the conversation, Ding Minjun looked at Zhou Zhiruo and asked, "Junior Sister Zhou, Master always says you're smart, so how much of this do you think is true?"

Jingxuan and Bei Jinyi also looked at Zhou Zhiruo with encouraging expressions. Zhou Zhiruo pondered and said, "Senior Sister asked me to speak, so I will speak. If there are any mistakes or omissions, please correct me."

Chang Kong also wanted to hear her opinion, so he heard Zhou Zhiruo say, "I think this rumor is probably false, and its true intention is to harbor malice towards Young Master Yun."

Chang Kong was secretly delighted: "This little girl is quite knowledgeable."

Ding Minjun snorted.

Zhou Zhiruo said without changing her expression: "Master said that people in the martial arts world may not necessarily be chivalrous, but they are extremely enthusiastic about pursuing fame and fortune. The appearance of the Dragon Slaying Saber has caused many good people to be lost in Shaolin, Wudang and other sects."

If it were said that Young Master Yun possessed the "Nine Yin Manual" or the "Nine Yang Manual," countless people would plot to harm him!

Ding Minjun said, "Then who's to blame? He's so young, yet he dared to challenge the Heavenly Eagle Sect. He's only been in the martial arts world for a month, but he's already stolen all the limelight."

I heard that a couple of days ago, he beat the Demonic Cult's Right Envoy, who was infiltrating the Yuan court, so badly in Kaifeng that he vomited blood. This Demonic Cult must hate him to the bone, and the righteous sects of the martial arts world won't let him off the hook either; the first to go is Shaolin Temple!

Chang Kong thought to himself, "Fan Yao's affair has been exposed. Damn it, this is forcing the Demonic Sect to cause me trouble!"

Zhou Zhiruo said slowly and calmly, "Rumors in the martial arts world say that his internal strength comes from Shaolin Temple and his martial arts are from Taoism, which seems to match the Nine Yang and Nine Yin."

I think that's because many people lack knowledge and experience.

If my master were present, with her vast knowledge and experience, she would naturally recognize it, and such rumors would be disproven.

Bei Jinyi interjected, "Yun Changkong's reputation is rising rapidly. If he defeats Yin Tianzheng in front of everyone, he will surely be unparalleled in fame and fortune. I heard he is only sixteen years old, which is truly unimaginable." As she spoke, she showed an admiring expression.

Wang Xiaotian smiled and winked at Chang Kong, meaning he had won the woman's heart.

Chang Kong paid no heed, only looking at Zhou Zhiruo. Ding Minjun sneered, "What if he loses? He'll just be a presumptuous, attention-seeking madman, the biggest joke in the history of the martial arts world, and still be all the rage!"

Bei Jinyi said angrily, "Although Yun Changkong is a bit lacking in cleverness, his martial arts skills are absolutely reliable. If he dared to go to Jiangnan alone, his martial arts skills must be quite good."

Chang Kong thought to himself, "Where did you get the idea that I'm not clever enough?"

Zhou Zhiruo said, "If what Senior Sister Bei said is true, that he defeated the White-browed Eagle King who single-handedly resisted the six major sects, those experienced and worldly people might feel awe, but young people might not."

“Junior Sister is right!” Abbess Jingxuan nodded slowly: “Men are all arrogant and become overbearing when they achieve their goals. You see, our male disciples are usually very respectful to us, but they all think that if they could learn superior martial arts, they would be no weaker than us women.”

The young people in the martial arts world were even more so. Seeing how formidable Yun Changkong was, they couldn't help but feel a desire to surpass him if they obtained his divine skills! Driven by greed, no matter how high his martial arts were, could he possibly stop the endless stream of people trying to steal his power?

Zhou Zhiruo sighed and said, "The person who came up with this idea is really wicked. They're going to ruin a young hero. I wonder where this information came from."

Ding Minjun smiled and said, "Junior Sister Zhou, would you like to help him?"

Zhou Zhiruo nodded and said, "Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. If I can help, I am naturally willing."

Ding Minjun said, "Alright then, go and beg Master to accept him into our sect. What does it matter if he has the Nine Yin or Nine Yang? Junior Sister Bei said Yun Changkong is good, but it's a pity he's too young. However, he's not much older than you. We can ask Master to arrange a marriage between you two..."

"Puch..."

"Who goes there?" Four women rushed out, each wielding a weapon.

Then Yun Changkong and Wang Xiaotian jumped down from the corridor.

It turned out that Wang Xiaotian couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, so the two of them had no choice but to show themselves.

The Emei Sect Leader, Abbess Miejue, was arrogant and never checked where she stayed, because her divine skills were so amazing that even the slightest breeze or falling leaves could not escape her notice, so there was no need for her to do so.

These Emei disciples learned how to conduct themselves from their master, but they didn't learn his divine skills. Besides, what they were talking about wasn't anything confidential or important. Without checking the surroundings, how could they know there were still people in the temple, and two young men at that?

Ding Minjun's face was frosty, and she thrust her long sword at the sky with a distraction. In the martial world, spying on privacy is a major taboo.

So her first move was the killing move "Moon Sets Over the Western Hills" from the Emei sword technique, which she thrust straight at the lower abdomen.

Chang Kong frowned slightly: "He was the one who laughed, why did he stab me?"

Seeing the sword flash and reach her lower abdomen, he flicked his finger lightly, striking her back with a "clang." The sword and finger clashed, and Ding Minjun's wrist went numb. The sword leaped out, and she retreated backward.

Although Chang Kong Yizhi only used two-tenths of his strength and failed to knock the longsword away, he still exclaimed "Eh!" and thought to himself, "The Emei Sect's internal energy is indeed quite remarkable."

This was because after he flicked his finger, he felt a flexible force coming from the other's sword, which neutralized a small portion of the force of his flick.

Even so, it made Ding Minjun's blood boil, her face flushed red, and she couldn't stand up straight.

Suddenly, she felt a warm sensation in her back as a hand pressed down on her, followed by a surge of heat. It was Jingxuan's left palm that had supported her.

With a single finger strike, the girls were horrified. Even the best fighters from Ding Minjun's school were forced back by this peasant boy's single finger strike.

Jingxuan was even more surprised. Her press just now had used the "Emei Nine Yang Skill". This internal skill becomes stronger when facing a strong opponent and contains great potential. She was able to block it just now. This kid is really amazing.

Chang Kong chuckled and said, "No wonder you're so arrogant; your Poisonous Hands are no ordinary skill!"

"What did you say?" Ding Minjun thrust her sword at him again.

Ding Minjun was truly furious. She knew that the other party was extremely skilled, but the nickname "Poisonous Hand Wu Yan" was given to her by the monk Peng in the past and had been passed down since. This was the greatest humiliation of her life, so she was naturally furious.

With a "whoosh," Jingxuan flicked his whisk, wrapping it around her slender waist and pulling her back. He then draped the whisk over his arm and said, "Your skill is extraordinary; you are no ordinary person. However, such late-night spying is not the behavior of a righteous person."

"Haha..." Wang Xiaotian laughed, cupped his fists and bowed, "Master, you're too kind. We're already in the temple, and we're all on the same side. How is that spying?"

Upon hearing this, Jingxuan's face flushed: "I didn't even hear them breathing." She returned the greeting, and Zhou Zhiruo stared intently at the sky with her dark eyes, not blinking once.

Chang Kong stared intently at Zhou Zhiruo, thinking to himself, "This little girl is indeed beautiful enough to rival Zhao Min!"

Ding Minjun raised her eyebrows and said, "Who said I'm one of your own? What are you doing looking at my junior sister, you little rascal?" She then pointed her longsword at the sky.

A glint flashed in Chang Kong's eyes, and Zhou Zhiruo quickly stepped forward and said with a smile, "General Yang resisted foreign aggression and sacrificed his life for the country. All the disciples of Emei and martial arts practitioners in the world admire him. The fact that you two have come to the temple to pay your respects to General Yang shows that you are one of us. However, we, your fellow disciples, have come here on the orders of our master and have disturbed you. It is not right of us."

When Zhou Zhiruo first glanced at Chang Kong and Wang Xiaotian, she felt that the two were imposing and were definitely not farmers. After Chang Kong showed off his skills, she felt that he was quite skilled. Fearing that Ding Minjun was ignorant of her own limitations and would needlessly create a formidable enemy for her sect, she struck up a conversation with her.

Chang Kong and Wang Xiaotian saw that although she was young, her words were neither arrogant nor humble, and she did not lose the prestige of the Emei Sect. Chang Kong was not surprised by this, as Zhou Zhiruo was not a "naive girl".

Wang Xiaotian, however, saw that she was just like Zhao Min, whom he had met a few days ago—a shrewd and clever person. He muttered to himself, "I've traveled all over the martial world, but since I came out with Yun Changkong, all the little kids I've encountered are formidable characters." Feeling somewhat disappointed, he cupped his hands and said, "Miss is very understanding and worthy of being a disciple of Abbess Miejue. Although it may have made my senior sister a bit arrogant, we have indeed been impolite. Please forgive us."

"Have any leniency?" Ding Minjun said angrily, "We are discussing important matters of our sect. What are you laughing at? Aren't you mocking our Emei Sect?"

Wang Xiaotian waved his hand and said, "I did laugh, but I had absolutely no intention of mocking the Emei Sect!"

Ding Minjun asked, "Then what are you laughing at?"

Wang Xiaotian glanced at the sky.
Chang Kong said, "What kind of person is Xiao Yun Chang Kong? How could he marry a disciple of the Emei Sect!"

Wang Xiaotian waved his hand and said urgently, "That's not what I meant. What I meant by laughing was that this idea is really good!"

Bei Jinyi's expression suddenly changed drastically. With a whoosh, she drew her sword and took a step forward, shouting angrily at Chang Kong: "How dare you insult Young Master Yun! Apologize now!"

Just moments ago, Bei Jinyi was gentle and peaceful, but now her eyes were filled with ferocity, and her longsword trembled incessantly.

Judging from this posture, if Chang Kong doesn't apologize, he's going to stab me.

Even though Yun Changkong prided himself on not being afraid of Abbess Miejue, he was now stunned.

Wang Xiaotian was suppressing a laugh; his face was already flushed, and his shoulders were shaking.

Ding Minjun pointed her long sword at him: "You're still laughing? You're no better than me! I know you men aren't very capable, but you all think you're so great."

Envious and jealous of Yun Changkong, yet lacking his abilities, they can only resort to slandering his reputation behind his back—how shameless!

Yun Changkong and Wang Xiaotian exchanged a glance, and Yun Changkong smiled bitterly and said, "I've never encountered something like this before."

Wang Xiaotian's lips twitched: "Then apologize, why are you looking at me like that?"

Chang Kong gently deflected Bei Jinyi's sword and said, "It's not that bad. Yun Chang Kong is a person too, with all sorts of quirks. You're putting a lot of pressure on me, you know that?"

Wang Xiaotian laughed and said, "Yes, why is Senior Sister Bei so concerned about Yun Changkong?"

Bei Jinyi sneered, "The Eagle Cult has committed numerous evils, harming the Three Heroes and Five Heroes of Wudang. Everyone has the right to kill them. My Emei and Wudang have always been on good terms. Young Master Yun went to Jiangnan alone with his sword..."

"Wait a minute!" Wang Xiaotian interjected at the opportune moment, "He's not alone with his sword; he's brought a large group of helpers!"

"A great helper?" Bei Jinyi pursed her lips and said, "I heard she's a huge burden."

Wang Xiaotian's face turned purple as he said, "Senior Sister Bei, isn't it inappropriate for you to talk like that?"

Bei Jinyi sneered, "Many in the martial world fear the power of the Sky Eagle Sect, yet Young Master Yun single-handedly stormed their lair..."

"That's an exaggeration," Chang Kong said awkwardly. "No, he absolutely doesn't have that kind of guts. I can vouch for it with my integrity!"

Zhou Zhiruo smiled and asked, "May I ask how I should address you?"

Ding Minjun sneered, "Your personality is simply that of Yun Changkong!"

Yun Changkong's lips trembled, and he swallowed the words that were about to come out.

"Haha..." Wang Xiaotian suddenly burst into laughter.

　Thank you to readers "Finally Had Time," "Phoenix Dance Long Song," and "Elephant" for their generous donations. Thank you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)