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

Chapter 76 It's Hard to Know a Daughter's Heart

As the sun set in the west, its rays illuminated the entire Wudang Mountain, making it a riot of colors and a breathtaking spectacle. Yun Changkong, arm in arm with Zhao Min, flew down the mountain.

One was ethereal, the other graceful; together they were truly a perfect match. Zhao Min felt as if she were walking on clouds with every step she took, her mind and soul completely captivated.

After a long while, they arrived at a crystal-clear stream at the foot of Wudang Mountain. Changkong finally let go of his hand and asked, "Where are the Xuanming Elders?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Min seemed to awaken from a dream. She heard the gentle sound of flowing water, like the sound of a zither, and her mind cleared.

The water flowed in a winding path, with many strangely shaped rocks, as if they were feasting on the glow of the sunset. It was a truly beautiful sight. Looking around, Yun Changkong had already reached the stream and taken off his clothes.

Zhao Min blushed and said, "Why do you care about them? Do you miss them?" Her tone was somewhat reproachful.

Yun Changkong felt a dull pain in his left chest. He took off his inner and outer garments, which were stained with blood. Zhao Min's heart skipped a beat. She had seen Yun Changkong naked before. When she got closer, she saw a large wound on his chest, from which blood was still flowing, as if a piece of flesh was missing. She was truly shocked and angry. Blood rushed to her cheeks, and she shouted, "Who did this? Was it Fan Yao? I should have let you kill him back then!"

Yun Changkong glanced over and saw that Zhao Min's face was fair with a rosy glow, making her even more beautiful. When she saw him looking at her, she quickly turned her head to the side, stamped her foot, and cursed, "Are there really idiots like you in this world? You're so badly injured, and you still want to run to Wudang Mountain!"

Chang Kong's heart skipped a beat. He wondered if this little girl had fallen for him. But she was so young; it seemed unlikely! She must be caught up in the rumors because of him, which was why she was so angry. He said, "I went to Wudang Mountain, not to fight anyone. Do you think I can defeat Zhang Sanfeng and the heroes of Wudang without getting injured?"

Zhao Min rolled her eyes at him and said, "No wonder you have such high martial arts skills, yet you let others bully you and didn't kill Xihua Zi. It turns out you were afraid of affecting your duel with Yin Tianzheng!"

As Yun Changkong took out a white cloth to wipe the wound, he frowned and said, "Xihua Zi treats everyone the same. He's not the kind of coward who curses people behind their backs but is soft-hearted to their faces. He just can't hold grudges in his heart, it has nothing to do with anything else."

"Pah!" Zhao Min spat fiercely, "I'm not as magnanimous as you. I won't let anyone who offends me get away with it. It's only because of Wudang Mountain that they got off easy!" As she spoke, she took out a medicine bottle from her bag and threw it to Yun Changkong, "This is top-quality wound medicine."

Yun Changkong reached out and caught it. People are treacherous, and she was a Mongol, so Yun Changkong was naturally even more careful. How could he dare to apply the medicine? But refusing seemed inappropriate.

Zhao Min's eyes suddenly fixed on his face, and she said, word by word, "Even now, do you still think I would harm you?"

Her eyes, clear and bright like autumn water, were now noticeably dim, and she spoke in a low voice: "Do you, Yun Changkong, have a heart of gratitude, while I am a heartless beast?"

Yun Changkong was taken aback and asked, "What makes you say that?"

Zhao Min suddenly felt a pang of sadness and said, "Then why don't you use my medicine? Isn't it because you're afraid I'll harm you? Although there is a difference between Han and Mongol, you were able to kill me but didn't. How could I, Minmin Temur, be worse than a pig or a dog and have the heart to harm you?" Her voice trembled, clearly indicating that she was unsettled.

Yun Changkong was somewhat embarrassed. He sighed and said, "It's not that I'm afraid you'll harm me, but what if someone wants to use you to mix together those incurable poisons? Last night I was poisoned by Fan Yao's needle. If I hadn't been lucky, I would have died long ago!"

Zhao Min's heart tightened, regretting that she had saved Fan Yao. She said, "The medicine on my body can't be mixed with anything else. If you don't believe me," and with a whoosh, she drew a short sword, rolled up her sleeve, and was about to slash her arm: "Look..."

Seeing that she was so casually displaying her white, lotus-like arms, as if she didn't consider herself an outsider, Yun Changkong said, "Alright, I'll apply it!"

Yun Changkong trusted her based on his intuition, but he also knew that it was wrong, yet he did it anyway.

Zhao Min was angry because Yun Changkong didn't use her medicine, but when she heard him say this, she was happy and walked over and said, "Let me help you."

She has a free and easy personality, and is no less capable than any man. She is not the kind of girl who is "hidden in her boudoir and unknown to the world". Instead, she has been adventuring with her father and brothers since childhood, and has picked up a lot of heroic spirit, which is almost wild.

Since Yun Changkong had treated her injuries before, he didn't care whether she was willing or not. He just took out a handkerchief, dipped it in water, and wiped away the bloodstains for her!
She lowered her head and bent over, so Yun Changkong couldn't see her expression, only her slender, white neck, which was as white as a swan's. But at this moment, he was in so much pain that he was grimacing and sweating profusely, and he couldn't say a word.

Zhao Min applied medicine to his wound, then tore a piece from the hem of his undergarment and wrapped it around his neck. A fragrant aroma filled the air, and Yun Changkong stood frozen in place.

Zhao Min felt a slight smile play on her lips as she bandaged his wound, saying, "Put these on. What kind of appearance is this, naked!"

She sat on a rock by the stream, took off her shoes, and went barefoot, revealing her fair calves, gently kicking and playing in the water.

Yun Changkong, wearing only his shirt, said, "Don't you think we're getting too close?"

Zhao Min turned her head and glanced at him, then said with a grin, "How can I apply poison to you if we're not close?"

Yun Changkong was taken aback and hurriedly started to take off her clothes. She secretly circulated her inner energy and found that it flowed freely. Suddenly, she remembered the medicine she had given Zhang Wuji in the original story and exclaimed in surprise, "You didn't apply 'anti-corrosion and anti-skin ointment' to me, did you?"

Zhao Min was also taken aback, but quickly recovered and said, "As expected, you can't hide anything from me. You even knew I had the 'Skin-Removing and Anti-Corrosion Cream'?"

Seeing the awkwardness on her face, Yun Changkong knew she was teasing him, sighed, and looked up at the sky.

Zhao Min chuckled and said, "I didn't apply this medicine to you. Although it's a good surgical medicine for treating rotten flesh, it will also make the wound fester even deeper. Do you think having an extra piece of chest here looks good?"

Yun Changkong remained silent, only gazing at the white clouds in the sky, thinking to himself, "This woman is fickle. She doesn't seem to have any intention of harming me, but her entanglement with me only increases the risk to me. Alas, where are the experts around her now?"

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Zhao Min suddenly looked anxious and said, "Are you... are you angry? I was just joking with you!"

Yun Changkong said leisurely, "I'm not that easily angered!"

Zhao Min said, "Then why don't you talk to me? Don't you like listening to me talk?"

"How could that be?" Chang Kong sighed. "Your voice is like falling pearls, so lively and melodious. Even when you're cursing, it sounds pleasant. Otherwise, if you were criticizing the heroes of Wudang like that, you would have been interrupted long ago. If people can listen to you, how could I not like to listen?"

Zhao Min suddenly burst out laughing. Although she had a childlike face, her laughter was as beautiful as spring flowers blooming and autumn lotus blossoms opening. She said, "The Wudang sect is a righteous and chivalrous sect that helps the world and always acts in accordance with reason. What have you made them into?"

Seeing her exquisite features and captivating smile, Yun Changkong felt a sense of peace and his worries vanished. He laughed heartily and said, "How could I dare to question the reputation of the Wudang Sect? But if it weren't for your unparalleled charm and beautiful voice, I'm afraid that wouldn't be the case."

Imagine if Xihua Zi were to criticize the Wudang Sect with his hoarse voice; no one would be in the mood to listen.

"Nonsense!" Zhao Min scolded, but secretly she was delighted. She was naturally beautiful, and her pretty face had captivated countless people, making her the dream lover of numerous princes and nobles.

It was only because of the Prince of Ruyang's power that many people dared not approach her, or even glance at her more than a few times.

Her father and brothers, as fierce and powerful as tigers, guarded her reputation and chastity as if they were the throne she inherited; anyone who dared to plot against her would meet a gruesome end.

As for those overt praises, Zhao Min was already tired of them, but for some reason, when they came from Yun Changkong's mouth, all Zhao Min wanted was for him to praise her a few more times!
However, Yun Changkong could not understand the thoughts of her youngest daughter!

After all, the supernatural power of "telepathy" is considered one of the "six supernatural powers" in Buddhism, believed to grant the ability to perceive the thoughts and feelings of others after reaching a certain level of spiritual cultivation.
It wasn't as exaggerated as the legends suggested; he could only sense the killing intent. And this kind of perception is something many seasoned travelers in the martial world possess!
Zhao Min's eyes darted around, and she smiled, "Actually, it's because of you that the Wudang Sect had no choice but to listen, even if they didn't want to."

Without you here, no matter how eloquent and persuasive I am, I would have no chance to use my words. Even if others don't say anything, that fierce-looking Mo Qixia would definitely jump out and say, "Hey, you Mongolian witch, how dare you act so presumptuously on Wudang Mountain! I can't beat you in a fight, so I can only slink down the mountain in disgrace!"

Yun Changkong smiled and said, "You are also very capable. If it weren't for you, wouldn't Young Master Song have gotten what he wanted?"

Zhao Min smiled and said, "It's also because you have too big a reputation. That kid just wanted to take advantage of that good-for-nothing Xihua Zi to make you look bad. He didn't even have to step forward. Then everyone would spread the word. So what if Yun Changkong is bad? In front of Song Qingshu, doesn't he have to lower his head and behave himself?"

"Hmph, he's been showing off his power enough. Wouldn't it be much easier for him to take over as the leader of Wudang Sect? I'm determined to thwart his ambitions!"

Seeing the undisguised joy in her expression and the spring-like look in her eyes, Yun Changkong's heart fluttered. He said, "Actually, others may not be unaware of his thoughts, but some are afraid to speak out, while others share the same thoughts as him. Only you, Princess, are so unrestrained!"

Hehe, Young Master Song thought he was all for myself, with the advantage of timing, location, and popular support, leading both the Kunlun sects to try and crush me. Who knew a Cheng Yaojin would suddenly appear out of nowhere? He miscalculated! Haha… Quite interesting. It seems he's destined to suffer a setback at your hands; there's no escaping it!”

"Pah!" Zhao Min smiled slightly: "What Cheng Yaojin? I'm just waiting for you to come to Wudang Mountain!"

Yun Changkong understood and said, "So Song Qingshu and I are both losers, only the Princess is the winner."

Within a day, Yun Changkong suffered a setback at Wudang Mountain. Princess Shaomin single-handedly confronted the Wudang heroes and imprisoned Song Qingshu, the number one person in three generations. She was impressive, domineering, heroic, and capable!
Who dares to say that women are inferior to men!

Zhao Min smiled slightly: "I've met quite a few people, but I've never met anyone as mysterious as you. It's as if there's nothing you don't understand. But you know everything, so why don't you care?"

Chang Kong said, "Cultivation is about cultivating the mind. If you spend all your time thinking about scheming and plotting, you won't achieve much in martial arts. That's why you and Song Qingshu aren't stupid, but your martial arts skills aren't that great!"

Zhao Min nodded slightly: "That's why I'm quite afraid of you. You seem to know everything, while I know nothing. I have a feeling that if we become enemies, I will lose miserably!"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "I am just like that. You are charming and lovely, but you are full of scheming. Killing you would be a waste of the Creator's good intentions. But if I keep you, I don't know how many people you will harm. I am quite afraid! Sometimes I am also confused, not knowing whether it is right or wrong!"

Zhao Min was initially delighted by his praise, but upon hearing the last sentence, she rolled her eyes at him and said, "You're afraid of me? Shouldn't I be the one who's afraid? You're only two or three years older than me, and your martial arts are more than ten times better than mine. You could kill someone with a single finger, right?"
I dream of having your martial arts skills.

Looking up at the sky, she showed a look of great admiration and said, "The two elders of Xuanming have extremely high martial arts skills and high vision. They are not good at disrespecting others. Even they often say that you will definitely become the number one person in the martial arts world in the future. If I had half of your skills, I would not be afraid of anyone bullying me anymore!" As she spoke, her voice trembled, as if she was about to burst into tears.

Yun Changkong asked in surprise, "You have many skilled warriors under your command, and your father is a prince who commands troops. Who would dare to bully you?"

"How could you possibly understand my suffering!" Zhao Min shook her head with a hint of bitterness and said, "Those experts are arrogant and haughty; how could they possibly convince anyone?"

They all have their own agendas!

The two elders of Xuanming were originally from the Western Regions. The deer was lustful and the crane was addicted to wine. To get them to do things, you had to send them beautiful women and fine wine to satisfy their desires.

Fang Dongbai failed to seize the position of Beggar Clan leader in the past and became a traitor to the clan. That's why he joined my father's forces. In fact, he wanted to use the power of the imperial court to take the position of Beggar Clan leader.

Ah Er and Ah San each have their own real names. They were originally members of the Vajra Sect in the Western Regions, but their master was a traitor because he stole martial arts from Shaolin Temple.

However, they left a will instructing their descendants to find a way to become the legitimate successors of Shaolin. Furthermore, they were rampant in the Western Regions and didn't want the imperial court to interfere. That's why they joined the Prince of Ruyang's household. In reality, they wanted to use our power to one day destroy Shaolin and support them!

The reason why Ah Da, Ah Er, and Ah San were willing to use aliases was that they hoped to one day become famous in the martial arts world, take charge of a lineage, and then use their real names. They felt it would be dishonorable to directly join the royal palace under their real names.

That Fan Yao, also under the guise of suffering, went to Khwarezm in the Western Regions. My father recruited warriors from all directions, and the princes of Khwarezm, in order to please him, offered up the Bitter Monk to serve.

Whether my father has lost power, or his orders conflict with mine, how could these so-called experts possibly obey my commands?

Then she added in a low voice, "This time, my dad wants me to go home, and they all listen to my dad, not me."

Yun Changkong sighed and said, "Actually, it's not just you, everyone is the same. Only those who have value will be valued and seen. You treat me this way, and I treat you the same way."

Zhao Min tilted her head slightly, her face full of hope, and said, "You're so good to me, are we friends?"

Yun Changkong pondered for a moment and said, "I haven't been good to you."

Zhao Min smiled and said, "You may not say it, but I understand!"

Chang Kong became interested and asked, "How so?"

Zhao Min said, "You know me inside and out. You can't hide anything from my men or the medicines I have. How could you not guess that I went to Wudang Mountain to prove to my father that I can do things just as well without him? But you still didn't expose me. Isn't that for my own good?"

Chang Kong chuckled and said, "A girl like you wouldn't have such competitive thoughts. However, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement. There are some things that are inconvenient for me to say, so it's not a problem for you to speak for me! It's not exactly a favor!"

Zhao Min said softly, "But you must also know that Yu Sanxia's hands and feet were broken by A-San using the Vajra Finger technique, right?"

Yun Changkong glanced over and saw that Zhao Min's expression was cold and beautiful, without a trace of a smile, and she was just staring at him.

Yun Changkong raised his head and looked up at the sky: "Yes, I know!"

Zhao Min chuckled and said, "I knew you were afraid I would be in danger, and that you loved and cared for me from the bottom of your heart, which is why you kept it a secret from your benefactor, right?"

Yun Changkong glanced at her and said, "Knowing is one thing, but not wanting to say it is another. Just like Zhang Cuishan not telling anyone Xie Xun's whereabouts, it's out of loyalty. What does it have to do with loving you?"
Besides, the Wudang Sect is known for its chivalry. You weren't even born when Yu Sanxia was injured. If he knew it was Yu Sanxia who did it, he would seek revenge on Yu Sanxia and your father. Why would he make things difficult for a little girl like you?

"Hmph..." Zhao Min curled her lips and said, "You are seriously injured, and the time for your duel with Yin Tianzheng is imminent. Aren't you afraid that they will break their promise? Don't you want to use the power of the Wudang Sect so that even if you win, you can still ensure your safety?"

If it weren't for me, why would you go up the mountain and not go in?
"Isn't it because you felt guilty for not telling them the truth and needing their help, so you simply refused to enter Zixiao Palace? If it weren't for me, with your martial arts skills at this level, wouldn't you want to take the opportunity to learn from the martial arts master Zhang Sanfeng?"

Yun Changkong sighed and shook his head, saying, "You're just so frustrating. It's like no one's thoughts can be hidden from you."
But in order to prevent you from selling me and then helping me count the money, I have to be extremely careful to deal with you, which is seriously hindering my spiritual practice!

Zhao Min guessed correctly. Yun Changkong's original intention was to tell the truth, discuss with the Wudang Sect how to deal with the Demonic Sect, and learn martial arts from Zhang Sanfeng. But with Zhao Min's arrival, he had no choice but to leave the mountain.

Zhao Min, discerning his expression, was even more delighted and said, "You've been so good to me, I'll never forget it. Can you teach me martial arts?"

Yun Changkong's eyes lit up, and he said, "Great, so you want to be my disciple?"

Zhao Min's pretty face flushed red, and she spat, "Nonsense! Who wants to be your disciple? We're friends, exchanging martial arts techniques—isn't that the proper way of the martial world?" "Heh..." Yun Changkong glanced at her and said, "Exchange? What can you exchange with me?"

Zhao Min's eyes reddened, and she suddenly shouted, "You look down on me?" She kicked the water, splashing it everywhere.

Yun Changkong glanced at Zhao Min, thinking, "She and I are of similar temperament. If she focuses on martial arts and doesn't get involved in those fighting and killing, she is indeed a promising talent. However, she is Mongolian. If I teach her, it might not be a good thing." Thinking of this, a sudden inspiration flashed through Changkong's mind: "Yes, she wants to make it impossible for me to stay among the Han people. Why don't I turn her against me?" He said, "Stop fooling around. Stand up. Let me see your background."

Zhao Min, who was usually someone who wouldn't listen to anyone, especially when she was angry, was surprisingly compliant at this moment and said, "Alright!"

She took a handkerchief to clean her delicate feet, put on her embroidered shoes, and floated around in front of Yun Changkong, laughing, "My physique and constitution are also suitable for martial arts, aren't they?"

Her figure was graceful and charming, her cheeks adorned with a smile, her clothes fluttering in the breeze, truly like a jade tree branch, its blossoms casting shadows amidst the green hills and clear waters. Coupled with her silvery laughter, she was like a fairy in the forest, embodying the essence of heaven and earth.

Yun Changkong held his breath, unsure whether it was because his virginity had been broken and his willpower was gone, or because it was the first time he had seen Zhao Min so alluring, and for a moment he was mesmerized and stunned.

Zhao Min floated around playfully, and seeing that he hadn't spoken for a while, she turned to look at him and chuckled, "What are you looking at?"

Without hesitation, Yun Changkong replied, "Of course it's up to you."

Zhao Min was stunned for a moment, and a blush immediately rose on her pretty face. She bit her lip and said with a smile, "What you said is not honest, and it doesn't sound like a gentleman."

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "You forgot? You even called me a wicked villain. Where are I among the upright gentlemen?"

Zhao Min reached out and scratched her cheek, saying, "Aren't you ashamed! I was just saying it in anger, and you're going to do this? You're going to listen to me like this?" Her skin was delicate, and with a stroke of her slender finger, several red marks were left.

Yun Changkong thought she was indeed pleasing and chuckled, "You're right. When a country and nation are strong, they can fight weak countries. But when a woman is beautiful, which man won't be tempted?"

"For a princess of your noble status to see such a gesture from me is truly fortunate. If I didn't, wouldn't I be a hypocrite, a purveyor?"

Suddenly, Zhao Min covered her face with one hand, squatted down, and burst into tears.

Yun Changkong asked, quite puzzled, "Why are you crying again!"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly glanced around, kicked off with both feet, and disappeared into the distant grass like a large bird.

A muffled groan came from the bushes, and with a clang, a long sword flew up and stuck into a tree, its blue light flashing.

Yun Changkong had already leaped back, carrying a person in his hand. He threw the person to the ground, lifted him up, and placed him on his back.

The man felt as if a mountain was pressing down on his back. He looked up and cried out, "Princess, help!"

Zhao Min just kept crying and didn't lift her head.

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "So you're your subordinates. What are you planning to do?"

The man said, "Hero Yun, we are acting on the Prince's orders to send the princess home. We have no ill intentions whatsoever!"

Yun Changkong looked at Zhao Min.

Zhao Min cursed, "Tell him to let me go home, and that I should just pretend I don't have this daughter anymore. I'd rather die than go home!"

Yun Changkong chuckled inwardly: "Problematic little girl, doesn't want to go home!"

But thinking about it this way, I realized I was imagining myself as "Little Yellow Hair".

Then the man said, "Princess, if you don't go home, the Prince will kill us. Young Master Yun, this has nothing to do with you. Please, have mercy and let me go!"

Yun Changkong stepped on him, and he could only say, "Please lift your foot."

Yun Changkong lifted his foot and said, "Alright, your father wants you to go home, so we'll meet again!" He then turned and left.

Zhao Min exclaimed in alarm, "Don't go!" She flashed forward and caught up with Yun Changkong, grabbing his arm tightly.

The man said, "Princess..."

"Shut up!" Zhao Min snapped. "If you don't get out of here, I'll kill you!"

"Yes..." The man disappeared into the woods in a flash.

Zhao Min suddenly fell to the ground, crying out, "You're all bullying me, boohoo..."

Seeing her like this, Yun Changkong knew that this woman was good at acting and could cry on cue. He immediately said seriously, "Who bullied you? Your father asked you to come home for your own good. Is it worth it for you to act like this?"

Zhao Min looked up and saw Yun Changkong with a serious expression, not even glancing at her. She couldn't help but feel angry: "What do you know? What do you mean by 'for my own good'?"

Yun Changkong laughed and said, "Do you think letting you roam the martial world is for your own good? You must have experienced the inconveniences of being a woman!"

"When a man encounters danger, at worst he'll die! It's different for a woman, especially someone as charming as you. If you're careless and fall into the hands of a villain, even death will be a luxury!"

The more he spoke, the harder Zhao Min cried. She lay down on the grass, curled up in a ball, buried her head in her arms, and sobbed uncontrollably, as if she wanted to cry out all her tears.

Even though Yun Changkong knew that her love of crying, laughing, and making a fuss was in her nature, he still felt something was wrong at this moment and said, "Are you going to be the woman of Temujin and Kublai Khan? Did they win the world by crying?"

Zhao Min suddenly looked up and shouted, "What do you know? You know nothing!"

Yun Changkong also lost his temper and said, "Someone like you, with a hundred and eighty tricks up your sleeve in the blink of an eye, who can understand you?"

Zhao Min was stunned, her eyes flashing with anger, but she wiped away her tears, bit her lip, and said, "My father forbids me from leading those martial arts masters to interfere in Jianghu affairs. I've told you!"

Yun Changkong said nonchalantly, "So what? Do you really enjoy being a tough girl and learning to fight and kill?"

"What kind of delinquent girl?" Zhao Min blushed and lowered her head, saying, "Do you know that my father won't let me lead them? If I go back, I'll have to get married!"

"Get married?" Yun Changkong was genuinely surprised: "Didn't you say you were not even thirteen years old? How could you be getting married?"

Zhao Min said softly, "I'll be thirteen this month, but it's not uncommon for Mongolian nobles to get married at twelve!" Suddenly, she stood up and threw herself into his arms, pounding his back with her fists, saying, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be like this."

Seeing her both heartbroken and furious, Yun Changkong knew it was genuine. He thought to himself, "Damn, is this the butterfly effect?" He patted her shoulder and laughed, "That's just how the world is sometimes. Few people have things go their way, and many do not. We are different from ordinary people. We can't just think about the benefits without paying the price, can we? Besides, your father can do this because of a few rumors. It seems he's not all that great after all!"

"Rumors?" Zhao Min was furious. She shoved him away and said angrily, "Others think so, and you think so too? Have you forgotten what you did to me?"

Yun Changkong retorted, "What have I done to you? We're completely innocent, don't make false accusations!"

Zhao Min felt a rush of blood to her head and cursed, "You're not human!"

Who came to my house in the dead of night, kidnapped me, and kept me out all night? I'll give you the elixir.

Only the two elders of Xuanming, my father, and a few foreign monks knew about the Ten Fragrant Tendon-Softening Powder; even the Bitter Monk didn't know.

That Black Jade Broken-Healing Ointment is known only to a few experts from the Vajra Sect; no one else knows about it, yet you do.

Everyone suspects there's a traitor, but outsiders don't know so much. So my father and brothers suspect that I've long been loyal to you and leaked this secret to you.

Not to mention that the story of you and me has been spread in the martial arts world in vivid detail. Do you think it's just that you and I, a Tartar princess, are having an affair and have forgotten your true nature?

And what about me? My family, my subordinates all believe I've been having an affair with you for a long time, otherwise I wouldn't have saved your life so many times! Yet you still remain wary of me, thinking I'm the one who harmed you?

As she spoke, she became increasingly agitated, her voice rising sharply: "Do you know that my father was also ostracized by the court? He only took power because he was needed to quell the rebellion."

I myself told my father that I could help him quell the martial arts world, which is why he turned away the marriage proposal.

But now my father says that women cannot succeed, and even my brother is urging me to go home and get married! But I don't want to get married, otherwise why would I have gone to Wudang Mountain?

However, in your eyes, all of this has nothing to do with you. Yes, you, Master Yun, are a righteous gentleman, so how could you bully a little girl like me? But who would believe that?
They believe that if a lone man and woman spend the night together, something good will happen. If no one else knows about this, how can you tell my father, brothers, and mother that our relationship is completely innocent and ask them not to marry me off?
Why do you think I yearn so much for half your martial arts skills? If I had that ability, I would have been wandering the martial world long ago, never returning to that home. *Sobbing*

Originally, the marriage age of noblewomen of the Mongol nobility during the Yuan Dynasty was generally quite early, influenced by the customs and systems of Mongol society at the time. The marriage age was mostly between twelve and sixteen years old.

This situation was related to the social environment and strategies at the time. First, early marriage helped consolidate family alliances and maintain political and military ties between tribes through marriage.

Secondly, medical conditions were limited in ancient times, and life expectancy was relatively short, so early marriage was seen as a way to ensure population reproduction. In fact, this was not only true for Mongolians, but also for Han Chinese, who tended to marry very early.

However, Zhao Min's father, the Prince of Ruyang, held a high position and great power, and he also knew that his daughter was intelligent and could help him.

Even if their daughters were beautiful and attracted the attention of many nobles, they would still find ways to turn away marriage proposals.

Unexpectedly, Yun Changkong broke into the Prince's mansion at night, causing Zhao Min to disappear overnight. Although Zhao Min ordered her to keep quiet, the Prince of Ruyang asked his subordinates about his daughter, so how could she keep quiet?

After learning the truth, and with the rumors spreading, the Prince of Ruyang was afraid that his daughter would be given a tainted reputation for having an ambiguous relationship with a Han Chinese, so he had no choice but to marry her off.

Therefore, Zhao Min went to Wudang Mountain, partly to use the words of a disciple from a prestigious sect to clear her name of her relationship with Yun Changkong.

Secondly, she wanted to destroy the reputation of the Wudang Sect in the martial arts world, because she knew that Zhang Sanfeng had become a major threat to the imperial court because his fame was too great and he was regarded as a pillar of the martial arts world. Since he was an enemy of the imperial court, the martial arts people in the Central Plains were unwilling to submit to him.

As for Zhang Sanfeng, who is already so old, how much longer can he live? There's no need to do anything to him. As long as the reputation of the Wudang Sect is ruined, that's enough. That's why we used Yun Changkong's power to destroy Song Qingshu and the hearts of the Wudang heroes.

What hurt Zhao Min the most was that in Yun Changkong's eyes, her relationship with him was nothing more than a rumor in the martial arts world, and had nothing to do with him. The grievance, sadness, humiliation, anger, and confusion she felt were overwhelming, and all of it turned into tears.

Yun Changkong originally intended to persuade Zhao Min to defect by emphasizing the need for tranquility and detachment in martial arts, but unexpectedly, she stirred up a myriad of thoughts within him.

It should be noted that Yun Changkong had never been able to understand Zhao Min's current state of mind before.

This is because Yun Changkong, being a time traveler, would only be considered mediocre if he didn't attract jealousy from rumors. Furthermore, having cultivated Buddhist and Taoist divine skills, he possessed a broad mind and naturally just laughed it off.

The idea of ​​a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl getting married is utterly outrageous and beastly. He has no concept of that. Therefore, in his view, he is upright and has a clear conscience towards Zhao Min.

As for Prince Ruyang taking his daughter home, that was perfectly natural, and Zhao Min's distress and worry were completely unnecessary. But after hearing Zhao Min's words, he realized that what he had said earlier was indeed ill-considered.

Yun Changkong remained silent for a long while, then sighed, "I captured you back then solely to save my own life. I never considered that a young girl like you would have any reputation. I apologize for my inappropriate words just now, but marriage is ultimately the destiny of women like you! Are you sure you'll never get married in this lifetime?"

Zhao Min continued to cry, but upon hearing the last sentence, her blood boiled, and she cursed, "There are no good men in the world! Not only do they betray their wives, but they don't even spare their daughters..." Suddenly, she couldn't catch her breath, and the world spun around her as she fainted.

Yun Changkong's mouth dropped open. He actually fainted from crying? Was he faking it?

In fact, Zhao Min's father, the Prince of Ruyang, doted on his concubine, which often troubled her mother. Zhao Min felt that being a woman was disadvantageous, as she was always controlled by others, which made her sad and upset. Yun Changkong then spoke the truth. It would be strange if Zhao Min didn't faint from anger.

Yun Changkong sighed again and said, "Then you can choose not to get married. Follow me, and we can cultivate the Great Dao together and roam the world freely. That would be a wonderful thing in life!"

Suddenly, a sharp voice came from afar, saying, "Young Master Yun, you can't just think about your own good fortune and ignore the wealth and status of us brothers!"

"That's right, the Prince and the Heir Apparent have given a strict order. If the Princess goes with you, we're in big trouble!"

Two icy voices approached rapidly from afar, their figures floating as they arrived on a giant rock before them.

Tall and imposing, clad in grey and black robes, with a dark face like a cloud, blue eyes, and a long beard, their gaze was majestic and sharp—these were none other than the Xuanming Elders.

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(End of this chapter)