Jimo Sword City, the ancestral home of the Jimo Clan. It took the efforts of several generations to build the current massive Jimo City. As all disciples under the clan practice swordsmanship, Jimo City is respectfully known as Sword City by the world. The previous three generations of city lords were all honored as Sword Immortals by martial heroes, further solidifying Jimo City’s status in the martial world. However, after Jimo Jingzhu’s death, many believe Jimo Sword City is about to decline, as the new city lord is but a young woman who has never ventured into the martial world.
But three days after Nan Yulou, the second disciple of the Academy, challenged Jimo Sword City, over half of the sword masters in the martial world began heading towards Jimo Sword City with their swords in hand. This was because Nan Yulou, who had swept through numerous sword masters in the martial world over the past year, was unexpectedly defeated in his first battle with Jimo Huaxue.
“Your sword technique is not bad.” Jimo Huaxue looked at the man lying on the ground, staring blankly at the sky. “What’s it called?”
“Everlasting Flowing Sword,” Nan Yulou murmured.
“The name’s not bad either.” Jimo Huaxue turned around. “But it’s a pity, I’m a bit stronger.”
“I want to fight again,” Nan Yulou suddenly said.
“Alright.” Jimo Huaxue didn’t know why, but she felt a bit happy inside, and readily agreed. “You can rest here and recover for a few days. After your injuries heal, we’ll fight again.”
Seven days later, Nan Yulou once again challenged Jimo Huaxue with his sword. Unlike the previous time, at least thirty sword masters were present to witness the battle. It was even rumored that the Sword Demon of Devil City was hidden among them, watching this duel that was sure to amaze the martial world.
It was amazing because both of their swordsmanship had reached an unimaginable level. Many even said after returning that Jimo Huaxue’s swordsmanship had surpassed that of Jimo Jingzhu.
Another reason was that both of them were too young. One was the stunningly beautiful City Lord of Sword City, the other the handsome and talented disciple of the Academy. This duel of swords resembled a legendary love story that would appear in novels and tales.
The final result of this battle, however, was a draw.
At the very last moment, Jimo Huaxue and Nan Yulou simultaneously withdrew their swords, ultimately passing by each other.
“I didn’t win this time,” Jimo Huaxue said softly.
Nan Yulou smiled. “You didn’t lose either.”
“Do you want to fight again?” Jimo Huaxue asked.
“I quite enjoy the bamboo tea of Jimo Sword City. I’d be happy to stay a few more days,” Nan Yulou replied.
“Bamboo tea is something only old men drink. How about I treat you to plum blossom tea instead?” Jimo Huaxue chuckled.
“How could there be plum blossoms in this season?” Nan Yulou wondered.
“When the snow falls in winter, covering the plum blossoms, we collect the snow along with the blossoms and store them in the cellar, frozen. Now, in summer, we take them out, melt the snow, and brew tea. It’s quite delicious.” Jimo Huaxue walked forward.
Nan Yulou turned around, “Huaxue, Huaxue. Jimo Huaxue.”
The sword masters then departed one after another. They had witnessed incredibly stunning swordsmanship in the battle and were already content. As for the story that followed, it was better for them not to be involved.
After returning, the Heavenly Martial Elder, who evaluates the Heavenly Martial Rankings, told his disciples, “After Cang Yue, Jimo still has a Sword Immortal. Dressed in red, strikingly stunning, she can be called the Red-Clad Sword Immortal. Send this register to Jimo City and ask the City Lord if she likes the words ‘Red-Clad’.”
“Can’t I be called the Most Beautiful Sword Immortal?” Jimo Huaxue replied to the disciple of the Heavenly Martial Pavilion.
The disciple must have been completely dumbfounded, not daring to answer for a long time.
“I think ‘Red-Clad’ is quite nice. When I first saw you, everything was a blur, and all I could see was that red dress.” The man sitting beside Jimo Huaxue chuckled.
“Alright, then Red-Clad Sword Immortal it is.” Jimo Huaxue smiled brightly. “Thank the Heavenly Martial Elder for me.”
Thus, the fourth Sword Immortal of Jimo City was born. After hearing the story from his disciple, the Heavenly Martial Elder stroked his long beard and said faintly, “It seems I will need to prepare a congratulatory gift. Jimo Sword City is about to have a joyous event.”
The third duel between Nan Yulou and Jimo Huaxue never came. Nan Yulou ended up staying in Jimo City for a whole year, through summer and winter. When spring arrived the following year, he finally bid farewell to Jimo Huaxue. He needed to return to the Academy, seek the Confucian Sage’s blessing for marriage, and then bring a group of fellow scholars and his beloved junior sister to Jimo City to propose. However, before he even reached halfway to Shili Langdang Mountains, he encountered messengers sent by the Academy to find him.
The messenger brought grave news.
At this point in the story, Jimo Huaxue stopped speaking. She gazed into the distance, her thoughts seemingly drifting away, back to the year she and Nan Yulou parted ways.
“City Lord of Jimo, what was the news?” Su Baiyi asked.
Jimo Huaxue shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it. Let your senior sister tell you.”
Nangong Xier frowned slightly. “Me? I don’t know anything. After Second Senior Brother went down the mountain, all I heard from the other senior brothers was that he defeated countless experts and ranked third on the Heavenly Martial Rankings, almost becoming the true number one in the world.”
“You don’t know?” Jimo Huaxue turned her head, her face filled with shock. “Then do you know how he died?!”
“The senior brothers said Second Senior Brother was ambushed during a duel and… and died.” Nangong Xier’s eyes widened. “Could there be more to it?”
“It seems the senior brothers at the Academy really do care for you.” Jimo Huaxue turned around, calming her emotions. “The news the Academy messenger brought that day was that Shanglin Heavenly Palace had discovered you were hiding at the Academy and was preparing to send people to Shili Langdang Mountains to take you away. You’re a remnant of the Demon Sect, and even if they don’t kill you, they must confine you. The moment your second senior brother heard this news, he didn’t return to the Academy, but instead went straight to Mount Weilong with his sword.”
“From the foot to the summit, one person, one sword, it only took him an hour. Over a hundred experts from Shanglin Heavenly Palace’s Three Towers and Six Courtyards tried to stop him, but none could withstand a single strike from his sword. Even when four heads and three vice masters arrived, they couldn’t stop your second senior brother’s Everlasting Flowing Sword. In a hundred years, your second senior brother was the only one who could single-handedly defeat the entire Shanglin Heavenly Palace. At that time, Xie Kanhua was rumored to be dead, Helian Xiyue claimed to have nothing to do with the matter and refused to fight, and Bai Jile wasn’t on Mount Weilong. In the end, the only one who could fight was Ning Qingcheng, the Grand Palace Master of Shanglin Heavenly Palace. Your second senior brother and Ning Qingcheng had a final showdown at the peak of Mount Weilong. He severely injured Ning Qingcheng and forced him to promise that Shanglin Heavenly Palace would never trouble you again. Even to this day, Ning Qingcheng is still in seclusion, recovering from his injuries. But your second senior brother’s vital energy was greatly depleted because of this battle. After I heard about this, I left the city to find him and met him in Baize City. We held our wedding ceremony there and became husband and wife.”
“Three days later, your second senior brother died. Nine days before the Heavenly Martial Rankings officially listed him as third in the world.”