Chapter 7: The Woman in White, Asking the Sword from the City Wall

On the fifth day, a woman in white robes arrived in Hanzhou City.

She entered the city from the south, carrying a slender ancient sword on her back and a Green Jade Token hanging at her waist.

The city guards saw the token, their faces changed drastically, and they dared not block her.

For that token belonged to the Great Yin Sword Pavilion.

The Sword Pavilion is one of the sacred lands for Sword Cultivators under Heaven; its disciples do not enter the Imperial Court, yet they can make the Imperial Court bow its head.

The woman in white was named Xie Tingxue.

After entering the city, she went straight to the Jiang Family Old Residence.

At that time, Jiang Che was practicing swordsmanship on the Martial Arts Ground.

They called it practicing swordsmanship, but in truth, he was merely drawing and sheathing his sword repeatedly.

His sword moves were very simple.

So simple that Chen Shanhe watched for a long time and still could not discern the method.

Yet every time the Wooden Sword moved, a very fine white trace appeared in the air, lingering for a long time without dispersing.

Xie Tingxue stood outside the Martial Arts Ground and watched for half a stick of incense.

Finally, she spoke: "Your sword does not belong to you."

Jiang Che halted his sword and turned around.

The woman in white was extremely beautiful, her eyes and brows cold and clear, like fresh snow on a cold mountain.

Jiang Che asked: "Who are you?"

"Sword Pavilion, Xie Tingxue."

Chen Shanhe's face changed slightly; he whispered: "Young Master, the Xie Family of the Sword Pavilion is one of the leaders of the Sword Dao in the world today."

Xie Tingxue looked at Jiang Che: "I have come to take the sword."

Jiang Che raised an eyebrow: "Take what sword?"

"The Soul of the Sword within that Wooden Sword in your hand."

The Sword Spirit said lazily: "Oh, here for me."

Jiang Che asked: "Do you know her?"

"I do not know her. But I recognize the Sword Intent on her person."

"Whose?"

The Sword Spirit's smile faded slightly: "An old friend."

Xie Tingxue continued: "A hundred years ago, my Sword Pavilion Ancestor made a pact with Wine Sword Senior: if his remnant Soul ever returned to the world, Sword Pavilion disciples must welcome him back to the Pavilion."

Jiang Che gripped the Wooden Sword tightly: "What if he does not return?"

Xie Tingxue said calmly: "Then we shall Ask with the Sword."

Chen Shanhe shouted angrily: "How dare you! The Young Master's injuries are not yet healed; does the Sword Pavilion also wish to take advantage of a person in distress?"

Xie Tingxue looked at Jiang Che: "I will suppress my Realm to match yours."

Jiang Che smiled.

"Good."

Chen Shanhe cried out urgently: "Young Master!"

Jiang Che waved his hand.

He needed a battle.

Ever since merging with the Soul of the Sword, every time he killed an enemy, it felt like borrowing power.

He must know where his own sword truly lies.

The Martial Arts Ground was quickly cleared.

Xie Tingxue raised her hand; the ancient sword on her back unsheathed three inches.

Sword Qi like snow.

She truly suppressed her Realm to Third Grade.

Jiang Che stood holding the Wooden Sword.

The Sword Spirit warned: "This girl is not simple; her sword is very pure."

Jiang Che said: "Then what about me?"

"You?"

The Sword Spirit laughed: "You now look like a poor boy holding the key to a treasure mountain."

Jiang Che took a deep breath.

Xie Tingxue struck first.

The instant the ancient sword fully unsheathed, fine snow began to drift over the Martial Arts Ground.

Her sword was fast, yet not fierce; like snow falling silently, by the time you notice, you are already covered in icy cold.

Jiang Che drew his sword to block.

Ding!

The Wooden Sword collided with the ancient sword.

Though the Wooden Sword had no edge, it did not break.

A flicker of surprise flashed in Xie Tingxue's eyes; her sword momentum changed abruptly.

One sword became ten, ten swords became a hundred.

Jiang Che retreated seven steps; several tears appeared in his sleeves.

He did not use the power of the Soul of the Sword.

He simply relied on his own eyes to see, his own body to block, his own heart to feel.

On the eighth step, Xie Tingxue's sword tip stopped before his throat.

"You've lost."

Jiang Che lowered his head to look at the sword tip and suddenly asked, "If this were a life-and-death battle, would you have stopped just now?"

Xie Tingxue said, "No."

Jiang Che smiled.

The wooden sword in his hand suddenly tapped lightly downward.

The sword tip struck the ground.

A wisp of sword Qi sprang up from beneath the earth, stabbing straight at Xie Tingxue's wrist.

Xie Tingxue's expression shifted slightly; she withdrew her sword and retreated.

Jiang Che seized the momentum to press forward and slashed out with one sword.

This sword was still simple.

Yet Xie Tingxue seemed to see a lone wolf walking out of the snow.

Not elegant, not wondrous.

But lethal.

Clang!

The two swords collided again.

Xie Tingxue retreated half a step.

The whole arena fell silent.

Jiang Che coughed up a mouthful of blood and laughed, "And now?"

Xie Tingxue looked at him, silent for a moment.

"You've still lost."

"But your sword is starting to look like you."

Jiang Che sheathed his sword: "So will you still take it?"

Xie Tingxue shook her head.

"I've changed my mind."

"I'm going to leave the pass with you."

Chen Shanhe was stunned.

Jiang Che was also taken aback: "Why?"

Xie Tingxue gazed northward.

"The Sword Pavilion has received word."

"The Northern Barbarian National Preceptor has already entered White Bone Pass."

"Behind him are Heavenly Gate Envoys."

The Sword Spirit sneered: "They came fast."

Xie Tingxue looked at Jiang Che.

"If you go to the Northern Border, you'll die."

Jiang Che asked, "Are you afraid of death?"

Xie Tingxue said calmly, "If a Sword Cultivator fears death, why bother practicing the sword."

Jiang Che smiled.

"Then let's go together."