Zuo Zimu

Zuo Zimu (simplified: 左子穆, traditional: 左子穆, pinyin: Zuǒ Zǐmù, jyutping: zo2 zi2 muk6) was the leader (zhangmen) of the Wuliang Sword School’s Eastern Branch. He was described as being between 40 and 60 years old with a long beard. His martial arts were considered competent, and he was known for leading the Eastern Faction during the school’s conflicts with the Shennong Guild and the school’s eventual absorption into the Lingjiu Palace network.

Biography

Leadership of the Eastern Branch

Zuo Zimu served as the zhangmen (掌门) of the Wuliang Sword School’s Eastern Branch, one of the two active factions of the school (the other being the Western Branch led by Xin Shuangqing). The Eastern and Western branches competed every five years in sword duels at Sword Lake Palace, with the winning faction gaining the right to reside there for the next five years.

Under Zuo Zimu’s leadership, the Eastern Branch won four out of six competitions against the Western Branch over the course of thirty-five years. This record demonstrated his faction’s martial prowess and his own leadership abilities.

Disciples and faction members

Zuo Zimu had several disciples, including Gan Guanghao, his eldest disciple, and Gong Guangjie, his second disciple. He also had a junior brother (shidi), Rong Ziju, who served as a disciple of the Eastern Branch. These disciples participated in the faction’s sword competitions and represented the Eastern Branch in various conflicts.

Conflict with the Shennong Guild

The conflict with the Shennong Guild began when four Shennong Guild leaders came to Sword Lake Palace requesting permission to gather herbs from the back mountain, which violated the school’s taboos. A fight broke out, and Zuo Zimu, along with Rong Ziju, killed two of the guild members, creating lasting enmity between the two organisations.

The Shennong Guild leader Sikong Xuan had already been controlled by the Mark of Life and Death and was under orders from the Lingjiu Palace to occupy Sword Lake Palace and investigate the truth about the Wuliang Jade Wall (无量玉壁). This made the conflict inevitable, as the Shennong Guild was determined to complete their mission.

The Shennong Guild’s expertise in poison techniques gave them a significant advantage over the Wuliang Sword School, which had no knowledge of poison arts. This imbalance ultimately led to the school’s defeat. Rong Ziju was killed by the Shennong Guild, and the school was forced to submit to their attackers.

Absorption into the Lingjiu Palace network

After their conflict with the Shennong Guild, the Wuliang Sword School was absorbed into the Lingjiu Palace network and renamed “Wuliang Cave” (无量洞). This marked the end of the school’s independence and their integration into the larger martial arts world controlled by Tianshan Child Granny.

As part of this transformation, Zuo Zimu’s position changed from leader of an independent faction to a subordinate within the Lingjiu Palace’s network of controlled organisations. The Eastern and Western branches were consolidated, with Xin Shuangqing becoming the cave leader and Zuo Zimu serving as the deputy cave leader (副洞主).

Technique: Golden Needle’s Salvation

Zuo Zimu was known to use a technique called “Golden Needle’s Salvation” (金针渡劫) when attempting to kill the Lightning Marten. This technique demonstrated the school’s ability to adapt their sword techniques for various combat situations beyond traditional sword duels.

Personality and traits

Competent leader

Zuo Zimu was portrayed as a competent martial artist and leader. His faction’s success in the sword competitions demonstrated his leadership abilities and the effectiveness of his training methods. His martial arts skills were considered adequate for his position, though he was ultimately unable to prevent the school’s downfall.

Traditional martial artist

Zuo Zimu represented traditional martial arts values, maintaining the school’s taboos and traditions. He was unwilling to compromise the school’s rules, even when facing pressure from the Shennong Guild, which ultimately contributed to the conflict that led to the school’s destruction.

Martial arts abilities

Wuliang Swordplay

Zuo Zimu was skilled in the Wuliang Sword School’s signature technique, Wuliang Swordplay (无量剑法), which was a comprehensive sword system that had been continuously refined and improved over generations. The technique was inspired by the mysterious images reflected in the Wuliang Jade Wall.

Golden Needle’s Salvation

Zuo Zimu demonstrated the ability to adapt sword techniques for non-traditional combat situations, as shown by his use of the “Golden Needle’s Salvation” technique against the Lightning Marten. This demonstrated both his technical skill and his ability to think creatively in combat situations.

Relationships

Disciples

Zuo Zimu had several disciples, including Gan Guanghao, his eldest disciple who would later elope with Ge Guangpei, and Gong Guangjie, his second disciple. These disciples represented the next generation of the Eastern Branch and participated in the faction’s competitions and conflicts.

Rong Ziju

Zuo Zimu had a junior brother (shidi), Rong Ziju, who served as a disciple of the Eastern Branch. Rong Ziju fought alongside Zuo Zimu during the conflict with the Shennong Guild and was killed in the fighting, leaving a message on his chest warning of the Shennong Guild’s intentions.

Xin Shuangqing

Zuo Zimu’s relationship with Xin Shuangqing, the leader of the Western Branch, was characterised by competition and rivalry. The two factions competed regularly for control of Sword Lake Palace, creating an ongoing competitive relationship between the two leaders.

Sikong Xuan and the Shennong Guild

Zuo Zimu’s conflict with Sikong Xuan and the Shennong Guild was central to the school’s downfall. The initial confrontation when the Shennong Guild requested to gather herbs led to violence, and the guild’s superior poison techniques ultimately overwhelmed the sword school.

Behind the scenes

Zuo Zimu represents the traditional martial arts leader who maintains established rules and customs but is ultimately unable to adapt to changing circumstances. His conflict with the Shennong Guild illustrates how smaller, independent martial arts organisations could be overwhelmed by larger, more powerful forces in the jianghu.

His transformation from leader of an independent faction to deputy leader of a subordinate cave demonstrates the changing power dynamics in the martial arts world and how organisations could lose their autonomy when faced with overwhelming force.

Portrayals

Zuo Zimu has been portrayed in various adaptations of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.