From the beginning of Swordsman, he created a legend in the martial arts world.

After a moment's thought, Lin Zhennan suddenly stood up, all hesitation vanishing from his eyes, replaced by a resolute determination.

He turned to look at Meng Fei, his gaze fervent and solemn, then bowed deeply: "If it weren't for your guidance, young hero, I would probably still be as lost and helpless as a trapped beast. I will forever remember this kindness and gratitude!"

After a moment's thought, he immediately decided, "In that case, let's set the date for Hengshan in three days, so that I can prepare some gifts for the apprenticeship ceremony."

Seeing that Lin Zhennan had made up his mind, Meng Fei nodded slightly.

"Although Yu Canghai suffered a minor setback, his desire for revenge will likely not linger for long. In my opinion, if the chief镖头 (chief镖头 is determined to go), it would be better to set off early tomorrow morning. As for the apprenticeship ceremony, it can be prepared on the way."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhennan's expression sharpened, and he immediately realized the wisdom in his words. He nodded slightly, "Young hero, your considerations are thorough! I will make arrangements immediately, and we will travel to Hengshan together early tomorrow morning!"

With the plan settled, Meng Fei immediately stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "In that case, I will return to my lodgings to tidy up. We will meet again outside the city early tomorrow morning. Farewell!"

Lin Zhennan personally escorted Meng Fei out of the escort agency's gate, watching the figure in green disappear into the night before turning back to his residence. He then summoned his trusted confidants that very night to arrange the escort agency's defenses and explain the itinerary.

By the time they returned to the courtyard, it was already deep into the night.

Meng Fei gazed at the light emanating from the front courtyard's side room and slowly walked over.

Li Gou'er was seen hunched over the table, intently reading a book by the light of an oil lamp.

Hearing the door open, Li Gou'er suddenly looked up and saw that it was Meng Fei returning. He immediately jumped up from the stool and rushed to Meng Fei.

Seeing the excited Li Gou'er, Meng Fei patted his head and told the two of them about his trip to Hengshan the next day.

"This journey will take at least a month, and at most two or three months. You two can stay here without worry. I will return once I have finished my business at Hengshan."

Li Bo's expression shifted slightly, and he repeatedly agreed.

But then he saw Li Gou'er clutching his clothes tightly, her eyes filled with reluctance and worry.

Seeing this, Meng Fei smiled slightly, and then instructed again: "While I'm gone, you must practice your sword diligently and study hard. If I come back and find that you have slacked off, I will punish you severely."

Li Gou'er tilted his little face up and finally nodded vigorously: "Okay! I understand."

Back in the backyard, Meng Fei quickly packed a few changes of clothes and his personal belongings.

The moonlight outside the window was like water, and Meng Fei lay in bed unable to fall asleep for a while.

Just after midnight, outside the Fuwei Escort Agency, more than ten Qingcheng Sect disciples dressed in black appeared silently like ghosts.

A cold glint flashed in the leader's eyes. He made a swift and decisive gesture and said in a low voice, "Kill everyone except Lin Zhennan and his son—"

"Whoosh—"

Several figures were the first to scale the high wall, and then the gate of the escort agency was opened from the inside. More Qingcheng disciples poured into the courtyard and killed anyone they saw.

For a time, the sounds of clashing weapons and screams of terror filled the air.

Lin Zhennan, who was tidying up his things in the room, suddenly heard an unusually noisy noise coming from outside, and his heart sank.

Just as he was about to open the door, a bodyguard covered in blood staggered in.

"Chief镖师, something terrible has happened! The Qingcheng Sect has broken in—"

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp sword light pierced through his back, and the bodyguard immediately fell to the ground, revealing a Qingcheng Sect disciple with a sinister smile behind him.

"You wicked scoundrel, prepare to die!"

Seeing this, Lin Zhennan's eyes widened in fury. He roared and immediately drew his sword, charging towards the Qingcheng disciples.

However, the opponent was agile and easily parried the sword, and three or four Qingcheng disciples rushed over upon hearing the commotion.

Although Lin Zhennan unleashed the full power of the Evil-Repelling Sword Technique, he was already struggling against the tacit cooperation of the Qingcheng Sect disciples after only a dozen or so rounds, and he suffered several wounds on his arms, shoulders and back.

Only now did he truly realize the terrifying strength of the Qingcheng Sect as a prestigious sect. Despite his best efforts, he found it extremely difficult to even parry the attacks.

"father!"

Amid the chaos, Lin Pingzhi's exclamation rang out. He was locked in combat with a Qingcheng Sect disciple, and the situation was extremely precarious.

"Hirayuki!"

Lin Zhennan endured a sword blow to his back, pushed aside the enemy in front of him, and roared hoarsely, "Quickly, go out the back door and go find Young Hero Meng for help."

Seeing his father fighting desperately and covered in wounds, but unable to help him at all, Lin Pingzhi gritted his teeth, turned around, and fled to the backyard.

"Stop running away!"

Seeing this, a Qingcheng Sect disciple was about to give chase, but Lin Zhennan desperately stopped him.

Seeing this, the leader sneered: "No need to worry, that kid won't get far. Let's deal with Lin Zhennan first."

Seeing that his son had escaped, Lin Zhennan felt a little relieved. However, looking around, he saw that most of the bodyguards and staff in the escort agency had fallen dead.

"Yu Canghai, even as a ghost, I, Lin, will not let your Qingcheng Sect go!"

Lin Zhennan was filled with grief and indignation. He brandished his long sword and immediately engaged in a fierce battle with the Qingcheng Sect disciples.

"Bang bang bang—"

On the other side, Lin Pingzhi, clutching his wound, stumbled to the outside of Meng Fei's residence and pounded on the gate.

Inside the courtyard, Uncle Li, who was fast asleep, was awakened by the knocking at the door in the middle of the night. He opened the door a crack, still looking sleepy.

"Who is it?"

When he saw a young man covered in blood and pale-faced outside the door, he screamed in fright and instinctively tried to close the door.

"Wait a minute!"

Lin Pingzhi braced himself against the door, squeezed sideways into the courtyard, and staggered as he rushed inside, shouting, "Brother Meng, I am Lin Pingzhi from Fuwei Escort Agency! The Qingcheng Sect bandits have stormed our agency! Please come to our rescue!"

Hearing the cries for help coming from the front yard, Meng Fei, who had just fallen asleep, suddenly opened his eyes and immediately turned over and went outside.

By the dim moonlight, Meng Fei saw the bloodstains on his body, and his heart sank.

"What's going on? Wasn't Yu Canghai injured? Why is he attacking at this time?"

"Brother Meng!"

Lin Pingzhi grabbed Meng Fei's arm and said urgently, "This time, more than a dozen Qingcheng Sect disciples have come, but Yu Canghai has not shown up. My father is in critical condition. Please, you must save my father!"

Meng Fei hesitated for a moment, then took out a long sword from the house.

"You stay here and bandage your wounds, I'm going to rescue people."

"No! I'll go with you!"

Lin Pingzhi stubbornly followed behind Meng Fei, his eyes filled with a resolute determination to gamble everything.

"My injury is nothing! Besides, that's my dad!"

Seeing his resolute attitude, Meng Fei knew he was eager to save his father, so he stopped trying to stop him and said in a deep voice, "Stay close to me and don't act rashly."

Just as the two were about to leave, they saw Li Gou'er standing quietly at the door, wearing only a thin coat, looking at Meng Fei with a worried expression.

Meng Fei's heart softened. He quickly walked up to him, squatted down, and vigorously ruffled his hair, comforting him, "Don't worry, just stay home and wait patiently. They can't hurt me."

Li Gou'er's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but he only nodded vigorously.

But as Meng Fei got up and walked to the courtyard gate with Lin Pingzhi, he suddenly rushed forward a few steps and shouted with all his might, "Master, be careful! You must... you must come back safely!"

That "Master" was uttered with a mix of youthful awkwardness and solemnity, and it sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Meng Fei paused slightly, then slowly turned around to look at the child who was trembling slightly by the door but trying his best to stand up straight.

After a moment's hesitation, Meng Fei finally spoke, "Alright. I'll remember this 'Master.' When I return, I'll consider formally accepting you as my disciple!"

He paused, his tone deepening, as if every word carried weight.

"Since you are willing to become my disciple, I will give you a new name today—Bin. Bin means both literary and martial arts skills! From now on, you will be called Li Bin."

After a moment's thought, Meng Fei spoke again: "Remember what I said. Not only must you diligently practice the three sword techniques I taught you, but you must also study hard. A sword can protect your body; books can enlighten your mind."

"Only by reading and understanding principles can one distinguish right from wrong and good from evil, and know when and why to draw the sword in one's hand."

Meng Fei gazed deeply at Li Bin, as if leaving all his entrustment and expectations in this moment.

"Practice your swordsmanship diligently, and wait for me to return!"

After saying that, Meng Fei didn't look back, and he and Lin Pingzhi quickly disappeared into the night.