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

Lin Pingzhi listened in a daze, as if a thunderclap had exploded in his mind, or as if a layer of fog had been slowly lifted.

He looked at Liu Zhengfeng, who was in dire straits in the hall, at the arrogant Songshan Sect, and at the silent so-called heroes of the martial arts world. Then, thinking of his own family's blood feud and his bleak future, an unprecedented surge of emotion, mixed with grief, indignation, enlightenment, and determination, suddenly crashed into his chest.

"Remember, whether it's learning martial arts, dealing with others, or seeking revenge, a person must rely on themselves!"

Meng Fei's voice was deep and powerful, each word clearly reaching Lin Pingzhi's ears.

"External forces can be borrowed, and reputation can be used, but if one cannot stand firm on one's own, everything is just a mirage, and will vanish in an instant."

These words were earnest and profound, serving as both a warning and an expectation.

"Yes, I've got it, Brother Meng."

Looking into Meng Fei's eyes, Lin Pingzhi nodded vigorously.

He may not be able to fully grasp the deeper meaning of these words at the moment, but he has already firmly remembered them. In time, as he gains more experience, he will one day truly understand them.

"Very good. Some truths do require time and experience to understand."

Seeing that he could listen, Meng Fei's eyes flashed with a hint of relief, and he nodded slightly.

Just as the two were talking in hushed tones, the standoff on the other side of the hall had reached a critical juncture where life and death were at stake.

Seeing that Liu Zhengfeng was determined to die rather than submit, Fei Bin's face flashed with a ferocious look, and he already held his long sword to the neck of Liu Zhengfeng's young son.

"Liu Zhengfeng, I'm giving you one last chance. Either bring me the head of the demon Qu Yang within a month to show your sincerity in severing ties with the demonic sect and redeeming yourself, or..."

He pressed down slightly with his sword, and a line of blood immediately appeared on the child's neck.

"I will first send your wife and children on their way, then cleanse the sect and execute you, this traitor who colluded with the demonic cult! I will count to three; whether you live or die, the choice is yours!"

"one!"

The entire room was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes were on Liu Zhengfeng, waiting for him to make his final decision.

"two!"

Fei Bin's eyes were filled with murderous intent, and his voice was like a death knell, sending chills down one's spine.

"three--!"

At that critical moment, before Fei Bin could finish the word "three," his wrist flicked slightly, about to strike—

"Whoosh—!"

A faint yet sharp sound suddenly rang out from behind the crowd!

A streak of dark light shot out like lightning, striking the spine of Fei Bin's longsword squarely!

"Ding!"

Fei Bin felt a jolt in his wrist as a cunning force struck, deflecting his sword, which was poised to strike, by half an inch. The blade grazed the child's neck, leaving a shallow bloodstain, but did not cause fatal damage.

"Who?! Which fool dares to interfere in the affairs of my Songshan Sect?!"

Fei Bin was both shocked and furious. He suddenly turned his head and swept his eyes toward the source of the dark light.

However, just as his attention was drawn to the bamboo chopstick that had attacked him, and he was shouting angrily—

A slender figure in green, like a cheetah that had been poised for a long time, suddenly sprang up from the crowd!

His movements were so fast that he left a faint afterimage in the air, and with lightning speed, he rushed straight towards the Songshan Sect disciples who were holding Liu Zhengfeng's wife and daughter hostage!

"Be careful!"

"Stop him!"

Several disciples of Songshan cried out in surprise, but the newcomer was too fast and the timing was just right, precisely when they were slightly distracted by Fei Bin's attack!

A flash of cold light!

"Clang! Clang! Sizzle—!"

Several rapid sounds of weapons clashing and blades piercing flesh rang out almost simultaneously.

The green figure's sword light shone like a serpent's tongue, instantly deflecting two swords pointed at the hostages, and another sword precisely pierced the wrist of a disciple who reacted a little slower.

"what!"

Amidst screams, the disciple's weapon instantly slipped from his hand.

At that moment, no one present could have imagined that someone would actually step in to save Liu Zhengfeng's wife and daughter.

Without pausing, the figure in green swiftly reached out with its left hand, pulling the terrified young Liu Zhengfeng into its arms. At the same time, it shifted its stance, now protecting Liu Zhengfeng's wife.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye.

When everyone could see clearly, they saw a young man dressed in a blue robe, with a somewhat childish face but a resolute look in his eyes, holding a blood-dripping longsword, protecting Liu Zhengfeng's wife and daughter, confronting several terrified Songshan disciples.

"Where did this arrogant brat come from, daring to cause trouble here and ruin the important affairs of my Songshan Sect! Seize him!"

Upon realizing that the troublemaker was a young man barely over twenty with a still-childish face, Fei Bin was not only shocked but also enraged, and immediately ordered his men to take him down.

Upon hearing the order, several disciples from Mount Song's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and they immediately drew their swords and charged forward, launching a combined attack on Lin Pingzhi from different directions.

In their view, dealing with such an unknown young man was a piece of cake.

However, what happened next surprised many people present!

Facing the siege of several disciples from the Songshan Sect, Lin Pingzhi showed no fear whatsoever.

He took a deep breath, handed the child in his arms to Madam Liu, and shouted, "Madam, protect the child!" Then, he brandished his long sword and advanced instead of retreating, meeting the oncoming sword net.

The moment Lin Pingzhi unleashed his swordsmanship, it was in the same vein as when he had saved people earlier, and even more fierce and swift.

"Ding ding ding—!"

A series of rapid, metallic clanging sounds suddenly erupted!

However, within a few moves, the disciples of Songshan Mountain not only failed to quickly subdue Lin Pingzhi, but were instead forced into a frantic retreat by his unpredictable and deadly swordsmanship.

"What exquisite swordsmanship!"

"What is this young man's background?"

Suppressed gasps rose from the crowd.

Seeing his subordinates being forced into such a sorry state by a mere teenager, even backed into a corner, with the situation hanging by a thread, Fei Bin's face darkened considerably.

At that moment, a sudden change occurred—

From the crowd, a short, stout figure rushed in without warning, like a ghost.

This person moved with astonishing speed and without making a sound. Only when he was about ten feet behind Lin Pingzhi did he suddenly unleash a fierce killing intent.

Without uttering a word, the man raised his right palm, which was slightly red, and a scorching and fierce palm force was gathered in it, which he then slammed into Lin Pingzhi's back.

It is the signature move of Lu Bai, one of the Thirteen Protectors of the Songshan Sect, also known as "Crane Hand"—the Great Songyang Divine Palm!

If this palm strike landed squarely, given Lin Pingzhi's cultivation level, even if he didn't die on the spot, he would certainly suffer broken bones and be critically injured.

Watch out behind you!

Upon seeing this, Abbess Dingyi of the Hengshan Sect felt compassion and couldn't help but cry out in surprise. At the same time, she flicked her whisk and was about to make a move to rescue them.

However, Lu Bai's sneak attack was too fast and too sudden!

But someone was faster than her!

Just as Lu Bai's palm strike was about to be unleashed and his aura locked onto Lin Pingzhi, a green shadow, as if it had foreseen the future, slashed in from the side like lightning.

It was Meng Fei!

He seemed to have anticipated this turn of events and remained vigilant and alert throughout the crowd.

Seeing Lu Bai launch a sneak attack, he swayed and stood between Lin Pingzhi and Lu Bai. The long sword in his hand turned into a cold light. Instead of stabbing Lu Bai's wrist or blocking his palm strike, he took a different approach and stabbed Lu Bai in the armpit.

This sword strike, with its tricky angle and precise timing, is truly breathtaking!

This sword strike perfectly embodies the essence of the Thirteen Deadly Swords: attacking the enemy's last line of defense and using offense as a means of defense!