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

Since that day, although Meng Fei did not slack off in practicing swordsmanship, he was no longer in a hurry to break through. Instead, he focused more on comprehending sword techniques, internal energy, and the fusion of sword intent.

He even began to pay attention to the mountains and terrain along the way, vaguely feeling that the ultimate truth of swordsmanship might also be contained in the natural world.

The three chatted and laughed all the way, tasting local snacks and experiencing different customs and cultures.

Aya and Alu smiled more and more, and occasionally they would playfully tease Meng Fei, letting out a burst of silvery laughter.

Throughout the journey, Meng Fei could occasionally sense the subtle, yet persistent, gazes he was being watched.

However, perhaps because the strength he had displayed in the battle at Shaolin was too terrifying, these people who had been following and spying on him only dared to stay far away, and none of them dared to jump out and make a move rashly.

Only when the familiar outline of Fuzhou city in the distance gradually became clear at the edge of the line of sight did the spying gaze completely disappear.

"Let's go, we're almost there."

Meng Fei took the lead, his pace quickening unconsciously as he walked into the city.

After taking a few steps, he seemed to suddenly remember something. He turned his head and looked at the two women beside him who were curiously looking around, especially the lively and spirited A'Luo. A slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, I also took on a little apprentice in Fuzhou. Don't bully him when you see him later."

"apprentice?"

A'Luo's eyes lit up immediately, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Meng, you actually took on a disciple? How old is he? Is he skilled in kung fu?"

You'll find out soon enough.

Meng Fei deliberately kept everyone in suspense, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

It's been over a year since I last saw him. I wonder what Li Bin, that chubby-faced, stubborn-eyed boy, looks like now?

The three of them walked briskly and soon arrived at the alley where Meng Fei had rented a place.

However, as soon as he got closer, Meng Fei paused, his brows furrowing slightly.

The gate to the courtyard remains the same as I remember, but now two boys of about fifteen or sixteen years old are standing at the entrance.

The two men were dressed in short blue robes, with wooden swords at their waists. They looked alert and scanned the alleyway back and forth, appearing to be guards.

This house... seems to have changed owners?

When I left, I clearly left enough money and specifically instructed Uncle Li to keep an eye on the house, so how could this be...?

In an instant, a sense of foreboding mixed with anger surged into my heart.

Meng Fei's face instantly darkened, and his aura turned cold as he walked straight toward the courtyard gate.

"stop!"

Upon seeing Meng Fei, a stranger with an unfriendly expression, barging in, the two youths at the entrance immediately stepped in to block him. One of them shouted, "This is the territory of my Divine Sword Gang. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach!"

"Get out of the way!"

Meng Fei had no time to argue with two teenagers. With a flick of his sleeve, a gentle yet powerful gust of wind swept out, and the two boys felt a surge of force, causing them to stumble and fall to either side involuntarily.

Seeing Meng Fei's sudden change in expression, Aya and Alu knew something was wrong and immediately followed closely behind, their expressions becoming wary.

Stepping into the front yard, I was surprised to find it exceptionally clean and tidy, clearly well-maintained by someone. This seemed to contradict my assumption that the entrance was "occupied."

Meng Fei's doubts deepened, and he quickly walked through the moon gate in the front yard and arrived at the back room where he used to live.

Pushing open the door, the familiar furnishings came into view. The tables and chairs were still the same as before, and even their positions had not been moved. Even the few miscellaneous books that he had casually placed on the bookshelf were still in their original positions, except that the edges of the pages had been carefully smoothed.

Everything is almost exactly the same as when he left, except for the added tidiness and maintenance that reflect the tranquility of time.

This doesn't look like it was taken over by outsiders; it's more like... someone has been silently guarding this place, waiting for the owner to return.

Meng Fei's cold expression softened somewhat, and he turned around and walked towards the bamboo grove in the backyard where he often practiced his sword.

The bamboo shadows still swayed, as if time had stood still. He seemed to see again a year ago that stubborn boy, watching with bated breath, his eyes shining with longing and admiration.

The bamboo leaves are still crisp and clear, but where is that boy...?

"Brother Meng, has something happened?"

Aya and Aro exchanged a worried look and asked softly.

As they followed Meng Fei, they discovered that the vast mansion was virtually deserted, except for the two boys at the gate. The disciple Meng Fei had mentioned was nowhere to be found.

Just then, a series of hurried and chaotic footsteps and shouts suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"Who dares to trespass on our gang leader's property? They're asking for trouble!"

Before he finished speaking, four or five young men, around twenty years old, rushed aggressively into the backyard.

The leader was a man with a burly and robust build, almost like an adult male, but his face still carried a hint of youthful innocence. His gaze, however, revealed a fierce courage like that of a newborn calf.

The group immediately spotted Meng Fei's back as he stood quietly in front of the bamboo grove.

The young man at the head of the group was about to speak when his gaze fell upon the figure standing with his hands behind his back, upright as a pine tree. He stopped abruptly, and the rebuke that was on the tip of his tongue was abruptly cut off.

He stared wide-eyed at the figure's back, his face first blank, then filled with unbelievable joy and excitement.

"You...you are..."

The slightly trembling yet incredibly familiar boyish voice suddenly brought Meng Fei, who was immersed in memories and worries, back to his senses.

He slowly turned around.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled patterns on his calm face.

"Master?!...Master! It really is you back! That's wonderful!!"

The moment the young man saw Meng Fei's face clearly, he froze for a second as if his pressure points had been struck.

A deafening cheer erupted, and he rushed forward in one stride, only to abruptly stop a foot in front of Meng Fei, grinning foolishly with a hint of moisture welling up in his eyes.

The person who arrived was none other than Li Bin.

Meng Fei never expected that in just one year, the stubborn boy who was once thin, dark-skinned, and had to look up at him had grown nearly two heads taller. If it weren't for the familiar stubbornness in his eyes and the undisguised affection for him, he would hardly recognize him.

Looking at Li Bin, who was so excited that he was incoherent, Meng Fei's worries and anger were replaced by surprise and relief.

"Let's go inside and talk."

After saying that, Meng Fei took the lead and walked towards the side room. Aya and Alu followed closely behind, looking at the suddenly appearing, rather large "little apprentice" with curiosity.

Only then did Li Bin notice the two beautiful and uniquely elegant Miao girls behind his master. After a moment of surprise, he quickly and respectfully bowed, saying, "Li Bin greets my two master's wives!"

Aya and Alu blushed instantly, and Alu even let out an "Ah!" and hid behind Aya in embarrassment.

Meng Fei was also slightly taken aback, then shook his head and chuckled, gently scolding, "Don't talk nonsense, this is Aya, this is Aluo, they are my friends."

Aya, who was initially a little shy, dimmed slightly upon hearing Meng Fei's words, and then quickly composed herself.