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

Upon hearing this, Li Bin felt somewhat embarrassed. He was simple-minded; seeing the two women's intimate interactions with Meng Fei, he naturally addressed them that way, never expecting it to…

Just as he was about to apologize, Meng Fei waved his hand and asked about his experiences over the past year.

"Tell me, what have you been doing for the past year or so? What's the deal with that 'Divine Sword Gang'?"

Li Bin scratched his head, grinned somewhat embarrassedly, then took a deep breath and began to recount his experiences over the past year in a clear and unhurried manner.

It turned out that after Meng Fei left, Uncle Li arranged for him to attend a school. While learning to read and write, he did not forget Meng Fei's instructions.

Every day after school, he would go to the bamboo grove where Meng Fei often practiced his swordsmanship to hone the Thirteen Deadly Swords. Through the changing seasons, his swordsmanship became increasingly refined, and his body grew taller rapidly, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

The boys in the school saw that he was both literate and martial, and that he was extremely loyal and willing to stand up for others. Gradually, they took him as their leader and made him the head of the school.

But he kept thinking about Meng Fei's words before he left: "I will return in a month at the shortest, and two or three months at the longest."

However, a month, two months, three months... until half a year passed, Meng Fei still hadn't returned. Li Bin's expectation was gradually replaced by anxiety and unease.

On his way home from school one day, he happened to see several homeless teenagers who often gathered at a dilapidated temple in the west of the city being bullied and extorted by thugs from the nearby "Black Snake Gang".

Li Bin, who was already in a bad mood, felt a surge of anger when he saw this scene. Without saying a word, he rushed forward and beat the thugs up.

However, the Black Snake Gang was not about to let this go.

So, a few days later, the Black Snake Gang sent seven or eight more ruthless members to seek revenge, blocking Li Bin on his way home from school.

Upon encountering this situation, Li Bin's heart tightened, but remembering his master's teachings, he quickly suppressed his panic, drew his wooden sword, and unleashed the Thirteen Deadly Swords.

In that battle, facing a larger and more ferocious opponent, Li Bin, with the ruthlessness of a newborn calf and his increasingly refined swordsmanship, managed to take down the thugs one by one.

This battle greatly increased his prestige among the local residents and homeless teenagers.

He then pressed his advantage, leading the hot-blooded youths to the Black Snake Gang's stronghold. After a not-so-intense conflict, he actually managed to drive the thugs out of the neighborhood.

From then on, Li Bin's reputation grew, and more and more homeless teenagers followed him, until someone suggested, "Brother Li, with so many of us, shouldn't we have a more prestigious name?"

So the boys excitedly started arguing with each other, asking Li Bin to come up with a name for them.

Unable to refuse, and driven by a touch of vanity and ambition in his youth, Li Bin founded the "Divine Sword Gang" in the name of the sword technique taught by his master.

However, having suffered a great loss, the Black Snake Gang would not let it go so easily.

Li Bin recently heard that not long ago, the other party spared no expense and even planned to spend a high price of "one hundred taels of silver" to hire a "master" from the martial arts world to deal with him.

Meng Fei, who had been listening with great interest and even secretly nodding in approval of Li Bin's "entrepreneurial" experience, couldn't help but twitch his lips when he heard the price of "one hundred taels." He felt an extremely absurd and nonsensical feeling.

One hundred taels? Need a master to deal with my... disciple who's only been training for a little over a year?

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was not much shorter than himself, with bright eyes and a more resolute look after going through some trials, he suddenly felt that the little connection he had casually formed back then seemed to have blossomed into an unexpected yet comforting flower.

"Well done!"

Meng Fei nodded, his tone flat, revealing little emotion.

These simple four words brought tears to Li Bin's eyes instantly. He felt that the hard work, confusion, and pressure of the past year had received the most precious recognition at this moment. Everything was worth it!

"Master, the martial arts expert hired by the Black Snake Gang..."

Having never truly experienced the battles of the martial world, he instinctively felt a sense of apprehension and tension towards the legendary "masters" who could leap across rooftops and kill without a trace.

"Oh--"

Upon hearing this, Meng Fei let out a very soft, cold laugh, a glint of unreadable light flashing in his eyes.

He then looked at Li Bin, his tone carrying a hint of amusement, yet also revealing an invisible strength and confidence.

"He's just a 'master' worth 'one hundred taels.' Is it possible that the swordsmanship I taught you can't even handle someone worth a mere 'one hundred taels'?"

Looking into Meng Fei's serious yet confident eyes, Li Bin couldn't help but feel a chill.

"Could it be... that for the past year, you've been so focused on being the 'gang leader' that you've completely forgotten my words and swordsmanship?"

Meng Fei's tone turned serious, carrying an undeniable authority. Without waiting for Li Bin's explanation, he waved his hand and said, "Come to the bamboo forest tomorrow. I want to see just how much skill you've acquired this past year!"

Seeing his master's displeasure, Li Bin's heart tightened, and he swallowed back the explanation that was on the tip of his tongue. He could only clench his fist secretly and make up his mind to show the results of his year of hard work without reservation when he was tested tomorrow.

After Li Bin left, Aya, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward, gently pressed Meng Fei's slightly tense shoulder, and said softly, "Brother Meng, you just got back, isn't it a bit too hasty to speak so harshly to him?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Fei turned his head, gently patted the back of her hand, and said in a softened tone, "Don't worry, if it were really as he said, why would I punish him so easily?"

"A fledgling eagle needs to endure wind and rain before it can take flight. I'm just giving him a reminder not to be blinded by a little bit of empty fame and forget his roots."

Upon hearing this, Aya suddenly understood and said no more.

The next morning, Li Bin arrived early at the back gate to wait.

"Come in," Meng Fei's voice came from the bamboo forest.

Li Bin took a deep breath, strode in, and respectfully bowed: "Master."

"Let's begin," Meng Fei said succinctly.

Li Bin said no more and stood in the open space in front of the bamboo forest, holding the wooden sword in his hand, which was worn smooth from years of holding it.

He closed his eyes, concentrated for a moment, and when he opened them again, his gaze was as sharp as a sword.

The Thirteen Deadly Swords begin—

The first sword strike: "Serpent Probing the Cave"!

The wooden sword traced an eerie arc, its tip trembling like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, swift and cunning, thrusting straight into the empty space in front of him.

Immediately afterwards, he slightly turned his body and unleashed the second sword strike, "Three Star Soul Stealing"!

With a flick of his wrist, the wooden sword transformed into three distinct sword shadows, covering the upper and lower areas. Although lacking the cold glint of an iron sword, its imposing presence was quite astonishing.

Before the sword shadows could dissipate, the third sword, "Rainbow Piercing the Sun," followed fiercely!

Li Bin let out a low shout, channeling all his strength into the wooden sword, which instantly transformed into a straight and powerful trajectory, thrusting out with unstoppable force. The gust of wind howled, even sending several bamboo leaves flying from the ground.

The three sword strikes were executed in a single, seamless motion. The force of the wind was sharp, and the moves were fluid, bearing a hint of Meng Fei's style.

A Luo, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but let out a soft "Ah!" with her eyes full of amazement.