Martial Arts Master: The Lin Family Sword God, who swept through the Five Mountains and Four Sects

Lin Tian glanced at Tian Song, his tone suddenly turning serious: "One move to decide the outcome. If I lose even one more move, I'll consider it a loss. If I lose, I'll offer you 100,000 taels of silver with both hands, plus personally come to apologize. If you lose? I don't care about the money, as long as you apologize to me and Brother Linghu in public. Dare to bet?"

"Let's gamble! I, Tiansong, have never been afraid of petty scoundrels!" Tiansong was furious and agreed without thinking.

"Alright, draw your sword." Lin Tian chuckled.

Without hesitation, Tiansong drew his iron sword from his waist with a clang.

Ordinary sword techniques emphasize lightness and agility, but the Taishan Sword School goes against the grain—Mount Tai, the Moon Without Clouds, the Mighty Mountains Across the Sky, the Seven Stars Falling in the Sky… Each move is as heavy as a mountain, and the weapon used is a heavy iron sword.

"Why don't you draw your sword?" Tian Song had already drawn his sword, but seeing that Lin Tian was still empty-handed, he frowned and asked.

"I'll draw my sword?" Lin Tian smiled casually. "If I do, you'll lose."

His smile remained unchanged, while Ren Tiansong's eyes blazed with fury. He still spoke leisurely, "Come on, are you ready? I'll make my move in three breaths."

Tian Song held his breath and focused his mind, wielding his longsword in the "Stone Gate Returning Horse" stance—the most stable defensive stance in the Taishan swordplay.

Even though he was furious at Lin Tian's arrogance, he dared not show the slightest contempt.

A reputation in the martial arts world never comes out of thin air.

Deadly Sword!

When the sword is drawn, it will surely take a life!

This title was earned through the blood and sacrifice of thousands of outlaws from the south, along with the Qingcheng sect. It was no empty boast.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths...

Tian Song's pupils constricted as he locked his gaze on Lin Tian's right hand, his inner strength already at its peak.

He was confident that as long as he could see the other party's sword-drawing action clearly, he could counterattack within half a breath—no, not even half a breath!

But the next instant, he felt a flash of cold light before his eyes, and the icy blade was already firmly pressed against his throat.

"How...how is this possible?!"

Tian Song's eyes bulged out, his face filled with horror, as if he had seen a ghost.

"When exactly did he draw his sword? I was staring intently, not even blinking... How is this possible? He couldn't even block a single move? No, it wasn't even a move—I didn't even see where that sword came from! How is this possible?!"

Daoist Tiansong swallowed hard, a dry mouthful of saliva rising in his throat, a thin line of blood already seeping from his neck. The Pearl Sword's edge had grazed his skin, leaving a crimson mark, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead. If that sword had gone in half an inch further—he would already be dead.

Lin Tian subdued Daoist Tiansong with a single move, and the entire hall fell into an abyss of silence. At that moment, even the sound of a needle falling to the ground could be heard.

"Brother Qu said that Young Friend Lin's swordsmanship is divine, and that he killed Tian Boguang with a single sword strike. I thought it was just a compliment... but I didn't expect it to be true. If it were me, I probably wouldn't have been able to withstand that sword strike either. Senior Brother's 'Thirteen Forms of Hengshan Clouds and Mist' might have been able to block it, but judging from Young Friend Lin's composed demeanor, he clearly hadn't used his full strength yet. To have such cultivation at such a young age is terrifying." Liu Zhengfeng thought with a chill.

"As expected of Brother Lin... I held my breath the whole time, and I could only catch the initial stance of him drawing his sword. When the sword was thrust out and from what angle it came, there was no trace of it. Linghu Di'er... in this lifetime, I can only admit defeat in front of my Brother Lin." Linghu Chong shook his head with a wry smile.

"What terrifying swordsmanship! It seems that Tian Boguang really did die at his hands... But where did Yilin go?" Dingyi frowned, still worried about his disciple's safety.

Everyone was awestruck by Lin Tian's swordsmanship, except for Yue Buqun, whose eyes flickered as he pondered to himself, "Such a fierce sword strike, could it truly be the 'Evil-Repelling Sword Manual'? But it doesn't seem like it... The legendary Evil-Repelling Sword Manual is said to be unpredictable and swift, with complex moves, while Lin Tian's sword strike is extremely simple, without any frills or traces of incomplete moves. Could it be... a hidden sword technique from the manual that has never appeared in the world?"

……

"I... lost."

Daoist Tiansong's face was deathly pale, and his voice trembled. Just a moment ago, he had truly stepped into the gates of hell. If the sword had penetrated even an inch deeper, he would have been dead.

"Anything else?"

Lin Tian spoke calmly, his sword still not retracted.

"I...I apologize to Young Master Lin and Nephew Linghu. I wrongly suspected Nephew Linghu, and I should not have questioned Young Master Lin's killing of Tian Boguang." Although he was unwilling, with a sword hanging over his throat, he had no choice but to lower his head.

"oh."

A soft response, like the rustling of leaves in the wind, rang out. Lin Tian sheathed his sword with swift and decisive movements.

"Senior Brother Zhengfeng, I am feeling unwell and must take my leave now. I will certainly not be absent from the Golden Basin Handwashing Ceremony tomorrow." After saying this, without waiting for a reply, Daoist Tiansong hurriedly turned and left—how could he possibly have the face to stay here now?

"Nephew Linghu, this is our sect's treasured Heavenly Fragrance Rejuvenating Glue, which is extremely effective in treating external injuries. You don't need to refuse it." Dingyi took out a jade bottle and handed it to Linghu Chong.

Lin Tian's display of strength confirmed his earlier statement—Linghu Chong had indeed saved Yilin. She, having nearly killed her savior with her own hands, was now filled with unbearable shame. While the Heavenly Fragrance Rejuvenating Glue was precious, what did it matter compared to her disciple's life?

"Chong'er, what exactly happened after Young Master Lin left Huiyan Tower? And how did you get separated from Junior Sister Yilin?" Yue Buqun asked in a deep voice.

"what?"

Linghu Chong was taken aback, secretly glancing at his master, and stammered, "Well... I was originally with Junior Sister Yilin. But she kept nagging me not to drink... so I sneaked out and had a couple of drinks when she wasn't looking..."

Sneaking out for drinks...

Upon hearing this, Lin Tian's lips twitched slightly.

This guy is truly addicted to alcohol. No wonder he's the undisputed ancestor of alcoholics in the world of Jin Yong's martial arts novels; his blood is probably soaked in strong liquor.

Yue Buqun was instantly enraged: "You unfilial disciple! If anything happens to Junior Sister Yilin, I will punish you by making you face the wall on the Cliff of Repentance for ten years! You are not allowed to come down even for a single day!"

Linghu Chong's legs went weak on the spot.

He's naturally restless and unruly; he couldn't even endure ten days, let alone ten. Besides, alcohol is forbidden on the Cliff of Repentance—it would be better to just cripple his martial arts altogether.

"Master, Master—"

Just as Linghu Chong was feeling extremely uneasy, a clear, bell-like voice came from outside the hall. Immediately afterward, a nun dressed in black robes strode in; it was Yilin.

"Junior Sister Yilin! You've finally arrived!" Upon seeing her safe and sound, Linghu Chong felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, even happier than if he had escaped with his own life—at least he wouldn't have to spend half a year sitting on the Cliff of Contemplation, right?

"Senior Brother Linghu?!" Yilin looked up and saw him, her face also filled with surprise and joy.

Ding Yi's tense expression finally relaxed, and he quickly asked, "Yi Lin, where did you go after parting ways with Junior Nephew Linghu yesterday?"

"After getting separated from my senior brother yesterday, I searched all over the foot of the mountain but couldn't find him... Later, I wanted to come up the mountain to find you, Master, but it was already dark, and I wasn't familiar with the roads of Hengshan. As a result, I got lost on the mountain. Fortunately, I met a senior brother from the Hengshan Sect this morning, who brought me up here." Yilin lowered her head, her voice soft and slightly shy.