Chapter 8: One Punch

Zhu’er looked back at Su Tang with an excited expression. In the past, whenever something like this happened, the young master would always scold her and then speak politely to the other person. However, Su Tang’s behavior today was undoubtedly providing her with support. Still, she felt she had to comfort Su Tang with a few words: “Young master, don’t worry. That guy named Liu has no real skills; he only knows how to intimidate people. It is no big deal. Everything will be fine once Uncle Chang returns.”

Su Tang smiled and slowly lowered his head. How could Zhu’er know that from the brief and unfriendly exchange just now, Su Tang had already learned many things.

The malice, resentment, and mockery that flashed in Liu Mingsheng’s eyes as he left could be summarized in three words: Just you wait!

Liu Mingsheng must have known something. He seemed to have already concluded that Little Forest Castle would be unable to pay back the debt. In other words, there might be a change in situation regarding Steward Chang.

There was another important piece of news: the Liu Family had long intended to seize the ownership of Little Forest Castle. This matter had nothing to do with Liu Mingsheng; it was all arranged by the elders of the Liu Family. Liu Mingsheng had heard some rumors at home and felt that Little Forest Castle was doomed, so he brought his servants to show off his power to satisfy some personal pleasure. Although he had been shouted at, Liu Mingsheng was still rational. He did not reveal the inside story, leaving only some information that sounded like angry threats.

However, for Su Tang, this was enough to make a judgment.

That was why Liu Mingsheng showed a mocking look when he left; he was laughing at the people of Little Forest Castle for not knowing their end was near.

“Young master, where are you going?” Zhu’er asked.

“Sister Zhu’er, we are going to see Uncle Shang,” Ke’er answered. She did not dare call Shang Bin “Blind Shang” like Su Tang did.

“Really?” Zhu’er became even happier. “Great, I will go with you.”

The place where Shang Bin lived was not far; it was in a mill on the edge of the Inner Castle. Because it had not been repaired for many years, the mill looked dilapidated and smelled unpleasant.

Zhu’er called out a few times, but no one answered from inside the room. However, the servant was familiar with the way and walked straight toward the backyard. After Su Tang and the others followed into the backyard, they saw a burly man lying on a haystack, snoring like thunder and sleeping soundly.

The old servant sighed and said in a low voice, “This mill is hardly a place for people to live… there is nothing here. It is still okay now, but the winter is truly hard to endure…”

The old servant only dared to say this because he saw that Su Tang looked regretful. Zhu’er and Ke’er remained silent, secretly watching Su Tang’s expression from the side.

Su Tang gave a bitter smile and nodded toward Shang Bin with his chin, signaling the old servant to go wake him up.

“Head Shang, wake up! The young master is here to see you, Head Shang!” The old servant walked over and pushed Shang Bin several times.

Shang Bin opened his eyes groggily. Seeing the servant, he waved his hand impatiently and said rudely, “Go away, go away, don’t bother me…”

“Head Shang, it is the young master! The young master is here to see you!”

Shang Bin froze and suddenly sat up. Seeing Su Tang, Zhu’er, and Ke’er at the door, his face showed a mix of surprise and joy. He then looked around, wanting to find a place for Su Tang to sit, but there was only a pile of dry grass and a discarded millstone in the room. Shang Bin’s expression became awkward. He rubbed his hands together hesitantly and said with a dry laugh, “Young master, why have you come?”

Su Tang felt a sting in his nose. He did not expect Shang Bin to be in such a miserable state, and the guilt in his heart grew heavier.

“Uncle Shang, I only said those things in a fit of anger back then…” Su Tang said softly. “If my father were still here and saw this… he would surely skin me alive! Anyway, let’s not talk about that. Uncle Shang, do you have any belongings? Pack them up and come back to the Inner Castle with us.”

Shang Bin was stunned. The change came too suddenly. Anyone else might have made excuses or demanded some face first, but Su Tang had already brought up Su Xiang, who had died on the battlefield. Shang Bin could not refuse. Moreover, Shang Bin had always been straightforward and disliked pretending. If he had known a bit more about the art of compromise and concession, he would not have been kicked out of the Inner Castle by Su Tang that day. “Uncle Shang?” seeing that Shang Bin remained frozen, Su Tang spoke again.

“Mm,” Shang Bin responded with a nasal sound. His eyes were also slightly red. He thought his life would end like this, but he never expected Su Tang to suddenly appear and offer a disguised apology. For him, that was enough. However, Su Tang’s change was strange. Had something happened? Shang Bin couldn’t help but look at Zhu’er, and Zhu’er gave him a knowing look.

Shang Bin did not have many possessions: two sets of clothes, a shoulder bag, and a bundle. The few wine jars piled by the wall were naturally not taken. Soon, the group left the mill.

Zhu’er quietly pulled Shang Bin’s sleeve, and the two intentionally fell behind. Strictly speaking, Zhu’er’s ability to express herself was quite good. She told Shang Bin everything that had happened in the past few days in detail. Shang Bin’s face turned pale and then red as he listened, and finally, he stamped his feet repeatedly.

Although Shang Bin rarely left the mill after being kicked out of the Inner Castle due to his pride, he still encountered a few servants who came to store or collect grain. There was a reason why he had heard nothing.

Su Tang was critically ill, and the future of Little Forest Castle was worrying. Even the servants had their own hidden worries, let alone the ordinary maids. Shang Bin knew that if news got out, he would have to return to the Inner Castle, and by then, it would be extremely difficult to secretly smuggle anything out. Moreover, Blind Shang was a veteran of the battlefield; if he were truly angered, he would absolutely dare to kill someone on the spot!

Therefore, every person who encountered Shang Bin unanimously chose silence.

During their conversation, Su Tang and the others had returned to the Inner Castle. After instructing Zhu’er to arrange for Shang Bin to stay in his original place, Su Tang took Ke’er back to his own courtyard. Seeing that Shang Bin had returned, the servants all wanted to come and offer congratulations. However, seeing that Shang Bin looked displeased and was whispering something to Zhu’er, they did not dare to be reckless and withdrew after a simple greeting.

At the end of the conversation, Zhu’er talked about the recent situation in the Inner Castle. Shang Bin angrily asked Zhu’er why no one had been sent to find him.

Zhu’er looked saddened and did not know how to answer for a moment. Simply put, feelings between people always change. When Shang Bin was first kicked out, Zhu’er visited him every few days. On one hand, she wanted to make up for Su Tang’s absurd actions; on the other, she worried that Shang Bin would leave Little Forest Castle in anger to find another way. However, Shang Bin’s depression and daily drinking made Zhu’er slightly dislike him, and the intervals between her visits naturally grew longer. Finally, when Su Tang was critically ill, Zhu’er felt as if the sky were falling and spent her days and nights in tears. How could she have remembered Shang Bin?

…

Early the next morning, Su Tang took Ke’er to the training ground. He had someone call Shang Bin and specifically brought him back. This was not only to make up for the past absurdity but also because he truly wanted to learn the Martial Formula that Shang Bin had mentioned that day.

Hearing that the young master wanted to pursue Cultivation of the Martial Formula, Shang Bin was overjoyed. He hastily wiped his face and strode to the training ground.

“Young master, Sanzi just said… you want to practice the Martial Formula?” Shang Bin asked directly.

“Yes,” Su Tang nodded.

“The young master has truly grown up…” Shang Bin sighed deeply. At this moment, he really wanted to cry. Heaven had finally opened its eyes… the young master had finally returned from his stray path and was doing something productive. Then, Shang Bin changed the subject: “However… I know how your strength is right now. How about this, young master, come, hit me with one punch with all your might.” This was a common habit among many teachers: first crush the student’s confidence and make the student feel worthless to stimulate their desire to improve.

“All my might? Hit you with a punch?” Su Tang was a bit surprised.

“Young master, it is fine.” Shang Bin patted his chest. “Just hit me.”

“Then I will really hit you…” Su Tang said. Having two Spirit Souls, he could clearly feel that his spirit and physical strength had become exceptionally abundant. He had been wanting to test his strength against Blacksmith Zhao in the castle, and now the opportunity had presented itself. Shang Bin was much stronger than Blacksmith Zhao.

“Young master, use all your power,” Shang Bin smiled simply.

Su Tang slowly bent down and raised his right fist. The moment his mind began to concentrate and he prepared to swing his fist, an instinct surging from the depths of his soul enveloped his mind and body. Beneath his eyelids, Su Tang’s gaze became cold and violent. Then, he unleashed a punch.

In the world of Su Tang’s imagination, the Shang Bin in front of him had turned into a piece of annoying rotten wood, and his fist was a bolt of thunder that shocked heaven and earth and could destroy anything!

With this punch, he swore to blast the rotten wood in front of him into dust, and he firmly believed he could do it.

In fact, if Shang Bin’s strength had been greater and his insight higher, he would certainly have been horrified by this punch. This was because wrapped within Su Tang’s punch was a punch intent that could only be released by truly great figures.

No matter how many fancy tricks or variations you have, I only need one punch!

Unfortunately, Shang Bin was only a servant and could not see what kind of talent Su Tang possessed.

Puff… Su Tang’s fist, along with half of his wrist, sank into Shang Bin’s abdomen. At the same time as he took the hit, Shang Bin bent over. His single eye widened so much it almost popped out, and the veins on his forehead and neck bulged. His whole body became like a statue.

Su Tang withdrew his fist, and his expression returned to normal. He shook his hand and let out a satisfied sigh. He liked this feeling of releasing power more and more. Then he noticed that something was wrong with Shang Bin and asked tentatively, “Uncle Shang, you…”

Shang Bin cupped his hands in front of his abdomen as if trying to cover something, yet he struggled to control himself. After a long while, layers of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. “Young master… I… the restroom… I need to go to the restroom…” After saying this, without waiting for Su Tang’s permission, he turned around and staggered toward the side gate.

Ke’er was confused. “Young master, what happened to Uncle Shang?”

“I don’t know. Did I hit him too hard just now?” Su Tang said suspiciously. “Ke’er, go and follow him to see.”

Ke’er obediently followed. After a while, she walked back softly and whispered in Su Tang’s ear, “Young master, you really hit Uncle Shang badly… I just saw him kneeling there and pounding the ground with his hands. It looked so painful just watching him…”

“No way…” Su Tang scratched his head. Without some skill, how would Shang Bin dare to ask him to punch with all his might? It didn’t make sense!