Volume One, Chapter 15: The Five Animal Frolics, Su Ming’s Strength!!
“Could this guy truly be a master?”
“If not, why would Grandfather show him such deep respect? Perhaps he really can save him.”
At this thought, all her previous resentment vanished.
Yet, she kept a sharp eye on Su Ming. If he failed to save Grandfather, she would show no mercy.
In that moment, Su Ming had already picked up silver needles and expertly inserted them one by one at the crown of Dongfang Shaobai’s head.
Thirteen needles in total.
His movements were swift, as if a single wave of the hand accomplished it all.
Dongfang Xiaoxiao thought she must have been hallucinating; in the brief moment her mind wandered, all thirteen needles had been embedded into the acupoints atop his head.
Even Dongfang Shaobai felt nothing.
When he noticed the number of needles on the table rapidly dwindling, his heart was shaken once more.
Indeed, he had encountered a true master of the healing arts!
An absolute expert.
Half an hour later, Su Ming rubbed his hands together and wiped the sweat from his face.
“Young brother, where did you learn this needling technique?”
“Even I, having studied acupuncture all my life, would only dare use the standard thirty-two needles at three inches—any more and I’d lose control.”
“But you used one hundred and eight! This technique is nothing short of miraculous—I have never seen anything like it in all my years!”
Finally unable to contain his astonishment, Dongfang Shaobai spoke up.
He was completely convinced of Su Ming’s exceptional skill.
“‘Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends,’ one hundred and eight needles—you’ve heard of it, haven’t you?”
Su Ming did not hide anything and spoke calmly.
Yet his light words struck Dongfang Shaobai’s heart like a thunderclap.
His heart pounded fiercely, breath quickened, and disbelief painted his aging face.
“The lost ‘Heavenly Gang One Hundred and Eight Needles’ that vanished for over a century, along with the Earthly Fiends’ sixty-two acupoint clearing method!”
“This... young brother—no, Master—please accept me as your disciple!”
Dongfang Shaobai suddenly turned and knelt on the floor.
“I saved you, why do you want to repay me with such devotion? I’m a man who hates trouble.”
“If you like the needling technique, I can teach it to you so you may carry it forward, but as for discipleship—no thanks.”
Su Ming shook his head.
Hearing this, Dongfang Shaobai was filled with mixed emotions.
He had built his achievements with only the thirty-two Heavenly Gang needles.
If he could master all one hundred and eight, his medical practice would leap to a new level.
Still, being denied discipleship by Su Ming left him slightly disappointed.
“You soaked in the bath for half an hour—I've already opened your acupoints. The medicine will expel the toxins from your body.”
“It will be painful, but just endure it.”
“I’ve also given you my contact info. Call me if anything.”
With that, Su Ming picked up the herbal pack and headed outside.
After seeing him off, Dongfang Shaobai returned to the room and slipped into the bathtub.
Less than half an hour passed before his whole body reddened, as if he had been boiled alive.
“Grandfather, you just let him leave like that? What if he’s a quack?”
Dongfang Xiaoxiao voiced her worry nearby.
“Nonsense! Su Ming’s skills—you just don’t understand...”
Before Dongfang Shaobai could finish, he suddenly spat a mouthful of fresh blood.
“Grandfather!”
“What’s wrong? Don’t scare me!”
Startled, Dongfang Xiaoxiao rushed over to check.
At that moment,
A burly, dark-skinned man resembling an iron tower entered.
“Miss, what’s wrong with the old man?”
The man’s tense expression deepened upon seeing Dongfang Shaobai slumped weakly in the wooden tub.
Blood stained the floor beneath him.
“Uncle Long, quick! That bastard just left—go catch him!”
Xiaoxiao’s fury exploded as she pointed toward the departing Su Ming.
“Damn him for daring to harm Old Master Dongfang!”
“Don’t worry, miss. I’ll catch the scoundrel, break his limbs, and feed him to the dogs!”
Uncle Long’s eyes bulged with rage as he sped outside.
“Xiaoxiao, quickly... get Long Kui back!”
“Don’t let this turn into a disaster. It’s all a misunderstanding... I’m already feeling better. I can sense the toxins clogging my blood vessels are clearing.”
“The previous brain nerve pressure causing blurred vision is gone—it’s miraculous, truly miraculous...”
“Hurry, don’t just stand there. We can’t afford to offend Mr. Su—if that happens, it’ll be too late.”
Yet,
Dongfang Shaobai, once weak, suddenly opened his eyes wide and anxiously pounded the tub’s edge.
Xiaoxiao’s surprise quickly turned to alarm.
She froze momentarily before rushing outside.
Meanwhile...
Su Ming had just entered an alley when a violent rumbling erupted behind him.
“You bastard! You harmed someone and now you want to run?”
“Come back here and face me!”
A huge man charged out, shouting threats with ferocious intent.
Su Ming was puzzled but unbothered.
“Bad luck.”
At first, he thought this was a madman, but the man’s fierce glare, speed, and brutal strength told otherwise.
This was no ordinary lunatic.
The massive fist, charged with wild power, slammed toward him.
Su Ming remained expressionless, standing perfectly still.
The moment the attacker closed in,
Su Ming moved.
His body curved like a ghost, limber and boneless, slipping behind the man.
He reached out and pressed a large hand down on the man’s head.
“Kneel!” Su Ming growled.
Ferocious power surged from his palm like a bursting flood.
In that instant,
The once-menacing man trembled violently, horror flashing across his face.
A roaring force pressed down from above.
His body bent under the pressure, legs trembling.
Cracks appeared on the concrete floor first.
Then, as Su Ming increased the force—
Boom!
The man’s feet sank into the concrete like nails hammered in.
Over ten centimeters deep, toes and ankles buried beneath the surface.
Su Ming stepped back with a playful smirk.
“Stand straight.”
With those calm words, the man’s fury exploded.
He strained his legs, trying to break free.
Crack!
The concrete shattered beneath his kicks.
“Five Animal Exercises—Tiger Form!”
“Tiger Claws!”
With a sudden swipe, the man’s hand, sharp and fierce, lashed out.
Boom!
Su Ming lightly parried with his fist.
The terrifying force descended again.
The man’s eyes widened, hair standing on end, pain coursing through his entire arm.
He lost balance!
As he turned,
A fist came crashing toward him.
“Five Animal Exercises—Ape Form, toying in the forest!”
The man leapt lightly, arms spread wide.
But then,
He met a dreadful gaze.
Cold and merciless, drenched in boundless bloodlust.
Like a demon standing atop a mountain of corpses, Su Ming slowly lifted his head, eyes burning with deadly fury.
A sinister smile spread across his face.