Chapter 43: The Maid [Third Update]

“Oh, three moves, is it? You really are quite arrogant for a demon. This is the first time I've encountered such a clever and proud demon,” Luffy sneered, folding his arms behind his back. “What if I defeat you?”

Luffy narrowed his eyes, gazing at the serpent demon before him—a formidable creature, at least of the fifth rank, with power ranging between five hundred and six hundred. She was undoubtedly strong, but Luffy did not fear her. Though she unsettled him, he possessed the Dragon Emperor's Domineering Technique, which could raise his strength to five or six hundred as well. Who would win or lose was still uncertain, and he had mastered the Violet Dream Step as well. With all these skills combined, defeat seemed unlikely.

That lingering unease—he still couldn't pinpoint its source. Perhaps it was merely an illusion, or perhaps it was a blessing disguised as misfortune.

“Heh... If you can defeat me, I'll become your maid! Each night, I'll feed you milk, each night I'll keep you company in bed,” the serpent demon spoke with a wicked allure, her voice strange and captivating.

“No need for the milk, nor for sharing my bed. I only require you to come whenever I call, and you must never betray me. Otherwise, you’ll die with no grave to mark your passing,” Luffy considered for a moment before replying. This maid was not a bad prospect: she looked good, was powerful, and had considerable influence.

“You... How presumptuous. You think you're so formidable? You're nothing but a second-rank brat,” the serpent demon appeared furious. Not only did this youth completely disregard her, he even contemplated their future as if victory was assured. He was courting death.

“Tsk, tsk...” Suddenly, the serpent demon flicked her hand at Luffy, transforming it into three snakes that lunged at his head.

They moved like lightning. Three snakes bared their savage fangs, their breath foul as they struck.

Luffy instantly activated his Samsara Heavenly Eye, causing the snakes’ speed to slow dramatically. He dodged their attack in a flash.

“Tsk, tsk...” The three snakes swiftly turned, snapping at Luffy’s back.

“Boss, watch out!” Zeng Hongsen shouted anxiously, his eyes wide.

With a sudden motion, Luffy swung his sword behind him, severing the three snakes. The serpent demon’s eyes grew cold; she pressed her hand to the ground.

“Bang, bang...” From the earth, more snakes erupted, lunging at Luffy.

Dirt sprayed everywhere as the snakes roared, opening their vicious jaws and striking at him.

“Growl, growl...”

Luffy leaped upward, rising three meters, and unleashed the fifth move of the Fiery Sword Technique—Flowing Flame Blade.

His sword blazed with fire as he slashed toward the ground, sending countless fiery sword shapes raining down.

All the snakes were pierced, their bodies riddled like a honeycomb.

The serpent demon stared in shock, not expecting the youth’s swordsmanship to be so domineering that it could break her attack.

She was astonished; the idea of becoming his maid was out of the question. Gritting her teeth, she darted before the now-grounded Luffy, raising her hand—dozens of snakes flew at him.

She punched at Luffy with all her might, six hundred times the strength of a human, blasting the air into a white shockwave.

Luffy startled, instantly cloaking himself in dragon energy, a roar echoing from his body.

“Boom...”

He sheathed his sword and met her punch head-on.

The serpent demon was stunned, never imagining the youth possessed such overwhelming dragon energy. Dragons were naturally superior to serpents; even equal strength would compel her to submit.

It was an innate fear serpents held for dragons.

The ground beneath them cracked and sunk as they both staggered backward.

“How can you possess dragon energy?” the serpent demon asked, her expression sour, shocked by his power.

“I am destined to be the Dragon Emperor’s companion. Perhaps a childhood friend might lack dragon energy, but I have dragon blood,” Luffy replied confidently.

“A second-rank, yet you can match me, a fifth-rank. You’re twice as strong as the legendary second-rank, who wielded three hundred times human strength. You truly are a peerless genius,” the serpent demon looked at Luffy differently now, pondering much.

“Thanks for the compliment. So, what’s your decision? Do you want to be my nun?” Luffy grinned, half-mocking. Having a fifth-rank serpent demon as a maid would be quite thrilling.

“Well... Though I’m reluctant, you possess dragon blood, and we serpents are naturally drawn to dragons, compelled to serve them, our goal to become dragons ourselves. If you achieve great success and grant me a drop of dragon blood, I will willingly follow you,” the serpent demon admitted her motives.

Luffy had no desire to fight her to the death. Having such a powerful serpent demon join his ranks would greatly strengthen his team, so he readily agreed:

“Alright, when I have enough dragon blood, I’ll give you some. Call off your snakes. Since you want to be my maid, you must obey. Betray me, and you’ll die a miserable death. I despise betrayal above all else.”

“Agreed... Master, how shall I serve you?” The serpent demon’s tone softened, her words gentle. With dragon blood, she could leap the serpent gate and become a dragon herself. She ordered all her snakes to withdraw.

Zeng Hongsen and the others let out a deep breath.

Boss is always the boss. To tame such a powerful serpent demon—what a feat! With such a formidable ally, Zeng Hongsen was delighted. Everyone descended, a few wounded by snake bites but none seriously.

“Alright, Big Five Mao, you may return,” the serpent demon commanded the giant snake.

“Tsk, tsk...” The snake replied twice, then reluctantly slithered toward the waterfall, tears glistening in its eyes.

“Master, my name is Liu Yanmeng,” Liu Yanmeng said calmly to Luffy.

“Mm, I’m Luffy. Little Dragon Girl, come out and meet our new friend,” Luffy called to the hidden Little Dragon Girl.

“Hmph...” Little Dragon Girl appeared, grumbling, clearly displeased. “Master, you’re such a flirt, recruiting yet another female demon. I am Little Dragon Girl, a heroic spirit, not a demon.”

“Hello, I’m Liu Yanmeng. I look forward to working with you,” Liu Yanmeng smiled, shaking hands with Little Dragon Girl, undisturbed by her words.

“Alright, now that introductions are done, let’s set off. We’re heading to Jiuzhou City,” Luffy smiled, pleased to have recruited such a powerful maid. His team would grow ever stronger, gathering crystal cores in abundance.

Liu Yanmeng approached the wounded companions, applying medicine before turning back to Luffy.

The group moved toward the distant horizon.

“I’ve heard Jiuzhou City has long fallen to the undead, with only a small zone remaining safe, protected by a handful of human experts,” Liu Yanmeng spoke earnestly to Luffy. “After a month, the undead have reached fourth or fifth rank, but they aren’t as formidable as some ancient animals.”

“Yes, I know. I’m heading to the safe zone,” Luffy smiled, surprised by Liu Yanmeng’s knowledge.

——

Recommended: ‘The Clothing Business Starting from the Super God Academy’ by Shui Qing, and ‘Red Alert in the Apocalypse’ by Bingjiling Zuihao Chi.

(End of chapter)