Chapter 46: Divine Sword Commanding Thunder Technique

Liu Yanmeng's cheeks were as red as ripe apples. She bit her lip, her expression utterly bewitching. In her heart, she marveled: He actually touched her there directly—so bold, so straightforward. She found that she liked it very much.

Luffy, on the other hand, hadn't expected that opening a red packet would involve taking advantage of someone, especially in such an awkward spot. He'd accidentally touched her there. And to think it was wet—what a situation. His hand felt damp, and there was a faint fragrance.

The room was dimly lit, the atmosphere thick with ambiguity, as if pink mist swirled in the air.

"Ding, red packet opening in progress, thirty seconds required. Thirty, twenty-nine, twenty-eight..."

"This one's enormous!" Luffy exclaimed in surprise—he had never expected such a huge red packet.

"Hurry..." Liu Yanmeng urged suddenly.

"It won't be long!" Luffy replied, swallowing as he glanced at Liu Yanmeng's enchanting face.

"Ding, red packet opened successfully. Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the Divine Sword Thunder Command Technique, now sent to your temporary storage space. Please retrieve it promptly."

"Divine Sword Thunder Command Technique? Isn't that the super-powerful sword art from 'The Immortal Executioner'? Damn, even that can come out of a red packet—I’m really lucky!" Luffy was elated, jumping up and heading out of the room.

Liu Yanmeng, still flushed and basking in delight, suddenly noticed Luffy was gone. She bolted upright in bed, stared at the empty room, and was momentarily stunned. "Where did he go?" she muttered, stamping her foot in frustration.

Luffy found that most people had gone to rest, except for Zeng Hongseng, Ma Bi, and Zeng Shuna, who were still downstairs.

"You’re all still up?" Luffy greeted them cheerfully, pleased by his new skill.

"Boss, you’re here. We’ll sleep in a bit," Zeng Shuna replied sweetly.

"Oh, I have something for you all." Luffy exchanged two cultivation manuals for them through the system—just ordinary ones, but each still cost a thousand crystal cores.

One was a physical art called Blazing Sun Fist, suitable for men; the other was Falling Shade Fist, meant for women. After all, brute strength alone wasn’t enough—they needed proper technique to progress.

The two men were to practice Blazing Sun Fist, the woman Falling Shade Fist. "Remember: from now on, Zeng Shuna, you’ll lead the women’s team. Ma Bi, you’ll lead the men. Zeng Hongseng is the overall leader—both of you must listen to him."

"Understood!" Zeng Hongseng replied happily, and together with Ma Bi, began to study the manuals.

"Thank you, Boss," Zeng Shuna said in surprise, grateful for this unexpected benefit. She resolved to follow him for life.

"You have talent," Luffy said seriously. "Train diligently, and don’t tell anyone I gave you these manuals. Memorize them, then burn them. In future, just teach the basics to others to help them improve. Understood?"

"Yes, we’ll never tell a soul," Zeng Hongseng promised earnestly. Ma Bi and Zeng Shuna nodded with equal sincerity.

"This area is more dangerous than I thought—you’ve seen the hordes of zombies. If we start a massacre, it’ll draw tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of zombies. No matter how strong we are, we can’t withstand that tide. Rest well and recover. Tomorrow, we move on," Luffy instructed, before retreating to his room.

"Yes..." Zeng Hongseng gazed at Luffy with admiration, convinced that everything he said was right.

Luffy lay on the bed, took out the satellite phone, and called Qin Bailing. It was already ten o’clock at night—he wondered if she was asleep.

Outside, the rain poured down in sheets. When the call connected, a familiar, pleasant voice answered: "Hello... I’ve been a bit busy lately and haven’t visited your mother and father, but don’t worry, they’re fine."

Her clear voice rang through the receiver.

"Thank you so much, Class Leader. I’m at the outskirts of Jiuzhou City now. In a few days, I should reach the safe zone. How are things on your end?" Luffy felt so close just hearing Qin Bailing’s voice. He missed her dearly—it had been too long. Memories of sitting together in the classroom, studying side by side, riding bikes home after school, fighting for her, and even being punished together flooded his mind.

He remembered the peaceful days that would never return.

Life is full of the unexpected. When you reach a certain age, facing the birth and death of loved ones, you realize how many surprises life holds. The apocalypse had only brought more.

He recalled sharing an earbud with her, listening to that song:

Shimmering light surrounds us,
Unaware of tears brimming in our eyes,
Memories wave before us,
Arms unsteady, as if time rewinds,
Hand in hand we hum along,
Blushing, gazing shyly—
The age of students vanished, quiet lives shattered by the apocalypse.

"So soon?" Qin Bailing’s surprised voice paused for a moment. "The outskirts are dangerous. I’ll send someone to pick you up."

"No need. I’m with other survivors—we’ll make it. In a few days, we’ll see each other." Luffy regretted that the satellite phone only supported calls, not video. If only he could see Qin Bailing’s face.

"That’s great. I’ll be away for a few days, but when I’m back, you’d better keep your promise. If you don’t, you’ll see how I deal with you," Qin Bailing laughed, then hung up.

"Deal with me?" Luffy shrugged, a faint smile on his lips. Just talking with her made him so happy. Perhaps, with someone you like, everything you do together brings joy.

He sat cross-legged on the bed and began cultivating the Dragon Emperor’s Dominance Technique.

Outside, the rain fell in a misty veil. Zombies still wandered the streets in endless droves.

Dawn softly broke.

Luffy opened his eyes to find the Little Dragon Maiden blinking at him. "Uh... when did you get here?"

"I’m always by your side," she replied with a huff, then pushed a young girl toward him. "This is the little girl you saved. I don’t want to look after her anymore."

"Big brother..." The girl’s large, sparkling eyes brimmed with innocence and a hint of pleading.

"You don’t need to look after me—I’ll ask someone else," Luffy said, rising and taking the delicate little girl by the hand as they walked outside.

On the Little Dragon Maiden’s shoulder sat the mythical beast Teddy, who barked twice.

"Whoever looks after this little one will receive a vial of Tier-3 Body-Tempering Elixir," Luffy announced calmly.

A woman in power armor, about thirty years old, came forward. "I’ll do it!"

Luffy handed her the elixir and addressed the others: "As soon as breakfast is done, we set out."

"Yes!" everyone replied, obedient and eager.

Liu Yanmeng descended the stairs, her steps as graceful as lotus blossoms. At the sight of Luffy, her cheeks reddened once more.

As always, votes and rewards are welcomed. The song mentioned is one I’ve loved since high school, listening to it with a classmate, sharing earbuds on the way home.

(End of chapter)