Chapter 64: Stolen Identity [Second Update—Vote and Reward Recommended]

"Alright, alright, it’s all your doing, okay?" Qin Bailin, at a loss for words against Luffy, replied helplessly.

"You look so reluctant, I can't help but feel the same." Luffy chuckled, though he was genuinely glad that Qin Bailin cared so much for him.

"A third-tier like you? How could you possibly defeat those three sixth-tier zombies? I’m the one who took them down." A man strode over, his hand bearing a fresh wound, his words arrogant.

"What are you doing here?" Qin Bailin turned to see the newcomer—it was Li Chaodan. "Li Chaodan, you claim you killed three sixth-tier zombies?"

"Li Chao-damn?" Luffy couldn’t help but laugh at the name.

"Screw you, you’re Qin Bailin’s deskmate, a mere third-tier. Hahaha..." Li Chaodan mocked, "A third-tier thinking he could slay sixth-tier zombies—how reckless! My master helped me wipe them out; that's perfectly normal."

Behind Li Chaodan came an old man dressed in traditional Tang attire, his hair white as snow, hands clasped behind his back, a mysterious air about him. His strength was astonishing—seventh-tier.

Luffy’s pupils contracted sharply. No wonder this guy dared to talk so big. With such a master, he felt emboldened to steal Luffy’s credit.

"Ignore him. Let’s go," Qin Bailin pulled Luffy away, not wishing for any conflict between the two.

"Bah...a country bumpkin, trying to compete for glory," Li Chaodan sneered.

Luffy had wanted to teach Li Chaodan a lesson. This guy was likely the one who’d sent people to kill him before. That grudge would be settled another day. For Qin Bailin's sake, he’d let Li Chaodan keep his head for a few more days.

"Don’t mind him. That guy is always so arrogant..." Qin Bailin and Luffy climbed into the SUV and drove away.

Li Chaodan watched Qin Bailin’s figure receding into the distance, unable to forget her. "She’s truly beautiful. I must win her heart."

"Disciple, you’d better focus on the matter seven days from now. High-tier zombies will attack our safe zone—it’ll be a disaster. And those who dealt with the three zombies just now are no ordinary people. Though it wasn’t that third-tier boy who killed them, he might be connected, maybe through someone he knows." The old man furrowed his brows, gazing ahead.

"It’s fine. Let that kid live a few days longer. We must cooperate with the Wang family if we’re to withstand this zombie onslaught," Li Chaodan replied seriously, a sly smile at the corner of his lips.

"Seven days from now, it’ll be time to eliminate that third-tier brat—and the Wang family elders as well. Two birds with one stone. Then the Li family will reign supreme."

"You’re thinking well, disciple. Your master will support you."

The white-haired elder nodded, leaving with Li Chaodan.

Meanwhile,

Luffy sat in the passenger seat beside Qin Bailin, heading home.

"Weren’t you wanting to meet our classmates? I’ll take you to see them." Luffy smiled at Qin Bailin, feeling delighted after obtaining three sixth-tier crystal cores—one worth a hundred thousand, three worth three hundred thousand. Including his previous stash, he now had half a million cores, though he'd spent some earlier to buy tempering solution.

Luffy scanned two of the cores into the system, keeping the third for spending in the safe zone.

"Great, it’s been ages since I’ve seen them," Qin Bailin replied, visibly pleased.

"Turn left," Luffy directed, soon arriving before a hotel. "They’re staying here."

"Oh!" Qin Bailin nodded, parked the car, and walked with Luffy toward the hotel.

They saw Zeng Hongsen and Ma Bi coming out of an elevator. Spotting Luffy, Zeng Hongsen’s eyes widened in joy. "Boss! You’re back!"

Then he caught sight of the beautiful figure beside Luffy and was momentarily stunned. "Class leader, you’re here too."

"When did you become Zeng Hongsen’s boss? I didn’t expect him to be fourth-tier," Qin Bailin looked at Luffy in surprise, then at Zeng Hongsen.

"I brought him up, so of course he’s strong," Luffy replied confidently. "Where are you headed? Where are the others?"

"They’re upstairs resting. A few of us are going out to hunt high-tier zombies and earn some money," Zeng Hongsen said seriously.

"Oh, then go ahead. I’ll take the class leader upstairs to see the others," Luffy nodded and started forward.

"But since boss and class leader are here, we’re not going anymore, haha." Zeng Hongsen laughed. "Class leader, these are our teammates—Ma Bi and Zeng Shuna."

"Impressive, all fourth-tier!" Qin Bailin eyed the group, surprised Luffy was leading such a capable team. "Let’s go upstairs and have a look!"

"Why not eat together? I’m a bit hungry. My treat," Luffy said, rubbing his stomach. "Zeng Hongsen, go call everyone down. We’ll have a feast at the luxury restaurant across the street."

"Sounds great!" Zeng Hongsen dashed upstairs at Luffy’s words.

Qin Bailin was a little taken aback. "When did you get them so loyal?"

"I have quite the authority, you know. They listen to me—we’ve been through life and death together," Luffy replied confidently, heading toward the restaurant with Qin Bailin.

Ma Bi smiled, "Boss is the most awesome, the coolest god in our hearts."

"Yes, goddess, you don’t know—if not for boss, we’d all be dead. His wisdom and might saved us," Zeng Shuna echoed, clearly flattering Luffy. They noticed Qin Bailin held a special place in Luffy’s heart, so they made sure to praise him in front of her.

"Nice, I really like that flattery," Luffy laughed.

"You’re so vain," Qin Bailin nearly burst out laughing.

They entered the restaurant and settled at a table. Zeng Hongsen brought a large group over, filling the seats. Naturally, only one table couldn’t accommodate everyone, so some took other tables.

At Luffy’s table sat his classmates.

"Class leader, it’s been a long time..." Many greeted Qin Bailin warmly.

Luffy noticed Zhao Liying and her sister Hua Qianyu weren’t present. "Where are the superstars?"

"They went out for something and won’t be back for a few days," Zeng Hongsen explained.

"Alright then, order whatever you like," Luffy said confidently.

Qin Bailin sat beside him, browsing the menu and picking a dish. The others followed suit.

It was a reunion meal.

A grand gathering in the post-apocalyptic world.

(End of chapter)