Chapter 76: Embrace

“Even if it doesn’t look that weak, it’s still weak. If I make a move, won’t people accuse me of bullying the young?” Su Dong considered for a moment and replied earnestly, his white beard fluttering in the wind.

“You—!” Wang Shi was utterly unprepared for such a reason from Su Dong. Wasn’t this arrogance to the extreme? From what he could see, the youth before him was only at the fourth tier, but given his methods, he was at least at the sixth. That was truly terrifying.

This Su Dong must be a fool. It’s dangerous to be arrogant, but one mustn’t be stupid, or else death comes quickly. That was the unchanging truth Wang Shi had always believed.

“So you refuse to act? I’m too weak, am I? Not even worth your effort?” Luffy looked at the arrogant old man with a hint of amusement. To think someone would dare show off before him—wasn’t that just courting death?

He drew the Thousand Thunder Sword and slashed at Su Dong, a massive pillar of flame descending from above.

“Good heavens—” Old Su Dong jumped in fright, never expecting the youth to wield such a powerful technique. The sheer force was enough to terrify anyone.

With a single stroke, Luffy severed Su Dong’s arm, blood splattering as it fell to the ground.

“Aaah!” Su Dong clutched the stump where his hand had been, howling in agony. How could this be? How could this youth possess such overwhelming strength?

His eyes were bloodshot, consumed by both fury and pain. Yet his arrogance was not without cause, nor was his carelessness entirely unwarranted, for he possessed a monstrous power of regeneration. Even as the wound oozed fluids, it writhed and twisted—then, with a sickening sound, a brand-new hand sprouted forth.

He flexed the new hand, testing its grip, and then shot a cold glare at Luffy. “You’re strong enough to be worth my effort. In that case, prepare to die.”

Wang Shi, standing nearby, was thrilled that Su Dong was finally ready to take action. With his monstrous regenerative powers, surely even this formidable youth would be outmatched. After all, Luffy couldn’t have advanced beyond the fifth or sixth tier.

“Impressive regeneration, but I’ve faced worse. Once, I encountered someone who could revive from a pool of blood—he still fell by my hand. Can you do the same?” Luffy said calmly. In his eyes, the old man was not even a true opponent; his real concern was whether Wang Shi had tricks up his sleeve or would try to escape. Such people were always the craftiest.

“You insolent brat! Go to hell!”

With a bellow, Su Dong hurled a fist at Luffy. “Eight Extremities Fist!”

Dozens of phantom fists flew at Luffy like a raging storm. Su Dong could already picture the youth being beaten into a bloody pulp, for he had used his most powerful move, the Eight Extremities Fist at its utmost. The punch shadows shot out like shooting stars—there was no way this youth could survive.

Thunderous explosions erupted before Luffy, but he stood unmoved, protected by a shroud of dragon energy.

Not a single one of the dozens of punches so much as scratched him.

“How…how is this possible? How could he be so monstrous—just a third-tier, and yet he completely withstood my strongest attack without a scratch? How can this youth be so powerful?” Su Dong’s arrogance was shattered in an instant, replaced by shock and disbelief. He began to back away, thinking only of escape.

He ran faster than a rabbit, vanishing in a blur.

Wang Shi was dumbstruck—utterly bewildered. Su Dong had fled far too quickly and shamelessly, leaving him behind.

“Damn you, Su Dong! Curse your whole family!”

Wang Shi was livid; he had never imagined Su Dong would abandon him like this.

“Trying to run? Not so easy. You’ll all die here.” Luffy’s lips curled into a faint smile. Raising his Thousand Thunder Sword, he unleashed a scorching blaze—countless sword-shaped flames shot forward.

The fiery blades rained down upon Wang Shi and the fleeing Su Dong.

Wang Shi should have been the first to be engulfed by the inferno, but suddenly a dark shadow enveloped him, whisking him away in a flash—so fast he vanished in the blink of an eye.

As for Su Dong, he was engulfed by the sword-fire storm.

“Ahhh!” he screamed, rolling on the ground, his body aflame, until he was reduced to ashes. Compared to Li Chaodan’s master, Su Dong was even weaker; Luffy didn’t even need to use his full strength to obliterate him.

Luffy hadn’t expected Wang Shi to be rescued by a shadowy figure. Clearly, Wang Shi was not only greedy, but also cunning and well-prepared.

Still, who would have thought they’d let a seventh-tier expert die so easily?

Luffy was genuinely surprised, and he walked over to the pile of ashes left by Su Dong.

On the ground, a sixth-tier crystal core gleamed. Luffy picked it up and put it away, then turned to look at Zhao Liying, Hua Qianyu, and Yang Mi.

“Wow, boss, you’re so handsome!” Hua Qianyu gazed at Luffy with adoration.

Zhao Liying felt the same, deeply grateful to Luffy. If not for him, they might have fallen victim to something unspeakable.

Yang Mi, too, was utterly smitten—she never imagined this young man would be so fierce and formidable.

Yet what left Luffy speechless was the sight of a red envelope appearing on Zhao Liying’s chest. That was truly baffling.

“Don’t idolize me too much,” he said.

Luffy walked up to the three beauties, who were a feast for the eyes. He glanced at Zhao Liying, pondering how best to claim the red envelope. “Hua Qianyu, you and Yang Mi head back first. I have something to discuss with your sister.”

“Oh, you’re not going to do… that, are you?” Hua Qianyu asked curiously.

“What nonsense! Children say the silliest things. Hurry and take Sister Yang Mi back,” Zhao Liying scolded, her cheeks flushing red. She thought Luffy must have something serious to discuss—she hadn’t expected Hua Qianyu to jump to such embarrassing conclusions.

“Did I say something wrong?” Hua Qianyu muttered as she turned and left with Yang Mi.

“What is it, boss?” Zhao Liying blinked her beautiful, wide eyes at Luffy.

“Let’s talk in the alley,” Luffy said, taking Zhao Liying by the hand and leading her down a quiet, shadowy side street.

There was almost no one around—it was peaceful and still.

Zhao Liying grew nervous, her chest rising and falling, her face flushed and enchanting, so beautiful it was almost unreal. To come to a place like this… could he really want to do that with her?

Just thinking about it made her blush. Being with him would surely be blissful—he was so brave, surely he’d be just as bold in that regard. The mere thought made her feel warm and damp.

“Come, let me hold you,” Luffy said, opening his arms and embracing Zhao Liying. The moment their bodies touched, a system notification chimed: “Ding! Red envelope opening in progress. One minute required. 60, 61, 62…”

Luffy didn’t hold her too tightly, nor did Zhao Liying resist. She seemed obedient, her breathing quick, her heart pounding, her cheeks aflame.

(End of chapter)