Chapter 66: Priceless Treasure [First Update]

“You’re the unlucky one—your whole family, your ancestors eighteen generations back, are all doomed.” Luffy shot Wang Sanshao a glare. This guy was clearly looking for trouble. If it weren’t Qin Bailing’s birthday party, he would’ve already given Wang Sanshao a beating.

“Heh… Don’t try to deny it. Anyone can see your clothes are cheap—look at those wrinkles! I can’t imagine what Bailing sees in you, making you her best friend and caring so much about you. You have no power or influence; in the safe zone, you’re just a nobody.” Wang Sanshao spoke coldly, his words laced with mockery.

He was driven by envy and resentment.

Luffy could see right through him, but was at a loss for words. These clothes had been exchanged from the system for a hundred crystal cores, said to be made from golden silkworm silk, an extremely rare material. Yet here he was, being ridiculed as if he were wearing rags. He seriously doubted the system’s claims.

“Our boss is respected because of his character. Unlike you, who looks down on people, you’ll end up unloved by anyone.” Zeng Hongseng was incensed. How dare this guy insult his boss—he must have a death wish.

“You little bastard! If it weren’t our boss’s class monitor’s birthday party, I’d have dragged you out and beaten you already.” Ma Bi idolized his boss. For someone to insult the great boss—he just couldn’t take it.

“Seriously, you brats are too short-sighted. And since when is Wang Sanshao someone you can insult? You really don’t know your place! Hurry up and apologize to Wang Sanshao!” sneered a girl in a V-neck red dress nearby, clearly eager to ingratiate herself with him.

“Apologize, my ass,” Ma Bi shot back. “Only a cheap tramp who’s begging for Wang Sanshao’s attention would speak up for him.”

“You—how dare you talk to me like that!” The girl in red was furious, her eyes fixed on Ma Bi with rage.

A few more boys and girls gathered, pointing and whispering about Luffy and his friends—obviously all trying to curry favor with the Wang family.

“Just you wait,” Wang Sanshao threatened, unwilling to swallow the insult. He was determined to give Luffy a swollen face by the end of the night.

At that moment, the sound of a helicopter came from outside. This display of wealth was truly over the top—even a helicopter had been brought in.

Zeng Hongseng’s heart sank. This had to be someone from the Li family.

Sure enough, Li Chaodan stepped down from the helicopter, wearing black sunglasses.

Everyone rushed to the entrance, abandoning Wang Sanshao, who only moments before had been the center of attention. Now he found himself ignored and sidelined.

“Miss Li!”

“Miss Li, I love you!” shrieked several women. Some covered their faces bashfully, while others began to jump with excitement.

Li Chaodan, in his black sunglasses and splendid suit, strode in with poise and confidence, followed by an elderly man in a traditional robe—his master—who walked with his hands clasped behind his back and an expressionless face.

Li Chaodan spotted Luffy and walked over. Two security guards cleared the way, keeping the crowd of women at bay.

“Damn, this guy is disgusting. Those women must be blind! If I were a woman, I’d want to marry our boss instead,” Zeng Hongseng said seriously.

“If you were a woman, I wouldn’t bother saving you,” Luffy replied dryly. The thought of Zeng Hongseng as a woman was simply nauseating.

“We meet again, pretty boy protected by women.” Li Chaodan smiled as he came up to Luffy, patting his shoulder. “Nice clothes—wrinkled and a bit shabby, though.”

“Shabby, my ass! My boss’s clothes are one of a kind,” Zeng Hongseng retorted, incredulous that both Wang Sanshao and now this Li jerk could be so blind.

“Heh… You’ve got nerve, kid. How dare you insult Master Li!” Wang Sanshao stepped forward, eyeing Luffy with a clear intention to make an example of him.

“How could someone dressed so shabbily be allowed to attend Bailing’s elegant birthday banquet?” a woman said, stepping forward.

“This kind of overreaching beggar should be thrown out, so he doesn’t offend our eyes,” Li Chaodan declared. He had no intention of letting Luffy stay and steal his spotlight—after all, as long as Luffy was here, Qin Bailing would never be at his side.

“Master Zhang Jiu!” Suddenly, a young man cried out in surprise. The renowned Taiji master of Jiuzhou City had arrived and was walking straight toward Luffy.

“Master Zhang Jiu, why are you here?” Li Chaodan exclaimed in astonishment.

Ignoring Li Chaodan, Master Zhang Jiu went directly to Luffy. “Young man, may I touch your clothes?”

“Sure, help yourself,” Luffy replied, paying no mind to Li Chaodan and the others’ sneers. He knew what his clothes were worth—it just needed someone with a discerning eye.

Master Zhang stroked the fabric. It felt cool to the touch, perfect for summer, and in winter would keep one warm. “Could this… could this be made from golden silkworm silk?”

“What nonsense is golden silkworm silk?” Li Chaodan scoffed, a sense of foreboding creeping over him.

“Something like that,” Luffy replied calmly.

“Master Li must be blind! Golden silkworm silk existed in ancient times, but in the modern era, it’s almost nonexistent. To have enough to make a whole suit speaks to its exceptional rarity. This young man’s outfit is truly one of a kind—priceless.” Master Zhang instantly recognized the value. “Young man, do you have any more of these clothes?”

“No, why?” Luffy was puzzled by the question.

“I’d like to buy one from you. It would be a pleasure to wear,” Master Zhang said earnestly.

“I really don’t have any more,” Luffy replied.

Li Chaodan’s expression soured. He’d never imagined that Luffy’s clothes would be so extraordinary, worth a fortune. Yet, why were they still a bit wrinkled?

Master Zhang Jiu was highly respected, a Taiji master rivaling even Li Chaodan’s own teacher. At the start of the apocalypse, it was his help that enabled the establishment of the safe zone. Now, to have him praise Luffy’s clothes in front of everyone—it was a public slap in the face.

The old man was truly infuriating.

Wang Sanshao’s face was equally unpleasant. He’d called Luffy a beggar, only to find out the clothes were priceless. Master Zhang’s words left him speechless.

No one dared disrespect Master Zhang. His judgment was law.

Many people exclaimed in surprise, eager to touch Luffy’s clothes and see how they felt. Who could have guessed that something that looked so ordinary was worth a king’s ransom?

Everyone was astounded.

“I told you our boss’s clothes couldn’t possibly be worthless. Only a blind fool would say otherwise,” Zeng Hongseng declared, rubbing Li Chaodan’s and Wang Sanshao’s humiliation in their faces.

(End of chapter)