Chapter 17

Orochi asked with a fawning face, his ugly appearance truly making it hard not to feel a sense of disgust.

But Luo Xing’s expression did not show any abnormality; on the contrary, his tone even seemed somewhat enthusiastic.

"Of course it's true. Since the General has made a request, how could my father-in-law refuse?"

Orochi was overjoyed and asked impatiently, "Then, the Monster Cells..."

Luo Xing reached out a hand, cutting off Orochi’s next words, and laughed:

"This matter is of great importance. Let’s go into the General’s Mansion to discuss it."

Orochi nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, yes, let’s go inside to discuss it, let’s go inside to discuss it."

They entered the main hall of the General’s Mansion.

Orochi had already prepared a sumptuous banquet.

On Luo Xing’s side, only he and the Plague Queen took their seats; everyone else waited outside.

Orochi did not bring any guards either, leaving only the guard captain, Kyoshiro.

Besides them, there was one more person.

It was the Oiran Komurasaki, known as the greatest beauty in Wano, who was currently dancing gracefully in the center of the hall.

Komurasaki was dressed in colorful robes, her hair adorned with gold and jade, which, combined with her snow-white skin and graceful figure, and the way she held her pipa as if half-hiding her face, truly gave the impression of a beauty whose every glance could topple a city.

She was well-deserving of the title of Oiran.

Even having grown accustomed to the peerless beauty of his own wife, Yamato, Luo Xing had to admit that this daughter of Kozuki Oden was a genuine, stunning beauty.

The dance ended.

Kurozumi Orochi, sitting on the General’s throne, watched in a trance, and the Plague Queen’s eyes were filled with hearts.

Only Luo Xing maintained a faint smile on his face, showing no signs of losing his composure.

Although Komurasaki kept her head lowered and appeared submissive, over a decade of playing roles had given her an ability to read people far beyond the average person.

Her intuition told her that this Beast Pirates Imperial Son-in-Law, whom she was meeting for the first time, seemed different from anyone she had encountered before.

At this moment.

Orochi’s voice only served to confirm her intuition.

"Komurasaki, hurry up and serve wine to the Imperial Son-in-Law, Luo Xing."

In normal circumstances, Orochi would certainly have been impatient for her to pour wine for him.

But this time he didn't; instead, he had her sit next to the Imperial Son-in-Law, clearly fawning over the latter.

"Imperial Son-in-Law, please have a drink."

Komurasaki carefully hid her true thoughts, a gentle, shallow smile appearing on her face as she spoke softly.

Luo Xing glanced at Komurasaki.

Just that one glance made Komurasaki’s heart skip a beat, with a strange feeling that her entire being had been seen through.

"Many thanks."

The man downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, then shifted his gaze away from her.

Komurasaki let out a long sigh of relief.

She didn't know when, but the clothes on her back had been soaked through with cold sweat.

"General Orochi."

Luo Xing had no intention of exposing the identity of Kozuki Hiyori just yet, and turned to Orochi:

"The Monster Cells are highly effective and will be enough to double the strength of your guards. This is an excellent opportunity to proclaim your majesty to the people of Wano!"

"I propose that we invite prominent figures from the six regions—Kuri, Kibi, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai—to the Flower Capital to witness the ceremony, and simultaneously broadcast it via Den Den Mushi throughout Wano."

"Under such public attention, your guards will consume the Monster Cells and their strength will surge, which will surely make everyone in Wano fear and respect you even more!"

Upon hearing this, Orochi jumped up in joy.

"Good idea, what a good idea! Let everyone see, let everyone fear me even more, so that no one will ever dare to rebel against Laozi again!"

Orochi danced with excitement, repeatedly toasting Luo Xing.

Luo Xing smiled slightly.

To make someone perish, one must first make them go mad.

Let you be happy for a few more days, Kurozumi Orochi.

20. Identity Exposed, Komurasaki Loses Color (Seeking flowers, reviews, and monthly tickets)

After the banquet ended.

Kurozumi Orochi had accommodations prepared for Luo Xing, Queen, and the others, while ordering his subordinates to invite prominent figures from the six regions of Kuri, Kibi, Udon, Ringo, and Hakumai.

This "invite," of course, had to be taken with a grain of salt.

Although Orochi had been in the position of General for over a decade, he was still extremely unpopular in Wano.

If it weren't for Kaido as his great backer, he might have been driven out of office by the people of Wano long ago.

Orochi also ordered that a broadcast Den Den Mushi be placed in every village in Wano.

Two days later, all the people of Wano would be able to watch the grand occasion of his subordinates consuming the Monster Cells via the broadcast Den Den Mushi!

Just thinking about that scene made Orochi so excited he couldn't sleep all night.

And it wasn't just Kurozumi Orochi who couldn't sleep; there were two others.

In a dim secret room.

The gentle and weak Oiran Komurasaki from the daytime now had a look of firm determination.

Opposite her was Denjiro, who had taken the form of Kyoshiro.

Komurasaki said with concern:

"Denjiro, you heard it during the day, didn't you? That Beast Pirates Imperial Son-in-Law brought one hundred Monster Cells. If Orochi's subordinates really eat them, our day of revenge will be even further out of reach!"

Denjiro’s face was also full of worry, and he sighed:

"This matter is my responsibility. I originally wanted to sow discord between Kaido and Orochi to make them turn against each other. I didn't expect Kaido to actually agree to Orochi's request!"

To tell the truth,

Denjiro really couldn't understand it. The people he sent to find Kaido clearly had a condescending, commanding attitude.

With Beast Kaido’s temper, how could he not be angry at all, and even obediently hand over one hundred Monster Cells?

Komurasaki comforted him:

"You discussed this with me at the time, so if we talk about responsibility, we both have it. The key now is how to stop Orochi and that Beast Pirates Imperial Son-in-Law?"

Denjiro thought for a moment and said slowly: "There is only one way!"

"What is it?"

"That is to steal—steal the Monster Cells!"

"Steal the Monster Cells..." Komurasaki whispered to herself; this was indeed the only solution.

"But, how do we steal them?"

Denjiro looked at Komurasaki intently: "That will require Miss Hiyori to suffer a grievance."

Komurasaki immediately understood what Denjiro meant.

It was for her to use a honey trap, seduce that Beast Pirates Imperial Son-in-Law, and then seize the opportunity to steal the Monster Cells.

Komurasaki bit her lower lip.

Honestly, she didn't want to go; she was even a little afraid to see that Beast Pirates Imperial Son-in-Law.

Because that one glance from the other party during the day still left her with lingering fears.

However,

Thinking of the blood feud of her parents and the tragic plight of the people of Wano, what did her personal feelings matter?

"Fine, I'll go!" Komurasaki said firmly.

……

……

Luo Xing looked at the luxurious decorations in the room, a mocking curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

To fawn over him, Kurozumi Orochi had likely given him the best room in the General’s Mansion.

"Orochi, oh Orochi, to repay your kindness, I will thank you with your head in two days."

Luo Xing thought leisurely.

Suddenly, his eyelids twitched, and his Observation Haki sensed someone coming toward his room.

"Kozuki Hiyori, what is she coming to find me for?"

Luo Xing was quite surprised, a trace of vigilance rising in his heart.