Her movements were stunning, graceful even in the act of kneeling, as if she were performing a dance.
"What a beautiful girl..." Zephyr muttered in a daze.
"Hey, hey, old bastard! You’re a married man—don’t get any funny ideas!" Golden Lion suddenly smacked Zephyr on the head with a loud slap.
Zephyr, unfazed by the scoundrel beside him, rolled his eyes and retorted, "I was just admiring her elegance, not—ugh, I’m not some lecherous pervert like you!"
Golden Lion grinned smugly. "Thanks for the compliment."
Everyone around them froze, their expressions stiffening. Their mouths twitched slightly, dark lines appearing on their faces.
Zephyr’s words weren’t a compliment, you idiot!
Liu Feng, watching the bruised Kouzuki Hiyori kneeling before him, rubbed his temples and sighed. "I have to ask—why are you kneeling?"
His gaze remained calm as he added, "If I remember correctly, we’ve never met before."
"I’m not one for idle gossip," he continued, reaching into his pocket and pulling it inside out, revealing its emptiness. "And just so you know, I don’t have any money for you to scam."
Golden Lion was dumbfounded.
Rayleigh was speechless.
Even Koshiro let out a bitter chuckle.
Liu Feng, do you really have to be this blunt?
Only Zephyr looked as if he had swallowed something foul, his expression dark and sour.
Military funds were limited, and even Liu Feng, the Fleet Admiral, didn’t have much money. While military power rested in Liu Feng’s hands, the financial power belonged to Zephyr, the "old stingy bastard."
After all, only someone like Zephyr—an "upright" old man—could be trusted to allocate the funds reasonably, keeping the likes of Roger and Golden Lion from squandering the military money on indulgences.
Liu Feng’s blunt words made Kouzuki Hiyori blush.
As the most famous courtesan in Wano Country, she often disguised herself as an arrogant, flirtatious brothel girl, using her beauty to con the rich and powerful, bankrupting many of them in the process. It seemed her reputation as the "beautiful" Hiyori had spread beyond Wano Country, reaching even the new navy.
But now, she was at a loss. She had put aside her pride to ask Liu Feng for something, yet he thought she was trying to scam him. Even her thick skin, hardened by years of experience, couldn’t hold up in this situation.
"That... Lord Liu Feng," she stammered. "I don’t want to scam you out of your money..."
Kouzuki Hiyori blushed, stammering as her tone became shy and awkward. Liu Feng couldn’t help but laugh internally, though his face remained composed. "Oh, I see," he said with a casual tone. "You must have taken a liking to my wise, powerful, muscular, strong, and handsome body."
He dramatically covered his chest, pretending to be horrified. "You just want my body, right?"
Everyone stared at Liu Feng, speechless. He was shameless! While there might be some truth to his statement—yes, he was a bit handsome and a bit strong—his bluntness was too much to bear.
Kouzuki Hiyori was momentarily stunned. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Her face was as red as a beetroot, as if she had swallowed a fly. Why was this man so stubborn? Had her charm diminished?
All those men used to fall over themselves to serve her! She couldn’t accept it.
With her typical stubbornness, Kouzuki Hiyori clenched her teeth and leaned slightly toward Liu Feng. The neckline of her kimono shifted, revealing a bit more of her chest.
"My name is Kouzuki Hiyori, an orphan of the Kouzuki clan," she began, her voice steady but firm. "I want to ask Master Liu Feng for a favor. If possible, I am willing to pay any price."
When she said "pay any price," she emphasized the words, making sure Liu Feng understood her intent.
Liu Feng sighed inwardly. Look at what she’s saying... honestly, why were all the women he met ? They all had their own agendas—begging for favors and then throwing themselves at him, making him feel like nothing more than a tool.
Liu Feng couldn’t help but inwardly sigh. The women he met seemed to have similar traits—like Kouzuki Hiyori from Wano, always focused on his appearance, strength, and figure. Couldn’t they appreciate his heart instead?
Liu Feng’s response was swift and straightforward, leaving everyone around him stunned. The rejection had been so quick and unexpected.
Kouzuki Hiyori bit her lower lip, her pearly teeth flashing briefly. The action made her look even more vulnerable and moving.
"But Lord Liu Feng, you haven’t even heard my request yet," she said, trying again.
Liu Feng raised his hand, ready to respond, but before he could speak, a childish voice rang out from afar.
"Let go of my sister!!"