Crackling sparks leapt from the campfire, mingling with the tiny glimmers of fireflies dancing in the dark woods. The mingling aroma of wine and roasting meat wrapped around them, and for a moment, the heaviness of their earlier tension melted into something unexpectedly intimate.
Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks flushed pink as she lowered her gaze.
Kenshin shook the slender flask, nearly empty now, and sighed in disappointment.
"The wine's good… but a little too little."
Even though the wine from his Clear Spring Flask was rich and smooth, a sudden change in flavor could be a delightful surprise.
"Huh?"
As the wine with its subtle floral note slid down his throat, a spark of inspiration lit Kenshin's mind.
"Zhuqing… give me my wine."
She hesitated, confused by his excitement, then handed over the flask.
Kenshin held his Clear Spring Flask in one hand, Zhuqing's wine in the other.
"What if…" he murmured, eyes gleaming.
"What if I pour another wine into my flask?"
"Could the Martial Soul of Wine absorb the essence of other brews and become even richer?"
His eyes sparkled with calculation. In his plan, the soul rings for his Wine Martial Soul should ideally be of the highest age, at least ten thousand years, to fully unlock its potential. But waiting for that would be tedious.
Sword and wine were meant to complement each other. The Blue Lotus Sword's growth was too fast; eventually, the Wine Martial Soul would lag behind.
So Kenshin wondered: could he find a way to amplify its effect without consuming its latent potential?
"Let's try it!"
He poured Zhuqing's wine into his flask.
In Kenshin's gleeful eyes and Zhuqing's shocked ones, the flask began to glow faintly.
What had been a plain pool of spring water now shimmered with etched patterns of fruit and vines.
A soft mist rose from the spout, carrying a fragrance that made the senses tingle.
Kenshin licked his lips, saliva already pooling at the mouth as the aroma teased him. He drank in a single gulp.
The amber liquid slid down his throat, first letting him taste the subtle sweetness of apricot before it bloomed into a warm, rich torrent that flooded his chest. A surge of potent energy radiated throughout his body.
Vibration thrummed through him—vibration that made the Blue Lotus Sword stir, though he hadn't summoned it. A faint sword-shaped mark appeared at his brow.
After absorbing the Tri-Tailed Scorpion King's soul ring, Kenshin's soul power had reached the peak of level twenty-one. This single sip of wine shattered the limit, propelling him to level twenty-two.
"Ha—!"
He exhaled, and the mere scent of the wine made the campfire flare as if alive.
"Good… good wine!"
Zhuqing blinked, startled, as she sensed his overwhelming aura.
"Y-you… your soul power leveled up?"
"Mm."
Kenshin tilted his head back and drank again, a satisfied grin spreading across his handsome face. Then, almost regretfully, he muttered:
"The wine combines the richness of fruits and the mellow depth of the brew… but it's a pity it lacks floral notes."
Zhuqing: "…Could we maybe skip the floral notes for now?"
Seeing him like this, Zhuqing's inner wine-lover stirred. She pursed her lips shyly.
"Kenshin… could I… try a sip?"
"Here."
He handed her the flask. She took it eagerly, drinking in one gulp.
"Mm…"
The fiery liquid exploded through her body, warmth surging from her stomach outward. Her cheeks flamed crimson, her eyes misted over, and her gaze grew dreamy.
"Good… wine…"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Kenshin laughed heartily. The combination of the two wines had intensified the effect, leaving even him, a lifelong wine aficionado, slightly flushed.
It was obvious: the more he fused wines with his Martial Soul, the stronger the effects would become. One day, he might even get drunk.
"Dancing swords in drunkenness! This is perfect!"
He took another gulp, devouring meat and wine with abandon.
Dazed by the effect, Zhuqing watched him, her usual icy composure melting into a sweet, naive fascination.
Suddenly, she seemed to remember something, a hint of nervousness flickering in her voice.
"Kenshin… I'm going to attend an academy that only takes in 'monsters.'"
"I think there's no one more suited to the title 'monster' than you," he said with a smirk.
"You… will come with me?"
Kenshin paused mid-drink, then shook his head without hesitation.
"No. My personality isn't suited for school."
He knew Zhuqing planned to attend Shrek Academy, and the reasons for his refusal were simple. He didn't want the restrictions of a formal school, and more importantly, the academy couldn't make him stronger.
Soul ring balance—he had his own plans.
That so-called 'master'? He cared nothing for him.
As for whether it had anything to do with avoiding Ning Rongrong… to Kenshin, she was no more than a stranger who held little appeal—certainly not as tempting as this roasted rabbit before him.
Still, hearing Kenshin refuse left Zhuqing's expression dim. She hesitated, then asked softly:
"Then… Aoi Kenshin… where will you go? What will you do?"
Kenshin chewed on the roasted rabbit, eyes lifted to the bright moon above.
"I…"
"I will taste every fine wine in the continent and challenge the strongest swordsmen."
He tilted his head back, gulping wine that streamed recklessly down his chin, the very image of a wild, unbound youth.
"I will collect all the finest wines into my flask—three thousand realms of earthly spirits, all flowing into my cup!"
"And I will forge my own swordsmanship—kill ten steps away, leave no trace across a thousand miles!"
Yes. This was Aoi Kenshin's dream. Sword and wine—inseparable.
He had found a way to amplify his Wine Martial Soul. Yet he also knew his swordsmanship still lacked depth.
'Azure Blade Sever' was only a single move, while 'Triple Sword Splendor' merely enhanced it. He wouldn't simply wait for more soul power or soul rings. That was the path of mediocrity.
Across the continent, the truly formidable never relied solely on soul ring skills—Tang San had brought Tang Sect mastery from his past life, the Hao Tian Sect wielded the chaotic cloak-hammer techniques, and even the continent's finest swordsman, Chen Xin, had his own unique style.
Splendid, splendid!
But Aoi Kenshin was no weaker than them. He would create a swordsmanship all his own!
Zhu Zhuqing stared in awe at him, wild with wine, under the silver moonlight. Her heart raced uncontrollably, oddly intoxicated despite being fully sober.
"Aoi Kenshin…"
"Hm?"
He looked at her.
"Don't forget what you said… if I call for you, you'll come to help me."
"Of course," he replied with a lazy grin, full of certainty and pride.