"Aoi Kenshin!"
"One minute's already passed! Where are you?!"
Zhu Zhuqing shut her eyes in despair, her nostrils filled with the acrid scent of scorpion tails slicing the air.
Yet…
Several heartbeats later, the pain she had expected never came.
Her eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes.
Before her stood that familiar figure, clad in a white shirt stained with blood.
"Aoi Kenshin?!"
Her eyes widened, tears glistening with a mixture of fear and relief.
Kenshin tilted his head slightly, a faint smile ghosting his pale cheeks.
"Sorry, Zhuqing… I'm a few seconds late."
Her gaze swept over him, and when she saw the twin gaping wounds on his shoulders, her eyes flickered with shock.
"Aoi Kenshin… you…"
"Not the time to chat," he said, gripping his sword. "First, I'll deal with these Swordtail Scorpions."
The sword tip pressed against the tail of a millennium-level Swordtail Scorpion, the beast frozen in tension.
"Perfect. You'll feed me a target."
Before Zhu Zhuqing could fully comprehend, two purple soul rings shimmered to life beneath Kenshin's feet.
"Second Soul Technique—Triple Sword Splendor!"
"First Soul Technique—Azure Blade Sever!"
The Triple Sword Splendor enhanced his next strike: sword speed increased by 300%, sharpness by 300%.
Blue light radiated across the Blue Lotus Sword, lotus patterns blooming along its edge, and a surge of unparalleled cutting force erupted.
Zhu Zhuqing barely registered the movement, just seeing a flash of sword light—and the millennium-level Swordtail's tail shattered.
But the strike didn't stop. The blue arc swept through the bodies of several Swordtail Scorpions, slicing them before fading into the forest.
"Hmm?!"
Seeing the seemingly unharmed Swordtails fleeing, Zhu Zhuqing's face paled with confusion.
Then—
Her eyes widened sharply.
Several of the scorpions split in half mid-stride, green blood and entrails splattering the ground. They crawled a few steps before collapsing silently.
She swallowed hard, her voice trembling:
"Aoi Kenshin… you… you really took the Tri-Tailed Scorpion King's soul ring?"
Kenshin's sword now radiated an even deadlier aura. The sheer speed and sharpness sent shivers down her spine.
"Cough… cough!"
Kenshin sank to one knee, gripping the hilt and leaning on the sword.
"Aoi Kenshin! What's wrong?!"
Zhu Zhuqing's face changed as she rushed to support him. Her hands brushed against his arms and felt… warmth and stickiness.
It hit her then: Kenshin was severely wounded.
The piercing wounds on his shoulders were torn open, his skin split from the surge of soul power, and blood trickled like tiny streams.
Trembling, she pressed her hands against his injuries, panic rising as tears blurred her vision.
She knew how terrifying a Tri-Tailed Swordtail was—and this boy, lying in her arms, had killed it in a single minute and absorbed its soul ring.
She could imagine the risks he had taken just to keep his promise of one minute.
The blood was too much… no matter how she tried, it couldn't be contained.
"Aoi Kenshin… please… don't scare me like this…"
"Cough… cough!"
Kenshin's eyelids fluttered open with great effort, his voice hoarse but calm:
"Why are you crying? I'm not dead."
"Zhuqing… help me get up."
Tears turning to a reluctant smile, she nodded.
"Okay… okay."
On the outskirts of the Starfall Forest, a small campfire cast a warm glow over a three-meter radius.
In the quiet moonlit night, the boy and girl sat around the fire. Kenshin occasionally took swigs from his flask, lazily flipping roasted rabbit skewered on a branch. Oil hissed as it dripped, sending the rich aroma into the cool night air.
Zhu Zhuqing grilled fish herself. It was obvious she had never done this before—some parts charred, others barely cooked. Her cheeks burned, whether from the fire or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.
"Aoi Kenshin… your injuries… are you okay?"
"Mm."
He nodded, "A couple of sips of wine and it's already scabbed over."
Zhu Zhuqing had drunk his wine before, feeling its miraculous effect, though she still didn't know it was his second Martial Soul.
"Tsk tsk…" she murmured, staring at his flask.
Kenshin laughed and tossed it toward her.
"Drink."
"Thank you…"
Her face turned crimson as she brought the mouth of the flask to her lips. Seeing his open, easy-going manner, she could only comply, drinking with a blush.
"Aoi Kenshin… your wine is amazing!"
The aroma hit her, making her cheeks burn even more. She lifted her face, a rare smile breaking across her usually cold features. Sweet.
Kenshin shook his head with a smile:
"You little girl can actually appreciate wine?"
"Don't underestimate me," she said, straightening her posture. "I'm practically your age."
In surprise, Kenshin watched as she untied her waist sash. From it, she produced a delicate little flask, only about an inch long.
"This is my wine."
"You… actually drink?" Kenshin, the old wine enthusiast, immediately wanted a taste.
"Here, give me some."
She tossed it. Kenshin caught it, unscrewed the stopper, and drank eagerly in one gulp.
Zhu Zhuqing's mouth opened slightly—this tiny flask had been her companion for years. He had just… kissed her indirectly through the wine!
But seeing him finish, she shyly asked:
"So… how is it?"
"Is my wine good?"
Burp~~~
Kenshin hiccupped, nodding repeatedly.
"Not bad, not bad! Smooth, mellow, lingering… hmm…" He tasted again, surprised.
"And it even carries a subtle floral note!"
Zhu Zhuqing's face burned hot. Floral note?! That's just the lingering taste from her lips after sharing the flask!
Kenshin didn't notice, swirling the flask curiously.
"By the way, Zhuqing… you have such a refined presence. You must not come from an ordinary family."
"And you… drink so casually. Is it to drown some sorrows?"
Zhu Zhuqing blinked. Her arms wrapped around her knees, staring into the fire. Was she troubled?
Born into the noble Zhu family, betrothed to a Starry Prince at birth… life should have been smooth. Yet she felt… rebellious.
She tilted her elegant neck and took another sip of Kenshin's wine.
She simply refused to bow to fate. That so-called Starry Prince? She'd never even seen him—and she didn't want to marry him.
Seeing her sigh, Kenshin smiled.
"Zhuqing… I told you. I owe you one. If you ever need me, I, Aoi Kenshin, will help."
Zhu Zhuqing lifted her eyes, meeting the earnestness on his face. She smiled—a breathtaking, serene smile that could stop hearts.
"Okay."