Chapter 29

Luo En's delicate little face was full of triumph.

It seemed he was even more pleased and proud to be praised for his grilled fish than for his swordsmanship.

After both had eaten and drunk their fill, night fell completely.

"Burp~"

Little Zoro rubbed his bulging belly and toppled backward.

"I'm so full, I can't eat another bite."

While Zoro wasn't looking, Luo En took out a small jar of liquor from his system space and sat drinking it.

Zoro, lying on the ground with his belly still rubbed, saw this and asked curiously:

"Luo En, what are you drinking?"

"Liquor."

"So that's liquor? Is it good?"

Zoro sat up instantly, eyes gleaming as he stared at the jar in Luo En's hand.

"It's okay."

"Then give me some too. I've never had any before."

Zoro gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

Luo En was generous—he reached out and handed him the jar.

Zoro accepted it eagerly, sniffed it first, then cupped it in both hands and took a sip.

"Cough! Cough! So spicy!"

Little Zoro's face turned bright red; he stuck out his tongue. "How is this stuff even drinkable?!"

"Hah!"

Luo En laughed, took back the jar, picked up Lei Qie resting on the grass beside him, and stood up.

"Zoro, let me tell you something."

"What?"

Zoro, still sticking out his tongue and fanning his mouth, looked at him.

"A swordsman must have bold spirit to grow stronger. Liquor is what cultivates bold spirit. So if you want to become a great swordsman, you must learn to drink."

Luo En bluffed with a straight face.

His words made Zoro's eyes widen slightly.

After Luo En left,

Zoro stared at the fire in front of him and murmured to himself:

"Drinking builds bold spirit…"

"A swordsman grows stronger only with bold spirit…"

"Could it be that Luo En is so strong because he drinks?"

The more he thought, the brighter his eyes grew—as if he'd uncovered some monumental secret.

Night.

Koushirou was enjoying a leisurely tea time indoors when the door suddenly flew open.

Zoro burst in and shouted at him:

"Master, do you have any liquor? From today on, I'm going to drink!"

Koushirou looked utterly bewildered.

"…………Huh?"

【ps: Happy New Year!!】

21, Changing Kuina's Fate, The Plan to Leave (1/5)

Time slipped by.

One month later.

In the mountain forest one early morning.

As Luo En and Kuina trained in basic strength, Luo En suddenly spoke: "Kuina, do you want to leave this island and see the outside world?"

Kuina froze at the question.

"Leave this island…"

She had never thought about it—or perhaps she had never even left this village before.

Hearing Luo En's words, she lowered her head, thought carefully, then looked up at him and nodded firmly: "I want to fight strong people and become stronger. If I never leave this small island, I'll never become the greatest swordsman."

"I understand your thoughts."

Luo En smiled and said no more.

Though he didn't know if his arrival would alter her fate, he still felt… she shouldn't die like that.

"Luo En, are you planning to leave this island?"

Kuina couldn't help asking.

Luo En shook his head: "Not yet."

"Not yet…?"

Kuina whispered softly.

"You can't bear to part with me?"

Luo En's teasing remark instantly flushed Kuina's face red:

"Stupid! No way! I'm just worried I won't beat you before you leave!"

"Haha."

"Don't laugh!"

Kuina, embarrassed into anger, hurled the stone bell in her hand at him.

Luo En didn't even look, turned his head to dodge, and said casually:

"How about... you come out to sea with me."

A glint flashed in Kuina's eyes, as if she was somewhat tempted, but Luo En didn't notice.

After the two cultivated for a while longer, the sun climbed high, and the summer heat blazed.

The two sat under a tree to cool off.

Luo En lay down, while Kuina sat.

From Luo En's line of sight.

The girl with short blue hair in front of him had gradually taken on a figure, no longer looking like a tomboy.

Luo En's heart stirred, and he opened his mouth to ask:

"By the way, Kuina, is there a whetstone in the dojo? I want to use it."

Though Kuina found it a little strange, she still nodded and said:

"Yes, it's in the storeroom. I'll take you to get it."

"Okay."

The two headed to the storeroom together.

Kuina went up to the second floor to fetch that heavy whetstone.

Just as she got the whetstone and was about to come down from the second floor, Kuina inexplicably slipped, and her whole body instantly tumbled down the stairs.

"Eh?"

Before Kuina in midair could even come back to her senses, a sudden thought appeared in her mind.

"Am I... going to die?"

Just as she watched herself about to hit the ground and lose her life.

She was caught steadily by a pair of hands.

Luo En's serious voice rang in her ear.

"Be more careful!"

Kuina snapped awake instantly.

Realizing she had been caught by Luo En, and was now lying in his arms.

Only then did the realization hit her belatedly; a great deal of cold sweat instantly broke out on her back, her face turned pale, and she was utterly terrified in hindsight.