Though Yi Xin was severely put out with what happened, he did not hold it against the Shui Young Masters. He knew what Zhang Lao did in order to secure Xie Yuan and Xiao Xue’s union. In essence, he too was part of the ploy, albeit indirectly.

It’s natural for Shui Gui and Shui Ren to be furious after being blatantly deceived. And if Shui Gui, as Xiao Xue’s older brother, acted differently after realizing the truth, Yi Xin would have thought less of him and would be wary of the brothers’ intention in regards to finding their sister.

As Xiao Xue’s apprentice brother, Yi Xin has started to view her as a real little sister. Although their time together has not been that long, Yi Xin would do anything to ensure Xiao Xue’s wellbeing. And because of this, Yi Xin could understand Shui Gui and Shui Ren’s feelings as if they were his own.

Yi Xin related the facts about Xiao Xue’s current condition to Shui Gui and Shui Ren. He did not hold anything back, not just because they were Xiao Xue’s older brothers but because the Shui Clan is well known within the Middle Realm. The Shui Clan could provide support and perhaps help in gathering the necessary items needed in order to fully heal Xiao Xue.

Xie Feng and Xie Shan, who were listening on the side, were learning the truth for the first time as well. When they heard about the Body Eroding Poison their faces immediately paled. Due to their background, even if the poison was rare and almost non-existent, they knew of its potency and effects. They couldn’t help but admire Xiao Xue for her fortitude and strength. To survive for such a long time and cultivate to such a degree, with such a deadly poison in her system, it was nothing short of a miracle.

Shui Gui and Shui Ren were speechless. They knew Xiao Xue was poisoned but were not aware as to what kind of poison was used on her. Those bastards who took their sister away had been very cruel. When Xiao Xue was taken, she was only eight years old. Still an innocent child who knew nothing of the world. And to be treated so viciously, the brothers could only imagine the pain Xiao Xue had to suffer to survive this long.

Shui Ren’s face was enveloped in a mass of dark fog. His muted aura suddenly spiked and became chaotic. Shui Gui, who was sitting next to him, could feel Shui Ren’s minute changes. As an elder, he understood Shui Ren’s feelings in regards to their sister and calmly reached out to comfort his younger brother.

Unexpectedly, Shui Ren lashed out and slapped Shui Gui’s hand away. He shot to his feet and hit the pillar, not far from him, with his bare knuckles. The ghastly sound of bones breaking and wood splintering echoed in the hall. Shui Ren used his whole body’s strength in that punch and did not bother to protect his fist with spiritual energy. He lifted his other fist and was about to throw another strike when Shui Gui grabbed him.

“What are you doing?” Shui Gui snarled furiously. His eyes focused on his brother’s broken hand. This is not the first time Shui Ren displayed self-destructive behavior when the matter involved their sister. Through the years and as he grew older, Shui Ren had mellowed down. Shui Gui thought that Shui Ren outgrown this harmful habit but it turned out, he was merely holding back and bottling it up.

“Let go of me, elder brother!” Shui Ren howled in agony. “Lian’er is suffering and it’s because of me!”

Shui Ren has been blaming himself for Xiao Xue’s abduction. The two were together the night when the attack happened. But only Xiao Xue was abducted while Shui Ren was safe. None of the family ever blamed him but Shui Ren carried the burden as if he really was the guilty party. Shui Ren could never forget the awful night, it haunts him even in his sleep.

He could still recall, there was something eerie about the manor that day. It had been raining and the rain did not let up even when night came. It was pouring so heavily that the twins, who usually spent time together and played outdoors, were not allowed outside of their rooms. But Shui Lian snuck out of her courtyard to go to Shui Ren’s room.

Shui Ren was scared of thunder and lightning, he dreaded storms the most but only Shui Lian knew. It was their little secret. Every time there was a storm, Shui Lian would go to her brother’s room to keep him company. They would play games until the storm outside was forgotten and Shui Ren could sleep without worries or fears.

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But that night, something else was happening within the manor. Shui Ren didn’t realize something was wrong until it was too late. He remembered Shui Lian entering the room from the window, like she did many times before. But when he called out to her, Shui Lian immediately shushed him. Without a word she moved to his side, grabbed his hand and frantically looked around.

Shui Ren was confused but before he could ask anything, Shui Lian smiled and smoothen his disheveled hair. “Ren’er, let’s play a different game tonight.” She said.

Shui Ren nodded enthusiastically. The games that Shui Lian introduces to him are a bit odd but fun and exciting. Most of all, every time Shui Lian came when there was a storm Shui Ren never felt afraid. Shui Lian would stay and play with him until Shui Ren was tired and she would always wait until he fell asleep before leaving. Shui Lian always made sure that the storm outside would not bother Shui Ren.

Shui Lian led Shui Ren to the big wooden chest on the side of the room. After throwing most of its contents behind the bathing screen, she pushed Shui Ren inside.

“Ren’er, stay here and be quiet.” Shui Lian said as she covered him with a brocade robe. “No matter what you hear, do not come out. Until I come and open the chest for you, Ren’er cannot step out!” It was at this moment that Shui Ren vaguely realized that something was wrong. But he couldn’t figure out what. He wanted to ask Shui Lian but his sister closed the lid without another word.

Shui Ren wanted to go out but Shui Lian’s swift orders were fresh in his mind. Although he was nervous and was perplexed with Shui Lian’s behavior, Shui Ren followed her commands. He believed Shui Lian would not do anything to harm him.

In a matter of a few breaths unknown people entered the room. The metallic sound of weapons slashing and tearing through the furniture was too distinct. Shui Ren was terrified but he remembered Shui Lian’s words. He bit his lips, remained quiet and stayed inside the wooden chest.

“Second young master should be hiding somewhere, find him!” Shui Ren recognized the voice, it was the servant that was recently assigned to his courtyard.

When he heard those words a dark premonition clutched at Shui Ren’s heart. For the first time in his life, Shui Ren disregarded Shui Lian’s words and slowly pushed open the lid of the chest. He fearfully peeked to see what was happening just in time to witness a scene that would haunt him for years to come.

From where he was hidden, Shui Ren could see three masked men searching the room. After thrashing the bed and making sure no one was hiding underneath it, the three separated to continue their search. One masked man turned and started heading his way. But because Shui Lian moved the bathing screen, the chest was obscured from view.

Shui Ren’s heart faltered as the shadow of the masked man moved closer. He knew it was only a matter of time before they found him. He clenched his little fists and resolved himself to fight these masked men. But before the masked man could push the bathing screen aside and see what was hidden behind, one of his companions laughed and tugged a squirming bundle from the cabinet, on the opposite side of the room. Shui Ren’s mind blanked when one of the masked men revealed the person he caught. It was Shui Lian!

Shui Ren and Shui Lian are twins with almost identical features. Because they were still young, if they wore the same clothes and hairstyle, even their most trusted servants could mistake one for the other.

The new servant took one look at Shui Lian and sneered. “You can’t blame me, Second Young Master. Blame it on your ancestors and that your surname is Shui!” Then he gestured towards the other masked men in the room. “Let’s go!”

Shui Ren intended to reveal himself and save his sister. But at that moment, before the masked man struck the back of Shui Lian’s neck and robbed her of her consciousness, she furtively looked at where he was. The look she gave him was fleeting but it was full of weight and meaning.

Shui Ren remained inside the wooden chest until one of the shadow guards found him. Even after he was brought safely to his parents, Shui Ren’s mind was still locked on the last look his sister gave him.

Shui Lian somehow found out about the attack on the manor. She realized people would come looking for her brothers during the commotion. Shui Gui would be able to defend himself since his cultivation was already at a certain level. But Shui Ren would be easy prey.

From how things played out, Shui Ren was clearly the masked men’s objective. But Shui Lian acted fast and hid him before they came, the intruders were unable to find him. And because she dressed in Shui Ren’s robes and purposely got caught, Shui Lian was taken in the place of Shui Ren.

No one from the clan knew what exactly happened that night. Shui Ren couldn’t tell anyone, not even Shui Gui or their parents, the truth. He carried the guilt in his heart alone. It was Shui Ren’s shame and concealed sorrow.