on the other side...

Xin Yichen came to look for Ryuu who was staring outside the window with a blank look. When he felt someone's presence, he turned his head and looked at his father. He evaded his eyes. He couldn't bring himself to look into his eyes.

He had taken matters of security into his hands but a mishap still occurred. If not for his quick reflexes, his sister would have been shot dead at her own wedding. He not only failed his father but also failed as a brother; which brother cared more about his empire than his sister? Years ago, he had promised his mother that he would always take care of his family but apparently, he failed there too.

"It was not your fault," Xin Yichen said.

"Hah..." Ryuu exhaled.

"You know Ryuu that your sister is not safe anywhere."

"But it was our sanctuary, father. They crossed the threshold of our sanctuary.Fathom, what else they are willing to do just to annihilate Xins?" Keeping his voice even, Ryuu asked.

"Every monster in this world has a weakness and Zhenyi is ours. Our weakness can always be used against us -- that's what is happening. He tries again and again to strike our Achilles heels."

"And you always let them?"

"Ryuu, Xins has always been on the top of the food chain. This pyramid of power-sharing has not changed for centuries. They are aware of the fact that if they want to be on the top-- the only solution is to remove Xins. And your sister, a woman happen to be my successor. Women have always been the easy target; vulnerable and weaker than men."

"Do you know why I hide you in the shadows? You must hate me for it? You should. Because no father hides his child from the world. But I'm a selfish father, my son. I never wanted the world to know about my children. I couldn't hide Zhenyi and you know why. Had it not for that unfortunate accident, I would have a complete family."

Hell could freeze a thousand times over before he let anything or anyone destroy his only family left. historical

"That was not your fault either, Bà. It was an accident. An unfortunate one. It changed our lives forever."

Shadows or not. He was a Xin and no one could change that.

"But, that mysterious lunatic is not behind this attack, father," Ryuu said. Xin Yichen knew which mysterious lunatic his son was referring to.

Sigh.

"Are you sure?" Xin Yichen asked.

"It's certainly not his style. Sending assailants to ambush a wedding. He's anything but impatient and impulsive. The attack on Zhenyi was planned impulsively and recklessly."

Xin Yichen's face stiffened after hearing it, but he didn't show any other emotions on his face.

"Who do you think dared to crash such a closed wedding? Especially one where a Xin is marrying a Long?"

"Especially one where a Xin is marrying a Long..." Ryuu repeated.

"What do you think about Longs, father?" Ryuu asked after a pause.

"Can't be trusted blindly." Ryuu's brows furrowed at this. Shouldn't his father marry off his only daughter to someone trusted?

"Yet you married off your daughter to a Long?"Ryuu couldn't help but ask.

"I have my reasons, son."Xin Yichen replied naturally.

"What about grandfather?"Ryuu asked again.

"What about him?"Xin Yichen answered with another question, feigning ignorance.

"You're an excellent father but a terrible liar," came the amused reply, as if he knew a secret that he was not supposed to.

"A lie of omission is not a lie."Xin Yichen's lips twitched but he managed to appear solemn.

Smartass.

"If you say so..." A smirk pulled on his face.

"Your grandfather is sick. We don't know how much longer he has left."

"I know."

"You knew? " Realization crept into Xin Yichen's mind slowly. His son let them dupe him but clearly, Ryuu outwitted him again. Instead of being upset, Xin Yichen was damm proud.

"You guys think you can hide such a grave matter from me.I live in shadows, father. You may not see me but I observe everything. And grandfather really thinks he can trap me in his web of words and relations? I'm not my little sister."

"That's your problem son." Xin Yichen was not going to stick between his father and his son. " Report me who was behind the attack as soon as possible. They owe me their blood and bones."

"Master." A man standing at the door called.

"We found the identity of the assailant.No high-class sniper just a mercenary from the bikers group. But there is something weird." He informed.

"What?"Ryuu asked.

"Longs."

"What did you say?" This time Xin Yichen asked.

"Longs are involved."