A/N: For this chapter I put a warning...

WARNING:: R17+ scene

Although I didn't wrote too much about it, still it is a must this time.

MDZS Fanfic

Red Strings of Connections

Arc 3 Chapter 45

Under the Willow Tree

Xingxiu Xuanyu sitting under the Willow Tree in House of Liu, staring at the space, but having an internal dispute on himself, asking why he embraced Tiao Reinshun.

He wouldn't deny it to himself that he is really in love to Tiao Reinshun. It's just that he swore that despite his withholding feelings for her, he would never pursue her, would never dirty her with his filthy self.

Yes, despite its already many years have already passed, and Jin Guangshan being punished in Maze, he still remembers everything, and despite living his life with everyone, he is still thinking he's filthy to the point of beyond clean.

Xingxiu Xuanyu buried his face between his knees, his hand is on his back head, while the other is keeping his legs together. He sighs quietly. It was such a reckless reaction, and he should apologize to her for what he has done.

Loving her is one thing but touching her with such feelings is another.

Another sigh escapes.

Xingxiu Xuanyu felt all problematic because of him embracing her, that he fails to notice that someone have able to stand next to him.

The person blinks in confusion, staring at the big ball under the Willow tree. The last time she saw him like this was when she caught him doing that 'thing' while moaning her name, he was so absorbed to his 'business' that even she calls for him he failed to hear her.

She was about to left back then, to give him space and time to himself, even though she's quite bother by how he moans her name, she chose to pretend deaf and like nothing ever caught on, but while she was silently closing the door, he screams in fear. Immediately, and ignoring everything at all, she rushes to his side, calls for his name, trying to bring him back to reality, the reality where he is already free from Jin Guangshan's clutches.

"Xuanyu!" finally he was snapped back to their reality, much to her relief, completely ignoring the fact that his hand was dirty and his manhood out. He pants, bringing back the breath he burst out because of terrible memory that abruptly flashed on his mind.

Xingxiu Xuanyu stares at her absentmindedly, and totally forgotten his current get up.

"Reinshun..."

Tiao Reinshun sighs in relief and smiles, brushing his sweating cheek, "You are alright now Xuanyu. He won't ever get near to you ever again."

Right. Yes. Of course, he is safe now...

Upon lowering his head does he found and remember what he was doing before those memories resurfaced.

"Xuanyu?"

His breath hitched in fright upon realization, he snaps his head to confirm if it is really Tiao Reinshun who crouching in front of him. His face glooms and felt doom since he wasn't hallucinating.

It'll be better if it was nothing but hallucinations.

But...

Xingxiu Xuanyu backs away his head, to prevent Tiao Reinshun to touch his face further, he stands up in awkward and in panic, all he could think of is to make sure his manhood won't face Tiao Reinshun. He dashes to other corner of the room and with his back facing Tiao Reinshun who is blinking in surprise, he quickly fixes his garment, and when he spotted the basin fill with water next to him, he aggressively dives his hands and wash it so fiercely.

Tiao Reinshun stood up, still looking at him.

"Are you alright now Xuanyu?" There's really no need to confirm it based on his actions, it is obvious that he already recovers from that sudden intrusive trauma but has now facing something more frightening to him.

Upon getting question, he was shocked and panics to the point he absentmindedly took back his hands from water and hid it behind him, ignoring the fact that it was both incredibly wet and water were dripping down the wooden floor of the inn and his robes.

The night on that very same day, Xingxiu Xuanyu stays at that ball position until Tiao Reinshun slept.

It was an awkward moment for them, but she doesn't care, not for Xingxiu Xuanyu though, who just want for the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

Twisted, someone might call her, but as always, she doesn't care, she really finds "Xingxiu Xuanyu the Ball" incredibly adorable, and if she get ask why, then it is just because she much prefer this adorable sulking state rather than him having an attack because of his trauma.

Tiao Reinshun sat down next to him, trying to peek if she could see a little portion of Xingxiu Xuanyu's expression currently, no luck. She raises her hand and gently patted his back head, that had been long since free from his own hand. Upon the familiar touch, Xingxiu Xuanyu jerks up and whips his head with wide eyes he confirms the person sitting next to him that have smile.

The kind of smile that Tiao Kanglin could never ever able to copy despite them being twins.

The smile that made Xingxiu Xuanyu fell in love to her repeatedly.

That beautiful genuine smile that lace with soothing effect to whoever would see, fortunately for Xingxiu Xuanyu, he sees this smile from her everyday and much more often than to their siblings, even much more than to Wei Wuxian.

"Reinshun..."

Tiao Reinshun tilts her head in recognition of his soft voice saying her name, "You know I miss that... you—calling my name."

Gently, Xingxiu Xuanyu took her hand from his head and let go of it as soon that he lowers it.

"Aren't it "You misses everyone calling you to your courtesy name" instead?"

"What? Throwing tantrum now? At our ages?"

"As if..." Xingxiu Xuanyu pouted, looking away from her, on another hand, Tiao Reinshun finds him cute.

Both went quiet for a while, Tiao Reinshun's gaze landed on the crystal-clear pond, while Xingxiu Xuanyu peeks at her calm and refreshing face.

"Where have you been Reinshun?" Xingxiu Xuanyu finally ask, defeating the silence that eating them. "And what happen? There's no way you'll get kidnap at all."

"You are giving me too much credit, Xuanyu."

"It was just either you let them take you or they've used something to make you lost consciousness then dragged you."

"Wow... such credit. But... yeah, I did come with them... peacefully."

"Why? Who are those people that took you away? It is just like Ying-xiong have said?"

"What did he say?"

"That... it was probably your grandparents."

"Right, Ying-xiong is the only one that knew about it..."

"So, it was really them?" Tiao Reinshun nodded, "But why?"

"To replaced me—no, on their term it was to give back what have really belonged to Tiao Kanglin."

"Replaced?"

"When I was a kid—around four to six years old, my grandparents, the Sect Leader of Tiao Sect, and his wife, started beating me for random reasons. Sometimes it is because I was given a sugar candy by some servant or being praise by some customers from their clothing shops. Just nonsense reasons, at the end of the day, there's no such a thing as reason. Ahhh... right they are blaming me for the illness that got in Tiao Lin. On mine and Tiao Lin's birthday, a customer greeted me and even praised me for being attentive in the shop despite my age, but they took it in a way that it should Tiao Lin, not me, getting greeted and praised. That was when A-die came in after many years of travelling the land for his cultivation. He supposedly takes Tiao Lin—that's what we all believe, so when he witnessed them beating me up, he took me instead. I was so afraid back then, like it was the first time I've seen him, and I really didn't recognize him, after all I never look at the mirror that time, they forbidden me to look at one since it was disrespecting my bedridden sister."

"They are much more twisted than Jin Guangshan."

"It was actually because all the signs that A-Rein has inherited all of their mom's abilities."

"Uncle Liu's wife?" Tiao Liujuan nodded to Wei Wuxian.

All the heads of houses and head disciples, except Tiao Reinshun and Xingxiu Xuanyu who are at Willow Tree, were all sitting on the mats, forming a large circle inside the lounge chamber, listening to Tiao Liujuan's side of story.

"I once asked Uncle Liu about your wife, but you never answer except that you said that she's already have passed. What kind of person is Uncle Liu's wife?"

"Her name is Ha Yue, she's a beautiful woman, her hair is as white as snow, her skin is pale but glistening under the moonlight, her eyes hold mischievousness yet full of gentleness, and her personality? You could say that she's as twisted as A-Rein and as considerate, gentle, and soothing. I've met her when my life is in near at death's door, she saved me, and together we ventured the world. She's a strong cultivator that using both resentful energy and spiritual energy. Eventually I fell in love to her. But my parents don't like her, though I am as hardheaded as them, I didn't care and still married even without their blessing, I at least have everyone's blessings."

All adults smiles or grins or purse their lips to prevent themselves to smile big.

"Ah... so everyone has met Ha Yue-Ayi?"

Cangse Sanren nodded.

"When I saw her, I immediately thought we should rush their wedding, I've sensed back then that these guys wanted to snatch her from Liu."

"To be honest?" Cong Guixiu spoke, "That's true, but it is actually just me, Shun, Cai and Ying-er's A-die, Changze."

"In my defense," Changze spoke up for himself, hand on his chest, "That's only because I thought that Cangse has feelings for Liu."

"Teenage issues!"

"Ehhh~ there's such a thing happened!"

Cangse Sanren nodded.

"So... it is just because Uncle Liu's parents doesn't like her? They have made Rein-meimei suffer?" Cong Zhuliu get in, knowing full well that this conversation would astray further than original plan.

"It wasn't because they didn't like her, if so, then they should have treated A-Lin the same." Everyone agrees, yet they couldn't think of something else why the Tiao leaders have different treatment between the twins. Tiao Liujuan lowers his eyelashes, and then breathe deeply, "it was actually because..."

"A-Yue is/ My mom is..."

"A half spirit and half demon."

Xingxiu Xuanyu and their siblings went silent. Some have their mouths hanging, some are staring in bewilderment. Who wouldn't? They always have been wondering about Tiao Reinshun's mother and Tiao Liujuan's wife but when they ask either of them, they always dodge them by changing the subject or just smiled and went quiet afterward. They've thought that she's a sensitive subject for the father and daughter duo, so as they grew up questioning about "Ha Yue" has lessened to the point the day, week, months and years would pass without mentioning her.

"Does... Rein-meimei knew about this?" O Zhangyao asked.

"I've told her when she turned eight."

Wei Wuxian asks, "Eight? It is around the time that she started her seclusion at Mt Zhuque?"

Tiao Liujuan nodded.

"The blood of demon inside me always strengthens on my birthday, defeating the spirit that is also inside me. To prevent it from taking over my body, I have to cultivate nature's spiritual energy, thus the secret behind my seven days seclusion every year."

"Why hiding it? I mean we have Yang-er that cultivating resentful energy."

"Because I am transforming into really hideous form during seclusion."

"You have another form?"

Tiao Reinshun nodded, pursing her lips.

"Can I see it? Like... on your next seclusion, could I come, and see?"

"Probably better not. I don't know what I could do if I lost control, and it'll hurt me if you gotten hurt by me. So... please don't ever come during my seclusion."

On the meanwhile, after everyone—Wei Wuxian and his siblings heard this "hideous form" of Tiao Reinshun from Tiao Liujuan, they are curious, wonders and has desire to see it by their own eyes, just like Xingxiu Xuanyu.

Li Yang, "What Rein-jiejie looks like?"

"Outright beautiful."

If Xingxiu Xuanyu hears this different view of Tiao Liujuan about Tiao Reinshun's demonic form, he sure will be even more curious, wanting to see how beautiful or hideous this form. Well, he already wants to see the hideous form, much more if he hears the "outright beauty" form.

"Does Uncle's parents know that Rein-meimei has other form or does she have shown some quantities her mother possessed during her time in their sect?"

"I don't think they did, nor A-Rein shows signs. But when I ask them why they're like that to A-Rein, they've said she has the birthmark in her body. The birthmark is shaped into waning crescent moon, which through their research, it is the birthmark of those born from moon demon race."

"Does she really have?"

"She has. On her left chest, above her heart."

"And Kanglin doesn't have?"

Tiao Liujuan shook his head.

"Waning crescent moon sigil is indeed the sigil of Moon Demon Race. But there's nothing to really fear about them. It was said that this demonic is one of few races that is actually gentle and could meddle with the humans and other races. They have been living with the humans for many centuries already, there hasn't been a record of their race that actually cause grief, unlike with other demon races." O Dokun explains.

"The Tiao did research about the Moon Demon Race, but they still hurt Rein-meimei." O Zhangyao knitted his eyebrow, so is the others.

"It would nice if we could punish them with "Maze"."

"That's abuse of authority Yang-er."

"But they abuse Rein-jiejie and she doesn't do anything wrong at all! She just born out of love!"

"You are right. But that decision, let's leave it to A-Rein instead."

"It just a waste effort!" Tiao Reinshun claims when Xingxiu Xuanyu asks if she wants to use the "Maze" to punish her grandparents and sister. "Why should we bother ourselves to them? They couldn't even be able to lift a finger against me during my stay there~"

"They're not...?"

Tiao Reinshun smirks at Xingxiu Xuanyu, "Why do you think the kind of sect are the Tiao?"

"Aren't they the same with any sects?"

"Tch tch tch. No no~ at least they used to be. But since the current sect leader took over—which is my grandfather, they focus their attention to making money rather than making successful cultivator."

"Why's that?"

"They don't have capabilities, nor have source to support one's study, much more feeding many disciples. They don't have the knowledge to cultivation. I don't know what really happen, but the previous Sect Leader has burnt all the study materials for cultivation of Tiao Sect."

"So, the Tiao Sect is actually now a..."

"A merchant sect. The plan of making Kanglin marries Ying-xiong is their only way to raise again in cultivation world. After all, once they enter Zhuque Sect, they could have access to Zhuque sect's cultivation. Oh just to tell you, never once, never did the Tiao Sect able to produce an excellent cultivator even before."

"Maybe it is because of frustration of low result?"

"I think the same."

"But why the founder of Tiao Sect even made it, if he doesn't have access to right cultivation?"

"According to the history of Tiao Sect, the founder is cousin of a bless person."

"Bless?"

"Do you know about the four beast gods?"

"Of course... they are Zhuque, the red phoenix. Qinglong, the blue dragon. Baihu, the white tiger, and Xuanwu, the tortoise."

"Correct. According to stories, each of these four gods would choose seven people to bless with."

"The Seven stars." Tiao Reinshun nodded.

"Do I have to elaborate more?"

"No need."

"The cousin or the founder of Tiao Sect, has felt all mighty and grace upon the birth of the bless person within their family. Thinking he'll be successful if he built his desired sect, he uses the child as advertisement that his Tiao Sect is blessed by Zhuque."

"Good thing he didn't use "Zhuque" on his sect's banner."

"All because, there are seven others. If he uses the "Zhuque" on his sect's banner, he will need to find the six other bless children. But how long do you think he'll need before he could complete the seven bless children? Probably it'll took him forever. Plus, the Tiao's Zhuque's bless child didn't even join his sect, rather the child left one day, and the next news they've hear about him was he have a noble death and were buried in snow."

"Wow."

"Since then, the Tiao who don't have knowledge for cultivation has too much pride to ask help from others either sects or rogue cultivators, has never once produce cultivators. Quite foolish if you would ask me."

"Indeed." Xingxiu Xuanyu agrees, "Your sister is well-fitted to Tiao Sect."

"Hm?"

"I meant; your sister is so confident when she is here you know. She's not even tries to act like you."

"Ahh... that's because I supposedly act like her instead." This made Xingxiu Xuanyu confused. "You... probably never heard of what kind of person I am when I much younger. When I first came here, I'm scared."

"You supposedly be at relief, right? I mean your father; Uncle Liu is one of the heads."

"Supposedly. But I came from abusing grandparents, and my sister has no help. They always claimed that I shouldn't have been born, and I don't have anything that I could call mine. Basically, I'm just a dirt to Kanglin's face. So, when I came here, I'm scare that they would hurt me too once they learn that I'm not Kanglin, which our grandparents drilled to me that it was Kanglin who supposedly to be here, would marry Ying-xiong caused he is the son of the founder. In my fear, I introduced myself using Kanglin's name and asks every single person to call me Lin instead. I act cold and distance, I resisted father's affection. Simply put, I made myself almost invisible so when the time that Kanglin replace me, no one would think differently. But it was all in vain, all of my effort has been wasted because of Ying-xiong! I don't know what's gotten into him that he lay his sight on me."

"Then the Chaos Duo have been born."

"Yeah, something like that. When I got my courtesy name, I felt that I finally astray to the path that my grandparents have set up. That I really don't need to live as Tiao Lin and be just Tiao Reinshun. In the end I grew up twistedly annoying, something that Tiao Kanglin would never be."

"She claims that she was supposed to be "Tiao Reinshun", that everything you have is hers."

"Well, that's what our grandparents drilled on her. Can't blame her.

"She didn't know that everything you have is from your own effort."

A lopsided smile forms, "By the way, how did you know that Kanglin is not me? It wasn't my mole right? When I saw her, she has a mole, when she supposedly doesn't have."

"Well I told you, she's acting so differently, like everything. She even causing Ying-xiong vomiting."

"Ah... I felt sorry for him... did she claims to marry Ying-xiong?"

"She did... she even insulted us all."

"Shit... I'm sorry."

"You don't have to. It wasn't you. Plus, she fools no one at all. Like you two might be twins but you two are totally different, everyone saw that, so, they are gotten worried for your safety instead."

Tiao Reinshun gaze at the vines willow tree above them and smiles fondly.

"Hey... I'm kind of sleepy..."

"Why the sudden urge to sleep?!"

"I've been in my other form during my stay at Tiao Sect, and their sect doesn't have much of spiritual energy, so I failed to collect some."

"But you are in your normal look now."

"That's because I've used my own spare spiritual energy to keep the demonic blood from going berserk."

"Shouldn't you go back to your room? Or maybe go to Mt Zhuque now."

"Nah. I'll sleep here. Lent me you shoulder..." she said as she let her head fall on his shoulder.

"Can I pass some of my spiritual energy to you?"

"Just a little bit is fine, don't overdo it. Or I don't know what I would do if you exhaust your own." Tiao Reinshun's closes her eyes.

"Alright." Xingxiu Xuanyu quietly replied, holds her hand, and started to pass spiritual energy.

"Xuanyu..."

"Yes Reinshun?"

"Thank you for realizing that she's not me."

"Ying-xiong and the others are the same."

"Still, Xuanyu thank you..." her voice has drifted into silent, as her conscious drifted away.

In the midst of silence between the two teens under the willow tree, Xingxiu Xuanyu whispers something to her in his almost inaudible voice, "I love you Reinshun. Thank you for being born in this time of age and in this world." He then lay his head atop of hers and he, himself fell asleep with her.