Story Never Ended! . . .
"They were each other's pillars of strength, their sole sources of solace, and the very reason for their existence.
"The two girls bore the scars of both natural and inflicted wounds. They had been frail and mute even when they were two years old. By the age of three, they could only drag themselves along on the bed, their legs still crippled.
"At four years old, they learned their first word, and it was also the only word they could utter."
Cha Eun Xiao smiled gently and calmly continued, "The word... Brother."
Yue Shuang and Yue Han's eyes welled up with tears.
As they looked at Cha Eun Xiao, their expressions were a mix of sorrow, astonishment, bewilderment, and something more complex.
They gazed at Cha Eun Xiao in silence, their hearts pounding louder and louder, as though about to burst from their chests.
"One day... the two little girls finally stood up and spoke," Cha Eun Xiao's tone remained steady and somber. "The beggar was overjoyed. He pilfered an abundance of food in celebration. Finally, the girls stood and spoke, addressing their brother..."
"That day... at first, they savored the food and were joyous," Cha Eun Xiao's voice continued. "However, perhaps the beggar's greed had gone too far. He stole too much, and that attracted attention. Ultimately, people arrived, and the beggar's arms were broken by them... The girls cried tears of anguish..."
Yue Shuang and Yue Han finally shed tears while keeping their eyes on Cha Eun Xiao.
Their lovely faces displayed a blend of sadness and joy.
"The beggar had suffered injuries to his arms, but he persisted," Cha Eun Xiao recounted. "He knew he couldn't lie down; to do so would mean his death, followed by the swift demise of his two little sisters. The beggar had endured a harrowing year. In this manner, the three children relied on each other, scraping by and struggling to survive."
Cha Eun Xiao gazed gently at Yue Shuang and Yue Han. "On the girls' birthday... the beggar stole a few steamed buns to celebrate the occasion. He thought it was only right that his sisters enjoyed a full meal."
With a sigh, Cha Eun Xiao continued, "But he was taken aback to find the girls gone..."
"He had no idea where they had disappeared to. It was as though they'd vanished into thin air."
"He frantically searched for them, as if a man possessed, yet discovered no trace of their whereabouts. The girls had simply vanished..."
"Years passed, and still, he heard no news of them," Cha Eun Xiao lamented. "They remained elusive. The girls couldn't find their brother either."
"They didn't even know their brother's name."
"They always addressed him as brother."
"Then, one day, after countless tribulations, the beggar had transformed into a formidable cultivator, a figure that astonished the world," Cha Eun Xiao said with sadness. "Fate led him to witness the twin sisters embroiled in a confrontation with an adversary."
"It was an inclement day, a day plagued by stormy weather."
"The sisters were not weak, but they found themselves at a disadvantage."
Cha Eun Xiao continued in a measured tone, "Their foes were not overwhelmingly powerful, and the numerical superiority wasn't a significant factor. While they had both reached a high level of cultivation, heavy rains would trigger the old injuries, causing discomfort and interrupting their performance. They couldn't unleash their full potential and struggled to cooperate seamlessly."
"The beggar had matured, his cultivation prowess unmatched in the world," Cha Eun Xiao said, reflecting on his life's journey. "He pondered whether the two ladies were the sisters he had lost touch with over the years..."
Taking a deep breath, he added, "He resolved to aid them, regardless of whether they were indeed his sisters. It was clear they faced similar trials to those that befell his long-lost sisters. He felt compelled to assist."
"Having already ascended to the pinnacle of cultivation in this world, when he intervened, the battle promptly concluded."
"Then he departed."
"At that juncture, he was confronted with an impending calamity..."
Cha Eun Xiao somberly noted, "He refrained from inquiring about the two ladies' identities, fearful of potential disappointment. Furthermore, if they happened to be his beloved sisters, his involvement could spell danger for them. Consequently, he chose to depart immediately, avoiding any contact with the two ladies."
"In a dispassionate tone, he recounted, 'His desire was to avenge his brother without entangling anyone else in peril.'"
"Though he had discreetly shadowed the two sisters for some time, it was only through eavesdropping on their conversation that he was able to confirm their true identities as his long-lost sisters."
"Yet, he found himself in grave danger at the time."
"He left silently, taking solace in the knowledge that his two sisters were leading prosperous lives, having risen to prominence as influential cultivators. They commanded significant support, and no one could readily trifle with them."
"He felt content."
Cha Eun Xiao continued, "The sisters never abandoned the quest to locate their brother. However, he knew his own end was imminent and wanted to shield his sisters from harm."
"As a grown-up beggar, he bid them farewell. Three months later, he perished in a hunting expedition, both in body and spirit. He died on behalf of his brother."
Cha Eun Xiao wore a placid smile and concluded, "The tale ought to have ended there..."
Yue Shuang and Yue Han wept openly, unable to bear the thought. "No, it can't simply conclude like this! No, it can't!"
Yue Shuang's voice quavered as she wept and trembled. "It makes sense now... When we faced the Master of the East Hall in battle, there were individuals lurking around us. Our concealed injuries throbbed painfully, inhibiting us from fighting at full strength. It was a precarious situation."
"Yet, Xiao Monarch, known for his aloof and solitary nature, surprisingly came to our aid," she continued. "We never understood why the arrogant, detached, and cold-hearted Xiao Monarch would appear to assist us. Now, it all becomes clear..."
"We have always been grateful for what he did on our behalf. We yearned to repay him for his kindness."
"But," Yue Shuang sobbed, "we never fathomed that he is our... our brother!"
Overwhelmed by emotion, the two sisters burst into tears. "Had we known... we would have avenged our beloved brother long ago! We were ignorant! We never realized..."
Yue Shuang and Yue Han harbored no doubts regarding Cha Eun Xiao's account.
The story had remained a closely guarded secret within their hearts.
Only one individual had been privy to this deeply personal narrative.