Shui Ruolin Briefly Describes the Current Situation

The Shui Family's Living Room was not large, but it had been tidied up very neatly.

A landscape ink painting hung in the main hall, depicting the scenery of the Dragon Ascending Mountain Range. Though the brushwork was rough, it carried a simple, rustic charm.

Beneath the painting stood a long mahogany table. A celadon incense burner sat on it, wisps of pale smoke curling upward and giving off a faint scent of sandalwood.

Shui Ruolin respectfully led Xiao Yun to the seat of honor. It was positioned in the very center of the main hall, with a brand-new brocade cushion draped over the chair back—clearly something that had only just been prepared.

Xiao Yun did not decline and sat down calmly.

Shui Bing'er sat to his right, with Yao Zi and Sheng Minglan sitting next to her in order.

Shui Ruolin, meanwhile, brought several elders of the clan and sat to Xiao Yun's left.

His twin daughters did not take seats, but stood off to the side, one in charge of pouring tea, the other in charge of passing along messages.

A maidservant brought in the tea. It was good tea—Cloud Mist Tea, a specialty of Snow Spirit Province. The tea was clear in color and fragrant. Xiao Yun lifted the cup, took a sip, set it down, and looked at Shui Ruolin.

"Patriarch Shui," he said, his voice not loud, yet it made the entire Living Room fall silent. "Have the pirates near Dragon Ascending Town always been this rampant? Daring to kill their way to your door in broad daylight?"

Shui Ruolin gave a bitter smile, rose, and bowed respectfully before sitting back down.

"In reply to my lord Earl," he sighed, "it wasn't like this before."

His gaze grew distant, as if he were recalling events