My Dear Brothers Episode 18 Recap
> My Dear Brothers Recap
The bodies of Ling and Ye were discovered, bearing peculiar wounds on their necks. Qing Feng immediately recognized the method as a secret enchantment from the Devil Sect, stating that her own family had died from the same technique. Yuan Zhao confirmed that he had heard of such an enchantment, one that removes Immortal perception, but had never witnessed it until now. He suspected the Devil Sect was intentionally targeting disciples with outstanding Immortal perception.
When confronted, Shi Dong, the Devil Lord, declared his innocence, explaining that he had been at his milk tea shop all last night, a fact confirmed by a witness. However, another disciple named Yi Yaogua claimed to have seen Ling and Ye visiting Hou Chi's room the previous night, with Shi Xia causing a disturbance in the hallway. Shi Xia retorted, accusing him of stalking.
Yuan Zhao then intervened, urging everyone to calm down and warning them to be extra cautious as the Devil Sect is known for its unpredictable nature. Shi Xia followed closely behind Hou Chi, wishing he would turn around, but he remained unresponsive. Suddenly, Qing Feng, a Yuhua Sect disciple, approached Hou Chi, requesting his escort back to her room, expressing fear after Ling and Ye's deaths. Hou Chi agreed and walked with her, leaving Shi Xia feeling heartbroken.
Bi Hong then offered to accompany Shi Xia, suggesting there were misunderstandings between her and Hou Chi, but Shi Xia dismissed his words, believing Hou Chi was ignoring her. Meanwhile, a fellow Yuhua disciple angrily blamed Shi Xia for the recent deaths and proposed killing her, but an elder reprimanded her for her rashness and reminded her of the Yuhua Sect's reputation.
Both Shi Xia and Hou Chi later received identical notes, seemingly from each other, proposing to dissolve their sibling contract and meet at Houshan. Shi Xia, upon reading the note, reflected on her initial intentions for the contract and the inevitability of its end, convincing herself that being a stranger was better than enduring entanglement. Shi Xia went to Houshan to meet Hou Chi.
While waiting, she saw Lin Kui rushing past and, sensing something was amiss, decided to follow him. Later, Bi Hong encountered Hou Chi, who confided in him about his plan to meet Shi Xia at Houshan, and explained that he had promised his Master to never see Shi Xia again, making this meeting his last with her. Shi Xia, following Lin Kui, found herself in a cave that resembled a palace.
On the wall hung a captivating portrait, from which a beautiful woman beckoned her to "Come in." Shi Xia, mesmerized, entered the portrait. Outside, Qiu Li and Qi Lingling appeared, revealing their plot: Qiu Li's mother's portrait was a magical instrument, and by luring Shi Xia in, they intended to draw Hou Chi into the trap. They planned to extract Hou Chi's exceptional Immortal perception to give to Shi Dong, ensuring he would become the head of the Alliance.
Hou Chi, searching for Shi Xia, soon discovered the same cave and portrait. The woman in the painting urged him to enter, and realizing Shi Xia must have been drawn in, he willingly stepped inside. He found Shi Xia, who was distressed by the strangeness of the place. Hou Chi attempted to dissolve their sibling contract as per the note, but his holy power proved ineffective, and he discovered that his powers were weakening.
He deduced they were in a void space where his magic had no effect. When he urged Shi Xia to leave and postpone discussing the contract, she accused him of toying with her and declared they should go their separate ways. Shortly after, Qing Feng was found dead, her Immortal perception also having been removed. The disciples grew increasingly anxious, fearing they too were targets. Bi Hong, examining Qing Feng, noted she still had a faint pulse.
He quickly administered acupuncture, briefly reviving her, and she uttered fragmented words about "the portrait of Devil Sect" and "the soul-fetching portrait" before losing consciousness again. Realizing the significance, Yuan Zhao immediately ordered a search for Shi Dong and Qiu Li, demanding they surrender the portrait. Meanwhile, Shi Dong had prepared a seesaw for Qiu Li.
Qiu Li, in her dark persona, accused him of trying to bring out Bai Li and drive her away, even mocking him by quoting earlier accusations against the Devil Sect regarding the removal of Immortal perception. Shi Dong, feigning ignorance of her dual personality, insisted that both personas were simply "Qiu Li," his sister, whom he would cherish and never abandon.
He urged her to try the seesaw, and Qiu Li, seemingly appeased, agreed to play, finding joy in the activity. Inside the portrait's void space, Hou Chi's holy power continued to wane. He could barely control the cloud enchantment, only managing a small patch above Shi Xia's head, causing rain to fall on her. Shi Xia, saddened, thought he was doing it intentionally.
Hou Chi soon cleared the sky and explained that his holy power was draining because the void realm lacked the spiritual energy his Immortal perception needed to absorb for cultivation. He warned that he couldn't sustain his powers much longer, and they would both be in danger if they stayed. He revealed the only way out was for him to risk hurting his heart, a desperate gamble. Shi Xia vehemently disagreed, fearing for his life.
They then realized they had both received identical notes regarding the contract, indicating they had been manipulated. Hou Chi admitted his mixed feelings about dissolving the contract, explaining that he felt he hadn't protected Shi Xia well, often putting her in harm's way, even her venturing into the Dark Forest.
He believed that perhaps not being her brother would better shield her from his Master's suspicion, who saw Shi Xia as an impediment to Hou Chi becoming the head of the Alliance. Shi Xia, in turn, confessed that she hadn't been angry or blamed him, but rather thought he hated her due to his coldness, and thus avoided bothering him.
Hou Chi then reassured her that nothing was more important to him than her, and that despite her actions, she had always been there for him, because she was his sister, and it had to be her. Shi Xia stated that the Heart of Guardian, which Hou Chi aimed to achieve, needed a sister's help, and she would play her part, promising to live or die together with him.
Outside the void space, Yuan Zhao brought Shi Dong and Qiu Li for questioning, using Yi Yaogua's instrument to determine if Qiu Li was responsible for removing Immortal perceptions. The instrument showed no reaction, indicating that the current persona, Bai Li, was innocent. Bai Li then offered to help locate Shi Xia and Hou Chi. Outside, the Yuhua Sect successfully located the cave and retrieved the portrait.
Just then, Hou Chi exerted all his remaining power, safely sending Shi Xia out of the painting, but he himself remained trapped, having critically injured his heart. Shi Xia, distraught, pleaded with everyone to save him. Yuan Zhao seized the painting and was visibly shocked, recognizing the woman depicted within, suggesting a deep personal connection. Bai Li identified a Devil Sect seal on the portrait and attempted to break it, but was violently repelled.
As Qi Lingling appeared, determined to destroy the portrait and permanently trap Hou Chi in the void, she lunged with a sword. Shi Xia bravely intervened, blocking the attack and protecting the painting. Shi Dong, greatly alarmed, ordered Qi Lingling to lower her sword. Qi Lingling, however, was resolute in her actions, stating she acted for Qiu Li and declared she would not open the ward even if killed.
She then proposed a chilling condition for Hou Chi's release: Shi Xia must kill herself with the sword. Shi Xia, trusting in Qi Lingling's "true nature" despite her being from the Devil Sect, took the sword and held it to her own neck, prepared to sacrifice herself.
