Main Chapter: Starting on the Corpse Road.

The slums square was filled with increasing puddles of blood. And those who died with a myriad of expressions.

Xuan Yu picked up the other three knives and stood in his original position. Then he stood stock still, breathing heavily his hands were trembling and his body was exhausted.

'How was it?'

'Body stability; 10%. Corrosion Levels; 0. Life Essence; 100%. At this rate, you should be able to hold the connection for roughly a minute. And by flickering it on and off you can probably drag it up to 2 to 3 minutes.'

Despite being exhausted Xuan Yu activated the just mentioned connection once more.

Blood leaked into his sclera like a leak was sprung. His eyes quickly turned into an ocean of blood and his black iris and pupil dissolved into it.

There was depth in those blood red eyes. Looking at them one would think they were standing on a cliff looking into a great ocean.

His eyes completely red, Xuan Yu chanted. The blood in the surroundings pooled toward him and gathered in a spiral motion. Wrapping him before flowing into him through his pores.

When it was done the square was completely clear of blood. Only the now strange dog and the withered corpses remained.

The ocean receded from Xuan Yu's eyes and he collapsed to his knees, coughing heavily.

'Oh, you're not going to use any of it to recover.'

'No, let everything feed my Unholy Ascendance. I'll recover naturally anyways.'

'Sure after 3 days of pure recovery. Even if you're on your home turf you're being too careless.'

'3 seconds is enough to handle most at this level.'

'If you say so, anyways what are you going to do with that.'

At the reminder, Xuan Yu still on his knees spat out a glob of black blood shivering as cold sweat poured from him.

After several minutes he righted himself. And flexed his fingers then continued examining himself from there.

'How much?'

'Body Stability; 5%. Corrosion Level; 0. Life Essence; 90%. You got it right on the mark!'

The sound of applause and fireworks went off in Xuan Yu's mind.

'Still giving up 10% of your life essence. Do you really think some dog will be worth it?'

'It's a demonic beast now. And since it's 10% of me no matter how useless it was before its useful now.

"Eat up."

At Xuan Yu's word, the dog tore into the flesh of those around it. The more it ate the bigger it got and bigger. By the time it ate all 17 it was at Xuan Yu's waist. Its black fur taking a sleek and glossy look. Its eyes now blood red and intelligent it came before Xuan Yu.

"Baskerville… go out, make some servants. I'll be feeding you well."

Leaving those words behind Xuan Yu left the slums. With the moon at its highest point for the night.

Hopping into a neutral carriage Xuan Yu took the long drive to the Xuan Estate in silence. He was going through the faces and voices of those he killed.

'Was there anyone important?'

'Everyone's important every moment of life they're taking actions that affect everything around them and sometimes the world at large.'

Hearing a lecture instead of an answer, Xuan Yu chose to shift the carriage curtain and look outside. Continuing the rest of the journey in silence.

Alighting at the white and black gates of the Xuan Estate, Xuan Yu stood before it unmoving.

None of the two gatekeepers were bothering to open the gate. Xuan Yu didn't bother speaking to them. Instead, his eyes briefly changed once more, and the two guards went still. Getting up they shambled forward and opened the gate.

Stepping through Xuan Yu had the two guards face him. Drawing the blade of the one on the right he drove it into the left one's shoulder. Digging into it to make sure that it would be nothing more than a waste. Then he took the left's blade and drove it into the right's knee, doing a similar process. Putting the respective blade back in their hands he had them clutch it fiercely and then collapse unconscious.

Xuan Yu didn't care much about what people did but as these two were giving him an opportunity to handle future troubles he didn't hold back.

Entering the Xuan Estate there was no one to greet him and those who saw him didn't bother asking anything. So, he made his way to the Vermilion Court unbothered.

Entering his room there was a short, young girl dressed in an outfit that was almost see through. Her clothing and hair were neat and tidy. And there weren't any obvious flaws in her appearance. Seeing Xuan Yu, she bowed as per etiquette.

"Young master, Li Zi has made a mistake and is currently being punished. Please, allow this small one to serve in her capacity."

Xuan Yu didn't bother responding to her instead he was trying to recall her name.

Interpreting his focused gaze, as she pleased, she mistook it for a lecherous one. And swaddled her way up to Xuan Yu.

Pressing a hand onto his chest as she pressed herself to him.

"The hour is late but if the Young master wishes. I will have the kitchens prepare food and drink for you."

Despite her blatant actions, Xuan Yu's mind was elsewhere.

'What was her name?'

'How mean of you to forget her, she tried so hard to have you attack her after all. Like most slaves and servants, she's a Li and her given name was Ai.'

Turning his eyes into hers Xuan Yu gave a relaxed smile and the girl's breath caught.

"I am indeed a little hungry."

Xuan Yu's grip was on the girl's throat, quicker then she could react. Before she could resist his eyes changed once more and she stilled.

The girl's eyes dulled, and blood began to leak from her mouth, eyes, nose, and ears. Turning into mist the blood was then breathed in by Xuan Yu.

'I thought you didn't need to recharge?'

Xuan Yu ignored the teasing voice and continued "feeding." As he drained the life from the girl in his grip, her eyes rolled back, and her legs began to tremble.

'Hah, at this rate isn't she going to make a mess everywhere.'

Xuan Yu immediately stopped.

'I forgot how weird your interference made this technique.'

'Now, now, Yuyu this kind of stuff shouldn't be fun for just you.'

A genuine look of annoyance crossed Xuan Yu's face. He didn't intend for the technique to turn out this way but thanks to a certain being it became "strange." And some people who were on the receiving end of it were liable to have "accidents." Xuan Yu's expression relaxed as he turned his attention to the dazed girl.

'Truly a forgettable and useless individual. Or is she just someone fated to failure.'

'It isn't fate, she's just useless as she is.'

Releasing his hand, he allowed Li Ai to collapse. Then still under his spell, he made her get up and leave.

Outside two hooded guards in black appeared before the girl.

"What happened?"

The anger was clear in the short question, but Li Ai was still in a daze. She herself didn't understand it. The last thing she remembered was Xuan Yu's smile and then her mind grew fuzzy. Then she felt herself being unraveled and at the same time she felt as if the depth of her very being was being stroked. Thinking about it now she could only blush fiercely.

"Useless bitch."

Grabbing a handful of her hair and punching so hard she couldn't remain conscious. The guard threw her over his shoulder and left with his comrade, to report.

Back in the room Xuan Yu was contemplating.

'So, Ong Jun has already made her move. I believe she wanted to find a reason to "punish me." And then secretly auction me off at the brothel in the Upper Mortal Ring for a few nights.'

'I personally think you would sell well.'

Xuan Yu ignored her comment and continued logging his memories.

'Unfortunately for her, she sent that useless girl Li Ai who was unable to tempt me and only managed to anger me in the past. If I'm remembering right, Li Zi should be locked in a shed. I think it was that one.'

'No, Yuyu it's the one a bit further away.'

As she corrected, Xuan Yu let out a small yawn and drooped his eyes. Though he was tired. He had no problem delaying sleep to do what he needed to.

'Not having eidetic memory anymore is a pain.'

'Till you get it back you can just keep relying on me.'

Giving a bitter smile, Xuan Yu got up and left his courtyard. And had the kitchen servants prepare a box of food. Then under a certain being's direction, he went around in circles before finally finding the shed he was looking for. Pushing it open without hesitation he saw Li Zi in the dark, curled up.

The bright amethyst moon brought some illumination to the dark shed and Li Zi who was half-asleep fully woke up.

"Young Master."

Li Zi's voice was teary as she looked at Xuan Yu, but he wasn't paying attention to her. He was looking around at the empty shed.

'Why did father have all these sheds? They look like tool sheds, but I've never seen anything stored in them.'

'They're key points over the Qi that runs inside of Qing Ruo Mountain. They're intricate and subtle enriching the Qi levels in the Xuan estate without drawing too heavily. They never did end up meeting their final purpose though.'

'If I discover their use I'll revisit it but for now, they can continue to serve Ong Jun and her sadism.'

Finished his chat Xuan Yu turned his attention back to Li Zi and held out the box of food to her. Tentatively and with a thank you, she took the box and opened it. When she realized it was filled with her favorite dishes she looked back at Xuan Yu, who was staring at her nonchalantly.

"Tomorrow, come to my room prepared to stay the night."

Hearing what Xuan Yu said, Li Zi blushed fiercely. Her eyes flickering this way and that. Her emotions complex and at the same time simple. But it all quickly passed. Her expression becoming gloomy instead.

"I'm sorry, Young Master, I broke something valuable today. It's why I'm here. I don't think I'll be able to answer Young Master's expectation."

"No, you'll be out tomorrow."

'Ong Zhou will figure out his wife's action by then and warn her that's she's being too hasty.'

A strange expression on her face she looked with a steady gaze at Xuan Yu, misunderstanding heavily.

"I'll be there tomorrow as Young Master, wants."

Giving nothing more than a sound of approval, Xuan Yu turned to leave. Then stopped;

"No, need to sleep in here. Just return to your room. If anyone complains, I'll make them shut up."

After voicing his afterthought Xuan Yu left.