Main Chapter: Lucky Retaliation.

By the end of the day, a particular bit of news was beginning to spread around Qing Ruo. Xuan Yu had pushed his guardian to have a stroke. To be more precise, what was going around was like this; Ong Zhou concerned about Xuan Yu confronted him about the matter of him getting drunk down in the Lower Mortal Ring.

Though Xuan Yu had put up a brave front. Ong Zhou could tell that the evaluation results had hurt him. So, he tried to counsel him, advise him, to light the spark of determination in him. But Xuan Yu was indignant, and an argument broke out between them. The argument almost turned bloody but ended suddenly when Xuan Yu said a certain thing. "I've never thought of you as a parent."

Those words broke Ong Zhou heart and despite being a third stage cultivator he had a stroke.

The victim in that rumor was currently in a court he had chosen for himself in the Xuan Estate, one he personally named, the Lustrous Golden Domain.

Ong Zhou laid in his massive bed recovering from his "stroke." Had by his side a person cloaked in black, kneeling down awaiting orders.

"Trail, Xuan Yu, bastard Xuan Shen, definitely some treasure. I don't know, why I never, thought of it before. My spell voice no effect. Should have known, what could it be? That necklace, yes, that necklace. Trail him, watch him, see a treasure take it. If not beat him, take the necklace."

Ong Zhou's voice was disorganized, filled with long pauses throughout, but the person at his side was able to understand him. Using a spell, they faded into the shadows to carry out his mission.

***

Xuan Yu who was slowly riding down to the Upper Mortal Ring. Opened his eyes, he had been using the link to the curse to spy on Ong Zhou. So, he was able to witness all that front row.

The rumor mongering and now this. Growing contemplative Xuan Yu touched the strange necklace he always wore. It didn't seem there was anything special about it. It looked like a common grey stone with three holes. But it was smooth and calming to the touch. And no matter what he did. He couldn't guess at what its true purpose was.

Returning to the present Xuan Yu made a hand seal and then holding his right hand as if gripping something. He moved his fingers as if squeezing. In another place, Ong Zhou had a long painful rebound.

***

"Xuan, lad it's been a few days."

As Xuan Yu appeared at the old tea shop he frequented he was greeted warmly by an old couple. And without him asking they set up a chair and parasol for him and brought the tea he liked.

"Thank you. I apologize for not visiting in so long."

"Xuan lad, you just do what you need to. We'll be here as long as fate wills and when we're gone our grand brats will be around."

Xuan Yu, laughed as he remembered the two little toddlers that he had been introduced to.

"How are they?"

Hearing the invitation, the old lady sat down to tell tales of her beloved grandchildren. And with a smile, as he was shooed away. Her husband returned to the tea shop.

Her black eyes twinkling as she talked about her treasures. The old lady would at time gesture with her hands, as if her words alone could not explain.

And Xuan Yu would laugh rarely. Interject at times and talk about what he remembered of a little Xuan Yi.

But as the evening wore on, the old lady suddenly grew serious.

"Xuan lad, there's some bad rumors going on about you. Do you need my help?"

For a moment Xuan Yu was surprised but that surprised simply turned into an honest smile.

"No, but thank you."

***

As the conversation grew on. The person Xuan Yu was waiting for finally caught up to him. With honest politeness, Xuan Yu left the tea shop and jumped on his horse.

Closely stalking him was the agent sent by Ong Zhou.

'A Branded Warrior, huh? Just about the peak of the first stage. Some would say its overkill for some kid that hasn't learned any techniques or spells.'

Throughout the Greater Lands those classified as Subpar or Talentless, ran the risk of being made into Branded. Those who were Branded are nothing more than disposable, mute, combat slave. And though the Righteous Sects denounced the Branded on the surface. You could hardly find a Sect without a few Branded Warriors doing dirty work.

Of course, Xuan Yu couldn't only just tell where she was but could see her as if she was moving openly. No, the fact that his tracker was using a spell made her like a glowing light bulb to Xuan Yu.

Xuan Yu did as he usually did, drank wine at the tavern. That waitress who had shown concern for him would sometimes try to talk to him. And sometimes he would talk to her. Causing her heart to clench up. Prompting her to do the best to comfort him.

Unbeknownst to Xuan Yu, while he was acting like this for a cover to go into the Slums. He was developing an increasingly growing fan base of dedicated big sisters and a few big brothers. Anyone who spoke badly about Xuan Yu around them should be prepared to spend the next few hours in an argument or being berated.

As Xuan Yu stumbled out and got on his horse he rode towards the Slum. And led the tracker all the way to the District 13, square.

Getting off the horse Xuan Yu moved to the center of the square. By now it was obvious even to the tracker that Xuan Yu knew she was there.

So, she undid her spell and appeared in front of Xuan Yu. Silence occurred between the two. As Xuan Yu studied her and her, him.

She was dressed in a hooded, black robe, that covered everything about her. Only her two lifeless black eyes could be seen.

A blink and her fist were before him. A hair-breadth dodge but she followed up even quicker. Ripping into Xuan Yu's cheek and blowing him back.

Landing on his feet was all he could do. Then she was in front of him. Her fist smashing towards his face. He blocked reflexively. An audible snap, the Qi enhanced fist shattering bone. Xuan Yu was blown back like a rag doll.

Struggling to his feet with two broken arms. He could see the tracker performing hand sign after hand sign. The air stirring as a spell was about to form.

Irritated, annoyed, Xuan Yu chanted. 5 amethyst bolts, shot forward before he finished. The barrier came in time but shattered under the third. The fourth and fifth exploding into a fog of amethyst as they hit.

Xuan Yu appeared at the Tracker side. Aiming his leg at her side. He struck out fiercely, but his leg stopped halfway.

"Tch."

A barrier was blocking his attack. Too late to do anything but click his tongue. Her hand gripped Xuan Yu's face and smashed him into the ground.

The ground cracked under that force. Then a fist smashed into him. A second blow and the crack deepened. A third. A forth. A fifth.

Xuan Yu was completely still. His face a bloody mess as he laid in the newly formed crater. His broken arms at an odd angle. The only indication he was still alive was the small movements of his chest.

As the tracker reached down to grab the necklace. Xuan Yu trembling lips moved to say a single, barely audible name.

"Baskerville."

Suddenly, a powerful fist connected with the tracker's ribs. Sending her flying across the square.

A man with curly black hair stood by Xuan Yu. His red irises took up much of his eyes like a dog.

The sleek black coat he wore looked like fur and it left the entirety of his chiseled chest and stomach exposed. The low top pants he wore also looked like fur and the "belt" that held them up looked like a tail. With his bare feet, he walked around Xuan Yu and stood between him and the tracker.

Giving her full attention to this new target she sized him up and then casted. Firing off 5 amethyst bolts again.

Baskerville didn't bother to move. His neck, shoulder, chest, stomach, and knee were hit dead on. Once the cloud of smoke blew away. You could see his injuries. In some places, there was exposed bone, flesh or blood. But Baskerville didn't flinch.

Thinking close combat would be better she rushed forward her hand glowing purple and smashed into Baskerville.

Shocked, there wasn't a scratch and she immediately tried to jump back. But before she could move her wrist was gripped.

Baskerville's eyes flashed, then his fist smashed out. Over and over. The sound ringing out again and again. Finally, she grabbed his hands and the sound stop. A pile of bloody meat with long hair and one working eye stared at Baskerville.

The eyes that stared out weren't just dead, anymore. But a cruel, blood-curling tearing sound rang out. Baskerville's dropped the severed arm and then as if she weighed nothing swung her into the ground. Forming a crater deeper than Xuan Yu's

Placing his foot into her chest Baskerville ripped out the next arm and threw it aside. Then his body shifted, he could barely be called a dog anymore. He was the size of a full-grown man. Lowering his jaws down he severed the tracker's head.

And so, two family members met and parted without a word.