Side Chapter: Baskerville. (1) Bibi.

Twice upon a time. In Qing Ruo's Mountain Lower Ring. There was a mother dog who had pups. Five of them, unable to take care of them all she ate the three weakest and pushed out the second strongest. Before carrying on with her life.

This little pup that was pushed out happened to be found by a little girl and her brother. The two fussed over it and fought over who it would belong to, but realizing the puppy needed care beyond them, they ran home.

At home, their father fussed but their mother didn't mind, and she helped them take care of the little puppy. See this wasn't the first time these little two brought home a stray. Or even someone else's pet. They had taken care of dogs, cats, birds, butterflies, rabbits, chicken and even animals from the Beast Hold.

Many did not stay as their mother would always look out for previous or new owners. And these two kids didn't mind as long as the animals were well cared for.

Their home, however, wasn't peaceful. Many days and many nights there would be arguing. Their father was taking care of their grandfather, but the old man was prone to drinking.

His son discussed, argued, plead and threaten but the old man was stubborn. It was; "My right for working hard for so long."

However, despite the old man's behavior, he was unwilling to throw out his own father. But he couldn't let his old man continue as he was.

Because see this old man wasn't a quiet drunk. He had thrown things at his grandchildren before. Crushed a stray bird to death before them as the bird was too noisy. Molested his son's wife and constantly tried to treat her as a maid. Among many other worse and milder things.

In time the old man's son could tolerate it no longer. And told him that he would have to clean up his act or he would no longer support him.

The next day…

***

Today was the last day of the week. A rest day in Qing Ruo. And the Chi Family were doing that.

Their house was the same size as their neighbors. Two stories with a sizeable lawn. However, the entire household was inside today. Though it didn't snow in Qing Ruo the mid-Winter winds were as cold as any snowstorm.

So, the Chi household was inside. The siblings playing with the little black dog. The most recent and currently only addition to the household.

"Mommy, look Bibi has such nice curly fur on his crown feel it."

"Mommy already knows, you've shown her a thousand times."

Their mother, of course, was nearby watching and giving into their antics whenever they smiled.

In the kitchen, their father was cooking lunch for the whole family.

While their grandfather was reading calmly as he kept himself warm with the nearby fireplace.

Then everything changed.

The door was slammed open the Winter winds blew in and a group of men strode in. The mother immediately stood between them and her children. But before she could even get a word out a strong blow to the stomach left her breathless and semi-conscious. A powerful grip grabbed her short black hair and dragged her out.

The kids tried to fight two, but they, of course, were taken away easier. The barking puppy was left barely moving after a firm kick.

Their father as expected also tried to fight, do something but his attack was easily blocked. His arm broken, his knee smashed in and as his head was pressed down into the carpet.

And then by fate, he met eyes with his father. A man who was currently looking at his son. As if his own child was nothing more than an ungrateful fool.

"Father?"

"What kind of son won't even pay for his father's drink? At least this way I can say there was some point in raising you."

"You-…"

The words were cut off by a rag being stuffed in his mouth. Heaved over another's should that man cursed his father with tears in his eyes.

***

Indeed, they were sold. In Qing Ruo, if one knew the right people and had a blood relation. You could have your family "sold". They would be charged with crimes. And all the money from their new "jobs" would go to Qing Ruo as well.

The final fates of those who were sold vary but I can easily tell you the fate of the Chi Family.

The Master of the Chi Family was sold to the hidden arena in Qing Ruo. And was publicly butchered to the delight of a crowd.

The Madame of the Chi Family was sold to a brothel where she remains.

The young boy of the Chi Family was sold as a toy to a lady of the Minor Cultivating Ring and was played with until he died.

The young girl of the Chi Family was discovered to have the potential to be a cultivator. But the talent was minimal, so she was made into a Branded Warrior.

As for the old man and the little "Bibi," They lived together in that house and the old man spent every day enjoying his son's hard work. Drinking and doing as he pleased.

Bibi was chained in the house and made a racket every day. The old man did feed him as he had a plan for the dog but eventually, he grew tired of Bibi being so noisy.

So, with a strange tool he; snip, snapped, clank and banged. And after immense pain and enough blood to make one sick. Bibi couldn't even emit a growl anymore.

Eventually, the old man was running out of money and he grew increasingly frustrated. He knew if he was caught begging he would be sent to the slumps. So, he tried to scam his neighbors by using Bibi. This fell through and he was caught and sent to the Slums. Along with "his" pet.

Here, the old man and this no longer little dog came across a young cultivator, who just started to attend the Qing Ruo Academy.