Main Chapter: Prelude to 10,000 Deaths.

'Oi, where's my power up?'

'Don't you know villains don't get those. Instead, you'll probably get a transformation or something in the future.'

Cracked, bloody laughter broke out as the blood in the District 13 square all drained toward a particular crater.

Standing up, the moon directly above him. Xuan Yu flexed his fingers and checked his face. To see if everything was fixed properly, then his blood red eyes returned to their normal black. A cultivator's blood was rich.

'Whew, she really laid into you, huh? You should have just gone with the original plan and let the pup handle it.'

'Was she that strong or was I just too arrogant.'

'She was pretty capable. Tricking you and then taking advantage of your weakness. Then never letting up. In fact, if she was luckier she could have turned into one of those fate defying people who rampage throughout the world.

In fact, I would recommend making her a Blood Servant. Well if a certain pup didn't intentionally bite her head off.

Hey, Yuyu, are you going to tolerate such disloyalty?'

Xuan Yu focused his gaze on Baskerville.

The massive dog had gathered up the corpse of the Chi girl and buried it. Right now, he was laying down beside it seemingly dead.

Baskerville, in turn, opened his eyes and looked vacantly at Xuan Yu.

'He's strong enough to permit a minor thing.'

'You shouldn't keep things that impede your path.'

Rising up fully, Baskerville shifted forms and went to Xuan Yu's side. With a single motion, Xuan Yu jumped on his back. Together they left the square leaving the unmarked grave. But before they fully left the square Xuan Yu said something.

"If in the future, you go above and beyond. Not just doing as I say but surpassing my expectations. I'll let you meet her."

Baskerville didn't respond, instead, he continued forward.

Baskerville could tell that she wouldn't be the same if Xuan Yu did "bring her back". And that raised the question if it even would be her or if Xuan Yu simply meant that he would kill him as a reward. Yet, he didn't know if he wanted any of these things. He had intelligence now, but it was still relatively "new".

***

The District 13 Slums were quiet, and the reason why laid in a worn-out, warehouse filled with holes and a half-fallen in roof.

Over 80 dogs with red eyes were arranged variously within. Some were up to a grown man knees while others were up to an adult's shoulders. With varying heights in between and though their size differed even the smallest radiated monstrous strength.

But more disturbing than these dogs was a huge bloated mass in the center of the room. Stretched beyond its limit, stretched so much it was either humorous or disgusting. It was a thing a person would have a hard time distinguishing its original form.

And before it stood Xuan Yu and Baskerville.

"863, not bad the old prince was right."

Xuan Yu spoke aloud as his eyes changed reaching into his robes he took out his knife and handed it to Baskerville.

Stepping forward Baskerville dug the knife into the bloated mass and blood sprayed out. As hole after hole was made. The fountains of blood sped towards Xuan Yu.

'A little over 8,000 more. There's 20 Slum Districts those above 18 are empty. And each district holds at max 2,000 people. Hmmm, let's empty about half.'

"Baskerville, I suppose these are all the dogs in this district."

Seeing him nod, Xuan Yu continued.

"You all should be enough, I doubt there's some hidden expert wasting away here. 10 Districts attack them as you please and spare none."

With a glance, Baskerville sent the dogs off on the new task, but he himself stayed by Xuan Yu.

When the bloated mass was about half-way through. Xuan Yu stopped "feeding" and he and Baskerville moved to the edge of the warehouse. Xuan Yu began to chant while his hands displayed a barrage of silent hand seals.

The blood that spurted from the bloated mass then began to change direction. Forming an inner circle and then an outer circle. A variety of different symbols formed between the inner and outer circle. Then the inner circle was divided into 8 and each of the 8 pieces had a greater mark in it.

Throughout the casting, Xuan Yu had to stop and heave for breath. Cold sweat poured from him and the exhaustion evident, but he only paused for a short amount of time. And when he needed to Xuan Yu would redivert the blood to himself.

Finished casting, Xuan Yu drained the last of the bloated mass. Revealing the skin of a brown dog. But even with that, he was too exhausted. His eyes returned to their normal state and he fell backward.

Baskerville caught Xuan Yu and picked him up. Together they left, and Baskerville placed Xuan Yu on the horse he had been using recently.

"Do not let anything interfere with the formation."

The tiredness was evident in his voice as Xuan Yu gave his last order.

***

In the Lustrous Golden Domain, Ong Zhou was laying in his bed. A servant had brought him an ornate golden candleholder with places for 17 candles that seemed to be ever burning. The 12th, however, was the exception it was broken in half its flame gone out moments ago.

"What killed her? No report?"

Ong Zhou's voice was still disorganized and halted, but the irritation and anger in it was clear.

The Head Butler that was kneeling by his bedside shook his head. Branded Warriors were often linked to an item of some sort and whenever they were killed the item would show a symbol that brought an image of their demise. Ong Zhou only knew two situations where this spell wouldn't activate. If the Branded Warrior was killed by a more powerful cultivator who could break the spell. Or if the Branded Warrior was completely destroyed by a powerful force. Of course, there were more ways then what Ong Zhou knew.

"Is it possible it has something to do with what happened to the two guards that night?"

The Head Butler asked, his voice containing a hint of fear.

"Targeted? Investigate."

With a "new" invisible enemy, Ong Zhou took his mind off of the Xuans. Worried that someone wanted to take his position as guardian over the Xuans (inheritance). He began discussing plans with the Head Butler late into the night.

However, even those were interrupted by a relapse.