Main Chapter: A Blind Eye to what Bounds.

Carriages and people flew by as Xuan Yu clung to Ara Ko for dear life. He was adamant about not dying by falling from a horse, but the way Ara Ko and her horse moved. The way they would suddenly leap for seemingly no reason. He wasn't sure he would last.

Atop her steed, Ara Ko and Xuan Yu was a blur. Then with a harsh stop, they arrived a short distance from the Xuan Estate gate. Then like before she leaped off and helped Xuan Yu down from the horse.

Unsteady on his feet Xuan Yu continued to hold onto Ara Ko and the latter didn't mind. Instead, she pulled out a large silver case from her pocket. However, Xuan Yu was too nauseous to care about where the coordinates to her personal space were.

Angling it so Xuan Yu could see clearly, she showed him how to open it and close it. Then took the strap and placed it over his shoulder.

"Did you fall for me so hard you don't want to let go?"

Realizing that Xuan Yu was still holding onto her. Ara Ko asked with a smirk.

"Aww, don't worry. I'm sure you'll see me again."

With the same smile and a coaxing voice, she stroked his silky black hair. Annoyed, Xuan Yu simply released her without a word. Despite still being a bit unsteady.

Looking up, Xuan Yu noticed that Ara Ko was looking toward the Xuan Estate. The expression on her face complicated.

"I would take you all the way inside. But I don't want to be anywhere close to her."

Lightly she shook her head and then meeting his eye when she turned to look at him, he gave a second heartfelt "thank you." All while wondering who exactly the "her," was and how they were related.

"You're a good kid. I probably won't be around so often but next time I am. Let's go for a ride."

Xuan Yu froze up and before he could refuse Ara Ko was already on her horse and riding off.

Grateful but hoping they never met again. Xuan Yu made his way to the gate of Xuan Estate. Two 3rd Stage guards were there. Evidence of Ong Zhou strengthening his defenses. Without a word to him, they opened the gates.

The walk to the Vermillion Court was uneventful. There were increased guards. And the fact that the servants had yet to decide how to treat him. Stuff that would matter later but right now he just wanted to collapse in his bed.

Taking the few minutes needed to reach his court. He spotted Li Zi, her face clean of paint, with a bright smile. Xuan Yu had released her early.

"Welcome home, Young Master."

Her bow was elegant and infected by her good mood Xuan Yu ruffled her hair as he passed.

Inside his bedroom, he passed over all his stuff to her and collapsed on his bed.

Li Zi gently put away all the stuff he casted aside. Remove the crown from his head and helped him into simpler robes.

Lying in bed, drifting into sleep. Xuan Yu couldn't help but think about how every so often. When he looked up at the night sky. There would a few less stars in the sky.

***

Xuan Yu drifted at the bottom of his bath unwilling to rise. But knowing what he needed to do, he did.

Drying himself off and redressing he grabbed the silver case and grabbing some fabric, a needle and his uniforms. Xuan Yu sank into the ground.

Dropping down into his hideout. He saw Baskerville waiting like a statue. Handing over the stuff he brought he turned his attention to the orb that the servant girl was being transformed inside of.

Physically she was in no way the same person. Though her appearance wasn't clear for one thing she was taller.

Finished Xuan Yu, handed over most of the stuff to Baskerville and began to sew. Extending the left sleeve of his robe so that it would completely cover the motions of his left hand.

"1247, Is that the number of people you killed recently? I'm guessing that another district has fallen then. It's a pity the number was so low there."

Instead of information Baskerville just "said" a number.

"And you lost 8 dogs. You're going to need to learn to be a better commander. Before long they'll gather together and form a proper resistance. If you haven't learned to be a leader by then. You will die, and I will not save you.

But since it seems you do not fear death. If you fail maybe, I'll revive you instead and press you into service once more."

Continuing his handiwork. Xuan Yu hummed to himself as he relogged memories. Going through his memories in an attempt to remind himself off things.

Finished with one robe he tried it on and then attempted a series of signs with only his left hand. Realizing his left hand wasn't completely covered he returned to making adjustments.

"You should just speak. Our connection isn't built to handle conversations. It's there so we can know where the other is and what kind of state they're currently in. At best it can send across an image every now and then. But if you keep overusing it to communicate. Before long it'll feel like bursting a blood vessel in your head."

Though Baskerville heard him, he didn't respond.

"Binding yourself with the past… only hurts yourself."

Finished with the adjustments, Xuan Yu tried on the robe again. This time when he moved his hand it was completely hidden. Satisfied he took to adjusting the next set of robes.

When he was finished, he placed his robes aside. Then got into his combat stance standing across from Baskerville.

"Let's begin practicing."

Baskerville silent as always charged in.