Hu Li remain in her fox form and look at her master. He pick her up and hold her in his arms. He remember so long ago when she arrive at the outer court with Chang'e. She can't speak nor understand what is going on. Now she can do a lot of things on her own and understand what is wrong and what is right. She have grown up. Her golden eyes look at him fondly and remember him as the first to teach her everything. Even she did or say anything strange, he will not scold her but will address the issue with carefulness. He pat her gently and rub her tummy. She smile and move happily.
After awhile she jump off his embrace and morph back to human looking. He stand there and fan himself while looking at her. She tilt her head and wonder what is master going to say this time.
"Hu Li it's time for Bai Lu to come with me. He needs to cultivate his skill further."
"I will not allow him to go without me."
"I know you will say that. So come with us, back up in the sky."
"I don't like there. It's boring."
"I need him to go to the flower pond. The ..."
"Don't master. Don't decide what he needs. I will ask him what he wants."
Di Jun sigh and continue to fan himself. right at that moment, Hei open his eyes and morph into his human shape. They look at each other without a greeting. Hei walk and stand next to Hu Li. The three of them look up the sky and watch till the sun raises. Bai Lu is the first one to wake up in the morning. He stretch and look at his pocket to check how is Huan Xi. She seems to be still asleep. He carefully take her out and put her down on the bed. the spot that he had laid down on is still warm. After that he cover her with a handkerchief he have. He walk out quietly as everyone in the room is still asleep. He walk out to see his mother pouring tea into a cup under the tree and Hei is busy in the kitchen. He greet his grand master properly and rush to brush his teeth. After that he sit down with his master.
Bai Lu look at his mother, in his heart, he knows that day have come. A question that he must answer. DI Jun smile while taking a slip of his tea. Hu Li sit down and hope that her son choose well.
"Mother, you know this day will come, right."
"Your clairvoyance is strong. So you will tell master what your answer is..."
"Mother, i am getting older year by year. I don't know when is my human life is going to end and how it will end. However i know my mother is going to live very long. Mother, before i end my human life, i want to learn a lot of things. Only grand master can teach me. It will make me stronger then i can continue my walk in this long life with you."
Hu Li feels her hands trembling. She feels the same emotion that when Sheng Qin's human life ended. She tear roll down her cheek however they become crystal fast and float upwards into the sky. Her electric eyes are fuzzy and she can't see too clear.
"Mother, i will return and see you again. Now you and uncle Hei must walk together. I will bring Huan Xi with me. She needs to be with me."
Bai Lu take his mother's hands and rub it on his cheeks.
"By the time the snake return, i will be by your side."
Everyone who is asleep wake up to see Hu Li tearing. Her crystal tears floats up into the sky and soon, a light rain comes. Bai Lu feels his mother's sadness his eyes turn black. He continue to use his mother's hand to rub his cheeks. Hei walks out with a bowl of noodles but he see the rain and Hu Li crying.
When Hu Li stop crying, the light rain stops too. Hei walk out with the bowl of noodles for Bai Lu. He eat in a hurry as he is hungry. After he is done. He goes inside to look for Huan Xi, who is still on the bed. He gently pick her up and put her in his pocket. He head out and look at everyone.
"Don't worry we will see each other again. I am my mother's child. I promise to be back."
"He will be well taken care of."
"Lu'er are you sure? It's a boring place. I even escape from there to come here."
"Don't worry uncle Hei. I will be fine. Won't stay too long. While i am not around, stay with my mother, will you?"
"Of course, no need to ask. I will be by her side."
Di Jun with his spell transport himself and bai Lu to their destination. While Hu Li watch her only child disappear in front of her. Hei hold her hand, he feels sad too. He howl for awhile. So did the spiritual dogs. Yang Yang did not have a clear voice, she bleat as loud as she can. Meng Lan meow softy and walk to Hu Li.
"Master Di Jun will take care of him. Don't worry."
"I'm not worry. Just that he is my only child..."
Hu Li stands there for a long time. Till the sun shines on the head, she starts to move and walk into the restaurant. She finds Hei in the kitchen helping with the washing of dishes and the spiritual dogs are actually cleaning the restaurant and collecting dishes. While Yang Yang is changing the bed sheet with Dong Mei. While she have nothing to do, she walk back to the courtyard.