That night, the sky is fill with all sorts of lanterns flying in the sky. Each lanterns are written with the wishes they have. Hopping the gods in the sky will read their prayers. The whole entire city, is lighted up with hanging lanterns at every corner. Whether in city or valley river, some will release water lanterns that floats. These lanterns will slowly follow the direction flow of the water out to the sea. Some of the lanterns in lotus shapes are messages from the living to the decease. While others are hopes and wishes hopping that the deity will grant them.
All of them sits on the highest rooftop and Bai Lu watch the night sky fill with lanterns flying high into the clouds with excitement.
"Mother, is grand master collecting those lanterns?"
"Maybe. His palace will be flooded with all those lanterns."
"I want to go there some day. Do you think i can go there?"
"I am not sure, my son. I cannot answer you that."
"Little one, if they don't let you go, uncle will bring you up there!"
"You can?! You know the way?"
"It is an open space. Just that i know how to get in but i choose not to return there. It's a boring place. That's why your mother escape and come here to join me."
"Not true uncle. Where we live is boring."
"Where is the place?"
Bai Lu press his lips together and think. He actually don't know the way there.
"it's a place where it snows all day long. We all live in a big cave. That's all i know."
They continue to talk and watch the whole city bursting with life. Hu Li watch the lanterns float out into the open sea. She see a various creatures in the sea have raise to the surface to collect the lanterns. They could be the one working for the dragon king.
The sun rises and her son is still asleep. The dogs are chasing each other in the courtyard. Hu Li have reminded them to play quietly not to attract any attention. While Hei and Yang Yang is taking a stroll in the busy street. In this deserted house, there is nothing she can do. However because of her presence, the dead tree is coming back alive. It begin to spurt green leaves. Small flowers are growing every corner. She watch her son sleep soundly. She hear him mumble in his sleep that he want to fly. She gently pat him as he sleep and use the other hand to fan him. The cricket is chriping in the background noisy. She suddenly smell something that she have not smell for a long time. She turn around to see the person she did not want to see. Hu Li get up and look at him angry. She raise her hand and point to him. At that moment he is froze on spot. He stare at her and a tear roll down his cheek. He look at the bed and see a little boy sleeping. Hu Li look outside and summon the spiritual dogs. They morph back to their human shapes and walk to her. They bow to their previous human master.
"Look after the little one."
They bow and she cast a bubble around them. She walk out and snap her fingers. Instantly she and him are standing outside at a cliff that over look the city.
She unfreeze him. It is windy at the cliff. Her hair is blown all around. She noticed that his hair have white strands on them. His eyebrows, beard and moustache are white too. The skin around his eye have fine lines. He have aged however the unmistaken face of Sheng Qin is standing before her. The man who choose to live in luxury. He walk near her and whisper.
"How are you? Why did you just disappear? I search..."
"You should know my character... "
"I did not have a choice. Is either..."
"Yes, Sheng Qin, you make your choice. Now you can live with that choice and i will live with my choice. It's better we never see each other again. Oh i forgotten that i live forever and you have a couple of years more. Probably we will never see each other again after this."
"Hu Li!" He sob loudly. Hu Li hold back her tears. He kneel down and hold her hand.
"May you live in your richness."
Hu Li yank his grab and walk a few steps. He ask with the wind howling.
"Hu Li, tell me is that ... my son on the bed..."
"He is my son. He will never be your son. Goodbye."
Hu Li snap her fingers and she return to where she left. The three who waited for her in the bubble are relief to see her. She undo the spell and they wait for Hei and Yang Yang's return.
At night fall, they creep out via the same way. Bai Lu who is not able to morph sits on the back of Hu Li. While Yang Yang cling on to Hei who runs and leap in a manic way. Under the moon light, three dogs, a mouse in Bai Lu's pocket and two foxes along with a boy travel. They run nonstop till they reach a waterfall. They camp with a fire burning bright to provide warm. Bai Lu snuggle in Hu Lin's big tails and sleep soundly. Hei watch Hu Li stroking her son's hair. He move to sit near her. Hu Li look at him and wonder what is he going to say now.
"Do you want to come with me?"
"Where?"
"I live in a place where all foxes live in."
"All foxes?"
"Yes. Male and female. Most of them are like those dogs you have there. No one is alike us."
"Hei, wherever i go, my son have to be with me..."
"Let him come. He have your blood. To live with the pack, he will understand us better than outsiders."
"His grandmaster might appear there..."
"Who is his grandmaster?"
"Me."
Hei slowly turn around and growl.