Long Xiaoyao didn't reply. He followed along quietly.
The three of them continued onward, with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion glued to their side every step of the way. It followed them from the forest's outskirts to its border, through the layers of trees, all the way to the last ancient tree in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Xu Yanli stopped at the edge of the forest and slowly turned around.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion halted beneath the tree's shade, half her body hidden in dappled shadows. Her golden eyes fixed on him, brimming with reluctance.
"Go back," Xu Yanli said gently.
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion didn't move. She simply stared at him.
Xu Yanli sighed softly and raised a hand to stroke her soft head one last time. Her fur beneath his palm was smooth and warm, wrapped in the sun's uniquely comforting warmth.
"Be good. Go back," he said again, his voice much softer.
At that moment, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes visibly grew moist.
She lowered her head and gave Xu Yanli's palm one final nuzzle. Then, moving slowly, she turned and walked toward the depths of the forest, one step at a time.
After a few steps, she looked back.
After a few more, she stopped and looked back again.
She did this again and again. Only when her dazzling golden figure had completely disappeared into the dense forest, no longer visible at all, did Xu Yanli look away and turn onto the main road outside the city.
Long Xiaoyao followed silently behind him, without a word the entire way.
The autumn road was empty and desolate, with hardly anyone in sight. The harvest had already ended, leaving the fields bare. A few sparrows perched on the shoulders of withered scarecrows, cocking their heads to watch the