Little Nonpoint walked alone to a quiet spot, his head lowered and his spirits low.
He looked so weighed down by worry that even Big Yellow could tell. The dog came up to him and offered its tail.
Go on, give it a tug. Just this once, I'll let you.
Little Nonpoint smiled and stroked Big Yellow's head over and over.
The dog had grown remarkably intelligent. It could almost be called a Dog Demon.
With the Spiritual Divine Flower around, it would have been hard for these creatures not to gain awareness.
"Big Yellow, what do you think I should do?" Little Nonpoint asked, stroking the dog's head.
Big Yellow couldn't speak yet, so it gave him no answer. But its wise eyes made its meaning clear.
Sorry, Little Nonpoint. I don't understand things like that.
I'm only a dog.
"Go see your Parents, of course." Meng Chuan walked over.
"Uncle Meng," Little Nonpoint called.
"What are you thinking about?" Meng Chuan looked at him. Though he was only a little over ten, Little Nonpoint already looked like a young man.
"Willow God and I can send you to the Profound Domain. Why have you gone quiet?"
"Don't you want to see them?"
Little Nonpoint shook his head hard. "I miss them so much. I've been thinking about them all this time."
"Then why not go?"
Little Nonpoint fell silent. Meng Chuan waited quietly for him to speak.
Little Nonpoint kept his hand on Big Yellow's head, stroking it at the same steady pace.
Then his hand stopped. He turned to Meng Chuan, his eyes red before he knew it.
"I'm afraid they don't want me anymore. I'm afraid I'll disturb Father and Mother, and my... younger brother. Disturb their family."
Meng Chuan's heart gave a small, painful twist