４９

  After crossing a street, they suddenly arrived at a quiet place. At the end of the county town, a faint outline of an inn appeared. Xile said: Let's stay here, it must be the cheapest.

  There were two red lanterns hanging in front of the inn, I couldn't see what was written on them, so I just went in. The price was indeed very cheap, Xi Le and I took a room with a back window, tied up our horses, and felt our way upstairs, the stairs creaking loudly. The people sleeping on the heated floor downstairs immediately started cursing. When we got to the room, I lit the lamp and said: "Not bad."

  Xile said: You see, before you never lived in a good place, never compared, now living in Yongchao, just say, okay.

  I said: Maybe it is. Then you also compared with the senior monks in the temple, and finally followed me.

  Xǐlè said: Nonsense. How about you?

  I smiled and said: I am bitter without comparison.

  Nothing happened overnight, and I woke up early in the morning. After two days of sleeping on a bed instead of under a tree, I felt refreshed and thought about going to the temple for a visit. This time we were afraid of being laughed at, so we didn't bring our horses and walked there directly. We soon arrived at the mountain top and soon saw Master. Master burst out laughing and said: "Having fun?"

  I said: That's fun.

  Master asked: Are you confused?

  I said: confused.

  Master said: What's wrong with you?

  I said: I don't know.

  Master said: You're really confusing enough.

  The master said: Now I'll tell you, first go to Chang'an and find an old man who can foretell the future. Ask him and you will know.

  I said: How can I find him?

  The master said: If you are a prophet, you will naturally meet. If you can't meet, neither of you is anything.