An Yang no longer felt like finishing the half pot of wine. He got up, paid the bill, and headed out.
Miss Duan had given him plenty of information, but it still wasn't comprehensive enough. Without anything to verify it against, he couldn't tell where it might be biased or mistaken. He would have to corroborate it from other sources.
He had barely walked a hundred meters from the tavern when he happened upon Xuanzang, walking down the street looking utterly dejected.
Xuanzang had never cared much about his appearance. His clothes were ragged, his hair was unkempt, and his face was grimy. Now his eyes were vacant, and he shuffled along as if his soul had left his body. He looked more like a beggar than ever.
Then Xuanzang spotted An Yang too.
Their eyes met, and both stopped.
An Yang was only briefly taken aback. He quickly recovered, smiled, and walked over. "Master Xuanzang, did you only just get here?"
Xuanzang stared at him for a long moment, but at last a little light returned to his eyes. He pressed his palms together. "I have not yet taken the tonsure, nor have I achieved anything in the study of Buddhism. I am still a student, and unworthy of the title of Master."
After a pause, he continued softly, "You and that young lady simply walked too fast. At an ordinary pace, it takes an hour and a half to walk from the fishing village to town."
An Yang smiled, not bothering to argue the point. He pressed his palms together as well. "I have a few things to take care of. Master Xuanzang, go on and attend to your business. Let's part ways here. The green hills will remain, and the waters will flow on. If fate allows,