a poor Taoist recluse know ought of fortunes； good or evil？〃 said he。
However； after a time； as Liu Gui repeated his request again and again and ported himself most humbly； the hermit bade the lad bring paper and ink and he wrote eight lines； which he handed to his questioner。
〃Supported by dragon and phoenix；
So flies he westward。
But the phoenix shall fall to the earth。
And the dragon shall soar to the sky；
There shall be successes and failures；
For such is the eternal law。
See that ye act when occasion offers；
Lest ye descend to the Nine Golden Springs。〃
Having read the oracle； they pressed the seer to reveal them their individual fortunes； but he replied； 〃Why ask these things？ None can escape his fate。〃
Liu Gui ventured to question the Sage further； but his eyelids dropped as if he slumbered。 Nor would he vouchsafe a word more； and the four generals took leave and descended the hill。
〃One must have faith