he　wore　at　his　side　and　looking　meaningfully　at　Guan　Yu。　The　latter　understood　and　told　his　people　to　bring　along　his　weapon　and　keep　close　at　his　side。

When　Bian　Xi　invited　Guan　Yu　to　go　into　the　Hall　of　the　Laws　for　some　refreshment；　Guan　Yu　turned　to　him；　saying；　〃Is　this　invitation　with　good　intention　or　evil？〃

Bian　Xi　was　so　taken　aback　that　he　could　make　no　reply；　and　then　Guan　Yu　saw　that　many　armed　men　were　concealed　behind　the　arras。

Then　Guan　Yu　shouted　loudly　at　Bian　Xi；　saying；　〃What　means　this？　I　thought　you　an　honorable　man。　How　dare　you？〃

The　traitor　saw　that　his　plot　had　failed　and　called　to　the　assassins　to　e　out　and　fall　to；　but　Guan　Yu　had　a　short　sword　in　his　hand　and　slashed　at　anyone　who　came　near。　So　they　scattered。　Their　mander　ran　down　the　hall　and　tried　to　escape　among　the　side　buildings；　but　Guan　Yu　threw　aside　the　short　sword；　took　up　the　green…dragon　saber　and　went　after　Bian　Xi。　The　latter　was　trying　to　get　into　position　to　throw　his　et…hammer；　but　Guan　Yu　cut　the　cord　and　the　weapon　was　useless。　Guan　Yu　followed　Bian　Xi　in　and　out　and　soon　caught　up　with　him。　Then　with　one　blow　Guan　Yu　cut　him　in　halves。

The　fight　over；　Guan　Yu　sought　the　two　ladies；　who　were　surrounded　by　soldiers。　These　fled　at　sight　of　the　terrible　warrior。　Seeking　out　the　priest；　his　fellow　countryman；　he　thanked　him　for　the　timely　warning　which　had　saved　him　from　death。

〃I　cannot　remain　here　after　this；〃　said　Transverse　Peace。　〃I　shall　pack　up　my　few　garments　and　my　alms　bowl　and　take　to　the　road；　vague　in　my　wanderings　as　the　clouds　in　the　sky。　But　we　shall　meet　again　and　till　then　take　care　of　yourself。〃

Then　Guan　Yu　took　leave　and　retook　the　road　to　Yingyang。　The　Governor　of　this　city　was　named　Wang　Zhi；　and　he　was