"To-night I have seen a sign in the heaven," he confessed. "I saw a star fall over Chingchou and I know that Kuan Yü has met with evil there. But I am afraid of my master's grief and dare not tell him."
Even while the two were speaking a man suddenly came forth, caught hold of K'ung Ming's sleeve and said:—
"If there is evil news, why do you deceive me?"
K'ung Ming looked; it was Liu Pei.
"Why do you distress yourself over uncertain news?" he said. "Why let yourself be so unprofitably sad?"
Liu Pei answered:—
"I and Kuan Yü have sworn to live and die together. If he has fallen, how can I stand alone?"
Then, one by one, disturbing the peace of the night, came messengers.
"Kuan Yü is defeated."
"Kuan Yü is betrayed."