Bian Xi 卞喜

In Chapter 27 of the Romance, Lord Guan sets out on the road with his two sisters-in-law in a carriage to seek his elder brother in Hebei. At Dongling Pass he cuts down Kong Xiu, who blocks his way for lack of a travel permit, in a single bout, and at Luoyang, after cutting down Meng Tan, he is struck in the left arm by an arrow shot by the Administrator Han Fu (韓福), but cuts down Han Fu as well. Lord Guan tears a piece of silk to bind his wound and, fearing that someone might secretly do him harm on the road, does not dare stay long and heads through the night for Sishui Pass. Romance, Ch. 27 §17–20 · 24–26

The general guarding Sishui Pass is Bian Xi, a man of Bing Province skilled with the meteor hammer, who had originally been a remnant of the Yellow Turbans and came to guard this pass after surrendering to Cao Cao. Hearing that Lord Guan will soon arrive, Bian Xi hides more than two hundred swordsmen and axemen inside the Zhenguo Temple in front of the pass, intending to lure Lord Guan to the temple and do away with him at the signal of a struck cup. Bian Xi comes out of the pass to welcome him, flattering him that Lord Guan's name shakes the realm, and on hearing of the killing of Kong Xiu and Han Fu, he says that Lord Guan was right to kill them and that when he sees the Chancellor he will explain the true circumstances on his behalf. Greatly pleased, Lord Guan passes through Sishui Pass together with him and dismounts in front of the Zhenguo Temple. Romance, Ch. 27 §26–27

Among the monks of the Zhenguo Temple, Pujing, a man from Lord Guan's home district, comes forward to greet him and brings up talk of their home, whereupon Bian Xi, afraid that the plot will leak out, rebukes him, asking why a monk should talk so much when he is about to invite the general to a feast. Serving tea in the abbot's quarters, Pujing lifts the monk's knife he wears and signals with his eyes, and Lord Guan, grasping his meaning, has his attendants keep close behind him with swords in hand. Romance, Ch. 27 §28–30

When Bian Xi invites him to the banquet in the Dharma hall, Lord Guan asks whether he means well or ill, and on seeing the swordsmen and axemen behind the curtains hung on the walls, he roars at him. Realizing that the plot has leaked out, Bian Xi shouts to his men to strike, but they are all cut down by Lord Guan's sword. Bian Xi flees around the corridor, secretly taking out a flying hammer and hurling it, but Lord Guan knocks the hammer aside with his blade, gives chase, and splits Bian Xi in two with a single stroke. Lord Guan thanks Pujing, saying that had it not been for the master, he would have been harmed by this bandit. Romance, Ch. 27 §31–32