Chapter 6: No Honor among Thieves

Sun Shang Xiang, still leaning against the wall, carefully peered over the edge. She couldn't believe what just happened. She peeked a little further. Zhang He was dangling from the step mountainside, his metal claw dug deep in to the earth. "A little help, please?" he asked when he saw her peer over the edge. Sun Shang Xiang quickly threw a rope down to him and helped him up.

"Can we please carry on? I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to." He told her. "Agreed." She said and continued further down the ledge. They hurried along the ledge until they reached an opening in the mountain. They ran along the tunnel at one point part of the path went up the other went straight on. "That must lead to the city," Zhang He Nodded to the ascending slope. "You go to the city and tell Zhou Yu, I'll head to Wu." She nodded and went up the slope as Zhang He continued down the tunnel.

Kun Ling rode her horse to a nearby stream; her spies told her that Sun Quan was in the area. She chased her horse away in the direction he was coming from. The rider less horse sped past Sun Quan. He increased his speed till he reached the river and there was a lady. She wore a black coat, and a green dress. She was nobility he could see it. "My Lady, are you al right?" She Bowed, "Yes, my lord, I am Kun Ling, I was on my way to see the emperor Sun Jian when my horse ran away from me." "I am Sun Quan and I'll be happy to take you to my father." She bowed low, "My Lord, Thank you, I have urgent news for him."

At the palace, Kun Ling sat and spoke alone to Sun Jian and Sun Quan, "I watched from my hiding place as Zhang Fei murdered Sun Ce." Neither men could believe what they were hearing. Sun Quan smashed his fist down on the table, "this is Cao Cao's doing." "I'm sorry to bring you this terrible news." Kun Ling told him, Sun Quan stood up and rushed out. Sun Jian stood up and walked to the window. She could tell he was really sad, she poured some tea in for him and quickly added some white powder. "Here is tea to calm you, I'll leave you alone." She left, it was done; she would have to keep an eye on the boy. Unknown to her Zhang He was secretly watching her every move.

The next morning Sun Jian was found dead in his sleep, Sun Quan took up the throne and Kun Ling walked into the palace. "My Lord, I have some useful information for you, Zhang Fei is in your land. He is here." Sun Quan looked up and his eyes filled with hate. He called in the guard, "Saddle my horse, and get my army ready. We are going to hunt a rodent." Kun Ling smiled inwardly, "I'll go with you." "Very well, but I'm not responsible for your safety." "Very Well." Sun Quan, Kun Ling, Lu Meng and their body guards rode off to meet Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei saw a dust cloud come his way, "what's this?" Sun Quan rode fast. "A welcoming Committee?" Zhang Fei ducked as an arrow shot over his head. He raced forward and met the three generals.

A bleeding swordsman burst through the doors of the hall, Lui Bei looked up. "My lord, Lord Zhang Fei is dead." Soldiers helped him, "How? Who did this?" "Sun Quan, my lord." Lui Bei was furious; he looked at Gang Ning and Zhuge Liange. Gang Ning stood up, "It can't be!" "Guards! Kill them." Gang Ning drew his blade; all the generals drew the weapons. They fought the soldiers off as long as he could; but the fighting wore on them and soon they had no more strength and both were executed.

Lu Bu heard about the death of Zhang Fei, Gang Ning, and Zhuge Liange. "What is going on?" Sun Shang Xiang stood up "The entire kingdom is at war." Zhou Yu walked to the window, "we have to wait for Zhang He. He will have more information for us."