Xiao Meng’s greatest pain was not loving the wrong person—it was awakening to the truth.
Xiao Meng found it strange himself: the man before him, whom he had always regarded as an elder brother, the one who was the kindest, most protective, and affectionate to him, had actually always seen him this way.
He had always regarded Xiao Meng as a dog that could be sacrificed at any moment if necessary.
He finally understood: Sima Lang’s kindness was like that of a master towards a pet. As long as his own interests were not at stake, he could lavish Xiao Meng with anything, be endlessly good to him.
But when Sima Lang’s, or the Sima family’s, interests were on the line, Xiao Meng’s life weighed nothing. And once he became distasteful to his master, there was no reason left to respect him at all.
So that’s how it was.
Strangely, Xiao Meng thought he would be heartbroken, disappointed, devastated—he thought he would pour out his grievances in tears, even if he didn’t expect Sima Lang’s forgiveness. After all, Sima Lang had once been one of the few people he regarded as true family.
But now, it was as if something inside him had snapped, cutting off all emotion and allowing him to calmly find the crucial points in those hurtful words. It let him see the full truth of what had happened, and the truth of his whole life.
He didn’t know if this was also because of Lü Bu’s influence. Since that man had appeared in his life, everything had changed.
“So, Jia Xu was already in contact with you long ago, and your so-called arrest and imprisonment was all a setup by Jia Xu. He knew I’d come to rescue you, and capturing me was a way to lure out Lü Bu. Isn’t that right?” As Xiao Meng spoke, he took a small vial from his belt, poured all the powder onto the wound on his thigh, and used his belt to tie it off.
He knew he was badly hurt. This was just barely better than nothing.
“Yes! The original plan was to have the army waiting to surround and capture you when you came to break me out. I didn’t expect Jia Xu, who once defeated Lü Bu, to be so useless! He told me to seize you if I saw you, so I knew something had gone wrong.
Sure enough, you came and left so easily. I knew his plan had failed again. But it doesn’t matter. If I can’t kill Lü Bu, killing you, his accomplice, will at least avenge the massacre of my family!” Sima Lang said bitterly.
Smack—
LiaoYuan Fire slapped Sima Lang hard across the face, and said in a deep voice, “Sima Lang, wake up! Xiao Meng is not Lü Bu’s accomplice!”
“Fire… you hit me… you actually dared to hit me!” Sima Lang clutched his bleeding mouth in disbelief.
“Why wouldn’t I dare? Listen: Xiao Meng has nothing to do with Lü Bu. If you insult Xiao Meng again, I’ll take your life!” LiaoYuan Fire said coldly.
He truly hated Sima Lang at this moment—not just for repeatedly insulting Xiao Meng, but even more for dragging Xiao Meng into his grievances with Lü Bu.
“Xiao Meng, ignore him, you should just—”
But before LiaoYuan Fire could finish, Xiao Meng suddenly spoke, “Back when I was drifting with nowhere to go, the young master took me in at the Sima estate. I am grateful.”
The abruptness of Xiao Meng’s words stunned them both.
“The young master treated me well, but I never lived off you for nothing. How many times over the years did I risk my life to solve the Sima family’s problems? So what do I owe you?”
The two men could only stare at the beautiful figure by the window, speechless. They had never imagined such frank and unfeeling words would come from Xiao Meng’s lips.
“Besides, even if the Sima family really did treat me like a reborn benefactor, that kindness—I earned it with my own blood, sweat, and tears. So tell me, what exactly do I owe you?”
Standing by the window, his face hidden in the moonlight, Xiao Meng’s tone was as calm and matter-of-fact as plain water.
Of course, the real truth was not like this.
The truth was, he firmly believed that kindness received must be repaid.
He had killed for the Sima family, risked everything for them, because all he had was his broken body and his life. So he repaid kindness with his life, even if his hands were covered in blood.
But now, this humiliating and ridiculous truth meant nothing to Sima Lang, to Xiao Meng himself, or to anyone else.
“Furthermore,” Xiao Meng tilted his head, as if pondering, then sighed, “As the saying goes: those who are doomed will die; those who are meant to live will survive. If heaven had left me alive, even without the Sima family, maybe I would have lived a poorer, quieter life, but at least it wouldn’t have been so bloody and painful.”
Another silence.
After a while, Sima Lang sneered, “Heh… well said. It’s true what they say—'one is blackened by those he’s close to.' You and Lü Bu are the same kind—” He cut himself off as LiaoYuan Fire shot him a cold, deadly glare.
LiaoYuan Fire took a deep breath and turned to Xiao Meng. “Xiao Meng, this is not the time for this. Your wound needs immediate attention—”
“It’s already treated, and I’ve said my piece. Fire, let’s just kill him, shall we?”
Without warning, Xiao Meng threw out this question.
“Didn’t you just say you wanted his life? Let’s kill him together.”
“Xiao Meng, I understand how you feel, but don’t…” LiaoYuan Fire was stunned, struggling to speak.
He knew Sima Lang’s words had deeply wounded Xiao Meng’s heart.
“If you won’t kill him, I will.”
As he spoke, his hand flicked, sending several silver flashes straight at Sima Lang. LiaoYuan Fire immediately drew his sword to block.
Clang, clang, clang—
Almost at the same time, Xiao Meng lunged forward. At some point, a dagger had appeared in his hand, and he attacked Sima Lang with lightning speed. LiaoYuan Fire intercepted Xiao Meng’s dagger. He really did not want to fight Xiao Meng, but Xiao Meng’s attacks were fierce, every move aimed to kill. For a moment, the two were evenly matched.
“In this moment, LiaoYuan Fire! You still want to protect this wretch? Has your brain been castrated too?!”
Xiao Meng, furious, gave a bitter laugh and threw another dagger at LiaoYuan Fire, who dodged, the blade flying out the window with a whoosh.
Sima Lang took the opportunity, while LiaoYuan Fire was occupied with Xiao Meng, to escape through the door.
“Damn! I was too impulsive…”
Sima Lang ran desperately, thinking, “That was not the right time to strike… I should’ve bided my time and waited for the perfect opportunity! Xiao Meng never guarded against me, and I wasn’t even trying to draw out Lü Bu—I just wanted to kill Xiao Meng. Ugh! No patience at all…”
What Sima Lang didn’t know was that “waiting for the right moment” was a skill that a privileged scholar-official like him could never truly master.
He had never killed anyone before.
Sima Lang was filled with regret, cursing Jia Xu. If not for him, he could’ve stayed an official. Now he really was a criminal, and had lost even the people he could order around.
Bang—!
Sima Lang’s mad dash abruptly ended when a heavy fist sent him sprawling to the ground, nearly knocking him out.
Smack—!
He was then slapped awake. Stars burst before his eyes as a hand like iron gripped his throat, nearly choking him.
“Sima Lang,”
A deep, resonant voice drilled into his ears.
“Stay awake and tell me—where is Xiao Meng?”
Blood streaming down his face, Sima Lang struggled to look up. The face before him was heroic and cold. He had seen this man before in Xiapi.
It was Lü Bu!
The name thundered in his mind, and a warm flow spread through his pants, though the blood on his face partly hid his shameful state.
Sima Lang thought: This is the unluckiest day of my life.
Xuchang Outskirts • Sima Lang’s Private Residence
The fight inside the main bedroom continued. LiaoYuan Fire only wanted to subdue Xiao Meng, but Xiao Meng was fighting as if he had nothing to lose—his leg wound was badly torn, blood still flowing.
“Xiao Meng, stop this…” LiaoYuan Fire pleaded.
“Why? Why won’t you let me kill him!” Xiao Meng screamed.
“I know how much you hate him, but… he’s someone who grew up with us, someone you lived with for years!”
Tears filled LiaoYuan Fire’s eyes.
In his heart, he knew Sima Lang was not necessarily irreplaceable, but he couldn’t let Xiao Meng kill him.
He and Xiao Meng were both assassins, with plenty of blood on their hands—but those were just targets, missions.
To kill someone you’d lived with for years—no matter how little that person regarded you as family—was something else entirely.
It was inhuman.
Hunting on the mountain and slaughtering your own dog to eat—those were two different kinds of people.
Yet, LiaoYuan Fire subconsciously ignored that Sima Lang was exactly the latter.
No matter what, he couldn’t let Xiao Meng take that step.
“Xiao Meng, I’m not doing this for him, I’m doing it for you! If you kill him, you… you’ll never be able to come back from it!”
His words were soaked in blood and heartbreak.
“Come back? Why would I want to come back? Where could I go back to?” Xiao Meng sneered.
His hands did not relax. “If you really want to stop me, kill me! Anyone who stands in my way today dies!” Xiao Meng felt a tidal wave of resentment and hatred surging through him, unaware that such a bottomless abyss existed in his soul—one that now sent every savage strike against LiaoYuan Fire.
But his injuries had left him exhausted. LiaoYuan Fire was just about to subdue him.
Suddenly, a flash of silver forced LiaoYuan Fire back.
With a thud, someone tumbled into the room like a pile of mud—it was Sima Lang.
Only now did LiaoYuan Fire see clearly—the tall, imposing figure in dark armor, wielding a short halberd: Lü Bu.
Lü Bu went to support Xiao Meng, the gravity of Xiao Meng’s injuries written on his brow.
—Earlier—
After leaving the palace, Lü Bu went to retrieve his weapons.
Whoosh—
Lü Bu caught an arrow, with a strip of cloth tied to it.
“Xu has lost power and is under control. Meng, Lang, and Fire are now at the southern outskirts. Liao.”
Lü Bu recognized Zhang Liao’s handwriting—a man he absolutely trusted.
Zhang Liao… I owe you so much…
Without delay, Lü Bu mounted his horse and rode at full speed for the southern outskirts.
Xiao Meng… nothing must happen to you!
On the way, Lü Bu’s mind held only this thought, filled with guilt.
How could I have miscalculated so badly!
Xiao Meng, so devoted to those he cares about, would never have just waited for me in the palace and ignored his old master.
He’d learned of Jia Xu’s plot from Xiahou Dun that day—he should have met up with Xiao Meng sooner.
Although LiaoYuan Fire was present, that boy was too straightforward. Sima Lang, with a schemer’s mind, could easily outplay him. Xiao Meng was still in danger…
Galloping through the night, Lü Bu looked at the moonlit sky, praying for heaven’s protection, desperate not to make a fatal mistake.
Soon, Lü Bu arrived at the city’s southern outskirts.
But finding three people in these woods and rocks was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Still, Lü Bu never considered giving up.
He pushed his senses to their limits, listening for the faintest sound, watching for the slightest movement.
At last, he heard the distinct ring of weapons clashing in a certain direction.
He went at once, and before long, saw Sima Lang stumbling and rolling toward him.
Dragging Sima Lang as a guide, he arrived just in time—otherwise, seeing Xiao Meng’s injuries…
Lü Bu didn’t dare think further.
He spoke softly to Xiao Meng, “I’m sorry, Xiao Meng. I was too late.”
“Lü Bu, I want to kill Sima Lang.”
This was the first thing Xiao Meng said to Lü Bu after their reunion—firm and resolute.
Lü Bu’s brows rose—he hadn’t expected Xiao Meng to be so determined against Sima Lang.
“It’s my fault. I didn’t wait for you, and now I’ve caused you trouble.” Xiao Meng quickly softened his tone.
“But I really do want to kill Sima Lang with my own hands.” His tone, though gentle, was steely.
Lü Bu glanced at Xiao Meng’s wounded leg, took a deep breath, and made a quick decision: “All right, go and finish him. He’s barely hanging on.”
“Okay.” With that, Xiao Meng turned and headed for Sima Lang.
“Xiao Meng, don’t—” LiaoYuan Fire’s voice was filled with anguish.
At that moment, he felt exactly as he had when he watched Xiao Meng fall off the cliff, powerless to save him.
LiaoYuan Fire understood: Xiao Meng had every reason to hate Sima Lang. He himself was furious at Sima Lang.
But for Xiao Meng to truly harden his heart and kill someone he’d once seen as a brother, and to do so so decisively… LiaoYuan Fire couldn’t accept it.
This was just like Lü Bu…
No…
Xiao Meng wasn’t like this…
“Xiao Meng! This… isn’t something you’d do! You’re not that kind of person!” LiaoYuan Fire cried hoarsely, almost pleading.
“Fire, you never really understood me. Save your breath.” Xiao Meng suddenly turned to look at LiaoYuan Fire, his eyes and voice both weary.
“And besides,” a strange smile flickered at Xiao Meng’s lips—even Lü Bu, watching, felt a faint unease. In all his time with Xiao Meng, he’d never seen such an expression.
“Even I don’t know what kind of person I am. So how could you?”
He said no more, turning again to approach Sima Lang.
“……”
LiaoYuan Fire knew he was powerless now.
“…Lü Bu—! This is all your fault!”
He didn’t know how to handle Xiao Meng’s retort, and could only vent his anger at Lü Bu.
Xiao Meng heard the fierce clash of weapons behind him, but paid it no mind.
He knew LiaoYuan Fire was no match for Lü Bu, but he also knew Lü Bu would never kill Fire for his sake. All he needed was to finish what he came to do, and they’d stop fighting.
Xiao Meng, dagger in hand, came before Sima Lang.
Sima Lang’s face was swollen and bloody, his jaw broken, almost unrecognizable.
Bearing the pain, Sima Lang forced himself to kneel and begged desperately for his life.
“Xiao Meng… spare me, don’t kill me… I’m sorry… I was wrong to insult you. Please forgive me… I was blinded by the pain of losing my family… You know… I didn’t really mean it… I beg you…”
Xiao Meng crouched in front of him, silent for a moment, then sighed, “All right. I understand. I forgive you.”
“Really…? Thank you… Xiao Meng… you’re so kind…”
Sima Lang thought he’d escaped death, forcing a smile uglier than crying.
“But if I let you live, you’ll spend your days plotting revenge. We’ll never have peace,” Xiao Meng murmured.
By “we,” he meant himself and Lü Bu.
Sima Lang panicked, “No… I swear… I won’t…”
“True, someone as pathetic as you could hardly rise again. You probably couldn’t hurt us.”
Xiao Meng was genuinely considering this.
“But, young master, my future with him is too precious. I can’t risk even the slightest chance.”
Without a word, Xiao Meng drove the dagger into Sima Lang’s abdomen.
“And, Sima Lang…”
As Sima Lang writhed in terror and agony, Xiao Meng leaned closer as if to whisper a secret, “Let me tell you, it wasn’t Lü Bu who killed Sima Yi. It was me.”
Sima Lang’s mind went blank—he doubted that the person before him was Xiao Meng at all.
He couldn’t speak, only coughed up blood. Xiao Meng sidestepped to avoid the spray, though his own clothes were still stained.
With disgust, he said, “Your blood is just as filthy and stinking as anyone’s. Oh, and by the way—”
He drove the dagger a little deeper.
“Lü Bu isn’t a beast—now I see, he just saw through people like you from the start.”
With that, he drew the dagger across Sima Lang’s neck. Sima Lang collapsed, dead.
“Xiao Meng—!” LiaoYuan Fire shouted.
Clang!
LiaoYuan Fire’s sword was cut in two by Lü Bu’s halberd.
Bang!
Distracted, he was kicked by Lü Bu and sent sprawling.
Lü Bu had only been using half his strength against LiaoYuan Fire before, but once Xiao Meng finished off Sima Lang, he got serious.
Lü Bu didn’t use his halberd anymore—just his fists and feet. Within twenty moves, he had LiaoYuan Fire on the ground, unable to fight.
“Xiao Meng… how could you…” LiaoYuan Fire wept—not for Sima Lang’s death, but for Xiao Meng.
Standing atop the cliff, his Xiao Meng had already fallen into the abyss below.
“Fire, I’ve killed him. Saying anything else is pointless now,” Xiao Meng said calmly.
He struggled to his feet, and Lü Bu immediately came to support him.
“You see, I’m badly hurt. I need treatment now. You’re not too badly wounded—after some first aid, you’ll be able to move.”
Xiao Meng tossed a small porcelain bottle of wound medicine to LiaoYuan Fire, and said earnestly, “Fire, after all our years as brothers, I’ve never asked you for anything. When I’ve recovered, I’ll come find you. But for now, please leave this place—and take the young master’s body with you. I’m counting on you.”
“Let’s go to the side building,” Xiao Meng whispered to Lü Bu.
Without a word, Lü Bu lifted Xiao Meng in his arms and leapt away.
Leaving behind Sima Lang’s corpse, and the utterly defeated LiaoYuan Fire.
He had to admit: Xiao Meng had been taken away by Lü Bu, and would never come back.
End of Chapter 24
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The Burning Dream Chronicle, Chapter 24: "Awakening"16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0tqhkCo0v
Original work by Jing Xixian (Vampire L), all rights reserved.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9hTU1hUwB
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