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“In the snowy night’s chaos, the White Gate Tower falls—who will escape? Who will be sacrificed? History quietly pens an unexpected next page...”
Perhaps moved by the heavens, a violent wind suddenly swept through, sending snowflakes swirling chaotically. Snow in the sky, shadows on the ground—a strange harmony between them.
At the very instant Liu Bei died—
“My lord!”
“Protect the lord!”
As the arrow struck, a dozen soldiers leapt forward, encircling Cao Cao. Amidst the chaos, an officer rushed over with two physicians. One quickly stuffed several pills into Cao Cao’s mouth, while the other hastily treated his wound.
Even so, Cao Cao felt his strength slipping away, his vision and consciousness fading by the moment. When the emergency treatment was done, the soldiers supported and half-dragged him into the White Gate Tower. Through his narrowing, blurring vision, he saw Lü Bu still kneeling, blood soaking his side. Several guards moved in to seize him.
“Kill him... kill him...”
Cao Cao wanted to give the order, but now even lifting his eyelids was impossible. With the last of his will, he raised his arm toward Lü Bu, silently praying that at least one person would understand his gesture.
No one did. All attention was on getting him to safety. Someone finally hoisted him up and rushed him inside.
Cao Cao felt—if Lü Bu wasn’t killed now, there would be no other chance.
But Lü Bu’s figure grew ever smaller and fainter in his eyes. The world around him grew quiet. At last, he lost consciousness.
Meanwhile, soldiers rushed up the tower to intercept Xiao Meng. Xiao Meng darted and attacked, loosing precise arrows at the Cao troops, circling behind the White Gate Tower in moments.
Inside the tower, chaos reigned. Liu Bei was dead, Cao Cao unconscious. For everyone present, Cao Cao’s safety was now all that mattered.
“Escape!”
That was the only thought in Xiao Meng’s mind. Yet the pursuers seemed to draw ever closer.
Boom—!
Xiao Meng glanced back—half the White Gate Tower had collapsed!
The ancient tower, battered by years of storms and neglect, had long been in disrepair. During Lü Bu’s occupation, lacking funds, it went unrepaired. After weeks of flooding and now the weight of heavy snow, it finally gave way and crashed down.
Hundreds, including Cao Cao and his retinue, had tried to shelter inside—only to be caught as the tower fell.
Side hall of Xiapi City. Xun Yu sat calmly as subordinates reported.
“Two days ago, the lord was rescued from the rubble. Fortunately, only minor injuries and slight fractures—not serious. The arrow poison has been purged, and he has awakened. His condition is stable, though lingering effects may persist...” The physician reported, half relieved, half worried.
“It’s a pity we didn’t catch the assassin that day. He must have escaped the city—we have no clue to his whereabouts. It’s my failing,” a captain said somberly.
“No matter.” Xun Yu replied gently. “Sima Yi had previously informed us that, upon the city’s fall, the remnants—Xiao Meng—would remain to assassinate the lord. This Xiao Meng was a survivor of the purge of the Ten Attendants, and is the same eunuch who once impersonated Diao Chan.”
Shock rippled through those present.
“So I had secretly tightened security,” Xun Yu continued, “but still underestimated his skill.”
“There’s an even more serious matter...” another official said quietly. “Lü Bu managed to escape in the chaos when the tower fell. We’ve searched every inch of Xiapi, but he’s vanished.”
Xun Yu pondered, then said, “Do not worry. Victory is in our hands. What matters now is the lord’s recovery and a swift return to court to stabilize the situation—and ready our forces, for soon we must face Yuan’s army.”
He sipped hot tea, then added, “As for Lü Bu—even if he lives, he’s lost his army and reputation. No power will shelter such a treacherous turncoat. As for Xiao Meng, he’s a nameless pawn, now abandoned even by the Sima clan. Two fugitives with nowhere to go—hardly worth fearing.”
All nodded in agreement.
“But of course, don’t let them go unchecked. Send orders to hunt them down—kill on sight.”
The officers replied in unison.
As the crowd dispersed, Xun Yu felt unusually at ease. Lü Bu’s defeat was expected, but Liu Bei’s death by a stray arrow was a surprise.
That seemingly virtuous Liu Bei was, in truth, deeply cunning and dangerous—his two brothers were as formidable as Lü Bu himself. Having them under Cao Cao’s roof was like raising tigers. But with Liu Bei’s imperial blood, dealing with him openly was never easy.
Yet, thanks to Xiao Meng, this hidden threat was removed.
Lü Bu, even if alive, was now irrelevant to the grand scheme.
Inspection of all Xiao Meng’s arrows revealed only one was not poisoned—the one that struck Lü Bu. Xun Yu was suspicious.
...It seems he intended to help Lü Bu... but his real target was not the lord, but Liu Bei... Did they have some old grudge...?
...But they were worlds apart—how could there be any connection...?
Too much else demanded his attention to dwell on this.
He set his thoughts aside, gazing out the window. The sky was already lightening. Xun Yu smiled.
A new day had begun.
More than a month had passed since Cao Cao took Xuzhou and Lü Bu “died” at Xiapi.
Ye Wang City, Sima family estate.
“Was it you who betrayed Xiao Meng’s whereabouts to Cao Cao?” Liao Yuanhuo’s tone was flat, emotionless.
“Yes... but I had no choice...” Sima Yi answered, voice low.
“I understand.” Liao Yuanhuo replied immediately. “But so is my anger.”
After a pause, Liao Yuanhuo, who had been standing at the door, turned to leave.
“Are you going to find him?”
“Yes. Whether he lives or dies, I must find him.”
Sima Yi wanted to call him back, but had no words.
“Farewell, young master,” Liao Yuanhuo said over his shoulder. “And please tell Miss Sun: treasure herself. Tell her Liao Yuanhuo’s fire has gone out.”
Liao Yuanhuo departed.
Sima Yi stood alone in the courtyard, neither sad nor joyful.
He knew only that the remnants were gone, and the warm spark in his soul had been extinguished forever—never to ignite again.
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End of Chapter 3
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