56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XhXFwK549
As usual, the two fellow disciples, Xun Yu and Guo Jia, sat in Xun Yu’s study, brewing tea, playing chess, and chatting about the affairs of the world. It was mid-spring, all things reviving, and the garden outside Xun Yu’s study was in full bloom, vibrant with life.
Though Guo Jia still wore a thick black robe, his complexion was rosy. Under Hua Tuo’s attentive care, his appearance had matured, but he carried the air of a refined scholar. His health was much improved—no longer as frail or as sensitive to the cold as before.
“A year ago, although our army seized Jizhou, the Yuan clan’s roots run deep. It looks like, for a long time to come, the North will remain divided,” Xun Yu remarked casually as he played a move.
“Yes, though the Yuan brothers appear united, how could one tolerate another sleeping soundly beside them? It’s only a matter of time before they turn on each other. According to our intelligence, the rivalry between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang is ongoing, but neither can overcome the other. So, in the future, neither will be able to muster enough troops to threaten the court,” Guo Jia replied, toying with a black piece absentmindedly.
“In the south, the Sun clan and Liu Biao are also at a standoff, keeping each other in check. That’s enough trouble for them—they won’t be thinking of launching a northern expedition,” he added, making a decisive move.
“Our people can finally enjoy peace and prosperity, free from the sufferings of war. The people are well off, and the court’s revenue has increased quite a bit. Perhaps it is fate,” Xun Yu sighed.
With a single move, he resolved a crisis on the board.
“This situation is thanks to Senior Brother Xun’s years of hard work on irrigation and agricultural reform. You’ve truly exhausted yourself for the good of all!” Guo Jia gazed at Xun Yu with sincerity, though his next chess move was as sharp as ever, launching a brilliant attack.
Xun Yu smiled, sipped his tea, and took his time before playing his next move. “The affairs of the world are like a game of chess, and your skill has improved greatly. These days, the Prime Minister relies on you more and more, appointing you as Minister of Works and Minister of Rites. The fate of the realm is like a chessboard in your hands.”
Xun Yu spoke the truth. Since the aftermath of Xiapi, Cao Cao had suffered from recurring headaches and ill health due to the lingering poison of Xiao Meng’s arrow. Any overexertion would bring on serious illness. As a result, most major affairs inside and outside the court were entrusted to Guo Jia.
One could say that Cao Cao’s “holding the emperor to command the lords” was only a surface appearance; behind the scenes, it was Guo Jia who truly wielded power.
Guo Jia raised his eyebrows and feigned dissatisfaction. “That’s not right, Senior Brother! I’m doing all this so your benevolent policies can be implemented smoothly! Without me, you’d have trouble dealing with those old foxes in the court!” He flopped lazily onto the couch in mock protest.
Xun Yu was amused by Guo Jia’s antics. “How could I not understand your intentions, Junior Brother?” He played another move. Xun Yu knew well that with Guo Jia strategizing externally, he could focus on governance. The peace and prosperity among the people were the result of their seamless collaboration.
He especially cherished this partnership. After all, in troubled times, serving different lords was the norm; it was rare for two fellow disciples to remain so close. Of the Eight Geniuses of the Water Mirror, only he and Guo Jia maintained their old bond and could rely on each other in their careers.
“I have something more serious to discuss. Did you… meet Lü Bu recently?” Xun Yu’s tone grew grave. “Is it true… he’s made his decision?” Guo Jia sat up, losing interest in the game, instead leaning against the window to admire the blossoming garden, his gaze tinged with melancholy.
“Yes, I visited their house on the outskirts a few days ago. They already entered the palace secretly last month to bid the emperor farewell. They plan to leave through the Jade Gate at the start of summer.”
“They,” of course, referred to Lü Bu and Xiao Meng.
“Didn’t they go to the Western Regions five years ago? Lü Bu has a knack for timing—he left just before the Battle of Guandu, and returned right after. Perfect timing,” Xun Yu said with a hint of mockery, making it clear that he didn’t admire Lü Bu as much as Guo Jia did.
“Senior Brother, that’s what you call a blessing in disguise.” Guo Jia smiled wryly.
He recalled the Battle of Guandu: though Cao’s army won, the Yuan clan still managed to hold their ground. However, their eldest brother died in that battle. Had he survived, he could have quickly regrouped and launched another campaign. In that case, he and Xun Yu would not be enjoying this peaceful chat today.
Perhaps… everything is determined by fate…
Or, as Lü Bu said, all the bloodshed and the rise and fall of men are nothing but “His game.”
Guo Jia couldn’t help but recall the scene with Lü Bu three days earlier, when they drank and talked at length.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTd7Z5CF5h
After returning from the Western Regions, Lü Bu and Xiao Meng continued living in Sima Lang’s private estate on the outskirts of Xuchang, leading a reclusive life. It was only a month ago that Guo Jia learned from Hua Tuo that they had decided to leave the Central Plains and head west again.
This time, though, it seemed they really wouldn’t return.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYapJ0WYUqy
Early in the morning, riding along the road south of Xuchang’s outskirts, Guo Jia felt a sense of excitement.
After all, it had been six years since he last saw them.
Just like last time, Xiao Meng waited by the roadside on a grey horse. This time, however, Xiao Meng greeted him warmly and kindly.
Guo Jia knew that only genuine safety and peace could inspire such a smile. He was truly happy for Xiao Meng.
“Xiao Meng! After all these years, you’re still as beautiful as ever! Still as young as when I first met you! How do you do it?” Guo Jia was amazed—after six years, time had left not a single mark on Xiao Meng’s face!
“Look at me, I’ve aged quite a bit!” Guo Jia laughed at himself.
“Fengxiao, you’ve only gained an air of maturity and steadiness.” Xiao Meng smiled, addressing Guo Jia by his courtesy name, showing their friendship.
“And from your voice, I can tell you’re much healthier now—congratulations!” They walked along the winding path, through the mountain pass, and arrived at a small idyllic retreat by noon, with sunlight streaming down.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGatQYkfEL
Sima Lang’s Private Estate, Outskirts of Xuchang
As they reached the garden and tied up their horses, Guo Jia caught a whiff of delicious food.
“Lü Bu is cooking lunch. If you don’t mind, stay and eat with us,” Xiao Meng said, leading Guo Jia into the hall.
“Mind? I couldn’t ask for more! To eat a meal prepared by Lord Wenhou himself—what an honor!” Guo Jia exclaimed in delight.
“That’s good,” Xiao Meng poured hot tea and set it on the table. “Sit and have some tea; I’ll help in the kitchen.” With a smile, Xiao Meng left.
After Xiao Meng left, Guo Jia looked around.
Six years ago, Xiao Meng had led him straight to the herb garden and left after their talk. This was his first time inside Lü Bu and Xiao Meng’s living quarters.
The windows were open. Though not large, the hall was bright with sunlight, spotless, and simply furnished—a quiet, modest atmosphere.
But something felt different from last time, a subtle change he noticed as soon as he entered the garden…
What was it?
Suddenly, Guo Jia realized: the garden seemed larger.
He understood why—half of the main building on the other side had been dismantled!
The main building had two floors; the ground floor’s windows and doors were gone, and the upper floor’s roof and many walls had been removed.
Guo Jia smiled to himself. Living in seclusion, they likely wouldn’t hire outside workers; Lü Bu must have done it himself.
For a war god to dismantle a house—well, it’s not impossible…
But why? Of course, he knew nothing of the details concerning Sima Lang.
At that moment, Lü Bu and Xiao Meng emerged from the kitchen, carrying delicious dishes toward him.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay8vlBLZv0
Guo Jia, Lü Bu, and Xiao Meng enjoyed a pleasant lunch together.
Guo Jia praised Wenhou’s cooking, declaring it better than any chef in Xuchang. In the six years apart, their conversation was lively, with Lü Bu and Xiao Meng sharing stories of the Western Regions. Guo Jia only briefly mentioned his promotion and Xun Yu’s reforms.
He knew Lü Bu would already have heard about court politics and Cao Cao’s condition from Hua Tuo. Though secluded, they were well-informed.
Curious by nature, Guo Jia listened intently to their tales, especially about their time in Bingzhou, though neither Lü Bu nor Xiao Meng brought it up.
Hua Tuo had told Guo Jia they visited Bingzhou before heading west.
Guo Jia sensed their fundamental change happened in Bingzhou, not the Western Regions.
What went unspoken was most important.
But Guo Jia didn’t press. If they wanted to tell him, they would. That’s basic respect among friends.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhqOHFv0cM
In the afternoon, Xiao Meng cleared the table while Lü Bu brought out two jugs of fine Western wine, inviting Guo Jia to drink with him in the bamboo pavilion of the herb garden.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXHnuQz5QW
The spring sunlight was warm, even warmer than last time.
And Guo Jia didn’t have to wait for Lü Bu to “grant” him a seat anymore.
After three cups, Guo Jia finally voiced his amazement and questions: “Wenhou, honestly, seeing you two again is astonishing! Xiao Meng looks exactly as six years ago, but you… you look even younger!”
Though he and Lü Bu were now close, they’d only met a few times—at the standoff at Puyang, the fall of Xiapi, their first meeting in the herb garden six years ago, and now.
Six years ago, Lü Bu was in his prime, but years of war had left their mark. Standing next to each other, it was clear Lü Bu was older. But now, they looked the same age.
And it wasn’t just appearance—Lü Bu moved with youthful energy, radiated inner strength, and his skin seemed to glow with new vitality, even more so than Xiao Meng.
Guo Jia recalled Hua Tuo’s words: “This time, seeing Lü Bu again, I can tell his inner cultivation has transformed—he’s close to the realm of the immortals.” Hua Tuo wasn’t a martial artist but a master physician with uncanny intuition about life.
Back then, Guo Jia didn’t understand. Now, he did.
“We did have some adventures in Bingzhou that improved my martial arts, but since you don’t practice, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained.” Lü Bu smiled and drank.
“Is that why you’re leaving the country?” Guo Jia asked.
“Not exactly.” Lü Bu laughed, got up, sat by the railing, and admired the green scenery bathed in sunlight.
“You must understand, in the Central Plains, Lü Bu is already a dead man.”
Guo Jia was stunned as Lü Bu continued, “Though we live in seclusion, fate is unpredictable. If someone finds a clue, it could cause trouble.”
He glanced at Guo Jia, eyes flashing with amusement. “I have no desire to return to public life, nor do I wish to live as if I have to hide.”
Guo Jia thought: What a Lü Fengxian—so easily dismissing my hope of recruiting him to serve.
Guo Jia knew Lü Bu’s talents better than anyone. Once, his ambition was too great to be controlled; now, if he wished to serve the emperor, he’d be a tremendous asset. “Dead or not,” the court could always clear things up.
But then Guo Jia realized, all these years, the world believed Lü Bu dead, and rumors about him and Diao Chan and Dong Zhuo abounded.
Even in seclusion, those rumors would reach them. Lü Bu himself might not care, but he would care about Xiao Meng hearing them.
The world’s gossip—nothing even the court could control.
Guo Jia sighed and said, “His Majesty… will surely miss Wenhou greatly.” Unexpectedly, Lü Bu laughed, “You underestimate our emperor, Fengxiao!”
He picked up a jug and drank deeply. “Xiao Meng and I entered the palace to bid farewell. Though the emperor was sad, he fully supported our decision.”
Thinking of parting with the now-grown emperor, Lü Bu’s eyes softened. “He said, though he sits on the throne, his status keeps him trapped in the palace, rarely able to see the outside world. If life offers a chance to roam free, one must seize it!”
For a moment, Guo Jia was speechless.
The emperor never told him that Lü Bu and Xiao Meng had come to say goodbye, nor had he expected such words.
“He also said that with your planning, Fengxiao, the court is stable and the aristocratic clans are kept in balance. He’s at ease letting me go.” Lü Bu took another drink and gave Guo Jia a meaningful look. “Never underestimate this emperor.”
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXaG22Vm0k
Drinking with Lü Bu was a truly exhilarating experience.
As if she knew in advance, Xiao Meng brought out two more jugs when the wine ran low.
“Wenhou, you know, Cao Cao was actually considering abandoning the siege of Xiapi. I insisted you couldn’t hold out much longer and persuaded him otherwise… If not, who knows how the battle would have turned out!” Emboldened by drink and the knowledge that their farewell was near, Guo Jia finally revealed a “secret” he’d held for years.
“Oh… is that so…”
Lü Bu’s expression shifted as he looked at Guo Jia, far from drunk, but smiled easily, “Then I should thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t have achieved all this.”
“No, I was just a mechanism in your fate. For us to be sitting here talking today… that’s because you took every step to get here…” Guo Jia, tipsy but clear-headed, insisted on sharing this, to tie his life to Lü Bu’s one more time, though he couldn’t explain why.
“Lü Bu… do you ever feel all this… was destined…?”
Guo Jia put down his cup, knowing he shouldn’t drink anymore, and voiced the question in his heart.
“Destined…” Lü Bu set down the jug, his eyes shining, deep in thought. Guo Jia watched him, waiting for an answer.
After a long silence, Lü Bu finally spoke.
“Perhaps… Heaven truly has a path prepared for me… Looking back, it seems that way.”
He drank, thought a moment, then added, “But all my life, all my decisions have come from my deepest desires. The only difference is, I always answered them sincerely.”
He stood, sunlight at his back, looking especially tall to Guo Jia. Sunlight refracted in his eyes like jewels. Guo Jia rose, staring at him in awe.
This is the War God…
No… not just a War God…
“I believe in destiny, like me and Xiao Meng.” Speaking of Xiao Meng, Guo Jia saw Lü Bu’s gaze grow gentle.
“But to cling to fate is to mock your own destiny—and I do not mock myself.” Lü Bu laughed.
His laughter was clear as he drank again
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDydX9cG4C
At dusk, Guo Jia took his leave. Xiao Meng walked with him to the road outside the city.
“Xiao Meng, I sincerely wish you and Wenhou a safe and smooth journey!” Reluctant to part, Guo Jia forced down his sorrow and offered his blessing.
Though Guo Jia’s friendship with Lü Bu and Xiao Meng was brief and their meetings few, he felt deep reluctance to say goodbye, for reasons he couldn’t explain.
“Wenhou and I also wish you every success at court, Fengxiao!” Xiao Meng said, producing a brocade box and a wine jug, handing them to Guo Jia.
“In the box is a pair of glass wine cups; this jug contains the finest grape wine from the Western Regions—Wenhou says it’s the best he’s ever tasted.” Xiao Meng pressed the gifts into Guo Jia’s hands, voice gentle as a spring breeze, eyes full of warmth and farewell. “Just a token of our friendship, a memento.”
Guo Jia felt a lump in his throat and could only accept the gifts, saying simply, “Thank you…”
“And,” Xiao Meng’s tone grew serious, “you know our residence was originally Sima Lang’s refuge. After thorough searching, we found vast treasure hidden in the house!” Xiao Meng took out a scroll and handed it to Guo Jia.
“Keep this safe—it details the exact location of the treasure and how to open the storeroom.”
“You… you’re entrusting this to me?” Guo Jia took the scroll, bewildered.
Xiao Meng smiled, “The two of us could never use so much, nor can we take it with us. If left unused, it’s wasted—and if coveted by the wrong people, it could bring disaster. Give it to the national treasury; it’s our small contribution to the Emperor and the people.”
Guo Jia gripped the scroll tightly and, after a moment of silence, replied with determination, “All right! I accept your trust, and will see it done!”
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwkI3OiQHM
Xiao Meng accompanied Guo Jia a little farther down the road, then said, “A thousand miles together, but all journeys end in parting. I’ll stop here. Take care, Fengxiao!” Guo Jia gazed at Xiao Meng, reluctant to leave, but finally said, “You take care too!”
The setting sun spilled golden light through the trees, illuminating Xiao Meng’s dreamlike face. His eyes were clear as water, warmer than the evening sun…
Suddenly, he smiled, his voice as clear as a bell:
“Goodbye!”
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk8f6Wyh6K
He turned, mounted his horse, and galloped away.
Guo Jia stood there for a long time, unable to move; he clutched the box and the scroll, only turning back when the sound of hoofbeats had faded.
This moment would become a memory—yet even then, he already felt the emptiness.
End of Chapter Thirty-Eight
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutyMWOpC93
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYzKxNYST0
Epilogue: After the Legend
“When the legend ends, myth begins;56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16hNotbLq9
When names are forgotten, symbols are born.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvqVsVaeS9
Every era loses its heroes,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMcykubkUx
But never ceases to ask about love, desire, and the meaning of existence.”
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmxBmCGv0d
Years passed. The river of human history flowed on.
Years later, in a small kingdom in the Western Regions, a legend spread…
Many years ago, the small kingdom was threatened by a powerful neighbor. In their time of trouble, a mysterious couple arrived from the distant East.
The man was as majestic as a god, wielded the halberd with mastery, unmatched in horsemanship, and versed in the art of war, both in strategy and on the battlefield. The woman was stunning in beauty, like a fairy come to earth, skilled in medicine, saving countless lives.
Both were unparalleled archers.
They helped the small kingdom resist invasion, bringing peace to generations.
Their deeds became the kingdom’s heroic legend, passed down for generations.
Though in the history of the Central Plains, Lü Bu and Diao Chan’s stories never changed—
But that no longer mattered.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJckAoy23Sv
The name “Lü Bu” was a legend in his time;56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zAQ3mK4zt
Now, it is a symbol of strength, will, existence, love, and desire.
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGfrMWA5IA
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwYEOjF4U3
—End—
Thank you for loving this story. I am so glad that we've accomplished a wonderful journey together! your supports is a precious gift for me.
King Heyin
56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2QdM3G5v6
Copyright Notice:
Chapter 38 “Final Chapter: Reunion and Farewell” and Epilogue: After the Legend from “Records of Burning Dreams”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnN3ONBHoj
Written by Jing Xixian (Vampire L), all rights reserved. Without the author’s written permission,56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhnDrLWZPw
do not reproduce, copy, adapt, transfer, translate, or use for commercial purposes in any form.
© Jing Xixian (Vampire L) All rights reserved.
ns216.73.217.123da2
and then Add to home screen.