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Xiao Meng changes his appearance and sets out alone for Henei, determined to see that man entangled in love and resentment one more time. On the road, old memories return, but his emotions are new. Yet, he does not yet know that the arrow fired atop the White Gate Tower has not only changed the world, but has also completely reversed his own life.
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At dawn the next day, Xiao Meng packed his belongings, disguised himself as an old man, and set off for Henei. Although risky, he decided to leave Xiapi City and head to Henei first. Indeed, that was the Sima family's stronghold.
Because there, he would have the greatest chance of encountering Liao Yuanhuo. Whether fortune or misfortune awaited, Xiao Meng’s mind was made up.
Because, at the very least, before dying, he had to see him again.
Liao Yuanhuo was another reason he killed Liu Bei before killing Cao Cao.
For an assassin, the first arrow shot in secret has the highest chance of success, because once it is released, the enemy can guess your hiding place. Xiao Meng gave this precious chance to Liu Bei, because his aversion to Liu Bei outweighed his hatred for Cao Cao.
Xiao Meng had never understood why Liao Yuanhuo gave Liu Bei unconditional help, a support even his two sworn brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, could not match.
After the gathering beneath the old city walls of Luoyang, the surviving soldiers managed to escape. The Sima family, wishing to curry favor with Lü Bu and to rescue the kidnapped Wang Yun, not only agreed to send their remaining troops to assassinate Dong Zhuo but also presented a large amount of treasure. Xiao Meng and the Qingfeng Gang escorted the convoy, but on the way, they were ambushed by Yuan Zhao’s Guandong coalition army. Xiao Meng was captured, narrowly escaping death, and was saved just in time by Liao Yuanhuo.
Liao Yuanhuo took Xiao Meng away, but, for reasons unknown, told Liu Bei and his brothers where the treasure was, so they could retrieve it.
When the few survivors drove an inconspicuous carriage into the capital, Xiao Meng asked Liao Yuanhuo:
"Brother Huo... Is it really alright to offer the treasure like this? What about Second Young Master...?"
"Don’t worry. Lü Bu only wants to kill his adoptive father and seize power. He cares nothing for a dozen carts of treasure. He won’t hold it against us," Liao Yuanhuo scoffed at the mention of Lü Bu. "The Second Young Master understands as well, he won’t blame me."
"But for that man, this treasure is his first capital to achieve great things," said Liao Yuanhuo.
Xiao Meng looked at him, surprised to see, for once, a hint of passion and expectation on his usually indifferent face.
"Looks like you really value that strange big brother!" Xiao Meng laughed.
"You think he's strange because he truly acts with great benevolence and righteousness. In these chaotic times, with demons like Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu bringing disaster to the people, it is precisely because the world is full of hypocrites and petty men that only a true hero like him can save the realm!" Liao Yuanhuo declared resolutely.
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Bang!
An old man in coarse, dark gray linen, wearing a bamboo hat, carrying two baskets on a shoulder pole, trudged slowly down the official road in broad daylight. Suddenly, he dropped the pole to the ground and fell with it.
Of course, this was Xiao Meng.
Not far away, two young scholars hurried over with concern, "Old sir! Are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?" As they spoke, they helped pick up the melons and vegetables, returning them to the baskets.
"Thank you, young men. I was just taking these homegrown vegetables to sell in town. My old bones don’t listen anymore, and I fell in haste." The old man smiled, his face wrinkled. "Don’t worry about me, I’ll rest here a while and be fine."
After the two left, Xiao Meng sat by the roadside, full of self-pity. "Sigh… I’m really getting worse! If a master had been around just now, I’d have been exposed for sure."
He had just been walking, lost in memories, recalling Liao Yuanhuo's words, and in a moment of anger, had thrown down his pole to vent his frustration.
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But at that time, I remained silent... I remember being rather angry—after all, I was only joking, so why did you suddenly become so serious? Who were you lecturing? Did you mean to say I was one of those petty people, or that I was an ignorant fool?
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Now, thinking back on those words, I don’t feel anger, but resentment.
Xiao Meng, being a master archer, naturally had keen eyesight and acute observation. Thus, on the White Gate Tower, Liu Bei’s expression could not escape him: that sinister, scheming look, calculating how to destroy his enemy while fearing exposure, and then, after talking with Cao Cao, barely containing his glee at his successful plot, all while pretending to be humble and harmless.
Perhaps, that day atop White Gate Tower, only he and Cao Cao saw through Liu Bei.
Thinking of how Liao Yuanhuo, for the sake of this man, once disguised himself as Lü Bu’s subordinate in the palace to get an imperial edict from the Emperor—just to confirm Liu Bei’s supposed royal lineage.
Later, Dong Zhuo died, and Lü Bu, at a loss with “Diao Chan,” could only let Liao Yuanhuo take her away. Xiao Meng and Liao Yuanhuo left together on horseback, and at that time, Xiao Meng asked:
"Brother Huo, was it worth it?"
"It was worth it. He’s a man I admire," Liao Yuanhuo answered firmly. "Besides… in the future, the fate of the Han dynasty may truly depend on him…!"
Depend on him? Ridiculous.
Xiao Meng felt sick to his core, truly nauseated. He was surprised—even all the hate he’d ever felt toward Lü Bu didn’t make him feel as disgusted as he did at this moment. Not to mention…
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Heaven is heartless; who isn’t struggling to survive in this ruthless world? Who can truly depend on anyone else? You showed me deep affection, risking your life for me, but in the end, could I rely on you? Did you ever let me?
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In countless sleepless nights in besieged Xiapi, silent loneliness and despair gnawed at his heart like worms, nearly driving him mad!
That night, lying in ambush atop the city wall, preparing for one final strike, Xiao Meng’s hatred for Liu Bei mingled with all his accumulated grievances and resentment.
So, without hesitation, at the side of White Gate Tower, as snow flew across the sky, he drew his bow and released the string—
—shooting the arrow that changed the world!
Yet, Xiao Meng never expected that because of this arrow, three brothers who should have made their mark in history—one even destined for sainthood—would quietly vanish from the annals of time.
In the long history of mankind, there are those who, by some unpredictable twist of fate, shape the course of events and dominate an era; naturally, there are also those who, due to a hidden variable, lose their chance at historical fame and become one of the countless souls drifting through the cycles of life and death.
And that variable can be born from just a single thought.
This is the unchanging law of Heaven.
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In the midday sun, the old man sitting by the roadside slowly stood up, picked up his pole, and continued on his way toward his destination.
Brother Huo must know it was my doing—what will he think?
How does he see me now? Does he hate me? What would he say to me?
These are the questions Xiao Meng is most curious about now.
He can’t help but recall, during his second journey to Chang’an, Liao Yuanhuo’s righteous speech in the carriage.
He was silent then, not having had time to process his emotions, when Liao Yuanhuo softly asked, "Xiao Meng, do you still dislike women’s clothing as before…?"
How could he not hear the probing in that question?
How could he not know it was really asking—did he have feelings for Lü Bu?
Xiao Meng answered quickly and firmly, "As long as Brother Huo and Second Young Master don’t mind, I will always be a remnant soldier."
Liao Yuanhuo was reassured, but Xiao Meng’s heart bled. He felt insulted—
—Did you think I would betray Second Young Master and forget my identity for an enemy? But now, Xiao Meng’s thoughts seem to have changed.
Could a person like me still move anyone’s heart? Ha… what nonsense!
What he really wanted to know was not whether he would suffer for falling for Lü Bu, but whether everything could go on as before! As if nothing had changed!
Thinking of this, the old Xiao Meng nearly stumbled again, biting his lip until it bled. He found it strange—just recalling the past, his emotions were stronger and angrier than when he actually lived through it.
Then he thought of Liu Bei dying by his arrow, and only then did he feel a little better, a little calmer.
He will come to find me… He’ll want to know why I killed Liu Bei, won’t he…
But will he find me… or will I find him?
…Will we meet again…?
Yes… Fate will bring people together even across a thousand miles. As long as fate remains, they will meet again…
Xiao Meng kept comforting himself with this thought.
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The golden sunset shone on the city gate.
"Phew… just made it before the gates closed," came the old, hoarse voice of an elderly man in coarse, dark gray linen, stooped and carrying two baskets of fruit, stepping into the city amidst the warm afterglow of dusk.
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End of Chapter 6
© Jing Xixian (King Heyin) (Vampire L), All rights reserved.
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