Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

The Empress's screams echoed throughout the palace, and Zhu Xiaoxiao realized that she had committed a terrible disaster.

In his panic, he tried to explain, but found himself still in pig form and unable to speak.

Outside the palace, the captain of the guards heard the empress scream and immediately led a team of guards in.

Just then, Zhu Xiaoxiao exerted all her strength to circulate the chaotic spiritual energy within her body, and finally managed to barely regain her human form.

Although its body still retains some pig-like features, it has at least regained its human appearance.

The guards were stunned when they saw this. The man in front of them was still in a disheveled state, but his face was extremely handsome, and even had a gentle yet heroic charm.

"It's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!" Zhu Xiaoxiao hurriedly waved her hands, her voice trembling slightly with nervousness. "I am the reincarnation of Marshal Tianpeng, sent by the Heavenly Court to protect Her Majesty the Empress! The transformation just now was just... uh, a small magical misunderstanding."

Upon hearing this explanation, an eerie silence fell over the palace. The guards were clearly skeptical, some even trying to suppress a laugh. But Shangguan Wan'er didn't speak immediately. Instead, she looked at Zhu Xiaoxiao with a complex expression, her gaze sweeping from his delicate features to his disheveled clothes, as if scrutinizing him closely.

Her gaze lingered on Zhu Xiaoxiao's face, especially his clear, bright eyes, which held an innocent purity. This rare combination of freshness and handsome appearance piqued her curiosity. She had rarely been interested in men, but the unexpected intruder's good looks held a subtle attraction for her.

"The reincarnation of Marshal Tianpeng?" Shangguan Wan'er raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression a mixture of scrutiny and doubt, her tone tinged with amusement. "Your appearance is quite different from the legendary Marshal Tianpeng."

Zhu Xiaoxiao felt a cold sweat break out. He knew that this misunderstanding could not be easily exposed, so he quickly came up with a clever idea and said with a smile, "Your Majesty has discerning eyes. My mortal body is indeed different from Marshal Tianpeng. After all, after reincarnation, one's appearance may differ from that of the previous life. This humble immortal has come to protect Your Majesty the Empress on the orders of the Heavenly Court. I humbly request Your Majesty to see the truth."

Shangguan Wan'er didn't rush to respond; instead, the corners of her mouth slightly turned up. She stood there, her expression a half-smile: "Protect me? It seems you can't even protect yourself." Her words were full of mockery.

At this moment, the surrounding guards awaited the Empress's orders, the atmosphere tense and eerie. However, Shangguan Wan'er did not order the guards to capture Zhu Xiaoxiao; instead, she waved her hand, signaling them to leave. Despite their confusion, the guards left the palace at the Empress's command, leaving Zhu Xiaoxiao alone with the Empress.

Zhu Xiaoxiao remained kneeling on the ground, his heart pounding wildly. He knew he had committed a grave offense. He hadn't expected that his pig-like body had uncontrollably appeared beside the Empress's bath, and that he might even... have seen something he shouldn't have. He dared not raise his head, his forehead pressed to the ground, a wave of tension and a faint sense of shame washing over him.

However, Shangguan Wan'er did not immediately order his execution. Instead, she slowly walked up to him. She lowered her head and gently lifted Zhu Xiaoxiao's chin, forcing him to look into her eyes.

"Hmm? You little fairy—" Shangguan Wan'er parted her lips slightly, her voice soft and charming yet containing an overwhelming authority, with a hint of teasing and provocation. "Have you seen everything you were supposed to see?"

Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat as she looked up to see the Empress standing almost touching her. A faint smile graced her face, her eyes radiating a cold yet dangerous beauty. Beneath the thin veil, her graceful figure was faintly visible, like a celestial being, noble and aloof, yet so close. That seemingly casual jest seemed to be testing Zhu Xiaoxiao's courage and loyalty.

"Your Majesty, I dare not!" Zhu Xiaoxiao quickly lowered his head, his voice trembling, afraid that another glance would anger the Empress. His whole body was tense, fearing that a single thought from her could decide his life or death.

However, Shangguan Wan'er didn't seem to be really angry. Instead, she reached out and gently brushed the stray hairs from his forehead, her tone slightly teasing: "Oh? You don't dare? But you didn't look like you didn't dare just now."

Her fingertips traced Zhu Xiaoxiao's cheek, the cool touch sending a shiver down his spine. The Empress's words were provocative, yet carried a dangerous undertone, as if she were toying with his emotions, or deliberately forcing him to make a certain response.

Zhu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, knowing that he could not show the slightest hesitation at this moment. He knew that Shangguan Wan'er was not only a beautiful woman, but also an empress with supreme power. The slightest carelessness could lead to his utter destruction.

"Your Majesty, I truly entered by mistake..." He tried his best to steady his voice, but could not hide the slight tremor. "Just now, it was merely a loss of control of my magic. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Seeing his nervousness, Shangguan Wan'er couldn't help but smile slightly, a hint of amusement in her smile. She gently withdrew her hand, her eyes filled with amusement: "Alright, for the sake of your face, I'll believe you this once."

Her tone was light, as if the dangerous conversation just now was nothing more than a harmless prank. However, the deeper meaning in her eyes was far from gone. Zhu Xiaoxiao knew that although she said she forgave, the Empress was not someone who could be easily fooled. This seemingly flirtatious conversation actually concealed a profound test.

Shangguan Wan'er didn't immediately ask him to leave; instead, she seemed quite interested. She slowly sat down on a sandalwood chair nearby, the thin gauze swaying gently in the breeze, revealing glimpses of her curves. With her cool and scrutinizing eyes, she carefully examined Zhu Xiaoxiao, as if admiring a rare treasure.

"What's your name?" she asked, her voice calm and measured, yet carrying a natural air of authority.

"Your Majesty, my name is Zhu Xiaoxiao, and I come from afar," Zhu Xiaoxiao replied respectfully, not daring to raise his head. He knew he had to be careful with his words; every question the Empress asked could be a test.

“Zhu Xiaoxiao…” Shangguan Wan’er’s voice seemed to be chewing on the name. She raised a finger and gently supported her chin, her eyes flickered slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. “She does look like her name, with delicate features, red lips and white teeth… No wonder you dared to break into my palace so boldly.”

Her gaze lingered on Zhu Xiaoxiao, as if admiring his appearance and demeanor. A slight ripple stirred within the Empress's heart. As the ruler of a nation, she was accustomed to seeing all sorts of handsome men and military guards in the court, but she rarely encountered a man as gentle yet resolute as Zhu Xiaoxiao. In particular, his clear eyes, tinged with a hint of nervousness, made one want to peer into the secrets of his heart.

Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart tightened, clearly sensing the Empress's scrutiny of his appearance. He inwardly groaned; he had only stumbled upon this by chance, how had he become the Empress's "prey"? But he also understood that any retreat at this moment would only make the Empress suspect him more, so he suppressed his panic and maintained a respectful demeanor.

Seeing Zhu Xiaoxiao's silence, Shangguan Wan'er found it somewhat amusing. She chuckled softly, "What, you dare not look me in the eye? Or do you think I will punish you for this?"

Zhu Xiaoxiao quickly shook her head: "Your Majesty's majesty is supreme, and this humble subject dares not offend you."

“Interesting,” Shangguan Wan’er rose gently and walked slowly to Zhu Xiaoxiao. Her gaze still held a hint of teasing and provocation. “Your face is quite a sight to behold. I’d like to see if you can maintain this dignified appearance.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart sank. He realized that the Empress's interest in him stemmed not only from the incident of her accidentally entering his palace, but also from her curiosity and attraction to his appearance as the "reincarnation of Marshal Tianpeng." He had a vague feeling that the situation of a handsome man in a matriarchal kingdom might be an invisible "trial."

Shangguan Wan'er chuckled softly, her tone gentle yet authoritative: "Since you claim to be the reincarnation of Marshal Tianpeng, then you may stay for now. I will observe you for a while to see what abilities you truly possess."

Zhu Xiaoxiao was slightly startled; the Empress clearly didn't intend to let him go easily. However, on the surface, he still knelt respectfully and said gratefully, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I will certainly do my utmost to serve you!"

"Loyalty?" Shangguan Wan'er walked to Zhu Xiaoxiao's side, leaned down slightly, and said in a tone that was ambiguous and teasing, "How do you intend to pledge your loyalty to me? Why don't you tell me and let me hear it?"

Her words, though seemingly casual, were actually quite sharp. Zhu Xiaoxiao inwardly groaned, but there was no turning back now, so she could only continue her act: "Your Majesty, although I am not very talented, I am willing to use my meager strength to assist Your Majesty in handling state affairs and to contribute to the prosperity of the Women's Kingdom."

"Oh?" Shangguan Wan'er raised her eyebrows slightly, looking at him with interest, as if examining a little bird about to be trapped. "The affairs of state are busy, yet you, a mere merchant, have such ambitions?"

Zhu Xiaoxiao was speechless for a moment, knowing that there was a hidden meaning in the other party's words, so he could only bite the bullet and reply: "This humble subject is only doing his best. If there is an opportunity, he will certainly live up to Your Majesty's kindness."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Wan'er smiled slightly, seemingly growing increasingly interested in this "interesting" little merchant. She clapped her hands, signaling the guards to step back: "In that case, you may stay in the palace for a few days and see how you can serve this Emperor."

A deep meaning flickered in her eyes, as if she had already seen through Zhu Xiaoxiao's thoughts.