Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

He knew that he had caused a huge uproar in this land of women.

The next challenge will be finding a balance between completing his tasks and dealing with the enthusiasm of these ladies-in-waiting.

Walking back to his residence, Zhu Xiaoxiao was filled with mixed emotions. The afterglow of the setting sun bathed him in a golden light. As he admired the surrounding scenery, he pondered his next steps.

"Hmph, looks like you're having a good time here!" Little White's voice carried a hint of sourness.

"Of course!" Zhu Xiaoxiao said smugly, "I, Old Pig... oh no, I, Zhu Xiaoxiao, am infinitely charming, loved by everyone, and adored by flowers!"

"Stop being so vain!" Little White Ringwraith retorted mercilessly. "Don't forget you still have a mission to complete! Be careful not to get carried away and end up regretting it!"

Zhu Xiaoxiao stopped smiling; he knew that Little White the Ringwraith was right.

He must complete his mission as soon as possible, collect the Empress's tears, and then leave this world.

However, how can he maintain a clear head and avoid being seduced by the allure of the Kingdom of Women?

This question weighed heavily on Zhu Xiaoxiao's mind like a boulder.

Looking at the bustling street before him, smelling the fragrance in the air, and feeling the enthusiastic gazes from the women around him, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Balancing tasks and temptations, responsibilities and enjoyment, will be his biggest challenge going forward.

Just then, a commotion came from not far away.

Zhu Xiaoxiao looked up and saw a group of ragged people marching in the street, shouting slogans such as "We want water to drink and we want to live."

It seems that the drought has reached a very serious stage.

Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart tightened. He knew that whether his proposed solution could take effect quickly was directly related to the lives of these people. He secretly made up his mind that, no matter what, he must implement the water conservancy reform as soon as possible to solve the drought.

However, at that moment, he noticed that there seemed to be some suspicious-looking people mixed in with the crowd of protesters.

The people's eyes darted around, seemingly trying to incite the crowd. Zhu Xiaoxiao felt a chill; was someone trying to use the drought to cause trouble?

Just as he was about to step forward to check, he suddenly felt someone tugging at his sleeve. Turning around, he saw it was Li Qiaoyun, the Minister of War.

“Young Master Zhu,” Li Qiaoyun said in a low voice, “this matter is probably not so simple. We’d better return to the manor to discuss it first.”

Zhu Xiaoxiao nodded and followed Li Qiaoyun away from the bustling street. He knew that the days ahead would likely be even more difficult and complicated. But no matter what, he had to find a balance between completing his own mission and helping the Women's Kingdom overcome its difficulties.

Zhu Xiaoxiao followed Li Qiaoyun through the corridor. As night deepened, palace lanterns hung high, illuminating the vermilion palace walls as if they were burning flames, casting shimmering shadows. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of jasmine.

Li Qiaoyun's residence was located on the west side of the Imperial Garden. Just a wall away was the scene of vibrant flowers, but unlike the carved beams and painted rafters and the magnificent splendor of other female officials' residences, this place was exceptionally quiet and elegant, a world of its own.

The courtyard was filled with lush bamboo, which rustled in the breeze as if whispering secrets.

The air is filled with a faint scent of herbs, which mingles with the fresh fragrance of bamboo leaves, creating a refreshing and tranquil atmosphere, as if one were in a paradise.

Before even entering, he heard a melodious zither tune drifting over, plaintive and poignant. Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart stirred; the music seemed to contain a faint sorrow and helplessness, involuntarily reminding him of the Empress.

Is that loneliness, the chill that comes with being at the top, also hidden beneath her seemingly indestructible majesty?

Upon entering the main hall, one could see that Li Qiaoyun had changed out of her military uniform and was now wearing a light purple gauze dress that accentuated her graceful figure, making her appear exceptionally gentle and charming.

The neckline of her long dress was slightly low, revealing her delicate collarbone and a small patch of snow-white skin, which looked particularly alluring under the dim light.

She was sitting in front of a guqin, her slender fingers plucking the strings. The melodious music flowed out like water, echoing in the spacious hall.

"Young Master Zhu, please have a seat." Li Qiaoyun stopped playing her instrument, stood up to greet him, and wore a faint smile on her face. Her eyes sparkled with a subtle and alluring charm.

Zhu Xiaoxiao bowed and greeted, "Lord Li." His gaze fell on Li Qiaoyun, and he couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

He had never seen Li Qiaoyun so feminine. Usually, she was always dressed in armor, looking heroic and dashing. But now, in a long dress, she had a different kind of charm.

Li Qiaoyun personally poured Zhu Xiaoxiao a cup of fragrant tea. The aroma of the tea wafted between the two of them, but it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere in the air.

The aroma of the tea seemed to be mixed with a faint, subtle fragrance, the unique scent of Li Qiaoyun, which made Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart beat faster involuntarily.

"What do you think of what happened today?" Li Qiaoyun's tone was tinged with concern, and her beautiful eyes flickered with a complex light.

She sat down gently opposite Zhu Xiaoxiao. The two were very close, and Zhu Xiaoxiao could even smell the faint fragrance emanating from her.

Zhu Xiaoxiao took the teacup. The tea was slightly hot. He took a small sip, and the warm liquid slid down his throat, but it did nothing to ease his anxiety.

The news of his appointment as special advisor was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples far more intense than he had imagined.

The undercurrents between various factions in the court and the central government made him feel uneasy, as if he were being pricked by thorns.

He put down his teacup, his slender fingers gently stroking the rim. After a moment of contemplation, he said frankly, "Lord Li, in your opinion, who is trying to use the drought to cause trouble?"

Li Qiaoyun walked to the window, the night breeze blowing her long dress, outlining her graceful figure.

She gazed at the tranquil night outside the window, her voice low and somber: "This matter involves a wide range of people, and many in the court want to take advantage of the chaos, especially Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran."

She had always coveted the throne, and the years of drought in the Women's Kingdom presented her with a perfect opportunity.

Zhu Xiaoxiao frowned slightly, recalling the Grand Tutor's well-maintained yet sinister face, and the meaningful look in his eyes when he looked at her, which made her even more certain of her guess.

He recalled that in the imperial court, the Grand Tutor's gaze towards him seemed to contain not only hostility but also a hint of...jealousy.

A bold idea surfaced in his mind: Could it be that the Grand Tutor... also...