Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

Since Zhu Xiaoxiao was kept in the palace by the Empress, his life has been like a magnificent dream.

The magnificent palace, with its carved beams and painted rafters, resembled a fairyland; in the exquisite courtyards, babbling streams flowed, small bridges spanned the water, and hundreds of flowers bloomed, filling the air with fragrance, like a paradise on earth. But what was most captivating were the palace maids who served him.

They were all beautiful women with rosy cheeks, slender waists, and gentle nature. They bathed and dressed him every day, served him tea and water, and treated him like an emperor.

Of course, what captivated Zhu Xiaoxiao the most was the unparalleled cuisine of the Women's Kingdom.

Amidst the dazzling array of delicacies, Zhu Xiaoxiao indulged in daily feasts, becoming so engrossed in the splendor and culinary delights that she almost forgot the mission she was entrusted with.

"Xiao Bai, do you think this Women's Kingdom is a paradise for men?" Zhu Xiaoxiao asked lazily, lying on a soft couch, holding a sweet osmanthus cake in her hand.

"Hmph, there's no such thing as a free lunch."

The Ringwraith Little White let out a cold snort from the ring, mocking without any politeness, "All you know is how to enjoy yourself! Don't forget you still have a mission! All you do all day is eat and sleep, when are you ever going to collect the Empress's tears?"

"What's the rush? It's just not the right time yet."

Zhu Xiaoxiao waved her hand lazily and said nonchalantly,

"Besides, the women of this Women's Kingdom are all beautiful and passionate. I, Old Pig... oh no, Zhu Xiaoxiao, need to slowly enjoy and carefully experience them before I can find a breakthrough."

Xiao Bai sneered: "You're the kind of person who's so happy you forget about home! Be careful you don't get burned while playing with fire!"

Zhu Xiaoxiao smiled, not taking it to heart.

At this moment, the palace was warm and gentle, so comfortable that he forgot the strife outside, completely immersed in this tranquil and beautiful world. Hundreds of flowers bloomed in the imperial garden, their fragrance filling the air, and a gentle breeze caressed his face, as if even the air itself carried a sweet scent.

Just as Zhu Xiaoxiao was strolling leisurely, several female officials dressed in gorgeous palace attire approached her. They smiled radiantly, each with a charming expression.

Upon seeing Zhu Xiaoxiao, a strange light immediately flashed in his eyes, as if he had set his sights on prey.

"Advisor Xiao, you've arrived."

One of the female officials, dressed in a crimson dress, walked gracefully and charmingly toward him.

Her skirt swayed gently, revealing glimpses of her fair legs, which seemed to be silently teasing his senses.

"Advisor Xiao, don't you feel a little lonely taking a walk alone in the Imperial Garden?"

Another female official in a long emerald green dress followed closely behind. She bent down, pretending to adjust her skirt, her snow-white breasts faintly visible, with a hint of deliberate frivolity. Zhu Xiaoxiao glanced at her and felt a surge of heat in her heart.

"Advisor Xiao, why don't you come and sit with us? We have fine wine and food, and we'll even have singing and dancing to entertain you."

The third lady-in-waiting was equally impressive. Her bright yellow dress clung to her body, outlining her voluptuous curves. Every gesture she made exuded charm, and the swaying of her skirt resembled rolling waves, captivating all who beheld her.

Zhu Xiaoxiao was taken aback by this sudden enthusiasm. She felt a surge of joy, but also a vague sense that something was amiss.

He instinctively took a few steps back, trying to avoid the burning gazes of these female officials.

However, the female officials pressed closer and closer, and they inadvertently touched Zhu Xiaoxiao with their bodies. The soft touch made his heart race and his breathing become more rapid.

"Advisor Xiao, please play with us for a while!" A female official feigned coquettishness, her slender fingers subtly tugging at Zhu Xiaoxiao's sleeve, her voice sweet and cloying, as if it could melt his very soul.

“Yes, Advisor Xiao, you must be so lonely in the palace. Let us keep you company.” Another female official moved closer to him, her fragrance wafting through the air, her warm breath brushing against his ear, making Zhu Xiaoxiao feel a tingling sensation all over his body.

Sweat began to bead on Zhu Xiaoxiao's forehead as the energy within him rapidly gathered, threatening to spiral out of control at any moment. He took a deep breath, desperately suppressing the urge, and inwardly cried out, "Oh no! I'm about to transform!"

At the critical moment, Zhu Xiaoxiao quickly closed her eyes, silently recited a calming mantra, and forcibly calmed her mind.

At the same time, he quickly activated the "emotional perception" ability of the nine-bead bracelet, trying to find out the true intentions of these female officials.

However, as her senses were activated, Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart sank. Beneath those alluring smiles lay deep scheming and indifference.

Their enthusiasm was not genuine, but rather driven by self-interest and desire.

They either wanted to use him to climb the social ladder or to satisfy their own selfish desires.

At that moment, Zhu Xiaoxiao felt a chill in her heart, and the originally intoxicating fragrance of cosmetics now became pungent and unpleasant.

He opened his eyes, his gaze clear, and looked at the coquettish female officials again, feeling no more emotion in his heart.

"Thank you all for your kindness, but I have official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

Zhu Xiaoxiao calmly pushed away the female officials who were clinging to him, his tone revealing a cold indifference that kept people at arm's length.

The ladies-in-waiting were taken aback by his sudden change of heart, and they looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.

"Advisor Xiao, what's wrong? Is there something we did wrong?" a female official asked cautiously, her eyes filled with panic.

Zhu Xiaoxiao shook her head and said calmly, "It has nothing to do with you. I just suddenly remembered that I have something important to deal with."

After saying that, he turned and left without looking back, leaving several female officials standing there, looking on with a sense of loss as they watched his departing figure.

Walking back, Zhu Xiaoxiao was filled with mixed emotions.

He finally realized that in the Land of Women, beauty was not only a pleasure, but also a double-edged sword. It could make people addicted, or it could push them into the abyss.

“These women are really up to no good!” Little White’s voice rang out from the ring, tinged with schadenfreude. “They’re not exactly benevolent people.”

"I understand." Zhu Xiaoxiao smiled bitterly, looking up at the towering palace in the distance, his mood heavy and complicated.