Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

Zhu Xiaoxiao walked quickly out of the Imperial Garden. The cool night breeze blew in his face, making him slightly more awake, but the heat inside his body was still raging.

Liu Ruyan's touch, the ambiguous aura she brought when she got close, seemed to still linger on his body, making it unforgettable.

His chest heaved rapidly, as if he had just struggled out of deep water. He cursed himself under his breath, how could he have almost lost control at such a crucial moment? He knew perfectly well that Liu Ruyan was no ordinary person, yet her allure had made him almost abandon all his guard.

"Little White... I was so stupid." Zhu Xiaoxiao said to the Ringwraith, panting heavily, her heart filled with regret and self-blame.

The voice of the Ring Spirit Xiaobai, tinged with worry, came from the ring: "Xiaoxiao, you almost really fell into her hands just now. Liu Ruyan's every move was testing you; she knew you were reacting."

“I know,” Zhu Xiaoxiao wiped the sweat from her forehead, her voice low, “Her charm is too strong. I almost…really lost control.”

Zhu Xiaoxiao closed his eyes, trying to calm the surging desire within him; the heat within him seemed to be threatening to completely devour his reason. He knew that the crisis before him was not only Liu Ruyan's approach, but also his own condition.

The side effects of the "Restore My Beauty Pill" became increasingly apparent, and the unreleased heat constantly assaulted his mind and body, making it increasingly difficult for him to control himself.

"Xiao Bai, the side effects of this 'Restore My Beauty Pill' seem to be getting stronger and stronger..." Zhu Xiaoxiao was filled with helplessness, her voice carrying a hint of anxiety, "I...I can't hold on much longer."

The Ringwraith White's voice sounded equally tense: "Xiao Xiao, the side effects of this pill are indeed powerful, but you must persevere! Otherwise, not only will you reveal your true form, but it will also directly affect your mission progress."

“I know…” Zhu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, trying to pull his thoughts away from Liu Ruyan’s haunting image. However, the feeling of being there still lingered in his mind and wouldn’t go away.

“You have to control yourself, Xiao Xiao.” Xiao Bai said solemnly, “Liu Ruyan is no ordinary woman. There may be a bigger conspiracy behind her every move. You can’t be easily fooled by her appearance.”

Zhu Xiaoxiao nodded, forcing herself not to recall the alluring scene from just now. Liu Ruyan's approach was definitely not simply because she was interested in him; there must be a deeper motive behind it.

Zhu Xiaoxiao was well aware of this. As one of the ministers of the Women's Kingdom, Liu Ruyan was on good terms with Grand Tutor Shangguan Yanran, and her actions must be inextricably linked to the Grand Tutor's conspiracy.

"Xiaobai, do you think Liu Ruyan might have already noticed something?" Zhu Xiaoxiao asked in a low voice.

“That’s possible,” Little White Ringwraith said with great caution, “but we can’t rule out the possibility that she’s simply attracted to you. After all, men are extremely rare in the Women’s Kingdom, and you are an exceptional man, both in appearance and ability. It’s quite normal for Liu Ruyan to be interested in you.”

Zhu Xiaoxiao gave a bitter smile, but he still felt uneasy. He couldn't completely believe that Liu Ruyan's approach was just based on pure affection; he had a premonition that every step she took was driven by some purpose.

The royal palace of the Women's Kingdom was luxurious and beautiful, permeated with an intoxicating feminine atmosphere. Zhu Xiaoxiao walked along the bluestone path in the imperial garden, but his heart had no leisure to appreciate the scenery. Ever since he sneaked into the Grand Tutor's mansion at night, stumbled upon Shangguan Yanran and the envoy from the neighboring country plotting, and experienced that ambiguous and dangerous encounter, he had been trapped in a state of anxiety and unease.

He knew he had stepped into a dangerous game, his opponent being the powerful and ruthless Grand Tutor. A single misstep could lead to utter ruin. However, the mission to collect the Empress's tears was not yet complete, and he could not back down now.

"Xiaobai, what should I do now?" Zhu Xiaoxiao asked in her mind, her tone tinged with confusion.

"You idiot, didn't you already have a plan?" The voice of the Ringwraith White came from the Moonlight Ring. "Continue to investigate the Grand Tutor, collect more evidence, and then find a way to make the Empress believe you."

Zhu Xiaoxiao sighed, "But the Grand Tutor is already suspicious of me. I'm afraid that before I can find any evidence, she will silence me."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Little White Ring Spirit said dismissively. "Don't you have the Nine-Bead Bracelet and the Moonlight Ring? Make good use of them, and with your 'cleverness,' you'll definitely be able to turn danger into safety!"

Zhu Xiaoxiao gave a bitter smile. He felt like he was walking on a tightrope, and if he wasn't careful, he would fall into the abyss.

"Lord Liu!" A charming voice interrupted Zhu Xiaoxiao's thoughts.

He looked up and saw Liu Ruyan walking gracefully towards him. Today she was wearing a light purple dress that perfectly accentuated her full curves. The neckline was low, revealing her delicate collarbone and a small patch of snow-white skin, making one want to explore further.

"Lord Liu, what a coincidence." Zhu Xiaoxiao forced a smile, but inwardly he became wary. He knew that Liu Ruyan was the Grand Tutor's confidante, and her sudden appearance here was definitely not a coincidence.

"Unfortunately, they came here specifically to see you." Liu Ruyan walked up to Zhu Xiaoxiao, gently placed her hand on his shoulder, leaned down, and breathed softly, "Xiaoxiao, you seem to be very busy lately, you haven't had time to spend with me."

Zhu Xiaoxiao smelled the faint fragrance emanating from her, and felt his heart beat faster involuntarily. He tried hard to control his emotions and prevent his internal energy from fluctuating. "Lord Liu is too kind. I do have some matters to attend to recently."

"Oh? What's wrong? Tell me, maybe I can help." Liu Ruyan's fingers gently kneaded his shoulder, her tone ambiguous and teasing.

Zhu Xiaoxiao felt his body stiffen, so he quickly took a step back to distance himself from Liu Ruyan. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Liu. It's just a trivial matter that I can handle myself."

Liu Ruyan didn't press further. She looked up at Zhu Xiaoxiao, a hint of an enigmatic smile in her eyes. "Xiaoxiao, you seem quite afraid of me?"

"How could that be?" Zhu Xiaoxiao tried to remain calm. "Lord Liu is joking."

"Really?" Liu Ruyan chuckled lightly. "But why do I feel like you've been avoiding me all along?"

Zhu Xiaoxiao didn't know how to answer. He couldn't very well tell Liu Ruyan that he suspected she was sent by the Grand Tutor to spy on him, could he?

“Perhaps,” Liu Ruyan walked to a peony and gently stroked the petals, “it’s because you already… have someone you love?” There was a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Zhu Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat; he knew he had to be careful. "Lord Liu, you misunderstand. I... I am wholeheartedly devoted to serving Her Majesty the Empress; how could I have any other thoughts..."

"Is that so?" Liu Ruyan turned around, staring intently at Zhu Xiaoxiao. "Then why is it that every time you see Her Majesty the Empress, your eyes are... so different?"

Zhu Xiaoxiao felt as if his thoughts had been read, and he immediately panicked, "Lord Liu... what... what are you saying? I... I don't understand..."

Liu Ruyan didn't speak; she just quietly looked at Zhu Xiaoxiao, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry and...expectation.

Zhu Xiaoxiao felt like he was walking on thin ice. He took a deep breath and decided to change the subject. "Lord Liu, I... I still have some official business to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

"Wait," Liu Ruyan grabbed Zhu Xiaoxiao's hand, "Xiaoxiao, you...you really don't understand my feelings?"

Zhu Xiaoxiao was caught off guard by her sudden confession. He quickly withdrew his hand and said, "Lord Liu, you...you've had too much to drink. I...I'll take my leave now."

After saying that, he hurriedly left the Imperial Garden, leaving Liu Ruyan standing there alone, watching his departing figure with her eyes filled with loneliness.

Zhu Xiaoxiao returned to her residence, her heart unable to find peace for a long time.

On the one hand, he was worried that Liu Ruyan would tell the Grand Tutor about his affair, but on the other hand, he was moved by her boldness and sincerity.

He knew that he was getting deeper and deeper into this world.