Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

Zhu Feifei stood in a secluded pavilion in Huaqing Palace, gazing at the distant Mount Li. The verdant peaks shimmered with a silvery light in the morning glow, and a thin mist swirled in the distance, creating a scene of ethereal beauty. She wore a pale purple gauze dress, a plain silk sash tied around her waist, and a gold hairpin in her hair swayed gently in the breeze, making a crisp sound. The palace's opulence, tinged with both extravagance and danger, still evoked a sense of unease in her heart, even after several months in the palace.

"This place really is as you said, a place fraught with danger," Zhu Feifei said thoughtfully, gazing into the distance.

Xiao Bai's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with dissatisfaction: "You idiot, I warned you long ago that Huaqing Palace appears peaceful and prosperous on the surface, but there are undercurrents beneath. You can't be fooled by the current prosperity; remember your mission."

Zhu Feifei did not respond, but the caution in her eyes deepened. Ever since she was selected to enter the palace because of her proficiency in the pipa, she had been constantly on guard against hidden dangers. The splendor before her was merely a curtain for court intrigues; she was well aware of the undercurrents beneath.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps sounded in the distance. Zhu Feifei was startled, quickly composed herself, and regained her composure. A young eunuch came running up, panting, and bowed respectfully: "Consort Zhu, His Majesty summons you. Please proceed to the Qian Yuan Palace immediately."

Zhu Feifei's heart tightened slightly. This was the first time she had been summoned alone since entering the palace. She knew that this summons might mean more challenges and dangers.

"Thank you for leading the way, sir," she said gently, then followed the young eunuch through the many palace walls.

Walking slowly through the winding corridors, Zhu Feifei's heart was filled with turmoil. Although she had made ample preparations for this day, she still felt a faint unease as it arrived. Outside the Qian Yuan Hall, the guards were heavily armed, and a heavy atmosphere permeated the air. Zhu Feifei took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Inside the palace, candlelight flickered and incense smoke curled upwards. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, stood with his back to her, gazing at the moonlight outside the window. As her footsteps approached, Li Longji slowly turned around, his gaze lingering on Zhu Feifei with a hint of admiration.

"Consort Zhu, I have heard that you are proficient in music, especially the pipa." His tone was calm, but his eyes revealed a deep meaning.

Zhu Feifei bowed her head respectfully and replied, "Your Majesty, I have some knowledge of music, but I dare not claim to be an expert."

Li Longji chuckled and said, "Don't be modest. I've also heard that you are skilled at playing the 'Rainbow Feather Dress Dance.' Since the moonlight is just right today, let's play a piece together."

Zhu Feifei's heart pounded a little faster, but her expression remained calm. She took the pipa from the palace maid, gently placed her hands on the strings, lowered her eyes slightly, and plucked the strings with her fingers. The music rose gently, like celestial music, beautiful and melodious.

This is the "Rainbow Feather Garment Dance," composed by Li Longji himself. She knew it carried the emperor's extremely high expectations for music. She handled each note with utmost care, trying to infuse it with her own emotions to make it flow smoothly and naturally.

Li Longji closed his eyes, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly lost in the music. Gradually, a satisfied smile appeared on his face, and he slowly opened his eyes. When the music ended, Zhu Feifei stopped playing, and the hall fell silent.

"Good, good!" Li Longji clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes filled with appreciation and approval. "Consort Zhu has indeed lived up to her reputation. I have decided that from today onwards, you will be promoted to the rank of Noble Lady and enjoy the honor and favor you deserve."

Zhu Feifei was startled. Although she knew this summons was extraordinary, she hadn't expected to receive the Emperor's favor so easily. It all happened too fast and too suddenly. Though nervous inside, she remained calm and replied composedly, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. I dare not fail to repay your kindness."

Just then, light footsteps sounded outside the hall, and then, Yang Guifei, surrounded by a group of palace maids, slowly entered the hall. She was dressed in a magnificent palace gown, her face exquisitely beautiful, and her eyes shimmered with a complex light. She smiled slightly and said in a gentle tone, "Your Majesty, I heard that you summoned Consort Zhu, so I came to see."

Her voice was gentle, but her gaze was cold and sharp as a sword as she looked at Zhu Feifei. Zhu Feifei lowered her head, her vigilance undiminished. Facing Yang Guifei's scrutiny, she knew she was now at the center of a crisis.

Li Longji frowned slightly, showing a hint of impatience, but his tone remained kind: "My beloved consort has come at just the right time. I have just bestowed upon Zhu Feifei the title of Noble Lady. From now on, you shall arrange her daily life."

Yang Guifei's smile froze for a moment. Although she quickly regained her composure, Zhu Feifei keenly noticed that brief stiffness. Yang Guifei lowered her head slightly and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, I obey your command."

Zhu Feifei gave a slight bow, but Consort Yang's gaze swept over her and she smiled coldly: "Consort Zhu, come with me, and I will arrange accommodations for you."

After leaving the Qian Yuan Palace, Consort Yang seemed intent on testing Zhu Feifei, remaining silent throughout the journey with a faint smile on her face. Zhu Feifei was wary but didn't show it. She followed closely behind Consort Yang, step by step, towards the Chang Sheng Palace.

Inside the Hall of Longevity, the air was filled with fragrance as palace maids busily sorted boxes of newly arrived lychees. Consort Yang sat on her chaise longue, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, her gaze cold and calculating as she looked at Zhu Feifei: "Consort Zhu, do you know what you're doing?"

Zhu Feifei lowered her head slightly, revealing a respectful smile: "Your Majesty, I am merely following His Majesty's decree."

Consort Yang sneered, her eyes suddenly turning sharp: "Naive! You think you can gain a foothold in this harem with just a pipa tune? Let me tell you, every step in this harem is like walking on a knife's edge. If you are not careful, you will fall into an abyss."

Zhu Feifei's heart tightened, but she pretended to be terrified: "Your Majesty's teachings are etched in my mind."

Yang Guifei looked at her, her eyes filled with indifference and threat. Just as she was about to say something more, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall. A burly man rushed in; it was Yang Guifei's brother, the current prime minister, Yang Guozhong.

"Sister, something terrible has happened!" Yang Guozhong looked anxious, his eyes sweeping across the hall. But when he saw Zhu Feifei there, he frowned, and hesitated to speak.

Consort Yang waved her hand gently, signaling Zhu Feifei to step down. Zhu Feifei bowed and took her leave, but in the instant she turned around, she keenly caught a strange look in Yang Guozhong's eyes, as if something secret was brewing.

Even after leaving the Hall of Longevity, Zhu Feifei's heart was still pounding. She knew that she had inadvertently touched upon a major secret, and Yang Guozhong's tense expression was no small matter.

"Xiaobai, did you hear that? Yang Guozhong looks very anxious," she asked softly to herself.

Xiao Bai's voice carried a hint of solemnity: "I heard that. It seems that Yang Guozhong's matter is not simple. There may be an even bigger storm brewing in the palace. We must be extra careful and not act rashly."

Zhu Feifei nodded, already understanding that she had unwittingly been drawn into a larger conspiracy, and behind these conspiracies, perhaps, lay many more unknown truths. She had to proceed cautiously and carefully, step by step.

As she walked along the corridor, a familiar voice came from behind her: "Consort Zhu, what are you doing here?"

Zhu Feifei felt a chill run down her spine and turned around, only to see Gao Lishi slowly approaching. As Emperor Xuanzong's most trusted eunuch, Gao Lishi wielded considerable power in the palace.

"Eunuch Gao," Zhu Feifei said respectfully, "I was just on the orders of Consort Yang to go to the Hall of Longevity."

Gao Lishi looked her up and down, his gaze deep and meaningful: "Consort Zhu, you must remember, in this palace, some things are best heard but pretended not to hear, some people are best seen but pretended not to see. Do you understand?"

Zhu Feifei's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Gao Lishi's words were no empty threats. He was implying that what she had just heard in the Hall of Longevity should not be easily revealed. She bowed her head respectfully and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Eunuch. I will certainly keep it in mind."

Gao Lishi nodded, turned and left, leaving Zhu Feifei standing there, her mind racing. She knew that she had unknowingly been drawn into a much larger conspiracy.

As night fell, moonlight spilled like water onto the walls of Huaqing Palace. Zhu Feifei stood before her newly bestowed chambers, gazing up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled with a mysterious light. She knew that the real test was about to begin; the road ahead was fraught with danger, and she had to remain vigilant at all times.

"Xiaobai, our operation has begun," she murmured softly, her eyes shining with determination.

Xiao Bai's voice rang in her ears again: "Remember, in this palace, there are no true friends, nor are there eternal enemies. You must not only be wary of Yang Guifei and Yang Guozhong, but also of the forces hidden in the shadows, and even... Emperor Xuanzong himself."

Zhu Feifei took a deep breath and clenched her fists. She knew that every step she took in the palace was a matter of life and death, and she not only had to survive, but also uncover the enormous conspiracy that could shake the entire Tang Dynasty.

Under the moonlight, her figure appeared lonely yet resolute. Although the road ahead was full of unknowns and dangers, she was prepared to meet all challenges.

The night was as dark as ink. Zhu Feifei stood outside her palace, a cold wind gently caressing her face, bringing a chill. She closed her eyes, her mind replaying everything that had happened that day. Yang Guifei's cold smile, Yang Guozhong's anxiety, Gao Lishi's hints—all these seemingly unrelated details made her intuition sense danger. Although Xiaobai had always advised her to be cautious, she knew that there was never true peace in the palace. In the months since she entered the palace, she had witnessed far too many conspiracies and betrayals hidden behind smiles.

"Xiao Bai," Zhu Feifei thought to herself, then tentatively asked, "Yang Guozhong's expression is unsettling. What exactly is he planning?"

Xiao Bai was silent for a moment, then his voice became even lower: "Yang Guozhong is an unfathomable man. His relationship with Yang Guifei has created a huge power structure in the court. If he harbors any disloyal intentions, not only you, but the entire Tang Dynasty may be affected."

“Could it be…” Zhu Feifei suddenly thought of a possibility, but before she could speak, Xiaobai interrupted her: “Don’t think too much. There isn’t enough evidence yet. Besides, even if Yang Guozhong is really plotting something, you can’t stop him alone. What you need to do now is hide yourself and become someone outside their sight.”

Zhu Feifei nodded slightly, knowing that Xiaobai was right. In the power struggles of the palace, one wrong step can lead to total defeat. She may seem to be favored now, but the dangers behind her are layered upon layer, and the slightest carelessness could lead to utter ruin.

"But how can I avoid getting involved?" Zhu Feifei whispered, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

Xiao Bai's voice rang out calmly, with a hint of impatience in her tone: "Idiot, you've already been dragged into this. Now is not the time to consider whether you can stay out of it, but how to stand firm in the storm and find a way out."

Zhu Feifei's heart tightened, and her hands unconsciously clenched her sleeves. She knew Xiaobai was right; there was no turning back on this path. A stubborn streak suddenly rose within her—since she couldn't escape her fate, she would take the initiative and find her own way to survive.

As she was pondering, she suddenly heard light footsteps outside the palace gate, interrupting her thoughts. She quickly composed herself and turned her gaze to the entrance. A moment later, a palace maid hurried in and bowed her head to report, "Consort Zhu, Lady Yang has sent someone to convey a message, requesting that you go to the Hall of Longevity immediately."

Zhu Feifei frowned slightly, a vague unease creeping into her heart. Having just escaped the threat from Yang Guifei, she hadn't expected to be summoned again so late at night. She couldn't help but wonder what the real intentions were behind this.

"Understood, I'll go right away." Zhu Feifei nodded without asking any further questions, but her mind was racing. Yang Guifei had always disliked her, and summoning her late at night was probably more than just a simple audience.

She quickly tidied her appearance and followed the palace maid to the Hall of Longevity. Along the way, the night wind blew, and the surroundings were unsettlingly quiet, with only the occasional soft creak of the bluestone slabs under her feet.

The Hall of Longevity was brightly lit, and the palace maids outside stood at their respective positions. Before Zhu Feifei even reached the door, she felt a sense of oppression coming towards her.

She stopped at the door, took a deep breath, and then gently stepped into the hall. At that moment, Consort Yang sat regally on a high platform, toying with a lychee in her hand, her gaze coldly sweeping over Zhu Feifei. She didn't speak immediately, seemingly deliberately creating a tense atmosphere.

"Consort Zhu, is it inappropriate for you to come so late at night?" Consort Yang finally spoke, her voice gentle yet carrying an inexplicable chill.

Zhu Feifei lowered her head slightly and said respectfully, "Your Majesty summons me; I dare not be negligent."

Consort Yang smiled gently, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She casually placed the lychee aside and said slowly, "I just want to remind you that the path in the harem is not as simple as playing the pipa. Although you have gained the Emperor's favor, this favor is like fireworks, fleeting in an instant. You should know how to conduct yourself and how to protect yourself."

Warning bells rang in Zhu Feifei's mind. Yang Guifei's words were clearly a warning to her—don't even think about using the emperor's favor to shake her position.

"Your Majesty's reprimand is well-deserved, and I will keep it in mind." She replied in a low voice, her attitude humble, but her mind was racing as she considered a solution.

Consort Yang looked at her, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes: "That's good. I'd like to hear you play 'Rainbow Feather Robe' again today. Someone, bring the zither."

Zhu Feifei's heart sank slightly. Yang Guifei's decision to have her play this famous piece, composed by Li Longji himself, was clearly intentional. She knew this was a test, and the consequences of the slightest mistake would be unimaginable.

The pipa was quickly brought to her by a palace maid. Zhu Feifei gently stroked the strings, silently regulating her breathing, and her fingers began to lightly pluck the strings. Her fingering was still skillful, and the sound of the pipa was elegant and melodious, but under Yang Guifei's gaze, she felt an invisible pressure enveloping her.

As the music began, Zhu Feifei played while observing Yang Guifei's expression. Her gaze was cold, her expression indifferent, seemingly uninterested in the music. Just then, a strange noise came from outside the hall, as if someone had accidentally knocked something over. Zhu Feifei's fingers trembled, and a barely perceptible flaw appeared in the notes.

Although the voice was extremely soft, Yang Guifei's ears were clearly very sharp. A slight smile played on her lips, and a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.

"Consort Zhu, it seems you've lost focus while playing." Consort Yang's soft voice came, yet it was like a cold knife, piercing straight into Zhu Feifei's heart.

Zhu Feifei gritted her teeth, suppressing her unease, readjusted her emotions, and continued playing. She knew that her earlier mistake might give Yang Guifei an excuse, but she couldn't back down now. Every note became more precise, her fingering more skillful, as if she had become one with the strings.

As the music ended, silence fell over the hall, but Consort Yang's expression had returned to calm. She clapped her hands lightly and said in a composed tone, "Not bad, you have indeed lived up to His Majesty's expectations. However, Consort Zhu, I must remind you, in this palace, do not think that you can gain lasting favor through temporary skills, understand?"

Zhu Feifei's heart sank, understanding the implication of Yang Guifei's words. She bowed her head respectfully and said, "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by this humble woman."

Consort Yang said nothing more, only waving her hand to indicate that she could leave. Zhu Fei bowed and slowly left the Hall of Longevity, but his heart remained unsettled for a long time.

Stepping out of the palace gates, Zhu Feifei let out a long breath. The night breeze swept by again, bringing a touch of coolness. She understood that although her probing tonight hadn't immediately triggered a greater crisis, Consort Yang would not let her off easily. The situation in the palace was growing increasingly tense; every step was fraught with peril.

"Xiao Bai," she thought to herself, "Yang Guifei made me play tonight, which is clearly a warning to me. She has begun to be wary of me."

Xiao Bai's voice remained calm and analytical: "That's right, she's not just warning you, she's also putting you on the spot. She's observing your every move, looking for your weaknesses."

Zhu Feifei nodded, her resolve growing stronger. "But no matter what, I won't let her find any weakness. I will proceed cautiously, step by step, until I obtain the tears of this nine-tailed fox, Yang Guifei."

In the moonlight, her gaze was resolute and profound. Despite the many dangers ahead, she was prepared to face every storm.