Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

Night had fallen, and only a dim oil lamp lit Zhu Rong's room, casting indistinct shadows on the paintings of ladies on the wall. Outside the window, the occasional hooting of an owl added to the desolate atmosphere.

Zhu Rong woke up from a nightmare, covered in cold sweat, her heart pounding wildly.

The scene in her dream was too real; blood stained Mawei Slope, and Yang Guifei's desperate eyes and mournful cries lingered in her mind.

"Xiaobai, I had a terrible dream..." Zhu Rong's voice trembled as she clutched the jade pendant to her chest, as if it were her only support.

"What's wrong? Dreaming about delicious food again?" Xiao Bai's lazy voice came from the jade pendant, clearly not taking Zhu Rong's words seriously.

“No… I dreamt… I dreamt that An Lushan rebelled, Chang’an fell, and the Imperial Concubine… the Imperial Concubine…” Zhu Rong choked up, unable to continue.

Xiao Bai was silent for a moment, then her tone became serious: "What's wrong with you dreaming about the Imperial Concubine?"

Zhu Rong took a deep breath and told Xiao Bai about the scene in her dream where Yang Guifei was forced to commit suicide, as well as Emperor Xuanzong's despair and regret.

"This dream...it felt so real, I'm scared..." Zhu Rong's voice was filled with fear.

"Silly pig, dreams are always the opposite of reality, don't scare yourself," Xiaobai comforted, but there was a hint of worry in her tone.

“But I feel this isn’t an ordinary dream…” Zhu Rong paced anxiously back and forth. “I have to do something. I can’t just stand by and watch the Imperial Concubine…”

"You want to change history?" Xiaobai interrupted her. "Do you know that the consequences of changing history are something you cannot bear?"

"I know, but I can't do nothing!" Zhu Rong said firmly. "If Her Highness the Imperial Concubine really meets with misfortune, I... I will never have peace of mind for the rest of my life!"

Xiaobai fell silent. It knew Zhu Rong's personality; once she made a decision, she wouldn't easily change it.

"Alright, you idiot, since you've made up your mind, I'll help you." Little White sighed. "But remember, the price of changing history might be greater than you imagine."

Zhu Rong nodded gratefully. She knew Xiao Bai was worried about her, but she had made up her mind to do everything she could to change Yang Guifei's fate.

The next day, Zhu Rong, filled with trepidation, went to Yang Guifei's palace. She decided to tell Yang Guifei about her dream and persuade her to find a way to avoid the disaster.

Yang Guifei's palace was luxurious and exquisite, displaying imperial grandeur in every detail. However, at this moment, Yang Guifei had no heart to appreciate these beautiful sights; her brows were furrowed, and her expression was sorrowful.

An Lushan's activities on the border became more and more frequent, and rumors about his impending rebellion grew in the court. Even though she was deep in the inner palace, she could feel the tense atmosphere of impending doom.

"Rong'er, you've arrived." Yang Guifei forced a smile upon seeing Zhu Rong. "Is something troubling you?"

Looking at Yang Guifei's haggard face, Zhu Rong's resolve to protect her grew even stronger. She took a deep breath, told Yang Guifei about her dream, and pleaded with her, "Your Highness, for the sake of the Emperor and the Tang Dynasty, please find a safe place to hide during An Lushan's rebellion!"

After hearing Zhu Rong's story, Consort Yang's face turned deathly pale. Although she didn't want to believe Zhu Rong's dream, she felt a vague unease deep down.

An Lushan's behavior on the border became increasingly audacious, but the emperor was completely unaware of it. He even entrusted him with the reinforcements sent by the court, which filled her with deep fear.

"Rong'er, thank you for telling me all this." Consort Yang held Zhu Rong's hand, her voice trembling, "But I cannot leave the Emperor, I cannot..."

"Your Highness, your safety is of utmost importance!" Zhu Rong said anxiously. "If anything were to happen to you, what would the Emperor do? What would become of the Tang Dynasty?"

"I know, but..." Yang Guifei's eyes reddened, "I can't leave him alone. I want to stay by his side, no matter what happens, I want to face it together!"

Looking into Yang Guifei's resolute eyes, Zhu Rong felt a mixture of admiration and helplessness. She knew that Yang Guifei's love for Emperor Xuanzong was so profound that she could not possibly leave him for her own safety.

“Very well, Your Majesty, I respect your choice,” Zhu Rong said. “But please promise me you will be careful, and I will do everything in my power to protect you!”

Yang Guifei nodded, moved. She took Zhu Rong's hand and said, "Rong'er, thank you. I know you truly care for me."

Zhu Rong left Yang Guifei's palace and returned to her own room. She knew that changing her fate would not be easy, and the challenges ahead would be even greater. But she was prepared; to protect Yang Guifei, and to protect the Tang Dynasty, she would spare no effort!

Zhu Rong immediately sprang into action, setting up more defensive measures within the palace in preparation for the rebellion. She maximized the power of the nine-bead bracelet, establishing various barriers and formations, and incorporating Xiao Bai's suggestions, hoping to repel the rebel army's attack.

"You idiot, do you really think these formations can stop An Lushan's army?" Xiaobai asked, his tone tinged with doubt.

"I don't know, but I have to do something." Zhu Rong's eyes were resolute. "I can't just sit here and wait to die; I must do everything in my power to protect the Imperial Concubine!"

As night deepened, Chang'an City was ablaze with lights, a scene of peace and prosperity. But beneath this splendor lay a profound crisis.

An Lushan has already taken over the troops sent by the court to reinforce him and officially launched a rebellion. He is leading a large army and is approaching Chang'an in a mighty force.