Black Myth: The Legend of Tianpeng Seeking Demons

“We’ll take action tomorrow night!” Avril said coldly, her eyes revealing determination.

Juckley felt a pang of unease. Although he knew Avril's revenge plan was inevitable, hearing her decisive decision still made him feel uneasy.

He couldn't help but recall the deep hatred and pain in her eyes, and silently wondered, "Can she really succeed? Can she defeat the dark mage?"

"Juckley, we need to get out of here right away," Little White urged from inside the ring, his voice tinged with tension. "If this continues, you'll get dragged into even bigger trouble."

“I can’t just leave like this!” Jukele responded in a low voice, a spark of courage rising within him. “I can’t just stand by and watch her take risks while I do nothing.”

At this moment, Avril stepped down from the platform, a determined look on her face. Her guards gathered around her, their expressions tense, seemingly preparing for the impending challenge. Through the window, Juckley could clearly see her slightly trembling hands and the complex expression of excitement mixed with fear on her face.

"We need to know the Dark Mage's movements," Avril commanded in a low voice, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding soldiers, her eyes sharp as blades. "Once we move, we must go all out and leave no way out!"

"Princess, are you sure you want to do this?" a soldier asked hesitantly, his brow furrowed, clearly doubtful about the plan.

“We have no other choice!” Avril’s voice was calm and firm. “I can no longer let my parents’ deaths be in vain. I must avenge them!”

“Tomorrow night, the Dark Mage’s castle is on the other side of the forest. We’ll set off at midnight and make sure to approach quickly and silently,” she continued, her tone revealing an unwavering determination.

Juckley secretly admired her, but couldn't help feeling heartbroken for her. He thought that what she carried was not simply revenge, but a heavy responsibility and longing for her deceased loved ones.

“We should find a way to stop her,” Little White interrupted Jukely’s thoughts. “You can’t fight the army of dark mages alone!”

“I know, but I can’t let her face all this alone,” Juklee said firmly, his eyes shining. “I will protect her, no matter what!”

The next day, Juckley barely slept, his anxiety keeping him awake. He kept thinking about Avril's revenge plan, and the more he thought about it, the more dangerous it seemed. He decided to find a suitable way to help Avril before setting off that night.

As night fell, Jukele crept stealthily toward the manor. The moonlight cast shadows that danced among the leaves, creating a dreamlike scene. Just as he was about to sneak back into the manor, he suddenly felt a chill creep over him, as if a pair of eyes were watching him in the darkness.

"What are you doing here?" A deep voice sounded behind him. Juckley was startled and turned around to see one of Avril's guards, named Alvin, whose face was filled with suspicion and wariness.

“I…” Jukele tensed up instantly, his mind racing, and decided to be honest. “I’m here to help the princess. I know her plans, and I hope to share some of the responsibility with her.”

Alvin's eyes flickered, as if he was considering Juklee's sincerity. Juklee seized the opportunity and continued, "The power of the Dark Mage is immense; you may not know his capabilities at night. We must devise a more comprehensive plan."

"You think you can help?" Alvin raised an eyebrow dismissively. "You're just a musician; you've never seen a life-or-death battle!"

“But I have my own power,” Juklee said resolutely, a surge of passion welling up within him as he clenched his fist. “I can use my magic and wisdom to help you!”

Alvin hesitated for a moment, but eventually lowered his guard and nodded, saying, "Alright, since you insist, then come with me." He turned around and led Juckley into the manor.

Upon entering the manor, Juckley found Avril gazing into the distance from the balcony. A hint of tension appeared on her face, her brows furrowed, yet her resolve remained unwavering.

“Princess, I have something to say.” Juckley walked up to Avril, forcing himself to remain calm.

Avril looked up, her gaze sharp, as if assessing Juckley's identity. "Why are you here?" she asked, a hint of displeasure in her voice.

“I want to help you,” Juklee said without backing down. “Your plan is too risky. The dark mage is far more powerful than you imagine. He has many dark knights under his command, and if we don’t come up with a more thorough plan, we may very well fail.”

Avril's expression softened instantly, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes, and her voice lowered: "I know, but I have no way out. My father and mother have been killed, and I must take revenge."

Juckley's heart tightened. He saw the tears glistening in Avril's eyes, as if they were deep-seated wounds. "I understand your desire for revenge, but we can't act on impulse alone. We need a plan, a strategy that can ensure victory."

"What suggestions do you have?" Avril calmed down a little, a hint of expectation in her eyes.

“We can set up an ambush and lure the dark mage’s soldiers into an environment suitable for our battle,” Juklee quickly analyzed. “This way, we can use our numerical advantage and the terrain to fight them.”

Night fell over the abandoned manor, and moonlight filtered through the clouds, casting dappled shadows. Just then, a dark figure flashed by, and a gleaming dagger lunged at her.

"Watch out!" Juklee leaped out and used his nine-toothed rake to block the assassin's attack.

Avril reacted quickly, drawing her longsword and fighting alongside Juckley. The assassin was agile and his moves were deadly, but with the two working together, he was soon at a disadvantage.

"Who sent you?" Avril demanded sharply, her sword tip aimed directly at the assassin's throat.

The assassin sneered, then suddenly pulled a smoke bomb from his pocket and smashed it on the ground. Thick smoke billowed out, and when it cleared, the assassin had vanished without a trace.

"Princess, we must get out of here quickly!" Juklee said anxiously. "This could very well be a trap."

Avril nodded and quickly gathered her most trusted squad of guards. However, just as they were preparing to leave the palace, an astonishing scene unfolded.

The once loyal guards suddenly turned their guns on Avril and Juckley, surrounding them. The lead guard said coldly, "I'm sorry, Princess. We have already sided with the Dark Mage."

Avril's expression changed drastically; she realized her army had been infiltrated—it was a meticulously planned ambush. Juckley immediately stood in front of her, his nine-toothed rake held horizontally in front of his chest, ready for battle.

"You traitors!" Avril roared, drawing her longsword, which gleamed silver.

The battle erupted instantly. Juckley and Avril stood back to back, desperately resisting attacks from all directions. Juckley wielded his nine-toothed rake with the speed of the wind, repelling any approaching enemies; Avril's swordsmanship was fierce, each strike carrying a deadly intent.

However, the enemy's numbers were simply too great. Gradually, Avril and Juckley both found themselves overwhelmed and were already wounded.

“Juckley, we may not be able to hold out much longer,” Avril gasped, her swordplay already beginning to slow.

Jukeli gritted his teeth. He knew the situation was critical, but he would never give up. "Princess, we still have hope. As long as we're together, we can definitely defeat these traitors!"

Just then, a powerful aura of darkness suddenly enveloped the entire manor. Everyone involuntarily stopped what they were doing, and a tall figure draped in a black robe slowly emerged from the shadows.

"Augustus!" Avril exclaimed, her eyes blazing with hatred.

The dark mage Augustus sneered at the disheveled Avril and Juklee: "Poor little princess, do you really think you can challenge me with your laughable power?"

Avril gripped her longsword tightly. Despite her numerous wounds, she stood ramrod straight: "I will never yield to you! Today is your end!"

Augustus scoffed. He raised his hand, and a ball of dark energy condensed in his palm: "Then let me send you to join your foolish parents."

Seeing the destructive energy hurtling towards Avril, Juckley rushed forward without hesitation, raising his nine-toothed rake in an attempt to block the fatal blow.

"Juckley! No!" Avril cried out, but it was too late.

The dark energy crashed into the nine-toothed rake, producing a deafening explosion.