Several carriages made their way toward the base of a mountain, their elegant designs hinting at the importance of their occupants. The intricate craftsmanship and regal embellishments suggested that those inside were likely high-ranking officials.

When the carriages came to a halt, an elderly man emerged first. Clad in a pristine white noble robe, he exuded an air of authority, gripping an ornate staff adorned with intricate carvings.

Following closely behind him, a young woman stepped out, her presence commanding attention. She was dressed in a striking red noble robe, its vibrant hue and fine embroidery emphasizing her prominence. Unlike traditional noble attire, her robe was tailored for practicality. The hem stopped at her knees, and the sleeves were shorter than usual, designed to allow ease of movement—perfect for the arduous task of climbing the mountain.

“Prin—Queen Wu, are you certain you do not need me to accompany you for this Kun Lun trial?” Peng Xian asked, concern evident in his tone.

“Did you not mention that this trial is meant to be undertaken alone, without assistance? I will be fine, Peng Xian,” Wu Zhao assured him confidently.

“I wish you luck. Please, be safe,” Peng Xian said, his tone filled with sincerity.

“Thank you,” Wu Zhao replied. “While I undertake this trial, I need you to return to Luo Yang. It requires someone capable of maintaining stability and mending the fractures caused by Gilles’ actions.” Her concern for Luo Yang’s state seemed to outweigh any worry for herself.

“As you wish, my dear queen,” Peng Xian said, bowing low to genuflect before her.

Wu Zhao stepped forward, stopping him. “Please, there’s no need for formalities here. We’re not in court—get up.”

“Oh my, still concerned for these old bones of mine, are you?” Peng Xian teased, a playful smile on his face.

“Of course,” Wu Zhao replied, a hint of mischief in her tone. “You’re practically an ancient relic of Luo Yang.”

“Hohoho, sharp as ever,” Peng Xian chuckled. “I shall not take up more of your valuable time. Please, take care.”

“I will,” Wu Zhao said warmly. “And you take care as well.” She returned his smile, her confidence unwavering.

Wu Zhao’s gaze fixed on the path winding upward. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and began the climb, the chill of the mountain air brushing against her face.

“I wonder what this trial will entail…” she mused aloud, her voice steady despite the uncertainty. “Well, there’s only one way to find out.”

Her striking red noble robe, designed for practicality, swayed as she moved. Its knee-length hem and short sleeves allowed her the freedom to climb with ease. With determined steps, she ascended, her shadow growing smaller until it finally disappeared from view.

Peng Xian watched until Wu Zhao was out of sight. Only then did he turn and climb into the carriage, his face clouded with worry.

“There was a strong surge of magical energy to the south not long ago,” he mused, his fingers lightly rubbing his temple. “Using my clairvoyance magic, I saw a giant beast roaming far from the capital. I’m deeply concerned about what might have happened in the southern villages...”

He exhaled heavily, his thoughts racing. No matter what, nothing good can be happening down south…

“Do I send reinforcements?” he pondered aloud, frowning. “No, the soldiers would only be sacrificed in vain. What about Xiao Jie? No... with his injuries, I can’t risk letting him go south either…”

The weight of indecision bore down on him, his headache intensifying as he struggled to find a solution. I can’t let Queen Wu worry about this while she’s focused on completing the trials, he thought, shaking his head. Her path is already fraught with challenges. This is something I must handle on my own, if at all possible.

“I can only send scouts to investigate what happened in the southern regions and decide the next steps from there… Perhaps I’ll need to station more guards in the south as well,” Peng Xian mused, his mind racing with possibilities. If I can mitigate the situation quietly, it will spare her the distraction. She must remain focused on her ascent to the throne.

The carriage jolted slightly as it traveled along the uneven, rocky road back to Luo Yang, the rhythmic sound of the wheels offering little comfort to his troubled thoughts. Even as plans formed in his mind, the uncertainty of the south loomed large.

As Wu Zhao ascended further up the mountain, she came upon a series of wooden fences that spanned the path, barring her way. At one spot, there was a narrow opening, seemingly marking the entrance to the next stage of her journey.

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Just as she approached, a voice echoed through the air. “Who are you, little girl? What business do you have with our rulers?”

Startled, Wu Zhao paused and looked up toward the treetops, her sharp gaze scanning the area in search of the speaker. The voice, however, seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once, eluding her efforts to pinpoint its origin.

Gathering herself, she stood tall and spoke with calm authority. “I am Wu Zhao, the newly appointed Queen of Luo Yang. I have come to receive the blessings of Feng and Huang.”

Her voice was steady, resonating with the confidence of a ruler, even as the silence around her seemed to press in, waiting for a response.

“What happened to the little boy, Wu Shi Yue?” the voice questioned, its tone curious yet carrying an ancient authority.

Before Wu Zhao could respond, two blue birds descended gracefully from the treetops. Their feathers shimmered faintly in the mountain light as they landed delicately on the wooden fence in front of her. Wu Zhao realized, with a jolt of surprise, that these were no ordinary birds—they were magpies, and the voice seemed to emanate from them.

“They knew mine father…?” Wu Zhao thought, her astonishment momentarily breaking through her composed exterior. However, something about their words unsettled her. They called him a ‘little boy.’ The absurdity of it made her pause. Do they not know how to differentiate human features, or do they simply have no sense of time? Either possibility, she concluded, underscored their detachment from the mortal world.

Forcing herself to focus, she replied with calm authority, though a flicker of wonder lingered in her voice. “Mine father, Wu Shi Yue, has passed away, and he entrusted the throne to me before his departure.”

The magpies tilted their heads slightly, their sharp eyes glinting as if they were weighing her response, their mystical presence filling the air with an unspoken gravity.

The two magpies suddenly shimmered, their forms shifting gracefully until they transformed into two small children—a boy and a girl. Both were dressed in elegant blue and white robes that flowed lightly with the mountain breeze, their appearance otherworldly yet childlike. The girl’s hair was tied in two neat buns, adding to her youthful, mischievous look.

“Oh… he passed away,” the girl said softly, her voice tinged with sadness.

“To think he’d die at such a young age too!” the boy chimed in, his tone carrying a mix of disbelief and pity.

“It’s so sad how all humans die so young~!” the girl added, her words ending with a wistful sigh as she looked at Wu Zhao with wide, curious eyes.

“Ah, I am Xiao Xi,” the boy said, puffing out his chest with a playful grin.

“And I am Xiao Que!” the girl chimed in, her voice bright and cheerful as she clasped her hands behind her back.

Together, they declared in unison, their voices ringing with pride, “We are the gatekeepers of Mt. Kun lun.”

Before Wu Zhao could respond, Xiao Xi leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Anyway, what gifts did you bring us this time?” he asked, his tone expectant, as if this were a matter of great importance.

“Huh, gifts? Nobody told me about needing to bring gifts,” Wu Zhao thought, momentarily taken aback. But then again, I suppose mine ascension and mine father’s sudden passing left little time for such things. Her thoughts lingered on the abruptness of it all. He never had a chance to explain everything to me...

With a measured calmness, she addressed the two gatekeepers, trying to mask her surprise with courtesy. “May I know what gifts you are referring to, great gatekeepers of Mt. Kunlun?” she asked, her voice rich with respectful praise, hoping to learn more while maintaining a diplomatic tone.

“Aww, come on, have you really not brought us any gifts?” Xiao Xi pouted, his tone teasing yet expectant.

“What a meanie, this is so boring,” Xiao Que added with a dramatic sigh, shaking her head as if utterly disappointed.

“Has nobody told you about bringing gifts when you visit someone?” Xiao Xi continued, raising an eyebrow playfully.

“Isn’t it common courtesy among the humans?” Xiao Que chimed in, her eyes narrowing as if judging Wu Zhao for her apparent lack of manners.

“This girl has no courtesy at all!” Xiao Xi exclaimed with a mock gasp.

“We won’t let you pass this gate if you don’t bring us gifts!” they both declared in unison, their voices filled with a mischievous sense of finality.

“What are they, kids?” Wu Zhao sighed inwardly, her patience beginning to wear thin.

“Have you ever received gifts you didn’t like, and it turned into a disappointment?” Wu Zhao asked, gesturing with her finger as she spoke, a calm yet pointed question.

“Hmmm, did we?” Xiao Xi mused, scratching his chin in thought.

“I think we did,” Xiao Que replied, her expression contemplative as she joined in the recollection.

Wu Zhao gave them a small, knowing smile. “I came here asking what gifts you two would like first, so I can choose something both of you would definitely enjoy.”

“Wow, this human is smart!” Xiao Xi exclaimed, clearly impressed by her approach.

“She seems the smartest compared to the others!” Xiao Que added, nodding in agreement with a proud smile.

“Phew, at least they’re gullible enough to believe my little lie,” Wu Zhao thought, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

“So, what gifts would you two like?” she asked, her tone steady and composed as she tried to maintain control of the situation.

“We want the Peach from Peng’s Garden!” the two children shouted in unison, their voices brimming with excitement.

“Hmmm... and where exactly is Peng’s Garden located?” Wu Zhao asked, raising an eyebrow, her tone calm but inquisitive.

“You’re lucky!” Xiao Que chirped, her eyes sparkling.

“Lucky indeed!” Xiao Xi echoed, nodding enthusiastically.

“Peng’s Garden is very close to here!” Xiao Que continued, her twin buns bouncing slightly as she gestured toward the mountain path leading eastward.

“Verily so!” Xiao Xi added, his tone solemn as though making an official declaration, though a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“Who might this Peng be?” Wu Zhao asked, tilting her head slightly.

“Peng is Peng!” Xiao Que replied matter-of-factly, as though the answer were self-evident.

“Yes! Peng is Peng!” Xiao Xi echoed, crossing his arms with a self-assured nod.

Wu Zhao blinked, her expression remaining calm, but her thoughts simmered with irritation. What kind of answer is that? They might as well have said nothing at all. She resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose and forced herself to maintain composure. They’re clearly detached from the world... perhaps this is just their way of thinking. I must endure this nonsense if I am to pass.

“Very well then, I shall deliver you two a peach from Peng’s Garden,” Wu Zhao said evenly, masking her exasperation.

“We want two!” Xiao Xi exclaimed, holding up two fingers for emphasis.

“One for each of us!” Xiao Que added, her twin buns bobbing as she nodded enthusiastically.

Wu Zhao’s lips tightened briefly before she relented. “Fine, I will bring two peaches. Wait for me.” At least they’re specific about that part, she thought, stepping away from the wooden fence.

With that, she turned eastward, her red robe swaying lightly as she began her journey deeper into the Kunlun mountain range. The crisp mountain air filled her lungs as she tread carefully along the winding path. Her frustration gave way to resolve as her mind focused on the task ahead. Peng’s Garden… wherever that may be, I’ll find it.