The Little Demon's Haunted Wedding

In the quaint village of Yulan, nestled between rolling hills and whispering forests, there stood an ancient temple, its walls etched with the whispers of time and the secrets of the past. This temple was not just any place; it was the site of an infamous wedding, one that had become a legend whispered among the villagers.

The legend spoke of a young couple, a demon and a human, who had defied the laws of nature to be together. Their wedding was a spectacle of joy and sorrow, as the villagers watched in horror, knowing that such a love could not last. But it did, and in the temple, amidst the scent of incense and the sound of distant bells, the demon and the human exchanged vows, promising to love each other until the end of time.

Years passed, and the temple was forgotten, save for the occasional tale told by an old man with a twinkle in his eye. It was said that the demon, now a vengeful spirit, still haunted the temple, seeking to claim the souls of those who dared to enter its sacred grounds.

On a crisp autumn morning, the village buzzed with excitement. The wedding of Li Wei, a local blacksmith's son, and Xiao Mei, a teacher from the neighboring town, was to be held in the ancient temple. The couple had chosen the site because of its romantic history, unaware of the curses that lay hidden within its walls.

The wedding preparations were meticulous. The temple was cleaned, decorated with vibrant reds and golds, and filled with the laughter of friends and family. Li Wei and Xiao Mei stood before their guests, their faces alight with joy. They had chosen to marry in the very place where the demon and the human had exchanged vows, hoping to bring good fortune to their own union.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the temple, the guests settled into their seats for the ceremony. The officiant, a wise old man with a twinkle in his eye, began to speak. "Today, we gather to witness the union of Li Wei and Xiao Mei," he said, his voice echoing through the temple. "Let us all wish them happiness and prosperity."

But as the words left his lips, a cold breeze swept through the temple, and the laughter of the guests turned to silence. The officiant looked around, his eyes wide with fear. In the distance, a chilling wail echoed, growing louder with each passing second.

Li Wei and Xiao Mei exchanged confused glances. What was happening? They turned to the old man, who was now clutching the edge of the altar, his face pale. "This is no ordinary wedding," he whispered, his voice trembling. "The demon has returned."

Before anyone could react, a figure appeared at the back of the temple. It was a woman, her skin pale and her eyes glowing with an eerie light. She moved with a grace that seemed unnatural, her form shifting and changing as she approached the altar.

Li Wei and Xiao Mei gasped as they recognized the woman. It was the demon, come to claim her revenge. She raised her hand, and a gust of wind swept through the temple, knocking over chairs and sending guests sprawling to the ground.

The demon's laughter filled the air, a sound that chilled the very bones. "You thought you could take what was mine?" she spat. "You thought you could live happily ever after?" With a swift movement, she reached out and grasped Xiao Mei's arm, her fingers like icy claws.

Li Wei, seeing his wife in danger, pushed aside the fear that gripped him. He rushed to her side, but the demon was too strong. She pulled Xiao Mei closer, her eyes boring into her husband's. "You will never be happy," she hissed. "You will never have a normal life."

As the demon's fingers tightened around Xiao Mei's arm, Li Wei knew he had to do something. He looked around for something to use as a weapon, but there was nothing. Then, his gaze fell upon the wedding ring he had given his wife. It was a simple band, but it was the symbol of their love.

With a shout, Li Wei threw the ring at the demon, aiming for her eyes. The ring struck her, and for a moment, the demon's eyes widened in shock. She released Xiao Mei, who stumbled back, her face pale.

Li Wei didn't waste a moment. He grabbed Xiao Mei's hand and pulled her away from the altar. "Come on!" he shouted, his voice filled with urgency. They ran through the temple, the demon close behind them.

As they burst through the main doors, the demon's laughter followed them. "You can't escape me," she called out. "You will never be free of me."

Li Wei and Xiao Mei ran down the path leading away from the temple, their hearts pounding in their chests. They didn't stop until they reached the edge of the village, where they collapsed on the ground, exhausted.

The demon had not followed them, but Li Wei knew that she would not give up so easily. He looked at Xiao Mei, who was now holding the wedding ring in her hand. "We have to leave," he said, his voice steady. "We have to get as far away from this place as possible."

Xiao Mei nodded, her eyes filled with tears. "I love you," she whispered. "We can do this."

And so, they left the village, the demon's curse still hanging over them like a shadow. They knew that their lives would never be the same, but they also knew that they had to face their fears together.

As they traveled, they shared stories and laughter, trying to forget the haunting presence of the demon. But they couldn't. It was always there, in the back of their minds, a reminder of the danger they had escaped.

One night, as they camped by a river, Li Wei looked up at the stars and whispered, "I promise you, Xiao Mei. We will never go back to that place. We will find a new home, where we can be happy and free."

Xiao Mei smiled, her eyes twinkling with hope. "I believe you," she said. "We can do this."

And so, they continued on their journey, their love as strong as ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The demon's curse was still there, but they had each other, and that was enough.