The Demon's Lullaby: Da Tong County's Nightly Serenade

In the tranquil town of Da Tong, nestled among rolling hills and dense bamboo groves, there was a legend whispered among the elders, a tale that was never to be taken lightly. It was said that once every year, on the night of the full moon, the ancient temple on the hill would be the stage for a nightly serenade. But this was no ordinary melody; it was a demon's lullaby, meant to lull the living into a restless sleep from which they would never awaken.

The story of the Demon's Lullaby began long ago, when a demon named Xiaolong, cursed for his insatiable thirst for human souls, was trapped in the depths of the ancient temple by a group of brave warriors. They sealed him away with a spell that bound his spirit to the temple and decreed that every year, on the night of the full moon, he would be allowed to sing once, hoping for a chance to break his curse.

For centuries, the villagers of Da Tong had lived in fear of this event, knowing that the night's serenade was a prelude to the demon's rise. The melody, eerie and haunting, would start at midnight and continue for hours, growing louder until it seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth.

One year, a young woman named Mei, who had always been curious about the legend, decided to investigate the source of the nightly serenade. She believed that there was more to the story than the elders had told her. Determined to uncover the truth, she spent her days gathering information from the temple, speaking with the villagers, and piecing together the history of the curse.

As the night of the full moon approached, Mei decided to stay close to the temple, hoping to catch a glimpse of the demon and learn his true intentions. She watched as the villagers prepared for the night, lighting candles and hanging red lanterns to ward off evil spirits.

Midnight struck, and the first notes of the demon's lullaby filled the air. Mei's heart raced as the melody grew louder, more haunting. She could feel the power of the demon's voice, and she knew that if she wanted to uncover the truth, she would have to get close to the source.

As the melody reached its crescendo, Mei saw a figure step out onto the temple's platform. It was Xiaolong, the demon, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. Mei's heart pounded as she realized that he was not just a creature of darkness but a being who had once been human, bound by a curse that had stolen his humanity.

Xiaolong began to sing, his voice both beautiful and terrifying. Mei watched, mesmerized, as he spoke of his longing for freedom and the pain of being trapped for so many years. As the serenade reached its conclusion, Mei understood that the demon was not evil by nature, but a soul in desperate need of release.

In a moment of clarity, Mei decided to help Xiaolong break his curse. She approached the temple and spoke directly to him, offering him her own soul as a sacrifice to free him. Xiaolong, surprised and touched by Mei's bravery, agreed to a deal: he would free her from her curse, but she would have to leave Da Tong forever.

As the first light of dawn broke, Xiaolong was freed, and Mei, with a heavy heart, set out to fulfill her part of the agreement. The villagers were none the wiser, for Mei had arranged for her departure to be mistaken for her usual journey to the market.

Since that night, the Demon's Lullaby has not been heard in Da Tong County. The legend of the demon and the brave woman who freed him has become a cautionary tale, warning villagers to never ignore the whispers of the past. And every year, on the night of the full moon, Mei is said to return to the temple, her presence a silent witness to the sacrifice that saved her town from the demon's wrath.