Back to the Past: Kill my Demon Empress Wife

Wei Ji watched the two elders disappear into the dark forest, their steps uneven and slow. He waited until their auras faded far enough that he no longer felt their trembling fear hanging in the air like dust. Only then did he allow his shoulders to loosen. The courtyard was silent again, almost peaceful despite the broken ground and the tangled roots that had devoured Ren moments ago.

Wei Ji let out a breath and looked up at the sky. The clouds drifted lazily, the moonlight slipping between them like a thin strand of silver. He rubbed the back of his neck and whispered to himself, "Finally. Quiet."

A soft chirp sounded to his right. A small blue bird hopped down from a branch and landed near his foot. It tilted its head, as if asking whether the danger had passed. Wei Ji crouched down and tapped the ground beside it.

"You waited this whole time. Brave little thing."

The bird puffed up proudly and hopped closer. Another bird fluttered down, then another, until a small group circled him. Their wings brushed gently against the air, and their quiet chirping washed over him like a soothing breeze.

Wei Ji laughed under his breath. "At least all of you don't want to stab me."

One bird landed on his shoulder and pecked lightly at his ear. He flicked it gently. "Hey, stop that. I'm not food."

He let the natural sounds calm him. He needed this. After dealing with two elders, after forcing control on them, after watching Ren's slow death inside those roots, Wei Ji needed a moment to breathe and remind himself that he was still human. Or at least something close to what he used to be.

Then a gentle voice echoed from the doorway behind him.

"You like birds that much?"

Wei Ji didn't have to turn to know who it was. He felt her before he saw her. A soft, warm presence. A quiet curiosity. A hint of innocence that would one day be replaced by the cold cruelty of the Demon Empress.

Lu Shaohua walked toward him with her hands behind her back, her steps small but confident. Her long black hair swayed with each movement, and her bright eyes shimmered like the morning sun reflecting on water. She looked nothing like the future ruler of slaughter. She looked like a girl who loved flowers, stories, and simple joys.

Wei Ji stood slowly. "I do. Birds don't lie."

She blinked. "People do?"

"Often."

She frowned a little, her lower lip jutting out. "Then… I won't lie to you."

Wei Ji smiled gently. "I hope so."

The birds scattered as Lu Shaohua approached, but one curious bird flew to her shoulder and settled there like it had found a perfect perch. She giggled and reached up to stroke its head.

"You see?" she said proudly. "Birds like me too."

"They do," Wei Ji said softly. "You have a good heart."

She turned to him with a bright grin. "Then play with me. You promised earlier. You said after you finished talking to those scary men, you would show me the trick with the vines."

Wei Ji paused. He remembered saying that, mostly to calm her down and keep her indoors while dangerous people were nearby. Now that everything was over, she stood before him with wide, expectant eyes. It was impossible to refuse her. Not when she was still this pure. Not when he knew what she would become.

"Alright," Wei Ji said. "Come here."

She ran to him, her excitement bursting out in her steps. "Show me. Show me. I want to see the vines dance again."

Wei Ji placed his hand on the ground. The soil trembled softly, and thin green vines rose gently like living ribbons. They swayed back and forth, curling in slow spirals around Lu Shaohua without touching her. She gasped and clapped in delight.

"Again," she said. "Make them twirl fast."

"You want speed?"

"Yes."

Wei Ji flicked his wrist, and the vines spun around her in wide circles. The air stirred, brushing her hair aside. She lifted her hands and ran through the moving vines as if she were dancing inside a ring of flowing green light.

"You look like you are performing for the spirits," Wei Ji said.

Lu Shaohua giggled. "I am the spirit."

Wei Ji chuckled. "Is that so?"

"I am."

She jumped toward him and grabbed his sleeve. "Teach me how to do this too. I want to make vines and trees listen to me."

Wei Ji froze. The future Demon Empress would indeed command forests. She would twist roots into cages, force plants to drink blood, and cover entire mountains with thorns that pierced flesh and bone. But right now she wanted to learn because she thought it looked fun.

"You will learn in the future," Wei Ji said gently. "Not now."

She stared up at him. "Why not?"

"You're too young. Your body isn't ready."

She puffed her cheeks. "That's unfair."

Wei Ji laughed and poked her cheek. "Don't worry. You'll grow strong. Stronger than anyone."

Her eyes sparkled at the promise. "Stronger than you?"

Wei Ji hesitated. "Maybe."

"Then I will protect you," she declared. "When I grow strong, I will protect you so you don't have to talk to those scary men again."

He looked at her for a long moment. His throat tightened. The force that would one day destroy his sects again and again was now promising to protect him with a child's pure devotion.

Wei Ji knelt so he could meet her eyes. "Listen. You don't need to protect me. Just stay safe and stay away from danger. That's enough."

She shook her head hard. "No. I will protect you. You are good to me. You play with me. You give me fruit. So I will protect you when I grow big."

Wei Ji rested his hand on her head. "Then grow strong and happy. That is all I want."

Lu Shaohua placed her hand over his. "Then you must promise something too."

Wei Ji raised a brow. "What promise?"

"Promise you won't leave. Promise you won't disappear without telling me."

He paused. He couldn't say yes. He couldn't say no. His life was tied to a future she didn't know, a truth she would never believe, a fate that would tear them apart no matter what he chose.

But right now she was a child looking at him with a trembling voice and fear hidden behind determination.

So he said the only thing he could say.

"I will stay as long as I can."

She frowned slightly. "That is not a real promise."

"It is the only one I can make."

Lu Shaohua looked uncertain for a moment. Then she nodded and took his hand in both of hers.

"Then stay today. And stay tomorrow. And stay the day after. I will count each day you are here. If you leave, I will chase you."

Wei Ji couldn't help but smile. "Alright. I will stay today."

"And tomorrow?"

"And tomorrow."

She brightened again and tugged him toward the courtyard. "Then play with me more. I don't want to sleep yet."

He let himself be pulled along. "Fine. But only for a little while."

"Good."

Lu Shaohua tugged him toward the small garden behind the courtyard, where the lantern light flickered softly against the leaves. She suddenly stopped and looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Wait," she said. "Before we play more… can you tell me a story?"

Wei Ji blinked. "A story?"

"Yes." She nodded quickly. "You always look like someone who knows many stories. Tell me one about a hero. Or a monster. Or a hero who fights a monster."

Wei Ji sighed in a helpless way but smiled anyway. "Alright. Sit."

Lu Shaohua sat cross-legged on the grass, hands on her knees, eyes shining with excitement. Wei Ji sat across from her, letting the night breeze brush against his face.

He thought for a moment, then began slowly. "Once, a long time ago, there was a boy who wanted to protect everyone he cared about. He trained day and night. He sacrificed everything to grow stronger."

Lu Shaohua leaned forward. "And? Did he win?"

Wei Ji looked at her for a long moment. "Not at first. He lost many times. He lost people he cared for. He lost his home. But he never gave up."

She whispered, "Then he must be a real hero."

He smiled faintly. "He tried to be. But the monster he fought was stronger than anything he had ever seen. No matter how much he grew, the monster always grew faster."

Lu Shaohua frowned deeply. "That is not fair."

"No," Wei Ji said quietly. "It wasn't."

"What happened next?" she asked softly.

Wei Ji hesitated. His voice dropped, almost a whisper. "One day… he decided to try again. He went far away. Farther than anyone else. He tried to change everything from the beginning."

Lu Shaohua stared at him with confused eyes. "Did he meet the monster again?"

Wei Ji nodded. "He did. But the monster didn't know him. Not yet."

She tilted her head. "Then… is the monster still scary?"

He looked at her face. Her innocence. Her warmth. The girl who would one day become that very monster.

"No," he whispered. "Not anymore."

Lu Shaohua beamed. "Good. Then the hero can win."

Wei Ji didn't answer.

Instead, he raised a hand and flicked her forehead gently. "Enough story. You said you wanted to play."

She yelped and rubbed her forehead. "That hurt!"

"It did not." Wei Ji stood. "Come on. I will show you how to make the fireflies gather."

At once, her earlier irritation vanished, replaced by glowing excitement. "Really? You can do that?"

"Watch."

Wei Ji lifted his hand, spiritual energy flowing softly. Tiny lights flickered at the edge of the garden. A moment later, dozens of fireflies drifted in, circling the two of them like floating lanterns.

Lu Shaohua squealed and ran through them, waving her arms. "This is amazing!"

Wei Ji watched her dance among the lights, her laughter ringing through the quiet night. For a moment, all the weight on his shoulders faded.

He knew it wouldn't last. But small moments mattered too.

Lu Shaohua spun around and grabbed his hand again. "Wei Ji. When I grow up, will you still be here to tell me stories?"

He looked down at her.

And even though he couldn't promise it, he still reached out and touched her hair gently.

"I will stay as long as I can," he said again. "And I will tell you many stories."

She grinned. "Good. Then tomorrow, I want a story about a princess."

Wei Ji chuckled. "Then I will think of one."

She nodded happily and pulled him back toward the house. The fireflies drifted in their wake like a trail of soft sparks.

And for one small, fragile moment, it felt like the world was gentle.

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