Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 36: Dispute

Chapter 36: Dispute

“You must remember these clearly, Senior Brother.” After placing the wood carving back, Li Muwan began counting on her fingers one by one.

“You must remember Wan’er’s birthday. Every year on my birthday, you must give me a gift. It doesn’t need to be expensive, just something that reflects your sincerity.”

“When it comes to gifts, I would never be careless.” Wang Lin agreed. “If Wan’er desires it, I would give you the most precious treasures.”

“That’s not right. The value of a gift lies in the sentiment, not its price. I know you’d want to give me the best of everything,” Li Muwan gently poked his chest twice, “but I only want what comes from here – genuine feelings.”

“Whether it’s a hairpin, a piece of clothing, or even just a bouquet of flowers you picked yourself.”

Wang Lin pondered – was this really all she wanted?

“You’re always leaving, and each time you’re gone for so long. When you travel in the future, you must bring back gifts for Wan’er. Not things you risk your life to obtain, just tokens of your affection.”

“Alright.”

Li Muwan continued: “Also, you must remember our wedding anniversary. Every year on our anniversary, you must spend it with Wan’er. From now on, we’ll plant a peach tree together in the Southern Garden each year. When the Southern Garden becomes a peach forest, we can count together how many years have passed. How does that sound?”

Wang Lin grew wistful. Every year? They had already spent fifty years together, and now they were about to journey to the Immortal Realm of Rain. How could he possibly plant a peach tree with her every year?

“After I return from the Immortal Realm of Rain, I’ll be with you every wedding anniversary and every birthday.”

Li Muwan was just stating her wishes first, not expecting him to fulfill every detail perfectly.

“Alright,” Li Muwan said, “but for the decades you owe me, you must find time to make them up to me someday.”

“As you wish.”

“Also, if Wan’er acts spoiled or willful, you must comfort me first. If I’m not easily soothed, you must be even more patient. Perhaps with a few more attempts at comforting, I’ll come around.”

“Alright.”

“You’re not allowed to scare people who glance at me a few times with your fierce expressions…”

“That I cannot do.” Wang Lin refused without the slightest hesitation, cutting her off before she could even finish speaking.

Seeing his absolutely resolute expression, Li Muwan was stunned for a moment before conceding, “Then let’s forget that one.”

“Senior Brother, you’re a man of few words. I know you keep many thoughts hidden in your heart that you find hard to express. You must praise Wan’er more often – like choosing one thing each day to compliment: my hairpin looks nice, my dress is beautiful, my makeup is pretty…”

“And you must express your feelings more. If you miss Wan’er, you must tell me, or take the initiative to be affectionate. Though these are small matters, this is how mortal couples behave.” Li Muwan described everything vividly, her small mouth chattering nonstop.

“Alright, I’ll listen to Wan’er.”

“Also, you tend to keep worries to yourself, sharing only good news. Between husband and wife, we should be honest with each other and not hide things. Even dangerous matters must be shared – you’re not allowed to bear them alone.”

“Alright.”

Wang Lin carefully poured a cup of tea and handed it to her to moisten her throat. Li Muwan took a big gulp, feeling satisfied.

Suddenly remembering one more point, she added, “Don’t scold me for no reason… I would be afraid…”

“I won’t scold you.” Wang Lin took back the empty cup. He couldn’t bear to.

“……”Having said almost everything she wanted, Li Muwan embraced Wang Lin, who had been listening attentively all along, and said affectionately: ‘Most importantly, if you love me, you must not get injured, must not act recklessly, and must think thrice before acting.'” Cultivation level has no limits, but no treasure is more important than your life.”

Her fingertips smoothed his collar as she whispered, “You must remember that no matter what happens, you’re not alone. I will always be here waiting for your return.”

Wang Lin’s mind was in disarray, his vision blurred as he gazed at her, gently enfolding her in his arms.

She was warm, and her words burned with intensity.

Leaning against his chest, she whispered softly, “Senior Brother, have you remembered everything Wan’er said?”

Wang Lin replied in a low voice, “I have.”

“Then repeat it for me, Senior Brother.”

“Do not get injured, do not act recklessly…”

“Do not be harsh with Wan’er, speak kind words to Wan’er…”

“Between husband and wife, be open and honest, with no secrets.”

“Every year on my birthday and our wedding day, stay with Wan’er…”

“…”

“Then does Senior Brother know Wan’er’s birthday? Do you remember our wedding day?”

Wang Lin hesitated, “This…”

Li Muwan had never told him her birthday. Time passed swiftly in the World of Cultivationsometimes years would slip by during closed-door cultivation, making specific dates seem insignificant. She rarely celebrated her birthday anyway. Back in the Luoshui Sect, her brother had always remembered, presenting her with different gifts each year.

After leaving the Luoshui Sect, those celebrations ceased, though she kept the date etched in her memory.

As for their wedding day, the date of the Dual Cultivation Ceremony had been arbitrarily chosen by the elders. She refused to consider that their true wedding day.

They had confirmed their marital bond ten days after the ceremony, completing their union that night. Li Muwan had designated that day as their actual wedding anniversary.

After she explained, Wang Lin committed it all to memory.

Zhou Lin delivered a jade slip, and Li Muwan went out to handle affairs.

Wang Lin leaned against the railing, watching the twilight outside the window, beginning to crave this peaceful life. If he journeyed to the Rain Immortal Realm now, who knew how many years might pass before he returned to the Cloud Heaven Sect?

He could no longer recall his own age or birthday. Li Muwan said she would teach him how to love her, and Wang Lin believed he did love heryet he faintly sensed this wasn’t the love she truly desired.

Li Muwan claimed that loving someone meant sharing every moment together, attending to all matters great and small.

But currently, he couldn’t fulfill that. The cosmos was vast, and he still had unmet ambitions. The path of cultivation was longhe and Li Muwan would have ample time to achieve the “every morning and evening” she described.

Those small acts of loving herhe still had endless time to learn them gradually.

Li Muwan insisted on compensating for their fifty-year separation by planting peach trees for every missed wedding anniversary.

In the backyard, Wang Lin wielded a hoe to dig holes while Li Muwan placed saplings inside, then he filled the earth back in.

“By the time Senior Brother returns from the Immortal Realm of Rain, these peach trees will surely have grown tall.” Their sleeves were stained with soil, the fading sunlight bathing the courtyard as the lotus pond shimmered.

The fiends amused themselves in the yard, careful not to crush her spirit herbs. Xu Liguo sat bored by the pond fishing, the Thunder Frog submerged playing in the water, the Great Ape brought back more spirit fruits, while Xiao Ling and the mosquito beast circled around the couple.

They both glanced back at the fiends frolicking in the courtyard.

“Wait for my return, and we’ll plant more trees together, Wan’er.”

Wang Lin took her small hand hidden in her sleeve. The setting sun enveloped the Southern Garden, their figures disappearing into the warm hues.

***

In a secluded chamber within the Southern Garden, Li Muwan was meditating in closed-door cultivation. The spiritual power generated from dual cultivation was becoming increasingly difficult for her body to absorb.

A trace of helpless bitterness touched her pale face.

Despite her repeated efforts to build rapport with the fiends, their favorability hadn’t increased further, while the physical toll gradually unsettled her.

[Soul Pearl: I told you two centuries ago to replace the fiends and complete the mission. Had you done so, you would have reclaimed your Soul of Life long ago instead of facing such complications now.]

【Li Muwan: Had you not devoured my Soul of Life, I wouldn’t be facing this troublesome matter of depleted lifespan. Living like this with him now is already a joy in my heart.】

【Soul Pearl: This is fate’s design, not something I can control. You were destined for this tribulation.】

【Li Muwan: Fate? Even cultivators with heaven-defying Cultivation level cannot control destiny, how could I?】

【Soul Pearl: Don’t give up. Although there’s been no recent improvement, at least it hasn’t declined either. Think of it from another perspective – this is good news.】

【Li Muwan: The Fiend holds affection for me, but it hasn’t deepened enough for him to go all out. That’s why the favorability can’t reach one hundred, right?】

【Soul Pearl: Matters of the heart are profoundly complex. If it weren’t so…】

【Li Muwan: Weren’t so what?】

If it weren’t so, in thousands of years, no one has ever been able to move the Fiend through emotion and retrieve their Soul of Life to reverse death into life.

As her Spiritual Power dissipated into nothingness, Li Muwan struggled to calm her restlessness, yet her mind remained troubled. The restricted chamber she had created had never been entered even by Wang Lin, and he rarely took the initiative to probe into Li Muwan’s affairs.

In the courtyard, Li Muwan lay on a rattan chair enjoying the cool breeze. These past few days she hadn’t been clinging to Wang Lin as usual, instead summoning Zhou Lin for conversation.

Zhou Lin looked at the dark circles under his master’s eyes, hesitating to speak.

Li Muwan had raised him, teaching him Magical Arts, Pill Crafting, and Restriction Formations. She had always maintained a solemn and dignified image. Out of respect, he pushed those unfavorable thoughts aside, unwilling to think of his master in that way.

“Master has been exhausting herself managing the sect. If you cannot spare the energy for pill refinement, this disciple can handle it for you.” Zhou Lin produced several Essence Nourishing Pills, presenting them with both hands.

Li Muwan formed a hand seal, causing the spirit pill to float at her fingertip. The pills refined by Zhou Lin were exceptionally pure, filling Li Muwan with joy. She consumed one. “Zhou Lin, go to the mortal world and find some Mortal Tales for me.”

“Ah?” Zhou Lin was stunned. “What does Master need Mortal Tales for?”

Li Muwan felt somewhat embarrassed but maintained her composure. “Your master has great use for them. Just bring them back.”

Though uncertain of their purpose, Zhou Lin would never refuse his master’s command. He accepted the order and departed from Cloud Heaven Sect.

When he returned half a month later, Li Muwan’s secret chamber was filled with various Mortal Tales. Taking advantage of Wang Lin’s meditation sessions, she immersed herself completely in the tales.

Mystical Techniques flowed from her fingertips, spiritual light continuously flipping pages as lines of text materialized in mid-air.

After several consecutive days, Li Muwan finally achieved enlightenment.

【Soul Pearl: Instead of accompanying the Fiend these past few days, why are you reading these Mortal Tales?】

【Li Muwan: I need to study these tales precisely to conquer the Fiend.】

【Li Muwan: If I simply keep pleasing the Fiend, the emotional security he gets from me becomes absolute. He feels no sense of crisis, so the favorability remains stuck in the eighties. The tales say that to control someone’s emotions, one must learn to make them oscillate between hope and fear.】

【Li Muwan: It’s like flying a kite – let it out, tug the string, then pull it back.】

【Soul Pearl: Is this reliable? Don’t play with fire and get burned…】

【Li Muwan: Why panic? I know my limits.】

Confidently storing the Soul Pearl, Li Muwan left the secret chamber. Beyond the carved screen, Wang Lin remained motionless with closed eyes, yet his Divine Sense had spread outside the room, continuously following Li Muwan’s movements as she drifted about.

She merely glanced in his direction without approaching him, instead turning to leave the pavilion.

Wang Lin’s heart sank as if he had lost something, leaving an empty void. Only the swaying gauze curtains remained in the room, along with the faint scent of lotus from her.

“Wan’er…” Wang Lin murmured the name. It had been a monthLi Muwan was either in seclusion or away. This feeling felt strangely familiar.

By the time she returned the next day, Li Muwan had already retreated to her inner chamber. Wang Lin watched her figure until it disappeared.

Li Muwan sat behind the screen, unrolled a scroll, prepared ink, and began sketching an outline. She remained seated for three full hours.

On the desk lay the wood carving he had made for her.

Wang Lin found it hard to focus on his breathing exercises. Though he hadn’t intended to disturb Li Muwan, his desire to see her drew his gaze unconsciously toward the screen.

“Wan’er, what are you doing?” Wang Lin asked cautiously from behind the screen.

Li Muwan, absorbed in her painting, heard him but had no time to respond, offering only a distracted “Hmm.”

After waiting a moment, Wang Lin entered and stood behind the desk. Li Muwan was outlining a vivid portrait, adding a touch of vermilion to the forehead.

“Wan’er is painting…”

“My original scroll went missing. I’ve been meaning to recreate it but kept delaying. Since I have time today, I’m making up for it.” She meticulously traced the patterns on the clothing, recalling every detail with perfect clarity.

Wang Lin’s brow tightened, his deep eyes darkening. A sour numbness surged within him, stirring restless agitation in the shadows of his heart, yet he struggled to maintain composure. He reached out and slightly shifted the scroll.

“Wan’er, you’ve been sitting too long. Rest awhile.”

As Li Muwan’s brush swept across, a smudge of ink stained the clean outline. Frowning in displeasure, she refrained from reproach and said calmly, “Senior Brother? Wan’er hasn’t finished yet.”

“Stop painting.” He took the brush from her hand and placed it back on the stand.

“Why?” Li Muwan objected, pulling the painting back and reaching for the brush again.

But her wrist was seized, immobilizing her. Assuming Wang Lin wanted to practice Dual Cultivation, she tried to placate him, “Senior Brother, I haven’t finished. Can you wait until Wan’er completes it?”

Wang Lin paid no heed, his expression locked in displeasure and gloom, as if shattered. He rasped, “This is Ma Liang!”

His grip tightened on her wrist. Li Muwan winced in pain and instinctively struggled, barely managing to free her hand before Wang Lin captured it again, pulling her to her feet.

Forced against his chest, Li Muwan looked up into his profound eyes, finding an impenetrable chill.

“What… what’s wrong with you?” A flicker of fear arose in her, and she tried to retreat.

Wang Lin stared at her. In an instant, a red flash of Mystical Technique passed before their eyes, and the painting on the desk instantly turned to ashes.

“Senior Brother, you…” Li Muwan stared speechlessly at the ashes, as if connecting the dots. She looked at him in disbelief, “Did you destroy my original scroll too?”

Wang Lin didn’t deny it, merely gazing fixedly at her with intense malevolence.

Li Muwan demanded, “Why? Senior Brother knew how important that painting was to me, yet you destroyed it and watched me search for it all this time.”

“No wonder I couldn’t find itonly you and your Fiends come and go in the Southern Garden,” Li Muwan realized, understanding that the Fiends knew who had destroyed the scroll but dared not betray their master. Overwhelmed with grievance, her voice rose, “Was it fun for Senior Brother to toy with me?”

His narrow eyes brimmed with gloom, the red at their corners nearly blending with his hair color. “This is Ma Liang!”

“What about Ma Liang?” Li Muwan retorted, furious.

“Why Ma Liang?”

“Yes, it’s Ma Liang, but it’s also you.” Confined to the chair, she couldn’t move her seated body at all. With the desk behind her, retreat was impossible.

“Wan’er, I’m standing right before you, yet you draw Ma Liang because you can’t forget that face, is that it?” Wang Lin’s oppressive aura closed in, demanding an answer and leaving her no room to withdraw.

Li Muwan weakly tried to avert her gaze, but he forcibly captured it back. “Look at me and speak.”

This version of Wang Lin was more terrifying than when passion ran high. Fear gripped her now. Li Muwan’s beautiful eyes shimmered with unshed tears; the pain had made her cry, and bitterness flooded her heart.

She had been giving him the cold shoulder these past few days, yet the favorability rating remained hopeless. Already emotionally confused, she had secretly grieved for days over the lost painting without daring to mention it to him. Now she discovered it was all his doing, and he was treating her so harshly on top of it.

She had clearly taught him not to be fierce with her, yet he still hadn’t learned.

Li Muwan’s temper flared too. Through tears and sobs, she challenged him: “Then who should I draw? You look different every time you return. Which version of you should I paint?”

“The Wang Lin in disciple robes who called me Grandmaster? The Wang Lin who appeared in black at the Dual Cultivation Ceremony? Or the Wang Lin with red hair interrogating me now?”

Wang Lin’s face stiffened, rendered speechless by her questions. The words stuck in his throat wouldn’t come out.

Red marks bloomed where he gripped her cheeks. Scorching tears slid into his palm, smearing across half of Li Muwan’s face – a heartbreaking sight.

Struggling with inner darkness, he heard Li Muwan’s nearly silent whisper: “That Ma Liang in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation… was also you…”

“No,” Wang Lin’s eyes swirled with icy mist, filled with unprecedented unease and doubt. “Have you always been seeing Ma Liang through me?”

He leaned closer, pressing against Li Muwan. “What you’ve always loved is Ma Liang’s face, isn’t that right?”

“Wang Lin, what are you talking about?” Li Muwan’s vision blurred, unable to comprehend him anymore.

Just then, the Soul Pearl began rolling, transmitting a message – the Fiend was becoming uncontrollable.

With favorability plummeting, Li Muwan felt all her efforts crumbling. She could only compose herself to coax him. “If Senior Brother dislikes me drawing your Sea of Demonic Cultivation version, Wan’er won’t paint it anymore. When you’re like this, Wan’er gets scared.”

“Since it’s burned, let it be. Wan’er won’t paint anymore, won’t paint…”

“I’ll only paint you as you are now, alright?”

Li Muwan monitored his reactions while continuously soothing him. After what felt like an eternity, Wang Lin released his grip, instead pulling her into an embrace so tight he seemed unwilling to ever let go. Gently stroking her back, he acted as if the person who had lost all reason moments before wasn’t him at all.

Buried in his embrace, she shed tears of lingering fear – finally, he was pacified.

Originally, he could have suppressed the madness within if she had simply agreed to stop painting. But Li Muwan’s few questions had made him lose his mind completely.

He shouldn’t have been so easily provoked, yet when it came to matters involving her, he became reckless and uncontrollable.

“Senior Brother,” Li Muwan clung to his broad back, “do you blame me?”

Wang Lin cupped the face he had rubbed red, his heart aching though he remained silent.

Physically and emotionally exhausted, Li Muwan noted the dropped favorability in the Soul Pearl. No matter how she tried to coax him afterward, it never recovered above eighty.

After this incident, though both maintained calm, Wang Lin kept his distance. Not wanting to bother him, Li Muwan studied emotional control from relationship guides but never actively sought his company. They simply left each other alone.

The two of them stayed in the same room, separated only by a screen, yet their hearts seemed to drift apart. For Li Muwan, Ma Liang was Wang Lin. Painting Ma Liang was the origin of their connection. When Wang Lin asked whether she was seeing Ma Liang through him, she realized she wasn’t looking at anyone else. From beginning to end, there was only one personwhether called Ma Liang or Wang Lin, the one who had spent four years with her in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation was the man before her. Apart from his changed appearance, nothing else was different.

She just hadn’t expected him to care so much.

The sect was recruiting new disciples, and Li Muwan was away handling affairs. Wang Lin hadn’t seen her for several days, only hearing from Xu Li that Li Muwan had taken on a new disciple during the recent recruitment ceremony.

The disciple was strikingly handsome, twenty-one years old, with an elegant and dignified bearing.