Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 59: Living Person

Chapter 59: Living Person

Through the cycles of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, Li Muwan’s physical condition had significantly recovered compared to when she first arrived.

The person in the bronze mirror before the dressing table had learned to draw her own eyebrows, though her strokes weren’t as delicate as Wang Lin’s. She had also learned to put on her shoes and socks herself, yet still struggled with dressing properly.

“Today is Wan’er’s birthday,” Wang Lin announced as he pushed the door open. An autumn breeze slipped through the doorway as he entered, carrying several branches of camellias in his arms.

He also held a jar of wine in his hand.

Li Muwan was holding the stone pencil when she turned her head at his voice, causing her eyebrow line to go crooked.

Wang Lin noticed her movement immediately, pausing mid-step before approaching her with a soft chuckle.

After setting the wine jar aside and arranging the camellias in the vase beneath the windowsill, he took the stone pencil from her hand. Leaning close, he gently wiped away the misplaced stroke.

“Wan’er’s eyebrows are getting better,” he said, “but we agreed that from now on, Senior Brother would do them for you.” Taking the stone pencil, he added, “Wan’er just needs to sit at the dressing table.”

She tilted her slender neck forward, bringing her face too close. Unable to see properly, Wang Lin lightly kissed her forehead before creating some distance between them.

“I can’t see when you’re this close, Wan’er. Don’t be mischievous.”

“Today I’ll give Wan’er beautiful makeup and a new set of clothes.”Another year has passedWan’er has grown up,” he spoke as if coaxing a child. “Wan’er said she wanted gifts every year on her birthday.”

Wang Lin led Li Muwan to the courtyard where several wood blocks were arranged on the wooden table.

“Wan’er, sit here.” Li Muwan took her seat on the wooden chair beside him, showing keen interest in the wood pieces on the table. Wang Lin picked up one piece, and with a carving knife between his fingers, began sculpting. Wood shavings drifted down as he worked, catching Li Muwan’s curiosity. She bent down to pick up the fallen curls.

A coiled wood shaving resembled a flower, and finding it amusing, she twirled it between her fingers.

When Wang Lin made another cut, producing a long, unbroken wood curl, Li Muwan reached for it before it could fall. The carving knife was dangerously close, but his hand remained steady, his gaze catching her approaching fingers just in time to withdraw the blade.

“Don’t move, Wan’er. This knife is sharpit could hurt you.” His tone carried a warning, like someone scaring a child. Li Muwan quickly retracted her hand, safely tucking it into her sleeve.

Amused by her reaction, Wang Lin couldn’t resist kissing her cheek. She sat upright, gazing at him with a confused yet smiling expression.

After nearly half an hour, the wood carving began taking shapeit was becoming a likeness of Li Muwan.

The once straight-backed sitter had now slumped forward, resting her chin on Wang Lin’s arm as she watched his hands work. Her eyes sparkled with delight as the wood block gradually transformed into a small figure.

“Almost done. Can Wan’er tell what it is?”

She wanted to touch it but feared getting hurt. Though she couldn’t fully understand his words, having spent so much time with Wang Lin, she could grasp some meaningsjust not the deeper ones.

After waiting a while longer, Li Muwan grew tired. Her newly changed clothes now bore some wood dust.

“Finished.” A vivid wooden miniature appeared before them. Li Muwan happily accepted it, examining the small statue that resembled herself. Wanting to express herself but unable to speak, she simply pointed at her own chest while watching Wang Lin’s reaction.

Wang Lin’s voice softened. “It’s Wan’er. This is called a wood carvingit’s made in Wan’er’s image.”

Uncertain whether she understood, he nodded anyway as she clung to the statue, examining it with uncontainable delight.

“This is my birthday gift for Wan’er this year.” Wang Lin wrapped his arm around her while the girl in his embrace remained completely absorbed with the small statue, thoroughly satisfied.

“Wan’er can play here while I make longevity noodles for you.”

Wang Lin tidied up the scattered wood shavings and put away his carving knife, restoring the courtyard to its neat state.

He brought out flour and warm water, sitting in the yard as he worked. He had grown accustomed to Li Muwan playing beside him while he busied himself – whatever he did, she would always keep him company.

Sometimes she would place the small carved figure on the table, then crouch down from her chair, resting her chin on the table edge until her eyes were level with the surface, gazing at the statuette. When she had looked her fill, she would reach out to retrieve it, cradling it in the crook of her arm.

The man kneading the dough watched her intently, his eyes filled with boundless affection for her inexplicable behaviors.

Suddenly distracted, Li Muwan stared at the pure white flour in his basin, curiously poking her finger at the unkneaded dough before putting it in her mouth to taste.

“Wan’er, you can’t eat raw flour.” Wang Lin pulled her finger from between her teeth, then took a small cloth to wipe it clean.

Noticing the flour dusted on the tip of Wang Lin’s nose, making it white, she pointed at his nose and laughed.

Understanding her meaning, Wang Lin wiped it off with his sleeve. Feeling playful, he smeared some flour from his hand onto her face. Seeing Wang Lin laugh, she joined in with her own laughter.

“Silly Wan’er, you don’t even know to dodge.” Finding her adorable, Wang Lin’s playful spirit stirred again even as he continued kneading the dough.

He wanted to tease her some more.

Wiping more flour on her face, he cupped her small face in his hands. Li Muwan looked at him blankly, not understanding his intentions but knowing Wang Lin was playing with her, so she simply smiled.

“Putting powder on Wan’er.” Li Muwan’s fair complexion was naturally pale, and the pure white flour covered the rosy hue of her cheeks. Wanting to reciprocate, she suddenly thrust her hand into the basin, grabbed a handful of flour, and smeared it all over Wang Lin’s face.

Caught off guard, Wang Lin got a mouthful of flour, sputtering out white puffs as the powder settled over his handsome features and disappeared into his white hair without a trace.

Li Muwan grinned from ear to ear, though not a sound escaped her lips.

“As long as Wan’er is happy.” He rubbed his flour-dusted face against her lips. This time Li Muwan tried to dodge, but Wang Lin pulled her back, not letting her succeed.

Flour covered half her face now, and Wang Lin laughed along with her, coaxing, “You look beautiful.”

After playing for quite some time, he finally finished kneading the dough and cut it into long, thin noodles.

The cooked noodles were served with a poached egg on top, their aroma filling the air.

Catching the scent, Li Muwan placed her hands on the table, her eyes fixed on the noodle bowl.

“Wan’er, these are longevity noodles.” Wang Lin picked up a strand with his chopsticks, blew on it to cool it down, then brought it to her lips.

Li Muwan patiently opened her mouth. She hadn’t yet learned to slurp noodles, only biting them off, leaving the remaining portion to fall back into the bowl.

“Is it delicious?” Wang Lin asked gently.

Li Muwan’s eyes curved into smiles – her way of showing satisfaction with the flavor.

She reached for the chopsticks in Wang Lin’s hand. She had recently learned to use them, though not very skillfully, but could now eat porridge by herself.

“Wan’er wants to eat by herself?”

Holding the chopsticks, she glanced at Wang Lin before attempting to pick up noodles. She could only manage a few strands at a time, with some still falling back into the bowl.

“Wan’er, blow on them.” Wang Lin demonstrated, and Li Muwan imitated, blowing on the noodles.

“Wait until they’re not hot before eating.”

Li Muwan carefully tested the temperature before putting them in her mouth.

Wang Lin watched with gratification, though he found it amusing that her little face was still covered in flour.

As Li Muwan quietly ate her noodles by herself, Wang Lin watched the scene with countless emotions swirling in his heart.
“Wan’er’s physical body has mostly recovered, and she’s gradually learning some daily living skills these days. But as long as her soul remains incomplete, she cannot live like a normal person.”

“Nor will she remember who I am, or recall any of our shared memories.”

Life in the peach grove was undoubtedly comfortable. Wang Lin would have been content to remain here with his Wan’er, guarding his parents’ memorial tablets. However, if Tuo Sen managed to escape the Ancient God’s domain, he would certainly return for revenge. When that time came, Li Muwan, who had just regained her physical form with great difficulty, would have to face this calamity alongside him.

He would never allow anyone to harm his Wan’er.

Never!

***

Recently, Wang Lin had made some mechanical toys for Li Muwan to play with. She sat cross-legged on the low couch, intently studying the fascinating contraptions, yet unable to assemble them no matter how she tried. With remarkable patience, she attempted repeatedly, the faint scraping sounds of wooden pieces reaching Wang Lin’s ears.

After a long while, her small brows furrowed then relaxed, her childish face puffing up in frustration as if challenging these mechanical toys.

Wang Lin, who had been meditating at his desk, released a strand of Divine Sense to observe her. A slight smile touched his lips as he withdrew the Divine Sense. Suddenly, the mechanical toy in her hands floated into the air, circled around her once, then hovered before her eyes. When Li Muwan reached to grab it, the toy drifted forward as if deliberately leading her on.

She looked helplessly toward Wang Lin meditating nearby, but he showed no reaction. The mechanical toy floated toward Wang Lin’s direction again, prompting Li Muwan to climb down from the couch and chase after it.

Wang Lin opened his eyes, catching the toy in his palm. He then embraced the person standing beside him, settling her on his lap. “Wan’er, what’s wrong?”

When Li Muwan reached for the object in his hand, Wang Lin held it further away, his gaze falling on the half-exposed foot peeking from beneath her skirt. “Why have you come down without wearing shoes again?”

His large hand gently brushed the sole of her foot before lifting his own long gown to wrap around her small feet. Only then did he return the mechanical toy for her to play with.

“Wan’er, shall we assemble this together?” Li Muwan picked up the toy while Wang Lin encircled her against his chest, his hands gently covering hers. He picked up a component and asked, “Wan’er, see if this piece can be attached?”

After examining it for a moment, Li Muwan attempted the assembly. This time, she succeeded. She happily swung her legs and looked up, awaiting Wang Lin’s praise.

“My wife is exceptionally clever.”

Li Muwan didn’t hear “Wan’er” and didn’t understand his words, but seeing Wang Lin smile, she knew he was praising her.

Having let her play all evening, she was bound to grow tired. Frequent yawns escaped her as her eyes grew heavy with sleep. Wang Lin carried her to the low couch.

“Wan’er is sleepy. You can play more after waking, alright?” Li Muwan obediently lay down and was covered with blankets, but she tightly clutched the mechanical toy in her hand, unwilling to let go.

Seeing her like this, Wang Lin’s heart softened again. He gently patted her and said, “Sleep well, Wan’er.”

Before long, after Li Muwan had fallen asleep, he carefully pried the mechanical toy from her hand and placed it beside her pillow.

Her pink cheeks exhaled even, warm breaths – exhausted from playing, she slept deeply. Outside, the moon shone brightly amidst sparse stars, and all sounds ceased into profound silence. Gazing intently at this face day after day, year after year – this was what his heart truly desired.

At dawn the next day, Li Muwan woke to find the space beside her empty. Wang Lin was in the kitchen preparing congee. Her hands searched through the blankets for last night’s mechanical toy. Not finding it, she searched the low couch again before finally discovering the wooden toy beside her pillow.

The flower branches on the windowsill emitted a delicate fragrance. This time, she had put on her shoes, her long hair cascading loosely as she stood before the bronze mirror, gazing at her reflection for a moment before shifting her gaze to the window.

Half the window was open, allowing the morning breeze from the courtyard to drift in. Faintly hearing movements outside, she searched for Wang Lin’s figure.

“Wan’er is awake,” Wang Lin said as he entered with a basin of warm water.

Li Muwan hopped forward a few steps and held up the mechanical toys in front of him.

“If Wan’er likes them, I’ll make more for you to play with.”

“Come,” Wang Lin guided her by the waist to sit on the couch. “Wan’er, wash up first, and then we’ll have breakfast.”

She sat upright, palms resting on her knees, obediently waiting as Wang Lin wrung out the damp cloth. She watched the water drip back into the basin, ripples distorting Wang Lin’s reflection. Curious, she reached into the water, trying to grasp the image on the surface, only to find it elusive.

“Wan’er, what are you doing?” Wang Lin observed her actions.

Li Muwan glanced up at his real face, then pointed at his reflection in the water. Understanding her inner worldstill filled with curiosity about everythinghe placed the cloth in her hand and waited quietly.

After a moment, Li Muwan lifted the cloth and actually began wiping her face. Wang Lin smiled warmly, brushing aside the strands of hair on her forehead.

He coaxed her gently, “Wan’er is so good, Wan’er is wonderful.”

***

In his free time, Wang Lin took Li Muwan to the market. Every time she went out, she would be happy for days afterward. Though he disliked the strange stares from outsiders directed at Li Muwan, he would do anything to make her happy.

“If I want to find her soul, staying in the mortal realm isn’t the solution. Wan’er only has a hundred years. Once I find the first strand of her soul and infuse it into her body, I can extend her lifespan.”

Wang Lin pondered, planning his departure.

Ahead, the steam and aroma from the bun shop filled the air.

Li Muwan darted out of his sight and leaned against the bun stall, staring eagerly at the plump, meat-filled buns.

Every time they visited the market, she would crave the buns from this shop. Over time, the shopkeeper had come to recognize her.

“Little lady, two meat buns again?”

Li Muwan remembered that the buns she wanted always came from the second steamer on the left, so she pointed to that spot.

Wang Lin strode over, his dignified presence standing behind her, and nodded to the shopkeeper.

Li Muwan turned to him with expectant eyes. Wang Lin affectionately patted her head and took two coins from his sleeve, handing them to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper understood immediately. “Right, two meat buns.”

“Thank you, shopkeeper,” Wang Lin said, accepting the oil-paper-wrapped buns for Li Muwan.

“Young sir, out with your wife again?” the shopkeeper asked curiously, noting that their appearances hadn’t changed at all over the past ten years.

Wang Lin nodded slightly before leading Li Muwan away.

Many vendors along the street knew the couple. They often saw the elegant, refined gentleman affectionately calling his little wife “Wan’er,” though no one knew his name.

Some aunties at the stalls would call out when they saw her, “Wan’er is here!”

Hearing “Wan’er,” Li Muwan knew they were calling her.

She would glance back briefly before moving on.

“Wan’er, have you had your sugar-coated haws today?”

“Wan’er, your dress is so pretty today.”

Her endearing nature touched the kind-hearted aunties, who pitied her for her condition but were glad she had a devoted husband who cherished and protected her.

Li Muwan couldn’t understand others’ words, but she could sense their goodwill. She stopped walking and stood properly beside their stalls, standing upright as she revealed a bright smile, as if wanting the aunties to see clearly the new clothes she wore today and the makeup Wang Lin had applied for her.

“Wan’er girl is truly beautiful.”

The aunties gave her thumbs-up. Wang Lin had made the same gesture before, so she knew they were praising her. Having received the compliment, she turned to look at Wang Lin.

Wang Lin stepped forward to embrace her and nodded toward the aunties.

“Wan’er, let’s go.”

“Wan’er has finished her picture books. Let’s go to the bookstore to pick some new interesting ones for you.”

When they emerged from the bookstore, he carried numerous items in his hands, almost all belonging to Li Muwan.

Just as they stepped out, an elderly man with white hair passed by them, shaking his head with pretended profundity. His faint, somewhat weathered voice reached Wang Lin’s ears.

“Soul of Life has entered the bodynot an ordinary mortal, yet resembling one.Wang Lin whirled around and cautiously asked the hunched figure, “Who are you?””

Beside him, Li Muwan sensed his fluctuating emotions and instinctively buried herself in his embrace, pressing tightly against him, her eyes filled with fear.

Wang Lin suddenly realized he had startled her and gently stroked her back a few times, while his gaze toward the old man remained cautious and sharp.

Wang Lin couldn’t discern his cultivation level at all.

“Spirit Transformation mid-stage, yet your dao companion is a foolish mortal.” The old man chuckled lightly.

“She is not foolish.”With a flawed soul, how can she not be foolish?””

Wang Lin’s gaze intensified once more. This person could see the mystery within Wan’er at a glance, while he couldn’t even detect the other’s cultivation level.

“Senior, we are but strangers who happened to meet. Why tell me this?”

“If you wish to know, little fellow, become my disciple.”

Li Muwan was pressed against Wang Lin’s chest, and after being comforted, she began playing with a strand of his white hair. Seeing Wang Lin conversing with someone, she didn’t fuss but occupied herself with her play.

“Senior, do as you please. This junior takes his leave.” Wang Lin led Li Muwan away without lingering further.

The old man stroked his white beard, shaking his head as he examined the receding figures.

“That person could perceive Wan’er’s incomplete soul and see that her Soul of Life had entered her body.” And what did he mean by ‘not an ordinary mortal, yet resembling one’?” Wang Lin pondered the old man’s words all the way home.