Within the Vast Heaven Realm.
Xiao Fan was taken aback by Xuanwei's question. It was an incredibly difficult one to answer. However, seeing Xuanwei's eager and inquisitive expression, he realized that she wouldn't let the matter rest without an answer.
With a sigh, Xiao Fan replied, "I've never allowed myself to dwell on such a question, nor would I ever entertain thoughts that might hurt them."
"They are all dear to me, and as long as they are safe and well, I am content."
As he spoke, Xiao Fan's expression turned sorrowful. "Perhaps the better question is: which one of them hates me the most now?"
His voice carried a bitter undertone. Despite his seemingly strong exterior, Xiao Fan was far from unbreakable. He too had moments of sadness, pain, and feelings of injustice, but he had no one to confide in. He had no master to protect him, so he could only bear all his pain in silence.
Outside the Vast Heaven Mirror.
Hearing Xiao Fan say that he wouldn't even consider thoughts that might hurt his disciples deeply moved everyone. What kind of kind and gentle person could be so selfless, always thinking of others first? Having such a master must be the ideal for anyone.
But when Xiao Fan mentioned which disciple might hate him the most, a wave of sorrow washed over them all. Regardless of how Xiao Fan later became the infamous Netherworld Demon Emperor, everything they had seen so far showed a life filled with heartache and bitterness. To protect his disciples, Xiao Fan had given everything he could.
When Xiao Fan posed the question of which disciple hated him the most, it was clear that he was deeply saddened by it. He wasn't indifferent; he was a man who had given his all for his disciples, yet what he received in return was their hatred. Even though he chose this path willingly, it didn't mean he was immune to the pain.
But Xiao Fan had no one to shield him from suffering. In this moment, he wasn't the fearsome Netherworld Demon Emperor; he was just a tragic figure, a man burdened by a cruel fate. This realization brought a surge of emotion among those watching.
If ordinary onlookers felt such sorrow, it was even more overwhelming for the empresses who had been silently protected by Xiao Fan.
"No!!! Master, it's all my fault! I misunderstood you! Please don't blame yourself anymore!" Leng Ruoxue cried out, her tears falling like rain. At that moment, her emotions completely broke down. Her eyes, filled with tears, gazed longingly at Xiao Fan, who was now little more than a living corpse in the Primal Emperor City.
"Master! I no longer hate you! I will stay by your side forever, just wake up, please?" Her voice was filled with sorrow and desperation.
"Xiao Fan, if you don't wake up soon, I really will hate you for the rest of my life!" Huo Ling'er shouted angrily, her voice fierce. But her bloodshot, tear-filled eyes betrayed her true feelings. She clenched her fists so tightly that her arms trembled, terrified that Xiao Fan might never wake up.
Long Xiaoxiao bit her lip, her eyes wet but determined not to let the tears fall. She whispered, "Master, I won't hate you anymore, and I won't lose control again. I promise to be good, but you must promise me that you'll never leave me again."
Wen Yaxian, though calmer than the others, had red-rimmed eyes and tear-stained cheeks. Her gaze was full of deep emotion and guilt as she looked at Xiao Fan. She, too, wanted to shout and wake him up like Leng Ruoxue, but she was more rational. She knew that when Xiao Fan chose to seal away all his senses and become a living corpse, it meant he had already let go of everything, or at least had nothing left to hold on to.
To truly wake Xiao Fan, shouting wasn't enough—he couldn't hear them. The only way was to break the Heavenly Execution Array and rescue him first.
Gongsun Yarou understood this as well. Although she unconsciously clenched her fists, her expression remained unchanged. Her eyes were fixed on Xiao Fan within the Primal Emperor City.
"Xiao Fan, don't think you can just die and escape everything!" she yelled. "You think that just because you did it for my sake, I wouldn't hate you? You're wrong!"
Her gaze was full of anger. She hated Xiao Fan's self-righteous decisions and his misguided kindness. He might have died for her, but he never asked if she wanted that.
"When you wake up, I'll make it clear—I reject your so-called kindness!" she continued, her voice filled with fury. "Xiao Fan, as long as I live, I'll hate you every single day!"
"I won't let you die. I'll keep you imprisoned by my side to atone for your sins forever!" Gongsun Yarou shouted, her voice filled with rage, the aura around her turning terrifying. Her fingernails dug into her palms, drawing blood, but she didn't even notice.
The Empress of the God Clan saw the violent aura emanating from Gongsun Yarou and immediately cast a gentle light over her, calming her rage. Gongsun Yarou's anger subsided, but she glared at the Empress, annoyed. "Mind your own business!" she snapped, rolling her eyes. "Can't I even have some emotions?"
Though her intervention wasn't welcomed, Xuanwei didn't mind. Watching these women's reactions, she began to understand why Xiao Fan had been unable to answer her question about which one he cared for the most.
But as her memories gradually returned, recalling what had happened between her and Xiao Fan, Xuanwei's expression turned strange. The memories now surfacing… could they really be true?
High above, the Jade Pool Empress observed the varying reactions of the others and could barely contain her amusement. How delightful! Their responses might differ, but in the end, all they wanted was to rescue Xiao Fan and make amends. Little did they know, they would never get that chance.
When the Vast Heaven Mirror finished its playback, Xiao Fan would be gone, his body and soul completely annihilated. The thought of what would happen then brought a smile to her face.
It didn't matter if Xiao Fan had hidden motives for everything he did. Just the fact that he had killed her husband and imprisoned his soul was enough. For that alone, she would never forgive Xiao Fan!
To read the manga version, please click the YouTube link https://youtu.be/GnU613H6xm8