Over the past few years, Chen Xiang'er had earned considerable merit by cracking down on corruption and carrying out defections. She had countless eyes and ears in the Northern Frontier, so Ximen Feng's recent efforts to contact Core Formation Cultivators everywhere to save Wang Mingren naturally could not be concealed from her.
Her feelings toward Wang Mingren were complicated. She longed to kill him, and when she learned that he was trapped in the Violet Fire Abyss, she had indeed been delighted. But that delight soon faded. She had imagined it before—if Wang Mingren died, she would become terribly bored. At least Ximen Feng still had a child to keep her company.
Over the years, she had transferred her hatred for Wang Mingren into her work, turning grief and indignation into strength. She treated those errant disciples and enemies as though they were Wang Mingren. Seeing them beg bitterly for mercy gave her an indescribable sense of satisfaction. If Wang Mingren died, whom would she hate? Whom would she love? She would lose all motivation to go on living.
She realized that her hatred for Wang Mingren had seeped into her bones—and so had her love. If Wang Mingren died, she would only be happy for a while; the rest of her life would be endless emptiness. It was an extreme kind of love.
"How did you end up here? What do you want?"
Ximen Feng looked at Chen Xiang'er warily. She believed Chen Xiang'er must have received word already; this matter could not be hidden from her.
"I've been standing at your door for more than half a shichen. Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"
Chen Xiang'er said with a smile that was not quite a smile.
Ximen Feng frowned tightly. Wang Mingren's fate was