Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain

In the midst of an intense battle, Murong Tong found himself facing the ‘Flowering Steel Trees.’ As they clashed, overwhelming amounts of spiritual energy enveloped the surroundings. Even the Manifestation transformation standing behind him was entangled in the fierce struggle, unable to break free from the enthralling combat. 

However, the tide of battle seemed to be in Murong Tong’s favour.

The Poisonous Old Ghost next to Tang Can abruptly rose and charged headfirst into the fray, aiming directly for Murong Tong.

His garments fluttered in the wind, and a poisonous energy surged from his outstretched palm. However, it wasn’t enough.

Under Tang Can’s anxious gaze, a mouthful of blood essence sprayed from his lips, transforming into a sickly green hue that tainted the air with its repugnant odour.

The grotesque scent rapidly pervaded the vicinity.

Alongside that, the Poisonous Old Ghost’s complexion became pale as three dark lines appeared on his palm.

This was the Poisonous Old Ghost’s ultimate technique: The Three Poison Vicious Palm.

This technique wielded incredible power; however, its sole weakness lay in its challenging targeting. If the opponent displayed sufficient agility,  the technique could be easily evaded.

“Die for this old man!”

The Poisonous Old Ghost’s complexion turned deathly pale, clearly bearing the brunt of a severe backlash from unleashing such a technique.

It seemed as though the Poisonous Old Ghost lacked the strength to fully utilise this move.

Tang Can was well aware of this fact, and that this was a last-resort, ultimate technique that the Poisonous Old Ghost had created himself and had passed on to him.

“Master! Have you gone mad? Stop!”

Tang Can urgently cried out, but he couldn’t stop the Poisonous Old Ghost himself.

While he possessed the ability to kill a Manifestation realm expert or even a Sky Reaching realm expert with his hidden weapons, his cultivation was only at the peak of the Origin realm. He wasn’t strong enough to even approach the tornado-like battle of multiple Sky Reaching realm experts.

Even inching closer to the battle would rip his body into shreds and fling him away.

Murong Lin mocked him from the sidelines, “It’s useless, he’s already under my control.” 

Tang Can turned towards him, staring at Murong Lin in resentment as he snapped, “What exactly did you do?”

He couldn’t understand what was going on, was his master the Poisonous Old Ghost Murong Lin’s ally, or his underling?

He had no knowledge of his master serving anyone before.

But if his master wasn’t Murong Lin’s servant, why would he obey his commands at the cost of his own blood essence?

“Hah.” Murong Lin laughed coldly as he stared at Tang Can with contempt, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he taunted, “Of course, I did have to do something very simple.”

Tang Can’s fists were clenched tightly, his nails digging into his flesh as blood dripped. With gritted teeth, he glanced at the battlefield before turning back to face Murong Lin, “What? Did you threaten my master with something?”

He could sense that his master wasn’t putting on an act.

The Poisonous Old Ghost’s willingness to risk his life to carry out the commands and his decision to destroy the fake Murong Lin’s body to eliminate any loose ends pointed to an undeniably intricate connection with Murong Lin.

“Why assume it was a threat? It could have been a mutual cooperation,” Murong Lin mumbled to himself before directing a disingenuous smile towards Tang Can. The words that followed sent shivers down Tang Can’s spine:

“Perhaps, I had turned him into a puppet long ago?”

“You!”

Tang Can’s expression contorted, his complexion paling instantly.

No matter how vivid his imagination was, he hadn’t thought of this.

With the aid of the Tang sect’s secret sight technique, Tang Can scrutinized his master, and a harrowing truth revealed itself. The Poisonous Old Ghost’s eyes lacked any trace of spirit or consciousness.

The ‘Flowering Steel Trees’ had also advanced as the Poisonous Old Ghost unleashed his ultimate technique, grabbing Murong Tong’s arms and holding him down firmly. 

Murong Tong was naturally aware of the Poisonous Old Ghost headed his way from behind him, and he had no intentions of becoming a sitting duck.

He circulated the 《Sky Devouring Return》once more. A brilliant beam of light erupted from his palms and surged into the arms of the ‘Flowering Steel Trees’.

The extent of the pain and injuries he inflicted were excruciating, beyond what anyone could endure.

It became evident that the ‘Flowering Steel Trees’ were no ordinary individuals. Despite the intense pain and injuries, their expressions remained stoic as they expelled mouthfuls of blood essence. Their fists grew in size as they viciously locked onto Murong Tong’s arms, holding him in midair.

Both renowned for their expertise in cultivating fist kungfu, the ‘Flowering Steel Trees’ possessed such immense strength that even Murong Tong couldn’t evade them, despite his foot techniques.

Furthermore, the two had spewed out mouthfuls of blood essence yet again, exhausting their energies.

The technique they employed had a significant cost, it expended their body’s potential and potentially hindered their future cultivation progress. The severe consequences deterred many from resorting to such a technique, as only a few were willing to bear the long-term ramifications it brought about.

With Murong Tong firmly restrained by the ‘Flowering Steel Trees,’ he was defenceless against the attack that the Poisonous Old Ghost had risked his life to unleash. With his movements restricted, the assault effortlessly found its mark on his vulnerable stomach.

The skin that the Poisonous Old Ghost’s palm came into contact with immediately engorged.

And the Poisonous Old Ghost paid a heavy price for his desperate move, as his arm disintegrated in an instant, leaving behind only shattered bones.

And Murong Tong, who had suffered the brunt of this attack with his stomach, could instantly feel the poison seep into his body, accompanied by immense pain.

His guts felt as though they were being ripped into shreds, as if he had swallowed a thousand needles, or perhaps a thousand blades.

Murong Tong cried out miserably, he no longer had any strength to resist.

While this attack wasn’t sufficient to kill a Sky Reaching Realm expert, it was enough to bring them indescribable agony.

The ‘Flowering Steel Trees’ released their grip, causing Murong Tong to collapse to the ground in an instant, his body convulsing uncontrollably.

Immobile from the excruciating pain, Murong Tong could only manage a hoarse cry, “Murong Lin! Are you truly intending on killing your own father?”

Watching his wretched plight, Tang Can could only feel a chill permeating his heart.

Turning towards his own master, Tang Can’s heart sank at the sight before him. The Poisonous Old Ghost’s condition was dire, his arm completely shattered from deploying the devastating move, while his other arm hung precariously, nearly torn off. Even his once divine-looking, long white beard had been reduced to a pitiful state. 

“Master!” Tang Can cried out miserably yet again.

But the Poisonous Old Ghost didn’t spare a single glance in Tang Can’s direction. Instead, he staggered towards Murong Lin, dropping to his knees like a subservient dog, his gaze fixed upon his master.

Tang Can’s eyes widened to an impossible extent, and the veins on his face bulged as an overwhelming rage consumed him. His eyes were now filled with traces of blood as the crimson liquid seeped through his gritted teeth. With each word enunciated meticulously, he uttered, “Murong, Lin, you, are, courting, death!”

Murong Lin was currently savouring the sound of the system’s voice echoing in his mind, his laughter carrying a sense of satisfaction.

“Ding! The protagonist Tang Can’s ‘Little protagonist halo’ is continuing to shatter, his protagonist value has dropped by 50.”

“Ding! Congratulations to master for obtaining a villain value of 50, you may use it to purchase items in the system shop.”

Indeed, the extent of his humiliation and the severance of his relationship with his master had a profound impact on Tang Can. It wasn’t a surprise that his protagonist value was lowered.

How could Tang Can possibly remain calm in the midst of all of this?

His father had died because of Murong Lin’s schemes.

His friend died to Murong Lin’s schemes.

And now, even his master had been refined into a puppet because of him, no longer the person he once was.

All of this, was because of Murong Lin!

Tang Can’s anger surged like a long-dormant volcano, intensifying to levels he hadn’t experienced in a long time. His silhouette flickered as he advanced, charging straight towards Murong Lin.

But his target wasn’t Murong Lin.

As a disciple of the Tang sect, he was well aware of his own limitations. He was no match for the three Sky Reaching realm experts, even considering their injuries.

As such, the Murong Lin that was hiding behind them was someone he couldn’t reach no matter how hard he tried.

His sole objective was to rescue his master.

As long as he could knock him unconscious and bring him away, might provide him with a chance to find a way to save him.

Yes, just like that!

Therefore, he feigned an attack on Murong Lin, but in reality, his true target was his master.

But in the next moment, the chilling words that came from Murong Lin’s mouth shook him to the core once again.

“En? Aren’t you worried about that little lover of yours?”