Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain

The bone-chilling words that spilled from Murong Lin’s lips sent another shiver down his spine.

Little lover?

Could he be referring to Lu Hai Miao?

There was, undoubtedly, only one woman who held such an intimately familiar connection with him.

Had Murong Lin managed to capture her?

Tang Can’s heart plummeted once more.

He glared at Murong Lin with a mixture of anger and trepidation as he abruptly ceased his assault. His voice was laced with venom as he retorted,

“Is this how low you’ve sunk? Resorting to threaten me with a woman? Release her!”

Murong Lin casually dug his ear, responding with an air of indifference, “Of course I’m not a gentleman. I am a villain, after all.”

Balancing a paring knife in his hand, Murong Lin aimed it at Tang Can while continuing, “I’m extending an opportunity to you now. Depart with Lu Hai Miao and your master, but only in exchange for something from you. What do you say?”

Tang Can’s face contorted into a strange expression, seemingly finding Murong Lin’s words amusing.

But he dared not to treat Lu Hai Miao’s and his master’s life and death as a joke.

He demanded with a vicious tone, “Where is Hai Miao? I want to see her! Additionally, your servants must leave this place as well!”

The former demand was unwavering, while the latter held a glimmer of scepticism even in his own mind.

Yet, against all expectations, Murong Lin yielded.

He signalled for the departure of the ‘Flowering Steel Trees,’ along with Murong Tong, while a contingent of green-clad men escorted a girl over before making their exit.

Now, the sole figures remaining were Tang Can, who stood before Murong Lin and the captive Lu Hai Miao within his grasp, as well as the severely injured Poisonous Old Ghost at their side.

As Tang Can’s gaze settled upon Lu Hai Miao, his inner turmoil became palpable, and a tinge of regret began to wash over him.

Regret gnawed at him mercilessly; the decision to leave her side tonight weighed heavily. He couldn’t shake the notion that had he remained, her safety might have been ensured.

Lu Hai Miao’s eyes locked onto Tang Can, her features contorting with distress before glistening tears took refuge.

Her expression painted a pitiable picture, marred by signs of injury and distress; a hint of a potential leg fracture loomed.

She cried out, “Tang Can! They killed my father!”

The night had been earmarked for her father’s long-awaited return, but little did she know that a group of skilled experts would ambush them the moment they met.

Despite her father’s recent ascension to the eighth layer of the Manifestation Realm after an intense period of seclusion, he stood no chance against their attackers.

Amidst the ruthless onslaught, Lu Hai Miao’s father bore the brunt of a grievous blow, leaving him on the brink of death.

And then, he was beheaded by a strong expert, right after killing four men in a series of dozens of moves.

Despite putting up a valiant fight and taking down several Origin realm experts, Lu Hai Miao was eventually captured by the Manifestation realm expert on the opposing side and forcibly taken away.

It was only upon being brought to Tang Can’s side that the cruel truth dawned on her: she was being held captive not for anything else, but as a bargaining chip against Tang Can.

She couldn’t let that happen!

Then, Murong Lin’s laughter reverberated, “What do you think? As you can see, she lives.”

Tang Can gnashed his teeth in anger, staring at Murong Lin viciously as he asked, “What do you want from me?”

Should Murong Lin demand his very life, there would be nothing left for him to discuss.

If the ultimatum was his death, then the path forward was clear: a battle to the bitter end.

Unperturbed by Tang Can’s piercing stare, Murong Lin seized hold of Lu Hai Miao, his voice devoid of emotion, “I seek nothing of great worth from you. Merely provide me with a complete set of the Tang sect’s scriptures, and I shall release both your little lover and your master.”

His words landed with an unsettling calmness.

Yet, their impact on Tang Can’s chest was profound.

He actually coveted the unique skills of the Tang sect?

No! Definitely not!

“Absolutely not! Revise your terms! I will accede to anything else!” Tang Can’s rejection was swift and unwavering.

While his intense gaze remained fixed on Murong Lin, a fleeting moment revealed a flicker of remorse in his eyes as they shifted toward Lu Hai Miao.

And Lu Hai Miao, too, caught that gaze.

Despite the sting of disappointment from Tang Can’s resolute stance against using the Tang sect’s scriptures to secure her freedom, Lu Hai Miao harboured no trace of resentment toward him.

She shook her head, wanting to speak. However, her throat was sealed by Murong Lin’s spiritual powers, leaving her mute.

Observing Lu Hai Miao’s silent struggle, a trace of compassion tinged Murong Lin’s voice as he inquired, “Is this your man?

He’s choosing to withhold lifeless scriptures at the cost of your life. How pitiable, how utterly pitiful. Even I find myself pitying you. 

So you weren’t even worth anything in his eyes, not even comparable to some scriptures, tch tch tch.”

Lu Hai Miao’s struggle continued, her eyes brimming with emotions as she locked her gaze on Tang Can. She wanted to urge him not to act rashly and fall into Murong Lin’s manipulative trap.

But was Tang Can such an emotionally intelligent man?

Tang Can’s present state was one of profound regret and apology towards Lu Hai Miao, he didn’t even have the courage to look at her.

So how could he possibly have discerned the subtle indications conveyed through Lu Hai Miao’s eyes?

With his head bowed, he mumbled, “Anything else, I can give you anything else. Alter your terms.”

As a devoted Tang sect member in his previous life, not even in his dying moments did he utter a single sentence from the scriptures to an outsider.

But right now, Murong Lin was actually demanding for the entire scripture to be handed over, how could he do so?

The loyalty of any member of the Tang sect was beyond doubt.

Even after Tang Can’s transmigration to a new realm, he wasn’t willing to forget the Tang sect, and he continued to proclaim himself as a member of the Tang sect.

Tang Can had even contemplated establishing a Tang sect in the new world. Aspiring to become the sect master, he envisioned bringing the Tang sect’s hidden weapons and poisons to glory in this unfamiliar realm.

“No! I only want the scriptures of the Tang sect. Hand over the seven great techniques of the Tang sect, or I’ll kill her if even one is missing!”

Murong Lin’s fingers constricted viciously around Lu Hai Miao’s throat, a malevolent grip that strangled the very breath from her lungs.

Lu Hai Miao’s struggle intensified in a desperate attempt to draw air into her lungs, her complexion rapidly reddening.

In the blink of an eye, her fight for breath escalated to a frenzied level.

Watching this sight, Tang Can hurriedly stretched out his arm, “Don’t do anything first!”

His mind was racing to find a solution, trying to think of anything else that he could use to strike a deal with Murong Lin.

“Oh? Don’t even think of trying to lie to me! I am super vicious and cruel!” Murong Lin spoke with a strange tone.

Tang Can overlooked his tone as he focused on the urgent need for negotiation, “Handing over the Tang sect’s scriptures is simply out of the question. You must reconsider your demand.”

Yet, Murong Lin’s response was chillingly silent; his hold on Lu Hai Miao’s throat only tightened, a smile curving his lips as he fixed his gaze upon Tang Can.

Tang Can’s face turned deathly pale as he fought to find the right words, but he couldn’t say anything.

Lu Hai Miao’s complexion turned purple from the lack of oxygen as her body started convulsing. The injuries sustained in the previous battle were already taking their toll, and now, blood began to seep from her wounds, covering her leg in a pool of crimson.

Her eyes were filled with despair and fear towards death.

But she was a resilient girl, and she tried to close her eyes to lessen Tang Can’s burden. 

However, would Murong Lin let her do as she wished?

Murong Lin used his spiritual force to force Lu Hai Miao’s eyes open, exposing her to Tang Can’s gaze. He deliberately positioned her before Tang Can, forcing him to witness the despair in her eyes up close.

In that instant, Tang Can could feel that despair.

He felt as though his heart was fiercely struck by something.

The memories of the difficult times he had shared with Lu Hai Miao in these few weeks flashed past his eyes, causing his heart to throb in pain.

He could see the love and agony visible in the girl’s eyes, but he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

He thought that he was undeserving.

“Cultivation methods can be reclaimed, but the deceased are lost forever!” Murong Lin taunted.

Once more, the vice around Lu Hai Miao’s throat tightened, causing Lu Hai Miao’s complexion to worsen even further.

“This is, after all, your lover. Are you truly ignoring her plight over a dead sect?” Murong Lin’s gaze bore into Tang Can.

Tang Can’s complexion betrayed the internal struggle he was facing. The little bit of resistance he had left seemed to be crumbling under the weight of the situation.

Was he wavering?

“Consider it, a scripture in exchange for a life—such a decision would scarcely taint even a devoted member of the Tang sect.” 

“The mantle of the Tang sect’s legacy rests solely on your shoulders. Are you not aware? As its sole heir, your actions need not hew to their every decree.”

“How is it, have you decided?” With a deliberate release of his oppressive spiritual power, Lu Hai Miao’s throat was freed, her agonized scream tearing through the air.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!”

The heart-rending shriek jolted Tang Can, wrenching a final decision from his quivering resolve. His voice dripped with solemnity, “Enough! I can give you what you want.”

“Ding! The protagonist Tang Can’s ‘Little protagonist halo’ continues to shatter, his protagonist value has dropped by 100.”

“Ding! Congratulations to master for obtaining a villain value of 100, you may use them to purchase items in the system shop.”