Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain

Chapter 94: Entry

A blinding burst of light engulfed Murong Lin’s senses before his arrival in an entirely unfamiliar locale.

Despite the similarly lush surroundings, these trees differed substantially from those found in Yan’s Demonic Beast Forest. The foliage here instead resembled the evergreen woods of the northern region.

Harnessing his divine senses, Murong Lin meticulously surveyed his environment as he circulated his spiritual powers, he sought the disparities distinguishing this hidden realm from the world he knew.

Expanding the range of his senses, Murong Lin soon detected several demonic beasts within his vicinity. Swiftly, he propelled himself forward, closing the gap between himself and a nearby creature.

Despite his intimate familiarity with 《Meteor · Butterfly · Sword》, this realm now existed tangibly, harbouring the potential for a myriad of mysteries.

At present, the demonic beasts inhabiting this world appeared relatively unimposing.

Gazing upon the Flesh Refining realm demonic beast before him, Murong Lin’s brow furrowed slightly, “Is truly this the strength of the forest’s apex predator? Could it be due to the hidden realm’s modifications?”

Each hidden realm bore its unique attributes, consequently shaping divergent subsequent events. In this world, the scarcity of potent demonic beasts stood out to him.

Continuing his journey, Murong Lin flew through unremarkable vegetation.

Suddenly, his divine senses detected the distant echo of pursuit. In response, he immediately descended onto a tree, perching there to observe the unfolding tumult.

“That fiend! He murdered his own uncle! Let’s see how far he can flee!”

“Hurry, don’t let him escape!”

The clamorous pursuit echoed through the woodland, punctuated by urgent footfalls.

Murong Lin’s eyes narrowed, a scene from the novel surfacing in his memory. At the story’s beginning, numerous individuals sought out Sun Yu Bo’s aid, and among them was Tie Cheng Gang.

His uncle’s mountain village had been razed by the Three Comrades of Yellow Mountain. During their ruthless campaign, they relentlessly pursued Tie Cheng Gang, ultimately driving him to the Sun Manor’s doorstep.

This scenario, in turn, drew forth the three individuals most closely tied to Sun Yu Bo.

However, Tie Cheng Gang’s second appearance was at his own brother’s funeral, a tragic event that culminated in his own suicide.

“Seems like I’m witnessing the very beginning of the novel.”

As he observed, a figure emerged from the undergrowth—a man whose garments and flesh bore searing scars like coal. His visage contorted with bitterness as he sprinted relentlessly towards the direction of Su Zhou, where Old Bo was.

This solitary refuge held the promise of vengeance, the only sanctuary that could satisfy his burning desire for revenge.

In hot pursuit behind him was a group of brawny men adorned in yellow garments. These were the devoted disciples of the ‘Forest Tiger Hero’, Zhao Xiong.

Zhao Xiong, once the closest friend of Tie Cheng Gang’s uncle, had been swayed by the baseless accusations of the Three Comrades of Yellow Mountain, forsaking their bond to hunt him down.

True to his name1¹, Tie Cheng Gang surged forward with unyielding resolve, his body and spirit akin to unbreakable steel. His indomitable charge left the thirteen disciples of Zhao Xiong trailing far behind, their expressions contorted with righteous fury and frustration.

Their failure to apprehend Tie Cheng Gang dealt a blow to their pride, tarnishing their reputation as disciples of a hero.

Then, an unexpected gust of wind swept through the scene as a figure descended gracefully from the trees.

Everyone was stunned.

Even Tie Cheng Gang couldn’t resist stealing a glance backwards.

In that split second, the glint of a blade slashed through the atmosphere.

It was Murong Lin’s blade.

His fickle, unfeeling, merciless and bond-severing blade.

In a heartbeat, it mirrored the dawn’s first streak of purple light.

And then, it turned chillingly cold.

The thirteen disciples of Zhao Xiong, who had been relentlessly pursuing Tie Cheng Gang, regarded Murong Lin with curiosity as he sheathed his blade.

However, before they could utter a word or make a move, their lives were snuffed out.

From a distance, Tie Cheng Gang bore witness as hairline fractures spread across the bodies of the thirteen men. Before his eyes, they crumbled like porcelain figurines, reduced to fragments upon impact with the ground.

Not a single drop of blood was spilt.

What remained was the shattered remains of corpses, and a sensation of dread washed over him.

As if he had sensed something, his complexion drained of colour once more.

His focus shifted to a thicket nearby, from which four figures emerged.

Among them was a brawny man, his fists balled with strength and his body draped in a tiger’s hide. His enraged gaze flitted between the lifeless forms on the ground and settled menacingly upon Murong Lin.

The remaining trio comprised elderly men with flowing white hair, their presence exuding an otherworldly aura. Each held a blade, their steely eyes locked onto Tie Cheng Gang.

“Who are you?” Inquired Zhao Xiong, his muscular frame cloaked in a tiger’s pelt.

Zhao Xiong wasted no time, springing into action the instant his words left his lips. His Heart-Ripping Tiger Claws unfurled in a deadly arc as he charged toward Murong Lin with an aura resonating from the Sky Reaching realm.

A spectral tiger manifested behind him, its yellow fur adorned with stark black stripes, and its presence brimming with malevolence.

However, a familiar scene played out yet again.

Murong Lin regarded Zhao Xiong with an arched eyebrow as his blade descended, quipping, “Tiger Forest Hero? The tigers here are quite pitiable.”

Zhao Xiong failed to discern any exceptional attributes in Murong Lin’s attack.

With undaunted confidence, he pressed forward, convinced he could readily overpower the blade that had dispatched thirteen of his disciples.

However, the outcome remained unchanged.

The air of self-assuredness lingered on Zhao Xiong’s expression as his head was cleaved into eight distinct pieces.

Meanwhile, the Three Comrades of Yellow Mountain had already launched their assault on Tie Cheng Gang.

The three’s sword techniques were embodiments of their names: Yishi Dao Ren’s blade was steadfast and robust, exuding courage and might; Yi Yun’s sword was ethereal and elusive, seemingly able to lift heavy burdens with ease; Yi Quan’s strikes were fluid and skilful.

A sword-like manifestation materialized behind them, reminiscent of the Manifestation transformations of the Manifestation realm.

Tie Cheng Gang’s expression darkened with despair. As a mere Origin realm cultivator, he stood no chance against the combined might of these three formidable opponents.

However, Murong Lin was different.

1. His name’s literal translation is iron to steel ↩︎

Translator’s note

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