Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain

Chapter 85: Releasing Murong Tong

Within the imperial palace, an eerie stillness hung in the air, so profound that not even a breath could be heard.

Within the confines of her chamber, Murong Liu cradled her brother, Murong Ran, in a tight embrace. Her gaze was distant as she peered out the window, lost in a daze.

The sun had begun its slow descent below the horizon, casting the realm into the embrace of night once more.

This unsettled Murong Liu.

Meanwhile, Murong Ran’s tearful lamentations filled the room, his voice choked with sorrow, “Sister, I miss our imperial father, wuwuwu.”

“What’s there to miss?” Murong Liu pouted, though her hold on her brother only grew tighter.

In the past few days, Murong Lin had turned a blind eye to their existence. Consequently, their presence had become all but forgotten.

An aura of fear shrouded the palace’s occupants. Doors remained tightly shut, and footsteps rarely echoed through the hallways.

The retinue of attendants tending to their needs diminished significantly. Murong Ran and Murong Liu, accustomed to a life of opulent care bestowed upon them by a multitude of servants, found themselves grappling with an unfamiliar reality.

They were direct witnesses to that ominous night, when Murong Lin had coldly ordered his subordinates to attack their imperial father and had dealt a blow that sent their elder brother hurtling through the air.

Then, they became privy to the rumours circulating about Murong Lin’s actions: how he had imprisoned their imperial father in the confinement room and how a considerable number of lives within the imperial palace had been taken.

For Murong Ran, who had spent his entire life in the sheltered confines of a mountain, grappling with the unfolding events was an immense challenge. The sheer horror of what he had witnessed left him paralyzed with fear.

Murong Liu hugged Murong Ran tightly as she desperately prayed for someone to come to their rescue.

Then, the faint sounds of footsteps echoed from beyond their chamber’s walls.

Instantly, a wave of anxiety washed over the siblings, their eyes now locked onto the window.

Though young, Murong Ran recognized the urgency of the situation. Tears and fears had no place in this moment, and he did his best to hold back his cries.

Through the windowed door, the siblings discerned a shadowy silhouette. They could see the figure move closer step by step, inch by inch.

And then, at last, it reached the door.

Holding their breath, Murong Ran and Murong Liu dared not even exhale audibly. They fixed their gaze upon the figure standing at the door.

Creak!

The door was pushed open.

The person walked in, accompanied by the slivers of fragmented sunlight from the setting sun that filtered in.

It was Murong Lin.

Fearfully rigid, Murong Liu and Murong Ran were seated on their chairs as their gazes were locked onto Murong Lin. Words eluded them, leaving them uncertain of how to respond, their eyes tracing his approach with a mix of apprehension and disbelief.

Without a single word escaping his lips, Murong Lin entered the room without bothering to close the door behind him. His steps were deliberate as he advanced toward Murong Liu.

He sat down.

Terrified, Murong Liu’s body quivered like a leaf.

In the span of these few days, the harsh reality of her third brother’s actions had become painfully clear to her.

With each new revelation, her fear intensified.

It dawned on her that she never truly knew this third brother of hers.

Now that Murong Lin sat before her, it only intensified the waves of terror that engulfed her.

What is he planning? Is he going to do something to me?

Murong Ran trembled in profound fear, his lips clenched tightly to stifle the sobs that threatened to break free.

Ignoring them, Murong Lin shifted his gaze towards the sunset and the deepening twilight, “Are you both planning to pay a visit to our imperial father?”

His tone was cold.

So cold that it sliced through the air like a knife on frozen water. The frigid sensation crawled up their spines, sending shivers down their backs.

Murong Liu’s voice faltered, “Can we?”

She lacked the courage to refuse.

She had come to the realisation that the imperial father who had coerced her into marrying Sheng Yi was actually more benevolent than she had initially believed. Her longing to stay by her father’s side outweighed any inclination to remain in Murong Lin’s presence.

Tears brimmed in Murong Ran’s eyes, his frame convulsing with sobs. “I want to see our imperial father, wuwuwu,”

Murong Lin’s outstretched hand rapped on the table’s surface as he replied, “Very well, go and fetch our imperial father from the confinement room. Remember, act swiftly.”

He withdrew his arm after his words, promptly exiting the room with hurried steps.

The echo of his footsteps swiftly faded into silence as he made his departure.

Inside the room, Murong Liu hugged Murong Ran in a daze, unsure of her next move.

Although Murong Ran’s tears still flowed, he managed to wipe them away before he spoke, “Sister, let’s go rescue imperial father first.”

“No! It’s too dangerous outside.” Murong Liu protested.

“But he insisted that we go quickly. I’m scared!”

A sniffle escaped him as his eyes reddened once more, as if on the brink of another bout of tears.

Gazing at Murong Ran’s pitiable state, Murong Liu clenched her teeth and relented, “Fine, let’s go now.”

Setting Murong Ran down gently, she grasped his hand and guided him. They left the room without shutting the door, making their way towards the confinement room based on their memories.

They encountered few individuals on their journey there.

The once opulent imperial palace now resembled a desolate cemetery in its eerie silence.

Murong Liu maintained a façade of composure as she navigated the maze-like palace, eventually reaching the confinement room.

Gazing at the ominous darkness of the room ahead, Murong Ran’s voice trembled with fear, “Is imperial father in there? Let’s quickly go inside!”

Murong Liu’s grip on Murong Ran’s hand tightened as she drew in a deep breath. With deliberate steps, she advanced as she manipulated the array to unlock the doors of the confinement room.

A narrow opening materialised at the front of the dark confinement room, which was devoid of any visible crevices or gaps.

Light appeared to be barred from infiltrating the space. The entire room was enveloped in darkness, rendering anything within nearly impossible to discern.

Clasping Murong Ran’s hand tightly, Murong Liu called out, “Imperial father, are you here?”

A startled voice reverberated from the depths of the confinement room, “Liu’er? Ran’er? How did you manage to come here?”

Before the words could fully sink in, Murong Tong’s venomous voice cut through, “Is Murong Lin intending on imprisoning the both of you here as well? How despicable! That vile creature!”

Murong Ran stood in a daze, his imperial father’s feeble voice resonating within him. He cast a hesitant glance towards the darkened room, not daring to venture inside.

In contrast, Murong Liu proceeded to clarify the situation, “Imperial father, it was Murong Lin who directed us to come here and set you free.”

“Release? Hah! Did he suddenly become benevolent?” Murong Tong responded with a cold and disdainful snort.

At that moment, Murong Ran also chimed in, his voice tinged with desperation, “Imperial father! Please come out quickly, Ran’er is really frightened. Wuwuwu…”¹

He started sobbing again.

Murong Liu swiftly lifted Murong Ran into her arms and stepped into the dim confinement room, her words guiding their path.

“Imperial father, we are speaking the truth. The imperial palace appears to be deserted. There is hardly anyone left,” Murong Liu conveyed, her voice laced with uncertainty.

The room was rather compact, spanning around thirty square meters.

Murong Liu walked around the room, and it didn’t take long for her to come into contact with her father.

But somehow, it felt as though her imperial father was sprawled on the ground.

“Ah! Imperial father! Why are you lying on the ground! Quick, get up!” Murong Liu hurriedly set Murong Ran down and crouched to assist her father, Murong Tong, to his feet.

Lying on the ground, Murong Tong weakly gestured with his hand as he spoke, “There’s no use. Murong Lin, that wretched being, has crippled my limbs. Not only that, he sealed my spiritual acupoint, leaving me completely immobile.

If you can manage to leave, go to the Murong clan and fetch your grandpa Jiao. He’s the only one who can aid in restoring my four limbs.”

“No! I’ll take you there right away!” Murong Liu firmly rejected him.

Facing the uncertainty alone was too daunting for her.

With one hand holding Murong Ran’s hand and the other supporting Murong Tong on her back, she stepped out of the dark confinement room.

Abruptly, an explosion echoed from outside.

The trio was instantly struck with shock.

Murong Liu and Murong Ran’s reactions were rooted in fear.

They assumed that another crisis had emerged, prompting them to consider retreating back into the confinement room with trepidation.

Yet, a flicker of astonishment crossed Murong Tong’s eyes, and he spoke urgently, “Hurry! Head towards the main entrance! Your grandpa Jiao has arrived! Take me there, quickly!”

Murong Tong’s limbs drooped powerlessly, it was as if his tendons had been stripped.

Upon hearing this news, a glimmer of hope lit up Murong Liu’s face. “Are you certain? Then let’s hurry!”

The trio hastened toward the main entrance without delay.

As they advanced, they encountered fewer individuals donning green attire, much like their previous journey. However, as they drew closer to the entrance, a scene unfolded before them: members of the Murong and Wang clans engaged in combat with the green-clad people.

Amid the tumult, thousands of individuals clashed, with Murong Jiao and the Wang clan’s great ancestor leading the charge. The two of them charged toward the gate, unleashing powerful attacks that sent hundreds of green-clad figures hurtling through the air.

In the midst of this chaos, Murong Jiao’s keen gaze promptly noticed Murong Tong’s silhouette. Without hesitation, he sprinted towards him.

And after thorough scrutiny, Murong Jiao accepted that the haggard figure of Murong Tong, borne on Murong Liu’s back, was indeed him.

In a vicious tone, Murong Tong spoke, “Paternal uncle, don’t concern yourself with me for now. Apprehend that vile creature, Murong Lin, first! I will personally end his life!”

He was still an emperor, after all. His overwhelming humiliation left him with a profound sense of shame and embarrassment.

“I will go and capture that bastard, Murong Lin, without delay! Take care!”

1. Chinese children sometimes refer to themselves in third person, especially when they’re talking to someone they like.

Translator’s note

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