Chapter 77: Threatening Tang Can

Chapter 77: Threatening Tang Can

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.”

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.”

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