Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain - Book 2: Chapter 15: The palace and the hologram

As the sky darkened and the reddish glow of the setting sun vanished over the horizon, darkness enveloped the hidden realm. The moon didn’t exist in this place, and there were no stars to be seen. Apart from the illumination provided by flames created through a person’s spiritual powers, there was no other source of light.

Fortunately, Murong Lin had led the group to a suitable resting area well in advance, long before nightfall. Each person had their own spiritual equipment for resting, including tents and sleeping bags, which they quickly set up.

Some individuals began refining the spiritual medicines they had collected during the day, their expressions filled with excitement as they worked to enhance their strength. Others were busy organizing the jade tablets they had acquired, studying the spiritual techniques they had all copied.

The rest focused on refining the spiritual equipment they had obtained.

Of course, a few women with appealing appearances deliberately sat in front of Murong Lin, sending him subtle signals. They were trying to invite him to spend the night with them.

Murong Lin firmly rejected the advances of the women, saying, “It’s quite late now, and we’ve all eaten. We should rest.”

Spiritual arrays had been set up in their vicinity, and with the Manifestation realm cultivators tasked with a vigilant night watch schedule, the group was ensured a peaceful night’s sleep,

After concluding his words, Murong Lin retreated to his tent and went to sleep.

Rather than being angered by his rejection, the women displayed expressions of respect and admiration. They stared at his retreating figure with amazement, remarking, “Mr. Nie is a true man!”

The people around them returned to their respective resting spots, sleeping with peace of mind.

The night passed quietly, and the following two days were much like the first.

Guided by Murong Lin’s capable leadership, they reaped remarkable rewards that far surpassed their initial expectations.

This not only deepened their admiration for Murong Lin but also instilled blind trust in his every command. They would willingly follow his lead, even if it meant charging into the path of a formidable Cognizance realm demonic beast, believing without a doubt that Murong Lin would come to their rescue when needed.

On the third day of their journey, they reached a cemetery and began their search for hidden treasures buried beneath the ground.

It didn’t take long for the entire group to meticulously explore the site before gathering around Murong Lin.

Suddenly, a voice cried out, “Brother Nie! There’s a hidden passage here! It appears to be connected to something beneath the earth!”

The crowd swiftly turned their attention to the one who had made the discovery, while Murong Lin hurried over to his side.

Before them, a weathered grave with a broken gravestone unveiled a concealed tunnel beneath.

Murong Lin carefully examined the passage, his surprise concealed beneath a composed demeanour, “There are no mechanisms below us; my divine senses indicate that this might lead to a palace!”

“A palace!” The crowd gasped in astonishment, but their expressions quickly shifted to excitement. Palaces were often associated with treasures, and a palace concealed beneath a graveyard was undeniably a strange discovery.

They excitedly turned to Murong Lin, who wore an eager expression as he continued, “There must be fortuitous encounters waiting for us below. I’ll lead the way into the tunnel, and all of you can follow behind me.”

“Yes!” They replied in unison, their unwavering trust in Murong Lin evident in their expressions.

Even the person who had initially discovered the tunnel didn’t realize the subtle influence that had led him to uncover this hidden passage.

As a group, they followed Murong Lin into the subterranean palace, their anticipation growing with each step.

The secret passage turned out to be relatively short, stretching only about half a li. After a series of twists and turns, they finally reached the palace’s entrance.

Before them lay a grand palace hall, and the expressions of the group were a mix of excitement and anticipation.

Their excitement was well-founded as the floor was littered with heaps of valuable resources. There were mountains of spiritual stones and crystals, various spiritual minerals and equipment, sealed spiritual medicines and pills, and even the very bricks beneath their feet appeared to be crafted from highly precious materials.

An intricate spiritual array was etched into the ground, its purpose still a mystery to them.

Eager to claim these treasures, the group began moving forward, but just as they were about to reach out and gather the wealth before them, a human figure abruptly materialized in their midst.

This figure was a hologram, shrouded in darkness. Its form resembled that of a human, yet no one dared to make a move, uncertain of its true power.

The hologram hovered in the air, exuding a mysterious aura.

In a flash, the entire group retreated to Murong Lin’s side, their wariness evident as they fixated their gaze on this projection.

Then, the hologram began to speak in a slow and deliberate tone, “I welcome all of you to this old man’s palace. Everything you see here is my hidden treasures, and you are all free to take as you please.

However, there is one condition you must fulfil.”

Slightly taken aback, the group exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of how to proceed. Their collective gaze eventually settled on Murong Lin, seeking guidance.

Murong Lin cast a comforting glance at the group before stepping forward to face the hologram directly. With a respectful tone, he inquired, “May I ask, senior, what happens if we are unwilling to fulfil your condition?”

The figure, initially stunned, swiftly responded in anger, “Then, all of you shall meet your demise!”

The group’s expression shifted dramatically as they noticed the hologram wavering before Murong Lin.

He quickly retreated to the group’s side and shouted, “This hologram appears to be in the Cognizance realm at the very least. I am not a match for it.”

The group, however, sought to console him, “You’re not to blame, Brother Nie. We can’t hold you responsible for this.”

“That’s right, you didn’t discover this place; it’s our responsibility.”

“Let’s hear what it has to say first.”

Unwilling to give up, the group kept their attention on the hologram as it continued, “Have you all noticed the array inscribed into the ground?

I require that the person you trust most sit in the very centre, with everyone else seated around them. I will then test your faith.

If every one of you has absolute, unwavering trust in the individual in the centre, then you will all pass this test and be granted access to my treasures.

If you do not, then the person seated in the very centre will self-implode and perish. Subsequently, the next person will take their place and sit in the centre.”

The group’s expressions shifted from trepidation to relief as they realized that this array was not a lethal trap but a test of trust.

They began to imagine that the hologram might have experienced betrayal by its friends in the past, prompting it to set up this array to find individuals who had unwavering faith in one another.

Turning to Murong Lin with smiles, they said, “Brother Nie, it appears that you are the most suitable candidate to sit in the centre.”

Murong Lin’s expression had returned to one of composure, and he feigned modesty as he responded, “Very well, then. I will humbly accept this honour.”

With that, Murong Lin took his place in the central position, and the over a hundred members of the group gathered around him.

Murong Lin discreetly played with a piece of spiritual equipment in his hands as he glanced at the group. With a subtle nod, he asked, “Shall we begin?”

With everyone seated around Murong Lin, the scene before them transformed, testing their trust in Murong Lin.

Some found themselves on an endless sea after surviving a shipwreck, and their first thought was of Murong Lin.

Others faced an enormous demonic beast that they had no hope of defeating, and their minds also turned to Murong Lin for help.

A few witnessed their entire families brutally murdered, and though all evidence pointed to Murong Lin as the culprit, they chose to trust in him, eventually unveiling the true wrongdoer.

Simultaneously, the holographic figure approached Murong Lin with a smile and asked, “Junior, this old man has another option for you. Would you like to hear it?”

Translator’s note:

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