Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 421 Bai Zihan Crippled???

"Clear the area!"

"Seal off the surroundings. No one gets close without orders!"

Disciples of the Bai Clan dispersed quickly, their faces etched with terror and haste.

The healers rushed in-three experienced ones flanked by a handful of helpers. Their faces drained of color the moment they saw him. "Lay him down-gently!"

Bai Tianheng eased his son onto the jade bed with unusual tenderness, as if the tiniest error could end his life. The chief healer sent out his spiritual sense, probing Bai Zihan's body with utmost care.

Moments ticked by.

Then his face twisted in shock.

"This... it's grave," the healer muttered.

"How grave?"

Bai Chu snapped fiercely.

The healer gulped hard.

"Over a dozen meridians are ripped apart. Some have already crumbled. His organs took heavy hits, and his dantian suffered a massive rebound from Qi surge."

He stopped, picking his words deliberately.

Bai Ren's eyes sharpened.

"He'll pull through," he stated. "Right?"

The healer wavered for just a heartbeat before nodding deliberately.

"Yes. His life isn't hanging by a thread right now."

Relief flickered briefly before the healer pressed on.

"However..."

Hearts plummeted across the group.

His eyes dropped to Bai Zihan's ashen, still features.

"The meridian destruction is devastating."

The tent fell into dead quiet.

"So what's our next move?"

Bai Tianheng's tone came out rough and subdued, devoid of his typical battlefield command.

"Tell me what needs doing."

The chief healer breathed out steadily, composing himself.

"I'll steady his meridians."

He dove right in, proceeding with intense focus and caution, directing the wild Qi in Bai Zihan's body toward calm.

While tending, the chief healer stole glances at Bai Zihan, filled with wonder.

Such torment-far beyond broken bones-would make even century-old cultivators wail in suffering.

But Bai Zihan showed no response.

His face stayed unchanged.

It eased the task-but heightened the eerie feeling.

Over an hour later, the healer pulled back his hands at last.

"Whew..."

Sweat poured down his brow as he rose.

"His state is stable for the moment," he announced. "The dantian rebound is contained, and the organ wounds won't get worse."

"From here on," the healer added somberly, "it all rests on Young Master Bai's own strength."

"He can't circulate Qi in any way. Even a hint of Qi pushing through those broken meridians might shatter what's left."

A fleeting ease washed over the Bai Clan folks-but dread soon drowned it.

"With the right elixirs and recovery time, his body can mend," the healer explained. "The inner wounds will fade eventually. But the meridians..."

He shook his head deliberately.

"They might never heal completely."

The realization hit like a thunderbolt.

"What are you saying, healer?"

Bai Tianheng inquired gravely.

"Even if he makes it," the healer replied gently, "Young Master Bai could be forever barred from cultivation."

Crippled.

The term hung unsaid-yet all felt its weight.

Bai Tianheng froze in place, eyes fixed on his boy.

The impact outweighed any war defeat.

Bai Zihan-the one poised to elevate the Bai Clan to peak heights-had been

pronounced ruined.

"T-This is on me..."

Bai Tianheng's hands balled into fists.

"If only I'd held him back..."

The Grand Elders remained mute.

Only silence lingered.

"W-We should go now," the chief healer murmured softly.

The healers departed.

After a prolonged stretch, Bai Tianheng advanced once more, his stare locked on

his son.

"Secure this spot," he rasped. "No entry unless I allow it."

"Understood!"

The nearby disciples barked back promptly.

***

Beyond the healing tent, though, the camp buzzed with unrest.

Rumors flew like sparks.

Even with the Bai Clan's attempts to hush it, far too many witnessed Bai Zihan hauled in-drenched in blood, scarcely aware.

Guesses exploded everywhere.

A few insisted Bai Zihan had battled Bai Tianheng directly, citing how the Clan Head had pursued him before.

Others murmured of Qi deviation-a curse for shoving his cultivation up via a banned method.

The facts stayed hidden.

That didn't halt the gossip.

After all, it involved Bai Zihan.

And sure enough, those tales drifted to his betrothed-Chu Ziyan.

She dashed to the Bai Clan camp right away, only to get blocked by sentries

no matter her rank.

Luckily, Bai Xueqing emerged upon catching Chu Ziyan's call.

"What's going on?"

Chu Ziyan pressed anxiously.

"Is Bai Zihan really hurt bad?"

"We need privacy."

Bai Xueqing dodged a straight reply.

She scanned the area, her eyes gliding over the fortified camp-and the hidden listeners lurking nearby.

Chu Ziyan caught on fast and agreed with a nod.

Bai Xueqing guided her to her own tent, distant from the healing zone. With a quick wave, she deployed a set of formation flags.

A barrier against sound cloaked the tent.

At that point, Bai Xueqing spoke up.

"Whatever I share now," she stated evenly, "stays inside these walls."

"Got it!"

Chu Ziyan affirmed solidly.

Bai Xueqing laid out almost the full tale-the trigger, the chase, and the reasons behind it.

She couldn't pinpoint Bai Zihan's foe exactly, but she knew it was some mighty Demonic Cultivator.

And so Chu Ziyan heard it all.

That the chaos stemmed from Luo Qing's abduction.

For a brief instant, envy stirred within her.

To ignite such rage... to stake it all that way... If only his passion matched for her.

Yet the notion faded in a flash.

Her concern overwhelmed it.

"How are his wounds?"

Chu Ziyan whispered.

Bai Xueqing dropped her eyes.

"Dire. The healers patched him steady, yet..."

She halted.

"His meridians took brutal harm."

Chu Ziyan went rigid.

"...To what extent?"

"It's possible," Bai Xueqing worded precisely, "he'll never cultivate again."

The statement echoed in the space.

Chu Ziyan held back tears.

She didn't yell.

She just stood frozen, dread squeezing her heart.

Not dread over losing a strong match.

But dread for Bai Zihan's survival.

His foes numbered too many.

If news leaked of his crippling, hordes would hunt his head.

Even the Bai Clan might grow distant once his worth vanished.

Chu Ziyan gripped her fists tight.

(I'll shield you!)

Her determination solidified-unvoiced, yet seared deep inside.