Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 429 An Invitation to the Capital

The Bai Clan found itself thrust into a full Emergency State!

No dangers approached.

No initial strikes to test defenses.

No shadowy killers.

Instead, the heavy pressure encircling the Bai Clan began to lift, not grow heavier.

Factions that previously wavered now rushed forward with gestures of friendship.

Those who had observed from afar scrambled to voice their support.

Emissaries showed up every day.

Presents stacked high in the outer chambers—spiritual treasures, uncommon minerals, and elixirs. Offers for alliances poured in endlessly.

Smaller families!

Medium-level houses!

Mighty lineages!

Even groups that had sided—secretly or boldly—with the Li and Zhao Clans now tried to repair ties.

Some arrived pretending to express gratitude for the Bai Clan's efforts against the Beast Tide.

Yet their true aim was to gain favor with the Bai Clan.

The Bai Clan turned down none completely.

They also avoided quick agreements.

All petitions got noted down.

Each messenger received polite welcome—while kept at a careful distance.

Steady and composed, just like before.

Rushing held no value for the Bai Clan.

Now, they formed the central pivot that forced others to revolve around them.

Yet—

Within the flood of overtures reaching Bai Clan lands, one type exploded in volume beyond all expectations.

Marriage alliances!

Proposals for matrimony—targeting Bai Zihan specifically—came in overwhelming quantities.

Heiresses from powerful clans.

Granddaughters of Sect leaders.

Gifted young ladies whispered to hold unique physiques, uncommon lineages, or stunning looks.

Certain offers stayed discreet.

Others hit with bold straightforwardness.

The cause stood plain to see.

Once word leaked that Bai Zihan suffered crippling, myriad powers assumed the Chu Clan would end the betrothal.

To them, it made perfect sense.

A genius turned invalid lost that genius spark.

No matter Bai Zihan's former unmatched prowess, in this realm, cultivation defined all.

Crippled, it meant zilch.

As folks often note, geniuses fill the world in droves—but how few endure to claim true might?

Besides, a premier clan ranking just under the Top Three like the Chu Clan—would they truly offer up their cherished princess?

Thus, all expected the engagement to shatter eventually.

Still, Bai Zihan remained Bai Zihan.

He stayed the cherished heir of Bai Tianheng.

Openly shielded and favored by the Bai Clan's Grand Elders.

Crippled or not, his place in the Bai Clan showed no drop whatsoever.

If possible—

For motives beyond their grasp, Bai Zihan commanded even loftier esteem.

So rather than link through wedding other Bai Clan kin, they eyed pairing their daughters with one they figured no one else desired.

In their view, this granted the Bai Clan a huge boon.

They figured that given the Bai Clan's rank, securing a bride for Bai Zihan would prove tough—particularly one with talent, allure, and solid heritage like what they provided.

What escaped them was that countless others shared this very notion.

In reality, various family heads reached identical judgments and submitted betrothal requests for Bai Zihan too.

But they remained unaware that another had long claimed the role of Bai Zihan's spouse before their plots took shape.

Plenty overlooked that Chu Ziyan still held Bai Zihan's fiancée title, pushing their daughters or granddaughters as secondary wives.

Truth be told, the Bai Clan's ascent was obvious, soon rendering them beyond reach.

Even dooming prized daughters to concubine status seemed worthwhile.

Since Bai Tianheng spotted their hidden agendas—and had welcomed Chu Ziyan as his son's bride—he flatly denied every marriage bid.

Regarding concubine suggestions, he offered no firm yes or no.

After all, though he lacked any himself, he didn't oppose the concept outright.

For Bai Zihan, adding other partners could yield multiple heirs.

And despite the crippling, Bai Tianheng trusted Bai Zihan's lineage stayed exceptional, poised to sire children of equal promise.

Besides, extra offspring bolstered the Bai Clan's long-term strength.

Hence, he saw no harm in Bai Zihan welcoming concubines.

Then came Bai Xueqing.

She faced

endless overtures too.

After all, she embodied perfection in every way.

But capturing her affection proved a whole different challenge.

Beyond these matters, little stirred.

The Bai Clan enjoyed broad tranquility—far calmer than outsiders predicted.

Yet Bai Tianheng eased not one bit.

The seeming peace only sharpened his vigilance.

The Emergency State persisted unchanged.

Protective formations buzzed around the clock. Guard shifts stayed at full strength.

Every visitor got watched from border entry to departure.

And none could approach Bai Zihan without Bai Tianheng's direct approval.

***

Two weeks flew by swiftly.

By that point, the Beast Tide's fallout had mostly wrapped up.

Beast remains got removed, and wrecked barriers on the Northern Defense Line fixed.

And at last—

The Imperial Family stirred.

A formal decree swept the empire, delivered by royal couriers and shared far and wide.

The Beast Tide stood repelled.

Demonic hordes pushed away.

Triumph claimed by the Desolate Heaven Empire.

Along with that came the following declaration.

A majestic imperial gathering!

All key players in the conflict summoned to the heart city, for honors granted, deeds etched, and power shifts officially sealed.

Among the roster—

The Bai Clan topped the list.

And one entry leaped out right away.

Bai Zihan!

After all, beyond the Bai Clan's Grand Elders who tackled the fiercest Immortal-level foes, Bai Zihan had felled more sub-Immortal enemies than any— including Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders.

His name beside Immortal Realm elites felt entirely fitting.

Bai Tianheng's brow creased sharply.

Mu Yuelan's face hardened with concern.

One mind united them.

Bai Zihan ought to remain here.

Though an imperial command demanded compliance, Bai Zihan now lacked cultivation—and threats loomed from foes eyeing his life.

Home turf offered him utmost safety.

To end Bai Zihan, attackers must first shatter the Bai Clan.

The capital differed sharply.

Endless unpredictable risks.

Countless perils.

Especially for Bai Zihan, stripped of all cultivation power.

"It's wiser if you stay back," Mu Yuelan stated resolutely, "Your wounds remain unhealed.

The capital holds too many threats."

Bai Tianheng agreed with a nod.

"None will challenge it. We'll address the Emperor directly."

But Bai Zihan refused.

"I must attend."

His tone stayed even, nearly detached, but brimmed with unyielding determination.

"Skipping it," he added, "would signal the Bai Clan sets itself over the Imperial Family."

Dodging a royal call now invited wild rumors.

Already, murmurs claimed the Bai Clan's might placed them beyond imperial rule. Even solid excuses rang poorly timed.

Refusal would spark massive backlash from schemers.

Bai Tianheng grew quiet.

Mu Yuelan wavered.

Both recognized Bai Zihan's logic.

Of course—

Bai Zihan's deeper motive lay elsewhere.

The Imperial Family meant little to him.

If they sensed peril and struck, let battle come.

Otherwise, old ties could hold.

He craved departure as the ideal chance.

Calm had dragged too long.

No killers.

No test strikes.

No frantic assaults.

For days, he lingered in watchful patience for action.

None came.

(Did I truly rack up fewer foes than imagined?)

The idea nearly drew a smirk.

A figure like him—who irked hordes simply by speaking—lacking enemies?

Absurd.

He knew well that crippled as he was, spotting him solo on a path would tempt killers aplenty.

Whether old grudges from pre-Earth memory days or fresh ones post-past-life recall.

If anything, this highlighted the Bai Clan's flawless guards.

Even bitter haters held back from rash acts. They bided for the perfect strike. Crippling wasn't fleeting; the wise waited till the mark strayed from home.

Thus, Bai Zihan planned to hand them the very opening they craved.

And what grander arena than the imperial core?

(Perfect!)

Bai Zihan mused with icy resolve.

Plus, it let him face the Emperor and royals face-to-face.

What real views did they hold toward the Bai Clan?

Would the Imperial Family align with them?

Or had they secretly allied against him?

Answers awaited shortly!