Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 434 A Marriage Bestowed, a Line Crossed

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Bai Zihan's heart pounded suddenly.

It had been ages since he last encountered this alert.

[Scanning...]

For an instant, the surrounding world appeared to decelerate.

Next-

[Heaven Chosen Profile Unlocked]

Name: Qin Lingxiao

Age: 200+

Fate Grade: ★★★ (Three Stars)

Cultivation Base: Golden Immortal (Early Stage)

Destiny:

Qin Lingxiao stands as an innate master over fate and illusion. With unmatched skill in allure, trickery, and shifting identities, she can sense the core longings, terrors, and flaws of those she targets without effort.

Her unique body enables changes to her looks, energy, tone, and even soul signatures, flawlessly adapting to any role that fits her goals—whether pure, seductive, commanding, or vulnerable.

When selecting a mark, Qin Lingxiao deftly integrates into their view of the world, erasing boundaries between fact and fantasy until the victim doubts if their feelings are real or

fabricated.

She thrives in spying, sneaking in, court schemes, and mind battles.

Victims ensnared by her seldom grasp their defeat.

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Bai Zihan's eyes flared wide for just a split second.

(A Heaven Chosen... reaching this level of power?)

Even more crucial-

(Her identity?)

The Emperor had summoned the Ninth Princess, Yu Feiyan, but the details revealed she was no such person.

As he scanned the profile, Bai Zihan pieced it together.

This female—Qin Lingxiao—had taken over the true Yu Feiyan's role and now occupied her spot.

Little surprise her vibe and energy differed so vastly from their encounter in the Ancient Ruin.

That time, she came across as shy and forgettable.

Today, an innate pull radiated from her.

Simply put, two entirely distinct individuals.

(Extreme peril!)

Utterly perilous.

Beyond her horrifying skills in deceit, her power surpassed the Earth Immortal Realm entirely.

Golden Immortal Realm!

Undoubtedly, she ranked as the mightiest figure in this chamber.

Bai Zihan doubted if the united Grand Elders could overcome a Golden Immortal.

Let alone the concealed foes lurking—some could back her if she targeted the Bai Clan.

Bai Zihan sank into contemplation.

A fresh lethal foe emerged, wielding a power level alien to the Desolate Heaven Empire.

He felt convinced Qin Lingxiao hailed from beyond these borders.

Her name rang no bells—likely just his own ignorance.

He shifted his stare from the interface back to Qin Lingxiao.

In the chamber, faint discussions stirred—starting soft, then building as experts huddled nearer.

"The Ninth Princess appears stunning. She's transformed, right?"

"In the past, Princess Yu Feiyan faded into the background. No support, no drive, no impact. These days? Word is she's pulled in multiple mid-tier families."

"Exactly! Numerous houses that backed rival royals have flipped allegiance."

"She wasn't viewed as a player before. Yet now? Among the top rivals."

"Maybe dormant genius. Rumors claim her appeal surged suddenly. Even Dao Heart masters among seniors felt swayed by her speech."

"Belated rise? Or concealing her prowess from the start?"

Bai Zihan overheard in silence, face steady.

(Completely off base.)

Their so-called evolution wasn't progress.

It signaled substitution.

There posed Qin Lingxiao.

Further mutters arose.

"Yet I can't figure why His Majesty calls for her at this juncture."

The Emperor paused briefly before he addressed them.

"Yu Feiyan serves as this Emperor's Ninth Princess."

His eyes drifted back to Bai Zihan.

"This Emperor feels that with your achievements... you merit a partner

fit to share your side."

The statement hit like a hammer.

A few drew sharp breaths.

Some went rigid.

The Bai Clan seniors' faces shadowed a touch.

Did this mean-

A prize?

Quite possibly.

In former times, Bai Zihan might claim any bride he desired.

But currently?

A disabled youth receiving an imperial princess in wedlock—

That screamed honor.

The Emperor's declaration resounded across the Grand Ceremonial Hall.

For a fleeting pulse—

Hush!

Then uproar swept the space in controlled frenzy.

Murmurs spread like waves on calm ponds.

"A partner... fit to share his side?"

"Does His Majesty mean... betrothal?"

"Thus an imperial decree?"

Numerous expressions hardened.

Some gaped in shock.

Certain seniors traded piercing glances, grasping the gravity at once.

An imperial union.

Granted to Bai Zihan.

The disabled one.

The chatter sharpened.

"Ha... despite his state, Bai Zihan remains Bai Zihan."

"Fortunate fool!"

"Wed to a princess... and one so ravishing."

"I hear the Ninth Princess boasts not just looks, but fearsome talent lately."

"Though cultivation eludes him now, backed by Bai Clan and throne, his rank holds firm."

Envy poisoned the whispers.

A handful of experts gripped their hands tight.

Some plastered grins.

Plenty of youths tasted sour resentment.

They toiled endlessly for acclaim—while Bai Zihan, stripped of all, still claimed prizes forever out of grasp.

Yet amid the buzz—

"And... Chu Ziyan?"

"Indeed! The betrothal persists!"

"Chu Ziyan from Chu Clan—wasn't she Bai Zihan's betrothed?"

"She ought to count her blessings. Escaping ties to a disabled man—and possibly gaining imperial grace by yielding to the Ninth Princess."

Once, many pushed daughters toward Bai Zihan for ties, yet all recognized—

The pact linking Bai Zihan and Chu Ziyan endured.

So now what?

Another dismissal, like prior?

Or acceptance of the Emperor's grant?

Multiple stares naturally swung to the Chu Clan's section.

Over there—

The air hung icily.

Chu Clan seniors perched rigidly, faces locked in restraint.

A number showed clear irritation.

Some pondered deeply, balancing outcomes over feelings.

And right in the midst—

Chu Ziyan!

She held herself upright, graceful and poised.

Yet under her robes, fingers balled into knots.

Her fury blazed—

And this instance, she made no effort to conceal it.

The discussions hadn't fully faded when the Emperor declared once more.

"This Emperor states it plainly."

The Emperor uttered steadily, his look ranging over the assembly,

The chamber fell utterly still.

"I plan to decree a union," he went on, fixing on Bai Zihan

again, "tying Bai Zihan of the Bai Clan to this Emperor's Ninth

Princess."

Boom!

Like thunder bursting inside the Grand Ceremonial Hall.

Even anticipators of the hint sensed their pulses race.

An imperial union.

Ere the declaration's impact sank in fully—

A crisp, firm tone cut through. "Your Majesty!"

All halted.

Innumerable necks craned to the origin.

From the Chu Clan's zone, Chu Ziyan rose.

The chamber dropped to utter quiet.

Disrupting the Emperor then—

Skirted blasphemy.

Many sucked in air. Some scowled.

Others bulged eyes in astonishment.

Chu Ziyan advanced, spine firm, face serene—

though underlying strain shone through.

She cupped hands and bent low.

"This junior salutes Your Majesty," she stated courteously. "Pardon my sudden interruption!"

Her voice stayed even and polite.

Still, the truth stood—

She had challenged.

And all perceived another truth equally.

Were roles swapped—for any other—

They'd kneel in blood or suffer worse.

But here it differed. Since this occasion—

The Emperor had overstepped initially.

The link between Bai Zihan and Chu Ziyan was public knowledge.

Both houses had endorsed it.

Allies they were.

And the Bai Clan wasn't a power the crown could lightly provoke.

Not presently.

Not post-conflict.

Even if Chu Ziyan's move breached etiquette—

Dare the Emperor truly chastise her?

The Emperor's stare landed on her.

The chamber grew choking.

Chu Ziyan drew a measured inhale, then voiced further.

"This union... won't stand," she asserted solidly.

Astounded breaths swept the hall. She inclined deeper yet.

"Your Majesty, Bai Zihan holds an existing betrothal," Chu Ziyan pressed on. "This

junior serves as his fiancée."

Her phrasing lacked edge or passion.

Just facts.

"Granting him another bond," she added evenly, "would prove unfit and unjust."

Quiet ensued!

A thick, crushing quiet.

Many traded looks.

Some marveled at her boldness.

Others respected her determination.

A handful smirked inside, questioning if pride, envy, or more drove her.

Chu Clan seniors stayed put, faces inscrutable.

They refrained from meddling.

They offered no public aid.

Nor did they halt her.

Their position itself conveyed much.