Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 442 An Assassin Beneath the Dragon Throne

Bai Tianheng was already in motion.

With purposeful steps, he approached the assassin lodged in the broken stone pillar, his face shadowed in fury.

A handful of Bai Clan elders trailed right behind, locking down the area to block any sudden escapes.

The assassin slumped against the fractured rock, a pool of blood spreading under her.

Her chest heaved, but just faintly.

Bai Tianheng extended his hand, his fingers pressing to block her meridians.

Suddenly, his face twisted.

It was too late!

The assassin's lips quivered.

A weak, taunting smirk formed at the edge of her mouth.

And then-

Crack!

A quiet snap echoed, as if something inside her teeth had broken.

Her gaze went blank in an instant.

Her breaths ceased almost right away.

She was gone!

Anger fully clouded Bai Tianheng's features.

"Damn it!"

The angry shout boomed across the hall.

True to form for an expert.

Hidden poison in her teeth—she had no plans to leave this place alive.

A few elders balled their hands in rage.

Yet Bai Tianheng pressed on regardless.

Even in death, her body could reveal her origins, potentially uncovering the mastermind of the attack.

Moreover, judging by the cultivation level she'd displayed, it was clear she wasn't as youthful as she seemed.

Cultivators aged at a snail's pace, but at her stage, she ought to appear

in her thirties or forties—

Not like someone just entering her twenties.

Bai Tianheng lifted his hand and ripped off the assassin's face veil, just as anticipated.

Shocked intakes of breath filled the hall.

Then-

"It's her..."

"That face—!"

"Abyssal Sparrow."

Murmurs burst forth.

One elder drew in a harsh breath.

"She's among the top wanted killers in the Desolate Heaven Empire. She took down the Fan Clan head a decade back."

"And slipped away from an Immortal Realm chase."

That feat alone highlighted her power.

Far from obscure, she was a notorious outlaw across the Empire.

Active for over three decades, her record included slaying the Fan Clan leader—a Great Ascension Realm powerhouse—in his fortified residence.

For a legend like her to target Bai Zihan on a death mission, the employer had to wield immense influence.

After all, she'd entered fully prepared to perish.

No common foe could hire such a force.

Bai Tianheng's eyes tightened.

Only a select few powers could dispatch someone of her caliber on a one-way trip: the Imperial Family, the Heaven Sword Sect—

Still, his prime doubts fell on the Li and Zhao Clans.

Of all those gathered, their grudge ran deepest.

Li Jianhong and Zhao Wutian kept their faces neutral.

They acted clueless about the sender of the killer. Yet they made no show of concern for Bai Zihan either.

Bai Tianheng burned to interrogate them over this plot.

Without evidence, though, his hands were tied.

He stood tall, his stare raking the hall with intense weight.

From afar, Bai Zihan observed in silence.

Ever since the assassin was unmasked—

He'd grasped the truth.

The Imperial Family!

Or at minimum—

They were in on it.

Suspecting the Li or Zhao Clans made sense.

And that might hold water.

But the site of the strike demanded thought too.

This was the Imperial Palace.

A gathering under the Emperor's watch.

Every servant.

Every dancer.

Every musician—

Had undergone rigorous checks at every level.

For a Great Ascension Realm killer—one of the Empire's most dreaded fugitives

—to penetrate so far?

Unthinkable!

Unless the highest powers had swung the gates wide.

Indeed, if breaching the Imperial Palace were simple, such breaches would have piled up endlessly.

But up to this point—

No killer had ever breached the Imperial Palace successfully.

So why this time?

Plainly, because permission was granted.

Bai Zihan's eyes shifted to the vacant dragon throne.

His face stayed even.

But his gaze turned icy.

(So that's the scheme...)

This incident alone revealed the Imperial Family's aims.

On the opposite side, court officials blanched, proclaiming fierce devotion and denouncing the outrage, vowing a thorough probe.

Bai Zihan heard them out.

And trusted not a word.

They were probably the Emperor's partners in crime—maybe not every one.

In any case, they'd scrub away any traces leading back to them before nabbing the true culprit.

The hall's tension lingered unresolved when rapid steps sounded from a side door.

A youth in royal attire marched in, his demeanor grave.

The First Prince, Yu Zidi.

He halted paces from Bai Zihan and cupped his hands low, bowing with real solemnity.

"Young Master Bai," he stated, tone firm yet burdened, "this incident unfolded in the Imperial Palace. No matter the reason, the Imperial Family must answer for it. On behalf of my father and the court, I extend my deepest regrets."

His stance showed deference.

His speech was impeccable.

Yet Bai Zihan felt unmoved.

It was mere theater—a bid to claim command in his own right.

A signal that, with the Emperor away, the First Prince spoke for him.

He aimed to appear dutiful amid all these mighty figures too.

Bai Zihan regarded him steadily.

"I understand," Bai Zihan replied.

The First Prince eased a bit—only for Bai Zihan to add, "Please pass this to His Majesty." The prince stood straighter, ears keen.

"This is your choice. Thanks for the present!"

Before, Bai Zihan had sensed the Emperor pondering an alliance with the Bai Clan—

Or siding with foes to curb the Bai Clan.

Evidently, the second path prevailed.

The First Prince's eyes contracted subtly.

Ere the First Prince could collect his wits or add more, Bai

Zihan had pivoted away.

To him, the issue was closed.

Xi Yu lingered nearby, poised and serene despite the ongoing turmoil, her hands clasped lightly in front.

Unlike the rest in the hall, she betrayed no stress—no worry, no rush to defend her position.

Bai Zihan eyed her briefly.

Then he addressed her.

"You wished to speak with me, right?"

His tone was even, nearly offhand—but the assurance rang clear. Though she didn't seem bent on ending him, a powerhouse like her approaching must have purpose.

Xi Yu held his look.

She dipped her head once.

"Yes!"

Bai Zihan offered a faint, insightful grin.

"Then follow me. We'll discuss at the Bai Clan Estate!"

He angled his body, motioning forward.

His eyes scanned the hall—across officials, elders, sect envoys, and the myriad uneasy stares.

"I savored the feast," Bai Zihan declared smoothly. "But it looks like the hour is up."

He gave a light smile.

"I'll be going now."

Silence gripped the room.

No challenges rose.

Who dared?

A murder bid had just struck at the heart of the Imperial

feast.

A Great Ascension Realm slayer had come perilously close.

Should Bai Zihan linger—

That would spell folly.

Especially since the Palace guards proved unreliable.

With those words spoken, Bai Zihan departed without pause, under every watchful eye.

In parting, he noted the Li and Zhao Clans, detached from the uproar.

They appeared indifferent to the attack, or at least feigned it.

(Soon, I'll uncover the truth!)

The Bai Clan elders and grand elders moved after him, their presences curbed yet keen, weaving a quiet shield around Bai Zihan.

Chu Ziyan kept pace beside him, gaze alert as she surveyed the area.

In the wake of the Bai Clan's exit, the banquet chamber sank into awkward quiet.

For an instant, all held still.

Then-

"Ahem! Ah... on second thought, a pressing issue in my sect demands my prompt return. I must excuse myself."

"Quite so! My disciple is attempting a breakthrough now. Any mishap could spell catastrophe. I need to head back at once."

Excuses poured out one by one.

The chamber, once alive with courteous chuckles and subtle contests, now rang with hasty goodbyes and false courtesies.

Not one was naive.

A strike inside the Imperial Palace—whether it hit or missed—signaled turmoil:

The Desolate Heaven Empire's currents raged fiercely.

Plus, who could say if more killers lurked, aimed at them.

No need to hazard their necks.

And absent the Bai Clan, few had cause to remain. Most clans sought ties to the Bai Clan alone.

With the Bai Clan's supporters departing alongside them, none wished to appear aligned with the opposition.

After all, sans the Bai Clan, just the Li-Zhao alliance, the Imperial Family, and their backers lingered.