Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 443 Alliance in the Dark

Far below heavy strata of rock and protective formations, a shadowy isolation room remained completely isolated from the outside.

An assembly had taken shape.

Li Jianhong and Zhao Wutian claimed the top spots at the stone table, faces steady, gazes piercing and strategic.

The other chairs held various prominent individuals—family patriarchs, sect seniors, and elusive agents who seldom appeared under the sun.

Suddenly—

Bang!

The stone surface split open.

A fearsome aura exploded forth as the Shen Clan Leader brought his hand crashing down, features twisted in fury.

"Failed?!"

He bellowed.

"You mean the hit on him missed?!" A few attendees furrowed their brows yet stayed quiet.

His stare cut across the group like a sword.

"I told you, Zhao Wutian!" he snarled. "To get me on board with your pact, you had to eliminate Bai Zihan."

The air grew oppressive.

"Brother Shen," Zhao Wutian replied evenly, lifting a hand just a bit. "No reason to get worked up."

Shen Hao's fierce look locked onto him.

"Worked up?" he scoffed. "My boy—"

"—will get his payback," Zhao Wutian cut in seamlessly.

His tone held no volume.

Yet it commanded respect.

Sensing his outburst had gone too far, Shen Hao compelled himself to settle.

In truth, the man across from him led the Zhao Clan, whose might dwarfed the Shen Clan's.

While he wasn't pleading for aid, the Zhao Clan required every possible partner right now to strike at the Bai Clan.

"What are you getting at?"

Shen Hao inquired, voice reined in.

"We've all verified it," Zhao Wutian went on, lids tightening a touch.

"Bai Zihan's meridians lie in ruins. His cultivation—wiped out."

Li Jianhong inclined his head gradually next to him.

"He's ruined," Li Jianhong stated. "That fact stands beyond question now."

Zhao Wutian reclined, digits drumming steadily on the stone surface.

"Think about it, Brother Shen," he remarked, a subtle grin emerging, "wouldn't it feel even better if Shen Liang handled him himself?"

Shen Tianhao halted.

Zhao Wutian pressed on.

"Not some quick end in shadows," he explained. "But utter hopelessness and shame. The gradual dawn that all he cherished is lost."

He stopped.

"To torment the prodigy who severed your son's limb," Zhao Wutian murmured gently, "using his very own strength."

Shen Tianhao's breaths grew measured.

The anger in his stare lingered—yet transformed.

He shut his eyes.

One inhale.

Then the next.

"...You make sense," he admitted finally.

His mouth twisted into an icy smirk.

"A broken Bai Zihan," he whispered. "What danger does he pose? I'll allow my son to drag out the mockery and agony on that scum!"

Indeed, should the Bai Clan crumble—

Bai Zihan would amount to a powerless ordinary man. Arm or no arm, Shen Liang outmatched him by hundreds, even thousands of times.

Shen Tianhao drew himself up.

"Agreed," he declared. "I'll hold off!"

However—

His features tightened once more.

"One issue remains," he announced, eyes like daggers.

"The Bai Clan!"

Li Jianhong and Zhao Wutian both directed their attention his way.

He balled his hand.

"Even uniting Li, Zhao—and everyone here today," he uttered deliberately, "I doubt we guarantee total victory over them."

Silence enveloped the space.

The reality held weight. Prior to their latest power surge, the merged Li and Zhao

Clans failed to dominate the Bai Clan entirely.

Some argued their coalition could now achieve it.

Yet caution demanded acknowledging the Bai Clan's own expansion—possibly swifter still.

Zhao Wutian held his response.

Rather—

He grinned with the assured poise of one privy to the tale's conclusion

already.

Li Jianhong likewise permitted a slight curve to his mouth.

"That concern is unfounded,"

Zhao Wutian proclaimed.

The statement rang with boldness—particularly against such a foe as the

Bai Clan.

Shen Tianhao scowled.

"What gives?"

He pressed.

"Do you claim another method exists?"

Zhao Wutian stood gradually from his chair.

"You're correct, Brother Shen," he noted softly. "Relying solely on us might yield uncertain outcomes."

His vision scanned the room.

A handful of attendees dipped their heads solemnly.

Next, Zhao Wutian faced the chamber's distant wall—a stretch of stone indistinguishable from the surroundings.

"Thankfully," he proceeded, tone firm, "our coalition extends beyond just us."

A deep vibration resonated across the area.

Next—

The rock face parted.

It parted wide.

A slim corridor appeared, plunging into obscurity.

Measured, purposeful steps resounded from the depths.

Step! Step! Step!

As the silhouette stepped out, multiple patriarchs automatically stood.

Their eyes widened in shock.

Their breaths hitched.

The individual donned regal black-gold attire, adorned with timeless dragon motifs.

No family mark.

No sect symbol.

Just one emblem at his belt—

The Imperial Crest!

His visage stayed serene, blank, depths of his eyes impossible to read.

Still, the presence he exuded—

Proved chilling.

Earth Immortal Realm!

Shen Hao's pulse raced wildly.

"...You—!"

His words stuck.

The rest fared little better.

Some stumbled away.

"Th-The Emperor's... enforcer..."

"Ji Zhenhuang!"

Murmurs of astonishment and doubt swept the gathering.

All recognized him—the Desolate Heaven Empire's staunchest and mightiest servant, tasked only with safeguarding the Emperor.

No soul had foreseen his arrival absent the Emperor's explicit command.

His attendance signaled but one possibility.

The Imperial Household—

Backed their cause.

True, no formal announcement had come.

Even so, this revelation alone tipped the scales of influence.

The figure halted near Zhao Wutian and Li Jianhong.

Owing to his rank, he matched their stature.

Zhao Wutian cupped his hands lightly, grin widening.

"Permit me to present our ultimate support," he stated steadily.

"The Emperor's sworn protector—Royal Commander, Ji Zhenhuang!"

A weighty hush descended.

It bore down fiercer than any pressure.

Numerous patriarchs traded glances, faces etched with awe. The mere mention of Ji Zhenhuang quelled all doubts.

At length, one voice broke free.

"Royal Commander Ji..." a senior ventured warily, half-standing. "What brings the Emperor's sworn shield here?"

"Does this signal... the Imperial Household picking sides?"

"Should the Emperor align with us—then the Bai Clan—"

Before guesses could multiply—

"Silence!"

Zhao Wutian's command sliced the air sharply.

It quelled the chatter at once.

He pivoted deliberately, eyes keen and steady, scanning the assembly.

"This isn't a bazaar," he intoned coldly. "You'll learn what's necessary—when the moment arrives."

A few tensed, faces clouding, yet no one challenged further. No one—

Save Shen Tianhao.

He pushed to his feet, stare pinned on Zhao Wutian, hands fisted.

"Brother Zhao," he uttered, tempering his voice, "don't leave us in suspense."

His look darted momentarily to Ji Zhenhuang, then returned.

"Why does the Royal Commander join us?"

The query lingered.

Zhao Wutian regarded him briefly.

Then—

He grinned.

"First, let me pose a question, Brother Shen," Zhao Wutian said casually.

"How, in your view, did a Great Ascension Realm killer—one of the Empire's deadliest—slip into the Imperial Palace?" The chamber stilled.

Shen Tianhao's eyes contracted.

Others drew in ragged gasps.

Zhao Wutian spoke on without pause.

"That feast drew the Emperor's advisors. Supreme elders. Sect leaders. Each attendant, performer, and artist underwent rigorous checks."

His fingers struck the table once.

"Still, Abyssal Sparrow entered freely."

The meaning hung heavy, like choking mist.

Shen Tianhao's mouth parched.

"Are you implying..." he started haltingly.

Zhao Wutian affirmed.

"Precisely!"

Li Jianhong finally interjected, voice level yet grave.

"The Imperial Household provided the entry."

A wave of disbelief coursed through the room.

Certain expressions blanched.

Others sparked with contained thrill.

Zhao Wutian stood tall, tone laced with unyielding assurance.

"The Emperor has decided," he affirmed. "He won't proclaim it publicly—not immediately."

His glance shifted fleetingly to Ji Zhenhuang, who remained statue-still, face impassive.

"But his intent shines through. Had the Imperial Palace genuinely aimed to shield Bai

Zihan," Zhao Wutian added, "that killer wouldn't have breached the first barriers."

Muted, amazed whispers broke out.

Shen Tianhao released a long breath.

"Thus the Emperor..." he rasped, "opts to oppose the Bai Clan."

"Not publicly," Zhao Wutian clarified. "Not yet."

"But come the hour—"

Li Jianhong's gaze intensified.

"—the Bai Clan faces isolation."

Every stare fixed on Ji Zhenhuang.

Ji Zhenhuang's eyes roamed the group, icy and detached.

"His Majesty," he stated bluntly, "holds no issue with the Bai Clan's downfall. They pose a danger to the Desolate Heaven Empire."

That declaration sealed their convictions.

The Emperor favored their faction.

Though all present grasped that the Bai Clan's rising might threatened the Imperial Household's rule, they held their tongues.

After all, the Imperial Household always framed their actions as benefiting the Empire, masking self-interest.

Li Jianhong offered a subtle smile.

"Backed by the Imperial Household," he noted, "Brother Shen—do you still question our success?"

Shen Hao gulped deeply.

Gradually—

A harsh grin crossed his features.

"Never!"