Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 455 The Sect Leader's Ambition
Previously on Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!...
Han Shenwu's icy tone resounded over the platform while he pivoted, his robes billowing with the commanding presence he imagined he held.
A few disciples shifted out of the way, already clearing a route.
Yet prior to Bai Zihan advancing, an arm extended forward.
It halted Bai Zihan in his tracks.
"Hold on!"
The sound rang familiar.
Bai Xueqing!
Beside her, Chu Ziyan trailed, caught off guard and somewhat sheepish remembering Bai Zihan's earlier conduct toward her.
Han Shenwu halted in his stride and looked over his shoulder, annoyance crossing his features.
"Bai Xueqing?" he scowled. "What's this about? You intend to meddle as well?" Bai Xueqing paid him no mind at all.
She approached Bai Zihan nearer and bent forward a bit, dropping her voice for his ears alone.
"Why are you here?"
She murmured.
Her words carried no blame.
She was aware Bai Zihan wasn't truly disabled, and given his power, handling Elder Han should pose no issue.
Still, this remained hostile ground, and no one could predict the dangers lurking once he ventured into their lair.
Bai Zihan hadn't even brought along any Grand Elder.
(How on earth did Father allow this?)
Bai Xueqing pondered.
With his conviction that Bai Zihan was lame, he wouldn't permit him to depart the Bai Estate—particularly following that murder attempt.
And should he agree, he'd surely dispatch a Grand Elder to protect him.
Bai Zihan angled his head a touch to meet her eyes.
So near that his features stood out vividly.
And in that brief instant—
Her eyebrows furrowed.
(...Has he gotten taller?)
The notion crept into her thoughts without warning.
She couldn't pinpoint it, but a distinct change in him stood out compared to before.
She pushed aside the stray idea and concentrated.
Bai Zihan regarded her.
A grin formed on his face.
"Dear Sister," Bai Zihan teased softly, his tone hushed yet distinct, "don't fret over me."
He peered beyond her, fixing on Han Shenwu.
"I'm simply going to see Elder Han."
The statement landed casually.
Yet the impact hit right away.
Han Shenwu's face contorted.
"Elder?"
He barked, fury igniting in his gaze as he whirled completely.
"Mind your words, Bai Zihan!"
His pressure erupted, cutting and heavy.
"My father leads the Sect now! Give him the respect he deserves!"
Bai Zihan eyed him like an entertaining trifle.
Afterward, he lifted his shoulders.
"Why would I?"
Silence gripped the platform.
Bai Zihan went on, his manner steady and leisurely.
"I've slain multiple Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders."
A brief halt.
"Numerous Grade-10 Demonic Beasts."
He cocked his head a fraction.
"What feats has Elder Han matched against mine?"
The declaration hit like a thunderbolt.
Irrefutable, harsh reality.
The nearby disciples tensed up.
A few drew in quick breaths.
Han Shenwu's lips parted—
Then shut tight.
His complexion grew stormy.
No counter came to him.
For all present recognized the fact.
"You—!" Han Shenwu growled at last, then mocked with a bitter laugh. "That's history!"
He jabbed a finger toward Bai Zihan.
"Today you're broken! You can't channel Qi anymore! You're unfit to even polish my father's boots!"
Malice scorched in his stare.
"No more chatter," Han Shenwu uttered icily. "Come with me!"
"I'll see you banished—for good—like you're after."
Han Shenwu refused to bicker further with Bai Zihan; it drained his vitality just to linger there.
"Count me in too!"
Bai Xueqing declared without delay, moving ahead.
Han Shenwu reacted swiftly.
"Absolutely not!" he snapped, far too quickly. "This doesn't concern you!"
His voice held a guarded edge.
Overly guarded.
Bai Xueqing's brow creased.
Doubt sparked in her gaze.
Bai Zihan caught it too.
He looked to Bai Xueqing, then gave a subtle shake of his head.
"It's okay," he assured evenly. "Stay behind."
He drew nearer, his whisper just for her.
"I'll return shortly."
Han Shenwu huffed dismissively but held his tongue.
Bai Xueqing remained anxious, yet she agreed.
She lacked options and dreaded hindering Bai Zihan.
Bai Zihan proceeded onward.
Kong Zhanghong kept pace right after, a step back, face stern and alert.
Han Shenwu peered over once, spotted Kong Zhanghong coming, and smirked.
Yet he allowed it.
As though Kong Zhanghong posed no threat.
The party delved further into the Heaven Sword Sect.
Sword pillars glided past.
Courtyards emerged in sequence.
On the perimeter practice fields, disciples trained in the open.
Qi flowed powerfully.
Bai Zihan's eyes roamed over them idly.
Suddenly—
His gaze sharpened, and he came to a stop.
Han Shenwu scowled and wheeled around irritably.
"What's the holdup?"
Bai Zihan directed his attention to the practice area.
A handful of disciples perched in meditation, Spiritual Qi swirling in a pattern he knew well.
Their Qi flow adhered to an exact cadence—pulling in Heaven and Earth's spiritual energy into their meridians, purifying it via a balanced loop
that Bai Zihan could identify blindfolded.
Heavenly Mandate Assimilation Art!
"Is everyone here practicing the Heavenly Mandate Assimilation Art?"
He inquired offhandedly.
Han Shenwu snorted, like he'd heard nonsense.
"What?" he derided. "Accusing us of something now?"
He folded his arms.
"Surely you're not claiming the Heaven Sword Sect pilfered your Bai Clan's method?"
His mouth twisted in scorn.
Bai Zihan shook his head gently.
"No," he replied. "Just curious."
His eyes returned to Han Shenwu.
"Do you practice it yourself?"
Han Shenwu froze for a moment.
Then he burst into boisterous laughter.
"Even if I do?" he boasted. "It's common knowledge now."
He edged forward, gaze dripping contempt.
"Got an issue?" Han Shenwu jeered, "Take it up with your Bai Clan."
"Didn't your kin hand it out freely?"
Bai Zihan heard him out silently.
Then—
He grinned.
"Understood," he murmured gently.
He faced ahead once more and continued on, at ease.
Kong Zhanghong eyed him, then the training disciples, his look growing shadowed—but he stayed mute.
From behind, Han Shenwu huffed.
"Pretending importance," he grumbled. "As if you still count."
Bai Zihan offered no reply.
Inside, though, his mind raced clearly.
(Simpler than expected.)
***
The Main Hall rose before them.
Bai Zihan entered.
Kong Zhanghong entered after, scanning the area with silent caution.
As Bai Zihan passed the entrance, his sight rose to the hall's forefront—
And lingered.
At the peak, where the Sect Leader's seat had been modest and subdued, a grand throne now dominated.
Not mere seating.
A throne.
Fashioned from jade, raised loftier than ever, its rests carved with bold sword motifs designed to command fear and obedience.
Bai Zihan's mouth quirked subtly.
(He swapped the seat too.)
Raw ambition on display.
Han Shenwu marched ahead with zeal, barely concealing the thrill in his gait. "Father!" he announced boldly, satisfaction ringing through. "Bai Zihan's here!"
That's when Bai Zihan realized.
From Han Shenwu's initial blockade—
This was the aim all along.
Deliver him straight here.
Quiet enveloped the hall.
On the throne, Elder Han remained with lids shut, palms settled steadily on the rests, like he'd anticipated this.
Gradually—
His lids lifted.
Piercing and scheming.
They fixed upon Bai Zihan.
"Ah," Elder Han stated evenly, his words carrying through the space.
"Well done!"
His stare held on Bai Zihan, assessing, testing.
A slight grin pulled at his mouth.
Then—
Boom!
The enormous stone portals crashed closed.
Runes ignited along the edges, sword arrays activating with a crisp, ringing buzz.
Kong Zhanghong's face shifted abruptly.
He twisted back, fingers grasping for his blade—
Only to have shadows materialize behind in a flash.
Han Shenwu's followers.
Ready and poised.
Their united pressures swelled, pinning him down as the array curbed his actions.
"Kong Zhanghong!" one growled. "Stay put!"
Kong Zhanghong resisted, muscles straining as he craned his neck.
"Young Master!" he yelled desperately. "Get out—now!"
The force bearing on him grew fiercer.
Still—
Bai Zihan stayed rooted.
He scarcely glanced back.
He positioned himself steadily in the hall's midst, arms folded behind, stance loose like the barred gates and triggered arrays were mere ornaments.
Elder Han observed with evident delight.
"Bai Zihan," he drawled, reclining into the throne, digits drumming softly on the rest.
"Are you aware of the peril you've stepped into?"
His eyes sparkled.
"Do you really believe escape is possible?"
Bai Zihan at last met his look.
His expression serene.
Nearly indifferent.
He let out a quiet laugh.
"What harm can a man like you inflict?"
Bai Zihan queried casually.
"Grovel at the Li or Zhao Clan's feet?"
The air in the hall chilled sharply.
Elder Han's visage shadowed.
His grip tightened.
"Insolent fool," he hissed, pressure exploding wildly. "I rely on no one!"
He stood from the throne, sword will unleashing like a tempest.
"I rule the Heaven Sword Sect," Elder Han proclaimed with arrogance.
"The mightiest Sect in the Desolate Heaven Empire!"
His declaration boomed across the chamber.
"With the Heaven Sword Sect at my beck, whom must I yield to?!"
Bai Zihan inclined his head gradually.
"Naturally," he replied flatly.
"Naturally!"
The mockery in his voice rang clear.
Next, he angled his head a bit.
"So," Bai Zihan pressed smoothly, "why do you require my presence?"
The inquiry cut straight.
Elder Han regarded him intently for an extended beat.
Then—
He chuckled.
A deep, pleased rumble.
"Bait," Elder Han stated bluntly.
The term reverberated. "You hold little value to me," he went on, his stare keen and plotting,
"yet to the Bai Clan?"
He grinned.
"You're invaluable."
"I'll exchange you for that fabled Saint-Grade technique!"
Elder Han asserted assuredly.
Greed blazed openly in his eyes.
In his thoughts, a vision returned—
Bai Ren.
The Grand Elders.
That devastating blow.
That force that shook the skies and lands. (Armed with such might...)
(Forget the Li Clan, Zhao Clan, or Bai Clan.)
(The Imperial Family itself would kneel.)
Elder Han's grin broadened. "Holding you secures it all," he uttered deliberately, "everything falls to me!"