Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 456 The Arrogance of a Would-Be Ruler

Elder Han believed he could truly dominate the Empire.

Having Bai Zihan under his control made it simple to compel the Bai Clan to surrender their treasured techniques.

Though he couldn't fathom why the Bai Clan still valued this cripple so much, he was certain they would comply.

Yet Elder Han had no plans to halt his schemes there.

Even if the Bai Clan delivered on their end, he had no intention of honoring his own promises.

A chilling, gradual smile spread across his features.

After securing the technique—once that Saint-Grade Sword Technique became his—he would hand Bai Zihan over to the Li-Zhao Alliance.

Elder Han's gaze sparkled with malice.

A substantial bounty awaited for Bai Zihan's capture, and he aimed to collect it right after extracting the technique from the Bai Clan.

What if the Bai Clan eventually uncovered the deception?

Did he worry about their revenge?

Absolutely not!

They could rage all they wanted, but by then, their options would be limited to clashing with the Li-Zhao Alliance, who would hold Bai Zihan.

He was confident the Li-Zhao Alliance would leverage Bai Zihan to pressure the Bai Clan into open conflict.

All he had to do was bide his time until war erupted between them.

Elder Han's breaths grew steady, eagerness twisting in his heart like intoxicating venom.

(Let the battles rage!)

When the chaos finally cleared, both factions would be drained—fierce creatures locked in mortal combat.

And what of him?

Though he pledged support to the Li-Zhao Alliance, he planned to betray that vow as well.

He would observe from afar.

(Once they are both weakened...)

Elder Han's grin expanded, his eyes squinting into thin lines.

(That moment will be mine.)

At that point, armed with the Saint-Grade technique and spoils plundered from both parties—

He would strike like a sharpened edge.

Not merely as a sect leader.

But as an emperor.

Elder Han settled back into the throne, soft chuckles rising in his throat, hardly contained.

"Hehehe..."

On that day.

That triumphant day—

(It approaches swiftly!)

Immersed in his visions, Elder Han lounged against the jade throne, lids drooping over his eyes.

Within his thoughts, destiny had already taken shape.

The Bai Clan in submission.

The Li-Zhao Alliance in agony.

The Empire quaking under his command.

He could nearly savor the victory.

Bai Zihan observed him in silence.

Then—

He let out a scoff.

A brief, cutting noise.

"Fu... Hahaha!"

The laughter rang out distinctly in the hushed hall.

Elder Han's reverie broke apart in an instant.

His eyes flew wide, piercing and annoyed.

"What do you find so amusing?" Elder Han snapped, his brow furrowing sharply. "What's so

funny?"

Bai Zihan raised his chin a bit, at last locking eyes with Elder Han.

Fear was absent from his stare.

Just mirth—and a touch of sorrow.

"I was merely pondering," Bai Zihan replied casually, his voice light and offhand, "how terrifying ambition becomes... when it outpaces one's capabilities."

Elder Han's face grew stormy.

Bai Zihan pressed on, without haste.

"You genuinely think it all will proceed just as you've schemed," he remarked, giving a subtle shake of his head.

"That snatching me and extorting the Bai Clan is such a straightforward matter."

His smirk broadened—icy and derisive.

"If only the world worked that simply!"

His look intensified.

Bai Zihan saw that Elder Han was the type to celebrate victories prematurely—

A fellow convinced reality would mirror his every fancy.

Maybe his ascent to Sect Leader had warped his sense of reality.

Bai Zihan advanced with deliberate slowness.

"You ought to recognize your limits," he stated evenly.

"And curb that insatiable greed."

Elder Han's eyes blazed.

"You've already claimed the Sect Leader role," Bai Zihan declared, his tone firm and incisive.

"But you crave even greater power?"

He shook his head.

"Overreaching like that invites just one fate."

He halted.

"Death!"

Bai Zihan cautioned.

"Hmph!" Elder Han huffed scornfully.

Contempt warped his features, not uncertainty.

"Insolent whelp," he mocked. "You talk like some worldly sage."

He rose to his feet, robes billowing as his presence swelled.

"You're just a useless captive," Elder Han uttered icily.

"A frog trapped in a shallow well."

He gestured curtly.

"Elders," he directed.

Immediately, multiple shadows advanced.

Their faces held gravity.

"Subdue Bai Zihan," Elder Han instructed.

"But leave him breathing."

A vicious smirk tugged at his mouth.

"I'll reach out to the Bai Clan shortly."

The elders shared quick looks, then inclined their heads.

"Understood, Sect Leader!"

They sprang into action.

A pair of elders approached.

Their steps resounded firmly on the stone ground as they neared Bai Zihan, gazes brimming not with wariness—but thrill.

One sneered lowly.

"So you're Bai Zihan," he grumbled, tone laced with scorn. "The famed scourge of the front lines."

The other elder gave a quiet laugh.

"Hmph! The world turns indeed," he noted. "Who'd have thought a figure like you would fall so low."

They paused mere paces distant.

Noticing Bai Zihan's lack of resistance or aura, their boldness surged.

After all—

When else could they seize such an opportunity?

Bai Zihan!

The warrior whose reputation once sent demonic cultivators scattering.

The one even allies dreaded. Now he stood placidly before them, ripe for the taking.

"What a farce," one elder boasted arrogantly while extending his hand. "Terrifying? Ha. Stripped of cultivation, you're worthless."

The other elder drew forth suppression cuffs, runes shimmering dimly. "No need to fret," he added with sadistic glee. "We'll ensure you're held

quite... snugly." They inched nearer.

Bai Zihan gave a soft scoff.

Yet he remained silent.

That quietness only fueled their audacity.

Right as the cuffs neared his wrists—

Abruptly—

A fierce, burning agony burst in the chests of both elders.

"-UGHH!"

The lead elder froze, eyes popping in shock. "What's occur—ARGH!"

The trailing elder choked out a gasp as his legs gave way.

Thud!

Thud!

They both collapsed to their knees right before Bai Zihan, palms gripping their torsos as though an unseen power squeezed their hearts.

"There," Bai Zihan stated composedly, gazing down upon them. "That's the proper stance for addressing me."