Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 460 Familiar Faces

Although Han Sha's claims failed to persuade the majority, everyone was compelled to grudgingly embrace the outcome that had been handed down.

His loyal supporters refused to acknowledge Bai Zihan's triumph over him, opting instead to embrace his own account of the events. A handful even whispered among themselves about their Sect Leader's remarkable generosity and compassion.

In any case, the tension between Bai Zihan and Han Sha appeared to have finally eased.

Even if doubts lingered in some hearts, Bai Zihan held no power to force further belief.

"Anyway, I've accomplished what brought me here,"

Bai Zihan announced.

(Beating me?)

Han Sha inwardly seethed, barely holding back a string of curses. In truth, the only action Bai Zihan had taken since arriving was to thrash him soundly.

Thus, his true purpose—to deliver that beating—had been thoroughly fulfilled.

Now, regret gnawed at him relentlessly, as he pondered how avoiding any entanglement with Bai Zihan might have spared him this ordeal entirely.

Yet, no matter the path chosen, aligning with the Li-Zhao Alliance had sealed his destiny to confront this very turn of events.

Even without his pursuit, Bai Zihan would have sought him out eventually.

(Dammit!)

Regardless, it looked as though Bai Zihan was preparing to depart from the Sect at last.

Bai Zihan pivoted a bit, his eyes briefly scanning over Bai Xueqing.

"You ought to head back to the clan,"

he stated evenly, as if delivering an undeniable truth.

After all, the Heaven Sword Sect offered far less security than the Bai Clan, and who could predict

if another figure like Han Sha, eager to exploit connections, might set their sights on Bai Xueqing.

All things considered, returning to the clan remained the wiser choice for her.

Then he appended,

"You as well."

His words were directed at Chu Ziyan.

"Okay!"

Chu Ziyan responded without hesitation.

Bai Xueqing wavered, obviously on the verge of speaking up, yet Bai Zihan had

already begun to turn aside.

"I'll be waiting at the flying ship."

***

While Bai Zihan strode beside Kong Zhanhong en route to the docking area, he observed clusters of disciples bustling around, their faces alive with fervor, conversations humming with eager chatter.

"It seems something noteworthy is unfolding," Kong Zhanhong observed offhandedly.

Truth be told, the gathering outside the grand hall had been rather thin. He'd figured that stemmed from the general unawareness that the Sect Leader had summoned Bai Zihan.

If word had spread, given people's innate curiosity, a throng would surely have gathered to witness the spectacle. Evidently, though, a more captivating event was drawing the masses elsewhere.

Bai Zihan's eyes roamed across the assembly—

And halted abruptly.

Amid the group, two recognizable silhouettes caught his attention.

Yun Qingmei and Fei Ling.

They served as Bai Xueqing's senior sisters—and now his too, by extension.

These same women had journeyed to the Bai Clan once, following Bai Xueqing's annulment of her betrothal.

Their presence sparked a sly grin across Bai Zihan's features.

"Hey!"

Bai Zihan hailed them, raising his hand in greeting.

Fei Ling spotted him right away.

Her face tightened visibly.

A flash of annoyance crossed her expression—fleeting, yet unmistakable.

Recollections weren't quick to fade, and no matter Bai Zihan's newfound notoriety,

they recalled precisely the sort of person he truly was.

There was simply no chance she'd ever view him favorably.

Though outright hatred didn't consume her, profound caution defined her stance toward him.

"Fei, mind your expression!"

Yun Qingmei cautioned her softly.

Yun Qingmei dipped her head in courteous acknowledgment as their gazes locked.

"Young Master Bai!"

"Well, well, if it isn't my lovely senior sisters,"

Bai Zihan quipped playfully.

Bai Zihan hadn't overlooked their identities. In fact, they marked the very first faces he'd encountered after reclaiming his Earthly recollections.

Fei Ling huffed lightly, folding her arms across her chest.

Grim recollections bubbled up once more.

Yun Qingmei's mouth formed a soft, inviting curve.

"It's heartening that you still recall us, Young Master Bai," she murmured gently. "After all...

quite a stretch of time has passed."

Her voice held steady warmth.

Fei Ling cast her a pointed look from the side.

(Glad?)

She nearly let out a derisive snort.

Bai Zihan's grin broadened just a touch—the identical infuriating, shameless arc

that had stirred up chaos in the past.

"How could I possibly forget?" he shot back breezily. "Senior sisters who etched such a lasting mark—particularly you, Senior Sister Fei."

Fei Ling's eyebrows furrowed sharply.

Her arms locked more firmly.

This scoundrel—

He remained utterly unchanged.

At the very least, his sharp tongue showed no alteration.

Yun Qingmei, by contrast, displayed no trace of annoyance. She simply shook her head in fond exasperation, akin to an elder sister humoring a wayward youth.

"You haven't shed that trait at all," she remarked.

"That's because it proves effective,"

Bai Zihan countered shamelessly.

Fei Ling drew in a measured breath.

Without parting her lips, her words resonated directly in Yun Qingmei's thoughts.

"Qingmei, what on earth are you up to?"

Her inner voice carried a biting edge, laced with barely contained frustration.

"Why engage him in such a manner?"

Yun Qingmei's face remained composed, her mental response flowing effortlessly.

"Fei, circumstances have shifted now."

Fei Ling's eyes narrowed a fraction.

"Shifted?" she retorted inwardly. "He's the identical sly flirt who spins falsehoods effortlessly and twists those nearby to his will. Observe his speech—does any of that strike you as altered?"

Yun Qingmei exhaled softly in her mind.

"I'm not referring to his nature," she clarified. "His standing is what I mean."

Fei Ling paused briefly.

Yun Qingmei pressed on serenely.

"His fame, strength, and sway now eclipse even certain Sect Leaders. Like it or not, Bai Zihan defies evaluation by old measures."

Fei Ling's look wavered.

"And remember," Yun Qingmei went on, "he's hailed as a key figure in the battle against the Demonic Forces."

That gave Fei Ling a brief halt.

Only momentarily.

"Still..."

she grumbled in her thoughts.

Her attention returned to Bai Zihan, who leaned in nearer, plainly relishing her unease.

"Just see him," Fei Ling urged. "Strength or heroism aside—he's the exact same rogue!"

As though her inner words had drawn him, Bai Zihan cocked his head.

"Senior Sister Fei," he chirped brightly, "if you keep gazing at me that way, people might get the wrong idea."

Fei Ling's eyelid flickered.

"Misunderstand what?" she barked openly.

"Who can say?"

Bai Zihan jested.

Silence!

Then—

"Bai. Zi. Han."

Fei Ling clenched her jaw.

Yun Qingmei lightly pressed a hand to her lips, amusement sparkling in her gaze.

"... You've truly stayed the same where it counts," she noted.

Bai Zihan let out a light laugh, drawing himself up.

"Perhaps," he conceded. "But do I truly require any change?"

Fei Ling advanced a pace—then froze.

Her stare intensified.

"So? Have you given thought to my earlier words?"

Bai Zihan inquired.

"???"

Fei Ling and Yun Qingmei both puzzled over it.

"What do you mean, Young Master Bai?"

Yun Qingmei queried courteously.

Bai Zihan blinked once.

Then his smile returned.

"As my concubines, naturally."

For an instant, the ambient din of the crowd appeared to hush.

Yun Qingmei's composed expression faltered.

Fei Ling's eyes widened in shock.

And Kong Zhanhong—positioned just behind Bai Zihan throughout—nearly coughed in surprise.

"...Huh?"

(Young Master... seeks them as concubines?)

His thoughts raced. This defied all logic.

Utterly.

In recent months—or rather, the last year—innumerable women had pursued Bai Zihan avidly.

Gifted prodigies. Ethereal Sect beauties. Heiresses of noble clans. Ladies who outshone others in cultivation, heritage, allure, and prestige.

He had spurned them all without exception.

Kong Zhanhong had chalked it up to Bai Zihan's devotion to Chu Ziyan.

Yet now—

These two?

Kong Zhanhong couldn't help but steal another glance at Yun Qingmei and Fei Ling.

As a fellow Misty Cloud Peak disciple, they counted as his senior sisters—vastly more gifted than he, to be sure. They weren't deficient by any means.

But weighed against the offers Bai Zihan had dismissed?

... The Young Master's preferences were indeed peculiar.

Suddenly, another realization hit, sending a chill down his spine.

(What of Miss Chu?)

Should Chu Ziyan learn of this—

No.

He shuddered at the mere notion.

Fei Ling snapped back to composure first.

Her cheeks burned—not from shyness, but raw anger.

"You-!"

She lunged forward abruptly.

"You're still spouting that ridiculous drivel?!"

Her tone dropped low, laced with menace.

"Even after all this time?!"

Yun Qingmei lingered in stunned silence a beat longer.

Then she released a resigned chuckle, massaging her forehead.

"Young Master Bai," she managed evenly, "it's somewhat complimentary, in a twisted sense—"

She halted, then tacked on wryly,

"Junior Sister Chu would end us."

Her look grew keener. "So kindly cease these jests at once."

For a brief spell, Bai Zihan regarded them steadily.

Then—

The grin evaporated.

In an instant.

The playful twist of his mouth evened out. His bearing grew rigid. Even his gaze shifted—shedding the idle, taunting spark to reveal a steady, piercing clarity.

"Fine. We'll drop it."

He flicked his wrist dismissively, setting the matter aside.

"Now," he proceeded, his voice turning practical, "mind shedding light on something?"

Yun Qingmei traced his stare.

"Such a massive gathering," Bai Zihan noted, his eyes tightening faintly.

"Where is everyone bound?" The flirtatious rogue had vanished. In his place loomed the Bai Zihan of legends—

The figure who instilled wariness in Sect Leaders.

The name that commanded respect.

"...It appears you genuinely have no clue."

Fei Ling huffed quietly.

"I figured you'd shown up out of concern for him."

"Him?"

Bai Zihan creased his brow faintly. "Who exactly?"

"Lin Xuan," Fei Ling answered. "Junior Brother Lin is set to duel."