Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 463 Kneel Before the Young Master

The clamor hadn't fully died down when the supervising elder's piercing voice sliced sharply through the uproar.

"Yuan Jie!"

The elder's stare carried a chilling intensity.

"You placed a bet right before this fight started. Now you must honor it!"

Half-leaning on the broken rim of the stage, his face grew rigid.

The stake.

Should he lose, he'd have to drop to his knees in front of Bai Zihan and offer a public apology for his past insults.

Back then, victory had seemed assured. The bet was just a bold show of assurance.

But now-

It loomed like a sword at his throat.

Yuan Jie gradually hauled himself to his feet. His frame shook-not from wounds, but from deep shame.

"I... get it. I'll handle it once Bai Zihan shows up."

He gave a rigid nod.

Seeming obedient on the surface.

Deep inside-

(Honor my promise? Alright!)

(Starting today, I'll go into seclusion for cultivation. I'll hide away for months-maybe years if needed. Folks will move on soon enough.)

When he emerged again, this event would fade into distant memory.

Who'd bother remembering?

Exactly!

That plan made perfect sense.

A spark of scheming lit up his eyes once more.

Yet before he could stir-

A steady voice, laced with mild amusement, echoed over the battleground.

"No need to delay. You can handle it immediately!"

The onlookers buzzed with movement.

Bai Zihan advanced.

As soon as he came into view, the air around them changed ever so slightly.

"We can settle it right here."

His words came soft.

But they allowed no dodging.

Lin Xuan paused for an instant.

Then pure thrill lit across his features.

"Young Master!"

He swiftly returned his sword to its sheath and dashed forward, ignoring the grave mood that had hung just before.

"When did you arrive?"

His tone brimmed with real delight, like a follower keen to display his progress.

Bai Zihan offered a light smile.

"I've been observing. You've become more powerful."

The praise from Bai Zihan sparked joy in Lin Xuan-along with a touch of awkwardness, as he hadn't realized anyone was watching.

Had he known, he'd have avoided dragging things out and crushed Yuan Jie from the opening move to spare the young master's time.

Certain disciples felt the commendation fell short of Lin Xuan's feats.

While others saw it another way.

For Bai Zihan, with his superior accomplishments, grasping Sword Intent might not strike as an extraordinary feat.

Bai Zihan's look rested on Lin Xuan briefly-approval shining through-before moving beyond him.

And fixing on Yuan Jie.

Excitement built in the arena.

All present knew what was coming.

The bet.

This was the moment.

Under the weight of endless stares, Yuan Jie went rigid.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

His dignity roared against it.

(Why did he have to appear?)

He refused utterly. Not with this many witnesses. Doing so would shatter his standing forever.

Moments ticked by.

Then more dragged on.

The quiet turned awkward.

Whispers spread among the spectators.

"Why's he hesitating?"

"He promised he would."

"Bets must be honored." "Stick to your word!"

One cry rang out-

"Get on with it!"

Another joined-

"Get on with it!"

Quickly the call grew, resounding through the arena in swelling rhythms.

"Get on with it!"

"Get on with it!"

"Stick to your word!"

The strain showed plainly on Yuan Jie's expression.

His hands balled into fists until the bones gleamed pale.

Standing there was Bai Zihan-serene, poised, arms casually clasped behind him.

Time dragged on endlessly.

The calls kept coming.

"Get on with it!"

"Bow!"

"Stick to your word!"

Yuan Jie's breaths came ragged.

His dignity.

His rank.

His honor.

All hung on the brink of ruin.

And with the whole Heaven Sword Sect watching-

No way out remained.

Yuan Jie gulped hard.

His mouth parched.

The demands closed in from every side.

His eyes darted to Bai Zihan.

Maybe... just maybe he could still turn this around.

He plastered on a forced grin, smearing away the blood at his lip's edge.

"Young Master Bai," Yuan Jie started, his tone rough yet straining for calm, "regarding what happened before... It was just some rash talk among fellow disciples. We're all in the same sect. No reason to push things this far."

A brief halt.

"Stick to your word!"

The strain showed plainly on Yuan Jie's expression.

His hands balled into fists until the bones gleamed pale.

Standing there was Bai Zihan-serene, poised, arms casually clasped behind him.

Time dragged on endlessly.

The calls kept coming.

"Get on with it!"

"Bow!" "Stick to your word!"

Yuan Jie's breaths came ragged.

His dignity.

His rank.

His honor.

All hung on the brink of ruin.

And with the whole Heaven Sword Sect watching-

No way out remained.

Yuan Jie gulped hard.

His mouth parched.

The demands closed in from every side.

His eyes darted to Bai Zihan. Maybe... just maybe he could still turn this around.

He plastered on a forced grin, smearing away the blood at his lip's edge.

"Young Master Bai," Yuan Jie started, his tone rough yet straining for calm, "regarding what happened before... It was just some rash talk among fellow disciples. We're all in the same sect. No reason to push things this far."

A brief halt.

"If Young Master agrees, I can make up for the slight. With gold, elixirs, uncommon resources-"

He pushed on despite himself.

"I just got back from a task. I found a Thousand-Year Frost Crystal. I'll give it as my amends."

A soft buzz passed through the assembly.

A Thousand-Year Frost Crystal ranked as a major find.

A Grade-5 item that a Grade-6 pill master could turn into a Grade-6 elixir.

Yet Bai Zihan showed no response.

He appeared unmoved.

Not even curious.

Instead, he tipped his head a touch.

"Done?" Just those two words.

Yuan Jie's spirits plummeted.

Bai Zihan's eyes stayed even-nearly detached.

"So," Bai Zihan inquired softly, "when do you start?"

No fury. No mockery.

Merely a straightforward query.

Like chatting about something minor.

Yuan Jie's hands shook.

Bargain with Bai Zihan?

No chance!

Against someone lesser, riches might sway them. Or supplies.

Or alliances.

But Bai Zihan was different.

The cultivator said to hold the greatest fortune across the Desolate Heaven Empire.

Whose riches outstripped numerous sects and family heads.

What value could he bring?

Gems?

Ties?

Bai Zihan owned it all.

And beyond.

The real blow-

Bai Zihan clearly intended to force the issue.

Yuan Jie grasped it fully. Stalling would only worsen the spectacle.

The more he held back, the more wretched he'd seem.

The uproar hadn't ceased.

"Bow!" "Get on with it!"

"Stick to your word!"

His jaw locked.

His teeth grated.

His dignity howled.

Yet beneath the gaze of countless eyes-

He acted.

Deliberately.

Rigidly.

Yuan Jie advanced a step.

Next-

His legs folded.

The rustle of cloth on rock boomed in the hush.

He dropped to his knees facing Bai Zihan.

His head bowed low, fingers digging into the stage until new blood trickled from his grip.

"...I was mistaken."

The admission tore from him like shattered shards.

"I uttered bold insults and slighted Young Master Bai."

A shake passed over his frame.

"I beg forgiveness!"

Hush enveloped the whole arena.

Even the breeze appeared to still.

For a Soul Formation expert-

A key disciple-

One who leveraged his tie to Han Shewu-the offspring of the fresh Sect Leader-to bully others-

To bow like this in public-

It etched into memory forever!