Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 483 Imperial Court Convenes

The grand hall of the Desolate Heaven Empire's Imperial Court hadn't witnessed such an assembly in ages.

Towering golden pillars etched with twisting dragon designs stretched up to the arched ceiling. Expansive red silk drapes hung behind the throne area.

The atmosphere hung heavy, dense with held-back powers and pent-up enmity. This wasn't a typical court meeting.

This day marked the reckoning for the Bai Clan.

Gradually, the Empire's mightiest individuals claimed their spots.

Li Jianhong, head of the Li Clan, positioned himself up front, his robes featuring silver qilin embroidery.

His face showed severity, eyes gleaming with open eagerness.

Nearby loomed Zhao Wutian, the Zhao Clan Leader, arms tucked into broad sleeves, his stare steady yet icy.

Han Sha, Sect Leader of the Heaven Sword Sect, had arrived too. It was evident—

They weren't just there to watch.

They aimed to guarantee the Bai Clan faced consequences. Not just foes of the Bai Clan filled the space, but allies too, like Chu Xing, the Chu Clan Leader.

On this day, the Imperial Family resolved to remind the Bai Clan and its partners that nobody stood beyond the Empire's rules.

It might also serve to expose the true nature of the Bai Clan—and fracture their bonds.

At the hall's highest point, on the raised dragon throne, perched the Desolate Heaven Empire's Emperor.

Irritation flickered mildly on his features.

Everyone there knew why.

One group was still missing.

The Bai Clan—the subjects of the trial.

A soft buzz spread across the chamber.

Li Jianhong's eyebrows knit together.

"What is Bai Tianheng doing?" he said coldly. "Does he intend to make us wait forever?"

Zhao Wutian shot a look at the throne before replying smoothly.

"To make even His Majesty wait... does the Bai Clan believe itself above the Empire?"

As he uttered those lines, he smirked inside.

The bolder the Bai Clan's actions, the more they'd alienate

themselves from the royals—which suited his interests.

Numerous heads nodded in support.

Of course—

Time lingered a bit.

The formal proceedings hadn't started.

Sixty seconds left.

Yet when called by the Emperor, arriving ahead of schedule was expected—not right at the brink.

All the more so under accusation.

A court attendant advanced and tapped the ritual staff gently on

the ground.

The noise resounded.

"Court will begin in one minute."

The whispers intensified.

"Arrogant."

"Presumptuous."

"If they do not arrive, it will be considered defiance."

"Declining an Imperial Summons is rebellion."

The chill deepened in the air.

Thirty seconds to go.

Twenty-nine.

Twenty-eight.

Li Jianhong crossed his arms.

"Let us see whether Bai Tianheng dares not to appear."

Twenty seconds.

The strain mounted.

"Perhaps they realized their guilt."

"Or perhaps they fear facing the Emperor."

Fifteen seconds.

Ten seconds.

Some mouths twisted into slight grins.

Li Jianhong's stare intensified.

"If they do not arrive—"

Four... Three... Two—

Thud!

The noise wasn't deafening.

Yet in the hushed hall, it hit like a crashing peak.

The enormous doors of the court creaked apart.

All necks craned around.

Brief golden rays from beyond spilled inside before a silhouette crossed the entrance.

Bai Zihan!

He advanced at a leisurely pace.

Every footfall rang faintly on the gleaming tiles.

No escorts trailed him.

No seniors shadowed him.

No Bai Tianheng.

He arrived solo.

A wave of astonishment swept the elite assembly.

Li Jianhong's eyes slitted right away.

"Where is Bai Tianheng?"

He demanded.

Bai Zihan didn't spare him a look and utterly disregarded the query. After all, he owed no response.

"YOU!"

Li Jianhong couldn't contain his fury. Even a junior Bai heir dared snub him openly.

Bai Zihan strode to the heart of the court area.

His sight locked with the Emperor's.

The whole chamber sensed it—

That faint, crushing presence encircling him.

He looked like a mere boy among them, but the aura he projected matched a pinnacle clan's head.

Li Jianhong's face grew stormy.

"The Bai Clan dares send a mere fledgling? It seems the Bai Clan is looking

down on the Imperial Court."

He said coldly.

This time, Bai Zihan flicked a quick glance his way.

His look remained detached.

"For such small matters, why would our Clan Leader need to come here? I am

more than enough!"

The straightforward answer roused the hall anew.

Arrogance!

Blatant arrogance.

Moreover, it openly scorned the Emperor's personal summons for Bai Tianheng.

Though Bai Zihan had shown up, did that suffice?

Clearly not—when every major sect and clan dispatched their chiefs, and the Emperor oversaw the affair himself.

Still, the accused violators hadn't bothered sending their leader.

This signaled the Bai Clan disdained all in attendance—including the sovereign.

"The Imperial Court now convenes!"

The Court Official proclaimed, though irked by the Bai Clan's boldness.

As the hour struck, formalities demanded continuation.

Silence dropped at once.

Every gaze pivoted to the dragon throne.

The Emperor's eyes fixed on Bai Zihan. "Where is the Bai Clan Leader?"

The Emperor asked solemnly.

"My father remains within the clan attending to more important matters."

A slight unrest coursed through the hall.

The message rang clear. This audience with the Emperor ranked below Bai Tianheng's current duties.

The Emperor's brow creased instantly.

Bai Zihan showed no qualms about revealing it—his statement dripped with subtle contempt for the royal seat.

No!

He meant to convey it outright.

The Emperor's eyes tightened a touch.

His tone, on resuming, stayed even—but the underlying force grew heavier.

"Can you represent the Bai Clan and accept today's result?"

The query was straightforward.

But its gravity dawned on all.

Should Bai Zihan affirm, then any verdict today—be it penalty, compensation, or rebuke—would tie the whole Bai Clan. Countless stares pinned on him.

Bai Zihan held firm under the dragon throne.

"If the result is fair and reasonable," he replied evenly, "why not?"

The chamber stilled.

It was understated.

But too pointed to miss.

Zhao Wutian's eyes glinted softly.

Fair and reasonable?

The suggestion lingered thickly.

If the outcome proved just, the Bai Clan would yield.

If unfair—

Then what?

Besides, he hinted the Imperial Court didn't always uphold fairness.

The Emperor's countenance shadowed a bit.

It wasn't outright rebellion.

Yet it etched a bold boundary.

Bai Zihan wasn't begging. In a fleeting pause, the Emperor stayed mute.

Bai Zihan plainly rejected yielding to the Emperor's will.

When the Li and Zhao Clans assaulted the Bai Clan, claiming Bai Xueqing had claimed the Immortal Emperor's Inheritance...

The Imperial Family hadn't stepped in.

They hadn't rebuked them.

They hadn't called a session to probe their deeds.

They'd even hinted at joining. After all—

An Immortal Emperor's Inheritance was immense.

In the cultivation realm, power shaped right and wrong.

The Empire held back then since Flowing Moon Sect whisked away Bai Xueqing.

Plus, with their ties to the Li-Zhao pact now, he anticipated nothing more than a push to penalize the Bai Clan—rightly or wrongly.

Thus, Bai Zihan sought no equity here.

He'd come solely—

To witness their fabricated rationale.

And counter as needed. The Emperor breathed out deliberately.

"Since you claim to represent the Bai Clan," he said, "then this court shall

proceed."

A court official thumped the ceremonial staff.

"Bring forth the Azure Sun Holy Sect Leader!"

The grand doors parted again. Steps resounded over the smooth stone surface.

Wen Haoyu stepped in.

He donned official sect attire, his face a touch ashen. His gaze darted momentarily to Bai Zihan.

For an instant—

A hint of dread emerged. Then it faded.

Yielding to resentment.

He moved ahead and bowed low to the throne.

"This humble sect leader greets Your Majesty."

"Rise," the Emperor said.

Wen Haoyu rose and angled himself so his words echoed strongly

throughout the hall.

"Your Majesty, honored leaders," he started gravely, "the Azure Sun Holy Sect

has loyally served the Empire for generations. We have followed Imperial

law and maintained sect standards."

He halted on purpose.

Then his voice turned keen.

"But ten days ago, without cause, the Bai Clan stormed our sect."

Whispers surged in the court.

"They shattered our mountain barriers, killed elders, wrecked

formations, and plundered vast resources."

His hands balled up.

"Our forebears suffered severe wounds. Our disciples fell in droves."

He faced Bai Zihan squarely.

"And the one who spearheaded this assault—was him."

All sights returned to Bai Zihan.

Wen Haoyu's tone quivered faintly—but from rage or otherwise, none could discern.

"We sought no quarrel. Yet he struck without provocation."

Then he bowed to the sovereign.

"Today, I ask the Imperial Court to deliver justice."