Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 488 The Ancestor's Confession

Yet another member of the Bai Clan showing utter disregard for the imperial throne.

Still, Bai Ren posed a danger too overwhelming for the combined forces of everyone present to contain.

All present pondered the motive behind Bai Ren's arrival. Was it to safeguard and back Bai Zihan?

That seemed the probable reason.

Soon, yet another aura trailed after Bai Ren.

Gasps echoed across the court.

"It's-"

"The Earth Immortal Ancestor from Azure Sun...!"

Trailing Bai Ren came the Earth Immortal Ancestor of Azure Sun Holy Sect.

His lengthy robes hung in disarray.

His face appeared ashen.

The formidable presence that once inspired awe throughout the Empire now seemed... feeble.

Wen Haoyu's eyes contracted sharply.

"Ancestor?!"

His voice broke.

(Why has he come?)

Wen Haoyu pondered anxiously.

Wen Haoyu had been ready to go to any lengths, including burying Azure Sun to ensure his survival.

Yet the Ancestor's presence complicated that greatly.

Naturally, backed by the Emperor, he didn't have to anymore and could shift the blame onto some sacrificial figure from Azure Sun Holy Sect instead.

He believed the Ancestor would side with him on this.

Instead of dragging the entire group down with him, Wen Haoyu figured the Ancestor would concur on scapegoating someone.

Of course, he had to inform the Earth Immortal of the scheme first. (Ancestor!)

A mental transmission was dispatched.

The Earth Immortal Ancestor avoided his glance.

His eyes stayed downcast.

Even so, Wen Haoyu assumed the Ancestor was feigning ignorance to avoid revealing the receipt of the message.

(Ancestor, hear me out!)

He persisted.

(The Emperor backs us. We can select a scapegoat, like those expendable elders, and lay the fault on them. Back me up! With imperial support, no matter how implausible, we can escape with minor repercussions.)

The Earth Immortal Ancestor offered only a wry smile, which Wen Haoyu interpreted as confirmation of comprehension.

His pounding heart calmed a bit.

The situation remained recoverable.

Provided the Ancestor cooperated.

Then-

Bai Ren advanced and saluted Bai Zihan with a relaxed fist-cupping gesture.

"Young Master, I've delivered him."

Bai Zihan nodded in response.

Next, he faced the dragon throne.

"Having Azure Sun's Ancestor present," he stated evenly, "eliminates the need for more probing."

His look scanned the assembly.

"We just need to pose our queries directly to him!"

Whispers surged right away.

It was logical, although full trust in him was elusive too. As Azure Sun's Ancestor, he'd naturally speak in ways that benefited the Azure Sun

Holy Sect.

But given the Bai Clan's role in bringing him, hearing his account was worthwhile regardless.

The Emperor's stare fixed on Bai Zihan for an extended while.

Afterward, he nodded faintly.

"Agreed!"

His attention moved to the Earth Immortal Ancestor.

"Did you know about the experiments occurring in your Sect?"

The hall tensed in anticipation.

Wen Haoyu's mouth curved subtly.

Surely he'd refute it.

They could pin it on a few overzealous elders.

Offer up minor sacrifices.

What reason would the Ancestor have to contradict that, risking the Sect's total ruin?

The Earth Immortal Ancestor raised his head gradually.

His gaze was serene.

Exhausted.

Yet sharp.

He affirmed with a nod.

"Yes!"

The lone word struck like lightning.

Wen Haoyu's grin stiffened.

Shock exploded in the court.

The Emperor's forehead creased profoundly.

"What?! He admitted it outright?"

"Truly? Coming from their Ancestor, it has to be factual."

"Why confess so readily? Still, it spares us time, so I won't object."

They were stunned that the Ancestor would confess without hesitation.

"Do you grasp the weight of your words?"

The Emperor inquired, offering one last opportunity.

"Yes. Such activities have persisted for decades."

The Ancestor replied without ambiguity.

Silence!

Utter quiet.

Wen Haoyu sensed a chill cascade down his back.

(What's this?!)

He fired off another urgent mental plea.

(Ancestor! Refute it! We had a deal-!)

No response.

The Earth Immortal Ancestor spared him not even a look.

He stood resolute, as if reconciled to an unchangeable fate.

The Emperor's face grew grim.

He'd extended mercy.

But now- With the Sect's Earth Immortal openly verifying the offenses-

How could leniency be defended?

How could this be contained?

Shielding Azure Sun further-

Would expose his aid to Wen Haoyu as baseless favoritism.

Salvage was impossible now.

Wen Haoyu's thoughts whirled chaotically.

(Why?! Why confess?!)

He transmitted again.

(Ancestor, what's your game?! Consider the Sect! Consider your own fate!)

Yet-

Nothing at all.

Not the slightest recognition.

The Emperor reclined a touch on the dragon throne.

His prior schemes crumbled.

He'd been open to twisting the facts.

But altering a public admission before the whole Imperial Court was beyond him.

Bai Zihan's teasing voice cut through the oppressive hush.

"Hey," he drawled casually, "why not reveal the complete tale?"

His eyes arched slightly. "Name all who knew. Particularly if your Sect Leader took part."

Every gaze shifted anew to the Earth Immortal Ancestor.

A trace of conflict crossed his features.

He shut his eyes deliberately.

Once uttered-

Retreat would be impossible.

However, options were nil. Prior to entering the Imperial Court, the Bai Clan had laid out their demands unmistakably.

A harsh caution.

Should he venture falsehoods-

Should he try to hide even the smallest detail-

The Bai Clan would unleash total war on Azure Sun Holy Sect.

They'd already shown how a small elite squad could devastate Azure Sun.

If their full forces engaged-

Only ruins would remain.

And to brush off that threat as mere posturing?

That would prove a fatal error. The Bai Clan never issued idle warnings.

They'd executed such actions before. Relative to that-

The Imperial Court's judgment would seem lenient.