Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 492 Essence of Bai Clan?

The pair exited the plaza, leaving the site of the execution behind them.

As they strolled through the bustling thoroughfares of the Imperial Capital, the surrounding cheers and noise slowly faded away. Both cultivators and ordinary citizens packed the avenues, all fixated on a single subject: the downfall of Wen Haoyu and the profound humiliation brought upon the Azure Sun Holy Sect.

Yu Feiyan moved toward the front with her customary grace, her stride light and fluid. Bai Zihan kept pace, trailing just half a step behind her. While he appeared composed on the surface, his internal focus remained razor-sharp.

After navigating a series of turns through the dense crowds, Bai Zihan broke the silence. "Princess, would you like to find a seat and rest for a while?"

Yu Feiyan glanced over her shoulder, her expression holding a faint, enigmatic smile. "And where might you prefer to sit, Young Master Bai?"

Bai Zihan gestured casually toward a vibrant tavern situated just ahead. The structure was massive, its doors wide open, spilling the sounds of raucous laughter, animated chatter, and the clinking of vessels out into the street. It was overflowing with patrons, with nearly every seat taken. A setting like this was the polar opposite of a private rendezvous, which was exactly the point. Bai Zihan reasoned that Qin Lingxiao would never dream of exposing her true identity in such a public sphere. Naturally, he understood that if she desired to silence everyone present, a simple snap of her fingers could erase the entire establishment. Yet, the chaos of the crowd offered him a modicum of psychological comfort. No matter how much he postured, he was acutely aware that standing before him was a Golden Immortal cultivator; his every maneuver was completely transparent to her.

Yu Feiyan scrutinized the tavern for a beat before letting out a soft, melodic laugh. "You prefer a crowded place?"

Bai Zihan offered a subtle shrug. "It is lively here, and that suits me just fine."

The glimmer in her eyes intensified for a moment, though she kept any further thoughts to herself. The two stepped inside. The instant Yu Feiyan crossed the threshold, several individuals instinctively turned to look. Her presence possessed an innate magnetism; even without manifesting any aura, her beauty and elegance were impossible to ignore. Nevertheless, the tavern remained far too boisterous for anyone to linger on their gazes for long, and the ambient noise soon swelled once more.

Bai Zihan quickly secured an empty table positioned near a window. A waiter hurried over to their side. "What can I bring for our honored guests?"

"Set us up with your finest Spirit Tea," Bai Zihan stated calmly. Yu Feiyan added firmly, "And the best vintage you have."

"Right away!" the servant replied, darting off. For a brief interlude, silence sat between them while the city streets teemed with movement outside the glass. Resting her chin on her hand, Yu Feiyan fixated her gaze upon him. "Let us bypass the pleasantries. In your view, what constitutes the true essence of your Bai Clan?"

Bai Zihan blinked in surprise. That was not the inquiry he had anticipated. "The essence?"

Yu Feiyan gave a slight nod. She noted that every organization, be it a sect or a clan, possessed some defining characteristic that differentiated them from the rest. The Heaven Sword Sect was defined by the blade, while the Azure Sun Holy Sect was anchored in their fire cultivation techniques. This was the fundamental principle defining their identity. Usually, for a clan, this identity was centered on their specific cultivation techniques. Disciples might frequent different sects, but their core practices remained consistent. Unless, of course, they secured a superior method and discarded their traditions for greater power, much like the path he had introduced with the Heavenly Mandate Assimilation Art. Currently, so many individuals were adopting it that, perhaps, the identity of the entire Desolate Heaven Empire would eventually crystallize around that very technique.

Bai Zihan pondered for a moment. He had never really viewed his family through that lens, as most prestigious powers had a signature that outsiders immediately recognized. When it came to the Bai Clan, however, nothing specific came to mind. Finally, he replied, "The Azure Dragon Breathing Method." This was the technique historically reserved for the core members of his clan. Naturally, things had evolved since then, but he saw no reason to inform Qin Lingxiao of the change. Truthfully, if he were being entirely honest, he would have boiled it down to a single word: "Ruthlessness." After all, it was clear that neither he nor any other member of the Bai Clan hesitated when it came to the eradication of a rival sect or family.

Qin Lingxiao raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. She did not find his answer satisfactory. Instead, she just stared at him with a curious, lingering smile. "That is not it."

Bai Zihan narrowed his eyes slightly. "Then what do you believe it to be, Princess?"

Yu Feiyan reclined in her chair. "The Azure Dragon Breathing Method is merely an instrument. There is something else that truly defines the Bai Clan. Are you truly unaware, Young Master Bai?" She spoke with a playful tease, as if she possessed secret knowledge and wanted him to confess it himself. However, Bai Zihan was genuinely lost. He did not grasp the nature of Qin Lingxiao’s hint, yet it was obvious she was hunting for something she believed remained within the Bai Clan. *Don’t tell me the Bai Clan is some remnant of an ancient empire that collapsed millennia ago and hides a supreme treasure,* he reflected. Yet, he knew the Bai Clan had been a staple of the Desolate Heaven Empire for as long as historical records existed. There was no secret heritage of world-spanning rulers to be found.

"I honestly don't know what you are looking for, Princess. I'm afraid I've never been one for history," Bai Zihan stated with sincerity. While there might be information buried somewhere he hadn't focused on, his lack of academic interest was genuine, partly because his System Interface often obscured his vision in the past.

"Even as the heir?" she teased. Sensing that he was not concealing a lie, she eased the pressure of her interrogation. "Knowledge of history isn't a prerequisite for being the heir. Strength is!" Bai Zihan insisted. Half of that statement was a fabrication; he had been the heir long before he had any real power, solely because he was the son of Bai Tianheng. However, it wasn't entirely false either, as his recent display of strength had cemented his position against other burgeoning geniuses. "...That may be so," she conceded.