Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 543 Uninvited Guests, Unwelcome Arrogance

Bai Zihan's advance remained unhindered.

Every single utterance struck at their most vulnerable points.

"Crashing an event uninvited is one thing."

He took another bite of the Spirit Fruit, the action deliberate.

"But to expect deference as if you have a right to it..."

A swift, dismissive glance passed over the assembled group.

"...that's a different matter entirely. Even a lack of shame has its boundaries!"

Silence fell as Bai Zihan unleashed a torrent of insults, each word meticulously dismantling their pride.

With every sentence, they felt as though their mere presence, an uninvited intrusion, was an unforgivable transgression.

The faces of the uninvited representatives began to cloud over with discomfort and anger.

Suddenly, a few individuals, clearly not part of Huo Zhouchen's entourage, stepped forward.

They understood that Bai Zihan's admonishment was primarily directed at Huo Zhouchen, a prominent figure from the Vermillion Pill Empire, rather than at them.

"We offer our sincerest apologies for our uninvited arrival," one of them stated.

He clasped his fists in a gesture of respect.

"We acknowledge our transgression."

He then continued, his voice clear.

"However, our sole intention was to extend our congratulations to Grandmaster Mu Tianxuan."

Others in the group readily affirmed his words with nods.

They bowed their heads slightly, a demonstration of their deference.

They exhibited control.

They showed genuine respect.

It was evident they were not affiliated with the group that had been so eagerly currying favor with Huo Zhouchen.

Despite lacking formal invitations themselves, their bearing was markedly distinct.

Bai Zihan's eyes flickered towards them.

His gaze held for a brief moment.

Then, a subtle nod conveyed his acknowledgment.

"Naturally, if your intention was purely to offer congratulations to Grandmaster Mu Tianxuan, your entry is permitted."

These simple words carried an undeniable weight of authority.

A wave of relief washed over their faces.

The thought of facing their respective Emperors with such a failure was daunting.

Expressing their gratitude swiftly, they moved aside with practiced decorum.

Bai Zihan's attention re-focused.

It now settled upon Huo Zhouchen.

And upon the group behind him, those who had been displaying such brazen arrogance. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips.

"It appears..."

He remarked casually.

"...some individuals possess a modicum of self-awareness and courtesy, unlike certain others." Bai Zihan's tone dripped with sarcasm.

The expressions on Huo Zhouchen's and his followers' faces grew increasingly grim.

Not only had Bai Zihan openly accused them of shamelessness, but he had also granted entry to others while explicitly barring them.

"Why were they permitted entry while we were denied? They also lack an invitation."

"Is this a direct targeting of us, Young Master Bai? Are you aware of the potential repercussions?"

"Young Master Bai, we urge you to choose your words more carefully."

They attempted to challenge Bai Zihan, highlighting what they perceived as blatant preferential treatment.

Huo Zhouchen glanced at his associates and gave a quiet, almost imperceptible shake of his head.

(They are falling right into Bai Zihan's trap!)

Observing their loss of composure and their emotionally charged reactions, he recognized that Bai Zihan had achieved his objective.

Should they persist, they would only further humiliate themselves.

Huo Zhouchen found himself compelled to step forward.

Continuing this confrontation would only escalate the unfavorable situation.

More crucially, a realization had dawned upon him.

Engaging in an open argument with Bai Zihan was a demonstrably unwise course of action.

This individual showed no inclination to grant favors and seemed utterly devoid of

any sense of apprehension.

His gaze shifted away from Bai Zihan and fixed itself upon Mu Qingyuan.

"Clan Leader Mu!"

His voice adopted a tone of calm politeness.

"May I humbly inquire..."

A brief pause ensued.

"Do his words carry the full representation of the Mu Clan?"

The question hung in the charged atmosphere.

The underlying implication was clear to all present.

Bai Zihan was indeed affiliated with the Bai Clan.

While he held connections to the Mu Clan, particularly through his maternal lineage,

ultimately, his primary allegiance was not to the Mu Clan.

Could his pronouncements truly speak for the entire clan?

Did his declarations possess the same official standing as those from the Clan Leader?

Huo Zhouchen harbored strong doubts.

And a significant number of others shared his uncertainty.

All gazes converged on Mu Qingyuan, awaiting his response.

Mu Qingyuan's reply was immediate, devoid of any hesitation.

"Yes!"

The single word resonated with absolute clarity.

An immediate ripple of astonishment spread throughout the hall.

Shock!

Disbelief!

This outcome was unanticipated by many.

Had this occurred within the Bai Clan's domain, their reaction might have been muted, given Bai Zihan's status as their heir and his significant influence.

However, to learn that even within the Mu Clan, his words held an authority equivalent to that of the Clan Leader himself-

How could this be possible?

The assembled individuals struggled to comprehend the source of Bai Zihan's considerable sway within the Mu Clan.

Undeniably, Mu Yuelan was a figure of immense influence, yet even she might not command such absolute authority.

Mu Qingyuan's voice remained steady as he continued his affirmation.

"He has that right."

No further explanation was offered.

No justification was provided.

Only unwavering certainty was conveyed.

This statement signified not only that Bai Zihan was regarded with the same esteem as a Clan Leader or a high-ranking Elder within the Mu Clan-

But also that the clan fully endorsed every statement Bai Zihan had made to the representatives of the other empires.

Instantly, Huo Zhouchen's spirits plummeted.

Huo Zhouchen had initially planned to disregard Bai Zihan's words and address Mu Qingyuan directly.

However, Mu Qingyuan's response made it unequivocally clear that confronting Bai Zihan was now an immediate necessity, plunging Huo Zhouchen's mood into further gloom.

His original intention to bypass Bai Zihan and communicate straight with Mu Qingyuan had been completely thwarted.

A moment of quiet hung in the air.

Then, Huo Zhouchen drew a deep breath and advanced.

To the astonishment of the onlookers, he clasped his fists and offered a respectful bow.

"My apologies for my previous rudeness."

His tone was level and composed, devoid of any earlier arrogance.

"We arrived uninvited."

After a slight pause, he continued, "But my sincere wish is to congratulate a fellow Grandmaster."

As he spoke, he raised his hand, and a jade box materialized.

Upon its opening, a potent and pervasive medicinal fragrance instantly filled the surroundings.

Pills of Mid-tier Grade-7!

Even among Grandmasters, treasures like these were not easily concocted, their intrinsic worth immeasurable.

A stir went through the assembled crowd.

This offering represented Huo Zhouchen's genuine intention, or at the very least, an undeniable demonstration of his sincerity.

Bai Zihan's gaze flickered over the pills before settling on Huo Zhouchen.

A subtle smile touched his lips.

"Not bad."

He paused, then added, "Even a dog can be trained."

Huo Zhouchen's composure faltered for merely an instant, a minuscule crack in his facade.

Yet, he maintained his restraint, understanding that engaging Bai Zihan in an argument now would negate all his prior efforts.

Following Huo Zhouchen's lead, the others, though resentful, found themselves compelled to lower their heads as well.

After all, when even Huo Zhouchen had bowed, what standing did they possess in comparison?

With a casual wave of his hand, Bai Zihan declared, "You may enter."

Just like that, passage was granted.

Huo Zhouchen and his entourage stepped forward.

However, the overbearing confidence they had displayed earlier was conspicuously absent, replaced by a subdued demeanor.

It was as if they had suffered a public humiliation, a stark reversal from their initial swagger.

Initially, led by Huo Zhouchen, they had intended to stride in with their heads held high.

But circumstances had changed dramatically.

Even before crossing the threshold, they had been forced to bow their heads.

And every guest had borne witness to this event.

A peculiar sentiment washed over the assembled guests.

Those who possessed invitation letters suddenly felt a surge of pride.

They had gained entry openly, with their dignity intact and their heads held high.

Conversely, observing someone of Huo Zhouchen's stature, the renowned alchemist of the Vermillion Pill Empire, being compelled to lower his head, made the simple invitation slips in their hands feel remarkably significant.