Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 582 Can the Weak Stand Together?

"Mmm… Looks like they are really going at it."

Bai Zihan muttered with interest as he read the report from Kong Zhanhong.

With assassinations of princes and princesses having already begun on the very first day after the Emperor's funeral, it was clear the succession battle had commenced without delay.

They hadn't bothered to exert pressure across various clans and sects to gather forces for the impending fight for the throne.

The most significant piece of information detailed the direct clash between Yu Longxuan and Yu Wenzhao.

It contained all the specifics leading up to their confrontation.

Yu Wenzhao had attempted a surprise attack to eliminate the Seventh Prince, but the Crimson Thunder Palace was already prepared.

Ultimately, both sides—each fielding three Immortal Realm cultivators—clashed fiercely.

Initially, their strength was evenly matched. However, because the Third Prince's Immortal Realm cultivators had already been engaged in a prior conflict, they found themselves at a slight disadvantage.

After an hour-long battle, the Third Prince and the Heaven Suppression Pavilion managed to retreat, though one of their Immortal Realm cultivators sustained heavy injuries.

It appeared not only had the Third Prince's attempt failed, but he had also suffered a considerable loss. Should those injuries not be healed swiftly, his faction would struggle immensely to compete with the others.

Still, the news that piqued Bai Zihan's interest the most pertained to Nie Fengzhuo.

It seemed he was in the process of forming some kind of alliance to ward off the chaos of the battle for the throne.

After all, for smaller clans, it proved exceedingly difficult to refuse when princes and princesses demanded their allegiance.

This was unlike the Bai Clan, a power that no one dared to offend.

Thus, the formation of an alliance was indeed a viable idea—though Bai Zihan harbored doubts about its effectiveness in truly deterring the imperial contenders.

After all, even if ants congregated together, they remained mere ants. Unless several First-Rate Clans lent their support, the impact of such an alliance would be negligible.

At best, it would serve as a minor annoyance to the Princes and Princesses, nothing they couldn't manage.

At worst, it would simply become a convenient target for elimination.

Just then—

A servant entered and bowed respectfully.

"Clan Leader, someone has come requesting an audience."

Bai Zihan's eyes flickered slightly.

If the visitor were insignificant, such a report would not have been brought to him.

That implied the visitor either possessed considerable status… or a specific purpose.

"Let them in."

"Understood!"

Moments later, Bai Zihan entered the reception hall.

And there, a middle-aged man stood awaiting him.

Patriarch Xue!

The instant he recognized Bai Zihan, Patriarch Xue's eyes lit up with anticipation.

He immediately stepped forward, cupping his fists in a respectful gesture.

"Clan Leader Bai!"

His tone was not only respectful and polite but also carried a hint of subservience.

Yet, there was palpable excitement underlying it.

After all, he had approached this meeting prepared for rejection.

He had even anticipated not getting to see Bai Zihan, being turned away at the gates.

The Bai Clan's prestige was simply too formidable.

Even top-tier clans boasting Immortal Realm experts couldn't always secure an audience with Bai Zihan.

And yet, here he was. That alone meant half of his objective had already been achieved.

The remainder would hinge on his persuasive abilities.

Bai Zihan returned the greeting with a slight nod.

"Patriarch Xue."

His demeanor was calm and polite, devoid of any arrogance.

That simple interaction alone sent a ripple through Patriarch Xue's heart.

This response was entirely contrary to his expectations.

He had fully anticipated indifference… or perhaps even disdain.

For a brief moment, his confidence surged.

Bai Zihan gestured lightly.

"Please, sit."

"Thank you!"

As for the reason for his visit, it was straightforward.

He intended to invite the Bai Clan to join their burgeoning alliance.

A fragile coalition of clans united by their desire to avoid being ensnared in the brutal struggle for the throne.

However, Patriarch Xue was not naive concerning their situation.

He understood perfectly well that such an alliance, in its current form, amounted to little more than a loose assembly of fearful forces.

Should the princes and princesses truly decide to act against them, they could crush them with relative ease.

This vulnerability had already been underscored by the Seventh Prince's actions. Fortunately, owing to Nie Fengzhuo's intervention, the Xue Clan had narrowly avoided being drawn into the conflict.

He was also acutely aware that, following the clash with the Third Prince, the Seventh Prince would likely refrain from targeting the Xue Clan for a short period.

But what about after that? Who could truly say?

That was precisely why they desperately needed a pillar of support.

A genuine powerhouse!

An entity whose very presence could instill hesitation in the imperial contenders.

And within the entire empire, only a handful of individuals or factions fit such a critical role.

The Bai Clan stood as one of them.

No—

Not merely one among them.

They were the optimal choice!

This was not solely due to their overwhelming strength and prestigious reputation, but also because of their established stance.

They had demonstrably shown no inclination to participate in the battle for the throne.

Although the Li Clan and the Zhao Clan also projected neutrality, based on his intelligence, there was a significant probability they were secretly backing a particular contender.

But the Bai Clan presented a stark contrast.

They truly supported no one.

Otherwise, the empire's princes and princesses would have already made their declarations known.

With the backing of the formidable Bai Clan, no other force would dare to obstruct them.

Furthermore, no other clan or even any prominent sect would contemplate opposing such a union.

The Bai Clan possessed no inherent motivation to favor any particular faction; their position at the apex of the empire was already unassailable.

However, should the Bai Clan assume a central role in this burgeoning alliance, this collection of disparate elements would undergo a profound transformation—

From a state akin to scattered sand…

To an edifice of unyielding solidity.

This was precisely the objective he sought to achieve.

This was the singular reason for his presence here.

"Clan Leader Bai… I shall dispense with pleasantries and address the matter directly."

His address was delivered with a steady, respectful, yet unmistakably firm intonation.

"I have journeyed here to formally request the Bai Clan's support. It is my sincere hope that you will consider joining the Neutral Alliance, which was recently established."

Bai Zihan received this plea with a facade of impassivity, his expression betraying little emotion.

Such a proposition was well within the realm of his expectations.

"This alliance is comprised of various clans who aspire to remain detached from the ongoing conflict for the imperial throne,"

Patriarch Xue elaborated, his voice tinged with a growing gravity.

"You are undoubtedly aware of our precarious circumstances. For many of us, refusing this path is no longer a viable option. If we do not actively choose a side, we will inevitably be compelled to do so."

He inclined his head slightly, a gesture of earnestness.

"However, the majority among us harbor no desire to tread the destructive path of war. Thus, we have forged this alliance in the fervent hope of averting such a devastating conflict."

A brief pause ensued, before he continued with increased directness.

"Yet, I will not attempt to conceal the truth from you."

His gaze locked with Bai Zihan's, unwavering.

"As it currently stands, this alliance is regrettably weak. It possesses insufficient strength to deter the princes, nor can it effectively resist their ambitions."

A somber and undeniable truth was laid bare.

"It is for this very reason… that I implore Clan Leader Bai to lend us your esteemed presence. Your name alone would serve as a potent deterrent."

A heavy silence descended upon the hall.

Then, Patriarch Xue resumed speaking, his tone becoming even more candid.

"To speak plainly—the benefits derived by the Bai Clan from this association will be minimal. Regardless of how we might frame it, the gains for the Bai Clan will be negligible."

He made no attempt to embellish his words or to disguise the stark reality of the situation.

The fundamental truth was simple—

The Bai Clan would fare perfectly well, irrespective of their decision.

Furthermore, there was nothing possessed by the alliance that could genuinely pique the interest of the Bai Clan.

Nevertheless, he deliberately chose candor over constructing a web of falsehoods.

"I am fully cognizant that this request is indeed presumptuous."

A faint, self-aware smile touched his lips.

"And I understand that what we are soliciting is, in essence, your protection… without the capacity to offer a commensurate return."

"Despite this imbalance, I have still come. My purpose is to advocate for those clans who desperately wish to avoid being crushed amidst this unfolding chaos."

The grand hall was once again enveloped in silence.

Throughout the entire exchange, Bai Zihan remained conspicuously still.

His attention was fixed intently upon Patriarch Xue.

There was no sycophancy.

No disingenuous promises.

Only unvarnished honesty.

(He understands his position perfectly…)

Bai Zihan mused internally.

Had Patriarch Xue attempted to exaggerate potential benefits or feign an advantage for the Bai Clan, Bai Zihan would have immediately lost interest.

After all, this alliance offered nothing of genuine substance that the Bai Clan truly required.

"Clan Leader Bai, what are your sentiments regarding this matter?"

Patriarch Xue inquired, a subtle tremor of apprehension detectable in his voice.

Bai Zihan maintained his silence for a contemplative moment.

Then—

"Patriarch Xue… is this your personal decision, or does it represent the consensus of the entire alliance?"

Patriarch Xue responded without hesitation.

"While I have not yet formally discussed this specific proposal with every member, I can state with certainty that if the Bai Clan were to join, no one would dare reject such an offer!"

Indeed, who would possess the audacity to refuse if the esteemed Bai Clan were to lend their support?

…although—

A particular individual did momentarily flicker in his mind.

Nie Fengzhuo.

There was a non-negligible possibility that he might voice an objection.

However, for the sake of the greater good, Patriarch Xue could only fervently hope that Nie Fengzhuo would set aside any personal animosity and agree to cooperate.

Ultimately, for the alliance to achieve its intended purpose, the assistance of the Bai Clan was utterly indispensable."

Consequently, even given the Nie Clan's strained relationship with the Bai Clan, Patriarch Xue held out hope that they would refrain from objecting.

Bai Zihan's gaze shifted downward slightly, his fingers rhythmically tapping against the armrest of his seat.

(Nie Fengzhuo!)

A subtle, almost imperceptible smirk graced the corners of his lips.

(Forget the grudge?)

Utterly impossible!

In his estimation, an individual like Nie Fengzhuo was not the sort to readily dismiss past grievances.

Those identified as Heaven Chosen were, by their very nature, characterized by immense pride and an unyielding spirit.

Once their focus was fixed upon a particular objective—whether it be the attainment of power, the acquisition of status… or the pursuit of a specific individual—they would not easily relinquish their desire.

On the contrary, any perceived failure would only serve to intensify that all-consuming obsession.

After all, how could one who possessed the blessings of a Heaven Chosen readily accept outright defeat?

Letting go?

Such a sentiment was characteristic of ordinary individuals, not those of their caliber.

Given that he had previously experienced a setback, it was far more probable that Nie Fengzhuo was already meticulously devising strategies to surmount that past loss.

Devising methods to ascend above Bai Xueqing.

Devising approaches to reclaim what he firmly believed should have rightfully been his.

And now? To contemplate an alliance with the very clan that had so thoroughly humiliated him?

Nie Fengzhuo would undoubtedly be the very first to vehemently oppose such a notion.