Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 583 Patriarch Xue’s Gamble

Patriarch Xue observed Bai Zihan's silence, his heart immediately clenching with the fear of refusal.

The Bai Clan's decision was a linchpin for the Neutral Alliance's survival in the impending chaos.

Patriarch Xue quickly resumed speaking, his tone growing more hesitant as he addressed Clan Leader Bai.

"I comprehend your concerns," Patriarch Xue stated, managing a strained smile. "The Nie Clan!"

He continued with careful deliberation, "I am aware of the past entanglements between our clans."

His voice softened slightly. "However, those are matters of the past. If the Bai Clan can overlook them, surely the Nie Clan will do the same..."

Towards the conclusion of his sentence, his certainty wavered. He was not entirely sure of the Nie Clan's stance on the matter. He pondered the proud Nie Fengzhuo, finding it improbable that he would readily accept assistance from someone who had once humiliated him.

Yet, in Patriarch Xue's estimation, if the Nie Clan truly grasped the gravity of the situation, they would acquiesce. This was no longer merely about personal grudges; it was about their collective survival, and more crucially, the preservation of the entire alliance.

If the Nie Clan refused a potential alliance simply due to past conflicts, it would imply they had never genuinely valued the Neutral Alliance. After all, making compromises was a common necessity, especially in tumultuous times. If resolving a grievance could avert potential disaster, it was certainly the most sensible course of action.

Observing Bai Zihan, Patriarch Xue sensed no overt animosity from the Bai Clan's side. Had there been, Bai Zihan likely would not have even entertained his presence, perhaps even expelling him upon the mere mention of an alliance.

Deep down, Patriarch Xue was convinced that the discord between the Bai and Nie Clans had never escalated to the point of irreparable hatred, at least not on a significant scale between the clans themselves.

From his perspective, Bai Xueqing's decision to break the engagement stemmed purely from her personal unwillingness to marry. What was truly wrong with that? She was a heavenly phoenix, destined for a path far exceeding that of the former Nie Fengzhuo. Her cultivation would undoubtedly lead her to the Immortal Realm, whereas Nie Fengzhuo's potential seemed capped at Foundation Establishment. If matters had proceeded, Bai Xueqing might have found herself a widow within a few centuries, facing millennia of solitary existence. Was that not a cruel fate?

While the engagement was an arrangement made by their predecessors and breaking it was indeed improper, Bai Xueqing had not acted without justification. She had even offered compensation at the time, an offer the Nie Clan had refused.

Despite these events, the Bai Clan had never sought to suppress the Nie Clan afterward. With the Bai Clan's considerable power, eradicating a clan like the Nie Clan would have been a simple matter. This fact alone, in Patriarch Xue's view, demonstrated that the Bai Clan did not genuinely consider the Nie Clan an adversary.

The core issue, he believed, lay not between the clans, but between the two younger individuals: Nie Fengzhuo and Bai Xueqing. That was the entirety of it!

Noticing Bai Zihan still lost in contemplation, Patriarch Xue assumed his hesitation stemmed from concerns regarding the Nie Clan.

"Clan Leader Bai," he declared, his expression firming with resolve. "If your apprehension is that other members of the alliance might object," he exhaled slowly, "then I shall personally address each of them to ascertain their views. However, I am confident that no one would oppose such a beneficial union."

In reality, aside from the Nie Clan, no other faction would likely object to the Bai Clan's inclusion. Therefore, his intention was to visit only the Nie Clan to discuss—or rather, to inform them—of the Bai Clan's potential entry into the Neutral Alliance. For all others, he would simply dispatch letters of notification. Any who dared to raise objections would face expulsion from the Alliance.

And if—if the Nie Clan truly stood in opposition, Patriarch Xue's gaze sharpened slightly. Then he would have no choice but to request their departure from the Neutral Alliance as well. For in the grand scheme of the alliance's survival, no single clan was irreplaceable.

Even though he was grateful for Nie Fengzhuo's past actions, reality was paramount. This alliance was not established for a single individual but for all who sought to remain neutral in the struggle for the throne. If the Nie Clan insisted on pursuing selfish interests, then for the sake of his own clan and everyone else involved, he would be forced to expel them.

Bai Zihan remained seated, his expression unreadable, causing Patriarch Xue's heart to tighten. Had he spoken too much? Or perhaps, too little? Just as a sense of unease began to creep in, Bai Zihan suddenly spoke, his calm voice piercing the silence.

"Patriarch Xue."

"If that is the case,"

Bai Zihan slowly got to his feet.

"then I shall accompany you."

Patriarch Xue blinked, momentarily stunned as if he had misheard.

"Go…?"

His mind went blank for an instant.

"Go where?"

The question tumbled out almost without conscious thought.

Bai Zihan met his gaze with a calm expression.

"To the Nie Clan!"

Those simple words seemed to freeze Patriarch Xue right in his tracks.

"The Nie Clan?!"

His eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

He had truly thought he misunderstood.

Yet, it was clear he had not.

Bai Zihan intended to personally visit the Nie Clan?

For what purpose?

To persuade the Nie Clan that the Bai Clan sought an alliance?

That seemed quite unbelievable considering the Bai Clan's current standing.

For a brief moment, Patriarch Xue found himself utterly bewildered.

After all, given Bai Zihan's prominent position and esteemed status, making a personal visit to the Nie Clan was no minor affair.

Not to mention, the history between their two sides was… rather complicated.

Bai Zihan's own considerations, however, were far simpler.

He merely wished to lay eyes upon the Nie Clan's domain.

Even after all that had transpired previously, Bai Zihan had never once set foot in the Nie Clan's territory.

When Bai Xueqing had broken off their engagement, he had deliberately avoided going there.

At that time, he had been wary of becoming inadvertently caught in some conflict involving Heaven Chosen individuals and meeting his end because of it.

Thus, prior to attaining sufficient strength, he had no intention of venturing into the territory of a Heaven Chosen.

All his knowledge regarding the Nie Clan was derived solely from third-hand reports.

But now, he possessed the necessary power. He wanted to assess the Nie Clan firsthand.

And perhaps…

He might uncover a hidden opportunity that awaited Nie Fengzhuo, or even if that possibility was exceedingly remote, he could certainly glean more insight into Nie Fengzhuo's vulnerabilities.

Although Nie Fengzhuo had not posed a significant threat following his defeat at Bai Xueqing's hands, Bai Zihan remained unwilling to let his guard down.

Understanding Nie Fengzhuo's weaknesses would simply serve as an additional layer of security for the future.

Bai Zihan's eyes glimmered subtly.

Meanwhile, Patriarch Xue's mind was already in utter disarray.

(Clan Leader Bai is personally making the trip…?)

A slight prickle ran down his scalp.

This matter had abruptly escalated far beyond his initial expectations.

If Bai Zihan were to appear at the Nie Clan in person only to be outright rejected by them—

Would all of Patriarch Xue's meticulous planning instantly crumble to dust?

Patriarch Xue swallowed hard before carefully articulating his words.

"Clan Leader Bai, are you absolutely certain? I believe my presence alone should suffice. Should Clan Leader Bai require anything, this humble servant will endeavor to fulfill it to the best of my ability."

Bai Zihan offered a faint, knowing smile.

"Since we are discussing potential cooperation, is it not standard practice to meet everyone personally?"

A brief silence ensued.

"Furthermore, the Nie Clan and the Bai Clan share a rather unique history. It would hardly be inappropriate for me to accompany you on this visit to them, would it?"

His tone was remarkably casual.

"O-Of course not!"

Patriarch Xue quickly affirmed.

"If Clan Leader Bai personally graces them with his presence, it would naturally be a profound honor for the Nie Clan!"