Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 661 The Storm at the Coronation

Bai Zihan slowly swept his gaze across the enormous ceremonial plaza.

His eyes calmly passed over one powerful faction after another.

Some were familiar faces.

Others, he had never seen before.

Every so often, someone would respectfully nod toward him.

Bai Zihan merely acknowledged them with a faint nod before shifting his attention elsewhere.

Still, there was no Imperial Family within sight.

No empress or queen and obviously no Yu Qingya or Yu Feiyan.

He continued surveying the plaza.

Before long, his eyes landed upon a familiar figure.

A beautiful woman dressed in blue stood quietly beside the delegation of the Falling Star Empire.

Her posture was straight, her expression vigilant.

It was Mingzhe, the personal bodyguard of Empress Sun Yaoqing.

Ever since Sun Yaoqing had successfully ascended the throne of the Falling Star Empire, he had maintained contact with them.

The Falling Star Empire would occasionally send intelligence regarding their Empire.

However, none of them concerned the mysterious organization Bai Zihan had been searching for.

That hidden force remained as elusive as ever.

Still, maintaining ties with the Falling Star Empire had never been a bad investment.

After all, under Sun Yaoqing's rule, the empire had undergone tremendous changes.

She had introduced numerous reforms that bridge the inequality between noble and commoners.

Of course, those very reforms also kept her incredibly busy.

She had entrusted Mingzhu with representing the Falling Star Empire.

Without another thought, Bai Zihan walked toward their delegation.

Seeing him approach, Mingzhu immediately stood up.

She respectfully cupped her fists.

"Clan Leader Bai!"

There wasn't the slightest trace of arrogance in her demeanor, only genuine respect.

To both her and the Falling Star Empire, Bai Zihan was no ordinary ally.

Without his assistance, Sun Yaoqing would never have seized the throne so smoothly.

More importantly, when the Demonic Cultivator Chong Sheng had threatened the empire, it had been Bai Zihan who had ultimately resolved the crisis.

They also helped them when negotiating with the Mu Clan for the pills.

As a result, their Empire is flourishing compared to before.

The favor he had shown the Falling Star Empire was simply too great.

Not to mention, the Bai Clan's current strength had already become terrifying enough that no empire dared treat them lightly.

Bai Zihan smiled faintly before returning the greeting.

"Commander Mingzhu. I trust everything has been well in the Falling Star Empire?"

Mingzhu nodded.

"Thanks to Clan Leader Bai's previous assistance, everything has been progressing smoothly. The reforms Her Majesty introduced have already begun producing remarkable results."

Bai Zihan nodded in satisfaction.

"Well, that's good."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Bai Zihan suddenly stepped half a pace closer.

His voice became almost inaudible as he whispered something in Mingzhu's ear.

Mingzhu's eyes widened in surprise and then bowed thankfully.

"Many thanks for informing me, Clan Leader Bai!"

With that, Bai Zihan turned around and leisurely walked back toward the Bai Clan's seating area.

Bai Ren and the other elders quietly followed behind him.

Soon, Bai Clan members took their seats.

The moment Bai Zihan sat down, countless hidden gazes once again converged upon him.

Yet Bai Zihan ignored every single one of them.

The atmosphere within the ceremonial plaza gradually became solemn.

The quiet discussions that had filled the surroundings slowly died away.

One after another, the guests returned to their seats.

Even the experts who had been secretly observing one another withdrew their gazes.

Everyone understood.

The coronation was about to begin.

A deep, ancient bell suddenly rang throughout the Imperial Palace.

Dong!

The sound echoed across the capital like rolling thunder.

It was followed by a second...

Then a third...

Dong! Dong! Dong!

Nine consecutive bell chimes reverberated through heaven and earth, signifying the arrival of the empire's most sacred ceremony.

At the same time, hundreds of palace attendants lined both sides of the grand avenue.

Imperial Guards stood like statues, their spears pointed toward the heavens.

Their movements were perfectly synchronized.

Moments later, an elderly eunuch stepped onto the towering ceremonial platform.

His sharp voice spread throughout the plaza.

"His Imperial Highness, the First Prince..."

"Yu Zidi!"

As his announcement echoed through the palace, majestic music filled the air.

The grand palace gates slowly opened.

Countless gazes instantly turned toward the entrance.

A young man dressed in a magnificent golden imperial robe slowly walked forward.

Nine golden dragons were embroidered upon his robes, each one seemingly alive beneath the sunlight.

A purple-gold crown rested upon his head.

His expression was calm.

Every step he took was steady and dignified.

Behind him followed numerous members of the Imperial Family, civil officials, military generals, and palace attendants.

There were also the queens and the Empress.

The entire procession exuded unparalleled imperial majesty.

"The coronation is finally beginning!"

Quiet whispers spread throughout the crowd.

Many representatives from the various empires rose to their feet as a gesture of courtesy.

Yu Zidi continued walking until he reached the center of the ceremonial platform.

There, a magnificent golden throne stood upon a raised dais.

Above it fluttered the imperial banner of the Desolate Heaven Empire.

However, Yu Zidi did not immediately ascend the throne.

Instead, he turned toward the heavens.

His expression became solemn.

The elderly eunuch once again raised his voice.

"The coronation ceremony..."

"Begins!"

Immediately afterward, another group of palace attendants stepped forward carrying an ancient golden altar.

The altar was carved with countless mysterious runes.

At its center rested a jade tablet bearing the names of the previous emperors of the Desolate Heaven Empire.

Yu Zidi slowly approached the altar.

Taking three sticks of incense from a nearby attendant, he lit them before respectfully bowing toward the ancestral tablet.

One bow...

Two bows...

Three bows…

After completing the rites, he carefully placed the incense into the bronze censer before the altar.

The elderly eunuch loudly proclaimed,

"His Imperial Highness pays homage to the imperial ancestors!"

"May the imperial lineage prosper for ten thousand generations!"

The surrounding officials immediately bowed.

"May the empire prosper for ten thousand generations!"

Their voices merged into one, shaking the entire palace.

The atmosphere became increasingly solemn.

After paying respects to the imperial ancestors, Yu Zidi turned toward the towering throne.

Step by step...

He ascended the golden stairs.

Every movement drew the attention of countless spectators.

Once he reached the summit, he slowly turned around.

His gaze swept across the entire ceremonial plaza.

Representatives from countless empires...

Prestigious sects...

Powerful clans...

Merchant associations...

All had gathered beneath his eyes.

The elderly eunuch took a scroll adorned with golden dragon patterns before loudly announcing,

"By the will of Heaven and the blessings of the imperial ancestors..."

"Today, the First Prince, Yu Zidi shall inherit the Imperial Throne of the Desolate Heaven Empire!"

Thunderous applause immediately erupted throughout the ceremonial plaza.

Many guests politely clapped in congratulations.

Thunderous applause echoed throughout the ceremonial plaza.

Many guests rose to their feet and offered their congratulations.

Everything seemed to be proceeding exactly as planned.

However, just as the elderly eunuch was about to continue the ceremony—

A cold, commanding voice suddenly echoed across the palace.

"Stop!"

The single word resounded like thunder.

The applause abruptly ceased.

Everyone instinctively turned toward the voice.

Countless eyes widened.

Another group had arrived.

Walking at the front were two stunning women.

One was dressed in elegant azure robes, her temperament graceful yet imposing.

The other wore crimson robes that radiated nobility and authority.

They were none other than the Fourth Princess, Yu Qingya and the Ninth Princess, Yu Feiyan.

Behind them stood an imposing army of experts.

The uniforms of the Crimson Thunder Palace fluttered in the wind.

Experts from the Frost Lily Pavilion stood with cold expressions.

The Heaven Suppression Sect had likewise dispatched numerous elders.

Alongside them were representatives from several powerful clans and sects who had openly chosen to stand behind the two princesses.

The moment they entered, the atmosphere throughout the ceremonial plaza instantly became suffocating.

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell at a glance, these people had not come to congratulate Yu Zidi.

"They're here..."

"They actually came."

"I knew today's coronation wouldn't proceed so smoothly."

Whispers immediately spread throughout the crowd.

Representatives from the various empires quietly exchanged glances.

Everyone understood.

The true battle for the throne was finally beginning.

On the ceremonial platform, Yu Zidi quietly looked toward the entrance.

Surprisingly, there was neither anger nor panic on his face.

Instead, a faint smile slowly appeared.

It was as though he had already expected this outcome.

Or perhaps, he had been waiting for it all along.

He leisurely descended a few steps from the throne before smiling warmly.

"Fourth Sister!"

"Ninth Sister!"

"You've finally arrived."

His tone remained as gentle and courteous as ever.

Anyone unfamiliar with the situation might have mistaken them for siblings meeting after a long separation.

His smile widened.

"Are you here to congratulate this elder brother on today's coronation?"

The entire plaza fell silent.

Everyone stared at the three royal siblings.

Yu Qingya's beautiful face immediately turned cold.

She had long since grown sick of Yu Zidi's hypocritical appearance.

Always smiling.

Always courteous.

Always pretending to be a benevolent elder brother.

Yet behind that smiling face, countless schemes and conspiracies lurked in the shadows.

"Hmph!"

Yu Qingya let out a cold snort.

"Drop the act, Yu Zidi."

Her voice was filled with unconcealed disdain.

"I'm already tired of seeing that fake smile of yours."

Yu Zidi merely smiled without saying anything.

Seeing his expression, Yu Qingya's eyes grew even colder.

She took a step forward.

Her clear voice echoed throughout the ceremonial plaza.

"You..."

"Are not worthy of becoming Emperor!"

The imperial officials immediately erupted into outrage.

"Preposterous!"

An elderly minister stepped forward, his face flushed with anger.

"How dare you utter such rebellious words!"

Another military general glared at Yu Qingya.

"Your Highness! Even if you are a princess, we cannot allow such disrespect toward His Majesty!"

A civil official pointed angrily toward the two princesses.

"Today is the Desolate Heaven Empire's most sacred ceremony!"

"Yet you dare create trouble before the representatives of countless empires?"

"Are you trying to make the Desolate Heaven Empire a laughingstock?"

Another elder shouted furiously,

"You are disgracing the Imperial Family before the entire Eastern Region!"

"Do you realize the consequences of your actions?"

One accusation after another echoed throughout the palace.

Many imperial officials glared at Yu Qingya and Yu Feiyan with undisguised hostility.

Yet...

Neither princess showed the slightest intention of retreating.

Yu Qingya merely looked at them with cold eyes.

While beside her, Yu Feiyan remained completely silent.