Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 317 The Empireʼs Hidden Rot

On the Flying Ship, Princess Sun Yaoqing was worried and concerned about Bai Zihan.

After all, if something were to happen to him, it would become a political issue that the Falling Star Empire couldnʼt handle.

But it was just when she started to have worries that Bai Zihan was already back.

”Young Master! Congratulations!”

The Bai Clan member greeted him and already seemed to know that Bai Zihan had returned victorious.

Bai Zihan gave a casual nod and said,

”Keep him with the other prisoner.”

Obviously, he was pointing at the Elder.

Bai Clan Members obeyed without any question.

The elder was thrown beside Zou Shiji, the two captives chained to opposite corners of the reinforced cell deep within the Bai Clanʼs flying ship.

The heavy door shut behind them with a metallic clang, leaving only the faint hum of spiritual formations scaling the space.

Zou Shiji sat cross-legged, face pale and gaunt, his once-pristine robes now tattered and stained with dried blood.

His eyes were closed, but the moment he heard footsteps and sensed the elderʼs presence, they snapped open-cold, sharp, and filled with suppressed fury.

The elder, still trembling from his earlier humiliation, turned his glare toward Zou Shiji.

His restraints prevented him from releasing his killing intent, yet his eyes burned with venom.

”You...”

He hissed, voice trembling with rage.

”All of this... all of this is because of you!”

Zou Shiji frowned.

”Me?”

”If you hadnʼt provoked Bai Zihan, why would the Bai Clan seek us? If you hadnʼt led them here, do you think they would have found this place?” The elder spat.

”Our entire branch is gone! Years of foundation, wiped out because of you.”

Zou Shijiʼs expression darkened, but he said nothing at first.

The elder continued, voice growing shriller with each word.

”You were just supposed to check on some members in the Desolate Heaven Empire! Instead, you failed and led the Bai Clan straight to us! The blood of every man who died today is on your hands!”

A sharp laugh escaped Zou Shijiʼs lips, humorless and bitter.

”My fault?”

Zou Shiji lifted his head slowly, eyes glinting under the dim light.

This was a false accusation that he was not willing to take.

Zou Shiji still felt horror when he remembered the torture and suffering he went through despite having done nothing himself to Bai Zihan.

Zou Shiji knew that Bai Zihan had an agenda against the Organization because of the headquarters that messed with him.

He suffered because of that, but the elder was now pinning the blame on him- how could he take that lightly?

”Hmph! Trying to make yourself sound righteous. Yes, I betrayed you all, but are you not the same? Otherwise, how come you are here alive?”

Zou Shiji understood by now that if Bai Zihan were to deem someone useless and from his enemyʼs side, he would never show mercy.

So, the only reason the Elder was brought here meant that he was willing to betray them and give Bai Zihan the answer he seeks.

The Elder was caught off guard, and it was indeed true that he wasnʼt someone who could lecture someone on loyalty when he, too, betrayed his organization to stay alive.

Still the elder blamed Zou Shiji for everything that had happened.

”If not for you, the branch wouldnʼt have fallen. The organization will never forgive this.”

Zou Shijiʼs lips curled faintly.

”The organization? Do you still think theyʼll come for you? Youʼre a liability now. A failed elder with nothing left. If I were them... Iʼd assassinate you.”

The elderʼs eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked it with anger.

”You dare-”

”Dare?”

Zou Shiji cut in, his voice low and edged with scorn.

”Whatʼs left for you to threaten me with? Youʼre already finished.”

(Well, that goes for me as well.)

Under normal circumstances, the elder before him was someone he needed to respect and bow to.

But now, they were of the same status-both prisoners of the Bai Zihan. That was why he dared to argue with him, something that would have been utterly impossible otherwise.

The two glared at each other, hatred burning equally bright-born of fear, failure, and betrayal.

In truth, neither of them was wrong.

Both had been caught in the web of the same hand-their organization that dared to assassinate Bai Zihan.

Now, stripped of power and pride, all they could do was curse one another in the dark.

Outside, Bai Zihan was thinking about going back to the Royal Palace of the Falling Star Empire.

Princess Sun Yaoqing stood near the railing, her silken robes fluttering lightly in the wind.

Her gaze was fixed on the vast horizon, yet her mind was far from calm.

Though it was difficult to tell what happened after Bai Zihan and Bai Ren went to the underground basement, they had seen and felt Bai Zihanʼs incredible strength once again when fighting those who were acting as normal villagers. When Bai Zihan approached, she turned, the worry on her delicate face easing only slightly.

”Young Master Bai Zihan,” she said softly.

”Have you accomplished what you came here for?”

She asked politely.

Previously, Bai Zihan said he was here to destroy some organization, and it should be the one.

Since it was an unknown organization that she knew didnʼt really have a connection with the Royal Family, she was relieved.

She had previously been skeptical whether Bai Zihan was sugar-coating his words and perhaps wanted to destroy a precious vessel of the Royal Family.

Fortunately, that didnʼt come true.

”The branch is dealt with,” Bai Zihan answered.

A wave of relief crossed her face.

”So itʼs over, then?”

Bai Zihan shook his head.

”Not yet. There is still a person that I need to catch. After catching that one, I will leave immediately.”

Bai Zihan replied, knowing what Princess Sun Yaoqing was worried about.

The Elder had said that the man who knew of the headquarters was manipulating the Second Prince and helping him win the throne.

But was that really all?

Not at all-there should be a few nobles who also supported him as well.

Perhaps he would need to deal with them as well, and it might mean that he would have to go against the Falling Star Empire.

At least, he should be prepared to go against the Second Prince.

Though he didnʼt know much about the Falling Star Empire and their Royal Family.

”Iʼll help you,” Princess Sun Yaoqing said.

It was not to curry favor with Bai Zihan or anything like that, but for her own interest.

She thought that the organization she had never known or heard of would be insignificant, but just by Elder captured, she could tell that it was one the strongest organizations in the Falling Star Empire.

Such an organization, operating unnoticed, was truly dangerous-and who knew what kind of crimes they had committed?

It was better for the Empire to uproot such an organization as soon as possible.

Therefore, she was willing to help Bai Zihan as long as she could eliminate such a threat from the Empire.

Bai Zihan looked at Princess Sun Yaoqing. If she were truly willing to help him, then he might be able to take care of the man behind the Second Prince without needing to handle others.

Well, that would depend on Princess Sun Yaoqingʼs position in the Royal Family.

And who knows, perhaps she wouldnʼt help at all if she knew that he was going to go against her brother.

He didnʼt know her relationship with the Second Prince to fully know what might happen if he were to tell her.

”Sure! However, we will be returning to the Royal Palace!”

Bai Zihan said.

Princess Sun Yaoqing nodded, then turned her head and looked down for a moment at the place Bai Zihan had gone-it was almost completely razed to the ground.

It looked like a normal village no matter how one looked, but hidden underneath was such a dangerous organization.

(How did they make something like this unnoticed?)

Considering the scale of their place, it didnʼt seem like it could be built immediately, and it would inevitably attract attention.

Yet, no such report was made, and they seemed to have operated without any notice from the Royal Family for many years.

There was no way that would be possible unless there was someone covering for them.

Princess Sun Yaoqing widened her eyes as she thought of a possibility.

”Young Master Bai, do you suppose that you have some time to spare?”

”Yes?”

”There is somewhere I need to go and check something,” Princess Sun Yaoqing said with killing intent.

To allow such a dangerous organization to be operated without Royal Notice, that was the same as betrayal.

And for one to betray the Royal meant death in the Falling Star Empire.

Looking at the Princess, Bai Zihan was amused.

(Did she find something?)

He thought. Normally, Bai Zihan didnʼt like wasting time but it seems like it might be related to what he wants.

”Sure, why not!”