Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 328 Back to Falling Star Empireʼs Palace

Bai Zihan was back on the flying ship, heading toward the capital.

Mingzhu and Meilin asked Princess Sun Yaoqing about the commotion. Since they had been kept in the guest room, they had no idea what had occurred. Princess Sun briefly explained to both of them about Chong Sheng and how he turned out to be a Demonic Cultivator-a traitor of humanity.

Mingzhu and Meilin were both shocked to hear the situation, especially when they learned that Chong Sheng had managed to escape right before everyoneʼs eyes, including Princess Sun Yaoqing, who was a Spirit Severing Realm cultivator.

On the other hand, the Bai Clan members also heard the news, but they werenʼt too surprised-or even paid much attention to it.

To them, such a weak person, even if he was able to escape, only succeeded because of the Quan Clanʼs incompetence.

They didnʼt even have a simple formation to prevent teleportation.

Of course, most of them werenʼt aware that the Falling Star Empire didnʼt have a capable enough formation master to create a teleportation formation in the first place.

So, why would they bother having an extra formation to prevent teleportation?

In any case, since this incident had nothing to do with what Bai Zihan wanted, they didnʼt care much about it, treating it as a Falling Star Empire affair- nothing to do with them.

The distance between the Quan Clan territory and the Falling Star Empireʼs capital was quite large.

It took quite some time for them to reach the palace.

The flying ship descended slowly through the night clouds, its silver hull gleaming under the moonlight.

Below, the sprawling capital of the Falling Star Empire came into view-vast, magnificent.

When the ship finally descended over the palace courtyard, servants and guards were already waiting in neat formation.

As the vessel touched down, they bowed deeply in unison.

”Welcome back, Your Highness! Welcome, honored guests of the Bai Clan!”

Their voices echoed across the courtyard, crisp and formal.

The servants guided the group through the palaceʼs vast marble halls, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly against the gilded walls.

After a brief pause at the entrance to the imperial court, an attendant stepped forward and bowed deeply.

”Her Highness, His Majesty requests your presence. Young Master Bai, His Majesty has also summoned you personally.”

Bai Zihan inclined his head slightly.

”Understood!”

Normally, he didnʼt like taking orders, but this time, he decided to grant the Emperorʼs request-after all, the Emperor of the Falling Star Empire had permitted him to destroy that organizationʼs branch.

Since he was already here, he didnʼt care much about granting such a simple request even though he rarely does.

And there was also something that he would like to confirm.

Princess Sun Yaoqing nodded once, calm as ever, and together they followed the attendant.

***

The great hall of the Falling Star Empire was as imposing as Bai Zihan remembered though it lacked the presence of other princes, princesses, and nobles this time.

At the far end, seated upon a throne carved from imperial crystal, was Emperor Sun Longji, ruler of the Falling Star Empire.

”Your Majesty!”

Princess Sun Yaoqing bowed gracefully.

Bai Zihan, on the other hand, didnʼt even bother to greet him. He simply looked straight at the Emperor, wondering what he had been called for.

The Emperorʼs gaze swept over them, lingering briefly on Bai Zihan before he spoke.

”So,” he said, his tone measured but heavy, ”I assume your journey bore fruit? You have finished what you came for?”

The Emperor Sun asked Bai Zihan.

”To some extent,” Bai Zihan answered.

He still had to deal with two more elders-though one wasnʼt very important, Elder Shuhai was someone he absolutely had to catch.

After all, only he might have a clue to their headquarters, who dared to send assassins after him.

The Emperorʼs eyes narrowed slightly, though his expression remained composed.

”To some extent?”

He repeated slowly.

”Yes! Not every person of that organization was present today, so I might need to hunt down their remaining members.”

Bai Zihan said while also looking at the Emperorʼs Sun expression.

”Young Master Bai, this time, I tolerated your actions within my borders because of the promise. But should there be a next time-you know I canʼt just turn a blind eye to it.”

Emperor Sun said sternly.

After all, he was the Emperor. No matter what wrongs others had done in a different empire, it should be his final say whether they were punished or not as long as they are within the Falling Star Empire.

But since he had made that bet with Bai Zihan, and Bai Zihan had won, the Emperor had no choice but to keep his word.

However, that was the limit.

If Bai Zihan tried to use that bet as an excuse to go after another clan or person within the Falling Star Empire, it would tarnish the Emperorʼs image-making it seem as though he allowed foreigners to do whatever they pleased in his empire.

So the Emperor made sure to remind and subtly warn Bai Zihan that there would be consequences if he tried to do something like today in the Falling Star Empire.

Bai Zihan merely smiled.

”Of course,” he agreed easily, the faintest hint of amusement touching his eyes.

”Your concern is understandable. But you need not worry, I will not cause unnecessary commotion. And I will be leaving soon.”

He tilted his head slightly as he continued.

”So thereʼs no reason for you to be scared.”

The chamber fell still.

Princess Sun Yaoqingʼs eyes flicked briefly toward Bai Zihan, but she said nothing.

The Emperorʼs expression didnʼt change, but the faint crack of his knuckles against the throneʼs armrest betrayed his irritation.

Bai Zihanʼs words-saying the Emperor was scared-were utterly disrespectful. If it was his citizen, that person might already be dead.

The Emperor was supposed to be the supreme ruler of the Falling Star Empire, yet this young man dared to speak to him that way.

Still, he swallowed his anger. He could not afford to offend someone from the Desolate Heaven Empire-especially not someone with Bai Zihanʼs standing. And although Bai Zihanʼs words were disrespectful, they werenʼt entirely wrong.

The Emperor wasnʼt necessarily afraid of Bai Zihan-but of the Bai Clan behind him.

”... Very well,” he said finally. ”Then I shall take you at your word, Young Master Bai.”

The Emperor also seemed to know that arguing with Bai ZIhan wouldnʼt do any good and was just glad that Bai Zihan planned to leave.

Otherwise, he would have suspected that Bai Zihan has some hidden agenda part from what he told in Falling Star Empire.

While, on the other hand, Bai Zihan agreed on the surface that he would not cause another commotion, that was only a lie.

He still needed to deal with the Second Prince-whether the Emperor liked it or not.

When the Emperor finished speaking with Bai Zihan, he wanted a private conversation with his daughter and asked Bai Zihan to leave-which Bai Zihan did without objection.

Bai Zihan turned without hesitation, the doors closed behind him with a soft thud, and the oppressive weight in the room lessened.

For a moment, silence reigned.

Then Emperor Sun Longji exhaled quietly, his tone shifting-colder, more private now that only his daughter remained.

”Yaoqinger,” he said. ”You were with him the entire time. Tell me what do you think of this Bai Zihan?”

Princess Sun Yaoqing lifted her gaze slightly, her eyes thoughtful.

”Heʼs... difficult to read,” she admitted. ”Powerful, Composed, and surprisingly has unwavering loyalty from other Bai Clan Members.”

From how she saw Bai Clan Members treating Bai Zihan, it was certain that they werenʼt just doing that because of Bai Zihanʼs status.

”Moreover, heʼs ruthless,” she added. ”To his enemies-he shows no mercy. But...”

Her brows furrowed slightly.

”It seems he cares deeply for those who stand by his side.”

She recalled the quiet figure of Luo Qing-Bai Zihanʼs personal servant.

(Even the Bai Clan members treated her with respect even though she didnʼt have any Cultivation. And Bai Zihan himself... he genuinely seemed to value her.)

Just looking at the way that Bai Zihan was talking with Luo Qing, she knew that he wasnʼt looking down on her.

It wasnʼt only that. Toward his clan members and the elders who had accompanied him, he had shown no trace of arrogance.

He never once disrespected them before others. In fact, he seemed particularly close with their Grand Elder.

Sun Yaoqing had thought that Bai Zihan was inherently rude and showed arrogance even toward his own clan members-but she was very wrong.

Bai Zihan seemed to only be rude to them-or perhaps it was because they were rude first?

No matter what, she was now sure that, unlike what she had initially believed, the Bai Clan members had unwavering trust and loyalty toward Bai Zihan.

”Oh? Thatʼs surprising” the Emperor said.

Of course, everyone present when Bai Zihan spar with Falling Star Empireʼs geniuses could see that Bai Zihan was arrogant and selfish, so he hadnʼt thought that the boy cared much about anyone else.

That could be both a good and a bad quality for someone of his standing. Anyway, the conversation between the two had only just begun, and the Princess gave a full report on the hidden organization and its battle power. ”Hmm... I didnʼt think there was truly such an organization within my Empire. Perhaps it was good that Bai Zihan eradicated it before they could do much harm to our Falling Star Empire.”

The Emperor said with relief.

After all, Void Refinement Experts arenʼt someone that they can just ignore. However, the Emperor was only relieved because he think that since this was his first time hearing about such an organization-and since there had been no visible signs or reports of them-they hadnʼt done much so far.

He didnʼt realize that their influence had already spread even to his Royal Offerings.

”And the Bai Clan... looks like I also underestimated how much they care about their heir,” he murmured.

Sending an Immortal Realm Grand Elder to safeguard Bai Zihan spoke volumes, and he hadnʼt expected the Bai Clan to go that far.

After all, while the Falling Star Empire didnʼt have anyone of such high cultivation, they had the advantage in numbers and coming to their turf.

So what if the Bai Clan lost their precious Grand Elder?

That meant the Bai Clan was willing to sacrifice their Grand Elder if it meant protecting Bai Zihan.

That was how much importance Bai Zihan held within the Bai Clan.

BANG!

Suddenly, a soldier burst through the door, startling Princess Sun and the Emperor.

The Emperor, clearly displeased, glared at him.

”How dare you enter without my permission? Youʼd better have a good explanation for this.”

”A-Apologies, Your Majesty! B-But itʼs an urgent matter-Bai Zihan is beating up the Fifth Prince!”