Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 434 A Marriage Bestowed, a Line Crossed !!!

Bai Zihanʼs heart skipped a beat.

He had not seen this notification in a long time. [Scanning...]

The world around him seemed to slow for a brief moment.

Then- [Heaven Chosen Profile Unlocked]

Name: Qin Lingxiao

Age: 200+

Fate Grade: ★★★ (Three Stars)

Cultivation Base: Golden Immortal (Early Stage)

Destiny:

Qin Lingxiao is a natural-born manipulator of fate and perception. She possesses an unparalleled talent in seduction, deception, and identity manipulation, capable of instinctively discerning the deepest desires, fears, and weaknesses of her targets.

Her physique allows her to alter her appearance, aura, voice, and even soul fluctuations, perfectly matching whatever form best suits her objective-be it innocence, allure, authority, or fragility.

Once she chooses a target, Qin Lingxiao can subtly weave herself into their perception of reality, blurring the line between truth and illusion until even the target themselves cannot tell whether their emotions are genuine or manufactured.

She excels at espionage, infiltration, political manipulation, and psychological warfare.

Those who fall for her rarely realize they have already lost. *************************

Bai Zihanʼs eyes widened-just for a fraction of a second. (Heaven Chosen... at this cultivation level?)

More importantly- (Who is she?)

The Emperor had clearly called for the Ninth Princess, Yu Feiyan, yet the profile showed that she wasnʼt Yu Feiyan at all.

Reading the description, Bai Zihan understood.

This woman-Qin Lingxiao-had replaced the original Yu Feiyan and was now standing in her place.

No wonder her presence and aura felt completely different from when he had met Yu Feiyan in the Ancient Ruin.

Back then, she had been timid and unremarkable.

Now, she naturally exuded a feeling of attraction.

It was because they were two completely different people. (Sheʼs dangerous!)

Very dangerous.

Not only did she possess terrifying deceptive abilities, but her cultivation was far beyond the Earth Immortal Realm.

Golden Immortal Realm!

She must be the strongest individual present in this hall.

Bai Zihan wasnʼt even sure whether all the Grand Elders working together could defeat a Golden Immortal.

Not to mention the other hidden enemies present-some of them might even aid this woman if she chose to move against the Bai Clan.

Bai Zihan fell into deep thought.

Another dangerous opponent had appeared-one with a cultivation realm that shouldnʼt exist in the Desolate Heaven Empire.

He was almost certain that Qin Lingxiao wasnʼt even from this empire.

He had never heard such a name-though it might simply be due to his lack of knowledge.

He lifted his gaze from the system panel and looked at Qin Lingxiao again.

Around the hall, low murmurs began to spread-subtle at first, then gradually growing as cultivators leaned closer to one another. ”Ninth Princess looks so beautiful. She has changed, hasnʼt she?” ”Before, Princess Yu Feiyan barely drew attention. She had no backing, no ambition, and no presence. Now? I heard she has recently recruited several mid-sized clans to her side.” ”Thatʼs right! Many clans that once supported other princes and princesses have already switched sides.” ”In the past, she wasnʼt even considered a candidate. But now? Sheʼs one of the strongest contenders.” ”Hidden talent, perhaps. They say her charm bloomed overnight. Even elders who pride themselves on their Dao Hearts were moved by her words.” ”A late bloomer? Or someone who had been hiding her talent all along?”

Bai Zihan listened quietly, his expression unchanged. (Theyʼre all wrong.)

What they called a change was not growth.

It was a replacement.

Standing there was Qin Lingxiao.

More voices whispered. ”But what I donʼt understand is why His Majesty summoned her now.”

The Emperor waited for a few seconds before speaking. ”Yu Feiyan is this Emperorʼs Ninth Princess.”

His gaze returned to Bai Zihan. ”This Emperor believes that someone of your merit... deserves a companion worthy of standing beside him.”

The words landed heavily.

Some gasped.

Some stiffened.

The Bai Clan eldersʼ expressions darkened slightly.

Was this-

A reward?

Perhaps.

After all, if this were the past, Bai Zihan could have chosen any woman he wanted.

But now?

A cripple being granted a marriage to a princess by the Emperor-

That was undeniably a reward.

The Emperorʼs words echoed through the Grand Ceremonial Hall.

For a brief heartbeat-

Silence!

Then the hall erupted into restrained chaos.

Whispers burst forth like ripples across still water. ”A companion... worthy of standing beside him?” ”Is His Majesty implying... a marriage?” ”So this is an imperial bestowal?”

Many faces stiffened.

Others widened in disbelief.

Some elders exchanged sharp looks, instantly understanding the weight behind those words.

An imperial marriage.

And it was being offered to Bai Zihan.

A cripple.

The whispers grew sharper. ”Hah... even crippled, Bai Zihan is still Bai Zihan.” ”Lucky bastard!” ”Marrying a princess... and such a beauty at that.” ”I heard the Ninth Princess is not only beautiful, but terrifyingly capable now.” ”Even if he canʼt cultivate anymore, with the Bai Clan and imperial backing, his status wonʼt fall.”

Jealousy seeped through the murmurs like poison.

Some cultivators clenched their fists.

Others forced smiles.

Many young men felt bitterness rise in their throats.

They had struggled their entire lives for recognition-yet Bai Zihan, even after losing everything, was still being handed treasures they could never reach.

But amidst the whispers- ”Then... What about Chu Ziyan?” ”Thatʼs right! The engagement still exists!” ”Chu Ziyan of the Chu Clan-wasnʼt she Bai Zihanʼs fiancée?” ”Well, she should consider herself lucky. She wonʼt need to stay engaged to a cripple anymore-and might even earn favor from the Imperial Family if she breaks off the engagement for the Ninth Princess.”

Many had once tried to offer their daughters to Bai Zihan in hopes of forming an alliance, but they all knew one thing-

The engagement between Bai Zihan and Chu Ziyan still stood.

So what would happen now?

Another rejection, as before?

Or would the Emperorʼs bestowal be acknowledged?

Several gazes instinctively turned toward the Chu Clanʼs seating area.

There-

The atmosphere was noticeably colder.

Chu Clan elders sat stiffly, their expressions tightly controlled.

Some were clearly displeased.

Others were deep in thought, weighing implications rather than emotions.

And at the center of it all-

Chu Ziyan!

She sat straight-backed, her posture elegant and dignified.

But beneath her sleeves, her hands had curled tightly into fists.

She was clearly angry-

And this time, she didnʼt even bother to hide it.

The murmurs had yet to fully die down when the Emperor spoke again. ”This Emperor will make it clear.”

The Emperor said calmly, his gaze sweeping across the hall,

The hall quieted instantly. ”I intend to bestow a marriage,” he continued, his eyes settling on Bai Zihan once more, ”between Bai Zihan of the Bai Clan and this Emperorʼs Ninth

Princess.”

Boom!

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded within the Grand Ceremonial Hall.

Even those who had already guessed at the implication felt their hearts lurch.

An imperial marriage.

Before anyone could fully process the weight of those words-

A clear, steady voice rang out. ”Your Majesty!”

Everyone froze.

Countless heads turned toward the source.

From the Chu Clanʼs seating area, Chu Ziyan stood up.

The hall plunged into dead silence.

To interrupt the Emperor at such a moment-

It was bordering on sacrilege.

Many inhaled sharply. Some frowned.

Others widened their eyes in disbelief.

Chu Ziyan stepped forward, her posture straight, her expression composed- though the tension beneath the surface was unmistakable.

She clasped her fists and bowed deeply. ”This junior greets Your Majesty,” she said respectfully. ”Please forgive my abruptness!”

Her tone was calm and measured with politeness.

Yet the fact remained-

She had objected.

And everyone understood something else just as clearly.

If the situation were reversed-if it had been anyone else-

They would already be kneeling, bloodied, or worse.

But this was different. Because this time-

It was the Emperor who had crossed the line first.

The engagement between Bai Zihan and Chu Ziyan was no secret.

It had been acknowledged by both clans.

They were allies.

And the Bai Clan was not a faction the Imperial Family could casually offend.

Not now.

Not after the war.

Even if Chu Ziyanʼs actions were technically disrespectful-

Could the Emperor truly punish her?

The Emperorʼs gaze fell upon her.

The hall felt suffocating.

Chu Ziyan took a slow breath, then spoke again. ”This marriage... cannot be,” she said firmly.

Gasps rippled through the hall. She bowed once more, deeper than before. ”Your Majesty, Bai Zihan is already an engaged man,” Chu Ziyan continued. ”This junior is his fiancée.”

Her words were neither sharp nor emotional.

They were factual. ”To bestow another marriage upon him,” she said calmly, ”would be inappropriate and unfair.”

Silence followed!

A heavy, oppressive silence.

Many people exchanged glances.

Some were shocked by her courage.

Others admired her resolve.

A few sneered inwardly, wondering whether she was acting out of pride, jealousy, or something deeper.

Chu Clan elders remained seated, their expressions unreadable.

They did not interrupt.

They did not support her openly.

But neither did they stop her.

Their stance alone spoke volumes.