Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 436 Threads of Desire, Unmoving Heart

Silence stretched.

A silence thick with calculation.

Then-

A soft voice broke it. ”Father Emperor!”

All murmurs died instantly.

Everyone turned.

Yu Feiyan-no, Qin Lingxiao-took a step forward. Her movements were graceful.

Her expression carried neither anger nor hurt.

Only gentleness and understanding.

She bowed lightly. ”Please let this daughter speak with Young Master Bai,” she said softly.

Her voice was pleasant-warm enough to disarm, calm enough to soothe.

Then she lifted her gaze.

And looked directly at Bai Zihan. ”Young Master Bai,” she said, her tone sincere, almost tender, ”this one never intended to cause trouble.”

Her words drew attention like gravity. ”If your heart already belongs elsewhere,” she continued, ”then how could I force myself into your life?”

A few people nodded unconsciously.

What a reasonable princess.

What grace.

What dignity.

Qin Lingxiao smiled faintly. ”But-” she said softly.

That single word caused Bai Zihanʼs instincts to flare. ”But feelings are not crimes,” Qin Lingxiao continued. ”Nor is admiration.”

She turned her gaze toward Chu Ziyan. ”There is no intent to disrespect Miss Chu Ziyan,” she said gently. ”Nor the Chu Clan.”

Her words were flawless.

Impeccable.

Yet Bai Zihan felt a chill crawl up his spine. (This woman... She doesnʼt want to give up!) ”I merely wished to follow my heart once.”

She lowered her head. ”If Young Master Bai truly cannot accept it,” she said quietly, ”then I will not insist.”

A pause.

Then- ”But I hope,” she added softly, ”that this matter will not end with misunderstandings... or hostility.”

Her gaze lifted once more. ”I never intended to hurt anyone,” she said quietly. ”Nor did I wish to come between the feelings of Young Master Bai and Miss Chu.”

Her gaze lowered slightly, lashes trembling. ”But... feelings are not something one can control.”

The words were simple.

Sincere!

A faint ripple passed through the hall.

Some sighed inwardly.

Some nodded subconsciously.

After all, many cultivators have fallen for the same thing as what Yu Feiyan described.

Yu Feiyan lifted her gaze again, this time looking directly at Bai Zihan. ”There is no need for conflict,” she continued softly. ”If my presence has caused discomfort, then I am willing to step back.”

A pause. ”However...” she hesitated, as if struggling with herself, ”...could I speak with Young Master Bai for just a moment?”

Her tone was almost pleading. ”Only a few words. If, after that, I still cannot let go of these feelings... then I will give them up.”

The hall fell silent.

A private conversation.

A chance to resolve things peacefully.

In the eyes of the onlookers, it was reasonable.

Even considerate.

Chu Ziyan frowned slightly.

Instinctively, she felt something was wrong-but she could not put her finger on it.

Bai Zihan lifted his gaze.

His eyes met Yu Feiyanʼs.

For an instant-

His world tilted.

It was subtle. So subtle that no one else noticed.

The moment their gazes locked, Bai Zihan felt as if something invisible had wrapped around his perception.

Not pressure.

Not killing intent.

Just-

A sense of being attracted.

His pupils shrank imperceptibly.

Then-

His expression went flat.

Emotion drained from his eyes, leaving behind a calm so cold it was unsettling.

The hand that had been holding Chu Ziyanʼs arm... loosened.

And fell.

Chu Ziyan felt it immediately.

The warmth vanished.

She turned, startled-but Bai Zihan was already taking a step forward.

No one found it strange.

After all, he was only agreeing to speak.

Only a few words.

Yet-

Bai Zihanʼs mind was screaming. (Danger!)

Every instinct he had was blaring warnings.

But his body moved anyway.

Meanwhile-

Yu Feiyanʼs lips curved almost imperceptibly.

Inside her mind- (Easy!)

From Qin Lingxiaoʼs perspective, everything unfolded exactly as expected.

Although there were some unexpected variables-like Chu Ziyan, and Bai Zihan, who should have happily accepted the decision.

In the end, with her seduction technique, she was able to capture Bai Zihanʼs heart instantly.

It was no big deal, considering the opponent was just a cripple.

She didnʼt even need to use one percent of her full ability to manipulate someone like him.

The moment their eyes met, she had already slipped into the cracks of his perception.

No resistance.

Effortless. (So this is Bai Zihan?)

She mused calmly. (Nothing special.)

She stepped forward to meet him, her expression still gentle, still harmless.

Yu Feiyan stepped closer.

One step.

Then another.

The distance between her and Bai Zihan closed smoothly, naturally-so naturally that no one thought to question it.

She stopped just an armʼs length away.

Then-

Her hand reached out.

Slender fingers brushed against Bai Zihanʼs sleeve, then slid down to his hand, lightly enclosing it.

Warm, Soft and Intimate.

A perfectly timed gesture.

Gasps rippled faintly through the hall.

Yu Feiyan looked up at him, her eyes clear and gentle, her expression carrying a quiet vulnerability. ”Brother Bai,” she said softly, her voice lowered just enough to feel private, ”shall we speak alone?” ”Only for a moment?”

Her thumb pressed lightly against the back of his hand-an unconscious, affectionate motion. ”I truly wish to resolve this without causing pain to anyone.”

She waited.

This was the moment.

The moment when men always nodded and gave in to her.

From Qin Lingxiaoʼs perspective, the outcome was already decided.

Bai Zihan stood still.

For a breath-

Two.

His eyes were unfocused, his expression distant, as though his thoughts were submerged beneath still water.

Chu Ziyanʼs heart clenched.

Seeing how Bai Zihan did not react to Yu Feiyanʼs gesture, she began to feel a bit of panic.

What if Bai Zihan fell in love?

After all, Yu Feiyan was a princess who could bring higher status to Bai Zihan than her.

Not to mention, she was sweet and innocent-a type that many powerful men were attracted to.

Could Bai Zihan be the same?

She took a half-step forward, lips parting-

Then-

Bai Zihan inhaled deeply.

The daze shattered.

His fingers twitched.

Slowly-deliberately-he withdrew his hand from Yu Feiyanʼs grasp. !!!

Yu Feiyan-no, Qin Lingxiao-was immediately surprised.

This shouldnʼt be possible.

Once someone was enchanted by her, they would never want to pull away.

They would go mad if separated for more than an hour.

Yu Feiyanʼs pupils flickered.

Bai Zihan lifted his gaze.

This time, his eyes were clear. Sharp and Cold. ”Princess,” he said calmly.

The single word carried distance. ”It would be inappropriate.”

Yu Feiyan froze. ”And rude.”

His hand moved-not toward her-but back to Chu Ziyanʼs side.

He did not touch her yet, but his position alone spoke volumes. ”If you have anything to say,” Bai Zihan said plainly, ”you may say it here.”

Yu Feiyanʼs gentle smile stiffened for the briefest instant.

The shock she felt was immense.

Inside her mind, a sharp crack appeared in her calm. (Refused? Impossible!)

She had already slipped into his perception.

A cripple should never be able to resist someone like her.

He should have folded effortlessly.

Yet-

He hadnʼt.

She looked at him again-truly looked.

Behind her gentle expression, her thoughts shifted. (Did I hold back too much?)

So that Bai Zihan wouldnʼt turn into a mindless idiot-and because he was just a cripple-she hadnʼt even tried.

But now she wondered if that was the reason Bai Zihan had managed to break free from her seduction.

Her smile returned-soft, understanding, flawless. ”As you wish, Brother Bai,” she said gently.

Yu Feiyanʼs smile did not falter.

Outwardly, she remained gentle and dignified-every inch the understanding princess who had been politely refused.

Inwardly-

A faint irritation bloomed. (Not enough?)

Her gaze lingered on Bai Zihan for a fraction of a second longer.

This time, she did not touch him.

She didnʼt need to.

Qin Lingxiao exhaled softly.

It was imperceptible.

But in that breath- Something changed.

An invisible wave spread outward from her body, subtle yet overwhelming-like a fragrance that seeped directly into the soul rather than the nose.

Her aura shifted.

Not violent or aggressive.

Simply... alluring.

A charm that resonated with desire, longing, admiration-twisted just enough to blur reason.

Several cultivators blinked.

Some swallowed unconsciously.

A young noble from a mid-tier clan suddenly clenched his chest, eyes widening. ”Princess Yu Feiyan...” he murmured without realizing it. ”Sheʼs... sheʼs too kind...” ”I know, right?” another voice whispered fervently. ”How could anyone reject someone like her?” ”Sheʼs perfect...” ”Sheʼs understanding, beautiful, noble-what more could anyone want?”

The murmurs grew. Not scheming whispers.

Not political ones.

These were emotional.

Two young cultivators-both men who had been glaring at each other moments ago over factional rivalry-suddenly turned at the same time. ”I think Iʼve fallen in love,” one blurted out.

The other snapped back instinctively, eyes reddening. ”You?! Donʼt joke-sheʼs mine!” ”What did you say?!” Their auras flared.

Qi rippled.

A chair scraped harshly against the floor. ”What are you doing?”

An elder barked sharply, only to falter mid-sentence as his gaze drifted back to

Yu

Feiyan.

His voice softened despite himself. ”... Such grace,” he muttered, frowning as if confused by his own words.

Many men with low mental strength had already been seduced by Qin Lingxiao despite being so far away.

Qin Lingxiaoʼs eyes flicked back to Bai Zihan.

She let her aura surge just a little more. (Now. Become mine!)

Her power wrapped around him like countless invisible threads, slipping toward his senses, his emotions, his Heart.

She waited.

She expected-

Desire.

Submission.

But-

Nothing happened.

Bai Zihan stood there.

His expression did not change.

His eyes remained cold and lucid!