Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! - Chapter 357 Desperate Recruitment
Chapter 357 Desperate Recruitment
The atmosphere of Heaven Sword Sect had changed.
“Did you hear how Lu Xiangyuan was beaten to the point of him literally begging?”
“I respected and looked up to him, but he was just a coward, relying on his advanced cultivation.”
“Shh! Don’t say it too loudly. Elder Lu Teng nearly exploded that day.”
“Sigh! Who told them to touch Chu Ziyan? Don’t you know that the devil will not leave you if you do that?”
“Well, some people only learn about consequences after they experience them.”
The disciples who had witnessed the duel firsthand recounted the story with wild gestures, each version somehow more dramatic than the last.
Those who hadn’t been present listened with wide eyes, struggling to imagine the scene clearly.
After all, Lu Xiangyuan was considered the strongest among the disciples for a very long time.
But that fight completely shattered that image for most of them who witnessed it.
Within a day, everyone had already heard about the fight, and no one thought it was an honorable loss for Lu Xiangyuan.
There were also rumors that Elder Lu Teng had beaten Lu Xiangyuan for staining their name and had punished him by sending him into seclusion until he could break through to the Void Refinement Realm.
And Bai Zihan-his name also resounded throughout the sect, and once again, he showed why he was the one person you didn’t want to mess with.
His name dominated every conversation.
Some whispered with awe. Some with fear. Some with excitement.
But no one, absolutely no one, dared to speak lightly of him again.
It wasn’t the victory over Lu Xiangyuan that made the biggest impact. That part was expected; everyone knew Bai Zihan was strong.
It was what happened afterward.
The sight of Lu Xiangyuan, the Anti-Sect Leader Faction’s star disciple, reduced to a trembling wreck… apologizing, bowing, begging for forgiveness-
That was what was scary about Bai Zihan.
He would completely bring despair to his enemies and leave you too embarrassed.
Disciples from the Anti-Sect Leader Faction kept their heads low for the first time in years.
Of course, that gave the Sect Leader Faction room to breathe, but it wasn’t as though they increased their influence-rather, it was Bai Zihan whose influence grew within Heaven Sword Sect.
Moreover, who could forget the warning Bai Zihan gave to the whole sect?
It wasn’t just a warning to the Anti-Sect Leader Faction, but also to the Sect Leader Faction, and perhaps even those who remained neutral.
Bai Zihan clearly didn’t care who it was-he will go after anyone who messes with what his.
***
Bai Zihan’s Courtyard!
In his private courtyard, it seemed like there was a guest.
“Okay but please think about it carefully. We can try our best to fulfill any wish you might have.”
A man stood at the entrance-an elder-level representative of the Sect Leader Faction. Judging from his slightly stiff expression, this was his final attempt before leaving.
Even without being told, it was obvious: he had been rejected.
No surprise there.
The Bai Clan rarely interfered with internal sect politics.
Traditionally, they remained neutral-supporting neither side unless necessary.
Yet this time, the Sect Leader Faction had taken the initiative and approached Bai Zihan directly, because they saw the huge influence that Bai Zihan
garnered.
With Bai Zihan, their influence would skyrocket. Even if the Bai Clan stayed neutral, Bai Zihan alone was worth the effort.
So they had put forth their most generous offer:
Anything he wanted-resources and status-as long as he joined their faction.
But Bai Zihan had turned them down without hesitation.
Why?
Well, he didn’t want to put extra effort into something that would bring him less benefit and more headache.
He wasn’t completely uninterested, but at the moment, there wasn’t much incentive to join a losing faction.
The representative let out a slow breath, cupping his hands respectfully.
“If you change your mind,” he said carefully, “you may contact us at any time.”
With that, he excused himself and left the courtyard, expression unchanged but shoulders visibly heavy.
The door closed.
Silence returned to the Bai courtyard.
And Bai Zihan, seated calmly within, looked as though the entire matter had
been nothing more than a passing inconvenience.
Soon after he left, Kong Zhanghong hurried into the courtyard, slightly out of
breath.
“Young Master Bai,” he said quickly, “Elder Wu Heng is also here and wishes to
see you.”
Bai Zihan didn’t even look surprised.
“Let him in!”
Kong Zhanghong bowed and stepped out. It took barely a few seconds before
Elder Wu Heng entered the courtyard.
The elder’s expression was stiff and his eyes sharp, but what stood out most was the cold glare he shot at Bai Zihan-dismissing, judging, displeased. Not just because Bai Zihan had ruined his perfectly arranged plan…
But because Bai Zihan sat there looking at him with a calm, indifferent gaze- devoid of the slightest respect.
As if Elder Wu Heng were just another ordinary person. Bai Zihan didn’t even greet him when he entered.
As if Bai Zihan were above him.
Elder Wu Heng’s jaw twitched, anger threatening to spill out, but he forced
himself to remain calm.
He reminded himself of the bigger picture. Losing composure here would gain
him nothing.
He took a seat, exhaling once before speaking.
“Bai Zihan,” Elder Wu Heng began, voice steady and formal, “our faction
recognizes your strength and potential. If you choose to join us, we are
prepared to offer you the highest treatment.”
He continued.
“With us, you can receive priority access to cultivation resources, personally
guided breakthroughs, and political support. No matter what you want, we can
help you achieve it.”
He leaned forward slightly.
“Our faction is strong and growing. And with your talent and our support you
will soar higher than anyone.”
Elder Wu Heng spoke sincerely, pitching every possible benefit-status,
influence, cultivation, future power.
All Bai Zihan needed to do… was agree.
“Huh? Is that all?”
Bai Zihan asked mockingly.
It might be a good enough deal for any disciple, but it was nothing for someone
like Bai Zihan.
He already had almost everything Elder Wu Heng mentioned, so why would he
need something he already possessed?
Technique, resources, status-there was nothing that he didn’t already have as
the heir of the Bai Clan.
Truth be told, Heaven Sword Sect couldn’t offer anything that could truly
interest Bai Zihan at all.
Elder Wu Heng frowned.
“That is already the highest benefit we can give you. However, if there is
something that you want, you can ask for it, and we will do our best to fulfill it.”
Elder Wu Heng said.
He knew that bringing Bai Zihan into their faction would be worth more than
anything they sacrificed to.
Bai Zihan contemplated. Well… he acted like he was in deep thought, but there wasn’t anything that could rope him in the first place.
“Hmmm… First, is it even possible for you to let me join? Wouldn’t the Shen
Clan be displeased if I joined?”
Bai Zihan asked playfully.
After all, the Shen Clan supported the Anti-Sect Leader Faction because they
had agreed to deal with Bai Zihan-at least, according to the information Bai Zihan received from Kong Zhanghong.
So while there are benefits to Bai Zlhan joining them, not everyone from the Anti-Sect Leader would agree to that, especially the Shen Clan.
Elder Wu Heng flinched and looked surprised, as if his secret had been
exposed.
He looked at Bai Zihan, and it didn’t seem like a wild guess either. “Ahem! I don’t know what you are talking about. However, if you are worried
about them, don’t be. Past is in the past!”
Elder Wu Heng said.
Bai Zihan smirked.
“Well, the past might be the past-but not me. Ah, I’ve got a great idea!”
Bai Zihan continued.
“How about this: you destroy the Shen Clan, then I might consider joining your
faction.”
Bai Zihan declared.
He asked casually, as if destroying the Shen Clan was the same as talking about
breaking a toy.
Elder Wu Heng’s eyes widened in shock.
He already considered everything but he would have never thought that Bai
Zihan would ask something like this.
It wasn’t like they desperately needed Bai Zihan’s support. But what they feared more was that he would join the other side, which they needed to prevent. For someone like Bai Zihan, they were willing to even deal with the Shen Clan
and persuade them into giving up their revenge for Bai Zihan.
But who could have thought that Bai Zihan would put forward such a ridiculous
request? The request was too excessive and ridiculous, not to mention that they wouldn’t be able to do so even if they wanted to.
The Shen Clan wasn’t some small fry like the Mei Clan, which Bai Zihan
destroyed years ago.
They were like the Chu Clan, their status and power just below the top three
clans of the Desolate Heaven Empire.
And why would they destory one of their biggest supporters either?
“Are you serious?”
Elder Wu Heng couldn’t tell whether Bai Zihan was truly making such a ridiculous request or just messing with him.
“You asked for the condition, and that’s my condition if you want me to join.”
Bai Zihan said. Elder Wu Heng took a deep breath, as if he had made a decision. “Looks like you have no intention of joining us. Then, I will leave. However,
please keep my proposal in mind and reach out to me if you change your mind.”
Elder Wu Heng stood up, ready to leave. smart person and will make a wise choice!”
“I know you are.
Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com
