Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! - Chapter 455 The Sect Leader's Ambition
Chapter 455 The Sect Leader’s Ambition
Han Shenwu’s cold voice echoed across the platform as he turned, robes fluttering with authority he believed he possessed.
Several disciples moved aside, already forming a path.
But before Bai Zihan moved, a hand reached out.
It stopped Bai Zihan.
“Wait!”
The voice was familiar.
Bai Xueqing!
At her side, Chu Ziyan followed, surprised and a little embarrassed as she recalled how Bai Zihan had treated her previously.
Han Shenwu paused mid-step and glanced back, irritation flashing across his face.
“Bai Xueqing?” he frowned. “What is this? Are you planning to interfere too?” Bai Xueqing ignored him completely.
She stepped closer to Bai Zihan and leaned in slightly, lowering her voice so only he could hear.
“What are you doing here?”
She whispered.
Her tone wasn’t reproachful.
She knew that Bai Zihan wasn’t cripple, and with his strength, he should be able to take care of Elder Han.
However, this was still enemy territory, and who knew what would happen once he entered their den?
Bai Zihan didn’t even bring any Grand Elder with him.
(How did Father even let him go?)
Bai Xueqing thought.
With him believing Bai Zihan was crippled, there was no way he would let him leave the Bai Estate-especially after that assassination attempt.
And even if he did, he would at least send a Grand Elder as his guardian.
Bai Zihan turned his head slightly to look at her.
So close that she could clearly see his face.
And for a split second-
Her brows knit together.
(… Did he grow taller?)
The thought slipped into her mind unbidden.
She didn’t know what it was, but she could clearly feel that something about him was different than usual.
She dismissed the distraction and focused.
Bai Zihan looked at her.
He smiled.
“Dear Sister,” Bai Zihan said teasingly, his voice low but clear, “there’s no need to worry about me.”
He glanced past her, toward Han Shenwu.
“It’s just Elder Han that I’m meeting”
The words fell lightly.
But the effect was immediate.
Han Shenwu’s expression twisted.
“Elder?”
He snapped, rage flaring in his eyes as he turned fully around.
“Watch your mouth, Bai Zihan!”
His aura surged, sharp and oppressive.
“My father is the Sect Leader now! Show some respect when you speak!”
Bai Zihan looked at him as if he were looking at something mildly amusing.
Then he shrugged.
“Why should I?”
The platform fell silent.
Bai Zihan continued, his voice calm and unhurried.
“I killed several Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders.”
A pause.
“Several Grade-10 Demonic Beasts.”
He tilted his head slightly.
“What has Elder Han achieved compared to me?”
The words struck like a hammer.
Undeniable, brutal truth.
The surrounding disciples stiffened.
Some inhaled sharply.
Han Shenwu’s mouth opened-
Then closed.
His face darkened.
He had no rebuttal.
Because everyone knew it was true.
“You-!” Han Shenwu finally snarled, then sneered harshly. “That was the past!”
He pointed accusingly at Bai Zihan.
“Now you’re a cripple! You can’t even circulate Qi! You’re not even worthy of
carrying my father’s shoes!”
His eyes burned with malice.
“Enough talk,” Han Shenwu said coldly. “Follow me!”
“I’ll have you expelled-properly-just like you want.”
Han Shenwu didn’t want to argue with Bai Zihan any longer; it felt like he was
losing years off his lifespan just standing there.
“I’m coming too!”
Bai Xueqing said immediately, stepping forward.
Han Shenwu’s reaction was instant.
“No!” he barked sharply, almost too fast. “This has nothing to do with you!”
His tone was defensive.
Too defensive.
Bai Xueqing frowned.
Suspicion flickered in her eyes.
Bai Zihan noticed it as well.
He glanced at Bai Xueqing, then shook his head faintly.
“It’s fine,” he said calmly. “You don’t need to come.”
He leaned in slightly, his voice soft enough that only she could hear.
“I’ll be back in a jiffy”
Han Shenwu scoffed but didn’t say anything.
Bai Xueqing was still worried, but she nodded anyway.
There was nothing she could do and she feared that she would get in Bai
Zihan’s way.
Bai Zihan stepped forward.
Kong Zhanghong followed immediately, half a pace behind him, his expression
cold and vigilant.
Han Shenwu glanced back once, saw Kong Zhanghong trailing along, and
sneered.
But he didn’t stop him.
As if Kong Zhanghong’s presence didn’t matter.
The group moved deeper into the Heaven Sword Sect.
Sword pillars passed by.
Courtyards unfolded one after another.
Along the outer training grounds, disciples were cultivating openly.
Qi surged.
Bai Zihan’s gaze swept across them casually.
Then-
His eyes narrowed, and he stopped walking.
Han Shenwu frowned and turned back impatiently.
“What now?”
Bai Zihan looked toward the training ground.
Several disciples sat cross-legged, Spiritual Qi flowing around them in a very familiar pattern.
Their Qi circulation followed a precise rhythm-drawing Heaven and Earth’s spiritual essence into their meridians, refining it through a harmonized cycle
that Bai Zihan could recognize even with his eyes closed.
Heavenly Mandate Assimilation Art!
“Are they all cultivating Heavenly Mandate Assimilation Art?”
He asked casually.
Han Shenwu scoffed, as if he’d just heard something ridiculous.
“What?” he sneered. “What are you implying now?”
He crossed his arms.
“Don’t tell me you want to accuse the Heaven Sword Sect of stealing your Bai
Clan’s technique?”
His lips curled upward mockingly.
Bai Zihan shook his head lightly.
“No,” he said. “I was just asking”
His gaze shifted back to Han Shenwu.
“Do you cultivate it too?”
Han Shenwu stiffened for half a breath.
Then he laughed loudly.
“So what if I do?” he said arrogantly. “Everyone cultivates it now.”
He leaned closer, eyes full of disdain.
“If you have a problem,” Han Shenwu sneered, “then go ask your Bai Clan.”
“Wasn’t it your people who gave it away for free?”
Bai Zihan listened quietly.
Then-
He smiled.
“I see,” he said softly.
He turned forward again and resumed walking, unhurried.
Kong Zhanghong glanced at him, then at the cultivating disciples, his eyes darkening-but he said nothing.
Behind them, Han Shenwu snorted.
“Putting on airs,” he muttered. “Still acting like you matter.”
Bai Zihan didn’t respond.
But inwardly, his thoughts were clear.
(This will be easier than I thought.)
***
The Main Hall loomed ahead.
Bai Zihan stepped inside.
Kong Zhanghong followed, his gaze sweeping the surroundings with quiet vigilance.
The moment Bai Zihan crossed the threshold, his eyes lifted to the front of the hall-
And paused.
At the highest point, where the Sect Leader’s seat once stood simple and restrained, a throne now occupied the space.
Not a scat.
A throne.
Carved from jade, elevated higher than before, its armrests etched with domineering sword patterns meant to inspire awe and submission.
Bai Zihan’s lips curved faintly.
(So he even changed the chair.)
Ambition, laid bare.
Han Shenwu strode forward eagerly, unable to hide the excitement in his steps. “Father!” he called out loudly, pride clear in his voice. “I’ve brought Bai Zihan!”
It was then that Bai Zihan understood.
From the moment Han Shenwu intercepted him-
This had always been the goal.
Bring him here.
The hall fell silent.
At the throne, Elder Han sat with his eyes closed, hands resting calmly on the armrests, as if he had been waiting all along.
Slowly-
His eyes opened.
Sharp and calculating.
They settled on Bai Zihan.
“I see,” Elder Han said calmly, his voice echoing across the hall.
“Good work!”
His gaze lingered on Bai Zihan, measuring, probing.
The faintest smile tugged at his lips.
Then-
Boom!
The massive stone doors slammed shut.
Runes flared to life along the seams, sword formations snapping into place with a sharp, metallic hum.
Kong Zhanghong’s expression changed instantly.
He spun around, his hand already reaching for his weapon-
Only for several figures to appear behind him in a blur.
Han Shenwu’s lackeys.
Prepared and waiting.
Their combined auras surged as they locked him in place, the formation suppressing his movement.
“Kong Zhanghong!” one of them barked. “Don’t move!”
Kong Zhanghong struggled, veins bulging as he forced his head to turn.
“Young Master!” he shouted urgently. “Leave-now!”
The pressure around him intensified.
Yet-
Bai Zihan didn’t move.
He didn’t even turn around.
He stood calmly in the center of the hall, hands behind his back, posture relaxed as if the sealed doors and activated formations were nothing more
than decorations.
Elder Han watched this with visible amusement.
“Bai Zihan,” he said slowly, leaning back against the throne, fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
“Do you even know what kind of trouble you’re in?”
His eyes gleamed.
“Do you truly think you can walk out of here?”
Bai Zihan finally looked at him.
His gaze was calm.
Almost bored.
He chuckled softly.
“And what exactly can someone like you do?”
Bai Zihan asked lightly.
“Lick Li or Zhao Clan’s shoe?”
The temperature in the hall dropped instantly.
Elder Han’s expression darkened.
His fingers clenched.
“How dare you,” he snapped, aura flaring violently. “I need no one’s help!”
He rose from the throne, sword intent bursting forth like a storm.
“I am the Sect Leader of the Heaven Sword Sect,” Elder Han declared proudly.
“The strongest sect in the Desolate Heaven Empire!”
His voice thundered through the hall.
“With the Heaven Sword Sect under my command, who would I need to bow
to?!”
Bai Zihan nodded slowly.
“Of course,” he said dryly.
“Of course!”
The sarcasm in his tone was unmistakable.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
“Then,” Bai Zihan continued calmly, “for what reason do you need me?”
The question landed cleanly.
Elder Han stared at him for a long moment.
Then-
He laughed.
A low, satisfied sound.
“Hostage,” Elder Han said plainly.
The word echoed. “You may not be worth much in my eyes,” he continued, his gaze sharp and
calculating,
“but to the Bai Clan?”
He smiled.
“You are priceless.”
“I will trade you for the technique rumored to be Saint-Grade!”
Elder Han said confidently.
His eyes gleamed with naked greed.
In his mind, an image resurfaced-
Bai Ren.
The Grand Elders.
That overwhelming strike.
That power that made heaven and earth tremble. (With that power…)
(What Li Clan? What Zhao Clan? What Bai Clan?)
(Even the Imperial Family would bow.)
Elder Han’s smile widened. “With you in my hands,” he said slowly, “everything will come to me!”
Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com
