Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 388 Preparing for the Next Strike

The battlefield slowly quieted.

Not with peace-but with exhaustion.

The sky was still stained with lingering, devastating Qi.

The ground was torn apart, cratered and soaked in blood, littered with shattered weapons and lifeless bodies.

The air itself felt heavy.

Survivors stood where they were, chests heaving, hands trembling as the adrenaline finally ebbed away.

Some leaned on their weapons. Others dropped to their knees, staring blankly at the carnage around them.

Only now-when the fighting truly paused-did everyone begin to count.

And the difference was impossible to ignore.

Across the Desolate Heaven Empire’s forces, casualties were severe.

Many sects and clans had lost large portions of their elites during the Demonic Cultivators’ sudden assault.

Defensive lines had collapsed, formations had been torn apart, and countless cultivators had fallen before reinforcements could arrive.

But among all of them-the Li Clan and the Zhao Clan stood out the most.

Their forces were in shambles.

Nearly a quarter of their forces were gone.

Twenty-five percent.

Dead!

The faces of the Li and Zhao Clan members told the story without words.

Shock!

Anger!

Regret!

Some stared silently at the ground, fists clenched until blood seeped from their palms. Others sat slumped against rocks, eyes hollow, unable to even grieve yet.

The pride they once carried was nowhere to be found.

They had been targeted-just like the Bai lan.

But unlike the Bai Clan….

They had not withstood it.

Compared to the devastation suffered by the Li and Zhao Clans, the Bai Clan looked as if they had fought an entirely different battle.

Excitement rippled through their ranks.

Disciples laughed in disbelief, clapping one another on the shoulders. Some looked at Bai Zihan with open reverence, eyes shining with pride.

Meanwhile, the Li and Zhao Clans could only watch.

Their gazes drifted toward the Bai Clan, expressions dark and complicated. Envy mixed with bitterness, disbelief twisted with resentment.

Just by looking at their faces-anyone could tell.

One side was celebrating victory.

The other was drowning in loss and suffering.

The aftermath did not last long.

Soon, orders were passed down.

The leaders were summoned for an emergency meeting.

Sect Leaders and Clan Leaders gathered one after another, their expressions grim.

Bloodstains still marked many of their robes, and the smell of iron had yet to fade from their bodies.

Dissatisfaction simmered openly.

The reason was obvious.

The losses they had suffered at the hands of the Demonic Cultivators were simply too great.

Many gazes turned toward the front.

Toward Commander Wei.

The man stood straight, his expression firm yet heavy, hands clasped behind his back. He did not attempt to evade their stares.

He knew this outcome was tied directly to his failure to detect such a massive infiltrating force.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply.

“This failure lies with me,” Commander Wei said firmly. “I take full

responsibility.”

He straightened, his gaze steady.

“We failed to detect their infiltration. That much is undeniable.”

Then his tone shifted-heavier, colder.

“However,” he continued, “the Demonic Cultivators employed a method we did

not anticipate.”

“They used a concealment technique capable of blocking even Immortal Realm

senses.”

A ripple of shock spread through the pavilion.

Commander Wei did not exaggerate.

“Even Immortal Realm cultivators failed to detect their presence until the attack began,” he said calmly. “By the time their Demonic Qi was revealed, it

was already too late.”

Silence followed.

Li Jianhong’s clenched fists loosened slightly.

Other leaders exchanged looks, their expressions shifting from anger to

disbelief.

If even Immortal Realm cultivators couldn’t sense them-then what could ordinary scouts have done?

What countermeasures could they reasonably have prepared?

And just how were Demonic Cultivators able to hide such a large force without

being detected?

The dissatisfaction did not disappear. But it lost its direction.

If there was anyone truly to blame for the losses they had suffered, then it

could only be their own lack of strength.

Commander Wei remained still for a brief moment before speaking again.

His voice carried neither defensiveness nor evasion.

“I did not anticipate this when the plans were drawn,” he said plainly. “That is

my failing.”

He clasped his fists once more.

“However, dwelling on what has already happened will not bring back the dead,”

Commander Wei said.

“What matters now is what we do next!”

The pavilion grew even quieter.

“If the Demonic Cultivators can bypass detection and strike from within,” he

said slowly, “then we can no longer rely on our previous plans!”

Several brows furrowed.

“If this happens again, there is a very real chance we will not know until they

have already attacked.”

Commander Wei continued.

“And if that is the case then our only option is to deploy all available forces and

be prepared to face them head-on.”

He lifted his gaze.

“All units must be positioned where they can immediately respond the moment

the Demonic Cultivators reveal themselves.”

A few leaders nodded instinctively.

“We must assume infiltration at all times, and when they strike-we retaliate

without hesitation. Is there any objection?”

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then-Zhao Wutian stood up.

His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

“I have no objections to that,” Zhao Wutian said, nodding. “If they cannot be

detected, then meeting them head-on is the only choice left.”

Several leaders murmured in agreement.

“But,” he said, his tone changing subtly, “there is a bigger problem we need to

address.”

Commander Wei turned to him.

“What problem?”

Zhao Wutian’s gaze swept across the gathered leaders-one by one and stayed

on Bai Tianheng for longer than others.

Then he spoke.

“There is a spy among us.”

The words landed like a blade.

The air instantly tightened.

Several leaders stiffened. Others narrowed their eyes.

“A plan known only to high command was compromised,” Zhao Wutian

continued coldly.

“The Demonic Cultivators knew when to strike, where to strike, and how to

bypass our defenses.”

He let the silence stretch.

“That cannot be a coincidence.”

No one refuted him.

Because deep down-they all knew he was right.

If the Demonic Cultivators could infiltrate the army…

Then it was entirely possible- They had already infiltrated the command itself.

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