Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 438: The Ninth Princess’s Mask

"Very well! If that will make you give up on Zihan!"

Chu Ziyan said without hesitation.

Her voice rang clear and firm.

She stepped forward, her posture straight, her expression calm.

It wasn’t arrogance.

Nor was it the desire to bully someone weaker.

In her eyes, Yu Feiyan was nothing more than a spoiled princess who had never been told no—someone who needed a firm answer she couldn’t twist with words or charm.

And if a battle was what it took to make her retreat?

Then so be it.

Not to mention, it was Yu Feiyan herself who dared to challenge her—and that too with Bai Zihan on the line.

For Yu Feiyan to take things this far, Chu Ziyan understood that Yu Feiyan was not going to give up easily.

The hall erupted instantly.

"What?! Princess Yu is challenging Chu Ziyan?"

"This is absurd! Princess Yu is only in the Nascent Soul Realm!"

"Why would the Princess even suggest such a battle?"

"She’s bound to lose—what kind of decision is this?"

...

Controlled laughter rippled through the crowd.

To everyone present, the outcome was obvious.

Chu Ziyan was stronger in almost everything.

Be it cultivation realm, techniques, or experience, Chu Ziyan was far superior to Princess Yu Feiyan, who had been sheltered and protected since youth.

This fight would end in moments.

Some even shook their heads in pity at Yu Feiyan.

But Bai Zihan felt none of that ease.

Not even for a second.

His heart sank.

They didn’t understand.

They couldn’t.

To them, Yu Feiyan was a Nascent Soul cultivator.

To him—

She was a monster wearing innocent smiles.

She had the highest cultivation among anyone here.

She was also more than two hundred years old, so there was no need to even discuss experience—and not to mention, she had already used a Saint-Grade technique on him.

So it was certain that she knew higher-grade techniques than almost everyone present.

It was definitely a battle that would end in a moment—but the victor would definitely not be Chu Ziyan.

Qin Lingxiao’s lips curved ever so slightly.

(As expected!)

With her taking the identity of the fragile Ninth Princess, there was no one who thought she would win.

So naturally, she had already expected Chu Ziyan to accept—especially since she was going after her fiancée.

She knew Chu Ziyan would want to prove that she was more worthy than herself.

The Ninth Princess had challenged, and Chu Ziyan had accepted. Everyone knew what was coming next.

It was time for their agreement—and the duel—to happen.

Before anyone could move—

"Enough!"

Bai Zihan stepped forward.

The hall fell silent.

He stood between Chu Ziyan and Yu Feiyan, his expression resolute, his aura steady but unyielding.

"This is unnecessary," he said flatly.

All eyes turned to him.

He turned slightly, looking at Chu Ziyan.

His gaze softened.

"My heart is already set on Chu Ziyan," Bai Zihan declared calmly.

"So no matter the outcome of any battle—my decision will not change."

A wave of murmurs swept through the hall.

To outsiders—

It sounded like devotion.

Like a man publicly declaring his love, refusing to be swayed by anything.

Some even felt moved.

But inside—

Bai Zihan’s thoughts were ice-cold.

This isn’t a duel.

It’s a trap.

No matter who stood here—

Chu Ziyan.

A Grand Elder.

Anyone in this room—

None of them could win against Qin Lingxiao.

She had deliberately provoked Chu Ziyan.

Offered a challenge that looked like certainty—

Only to lead her straight toward inevitability.

And Bai Zihan would not allow it.

His gaze snapped to Yu Feiyan.

"So, Princess—let’s ends here!"

Qin Lingxiao’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Just as she thought things would return to their track, Bai Zihan disrupted her again.

For a brief moment, silence reigned.

Then Yu Feiyan smiled again.

As if Bai Zihan’s interruption had merely amused her.

"Why must Young Master Bai interfere?" she asked softly.

She turned her gaze to Chu Ziyan.

"This is between two women," Yu Feiyan continued, her voice gentle yet resolute, "who wish to prove who truly deserves Young Master Bai’s heart."

A ripple ran through the hall.

Some nodded unconsciously.

Some leaned forward.

Romantic rivalry.

A duel of affection.

It sounded... reasonable.

Bai Zihan felt a surge of revulsion.

He stepped forward again.

"No!"

The single word was sharp.

His gaze locked onto Yu Feiyan, cold and unwavering.

"You misunderstand something, Princess."

He did not raise his voice.

Yet every word cut cleanly through the murmurs.

"I did not fall in love with Chu Ziyan because of her cultivation, her talent, or her background."

Chu Ziyan’s eyes widened slightly.

Bai Zihan continued, his tone calm but absolute.

"And I will not choose a woman based on power, status, or who can defeat whom."

He turned fully toward Yu Feiyan.

"I am grateful for the favorable feelings the Ninth Princess holds toward me," he said formally.

"But I cannot—will not—reciprocate them."

The hall grew deathly still.

"Feelings are not trophies to be claimed," Bai Zihan said coldly. "Nor are they prizes to be fought over."

His words landed heavily.

Yu Feiyan’s smile stiffened.

Bai Zihan exhaled slowly.

"And most importantly," he said, sweeping his gaze across the hall, "this is a day of honor."

"A celebration for the heroes of the Northern Battlefield."

His voice hardened.

"To turn it into a farce over personal obsession is disrespectful—to the fallen, to the living, and to everyone who sacrificed themselves."

Most nodded. Indeed, what Bai Zihan said was reasonable.

Bai Zihan’s eyes returned to Yu Feiyan one last time.

"So, Princess," he said plainly, "this matter ends here."

Bai Zihan did not wait for a response from Yu Feiyan.

He turned and faced the imperial throne directly.

He cupped his fist, his posture straight despite the faint stiffness in his movements.

"Your Majesty!"

The Emperor’s gaze sharpened.

Bai Zihan spoke calmly, without resentment or grievance.

"This junior has already received the rewards bestowed for the Northern Battlefield," he said evenly.

"The merit, the treasures, the recognition—I accept them with gratitude."

The hall listened, breath held.

"But as for matters beyond that," Bai Zihan continued, his voice steady, "this junior will have to decline!"

He lifted his head slightly.

A wave of shock swept through the hall.

Silence followed.

All eyes turned to the Emperor.

The Emperor studied Bai Zihan for a long moment.

Then—

He sighed.

A quiet, weary sound.

"Very well," the Emperor said at last, nodding slowly.

There was no anger in his voice.

Only acceptance.

"This matter... is not something I can force. Since you have already set your heart on someone then what can I do?"

A ripple ran through the ministers.

Bai Zihan had refused—

And the Emperor had allowed it.

Not because he wished to.

But because he could not do otherwise.

Even crippled.

Even withdrawn.

Even standing there with damaged meridians and a future clouded by uncertainty—

Bai Zihan was still Bai Zihan.

Things always went the way he wanted and today was no different.

Bai Zihan cupped his fists once more.

"This junior thanks Your Majesty for your understanding."

His voice was calm, steady—neither triumphant nor resentful.

The Emperor waved a hand lightly, as if dismissing not Bai Zihan, but the matter itself.

"Go," he said. "Take care of your health."

Bai Zihan bowed deeply.

Then he turned.

He did not look at Yu Feiyan again.

He reached out, his hand closing around Chu Ziyan’s wrist as naturally as if it had always belonged there.

"Let’s leave," he said quietly.

There was no room for refusal in his tone.

And Chu Ziyan... didn’t refuse.

Chu Ziyan stiffened for half a breath—

Then relaxed.

She nodded faintly and followed without resistance, the faintest trace of warmth blooming on her cheeks despite her composed expression.

The two walked side by side through the hall.

The crowd parted instinctively.

Some gazes were filled with awe.

Some with disbelief.

Some with complicated envy.

A crippled hero.

A rejected imperial marriage.

A woman willingly followed him without hesitation.

No one could decide which part was more shocking.

Behind them—

Yu Feiyan remained where she stood.

Her posture unchanged.

Her expression serene.

Still smiling.

But deep within her eyes, something cold shifted.

Not anger.

Not humiliation.

Interest!

As Bai Zihan walked, his senses remained stretched to their limit.

He did not look back openly.

From the corner of his vision, from the faint shifts in Qi and intent, he quietly observed Qin Lingxiao.

Yu Feiyan stood where she was.

Not even the faintest ripple of killing intent appeared.

There was none.

Bai Zihan’s grip on Chu Ziyan tightened imperceptibly.

(If she wanted to act...)

He knew the truth.

Qin Lingxiao did not need a sneak attack.

She did not need schemes.

She did not need excuses.

If she wished to kill him—

He would already be dead.

Right here.

In this hall.

Surrounded by emperors, elders, and heroes alike.

And none of them would be able to stop it.

At least, Bai Zihan realized that Qin Lingxiao has no intention of throwing away her mask, not yet.