Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 440 Beauty Beneath a Mask

The Emperor did not remain long.

Shortly after the first cups of wine were poured and the musicians began tuning their instruments, a senior eunuch stepped forward and announced, with practiced solemnity, that His Majesty's old injuries had acted up and that he would be retiring to rest.

No one doubted the reason.

Rather, it was more unbelievable that the Emperor had been able to stay here without any problems until now.

Once the dragon throne was empty, the atmosphere subtly-but decisively- changed.

The tension loosened.

And the celebration truly began.

Wine flowed freely.

Spirit fruits were served on jade plates.

Music rose in gentle waves, flutes and zithers weaving together-soft enough not to disturb cultivators, yet lively enough to stir the mood.

Laughter appeared.

Voices grew bolder.

Once again, Bai Zihan became the center of attention.

It was almost absurd.

He sat calmly at a low table near the center of the hall, posture relaxed, expression indifferent-still with Chu Ziyan beside him.

Yet around him-

Girls gathered.

Now they approached one after another, wine cups in hand, smiles carefully practiced.

Some were bold.

Some were shy.

Some pretended coincidence.

"Senior Brother Bai, may I offer a toast?"

"I heard you once crossed half a battlefield alone-this junior truly admires you."

"Even injured, your aura is still... extraordinary."

Bai Zihan responded with polite nods and minimal words-never rude, but never encouraging.

Even after the public rejection of the Ninth Princess.

Even after his blatant display of affection for Chu Ziyan.

Even after the entire empire knew he was "crippled."

Many girls were still after Bai Zihan.

The truth was obvious to anyone.

This wasn't about affection.

It wasn't even about Bai Zihan himself.

It was about the Bai Clan.

The clan that had surged in strength.

Even with all the negativity about Bai Zihan, it was good as long as they could form a strong relationship with the Bai Clan.

And so they came.

Again and again.

Much to Chu Ziyan's growing displeasure.

However, there was one thing that managed to lift her mood-and that was Bai Zihan being unusually affectionate right now.

"Ziyan, have these grapes!"

Saying that, he fed her personally.

Chu Ziyan didn't really understand why Bai Zihan was acting this way.

There was no Emperor anymore, and he didn't need to keep up the act.

Bai Zihan would never normally behave like this, but whatever the reason, she decided to enjoy it.

Bai Zihan continued his act of affection toward Chu Ziyan.

Because across the hall-

Yu Feiyan was watching.

No.

Qin Lingxiao.

She too was surrounded by quite a lot of people-her supporters and those who wished to join her faction.

There were also people offering marriage to her, especially since she had managed to attract quite a few young men with her earlier attempt to seduce

Bai Zihan.

She failed in seducing Bai Zihan, but succeeded with many other young men.

Bai Zihan still didn't understand who Qin Lingxiao truly was, nor what she

wanted.

But whatever Qin Lingxiao wanted-

It definitely wasn't good.

***

The music swelled.

A troupe of dancers stepped into the open space at the center of the hall, sleeves fluttering like drifting clouds, skirts tracing elegant arcs across the jade

floor.

They were young and beautiful.

Soft murmurs immediately rose among the gathered cultivators.

"Not bad!"

"They may not be on the level of Bai Xueqing or the Ninth Princess, but they're

definitely top-tier beauties."

"Mmm... at the very least, they're enough to make this celebration feel

worthwhile."

The dancers moved in perfect coordination, their steps light, expressions

gentle, eyes shimmering beneath long lashes.

Their beauty was not overwhelming-but it was inviting. The kind that made

people lower their guard without realizing it.

As the music reached a lively rhythm, the dancers began to separate.

One by one, they approached the guests.

Laughing softly and extending their hands.

"Young Master, would you honor this humble one with a dance?"

"Haha, how could I refuse?"

Several young masters stood immediately, more than willing to join.

The atmosphere relaxed further.

And then-

One of the dancers turned.

Her gaze swept across the hall.

And stopped at Bai Zihan.

She was the prettiest among them.

Not just in face, but in presence.

Her eyes were bright, lips curved in a gentle smile, her figure graceful without

being overly provocative.

She walked toward him.

Chu Ziyan noticed instantly.

Her fingers tightened around her cup.

The dancer stopped before Bai Zihan and bowed lightly, her voice clear and

melodious.

"Young Master Bai," she said softly, drawing countless looks, "hero of the

Desolate Heaven Empire."

Her smile deepened.

"This humble one wonders... would you be interested in sharing a dance?"

Chu Ziyan's expression darkened.

Bai Zihan looked at the dancer.

For a brief moment, his expression remained unchanged-calm, indifferent,

almost lazy.

But inside, his intuition warned him that something was about to happen.

He glanced sideways.

Chu Ziyan was staring at the dancer with poorly concealed hostility, her grip on

the cup tight enough that the jade creaked faintly.

Bai Zihan weighed the situation quickly.

If someone was planning something, declining now would only delay it.

Besides, he had come here precisely because he wanted to find out what the Imperial Family was thinking.

Qin Lingxiao was a variable he hadn't expected to encounter.

Either way, Bai Zihan still needed to figure out the Imperial Family's decision.

For now, judging from the Emperor's actions, they wanted to form an alliance

with the Bai Clan.

But who knew?

Could the Imperial Family truly tolerate a clan more powerful and influential

than themselves?

He gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh.

Then he smiled faintly.

"Very well," Bai Zihan said calmly, placing his cup down. "Today is a day of

celebration. Declining such a beauty as yourself wouldn't be right."

Chu Ziyan's eyes widened.

"You-"

Before she could stop him, Bai Zihan was already standing.

Her displeasure was immediate and intense.

Bai Zihan didn't look at her. Instead, he gently placed a sweet into her palm.

"Eat," he said softly. "I'll be right back."

Her lips parted, anger and worry colliding-

But Bai Zihan had already turned away. Across the hall, Qin Lingxiao's gaze sharpened slightly.

She watched the scene with curiosity and interest.

The dancer's smile brightened as Bai Zihan accepted her hand.

They stepped into the open space as the music shifted, becoming lighter and

more playful.

The surrounding crowd watched with interest. Whispers spread.

"Young Master Bai is participating?"

"Looks like even Bai Zihan couldn't resist beauty."

"After all that talk about loving Miss Chu!"

Bai Zihan moved with ease, his steps precise but unhurried. He neither tried to

dominate nor blindly follow.

At first glance, everything seemed... normal.

The dancer's movements were smooth, her breathing steady, her hand light in

his.

Her Qi-if it could even be called that-was almost nonexistent. Weak. Scattered. The kind only mortals possessed.

From the outside, she was nothing more than a talented mortal girl brought in

to liven the celebration.

And that-

That was precisely what made Bai Zihan more alert.

They turned in a gentle circle, sleeves brushing, the music carrying them along.

The dancer glanced up at him, curiosity flickering across her delicate features.

"Young Master Bai," she asked softly, as if genuinely puzzled, "is it true what they say?"

"Oh?" Bai Zihan replied lightly. "Which part?"

"That you were willing to sacrifice your life," she said, voice lowering just a

little, "for a mere servant girl?"

Around them, several ears subtly perked up.

Bai Zihan didn't hesitate.

"She was worth it," he said casually.

The words came easily.

The dancer froze for a fraction of a heartbeat.

Then her smile softened, something warm appearing in her eyes.

"Young Master truly has kind eyes," she said. "To someone like you... even we

mortals must look precious."

Bai Zihan only smiled.

He didn't answer.

If he were being honest, the answer would have been no.

And even if she changed the question-asking whether cultivators' lives were precious-the answer would still be the same.

They spun again, slower this time.

Bai Zihan adjusted his grip, guiding the dance as if he were enjoying himself.

Then he spoke.

"You dance well," he said. "Where did you learn?"

The dancer brightened, clearly pleased by the attention.

"In the southern provinces," she replied smoothly. "I was born in a small town

near the Green River. My parents were entertainers, so I learned early."

Her answer flowed naturally. Bai Zihan nodded, as if impressed.

"Southern provinces?" he asked lightly. "That's quite far. You must have traveled

a lot."

"Yes," she said. "After my parents passed, I joined a troupe and wandered from

place to place until I arrived at the Capital and settled down."

She lowered her gaze at just the right moment.

Bai Zihan smiled wider.

From the outside, it looked like interest.

Like curiosity.

Like a young master taken in by beauty and tragedy.

Inside, however-

(Lie.)

Not in the story itself.

But in the details.

The Southern Provinces were very far from the Capital, and even riding a

horse, it wouldn't be easy to reach it within ten years.

Yes, there were flying ships-but a girl like her couldn't afford them.

There was still a chance she traveled slowly over many years.

If so, then her flawless skin was a problem. Someone who traveled constantly

wouldn't possibly have such smooth skin.

Not to mention, her skin tone was quite different from that of people from the

Southern Provinces.

He didn't expose her. Instead, he chuckled softly. "Looks like Miss is quite fortunate."