[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan":3,"chapter-turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-388":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},60546,84,"Chapter 388 Preparing for the Next Strike","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-388",388,"\u003Cp>The battlefield slowly quieted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with peace-but with exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was still stained with lingering, devastating Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground was torn apart, cratered and soaked in blood, littered with shattered weapons and lifeless bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air itself felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Survivors stood where they were, chests heaving, hands trembling as the adrenaline finally ebbed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some leaned on their weapons. Others dropped to their knees, staring blankly at the carnage around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now-when the fighting truly paused-did everyone begin to count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the difference was impossible to ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the Desolate Heaven Empire's forces, casualties were severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many sects and clans had lost large portions of their elites during the Demonic Cultivators' sudden assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defensive lines had collapsed, formations had been torn apart, and countless cultivators had fallen before reinforcements could arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But among all of them-the Li Clan and the Zhao Clan stood out the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their forces were in shambles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly a quarter of their forces were gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty-five percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faces of the Li and Zhao Clan members told the story without words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regret!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pride they once carried was nowhere to be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been targeted-just like the Bai lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unlike the Bai Clan....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had not withstood it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the devastation suffered by the Li and Zhao Clans, the Bai Clan looked as if they had fought an entirely different battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excitement rippled through their ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciples laughed in disbelief, clapping one another on the shoulders. Some looked at Bai Zihan with open reverence, eyes shining with pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Li and Zhao Clans could only watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes drifted toward the Bai Clan, expressions dark and complicated. Envy mixed with bitterness, disbelief twisted with resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just by looking at their faces-anyone could tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One side was celebrating victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was drowning in loss and suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aftermath did not last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, orders were passed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaders were summoned for an emergency meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sect Leaders and Clan Leaders gathered one after another, their expressions grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bloodstains still marked many of their robes, and the smell of iron had yet to fade from their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dissatisfaction simmered openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The losses they had suffered at the hands of the Demonic Cultivators were simply too great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many gazes turned toward the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward Commander Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man stood straight, his expression firm yet heavy, hands clasped behind his back. He did not attempt to evade their stares.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew this outcome was tied directly to his failure to detect such a massive infiltrating force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he stepped forward, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This failure lies with me,\" Commander Wei said firmly. \"I take full\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened, his gaze steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We failed to detect their infiltration. That much is undeniable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his tone shifted-heavier, colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However,\" he continued, \"the Demonic Cultivators employed a method we did\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>not anticipate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They used a concealment technique capable of blocking even Immortal Realm\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>senses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ripple of shock spread through the pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Wei did not exaggerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was already too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jianhong's clenched fists loosened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other leaders exchanged looks, their expressions shifting from anger to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If even Immortal Realm cultivators couldn't sense them-then what could ordinary scouts have done?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What countermeasures could they reasonably have prepared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just how were Demonic Cultivators able to hide such a large force without\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>being detected?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dissatisfaction did not disappear. But it lost its direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was anyone truly to blame for the losses they had suffered, then it\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>could only be their own lack of strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Wei remained still for a brief moment before speaking again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried neither defensiveness nor evasion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did not anticipate this when the plans were drawn,\" he said plainly. \"That is\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>my failing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clasped his fists once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, dwelling on what has already happened will not bring back the dead,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Wei said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What matters now is what we do next!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilion grew even quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the Demonic Cultivators can bypass detection and strike from within,\" he\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>said slowly, \"then we can no longer rely on our previous plans!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this happens again, there is a very real chance we will not know until they\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>have already attacked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Wei continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if that is the case then our only option is to deploy all available forces and\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>be prepared to face them head-on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All units must be positioned where they can immediately respond the moment\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Demonic Cultivators reveal themselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few leaders nodded instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must assume infiltration at all times, and when they strike-we retaliate\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>without hesitation. Is there any objection?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, no one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then-Zhao Wutian stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no objections to that,\" Zhao Wutian said, nodding. \"If they cannot be\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>detected, then meeting them head-on is the only choice left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several leaders murmured in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But,\" he said, his tone changing subtly, \"there is a bigger problem we need to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>address.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Wei turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Wutian's gaze swept across the gathered leaders-one by one and stayed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>on Bai Tianheng for longer than others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is a spy among us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words landed like a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air instantly tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several leaders stiffened. Others narrowed their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A plan known only to high command was compromised,\" Zhao Wutian\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>continued coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Demonic Cultivators knew when to strike, where to strike, and how to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>bypass our defenses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let the silence stretch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That cannot be a coincidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one refuted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down-they all knew he was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Demonic Cultivators could infiltrate the army...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it was entirely possible- They had already infiltrated the command itself.\u003C\u002Fp>",1029,"2026-05-28T18:17:14.491Z","2026-06-01T04:28:34.960Z",1,"novelbin.me","9a57f86aaf55d0e96503e76ae8a515e720bb8d6ca8187eb5cd91689749c97c1a","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-389","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-387",580,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fturns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-cover.jpg"]