[{"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-442":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},60500,84,"Chapter 442 An Assassin Beneath the Dragon Throne","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-442",442,"\u003Cp>Bai Tianheng had already moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strode toward the assassin embedded in the shattered stone pillar, his expression dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few Bai Clan elders followed closely, sealing the surrounding space to prevent any unexpected movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin lay slumped against the cracked stone, blood pooling beneath her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her chest still rose-barely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Tianheng reached out, fingers moving to restrain her meridians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin's lips twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, almost mocking smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle sound, like something shattering within her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes lost focus instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breathing almost instantly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Tianheng's face darkened completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The curse rang loudly through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected of a professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poison concealed within her teeth-she never intended to escape from here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several elders clenched their fists in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Bai Tianheng did not stop there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although dead, they could still investigate the identity of the assassin, which might help determine who was behind the assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, with the cultivation she had shown, it was certain she wasn't as young as her face appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though cultivators aged very slowly, with her realm she should have\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>looked to be in her thirties or forties-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not someone who appeared barely in her twenties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Tianheng reached up and tore away the assassin's face veil, which was there as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps erupted around the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's her...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That face-!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Abyssal Sparrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispers exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the elders sucked in a sharp breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's one of the most wanted assassins in the Desolate Heaven Empire. She\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>killed the head of the Fan Clan ten years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And escaped an Immortal Realm pursuit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone was enough to prove her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't some no-name but extremely infamous criminal in the Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She has been active for more than 30 years with many feats including killing the head of Fan Clan who was in Great Ascension Realm at his own home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For such a figure to be sent to kill Bai Zihan meant the one who commissioned her had to be powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she had come here expecting to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever employed her could not be an ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Tianheng's eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were only a few forces capable of employing someone like this on a suicide mission-the Imperial Family, the Heaven Sword Sect-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his greatest suspicions lay with the Li and Zhao Clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among everyone present, they had the strongest motive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jianhong and Zhao Wutian didn't show much change in their expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pretended as if they had no idea who sent the assassin. But they also didn't pretend to care for Bai Zihan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Tianheng wanted to question them the most about this assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, without proof, he could do nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened, his gaze sweeping across the hall, heavy with pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away, Bai Zihan watched quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment the assassin revealed-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or at the very least-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were also accomplices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was reasonable to suspect the Li or Zhao Clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that could very well be true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, one also had to consider the location of the assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Imperial Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An event attended by the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every dancer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every musician-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had been screened layer by layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a Great Ascension Realm assassin-one of the most infamous criminals alive\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-to infiltrate this deeply?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless someone at the very top had opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if it were truly that easy to infiltrate the Imperial Palace, such\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>incidents would have happened countless times before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet until now-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single assassin had ever succeeded in infiltrating the Imperial Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, obviously it should be because they allowed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zihan's gaze drifted toward the now-empty dragon throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his eyes were cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(So that's how it is...)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this alone, it was enough to guess the Imperial Family's intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the hall, imperial ministers were pale, loudly swearing loyalty and\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>condemning the act, promising a full investigation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zihan listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And believed none of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were likely accomplices of the Emperor-though perhaps not all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyways, they would rather erase any evidence that points towards themselves than catching the one behind this assassination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the hall had yet to recover when hurried footsteps echoed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>from the side entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man in imperial robes strode forward, his expression solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Prince, Yu Zidi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped a few steps away from Bai Zihan and clasped his hands deeply, bowing with genuine gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Bai,\" he said, his voice steady but heavy, \"this matter occurred within the Imperial Palace. Regardless of the cause, the Imperial Family bears responsibility. I offer my sincere apologies on behalf of my father and the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>court.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His posture was respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Bai Zihan felt nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was all for show-an assertion of authority for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A reminder that in the Emperor's absence, the one representing him was the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First Prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should also want to portray himself as a responsible person before so many\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>powerhouses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zihan looked at him calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand,\" Bai Zihan said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Prince visibly relaxed- Only for Bai Zihan to continue. \"Please relay a message to His Majesty.\" The prince straightened slightly, listening intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is what you decided. Thank you for the gift!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, Bai Zihan had known the Emperor was weighing whether to ally\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with the Bai Clan-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or to join others in containing the Bai Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it seemed the latter had been chosen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The First Prince's pupils shrank almost imperceptibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the First Prince could gather his thoughts or offer another word, Bai\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zihan had already turned away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The matter was settled-in his eyes, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Yu stood a short distance away, calm and composed amid the lingering\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>chaos, hands folded loosely before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike everyone else in the hall, she showed no trace of tension-no unease, no urgency to explain herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zihan looked at her for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You wanted to talk with me, didn't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm, almost casual-but there was no mistaking the certainty\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>behind it. Although she didn't seem to be after his life, there should be a reason as to why\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>such a powerful person approached him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Yu met his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Zihan gave a small, knowing smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you can come along with me. We will talk at the Bai Clan Estate!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned slightly, gesturing ahead of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swept his gaze across the hall-over the ministers, the elders, the sect\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>representatives, and the countless eyes filled with unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I enjoyed the banquet,\" Bai Zihan said evenly. \"But it seems the time has come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll take my leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one objected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An assassination attempt had just occurred in the middle of the Imperial\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Great Ascension Realm assassin had nearly succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Bai Zihan chose to remain-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would be reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it had already been proven that the Imperial defenses were not\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>trustworthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying those words, Bai Zihan didn't wait and directly left under the gaze of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, he glanced at Li and Zhao Clan who seemed to have separated from all the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn't seem to care much about the assassination or at least pretending\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>not to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Well, I will know soon!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bai Clan elders and grand elders followed suit, their auras restrained but sharp, forming a subtle protective formation around Bai Zihan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Ziyan stayed close at his side, eyes vigilant as she scanned their\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Bai Clan's departure, the banquet hall fell into an uneasy silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, no one moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahem! Ah... now that I think about it, there is an urgent matter within my sect\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>that requires my immediate attention. This one will have to take his leave as\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed! My disciple is currently undergoing a breakthrough. If something goes wrong, it would be disastrous. I must return immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One excuse after another surfaced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall, once filled with polite laughter and thinly veiled rivalry, now echoed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with hurried farewells and insincere bows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them were fools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An assassination attempt inside the Imperial Palace-successful or not-meant\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>one thing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The waters of the Desolate Heaven Empire had become violently turbulent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, who knows whether there are more assassins hiding and targeting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They don't have to risk their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with the Bai Clan gone, most had no reason to stay. Most of the clan only wanted to form a relationship with the Bai Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with all the Bai Clan's allies leaving with the Bai Clan, they don't want to be seen as being one the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, with the Bai Clan gone, only Li-Zhao and the Imperial Family and their ally was left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>",1508,"2026-05-28T18:17:14.491Z","2026-06-01T04:28:34.960Z",1,"novelbin.me","f2a8df3e5ba83dc602ab7d6137ab09e041ca442d3e25c9ff9ddd4a062864e98e","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-443","turns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-chapter-441",580,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fturns-out-i-m-in-a-villain-clan-cover.jpg"]