Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 416 The Letter from Home

The Beast Tide had finally reached its conclusion.

However, the conflict had not truly ceased.

Though a heavy silence now blanketed the field of slaughter, the time for a triumphant return had not yet arrived.

Sentries remained stationed across the territory, and patrol units were being cycled out incessantly.

The threat of a sudden ambush remained as long as Demonic Beasts roamed the wilderness and Demonic Cultivators still drew breath.

Despite this lingering tension, a palpable sense of relief began to permeate the Desolate Heaven Empire.

Information spread with incredible speed.

The Demonic Cultivators had suffered a crushing defeat, and the Half-Qilin—the commander of the Beast Tide—was confirmed dead.

Metropolises broke out in celebration, while the grounds of various Sects resonated with a mixture of weary laughter and joy.

Common mortals fell to their knees in prayerful thanks, and cultivators finally exhaled, freed from the crushing weight of the Beast Tide.

Victory was theirs.

In the wake of this reprieve, new things began to emerge.

Names.

Chronicles.

The birth of new legends.

Stories began to circulate—some polished with flair, some kept modest, and others intentionally inflated by various factions with hidden agendas.

In every teahouse and Sect hall, people whispered about the young geniuses who had made their mark.

"Did you hear? Chu Ziyan managed to slay a Grade-8 Demonic Beast single-handedly."

"I heard. Her momentum hasn't stopped since the Dragon and Phoenix Competition."

"Bai Xueqing as well. Word is she paralyzed a Void Refinement Realm master right in the heat of battle."

"To possess such power at her age is truly frightening."

"She wasn't the only one... talented youths seemed to be everywhere during this crisis."

Several had managed to kill Demonic Beasts that far exceeded their own Cultivation levels.

A fresh generation was making its ascent.

But above all those names—

"The stories regarding Bai Zihan are just plain insane!"

"They claim he stood his ground against Great Ascension Realm Demonic Elders. Three of them at once!"

"No—it was five!"

"I heard five too. And he emerged victorious."

"Doesn't that make him even more powerful than Bai Tianheng?"

"Ha! I doubt his father would even try to argue. It seems the Bai Clan has sired a true monster."

Previously, many had dismissed Bai Zihan as a pretender because he sat out the Dragon and Phoenix Competition.

While the Heaven Sword Sect was aware of his strength after he crushed Lu Xiangyuan, the wider world remained largely ignorant.

Now, the truth was finally hitting home—Bai Zihan hadn't avoided the contest out of fear; he simply belonged to a different league entirely.

Had he entered, the entire event would likely have been a boring display of one-sided power.

His reputation flared up like a wildfire across the empire following the Beast Tide's end.

***

A full day had passed since the demise of the Half-Qilin.

With no further signs of Demonic Beasts, it appeared that stability was finally returning.

Bai Zihan was resting in the aftermath of the struggle, his breathing rhythmic as his consciousness drifted in a light slumber.

Suddenly—

"Young Master Bai!"

The shout crashed through the air like a thunderclap.

Bai Zihan’s eyes flew open instantly.

A man stood panting at the tent's entrance. Though fear was visible in his eyes, a sense of dire urgency was more prominent.

"Young Master... Patriarch Bai demands your immediate presence."

Bai Zihan knit his brows.

"Right now?"

The messenger gave a frantic nod.

"Yes!"

Rising from his bed, Bai Zihan threw on his outer robes and walked out.

"What could that old man possibly want this time?" he muttered irritably.

As he was led through the military camp, Bai Zihan’s thoughts began to churn.

(Have the Demonic Beasts reformed their ranks? Or has Mó Zun resurfaced?)

He weighed different possibilities, but looking at the general atmosphere of the camp, he doubted it was a new invasion.

Upon entering the command tent, his eyes landed on several recognizable faces.

Bai Tianheng stood at the front with a grim expression.

Beside him was Bai Ren, and not far off stood Bai Xueqing.

Bai Zihan’s forehead creased with suspicion.

(What is going on?)

"Father, what is the meaning of this?" Bai Zihan asked, breaking the silence the moment he arrived.

Bai Tianheng studied him for a long beat before giving a small nod.

"Take a seat!"

A disciple hurried to place a chair at the table.

Bai Zihan sat without protest, his eyes briefly darting toward Bai Ren and Bai Xueqing.

Both remained silent.

Bai Tianheng let out a heavy sigh and produced a letter sealed with scales.

"This report reached me after the Beast Tide was suppressed," he explained. "It originated from the Bai Clan."

Bai Zihan’s eyes sharpened.

"Did something happen back at the estate?"

Bai Tianheng nodded solemnly.

"The Bai Clan was raided."

Bai Zihan’s face remained unreadable.

"Demonic Cultivators," Bai Tianheng added. "They didn't even attempt to mask who they were."

He tapped the parchment against the wooden table.

"The situation was kept under control. Our forces successfully repelled them. Losses were minimal, even though the Demonic Cultivators deployed Immortal Realm Elders."

Invading the heart of the Bai Clan’s lands required the power of the Immortal Realm.

Even with five Immortal Realm experts currently holding the Northern Defense Line, the Bai Clan’s internal defenses were still formidable enough to hold their own.

Bai Zihan remained quiet, listening closely.

"There are three likely motives," Bai Tianheng stated.

"First—our family vault."

"We showed too much of our hand in this conflict," Bai Tianheng said levelly. "A Saint-Grade artifact and your unique techniques."

Bai Tianheng was aware that Bai Zihan had shared a sword technique with the Grand Elders, though he lacked the details and simply viewed it as a high-level manual.

That wasn't even considering the method that allowed him to boost his Cultivation realm temporarily. "The Demonic Cultivators likely assumed such treasures were kept within the clan treasury."

"However, they failed in that regard," Bai Ren interjected.

Bai Tianheng nodded in agreement. "Which brings us to the second theory."

"A distraction," he continued. "They might have hoped to force us to retreat and weaken our position here... but the Beast Tide collapsed much faster than they expected."

Bai Zihan frowned slightly.

"And the third possibility?"

Bai Tianheng went quiet.

A heavy, deathly stillness filled the tent.

Bai Zihan tilted his head, a sense of foreboding beginning to rise.

"We aren't entirely sure of their primary goal yet," Bai Tianheng said slowly.

Then, he looked his son straight in the eye.

"They missed their marks on the first two objectives, but during the raid—your personal maid..."

"She was taken."

Bai Zihan gave no immediate reaction.

For a few seconds, the tent was absolutely silent.

Then—

"What?"

His voice was devoid of emotion, sounding hollow as if the words hadn't quite registered.

Bai Tianheng’s brow twitched.

"Luo Qing," he repeated. "Your personal maid. They kidnapped her during the chaos."

Bai Zihan gazed at him, his eyes fixed and showing no sign of shock or fury.

"... Are you certain?"

"As far as we can confirm," Bai Tianheng answered. "She was seized during the confusion."

Bai Zihan leaned back in his chair.

A maid. A common girl.

That was exactly the part that felt wrong.

Bai Ren looked at Bai Tianheng as soon as the news was delivered, and the Patriarch understood the silent query.

They had weighed various theories—was she leverage against the Clan? Or, more specifically, against Bai Zihan?

Yet the confusion remained.

How did they even identify her? And why would they think such a move would be effective?

Bai Tianheng found it illogical.

If they had snatched Bai Xueqing or his own wife, it would make sense. Those were high-value targets.

But a mere maid? A girl with zero Cultivation, no notable lineage, and no strategic worth.

It made no sense.

Demonic Cultivators, of all people, should know that trying to blackmail the Bai Clan with servants was a waste of time.

Even if hundreds were taken, the Clan would not falter—though they would certainly try to prevent it.

The only person who might actually care was Bai Zihan.

And yet, observing Bai Zihan now, Bai Tianheng saw nothing.

No rage. No distress. No outward sign of caring at all.

If their intent was to rattle Bai Zihan, it appeared they had failed miserably.

(At the very least, I don't need to worry about his mental state.)

Just as that thought crossed his mind—

BOOM!

The entire tent shuddered violently.

An invisible wave of pressure erupted as Bai Zihan’s Qi surged without restraint. A cold, absolute killing intent flooded the area like the sky itself was falling.

The atmosphere became thick and suffocating. Outside, disciples stumbled, their legs giving out as the color drained from their faces.

Even Bai Tianheng felt the weight of it.

His breath caught, his robes snapping in the wind like he was standing in the middle of a gale.

For a fleeting moment, the Patriarch didn't see his son—he saw something far more lethal.

Bai Zihan stood up slowly.

His eyes were burning with a dark light.

"How dare they?"

The words started as a low whisper—then exploded.

"HOW DARE THEY?!"

The killing intent intensified, becoming sharper and more predatory.

Bai Zihan had always been the picture of composure.

Even when the Li and Zhao Clans conspired against him.

Even when Shen Liang plotted his downfall at the Heaven Sword Sect.

Even when Gou You ambushed him.

He had only ever responded with a sneer.

But this time—

For the first time, Bai Zihan was consumed by genuine fury.

"They are seeking their own graves!"

The earth beneath his boots began to fissure. Though he was only in the Spirit Severing Realm, the sheer pressure he exerted was terrifying.

"Zihan'er!"

Bai Tianheng stepped toward him, forced to release his own powerful aura to stabilize the room.

"Calm yourself!" he shouted. "Control yourself, Zihan'er!"

Bai Xueqing had turned deathly pale, her heart hammering against her ribs.

Who could have guessed that Bai Zihan’s aura alone would be enough to overwhelm her so completely?

Only Bai Ren seemed to remain unmoved.

Bai Zihan stood there, his Qi roaring like a beast that had finally broken its chains—

Then, slowly—

He raised his gaze and stared toward the horizon of the Great Wilderness.

Bai Tianheng already realized what his son was contemplating.

Since the Demonic Cultivators were the ones responsible, the location of Luo Qing was easy to deduce.

He would simply have to demand the answer from Mó Zún—the master of all Demonic Cultivators.