Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 421 Bai Zihan Crippled???

"Clear the area!"

"Seal the surroundings. No one approaches without permission!"

Bai Clan disciples dispersed immediately, terror and haste clashing on their features.

The healers rushed in—three veteran experts joined by a handful of aides. Their faces drained of color the moment they spotted him. "Lay him down—gently!"

Bai Tianheng eased his son onto the jade platform with unusual care, as if the tiniest error could end his life. The chief healer sent out his spiritual sense, probing Bai Zihan's body with utmost caution.

Moments ticked by.

Then his face twisted in shock.

"This... is grave," the healer muttered.

"How grave?"

Bai Chu pressed harshly.

The healer gulped hard.

"Over a dozen meridians are ripped apart. Some have already crumbled. His organs took massive harm, and his dantian suffered a fierce rebound from Qi overload."

He stopped, picking his words deliberately.

Bai Ren's eyes tightened.

"He'll pull through," he stated. "Right?"

The healer wavered—barely a breath—before nodding deliberately.

"Yes. His life hangs steady for now."

Relief flickered briefly before the healer went on.

"However..."

Hearts plunged across the group.

His eyes dropped to Bai Zihan's ashen, still face.

"The meridian destruction is devastating."

The tent fell into dead quiet.

"So what steps do we take next?"

Bai Tianheng's tone came out rough and subdued, lacking his typical battlefield dominance.

"Say what needs doing."

The chief healer breathed out steadily, composing himself.

"I'll steady his meridians."

He set to the task right away, proceeding with intense focus and wariness, channeling the wild Qi inside Bai Zihan's form toward calm.

While tending, the chief healer stole amazed looks at Bai Zihan.

Such torment—worse than bones breaking apart—would make even century-old cultivators wail in suffering.

But Bai Zihan showed no response.

His features stayed unchanged.

It eased the effort—yet deepened the unease.

Over an hour later, the healer pulled back his hands at last.

"Whew..."

Sweat poured down his brow as he rose.

"His state is secure for the moment," he announced. "The dantian rebound is held back, and the organ wounds won't progress further."

"Yet starting now," the healer added somberly, "it all rests on Young Master Bai alone."

"He can't circulate Qi whatsoever. Even a hint pushed through those broken meridians might shatter the rest completely."

Bai Clan kin felt a short wave of ease—but dread soon drowned it.

"With the right elixirs and recovery time, his frame can mend," the healer noted. "The inner wounds will mend gradually. The meridians, though..."

He shook his head deliberately.

"Full restoration might never come."

The meaning hit like a thunderbolt.

"What are you saying, healer?"

Bai Tianheng inquired gravely.

"Even surviving," the healer replied gently, "Young Master Bai could lose his ability to cultivate forever."

Crippled.

The term hung silent—but all sensed it.

Bai Tianheng remained rooted, eyes fixed on his boy.

No defeat on the field weighed as much.

Bai Zihan—a figure poised to elevate the Bai Clan to peaks—now faced ruin.

"T-This is on me..."

Bai Tianheng's hands balled tight.

"Had I held him back..."

The Grand Elders stayed mute.

Quiet enveloped everything.

"T-Then... we'll depart," the chief healer murmured softly.

The healers retreated.

After endless moments, Bai Tianheng advanced once more, his stare locked on

his son.

"Watch this spot," he rasped. "None enter unless I allow it."

"Understood!"

Nearby disciples answered swiftly.

***

Beyond the healing tent, though, the camp buzzed with unrest.

Rumors flew unchecked.

Though the Bai Clan tried to contain the word, witnesses had glimpsed Bai Zihan hauled in—drenched in blood, scarcely aware.

Guesses exploded everywhere.

A few insisted Bai Zihan had battled Bai Tianheng, citing the Clan Head's pursuit earlier.

More murmured of Qi deviation—retribution for shoving his cultivation up via a banned method.

Truth eluded all.

Rumors thrived anyway.

This involved Bai Zihan, after all.

And soon, those tales hit his betrothed—Chu Ziyan.

She dashed to the Bai Clan site without delay, only to face blockade from sentries despite her rank.

Luckily, Bai Xueqing emerged upon catching Chu Ziyan's call.

"What occurred?"

Chu Ziyan demanded anxiously.

"Is Bai Zihan truly hurt bad?"

"We speak elsewhere."

Bai Xueqing dodged a straight reply.

She scanned about, eyes brushing the fortified camp—and hidden listeners lurking nearby.

Chu Ziyan caught on fast and agreed.

Bai Xueqing guided her to a distant tent, away from the healing zone. With a hand wave, she deployed array flags.

A barrier against sound cloaked the space.

At last, Bai Xueqing spoke.

"What I'm sharing," she stated evenly, "stays inside these walls."

"Got it!"

Chu Ziyan affirmed strongly.

Bai Xueqing laid out almost all—the trigger, the chase, and the reasons behind it.

She lacked the exact foe Bai Zihan clashed with, but knew it was some mighty Demonic Cultivator.

And Chu Ziyan grasped the tale.

It stemmed from Luo Qing's abduction.

For an instant, envy stirred within her.

To ignite such rage... to stake it all that way... If only his passion matched for her.

But the notion faded in a flash.

Anxiety overwhelmed it.

"How are his wounds?"

Chu Ziyan whispered.

Bai Xueqing dropped her eyes.

"Dire. Healers steadied him, yet..."

She halted.

"Meridians wrecked beyond measure."

Chu Ziyan went rigid.

"...To what extent?"

"Possibly," Bai Xueqing worded precisely, "he won't cultivate ever again."

The statement echoed.

Chu Ziyan held back tears.

No outburst came.

She just lingered, dread squeezing her heart.

Not dread over a strong match lost.

But dread for Bai Zihan's survival.

His foes numbered too many.

Should news of his crippling spread, hordes would hunt his head.

Even the Bai Clan could grow distant once his worth faded.

Chu Ziyan gripped her hands.

(I'll shield you!)

Her determination solidified—unvoiced, yet etched deep within.