Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 430: The Cripple Walks into the Imperial Capital

After a tough struggle, Bai Zihan succeeded in persuading his parents.

Given his crippled condition and the enemies keeping a close eye, it proved difficult for them to let him step into what might turn out to be a dangerous trap.

But through his relentless urging—and aware that the Imperial Family already eyed the Bai Clan with suspicion—his parents at last relented.

That said, they imposed numerous safeguards on him, making sure he was always accompanied.

The sole exception came when he had to go alone to claim his prize from the Emperor.

The ceremony day finally dawned!

As the sun rose, the Bai Clan grounds buzzed with disciplined calm.

One by one, flying ships lifted off from the inner harbors of the clan, their bodies etched with glowing Bai symbols that flickered as the arrays powered up.

Bai Tianheng took charge of the fleet himself.

The Five Grand Elders joined too, since their efforts had played a key role in crushing the Demonic Forces from the start.

On the main deck of the lead flying ship, Bai Zihan stood poised in simple white attire, his face serene and detached.

Not a trace of Qi escaped his form.

To outsiders, he appeared just as the whispers described.

A cripple.

However, no one from the Bai Clan on board dared to cast looks of sympathy or scorn his way.

Next to him was Bai Xueqing, called upon because of her own role in the events.

Truth be told, the younger generation's efforts—excluding Bai Zihan's—had barely influenced the big picture of the battle.

Still, rewards awaited those young ones who stood out the most in their contributions.

It served as acknowledgment—maybe even a small comfort—for their hard work at such tender ages.

Bai Jian made the cut as well.

During the Beast Tide, he battled fiercely, slaying Demonic Cultivators without pause.

That effort secured his spot in the group—and direct praise from the Imperial Family.

Naturally, at the Nascent Soul Realm, his feats paled next to those of Bai Zihan or even Bai Xueqing.

Even so, for someone his age, it ranked as remarkable.

Usually, hitting Nascent Soul in one's twenties counted as typical.

Bai Xueqing—and Bai Zihan, who had climbed to superior levels—were the real outliers.

Those two weren't even vying against their peers.

They challenged those from one or maybe two generations ahead.

Bai Zihan spotted Bai Jian right away.

Actually, he had anticipated this turn.

The setup offered Bai Jian an ideal chance.

He seemed vulnerable.

Crippled.

Should Bai Jian seek vengeance...

Should he aim to grab back the Heir role...

Now was the time.

But—

Nothing occurred.

Bai Jian lingered a few paces back, his eyes flicking toward Bai Zihan now and then.

Once, their gazes locked.

Bai Jian tensed just a bit—then averted his stare, shifting his head like it was no big deal.

No sneers.

No icy comments.

No subtle jabs.

A faint crease formed on Bai Zihan's brow.

(...Odd.)

During the trip, he watched Bai Jian several more times.

At times, Bai Jian would look his way.

Yet whenever their eyes connected, Bai Jian would glance off once more.

Still, no speech.

No moves.

No open animosity.

In earlier days, this would have been prime for Bai Jian to taunt him—or challenge him outright.

(Have I scarred him too deeply?)

Bai Zihan pondered.

(Whatever, it doesn't matter to me.)

He brushed it aside without delay.

If Bai Jian planned to strike, it would come eventually.

If not, things stayed the same.

All the same, his mind wandered.

Maybe Bai Jian—and Uncle Bai Feng—were just biding their time.

Holding out to verify if his broken state was permanent.

They might worry that the disability was just a phase.

If Bai Jian really plotted to take the Heir spot, this moment screamed opportunity.

But Bai Zihan hadn't caught wind of any schemes from Bai Feng—or others—stirring things up.

Back then, the instant he was labeled crippled, the heir title would have vanished in a flash.

Yet weeks had slipped by, and he clung to the role still.

The flying ships sliced through the skies, aiming directly for the Desolate Heaven Empire's core.

Before long, the Imperial Capital loomed ahead.

Gone was the heavy, stifling air that gripped the Empire amid the Beast Tide; now the city pulsed with energy and joy.

Flags whipped in the wind from high walls and palace towers, stitched with royal emblems and triumph marks.

Crowds jammed the roads below—mix of cultivators and ordinary folk—their features aglow with thrill and ease.

Laughter boomed.

Tunes filled the air.

Wine poured without end.

To everyday folks, the Demonic Forces posed a dire end.

The Beast Tide had threatened to devour vast lands, leaving families in dread, unsure of survival.

That dread had vanished now.

Triumph had arrived.

And celebration was in order.

As the Bai Clan's flying ships broke through the clouds over the capital in tight array, the response hit fast.

Murmurs spread along the avenues.

Then roars of joy exploded.

"It’s the Bai Clan!"

"The Bai Clan is here!"

Arms waved wildly from the ground. Some folks dropped into bows on reflex, fists clasped skyward.

Others yelled their gratitude, heedless if voices carried.

Everyone grasped the reality, after all.

Of all groups battling in the Beast Tide, the Bai Clan delivered the heaviest blow.

Absent them, the Northern Defense Line would have crumbled.

Absent them, the Demonic Forces wouldn't have retreated.

In the eyes of the empire's people, the Bai Clan transcended a mighty house.

They were heroes.

The fleet pressed on, soaring past central zones before dropping toward the palace sprawl.

The Imperial Family's domain stretched enormous, outscaling even the grandest clan estates.

Protective arrays glowed in stacked veils of radiance over the huge docking areas, intricate symbols spinning lazily while scanning every qi ripple.

Lines of royal guards held flawless ranks, weapons planted firm, their gear shining under the dawn rays.

When the Bai Clan's ships neared, the arrays held steady without yielding.

Rather, streams of light shot down from the barriers, probing the vessels' sides, the carved Bai marks, and the passengers inside.

A royal official advanced, his eyes keen and dutiful.

Moments later, the arrays quieted.

The official's face changed.

He cupped his hands and bent low in respect.

"Bai Clan convoy confirmed," he declared clearly. "Please forgive the formality!"

With his signal, the guards snapped to attention and honored them together.

The stacked arrays over the dock wavered, then eased open like drapes pulled back, clearing a path to the palace heart.

The Bai Clan's flying ships started to land.

Motors purred gently as the crafts settled onto the broad platforms in sequence, actions sharp and controlled.

The instant the bases touched down, shield arrays sparked short below—then steadied, anchoring the ships solid.

The gangways stayed up at first.

The Bai Clan acted ahead.

A handful of Bai members emerged on the upper levels, faces stern and watchful.

Some jumped to the stone below, feet hitting with heavy thumps. Others stayed on board, their awareness fanning out in linked fields.

Divine sense scanned the docks, encircling walls, close halls, and the royal arrays too.

Trust came to none.

Not even the Imperial Family.

Only after a few breaths—and zero oddities found—did a quiet cue ripple among the Bai group.

The gangways dropped.

Bai Tianheng emerged leading.

His aura felt firm and commanding, eyes steady yet piercing as they roamed the area.

Bai Zihan trailed right after.

Near enough for Bai Tianheng to cover the gap in one stride.

To strangers, it could seem overdone.

To Bai Tianheng, it fell short.

Bai Zihan strode with ease, stance loose, features steady. He resembled his usual self—basic robes, no sign of power, no qi.

Total cripple!

But the Bai Clan's instinctive placements revealed another tale.

A pair of Elders shadowed him just back. Guards shifted to form tight shields.

Every potential threat angle to Bai Zihan got blocked before thought.

The Five Grand Elders came next.

Their pace dragged deliberate and even, yet the weight they carried defied dismissal.

They weren't by themselves.

Other flying ships had docked already.

Bai Zihan's eyes roved the platforms.

Li Clan.

Zhao Clan.

Their emblems stood out clear.

Their crafts sat secured—spaced deliberately from the Bai Clan.

It seemed nearly every major force had shown up.

Bai Zihan grinned while advancing.

A cripple entering the empire's center.

The outer festivities boomed bright and fierce.

But inside the imperial domain—Peace was the last thing brewing.