Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 431 Desolate Heaven's Emperor!

An imperial escort stepped forward right away to welcome the Bai Clan, offering them a respectful greeting before guiding them toward the ceremonial hall.

With palace guards keeping a close watch, the Bai Clan moved further into the depths of the Imperial Palace.

The path was one the Bai Clan knew well, so they hardly required the guide.

These corridors had been traversed by them on multiple occasions in the past.

Still, proper etiquette demanded the formality.

In such moments, any minor slip in manners might be seen as an insult, and the Imperial Family dared not risk that error. Golden tiles gleamed underfoot, buffed to a reflective polish. Towering columns flanked the sides, etched with dragons coiled around ancient runes.

Finally, they reached their destination.

The Grand Ceremonial Hall!

Its grand doors stood wide open.

The instant the Bai Clan crossed the threshold, the air inside transformed abruptly.

This expansive chamber brimmed with notable and intimidating presences.

Clan Patriarchs.

Sect Leaders.

Ministers.

And envoys from distant Empires.

Commander Wei stood there too, positioned up front with hands folded behind him, his stance upright and imposing.

Nearly all who had contributed significantly to the battle against the Demonic Forces gathered here.

The very second the Bai Clan made their entrance-

All eyes focused sharply.

Chatter stuttered to a halt.

Gazes swiveled around.

Then-

Action stirred.

"Patriarch Bai!"

A middle-aged clan head approached first, his features beaming with excitement. He cupped his fists in a deep bow.

"The Bai Clan's bold moves saved the northern front. What a remarkable feat!"

Before Bai Tianheng had a chance to reply, another voice joined in.

"Absolutely right! Without Patriarch Bai and the Bai Clan, we'd likely still be locked in a desperate struggle."

A group of people quickly moved in, encircling the Bai Clan in moments.

"Grand Elder Bai, your clan's heavy losses won't be overlooked."

"The Empire is deeply in your debt."

Admiration poured out endlessly.

Flattery stacked upon flattery.

The Bai Clan met it all with poised politeness—not distant, yet not overly eager.

Bai Tianheng traded courteous remarks, his bearing firm and unruffled, evidently used to these situations.

From afar, the Li and Zhao Clans observed, resentment bubbling under their controlled faces.

When it came to sacrifices, their own clans had endured the heaviest blows—yet from the accolades, it seemed as if solely the Bai Clan had battled the Beast Tide and Demonic Beasts.

Li Jianhong tossed back his wine in one swift motion.

"Tsk! Enjoy your moment, Bai Tianheng. Before long, you'll be begging at my feet."

Bai Tianheng lacked even a moment to spot the Li and Zhao Clans' positions, utterly hemmed in as he was.

He couldn't ask the crowd to give space—among them were key players the Bai Clan might ally with down the line.

But shortly after-

The spotlight eased toward Bai Zihan.

Gazes wandered in his direction.

"Young Master Bai, your reputation has already turned legendary in our circle. Facing demonic foes way beyond your level... a true hero of our time."

A youth from the newer generation voiced his awe.

Someone else chimed in right away.

"Exactly! Had Young Master Bai not held firm, so many cultivators would have fallen."

"A prodigy fitting the Bai Clan's storied heritage."

"An unmatched prodigy!"

The compliments were grand.

Genuine, or at least appearing utterly so.

Bai Zihan offered only a light smile, giving brief nods as replies.

Not one soul brought up his injured condition.

No one dared prod the Bai Clan's sore spot.

Their phrasing stayed deliberate.

To call Bai Zihan crippled outright—especially in this venue—would equal a direct affront to the Bai Clan.

And nobody there wanted to face the fallout.

Commander Wei's look rested on Bai Zihan more than most others.

Then he gave a single, grave nod.

He harbored thanks for the Bai Clan and yearned to express it himself—but with them so mobbed, he held back to avoid more stir.

Regret flickered in his gaze as well.

A talent brimming with boundless promise, struck down just as his path was opening.

The Desolate Heaven Empire had lost something irreplaceable.

Yet fate twisted in such cruel ways.

As the final guests took their spots, a quiet shift rippled across the hall.

The low voices tapered off.

Talks hushed to nothing.

Up at the head of the Grand Ceremonial Hall, the imperial servants aligned themselves as the massive doors beyond the throne dais creaked open gradually.

"The Great Emperor of the Desolate Heaven Empire enters!"

The proclamation echoed crisp and resonant.

All within—clan patriarchs, sect masters, ministers, envoys—snapped to attention on reflex.

They pivoted one after another to face the doorway.

Bai Zihan followed suit.

Curiosity gripped him.

As a child, he had sort of encountered the Emperor—though back then, his view had been blocked by the System Interface.

Since that time, endless whispers had circulated.

The Emperor's condition worsened by the day.

His end loomed near.

Basing on those tales, Bai Zihan had pictured him subconsciously—an aged figure barely hanging on, propped by elixirs, his rule propped up merely by tradition.

Thus, when the Emperor at last emerged-

Bai Zihan found himself stunned.

The figure entering the chamber was elderly indeed, silver threading his hair and age lines etching his features.

But weak?

Far from it.

His posture remained erect.

His strides were solid and measured.

Under the flowing imperial garments, the shape of toned muscles showed plainly—wiry, honed, and nowhere near withered.

Every footfall bore gravity—not just from cultivation might, but from raw command.

Assurance emanated from his form.

Not the strained poise of feigned vigor.

Rather, the quiet assurance of a sovereign secure in his throne.

His gaze cut keen, bright, and unwavering as it scanned the room—overlooking naught.

Bai Zihan's eyebrows lifted just a touch.

(So those rumors were false?)

Yet he doubted it. This wasn't mere gossip; agents from rival groups had witnessed the Emperor's frailty firsthand and relayed accounts of him teetering on death's edge.

Bai Zihan had gotten a similar update from Kong Zhanhong. He trusted Kong Zhanhong wouldn't err in his assessment.

He wasn't alone in his shock.

Throughout the hall, faint responses spread like waves.

Some eyes bulged. Others tensed without thinking. A handful traded quick, amazed looks.

All present seemed privy to reports of the Emperor's dire health, yet seeing him now in the flesh, he defied every description.

The Emperor climbed the platform stairs unaided, pivoted, and took his throne with ease.

As the Emperor eased into place, a subtle grin played at his mouth's edge—

and a silent caution rippled across the hall!