Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 440 Beauty Beneath a Mask

The Emperor didn't linger for long.

Just after the initial glasses of wine had been filled and the performers started adjusting their strings, an experienced eunuch advanced and declared, in a tone of ritual gravity, that His Majesty's chronic wounds had flared up once more, prompting him to withdraw for recovery.

Nobody questioned the explanation.

In fact, it seemed far more astonishing that the Emperor had managed to endure the event without issue up to this point.

With the imperial seat vacated, the air shifted in a quiet yet profound manner.

The strain eased away.

And the festivities kicked off in earnest.

Wine poured abundantly.

Exotic fruits arrived on shimmering jade trays.

Melodies swelled in soft rhythms, flutes and zithers blending seamlessly—subtle enough to avoid bothering cultivators, but vibrant enough to kindle the spirits.

Laughter emerged.

Conversations turned more daring.

Bai Zihan once more drew all eyes to himself.

It bordered on the ridiculous.

He remained composed at a modest table close to the hall's heart, his stance at ease, face impassive—Chu Ziyan still seated next to him.

But surrounding him—

Young women clustered.

They drew near in succession now, holding cups of wine, their grins meticulously rehearsed.

A few acted with confidence.

A few seemed timid.

A few feigned it was by chance.

"Senior Brother Bai, may I offer a toast?"

"I heard you once crossed half a battlefield alone—this junior truly admires you."

"Even injured, your aura is still... extraordinary."

Bai Zihan replied with courteous inclinations of the head and sparse replies—always civil, yet never inviting.

This held true even following the open spurning of the Ninth Princess.

Even following his overt show of fondness for Chu Ziyan.

Even after news of his "crippling" had spread across the whole empire.

Plenty of young women still pursued Bai Zihan.

The reality stood clear for all to see.

This had nothing to do with romance.

It went beyond Bai Zihan as an individual.

It centered on the Bai Clan.

The family whose power had risen sharply.

Despite the swirl of scandals around Bai Zihan, linking closely with the Bai Clan proved beneficial all the same.

Thus, they approached.

Time and time again.

To Chu Ziyan's mounting irritation.

Yet, something did brighten her spirits—and it was Bai Zihan's unexpectedly tender demeanor at the moment.

"Ziyan, have these grapes!"

With those words, he offered them to her by hand.

Chu Ziyan couldn't quite grasp why Bai Zihan carried on like this.

The Emperor had departed, so there was no call to maintain the pretense.

Bai Zihan typically wouldn't act so, but regardless of the cause, she chose to savor it.

Bai Zihan kept up his show of warmth toward Chu Ziyan.

For opposite him in the chamber—

Yu Feiyan observed.

No.

Qin Lingxiao.

She was encircled by numerous figures as well—her allies and aspirants eager to align with her group.

Marriage proposals came her way too, particularly after she had drawn in several young elites through her prior bid to charm

Bai Zihan.

Her effort to entice Bai Zihan had fallen short, but it had won over many others.

Bai Zihan remained in the dark about Qin Lingxiao's real identity or her aims.

But no matter what Qin Lingxiao sought—

It surely spelled trouble.

***

The tunes intensified.

A group of performers glided into the cleared area at the hall's core, their sleeves billowing like wandering mists, hems carving graceful curves over the polished jade ground.

They were youthful and alluring.

Quiet approvals stirred right away among the assembled cultivators.

"Not bad!"

"They may not match Bai Xueqing or the Ninth Princess, but they're

definitely top-tier beauties."

"Mmm... at the very least, they're enough to make this celebration feel

worthwhile."

The performers synchronized flawlessly, their footwork airy, faces serene, gazes sparkling under sweeping lashes.

Their charm wasn't overpowering—but it was enticing. The sort that eased defenses unknowingly.

As the melody quickened to a spirited beat, the performers started to disperse.

Individually, they neared the attendees.

Giggling lightly and offering their palms.

"Young Master, would you honor this humble one with a dance?"

"Haha, how could I refuse?"

Various young lords rose at once, eager to partake.

The vibe lightened even more.

And then—

One performer pivoted.

Her eyes scanned the room.

And fixed on Bai Zihan.

She stood out as the most striking of the bunch.

Not merely in looks, but in aura.

Her gaze shone vividly, mouth arched in a soft grin, form elegant without excess allure.

She advanced toward him.

Chu Ziyan spotted it right away.

Her hold on the cup grew firmer.

The performer halted in front of Bai Zihan and curtsied subtly, her tone pure and harmonious.

"Young Master Bai," she murmured gently, pulling myriad stares, "hero of the

Desolate Heaven Empire."

Her grin widened.

"This humble one wonders... would you be interested in sharing a dance?"

Chu Ziyan's face grew stormy.

Bai Zihan regarded the performer.

For an instant, his features stayed steady—serene, detached, nearly idle.

Yet within, his instincts signaled that events were unfolding.

He looked aside briefly.

Chu Ziyan glared at the performer with barely hidden animosity, her clasp on the cup straining the jade with a soft groan.

Bai Zihan assessed the moment swiftly.

Should a scheme be afoot, turning it down would merely postpone matters.

Moreover, his attendance here stemmed from a desire to probe the Imperial Family's intentions.

Qin Lingxiao emerged as an unforeseen twist.

In any case, Bai Zihan had to discern the Imperial Family's stance.

For the present, based on the Emperor's conduct, they aimed to ally with the Bai Clan.

But who could say for sure?

Would the Imperial Family really abide a house surpassing their own might and sway?

He let out a faint, barely noticeable breath.

Then a subtle smile crossed his lips.

"Very well," Bai Zihan stated evenly, setting his cup aside. "Today is a day of

celebration. Declining such a beauty as yourself wouldn't be right."

Chu Ziyan's eyes flared wide.

"You—"

Before she could halt him, Bai Zihan had risen.

Her frustration hit hard and swift.

Bai Zihan avoided her gaze. Instead, he slipped a candy into her hand with care.

"Eat," he whispered. "I'll be right back."

Her mouth opened, fury mingling with concern—

But Bai Zihan had already faced away. Across the room, Qin Lingxiao's stare honed in a touch.

She viewed the unfolding with intrigue and fascination.

The performer's grin glowed as Bai Zihan took her hand.

They entered the cleared spot while the melody evolved, turning breezier and more whimsical.

The onlookers followed with keen eyes. Murmurs rippled.

"Young Master Bai is participating?"

"Looks like even Bai Zihan couldn't resist beauty."

"After all that talk about loving Miss Chu!"

Bai Zihan glided smoothly, his motions accurate yet leisurely. He neither led aggressively nor trailed passively.

On the surface, all appeared... ordinary.

The performer's gestures flowed seamlessly, her breath even, her touch feather-light in his.

Her Qi—if one could label it so—felt nearly absent. Feeble. Diffuse. The sort typical of ordinary folk.

To observers, she came across as merely a skilled non-cultivator hired to enliven the gathering.

And that—

That exact trait heightened Bai Zihan's wariness.

They circled softly, fabrics grazing, the harmony bearing them forward.

The performer looked up at him, intrigue flashing over her refined traits.

"Young Master Bai," she inquired gently, as though truly curious, "is it true what they say?"

"Oh?" Bai Zihan answered offhandedly. "Which part?"

"That you were willing to sacrifice your life," she continued, her voice dipping slightly, "for a mere servant girl?"

Nearby, a few listeners tuned in discreetly.

Bai Zihan answered without pause.

"She was worth it," he remarked nonchalantly.

The response flowed without effort.

The performer paused for the briefest instant.

Then her expression warmed, a glow entering her eyes.

"Young Master truly has kind eyes," she noted. "To someone like you... even we

mortals must look precious."

Bai Zihan merely grinned.

He offered no reply.

In truth, his honest answer would have differed.

And should she rephrase it—inquiring if lives of cultivators held value—the reply would remain unchanged.

They rotated once more, more languidly now.

Bai Zihan shifted his hold, steering the steps as though relishing the moment.

Then he commented.

"You dance well," he observed. "Where did you learn?"

The performer lit up, evidently delighted by the notice.

"In the southern provinces," she answered fluidly. "I was born in a small town

near the Green River. My parents were entertainers, so I learned early."

Her tale unfolded smoothly. Bai Zihan inclined his head, seeming captivated.

"Southern provinces?" he queried casually. "That's quite far. You must have traveled

a lot."

"Yes," she affirmed. "After my parents passed, I joined a troupe and wandered from

place to place until I arrived at the Capital and settled down."

She cast her eyes down precisely when fitting.

Bai Zihan broadened his smile.

To those watching, it resembled attraction.

Like intrigue.

Like a noble youth swayed by allure and sorrow.

Deep down, though—

(Lie.)

Not in the narrative core.

But in the finer points.

The Southern Provinces lay distant from the Capital, and even by mount, arrival in under a decade proved arduous.

True, aerial vessels existed—but one like her couldn't access them.

She might have journeyed gradually across years.

If that held, her impeccable complexion posed an issue. Constant wayfarers wouldn't boast such unblemished flesh.

Not to speak of her hue, which diverged notably from southern folk.

He refrained from calling her out. Instead, he let out a light laugh. "Looks like Miss is quite fortunate."