Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 483 Imperial Court Convenes
Previously on Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!...
It had been years since the Imperial Court of the Desolate Heaven Empire hosted a gathering of this magnitude.
Imposing golden pillars, engraved with twisting dragon patterns, ascended to the lofty domed ceiling. Expansive crimson silk hangings cascaded behind the elevated throne dais.
The atmosphere hung heavy, dense with contained auras and bottled aggression. This was no typical court assembly.
This marked the trial day for the Bai Clan.
One after another, the Empire's mightiest individuals claimed their positions.
Near the forefront, Li Jianhong, the Li Clan Leader, positioned himself, his robes adorned with silver qilin embroidery.
His face showed severity, eyes keen with open eagerness.
A short distance away, Zhao Wutian, the Zhao Clan Leader, kept his hands tucked in broad sleeves, his look steady yet icy.
Han Sha, the Sect Leader of the Heaven Sword Sect, had arrived too. Evidently-
They weren't just here to watch.
They aimed to guarantee the Bai Clan faced consequences. Not only foes of the Bai Clan filled the space, but allies too, like Chu Xing, the Chu Clan Leader.
On this day, the Imperial Family resolved to teach the Bai Clan and its partners that nobody stood beyond the law.
It might also reveal the true nature of the Bai Clan-and fracture their bonds.
At the hall's apex, on the lofty dragon throne, the Desolate Heaven Empire's Emperor sat.
His face displayed mild annoyance.
Everyone there knew the cause.
A single group hadn't shown up yet.
The Bai Clan-those awaiting judgment.
A soft buzz spread across the chamber.
Li Jianhong's eyebrows knitted.
"What is Bai Tianheng doing?" he said coldly. "Does he intend to make us wait forever?"
Zhao Wutian looked toward the throne then spoke steadily.
"To make even His Majesty wait... does the Bai Clan believe itself above the Empire?"
As he uttered those words, he smiled inside.
The more the Bai Clan acted like this, the further they pushed away
from the Imperial Family-which suited him perfectly.
Numerous heads nodded in support.
Of course-
Time lingered.
The formal proceedings hadn't started.
One minute left.
Yet when called by the Emperor, arrival should come early-not right at the last moment.
Particularly under accusation.
A court attendant advanced and tapped the ritual staff gently on
the ground.
The noise resounded.
"Court will begin in one minute."
The whispers intensified.
"Arrogant."
"Presumptuous."
"If they do not arrive, it will be considered defiance."
"Declining an Imperial Summons is rebellion."
The atmosphere chilled further.
Thirty seconds stayed.
Twenty-nine.
Twenty-eight.
Li Jianhong crossed his arms.
"Let us see whether Bai Tianheng dares not to appear."
Twenty seconds.
The strain mounted.
"Perhaps they realized their guilt."
"Or perhaps they fear facing the Emperor."
Fifteen seconds.
Ten seconds.
A few mouths curved slightly.
Li Jianhong's stare intensified.
"If they do not arrive-"
Four... Three... Two-
Thud!
The noise wasn't strong.
But amid the hushed hall, it hit like a crashing peak.
The enormous court entrance swung wide.
Every gaze swiveled.
Golden illumination from beyond streamed in momentarily before a silhouette crossed the doorway.
Bai Zihan!
He advanced leisurely.
Every footfall resonated quietly on the sleek surface.
No escorts trailed him.
No seniors accompanied.
No Bai Tianheng.
He arrived solo.
A wave of astonishment swept the assembled elites.
Li Jianhong's eyes tightened right away.
"Where is Bai Tianheng?"
He demanded.
Bai Zihan didn't spare him a look and utterly disregarded his query. After all, he owed no response.
"YOU!"
Li Jianhong couldn't contain his fury. Even this young Bai Clan scion dismissed him openly.
Bai Zihan proceeded to the heart of the court space.
His gaze locked with the Emperor's.
The whole assembly sensed it-
That faint, pressing presence encircling him.
He looked like a mere boy among them, but the force he emitted matched a top clan's head.
Li Jianhong's features grew grim.
"The Bai Clan dares send a mere fledgling? It seems the Bai Clan is looking
down on the Imperial Court."
He said coldly.
This time, Bai Zihan cast a quick look his way.
His expression remained neutral.
"For such small matters, why would our Clan Leader need to come here? I am
more than enough!"
The straightforward answer roused the chamber anew.
Arrogance!
Sheer arrogance.
Moreover, it scorned the Emperor who had called for Bai Tianheng.
Though Bai Zihan had arrived, was that sufficient?
Clearly not-when all sects and clans dispatched their heads and the Emperor oversaw personally.
Still, the accused law-breakers hadn't dispatched their leader.
That signaled the Bai Clan disdained all there-including the Emperor.
"The Imperial Court now convenes!"
The Court Official announced, though somewhat irked by the Bai Clan's boldness.
As the hour arrived, they needed to follow protocol.
Quiet descended at once.
All sights turned to the dragon throne.
The Emperor's eyes fixed on Bai Zihan. "Where is the Bai Clan Leader?"
The Emperor asked solemnly.
"My father remains within the clan attending to more important matters."
A slight unrest flowed through the space.
The meaning shone clear. This Emperor-led hearing ranked below Bai Tianheng's current tasks.
The Emperor frowned promptly.
Bai Zihan showed no wish to conceal it-his statement openly hinted at slighting the throne.
No!
He meant to stress it.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed a bit.
His tone, upon speaking again, stayed composed-but the force in it intensified.
"Can you represent the Bai Clan and accept today's result?"
The query was straightforward.
Yet all grasped its gravity.
Should Bai Zihan affirm, any ruling today—whether penalty, compensation, or rebuke—would tie the whole Bai Clan. Scores of stares pinned on him.
Bai Zihan held firm under the dragon throne.
"If the result is fair and reasonable," he replied steadily, "why not?"
The chamber stilled.
It was understated.
But not hidden.
Zhao Wutian's eyes glinted subtly.
Fair and reasonable?
The suggestion lingered thickly.
Should the outcome prove fair, the Bai Clan would comply.
Should it not-
What then?
Besides, he suggested the Imperial Court doesn't always deliver fairness and reason.
The Emperor's face shadowed a touch.
It avoided direct rebellion.
But it clearly set a boundary.
Bai Zihan came not to beg. For an instant, the Emperor stayed silent.
Bai Zihan plainly refused to yield to the Emperor.
When the Li and Zhao Clans assaulted the Bai Clan, claiming Bai Xueqing grabbed the Immortal Emperor's Inheritance...
The Imperial Family stayed passive.
They offered no rebuke.
They called no hearing to probe their moves.
They even hinted at joining in. After all-
An Immortal Emperor's Inheritance held vast importance.
In the cultivation realm, power shaped right and wrong.
The Empire held back then since Flowing Moon Sect took Bai Xueqing.
Furthermore, with their current tie to the Li-Zhao Alliance, he anticipated no more than an effort to penalize the Bai Clan-regardless of right.
Thus Bai Zihan held no hope for equity here.
He appeared for a sole purpose-
To witness their crafted excuse.
And counter fittingly. The Emperor breathed out gradually.
"Since you claim to represent the Bai Clan," he said, "then this court shall
proceed."
A court official tapped the ceremonial staff.
"Bring forth the Azure Sun Holy Sect Leader!"
The grand doors parted again. Steps rang over the smooth stone ground.
Wen Haoyu appeared.
He donned official sect attire, his face a bit ashen. His glance darted momentarily at Bai Zihan.
For the shortest instant-
A hint of dread emerged. Then it faded.
Supplanted by resentment.
He moved ahead and bowed low to the throne.
"This humble sect leader greets Your Majesty."
"Rise," the Emperor said.
Wen Haoyu rose and angled himself so his words projected sharply
through the hall.
"Your Majesty, honored leaders," he started gravely, "the Azure Sun Holy Sect
has loyally served the Empire across generations. We followed Imperial
law and maintained sect standards."
He halted on purpose.
Then his voice hardened.
"Yet ten days past, without cause, the Bai Clan stormed our sect."
Whispers stirred in the assembly.
"They shattered our mountain barriers, killed elders, wrecked
formations, and looted vast resources."
His hands balled.
"Our forebears suffered severe wounds. Our disciples fell in droves."
He faced Bai Zihan directly.
"And the one who commanded this assault-was him."
All attention returned to Bai Zihan.
Wen Haoyu's tone quivered faintly-but if from rage or another source, none could discern.
"We sought no quarrel. Yet he struck without cause."
Then he bowed to his majesty.
"Today, I ask the Imperial Court to deliver justice."