Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 349 The Challenge That Shook the Heaven Sword Sect

A large crowd had gathered, filled to the brim with disciples-outer, inner, and even core disciples had come to see the commotion.

The disciple, who had just come to check what was happening, was understandably confused.

They asked nearby fellow disciples why everyone had gathered there.

Those who knew eagerly shared what they’d heard, and the listeners’ expressions shifted from curiosity to disbelief.

They soon learned the cause behind the uproar.

It was none other than Bai Zihan.

Yes, that Bai Zihan-the name that carried an aura of awe, fear, and chaos wherever it appeared.

While Bai Zihan had seemed calmer recently, who could forget the incident where he toyed with Shen Liang and crippled him?

And then, of course, there was the matter of the Mei Clan-almost entirely destroyed by trying to defame Bai Zihan.

Everyone knew by now that one had to tread carefully around Bai Zihan.

And now, that same Bai Zihan had come here to challenge Senior Lu Xiangyuan. The reason?

Because Lu Xiangyuan-nearly twice Bai Zihan’s age-had dared to fight Chu Ziyan, his fiancée.

Of course, Bai Zihan didn’t stop there.

He had added plenty of insults to make the challenge sting even more.

He’d asked rhetorically, “If an old man beats up a child, could he even be proud of winning? Or is Lu Xiangyuan scared of facing someone of his own damn age?”

Using that analogy, Bai Zihan mocked Lu Xiangyuan for being shameless enough to fight Chu Ziyan who is basically a child compared to Lu Xiangyuan. He also invoked his position as Chu Ziyan’s fiancé, declaring that since Lu Xiangyuan had dared to bully his wife, he would take revenge on her behalf.

That gave Bai Zihan both a solid justification for the challenge and a surprisingly favorable image among others-especially the female disciples, who couldn’t help but fantasize about a man standing up for his beloved and delivering justice.

As for whether Lu Xiangyuan would respond to the challenge-that was yet to be seen.

Standing tall in front of the dueling platform, Bai Zihan’s voice carried across the open courtyard, clear and confident.

“Since he likes to bully younger people then let’s see whether he can do the same to me. I’ll give Lu Xiangyuan one hour to appear and respond to my challenge.”

He declared, his tone calm yet sharp enough to cut through the crowd’s chatter.

“If he doesn’t come, then he’s nothing more than a cowardly chicken.”

With that, Bai Zihan left the place.

He knew that Lu Xiangyuan and for that matter the Anti-Sect Leader Faction had no choice but to accept this challenge.

Otherwise, all their effort would be for naught, not to mention, it is also an opportunity for them as long as they win.

Within moments, the news began to spread throughout the sect like wildfire.

Transmission talismans lit up in the hands of disciples. Messages were sent from peak to peak.

“Bai Zihan has challenged Senior Lu Xiangyuan! He’s waiting at the main dueling platform right now!”

“He said if Senior Lu doesn’t show up in an hour, he’ll call him a cowardly chicken!”

“Looks like Bai Zihan really cares for his fiancee. He is even willing to fight Senior Lu Xiangyuan!”

Disciples who had been in secluded cultivation came out of their caves, curiosity overpowering restraint.

Training sessions were paused, lectures interrupted-even elders began to

show up to witness what might be the most intense duel in years.

One was one of the oldest and strongest disciples in the sect, while the other- though among the youngest-was also counted among the strongest.

Their battle would be anything but ordinary.

***

Soon enough, the news also reached the secluded courtyard of Elder Qinglan’s disciples.

Bai Xinyue, who had just returned from sword practice, was informed by a

fellow disciple.

As she finished listening, her eyes widened slightly, a spark of surprise flashing across her calm, elegant face.

She turned swiftly, her long hair swaying behind her like a silken river.

“Ziyan’er!”

Bai Xinyue called out, stepping toward the adjoining courtyard where her best friend was meditating beneath the flowering spirit willow.

Chu Ziyan opened her eyes as her best friend approached-her gaze calm,

though a faint weariness lingered within it.

Her body had yet to fully recover from her fight with Lu Xiangyuan, but her spirit, though shaken, remained unbroken.

“Hmm?”

She asked softly.

“Did you hear?”

Bai Xinyue’s lips curved slightly, her voice carrying a hint of excitement she

didn’t bother to hide.

“Bai Zihan has challenged Lu Xiangyuan.”

“…He what?”

Chu Ziyan blinked.

“He went straight to the dueling platform and announced it before everyone,”

Bai Xinyue said.

“He declared that since Lu Xiangyuan-who’s nearly twice his age-had the audacity to fight you, he would personally teach him a lesson.”

Bai Xinyue conveniently left out the part where Bai Zihan had called him a coward if he didn’t show up.

Chu Ziyan felt a flicker of warmth upon hearing it, but she knew Bai Zihan’s motives were never so simple.

She was well aware she wasn’t important enough in his heart for him to throw everything away for revenge.

Rather, she suspected it had to do with the Anti-Sect Leader Faction, and

perhaps even Bai Xinyue herself.

Everyone with a bit of sense could see that Lu Xiangyuan’s next target would

be Bai Xinyue-and Bai Xinyue had indeed been training hard for that inevitable

clash.

So Chu Ziyan wondered if Bai Zihan’s challenge was actually meant to thwart Lu Xiangyuan’s plans before he could act.

Bai Xinyue’s lips curled into a teasing smile as she watched a faint color rise on Chu Ziyan’s otherwise serene face.

“Well, well… it seems the entire Heaven Sword Sect is talking about you two,”

She said lightly, though there was something subtle beneath her playfulness- something hard to define.

“Apparently, Bai Zihan is willing to challenge one of the sect’s strongest seniors

just to avenge his fiancée’s honor. How romantic!”

Chu Ziyan exhaled softly.

“You make it sound like he’s doing it out of love.”

“Isn’t he?”

Bai Xinyue tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowing in amusement.

“That’s what everyone thinks, at least. They’re calling it a romantice gesture-

how Bai Zihan couldn’t stand anyone laying a hand on his beloved. Even the

senior sisters from Mystic Moon Peak are swooning”

Chu Ziyan sighed.

“They’re overthinking it. You know he doesn’t do anything without a good

reason.”

Bai Xinyue chuckled quietly, though something twisted faintly in her chest. She couldn’t deny the flicker of jealousy that rose when she heard the news.

Bai Zihan-cold, ruthless, and so often detached-had never once shown affection toward her, his sister.

Perhaps Bai Zihan wasn’t acting out of love…

But for him to make such a public move meant that Chu Ziyan had indeed

played a larger role in his heart-and his plans.

After all, most of the time, he would rather play from behind than make such a

big move himself unless that was the only option.

If Bai Zihan was only targeting the Anti-Sect Leader Faction, there were various

other effective ways to get back at them.

But if that wasn’t the only goal and perhaps warn others from targeting Chu

Ziyan, Bai Zihan was challenging Lu Xiangyuan.

At least, that is what it felt like to Bai Xinyue.

“Yeah, he doesn’t act out without a good reason.”

***

Inside the Heaven Sword Sect’s Cloud Summit Pavilion, the air was thick with

spiritual Qi and tension.

This was the meeting place of the Anti-Sect Leader Faction, and right now, the atmosphere was far from calm.

A group of elders and core disciples sat around a circular jade table, their expressions ranging from cold calculation to faint irritation.

The entire upper floor buzzed faintly with soundproofing arrays-no one outside would hear a word of what was said within.

At the head of the table sat Elder Wu Heng, a sharp-eyed man with streaks of

white in his hair but a body that radiated vitality.

He was one of the most vocal opponents of Sect Leader Tian Yuheng. Since

their Leader, Elder Han was not here, he took the charge.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest. “So… Bai Zihan has actually challenged Lu Xiangyuan?”

“Yes,” replied a thin, scholarly cultivator with a faint sneer. “Before everyone, no less. He even gave him an hour’s time limit. Hmph, arrogant as ever.”

Elder Wu Heng’s lips twitched upward.

“Arrogant, yes… but that arrogance can serve us well,”

He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as faint amusement glimmered in

them. “If Lu Xiangyuan wins, it’ll humiliate the Bai Clan’s precious genius. Although Bai

Xinyue is a very good target, Bai Zihan being the heir is no less. Moreover, the

Shen Clan would be very happy when they get the news.”

A murmur of agreement rippled through the table. Another elder, a woman with long silver hair named Elder Qiu Lanyin, frowned

lightly. “But Elder Wu, Bai Zihan is not to be underestimated. If Lu Xiangyuan loses, it may instead strengthen the Bai Clan’s influence.” Wu Heng chuckled, low and dark.

“Although Bai Zihan is powerful, can he defeat Lu Xiangyuan? I also have a method to make sure that Lu Xiangyan victory is 100 percent certain.” This silences any opposition. After all, Lu Xiangyuan was the strongest disciple

of Heaven Sword Sect and with Wu heng reassurance there was no need to

worry.

He turned his gaze to one of the attendants standing silently by the corner.

“Go inform Lu Xiangyuan that the entire sect is watching him now. Tell him this is our chance to completely destroy any other influences and have every disciple support our Faction.”