Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! - Chapter 589
Chapter 589: We Meet Again!
With Nie Yuanfeng’s approval and Bai Zihan himself showing no objections, the matter was settled smoothly.
The Bai Clan officially joined the Neutral Alliance.
The moment the agreement was finalized, Patriarch Xue nearly lost control of his expression.
The old man’s face was filled with unconcealable excitement.
After all, when he first approached the Bai Clan, he had merely intended to try his luck.
At most, he thought the Bai Clan might offer a few words of support or perhaps remain neutral toward them.
Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Bai Zihan would actually join the alliance.
From this moment onward, which prince or princess would still dare force the Neutral Alliance to choose sides easily?
If they attempted to force them now, it would be no different from openly provoking the Bai Clan.
The gains would be insignificant compared to the potential consequences.
Patriarch Xue felt as though a massive tree had suddenly grown above their heads.
Before, the Neutral Alliance had been like a small boat drifting helplessly amidst a violent storm.
But now?
With the Bai Clan standing behind them, even the fiercest winds would no longer be enough to overturn them so easily.
The more Patriarch Xue thought about it, the happier he became.
At the same time, he inwardly laughed at himself for previously overthinking matters between the Bai Clan and the Nie Clan.
Originally, he had feared lingering resentment between the two sides because of the broken engagement and everything involving Nie Fengzhuo.
Yet now, looking at Bai Zihan and Nie Yuanfeng conversing calmly before him, one might even mistake them for old acquaintances rather than clans with recent grievances.
Patriarch Xue immediately made a mental note.
From now onward, the Xue Clan must treat the Nie Clan with even greater respect.
Not only because their relationship with the Bai Clan now seemed to be moving in a positive direction—
But also because of Nie Fengzhuo himself.
Patriarch Xue’s expression unconsciously became solemn when thinking of that young man.
Nie Fengzhuo was already stronger than him despite being from the younger generation.
And his growth speed was simply terrifying.
Patriarch Xue could not even imagine what heights Nie Fengzhuo might reach in the future.
(Immortal Realm, at the very least.)
The thought suddenly appeared within his mind.
And the more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed.
If Nie Fengzhuo truly became an Immortal expert one day, then the Nie Clan’s status would rise far beyond what the Xue Clan could compare to.
By then, even the entire empire would likely have to reevaluate the Nie Clan completely.
***
Just as Bai Zihan and Patriarch Xue were preparing to leave—
A hurried aura suddenly approached from outside the reception hall.
Moments later, a young man stepped inside quickly.
His breathing was slightly uneven, as though he had rushed over immediately after receiving the news.
The moment he entered, his sharp eyes instantly locked onto Bai Zihan.
Nie Fengzhuo!
The atmosphere within the hall subtly changed.
Meanwhile, Nie Qingyu’s eyes brightened immediately.
“Brother!”
Clearly, Nie Fengzhuo had already been informed that Bai Zihan had personally arrived at the Nie Clan Estate.
And upon hearing such news, he stopped cultivating and rushed back without hesitation.
After all, no matter what Bai Zihan’s intentions appeared to be, Nie Fengzhuo could not remain at ease knowing someone like him was near his family.
However, after arriving and seeing the intact hall, the calm atmosphere, and his father and sister unharmed—
He quietly let out a breath of relief internally.
Fortunately, nothing had happened.
At the same time, Bai Zihan’s crimson eyes also landed upon Nie Fengzhuo.
For a brief moment, the two simply looked at one another.
Then Bai Zihan smiled faintly.
“We meet again.”
His calm gaze swept across Nie Fengzhuo carefully.
“You’ve grown stronger.”
His tone carried a trace of genuine acknowledgment.
And indeed, Nie Fengzhuo’s current cultivation was far higher than before.
Clearly, even after suffering defeat against Bai Xueqing, he had not stopped improving.
Still, Bai Zihan could also tell that something about Nie Fengzhuo felt slightly different now.
His growth had slowed somewhat compared to before.
(As expected…)
Bai Zihan’s eyes narrowed faintly.
Losing to Bai Xueqing had clearly affected him deeply.
After all, that battle had not merely been a simple defeat.
For Nie Fengzhuo, Bai Xueqing had represented a goal and mission.
Someone whom he desperately wished to defeat.
He got the opportunity to do so but ultimately lost.
That kind of frustration naturally left behind a knot within one’s heart.
More importantly, Nie Fengzhuo had even relied on external assistance during that battle.
That alone was extremely unusual.
At least, compared to the so-called Heaven Chosen and protagonists Bai Zihan had read about.
Normally, those favored by destiny possessed absurd pride.
Unless their lives were truly endangered, they rarely accepted outside help in competitions against peers.
They always insisted on relying on themselves.
But Nie Fengzhuo had broken that pattern.
Which only proved one thing—
Bai Xueqing’s pressure on him had been enormous.
So enormous that even someone like Nie Fengzhuo had subconsciously abandoned part of his pride just to compete.
Of course, Bai Zihan knew that it was all because those Heaven Chosen would ultimately win.
But if they were about to lose and possessed some kind of cheat or external advantage, they would still rely on it while giving various excuses to justify themselves.
They might speak proudly about fairness when it suited them, yet completely turn around once they themselves were cornered.
If those same people truly encountered someone overwhelmingly superior within the same generation, many of them would likely do exactly what Nie Fengzhuo did.
After all, once they realized they could not win through their own abilities alone, they would eventually return to relying on others.
Those protagonists were truly shameless.
Meanwhile, Nie Fengzhuo remained completely focused on Bai Zihan.
His expression was calm, but inwardly, he was already filled with vigilance.
No matter how calm Bai Zihan appeared on the surface—
No matter how polite the atmosphere currently seemed—
Nie Fengzhuo never dared let down his guard around him.
He knew very clearly how terrifying this man truly was.
Even his master had repeatedly warned him before.
Bai Zihan was dangerous, extremely dangerous.
Even someone as experienced as his master could not fully discern him now.
That uncertainty alone was enough to make Nie Fengzhuo wary.
Thus, despite Bai Zihan’s seemingly casual greeting, Nie Fengzhuo remained entirely on guard.
Nie Fengzhuo’s gaze remained fixed on Bai Zihan for several moments before he finally spoke.
“What were you discussing?”
His voice was calm, though the vigilance within it remained obvious.
Nie Yuanfeng quickly stepped forward and briefly explained the situation regarding the Neutral Alliance and the Bai Clan’s decision to join it.
The moment he heard it, the tension within his heart loosened noticeably.
So Bai Zihan had not come to target the Nie Clan.
Instead, he had come for the Neutral Alliance.
That was undoubtedly good news.
At the very least, it meant the current Bai Clan had no intention of making things difficult for his family.
Nie Fengzhuo quietly exhaled inwardly.
Meanwhile, Bai Zihan slowly stood from his seat.
Since the matter had already been settled, there was naturally no need for him to remain here longer.
“Since everything has been discussed, I’ll take my leave.”
His tone remained calm and unhurried.
However, just as Bai Zihan turned around—
“Wait!”
Nie Fengzhuo suddenly spoke.
Bai Zihan paused mid-step before slowly glancing back.
His crimson eyes landed upon Nie Fengzhuo once more.
Nie Fengzhuo clenched his fists slightly.
Truthfully, even he knew what he was about to do was irrational.
But despite understanding that, he still could not stop himself.
Ever since losing to Bai Xueqing…
Ever since that crushing defeat…
A knot had remained within his heart.
And standing before Bai Zihan now—the brother of the person who defeated him—
That unwillingness inside him surged uncontrollably once again.
He wanted to know.
“Clan Leader Bai Zihan,”
His voice echoed clearly throughout the hall.
“I want to challenge you to a fight!”