Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 588 Bai Zihan's Purpose in Joining the Neutral Alliance

Bai Zihan looked at Nie Yuanfeng's respectful greeting and gave a slight nod in return.

"Clan Leader Nie!"

His tone was calm, neither arrogant nor overly polite.

Nie Yuanfeng quickly straightened slightly, though his expression remained cautious.

After all, someone of Bai Zihan's level appearing personally in Cloudcrane City was already an enormous matter.

He did not believe for a second that this was a casual visit.

"May I ask… Clan Leader Bai's purpose in coming to my Nie Clan today?"

He asked carefully.

Patriarch Xue immediately stepped forward to answer Nie Yuanfeng's question.

"This matter concerns the Neutral Alliance."

Patriarch Xue continued quickly.

"We are here to hear the Nie Clan's opinion regarding the Bai Clan joining the Neutral Alliance."

Nie Yuanfeng's eyes widened slightly in shock.

"…What?"

For a second, he almost doubted his own hearing.

The Bai Clan?

Joining the Neutral Alliance?

That Bai Clan?

His gaze subconsciously shifted toward Bai Zihan, as if trying to confirm whether this was some kind of misunderstanding.

Seeing that Bai Zihan wasn't denying it, he finally accepted that what Patriarch Xue was saying was true.

Nie Yuanfeng's heart trembled slightly.

(This doesn't seem to be a joke.)

Only then did the weight of the statement fully sink in.

The Bai Clan, one of the absolute overlords of the empire, was actually considering joining a Neutral Alliance?

The Neutral Alliance was made up of only a few second-rated clans and weaker factions. The strongest among them was the Xue Clan.

Under normal circumstances, the Bai Clan would not even spare such an alliance a second glance.

Yet now, they actually wanted to join.

Nie Yuanfeng quickly suppressed his shock, but his voice still carried disbelief.

"Clan Leader Bai, this is truly unexpected."

He paused briefly, carefully choosing his words.

"I never imagined the Bai Clan would be interested in our alliance."

After saying that, Nie Yuanfeng fell silent for a moment before speaking again.

"To be honest…"

His expression became more serious.

"If the Bai Clan truly wishes to join the Neutral Alliance, then naturally, this Nie Yuanfeng would gladly support it."

Those words were not false politeness.

If the Bai Clan joined them, the entire Neutral Alliance's status would rise instantly.

No force within the empire would dare underestimate them anymore.

Only then would they truly be able to remain uninvolved in the battle for the throne.

"But…"

Nie Yuanfeng hesitated slightly.

"I would still like to know the reason."

His gaze landed directly on Bai Zihan.

"After all, there seems to be no need for the Bai Clan to join us."

His tone remained respectful, but the confusion within it was obvious.

It was already unbelievable that the Bai Zihan wanted to join such a weak alliance.

Not to mention, Bai Zihan personally came all the way to Cloudrane City to ask for his opinion.

Furthermore, if the Bai Clan truly wished to join, then with the Bai Clan's status, a single sentence would already be enough.

There was no need for Clan Leader Bai to personally come here and ask for his opinion.

His eyes remained fixed on Bai Zihan.

So Nie Yuanfeng truly wishes to understand why Bai Zihan was going through so much trouble?

He did not believe Bai Zihan had come for revenge, nor did he think the Bai Clan was targeting the Nie Clan.

Because if the Bai Clan truly wished to destroy them, they could do so without much effort.

Why waste time scheming against a clan as small as theirs?

At the side, Patriarch Xue also perked his ears.

Truthfully, he had also been curious as well.

Although he was grateful beyond words that Bai Zihan was willing to join the Neutral Alliance, he also could not understand the reason.

What benefit could such a weak alliance possibly bring to the Bai Clan?

Bai Zihan remained silent briefly before finally speaking.

"There is indeed not much benefit for the Bai Clan."

His answer was direct and honest.

"I'm merely doing this to protect those clans that do not wish to be dragged into the battle for the throne."

His tone was indifferent, as though he were simply stating a fact.

"The struggle for succession will only become more chaotic from now on."

"If too many factions become involved, then countless clans and cultivators will fall alongside them."

Bai Zihan paused briefly before continuing.

"I would rather avoid unnecessary losses especially for those who don't wish to participate in such a bloody battle."

That was indeed the truth.

Bai Zihan genuinely wished to keep the scale of the conflict as controlled as possible.

Because he knew very clearly that his enemies were not only within the empire.

There were also foreign powers beyond the empire secretly eyeing them.

Once the empire weakened too much through internal conflict, those outsiders would definitely make their move.

If too many powerhouses fall now…

If too many clans collapsed during the succession struggle…

Then when foreign enemies truly invaded in the future, the empire would become far more vulnerable.

Thus, Bai Zihan hoped to preserve as much strength as possible.

At the very least, the Neutral Alliance could become a shelter for those clans unwilling to participate in the imperial struggle.

And perhaps they might prove useful when dealing with those outsiders in the future.

At the very least, the Nie Clan still had Nie Fengzhuo, who would likely become very useful later on.

If the Desolate Heaven Empire is invaded by outsiders, he didn't think that Nie Fengzhuo would sit still, considering his clan is still here.

Nie Yuanfeng's eyes shook slightly as he heard Bai Zihan's answer.

Even Patriarch Xue became stunned.

Neither of them had expected such a noble reason.

In their minds, Bai Zihan's actions now seemed almost benevolent.

A man standing at the peak of the empire was actually considering the survival of weaker clans?

For a moment, both men unconsciously felt admiration rise within their hearts.

However—

"Hmph!"

A scoff suddenly rang out.

Nie Qingyu crossed her arms and looked at Bai Zihan with obvious disbelief.

"Stop lying with such a straight face."

Her tone was full of ridicule.

"Acting righteous without meaning it. How shameless!"

Nie Yuanfeng's expression changed drastically.

"Qingyu!"

His voice became stern immediately.

"You've gone too far!"

Nie Qingyu froze slightly.

Clearly, she had not expected her father to react so harshly.

But Nie Yuanfeng no longer cared.

He quickly turned toward Bai Zihan with a troubled expression.

"Clan Leader Bai, please forgive her."

His tone carried helplessness.

"It is this Nie Yuanfeng's fault for spoiling her too much and failing to teach her properly."

At that moment, he truly feared Bai Zihan might finally become angered.

After all, Nie Qingyu had repeatedly challenged and mocked him since the moment he arrived.

Yet Bai Zihan merely smiled faintly.

"I don't mind."

His calm answer instantly stunned Nie Yuanfeng.

Bai Zihan glanced toward the furious Nie Qingyu nearby.

"She is rather interesting."

The moment those words fell, Nie Yuanfeng secretly sighed in relief.

Fortunately, Bai Zihan truly did not seem angered.

Meanwhile, Nie Qingyu herself nearly exploded from rage.

Interesting?!

To her ears, Bai Zihan's words sounded less like praise and more like he was treating her as some amusing child.

Her face flushed red instantly.

"You—!"

She wanted to argue again but seeing her father's stern face, she held herself back.

'Hmph! One day, I will definitely tear apart that calm expression of yours and see what pathetic face you're hiding underneath!'