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Reborn Into a Doomed Villain Clan, I Realized Too Late My System Was in English (Web Novel) - Chapter 672: Zhao Clan’s Turn
Chapter 672: Zhao Clan’s Turn
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
The truth wasn’t anything unusual.The Zhao Clan’s plan had begun centuries ago.
Like every major power, the Zhao Clan had naturally planted spies within the Li Clan.
However, unlike ordinary intelligence gathering, the Zhao Clan had been far more ambitious.
Rather than merely infiltrating disciples or servants, they had carefully selected a group of cultivators with clean backgrounds.
Each of them received resources, guidance, and fabricated identities before being sent into the Li Clan separately.
Their objective was simple.
Become true members of the Li Clan.
Every one of them repeatedly made contributions to the clan.
Some donated precious treasures.
Some completed dangerous missions.
Others risked their lives protecting Li Clan members during major conflicts.
Everything they did served a single purpose.
To earn the Li Clan’s complete trust.
Only after gaining sufficient merit would they slowly climb the clan hierarchy.
The process took centuries.
Many failed along the way.
Some died in battle before reaching important positions.
Others were eliminated during internal struggles.
A few abandoned the mission altogether.
By the end, only the two before Bai Zihan had successfully become elders of the Li Clan.
Li Jianhong’s expression became increasingly unsightly the more he learned.
He could accept spies from hostile factions.
Every major power engaged in such practices.
That was simply part of survival within the cultivation world.
However, the Zhao Clan was different.
For countless years, the Li Clan and Zhao Clan had been close allies.
They had shared interests, exchanged resources, and maintained a united front before the Bai Clan’s rise.
Yet all that time, the Zhao Clan had secretly nurtured spies within the highest ranks of the Li Clan.
Even elder positions had been infiltrated.
The realization filled Li Jianhong with both humiliation and fury.
It also made him realize one terrifying fact.
The Zhao Clan had never truly trusted the Li Clan.
Meanwhile, Bai Zihan remained remarkably calm.
To him, the revelation wasn’t particularly surprising.
In fact, it perfectly matched Zhao Wutian’s personality.
Unlike the Li Clan, which preferred solving problems through strength, the Zhao Clan excelled at long-term planning.
Even as allies, Zhao Wutian would never place complete trust in another clan.
Alliances existed only because of shared interests.
The moment those interests disappeared, former allies could easily become the next enemies.
Once the Bai Clan was removed, the Li Clan and Zhao Clan would inevitably compete for supremacy over the Desolate Heaven Empire.
Preparing in advance for that possibility was exactly the sort of decision the Zhao Clan would make.
Bai Zihan had no intention of dwelling on the matter further.
The internal schemes between the Li Clan and Zhao Clan were ultimately insignificant to him.
The Li Clan had fallen under his control.
The next destination naturally became the Zhao Clan.
Unlike his visit to the Li Clan, however, this time Bai Zihan had no intention of going with only Bai Ren.
What interested him now was finishing today’s business.
He slowly turned around.
His gaze landed upon Li Jianhong.
"It’s time to pay the Zhao Clan a visit."
The moment those words were spoken, Li Jianhong immediately understood Bai Zihan’s intention.
His expression became complicated.
The Zhao Clan... Was about to suffer the same fate as the Li Clan.
Bai Zihan looked at him indifferently.
"Li Jianhong. Get ready. You’re coming with me."
***
The Zhao Clan had become unusually busy.
Today was the coronation of the new Emperor.
They were already making their final preparations before departing for the Imperial Capital.
No one doubted that today’s ceremony would remain peaceful.
Yu Feiyan still possessed considerable influence.
There was an overwhelming chance that she would appear to contest the throne.
When that happened, the Zhao Clan would naturally stand beside Yu Zidi.
Many disciples were discussing the matter excitedly.
At that moment, a guard hurriedly rushed through the clan gates.
His expression looked rather strange.
Before anyone could question him, he loudly announced the unexpected visitors.
"Clan Leader! The Li Clan has arrived! And..."
His voice paused slightly.
"Bai Zihan has come with them."
Silence!
"...What?"
Several elders frowned.
Bai Zihan...
Together with the Li Clan?
How could those two possibly appear together?
For a brief moment, nobody could make sense of the situation.
However, some of the quicker-witted elders suddenly revealed delighted expressions.
Their eyes brightened.
"The Li Clan succeeded?"
"They captured Bai Zihan?"
"It must be!"
One elder nodded repeatedly.
"Otherwise, why would Bai Zihan appear alongside Li Jianhong?"
"It seems the Li Clan acted before us."
The more they thought about it, the more reasonable it sounded.
After all, the Li Clan had always desired Bai Zihan’s death just as much as they did.
Capturing him alive before heading to the Imperial Capital wasn’t impossible.
Many Zhao Clan members couldn’t help but smile.
If Bai Zihan had truly fallen into their hands, then the Bai Clan had effectively lost its greatest pillar.
Soon afterward, the news reached Zhao Wutian.
Inside the main hall, Zhao Wutian was similarly surprised.
"The Li Clan... and Bai Zihan?"
He frowned briefly before slowly smiling.
"It seems Li Jianhong has accomplished something extraordinary."
Without further delay, he ordered both parties to be invited inside.
Moments later, the main hall doors slowly opened.
Bai Zihan leisurely walked inside with Bai Ren behind him.
Beside them, Li Jianhong quietly entered the hall.
Several Li Clan elders followed closely behind.
The moment Zhao Wutian saw them, he immediately stood and laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! It seems you’ve already taken care of Bai Zihan before today’s great event."
His laughter echoed throughout the hall.
Many Zhao Clan elders nodded in agreement.
Some even looked toward Bai Zihan with smug expressions.
However, as Zhao Wutian continued laughing, his smile gradually froze.
Something...
Didn’t seem right.
Li Jianhong showed no trace of accomplishment.
Instead, his face was gloomy.
His expression was incomparably ugly.
More importantly, the resentment in his eyes wasn’t directed toward Bai Zihan.
It was directed at Zhao Wutian.
Meanwhile, Bai Zihan stood calmly in the middle of the hall.
A faint smile rested on his face.
There wasn’t the slightest sign of someone who had been captured.
The strange atmosphere immediately caused Zhao Wutian’s heart to tighten.
His smile slowly disappeared.
An uneasy feeling suddenly surfaced within him.
Before he could ask anything—
Li Jianhong suddenly stepped forward.
His eyes burned with unconcealed fury.
He glared directly at Zhao Wutian.
The resentment that had accumulated throughout the journey finally erupted.
"You..."
Li Jianhong’s voice was ice-cold.
"What exactly did you mean by planting your people inside my Li Clan?"
The entire Zhao Clan hall instantly fell silent.
Every Zhao Clan elder’s expression changed.
Zhao Wutian’s pupils contracted for only a brief moment before immediately returning to normal.
A veteran schemer like him naturally wouldn’t admit to such a matter so easily.
Instead, he frowned deeply, as though he had heard something completely absurd.
"What are you talking about?"
His tone carried genuine confusion.
"What people?"
Before Li Jianhong could continue, several Zhao Clan elders also stepped forward.
One of them coldly glanced toward Bai Zihan before speaking.
"Clan Leader Li, don’t tell me you’ve actually believed the words of an outsider?"
Another elder nodded.
"Bai Zihan is famous for his schemes."
"If he truly said such things, then his intention is obvious."
"He wishes to sow discord between our two clans. Once we begin doubting each other, the greatest beneficiary would naturally be the Bai Clan."
Several elders immediately voiced their agreement.
The more they thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
They wanted to shift the blame of having planted the spies to Bai Zihan sowing discord between their clan.
Meanwhile, Zhao Wutian slowly sighed.
A look of helplessness appeared on his face.
"Brother Li. If there truly are misunderstandings between us..."
"We can settle them after today’s business."
His gaze calmly swept toward Bai Zihan.
Then a faint smile appeared.
"Right now, Bai Zihan has already fallen into our hands. What are a few spies compared to him?"
His tone remained composed.
"If the Zhao Clan has truly wronged the Li Clan in this matter..."
"I am willing to compensate you afterward."
He deliberately avoided addressing the accusation directly.
Instead, he shifted the focus toward Bai Zihan.
In Zhao Wutian’s eyes, Li Jianhong wouldn’t make such a scene unless he was absolutely certain.
But as long as Bai Zihan had been captured, everything else became insignificant.
However, Li Jianhong suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha..."
The laughter echoed strangely throughout the hall.
It was neither triumphant nor mocking.
Instead, it was filled with bitterness.
He looked at Zhao Wutian as though looking at a complete fool.
"What capture?"
Li Jianhong slowly shook his head.
The ridicule in his eyes became increasingly obvious.
"You think we could capture him?"
The smile on Zhao Wutian’s face gradually stiffened.
Li Jianhong’s laughter abruptly ceased.
He looked directly into Zhao Wutian’s eyes.
His next sentence instantly caused the entire hall to fall silent.
"The Li Clan has already surrendered to Bai Zihan!"
