Turns Out, I'm In A Villain Clan!-Chapter 23: Battle for Chu Ziyan?

Bai Zihan had no choice but to relent after numerous attempts to cancel the engagement proved futile.

"Hmph! When I get stronger, she'll realize what a big mistake she's made!"

Bai Zihan fumed and muttered angrily.

Of course, this was just a way for him to console himself after his plan had failed miserably.

"If only there was someone who could help me."

But unbeknownst to him, many of his enemies were already plotting to make his goal a reality—including the elders of the Bai Clan, who wished to dethrone Bai Zihan as heir.

They knew that with the Chu Clan involved, removing Bai Zihan as heir would become nearly impossible, at least as long as he was announced as Chu Ziyan's fiancé.

However, they weren't about to let that happen so easily.

***

"You know what is happening in the clan, right?"

Bai Feng asked.

Bai Jian nodded.

Of course, he knew.

He was furious—not only had Bai Zihan's position as heir been solidified, but he had also gained Chu Ziyan as his fiancée.

Chu Ziyan had arrived at the Bai Clan, and in three days, the engagement would be officially announced, making it known throughout the entire empire.

"Don't worry, you still have a chance!"

Bai Feng said with a smile.

"What?"

Bai Jian asked in confusion.

He had assumed his father's plan had been crushed and that there was no way to change Bai Zihan's position as heir.

"Haha... Bai Zihan, marrying Chu Ziyan? How could that be possible? Chu Ziyan must surely detest the idea."

Bai Jian's eyes narrowed at his father's words.

"You mean...?"

Bai Feng smirked, his eyes gleaming with cunning.

"The other elders must have realized this as well. It's obvious—whoever wins Chu Ziyan's heart before the engagement is officially announced will also secure the position of heir."

Bai Jian clenched his fists. It made perfect sense.

If Chu Ziyan herself rejected Bai Zihan, then the engagement would fall apart.

And without the backing of the Chu Clan, Bai Zihan's position as heir would become vulnerable once more.

But they also knew that while the marriage with Chu Ziyan was necessary for the Bai Clan, the groom needed to be replaced—everything else would remain unchanged.

Bai Feng leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"I don't know why Bai Tianheng claimed that Chu Ziyan wants Bai Zihan, but it's clearly a scheme. However, what if she finds a better option? Someone stronger, more capable... someone truly worthy of standing by her side?"

Bai Feng continued with excitement.

"If she falls in love with someone else and chooses to cancel the engagement with Bai Zihan, it would be entirely possible—and no one, not even the Clan Leader, would interfere."

No matter what, Bai Feng believed that as long as Bai Jian could change Chu Ziyan's mind or seduce her into canceling the engagement and choosing someone else, there would be no problem.

Even Bai Tianheng wouldn't object, otherwise that will be going against the interest of the clan.

"Among your peers, you're the most promising candidate. Even the elders acknowledge your talent. If you manage to win her over, then—"

Bai Jian felt his heart pound.

Indeed, among the younger generation, he was the most talented and the one most deserving of Chu Ziyan.

"The heir's position is as good as mine..."

Bai Jian finished, his eyes flickering with ambition.

"That's right!"

Bai Feng nodded.

"No matter what, before the engagement is officially announced, you must make Chu ZIyan yours."

Bai Jian took a deep breath.

Chu Ziyan...

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He had always admired her—her talent, her beauty, her reputation as one of the most extraordinary geniuses of their generation.

And yet, she was about to be wasted on Bai Zihan, that useless fool.

Bai Jian's lips curled into a determined smile.

"She'll realize soon enough who the better man is."

Bai Feng patted his son's shoulder.

"Good. Chu Ziyan will be staying at the Bai Clan manor for the time being. Use this chance well. No matter what, you must make her change her mind."

Bai Jian nodded.

No matter what... he would not let Bai Zihan win this time.

***

Such schemes were not exclusive to Bai Feng. Other elders were also giving similar instructions to their sons.

Although they supported Bai Tianheng and were willing to help Bai Jian become heir, that didn't mean they had no other candidates in mind—especially their own children.

Bai Jian was indeed the most talented, but even if their sons were less capable, as long as one of them could win Chu Ziyan's heart, they knew they would have a chance at the heir's position.

Meanwhile, Bai Zihan remained completely unaware of the brewing conspiracies.

Still dejected over his failed attempts to cancel the engagement, he hadn't realized just how many eyes were now on Chu Ziyan.

However, that didn't mean he intended to stay in this state for long.

He was too weak.

He knew that if the engagement proceeded, he would have no choice but to grow stronger.

Knowing Chu Ziyan, he had to be prepared—not just to resist her dominance in the future but also for the possibility that an admirer of hers might one day rise up to challenge him.

After all, wasn't this the typical cliché scenario?

A powerful young genius is forced into an engagement with someone they don't love due to family politics, only for their true love to train desperately, gain recognition from the girl's family, and eventually defeat their unwanted fiancé in a grand battle?

Even though Chu Ziyan had refused to cancel the engagement, meaning she likely had no lover, Bai Zihan knew his own situation well enough to recognize that he could easily end up playing the villain in a similar story.

Even if that wasn't the case, there were plenty of admirers of Chu Ziyan and there might be some who could try to kill him, believing he had forced the marriage upon her.

This was another reason why he hadn't wanted this engagement in the first place.

"Whatever!"

In the end, it all boiled down to one thing—he was too weak.

If he were stronger, none of this would be a problem, even if he did marry Chu Ziyan.

And for that, the most important step lay ahead—cultivating the Primordial Chaos Body Refinement Technique.