Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan!

Chapter 655: Humiliation Within the Imperial Capital

The arrival of the foreign delegations quickly changed the atmosphere within the Imperial Capital.

At first, everything was normal for the coronation of the new Emperor.

It was likely with thousands flocking to the Imperial Capital especially the merchants.

With Imperial Capital about to receive lots of people, how can merchants miss such an opportunity to make money?

The residents of the Capital were also preparing to receive a lot of guests and celebrate such a grand occasion.

Then various delegations also entered the city under the escort of the Imperial Guards.

The Imperial Court treated every guest with the highest level of courtesy.

However...

As more and more experts arrived, problems gradually began to surface.

Many of the foreign delegation cultivators behaved as though the Imperial Capital belonged to them.

Some rode their spirit beasts directly through the busiest streets, forcing ordinary citizens to scramble out of the way.

Others openly released portions of their cultivation aura simply because they disliked being surrounded by crowds.

They seemed to have put no laws in their eyes and deliberately did whatever they pleased.

Entire marketplaces became chaotic wherever they passed.

No one dared offend them.

After all, they represented foreign empires.

Any conflict involving them could easily escalate into a diplomatic incident.

More importantly...

Everyone knew that Yu Zidi himself had personally welcomed these delegations.

Offending them was, in a sense, equivalent to disrespecting the Emperor-to-be.

Who would dare shoulder such responsibility?

Not to mention...

Among the countless experts within the Imperial Capital, only a handful possessed the strength to contend against these cultivators.

Most citizens simply endured in silence.

Even the Imperial Guards were forced to suppress their anger.

Many times, they witnessed foreign cultivators openly disregarding imperial regulations.

Yet after recognizing the insignias on their robes, they could only grit their teeth and step aside.

Not only could they do nothing to these people, but they also had to offer apologies instead.

One incident after another spread throughout the city.

At one of the capital’s most famous restaurants, dozens of cultivators from a neighboring empire occupied the entire upper floor.

They ordered nearly every signature dish.

Rare spirit wine flowed endlessly and expensive spiritual beast meat was served plate after plate.

By the end of the banquet, the cost was enough to bankrupt an ordinary cultivator several times over.

Yet when the owner nervously presented the bill, one of the foreign cultivators merely laughed.

"We came here to honor your future Emperor. Our very presence is already giving this restaurant face."

"You still expect us to pay?"

The restaurant owner turned pale.

He wanted to argue.

But after sensing the terrifying aura released by the other party, he swallowed his words.

In the end...

He could only force a bitter smile while watching them leave.

Not a single gold coin was paid.

When he later reported the matter to the nearby Imperial Guards, the guards exchanged helpless looks.

One captain sighed deeply.

"We understand your grievances but they are official delegations. We cannot act without orders from above."

The restaurant owner could only lower his head in despair.

Similar incidents occurred throughout the city.

Some foreign cultivators occupied entire inns without paying.

Others casually seized cultivation rooms after claiming they were too small for people of their status.

There were even those who openly pushed local cultivators aside simply because they wished to walk first.

Resentment quietly accumulated among the people.

Many citizens no longer understood Prince Yu Zidi’s decision.

"What exactly is His Highness planning?"

"Why allow these people to act however they please?"

"This is our Imperial Capital, not theirs."

"Our own people are being bullied while the Imperial Guards can only stand by. Are they here to serve us or them?"

The complaints grew louder with each passing day.

When had they ever suffered such humiliation?

They were the strongest empire in the Eastern Region, and it should have been these people who behaved carefully while in their territory, not the other way around.

This was all due to Yu Zidi’s orders. Otherwise, if the Desolate Heaven Empire truly wished to deal with these foreigners, would they be able to resist?

How could they still continue to act so domineering?

Therefore, as resentment toward these foreign delegations increased, so did the resentment toward Prince Yu Zidi.

Meanwhile, the foreign cultivators became increasingly arrogant.

Having encountered no resistance whatsoever, many of them gradually stopped treating the Desolate Heaven Empire with respect.

So they began to view the Imperial Capital of Desolate Heaven Empire as little more than a backward empire hosting them.

After all, most of these people were here to support Yu Zidi, and they were well aware that no matter what they did, unless it became too outrageous, there would be no repercussions.

Inside one of the luxurious restaurants, several cultivators sat leisurely around a table.

Their robes bore the unmistakable emblem of the Tianyu Empire.

"So this is the famous Desolate Heaven Empire? I expected something far grander."

"Their citizens don’t even dare meet our eyes. Earlier, I walked through the busiest street. The moment they sensed my aura, everyone scattered like frightened sheep."

The room erupted into laughter.

"What’s there to be surprised about?"

"This trip is merely a formality. The coronation itself is of little importance. Our true objective lies elsewhere. Don’t forget that!"

The room immediately fell silent as they nodded.

Every member of the delegation understood exactly what he meant.

After enjoying their meal, the members of the Tianyu Empire slowly rose from their seats.

They chatted and laughed among themselves as though they had completely forgotten about the bill.

Just as they reached the entrance, the restaurant manager suddenly rushed forward.

His eyes were already red, on the verge of crying.

He bowed repeatedly.

"S-Seniors..."

His voice trembled.

"Please... This humble one begs you. You don’t have to pay the full amount."

"I-I can even give you a fifty percent discount."

Tears gradually welled up in his eyes.

"Our restaurant is only a small business. If we lose this much money..."

"We’ll go bankrupt!"

His body bent even lower.

There was no trace of dignity left.

He could only beg.

The surrounding customers quietly watched the scene.

Many clenched their fists, yet none dared step forward.

The Tianyu cultivators looked at one another before bursting into laughter.

One of them stepped forward.

His face was filled with contempt.

"Bankrupt? What does that have to do with us?"

He looked down at the kneeling manager as though looking at an insect.

"You should be thanking us. It is your restaurant’s fortune that we chose to dine here."

The manager’s expression turned even paler.

"S-Senior..."

Before he could finish—

Bang!

The Tianyu Empire cultivator casually kicked him.

The manager’s frail body was sent tumbling several meters across the floor before crashing into a nearby table.

Plates shattered.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

"You dare continue pestering us?"

The Tianyu Empire cultivator sneered.

"Know your place!"

With that, the Tianyu delegation walked out of the restaurant as though nothing had happened.

The entire hall fell deathly silent.

Every customer stared at their departing backs.

Some were furious.

Some felt humiliated.

Others simply lowered their heads.

Not a single person dared stop them.

Even the Imperial Guards stationed outside merely watched silently.

Their fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged across their hands.

Yet in the end...

They still did nothing.

The Tianyu cultivators merely laughed louder.

To them...

This was exactly how the weak should behave.

Just then—

As the delegation arrogantly strode down the street, the cultivator leading them suddenly bumped into someone.

Thud!

The collision wasn’t particularly hard.

However, the Tianyu Empire cultivator’s eyes immediately became enraged.

His mood was already sour from the restaurant manager who dared demand money from him and now someone dared bump into him.

He slowly turned around.

He opened his mouth, preparing to shout.

"You blind—"

Slap!!

A crisp slap echoed throughout the entire street.

The Tianyu Empire cultivator’s words abruptly stopped.

His body spun violently through the air before crashing into a nearby stall.

Wood splintered.

Several tables collapsed.

Blood mixed with broken teeth scattered across the ground.

The bustling street instantly became silent.

Everyone froze.

An even angrier voice suddenly rang out.

"Damn it! Who is blind enough to bump into this young master?"

A handsome young man slowly withdrew his hand.

His luxurious white robes fluttered gently in the wind.

His expression was filled with obvious displeasure.

It was...

Bai Zihan!

He glanced at the dust-covered Tianyu cultivator lying on the ground before slowly shifting his gaze toward the rest of the delegation.

His eyes were cold.

"You dare bump into this young master? You even dirtied my robes."

He casually brushed the sleeve of his robe before looking back at them.

"Compensate me!"

His voice was calm, yet it carried unquestionable dominance.

"Otherwise..."

A faint smile slowly appeared on Bai Zihan’s face.

"...don’t even think about leaving this place unscathed."