Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Tian Linong and Cheng Yue's voices, both reinforced by Gang Qi, instantaneously reached the ears of everyone in Zhaoyang County.

Even those who were fast asleep were awakened and heard everything clearly.

At that moment, every martial artist in the city with some experience in the martial world displayed a look of horror. Voices of astonishment rose one after another, instantly resonating under the night sky.

"Sect Master of the Mountain Sword Sect..."

"A master of The Righteous Path on the Tiger List, the Guixin Sword, Tian Linong!"

"All sect members of the Mountain Sword Sect have come, tearing up the treaty between the two states, how is that possible?"

......

Shengxin Residence second floor

Kneeling on the ground, Hou Yuxiao now felt very nervous. He dared not lift his head, but he also feared that the Holy Maiden in black might strike him dead with a slap. Barely raising his head, he happened to see a smile that was not quite a smile on the Holy Maiden's face.

Just as the Holy Maiden had sent away a master, Cheng Yue's crisp voice entered the room, and he... was still wearing Cheng Yue's face.

Hou Yuxiao had already realized that he had given himself away, and his first impulse was to turn and run, but he immediately quashed the thought.

He didn't know the strength of the black-clad Holy Maiden in front of him, but from the aura he'd just felt, killing him might not even require her to lift a finger.

Now, trying to run would only lead to a dead end!

Bang...

"Holy Maiden, spare my life, spare my life, I had just learned of the Righteous Path's assault, and out of urgent concern that I couldn't report to the Holy Maiden on the second floor, I had no choice but to pretend to be Protector Cheng. It was not intentional deception, not intentional at all!"

With a bang, Hou Yuxiao actually knelt on the ground and knocked his head loudly, then smeared his face to reveal his true appearance. Immediately following that were his tearful and somewhat aggrieved explanations.

It was downright heart-wrenching for those who heard it.

...

"Shameless!"

Whether it was Peony, who was mistaken for the Holy Maiden, or Peony Herb hiding in the shadows, they both inwardly cursed upon seeing how quickly Hou Yuxiao could change his face.

Only the lady in blue hiding in the shadows, looking at Hou Yuxiao changing back to his true face, remained expressionless. Her beautifully calm and composed face seemed forever untroubled.

The lady in blue stared at Hou Yuxiao for several moments, a faint smile appearing on her lips. Through Peony's mouth, she spoke.

"Since you could discern the Righteous Path's intentions and came to find me amidst the battle, you must have intended to assess my strength, to see who between the forces of good and evil in this great battle of Zhaoyang will prevail, so you can pick a side.

After seeing me, you told me the news of the Righteous Path's attack, which proves you don't have much confidence in Xu State's forces.

Being so clever, you must have made other arrangements regarding that Tian Honglu, who serves as the Righteous Path's pretext for this attack.

Being the kind of person willing to play both sides of good and evil and remaining clever about it, I surmise you hold no strong convictions about good versus evil—your goal must be to enhance your family's and your own power, refusing to be subordinate to others.

Am I right?"

After hearing this, Hou Yuxiao's heart clenched suddenly, his body stiffened, and he felt a strong desire to look up—not for any other reason but to see whether this Holy Maiden was human or demon.

In this world, could there really be someone with the ability to see through the hearts of others?

Yet ultimately, the fear in his heart kept him from lifting his head. He knocked his head to the ground again and said, "Holy Maiden, you see through me like the clearest flame. I dare not hide anything. Three months ago, I went to Tianling County to purchase Yuan Gang Beads and was coerced by the Righteous Path into bringing Tian Honglu back to ZhaoYang County.

Only after learning that those Righteous ones intended to tear up the treaty between the two states did I realize I had made a grave mistake. At the Xu hour, I had already instructed my family to send Miss Tian Honglu back to Tianling County overnight. Even if she hasn't arrived yet, she should be very close by now.

Today, after witnessing your mighty power, I now understand that the so-called forces of the Righteous Path in Xu State are nothing but lowlife criminals. At this critical moment of crisis in Zhaoyang, as the Holy Church needs help, I boldly ask the Holy Maiden to give me a chance to atone for my actions with good deeds. From now on, I am willing to serve at your side, ready to go through fire and water at your command without hesitation!"

Hou Yuxiao was blatantly lying now. The thirteen states of the world were all governed by the ten divine powers, and peace treaties were well known between every two adjacent states. There was no way he could have been unaware of them.

But naturally, he couldn't admit this now. He hadn't considered for a moment that the Holy Maiden, wise as a demon, would fail to see through his lie.

However, the latter part of his speech contained no falsehood and was indeed said with heartfelt sincerity.

As the Righteous forces were currently just outside the East City Gate, and Zhaoyang County was indeed in a moment of crisis, starting from the moment the leaders from the Flying Eagle Sect and Green Wolf Gang were executed, the Hou Family's role had become essential.

Seizing this moment, aligning with this mysterious Holy Maiden was his real goal and greatest ambition.

Hou Yuxiao lay on the ground, eyes fixed on the floor, sparkling briefly as he awaited the Holy Maiden's response.

"You sure know when to reach out for help. I initially thought the trouble in the city at the early Hai hour was caused by the Righteous folk. It seems it was your doing. Thus, it seems this night's assault by the Righteous is also linked to you!"

"I am wronged, those despicable and shameless Righteous ones far exceed me in strength by ten to a hundred times. How could they inform me of when they would attack? I only know I have received grace from the Holy Church, and at this moment of survival, the Hou family is willing to serve the Holy Church. I implore the Holy Maiden to grant her approval!"

Thinking of County Lord Ren Feng, whom he had deceived and who was now guarding the gold mine, Hou Yuxiao's heart shuddered slightly as he chose to continue denying.