Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

The Holy Maiden, who sees through everything, must be able to see right through my lies, and Hou Yuxiao has no doubts about that. He is now gambling, betting that the Holy Maiden will not expose him.

Given the current situation in Zhaoyang County, it is imperative that the Hou Clan's cooperation is necessary to hold it. Hou Yuxiao understands well the significance of keeping Zhaoyang County.

Ever since the ten great holy forces divided the thirteen provinces of the world a thousand years ago, times have seldom been peaceful.

The turning point came four hundred years ago when the Great Jin Dynasty annexed Yuzhou, triggering a turmoil that spread throughout the world. At that time, the population suffered greatly and decreased by more than thirty percent.

After that turmoil, the ten great holy forces realized the terrifying consequences of wars initiated at their level. As a result, under the facilitation of the Great Jin, every two adjacent provinces signed a peace treaty.

This treaty did indeed play a role in the following four hundred years, ten great holy lands vied and schemed against each other without cease, but at least, on the surface, no one openly turned against each other anymore.

But just a treaty, to curb the greed in people's hearts, how could that be possible!

As long as human nature gets in the way, four hundred years of peace is nothing but a fleeting illusion, easily shattered at a moment's notice. Having lived through two lifetimes, how could Hou Yuxiao not understand this principle!

Ever since the righteous figures passed through Yongzhou two years ago to attend the coronation ceremony of the new emperor in the Great Jin Dynasty, he had sensed that the world was gradually becoming unsettled again.

Then, six months ago, the unusual movement within the righteous forces in Wanyang County of Xuzhou further confirmed his suspicion.

The Yongzhou controlled by the Rakshasa Holy Sect, with its three circuits, eight prefectures, sixty-four counties, totaling over two hundred counties, the gain or loss of a city is insignificant.

But the problem is, at this critical juncture, whoever among the ten great holy forces is the first to lose their territory, it represents too much about what lies behind it.

No one dares to be the first to do it...

"Alright, I consent. Once you have integrated the city's martial artists, gather them at the East Gate and start cooperating with Cheng Yue to take over defense duties," the Holy Maiden said.

As Hou Yuxiao's mind was spinning with countless thoughts, he suddenly heard these words from the Holy Maiden. A rich look of joy rose in his eyes, and he offered another firm kowtow, respectfully saying, "Understood, I will obey the orders!"

Just when he was about to get up and take his leave, he suddenly realized that the black-clad Holy Maiden had already turned into a wisp of breeze and vanished.

Hou Yuxiao sensed there was no one left in the room and stood up. His face bore no trace of fear as he dusted off his knees, and thinking back to how submissively he had just behaved, he spat fiercely.

"Leaving without a word, this Holy Maiden is really..."

Hou Yuxiao's body shuddered suddenly, the words on his lips abruptly halted, and his face contorted with a smile uglier than crying.

He thought that once the Holy Maiden had left, the room should have been empty, but unexpectedly there was a blue-clad woman standing at the side.

"Such extraordinary agility, truly rare in this world, is truly admirable!" Hou Yuxiao racked his brain and could only come up with this line.

Even a fool would know from this awkward follow-up that he had just meant to say something else.

Slap... Slap...

Under the calm gaze of the blue-clad woman, Hou Yuxiao dared not move for a good while. Eventually, resigned, he could only raise his hand and slapped himself twice.

Wanting to garner sympathy, Hou Yuxiao really did hit hard, causing his face to sting with pain.

"That's enough, you may go now. If the Holy Maiden has any instructions, I'll let you know!"

It's just a maid, acting so high and mighty...

"Thank you, ma'am. I take my leave."

Hou Yuxiao performed earnestly, not aligning his heart with his words. After respectfully taking his leave and exiting the Shengxin Residence, he finally heaved a heavy sigh of relief.

The pressure that Holy Maiden gave was simply too great!

After his mood eased slightly, Hou Yuxiao returned to the Hou Mansion with a gradually relaxed expression on his face, slowly revealing a trace of a smile, and eventually even burst into hearty laughter.

"With support secured, as long as I can rely on this Holy Maiden, the rise of the Hou Family to third-rate power is just around the corner, hahahahaha..."

What is the biggest difference between a sect that has achieved recognition and one that hasn't, Hou Yuxiao wasn't quite clear. After all, he still wasn't very sure what a true third-rate power actually required.

But in this world, no matter what kind of power or organization, having a solid backer, a backer imposing enough to deter others, is surely beyond question.

Such as the third-rate Mountain Sword Sect of Wanyang County in the Righteous Path's Xuzhou, which has an intimate relationship with the sect in the county, the Tianding Sect, or for instance, the third-rate Shaying Sect of the neighboring Baiye County, whose sect master, Old Man Shaying, has in-law ties with the single second-rate Great Luo Sect in the county.

And he, he had just aligned with a person from the Rakshasa Holy Sect!

Holy Maiden?

Although he was unaware of the exact status of this Holy Maiden within the Rakshasa Holy Sect, the fact that she could make a magistrate, as well as Cheng Yue, a disciple of Prince of Tongling Prefecture Ding Dian, so obedient, gave him an idea that she was definitely no simple character.

"Now that I have a backer, I must ensure Zhaoyang County is well-defended. If Zhaoyang were to fall, forget about backing, I, playing both sides, would not only lose my entire fortune but also risk my life, and the Hou Family would only be left to disband!"

In thought, Hou Yuxiao had already returned to the Hou Mansion.

It was now close to the Hour of Hai, and the commotion outside the East City was growing louder.

Outside the Main Hall of the Hou Mansion, nearly two hundred men stood solemnly, each holding sharp blades.

No one in the Hou Mansion had slept that night, and fresh from killing, there was still a faint scent of blood on them.

"Big brother, you're back. What's the situation outside the East City Gate?"

The noise from outside the East City Gate was heard by everyone, and the people of the Hou Mansion were no exception. Hou Yuxiao hadn't kept them in the dark when he had notified Elder Tong, and although Hou Yucheng had some guesses in his mind, he still asked.

Hou Yuxiao did not answer him, but instead looked around at the three people and after a moment's thought, started to make arrangements directly.

"Fourth Elder, Gao Cheng, the two of you will take three hundred martial artists from the Hou Mansion and the Happy Forest, and within a quarter of two hours, gather all the warriors in the city."

Remember to fly the flag of the Rakshasa Holy Sect, state plainly that the Yuzhou rebels are attacking, the Holy Maiden commands, that all the city's warriors participate in the defense, anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot!"

Hou Yucheng and Gao Cheng were both stunned, about to ask questions, but Hou Yuxiao did not give them the chance to speak.

"No need for questions, after gathering, immediately assemble at the East City Gate, I will be waiting for you there! Remember, this matter is of great importance. If we manage to fend off the Yuzhou Righteous Path this time, Zhaoyang County will henceforth be Hou's City, understand?"

With one sentence, Hou Yuxiao stunned everyone for a moment, then their faces showed a hint of excitement, especially Hou Yu Jie, who nodded at Hou Yuxiao immediately.

"The Family Head's order is respected!"

Then he turned to look at the others in the training ground, his eyes showing a hint of contempt, and with a wave of his hand, he said, "Everyone, follow me out."

In less than a dozen breaths, the martial artists in the training ground were all led away by Hou Yu Jie, leaving nothing behind, except for Second Elder Hou Yucheng and Third Elder Hou Yuling.

The two showed looks of confusion, not understanding why they were being left behind.

But Hou Yuxiao then turned to glance in the direction of the south, his eyes showing a hint of coldness.

"That fool Ren Feng is still counting money at the Green Wolf Gang's mine over at the south, on a night of such chaos, it'd be a pity not to send him on his way..."

Upon understanding, Hou Yuling and Hou Yucheng's faces revealed a trace of coldness, and they followed Hou Yuxiao, streaking across the night sky towards Nanling Mountain.