Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 516 - 243. Family Background and Preparations

"Big brother, second brother, you’ve finally come back."

At the entrance of the Hou Mansion, Hou Yuxiao was sitting on horseback, looking at the golden columns on both sides of the gate when a gentle voice reached his ears. He turned to see Hou Yuling walking out from the mansion, and his face slightly spaced out for a moment.

Speaking of which, only two counties and the Tongtian River separated Tongling from Hedong, but he and Hou Yucheng had been attacking Wanyang County since the Rakshasa Festival the year before last. To this date, it had already been two full years since they had returned to Tongling.

Hou Yujie and Hou Yuduan had gone to Wanyang County with him while only Hou Yuling had always been stationed in Tongling. Naturally, seeing her after two years apart made him feel slightly dazed.

"Third sister, these two years have been hard on you!"

Upon hearing Hou Yuxiao call her by her pet name, perhaps because it had been so long since they last saw each other, the normally capricious and lively Hou Yuling showed a rare hint of shyness.

"Let’s talk inside the mansion."

Hou Yuxiao dismounted, followed closely by Hou Yucheng, Hou Yujie, and Hou Yuduan. The group quickly entered the mansion.

Today, the Hou Clan controls four counties and fifteen prefectures. Since they often need to deal with matters in these places, all the local Prison Admin Department offices and Yamen had been converted into extensions of Hou Mansion, but the most grandiose and high-profile among these is at Tongling Prefectural City.

The Hou Clan rose to prominence in Zhaoyang and their ascent continued in Tongling. This prefectural city held extraordinary significance for the Hou Clan. Furthermore, as it was far from the battlefield in Hedong, it also provided the best security. Therefore, Hou Yuling had put the most thought into constructing this residence.

The residence was formed by combining the original Prison Admin Department and Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, covering the largest and most central area of the prefectural city, about three square miles in size. The architectural layout was largely based on the standard of the Hou mansions in Zhaoyang County, including five architectural clusters to the east, south, west, north, and centre, respectively corresponding to the residences Cold Blade, Joyful Union, Xue Yang, Ya Xiang Gardens of the fourth, third, second, and fifth elders, and the central dwelling and main hall of Hou Yuxiao.

Upon entering the courtyard, the first things that met their eyes were flower clusters and splendid pavilions in an orderly arrangement, with precious decorations everywhere; even the artificial mountains numbered in the dozens. It was apparent that not only had a great amount of money been spent on the residence, but much thought had gone into it as well.

Unfortunately, as Hou Yuxiao moved forward, his gaze didn’t take in the scenery inside the mansion at all. His mind and spirit were entirely focused on the martial artists hidden throughout the mansion.

These martial artists, at the very least, had achieved the Ten Layers of Body Openings; plus, there were more than twenty warriors from the Gang Qi Realm moving around. He had some guesses in his mind but still cast an inquiring look at Hou Yuling.

"These are the guards regularly assigned here. Now that our Hou Clan has grown in wealth and size, ordinary thugs wouldn’t dare to intrude, but there are still some desperadoes who risk everything."

"In August, three outlaws from the Gang Qi Realm sneaked into Xingnan Prefecture and tried to steal Spirit Pills. It took quite an effort to catch them, and since then, security around the mansion has been much tighter."

Hou Yuxiao nodded slightly. The family’s power had grown, and while this outwardly demonstrated their strength, it naturally attracted the covetous eyes of others, just like the two golden columns at the entrance. Ordinary people might see it as a sign of the Hou Clan’s wealth, but to those with intentions, it signified the immense wealth inside, tempting them to come and explore.

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on freёwebnoѵel.com.

The secret medicine department was also located in the Touling Hou Mansion. The Hou Clan was now self-sufficient in producing third-grade Spirit Pills and could even sell them. The most common third-grade Spirit Pill sold for no less than three hundred taels, a simple bottle of twenty pieces could sell for six thousand taels. Just stealing one bottle would mean striking it rich.

The secret medicine department of the Hou Mansion, being the largest producer of Spirit Pills among the Hexi Four Counties, was highly coveted by outsiders. There probably were many thieves on regular days, so it wasn’t odd that it attracted warriors from the Gang Qi Realm.

However, having over thirty warriors from the Gang Qi Realm just as guards hidden around, the Hou Clan’s lavish arrangement still made Hou Yuxiao a bit nostalgic. He remembered how, three years ago in Zhaoyang, he had risked his life going to Tianling County to buy Yuan Gang Beads to break through to the Gang Qi Realm, cooperating with the Mountain Sword Sect and Tianding Sect. After a series of dramatic changes, he had finally made the breakthrough.

Now, the Hou Clan was even using warriors from the Gang Qi Realm as guards!

He shook his head slightly. Having been in Hedong these past two years, the most recent news he had of the family was from last April when Hou Yuduan came to see him. It had only been six months, and it seemed like the family had changed completely. Although the rapid pace of development was exhilarating, it almost felt unreal to him.

Growing ever more curious about the current state of the family, he led the four men behind him briskly into the mansion and soon arrived at the main hall. He walked straight to the main seat and sat down, gesturing for Hou Yucheng and the others to sit down as well. Then he looked at Hou Yuduan and asked, "These past two years in Hedong, we could only communicate through letters—now that I’m finally back, Old Fifth, tell me about the overall situation of the clan!"

After asking this question, Hou Yuxiao realized that not only he but also Hou Yucheng, Hou Yuling, and Hou Yujie were all looking at Old Fifth with curiosity. Hou Yucheng was still alright since he, like Hou Yuxiao, had been in Hedong. However, it was unexpected for Hou Yuling and Hou Yujie, who had been on this side of the Hexi these past two years and should have been well-acquainted with the clan’s situation.