Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 549 - 257. Zhan Taiqing’s Abnormal Reaction

Your family has a traitor!

On this trip north, Hou Yuxiao had been following closely by Zhan Taiqing's side the entire time, fully aware of the efforts she made to ensure the success of the journey. From the beginning, where she ostentatiously took thousands on ships, to the immediate stealthy departure upon landing, then using carriages and horses alternately to travel in unconventional haste. Plainly speaking, it was all to prevent others from successfully intercepting her.

But, they were intercepted nonetheless.

And it was an ambush just outside Tao City on Wangchuan Road. Considering how those black-clad figures were waiting, it was evident they had prior intimation.

Zhan Taiqing had brought none of the Holy Church's experts with her from Yongzhou, and no one else knew her whereabouts except Hou Yuxiao, who had been by her side the whole time, and that woman named Ding Xiang.

Of course, he wouldn't be the traitor, so it could only be Ding Xiang.

Having just survived a life and death situation, Hou Yuxiao naturally had no fondness for this traitor. However, the fact that this woman belonged to the Rakshasa Holy Sect, and was likely to be Zhan Taiqing's personal maidservant, brought him some schadenfreude.

"How could it not be you?"

As Hou Yuxiao was about to look up at Zhan Taiqing's expression, he heard her suddenly say this, prompting a pang in his heart. His face betrayed panic as he hurriedly protested, "I'm innocent! Even if you don't consider my efforts in aiding our escape, I've been by your side the whole time during our travels without taking half a step away or having any time to send messages.

Besides, I even encountered Zhao Ponu. Master should be aware of my grudge against Qinjian Villa; Hou would never collaborate with them—even facing that Yuan Dan Realm expert nearly cost me my life."

Moreover, I have never met that Ding Xiang before. Master should know her; she must be the traitor. Please see the truth, Master, please see the truth!"

Unsure whether Zhan Taiqing was intentionally frightening him or truly suspecting him, Hou Yuxiao explained himself and, doubting the persuasiveness of his argument, swore while pointing towards the heavens, "I swear, if it was really me who revealed Master's whereabouts, may I suffer for all eternity..."

Bang...

Before Hou Yuxiao could finish his oath, his chest was struck solidly by a palm strike. Looking up at Zhan Taiqing, rage burned within him, but upon meeting her cold, beautiful eyes, he felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.

"You should be grateful; if you had leaked my whereabouts, you would have long since paid with your little life!"

...

Hou Yuxiao was stunned, his anger subsiding significantly as Zhan Taiqing surprisingly trusted him, which caught him off guard.

"Ding Xiang... Ding Xiang..."

But when he heard Zhan Taiqing's chillingly repeat Ding Xiang's name twice, he realized that she didn't trust him; she had suspected Ding Xiang all along.

With this realization, Hou Yuxiao's schadenfreude was accompanied by a feeling of pity for Zhan Taiqing. It seemed that Ding Xiang, her close confidante and a person in whom she placed great trust, had betrayed her—a situation difficult for anyone to endure.

Seeing the expression on Hou Yuxiao's face, Zhan Taiqing knew what he was thinking. Her pupils flashed with a dark shade as she asked in a soft voice:

"Do you think that Ding Xiang is my close confidante?"

Hou Yuxiao was puzzled by Zhan Taiqing's sudden question but still hazarded a guess in response, "Could it be that she's not?"

"She has a nickname you might have heard of, called the Qi Juesi Maidservant!"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

...

The Qi Juesi Maidservant, indeed, Peony, Peony Herb, Fu Ling, this Ding Xiang. They are all unique flowers, and I should have realized earlier that she is Holy Maiden Sikong Yue's person.

Instantly coming to the realization, Hou Yuxiao was momentarily dumbstruck, his gaze fixed on Zhan Taiqing as an overwhelming shock surged through him.

Zhan Taiqing is Sister to Sikong Yue's mother, isn't she? This is like a niece scheming against her aunt—what is happening?

Hou Yuxiao suddenly considered the internal faction conflict within the Rakshasa Holy Sect, a bold theory forming in his mind.

The Sect Hierarch Sikong Xingzhou's faction had no desire to partake in the affairs of the Divine Capital Banquet, while Zhan Taiqing earnestly sought to back Great Yu's efforts in forming the Anti-Jin Alliance.

Sikong Yue would surely be on her father's side—that is, Sect Hierarch Sikong Xingzhou's faction. He had thought their factional dispute was merely due to clashing ideals, but now it seemed that Sikong Yue had started to betray even her own close family members, indicating a fierce and intense struggle within the sect.

Glancing surreptitiously at Zhan Taiqing, Hou Yuxiao's look was one of keen curiosity. An unresolved question lingered in his mind.

Zhan Taiqing, with merely cultivation at the Qianyang Realm and a position in the Rakshasa Holy Sect as Jialan of the Sect's Guardians, was not among the highest in power or status. How then could she stand in opposition to Sect Hierarch Sikong Xingzhou?

During the turmoil in Tongling, the Right Protector Huangfu Xing had appeared, which signified his support for Zhan Taiqing. Left Protector Duanmu Hong, whom Hou had never met, remained an unknown factor. Yet, to have the backing of a Protector, this Old Devout Woman must have some other identity!

"You've met that niece of mine, haven't you?"

Startled by Zhan Taiqing's sudden inquiry, Hou Yuxiao regained his senses and nodded slightly, "Indeed, I met her in Zhaoyang three years ago."

"What did you think of her?"

After a moment of contemplation and understanding the discord between the two, Hou Yuxiao felt there was no need for reservation and answered outright, "Since Master asks, then Hou will be bold in response.

Sikong Yue is exceedingly intelligent, clever beyond measure, and far surpasses the ordinary with her strategies. Her actions are always unexpected, and anyone or anything involved with her is likely not simple. Although Hou has only dealt with her once, the impression she left was profound. To describe my feelings towards her, Hou can only say four words..."