Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 562 - 262. The Abnormal Jiang Siblings_2
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"Master of Hou Family, Han Feng requests an audience!"
As if to confirm Hou Yuxiao's words, Han Feng's voice, carrying a hint of subservience, came from outside barely ten breaths after he had finished speaking.
Hou Yuxiao shook his head slightly and said with a cold laugh to the outside, "Come in!"
He didn't hide his feelings; aside from the cold laugh in his tone, the moment he saw Han Feng, Peng Yuhu, and the eleven Grandmasters walk in, he immediately asked with a hint of mockery, "Didn't you gentlemen just say you were going back to Yongzhou? Why have you come to me again?"
Hearing the mockery in Hou Yuxiao's voice, the expressions on the faces of Han Feng and the others stiffened. They held their anger after a long struggle and didn't dare to lash out. Finally, it was Peng Yuhu who stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said, "Master of Hou Family jests, we dare not defy the Master's orders. For any rudeness just now, Mr. Peng, on behalf of my colleagues, apologizes to the Master of Hou Family, and we hope for your understanding and forgiveness!"
The mere mention of Zhan Taiqing's name was enough to make thirteen Grandmasters obediently follow orders. Hou Yuxiao remained impassive on the surface but was overjoyed inwardly. His understanding of the Old Devout Woman deepened as well.
"Brother Peng is too courteous. All of you hold much higher positions within the Holy Church than I do; how could I be in a position to forgive you? Since it's the Master's command, I should not say more. I only ask that before you return to Yongzhou, you cooperate fully with me!"
Since they had already softened their stance, Hou Yuxiao wasn't going to push them too far. Besides, he expected to make use of this group soon enough. Politeness cost nothing and could only serve him well.
No matter what Han Feng and the others thought, the command of Zhan Taiqing was paramount. Until they received new instructions from her, they had to obey Hou Yuxiao. If before, with Hou Yuxiao's cultivation at the level of a Great Grandmaster of the Fourth Realm, they might have had some objections, but now that Hou Yuxiao's cultivation had surpassed theirs, they accepted it quickly.
"Thank you, Brother Hou!"
Peng Yuhu and Han Feng both addressed him directly as Brother Hou. In terms of age, Hou Yuxiao was young enough to be their grandson, but in the martial world, where strength and cultivation were everything, the three of them, all being Earth Level Great Grandmasters, could address each other as equals without any issue.
With Hou Yuxiao's change of attitude, the relationship warmed up quickly. Sensibly, Han Feng and the others didn't bring up what Hou Yuxiao planned to do next. Instead, they discussed the chaos in the north and news from Shenzhou, indirectly hinting at their wish to return to Yongzhou through these topics. Seeing that Hou Yuxiao was not relenting, they dropped the subject and turned to discuss other matters.
However, before they could talk for long, the voice of Lu Yuanfu came through.
"Brother Hou, how has your rest been?"
Hou Yuxiao walked outside and saw Lu Yuanfu, to whom he replied with a light laugh, "The Second Young Master could have just sent someone to notify me. Why did you come personally?"
"It's my Third Uncle. He has long admired Brother Hou and has been eagerly awaiting you at the main camp. He simply couldn't wait any longer, which is why I was sent to hurry you. My apologies for the laughter."
It hadn't even been two hours, and Lu Yuanfu was already coming to invite him so quickly. It seemed that the Lu Family was afraid he might leave without a sound. Did they need people that badly?
"In that case, please lead the way, Brother Lu!"
Seeing Hou Yuxiao's cooperation, Lu Yuanfu immediately showed a hint of joy and hurriedly led him toward the main camp of the Lu Family's army.
Passing by the military camp, Hou Yuxiao took the opportunity to quietly observe the remaining seventy thousand soldiers of the Lu Family in Ferry Port City. The average cultivation of the soldiers was above the five levels of body refinement, and there were quite a few in the Gang Qi Realm. Although they were stronger than the average force's soldiers, for a top-tier Earth Level power, it clearly wasn't enough. Hou Yuxiao immediately judged that these were not the main forces of the Lu Family.
The prestigious Lu Family, not to mention crack troops such as the Brahman World Purifying Army, Jinjia Army, or Qingyang Guard of the Holy Land, should at least have a force similar to the one hundred thousand Monastic Soldiers of Leiyin Temple. After all, like Leiyin Temple, the Lu Family was a top-tier Earth Level force. This force of more than seventy thousand was barely stronger than the Hou Family, far from the standard of an Earth Level power.
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""My Lu Family has always been a maritime powerhouse, and naturally our land-based power is average. Although Baiming Ferry is along the Yunlan Ancient River, strictly speaking, it's still on the bank; therefore, my Lu Family only stationed a hundred thousand troops here, as a precaution against unexpected needs. This time, the attack on the city by two fifth-ranking demons really was a bit of a surprise. It was our unpreparedness that led to such heavy losses!"
Only stationed a hundred thousand troops!
Upon hearing Lu Yuanfu's powerful declaration, Hou Yuxiao found himself involuntarily clicking his tongue internally. He had heard Lu Yuanfu himself say before that for ferry port cities like Baiming Ferry, the Lu Family had seven in total, each stationed with a hundred thousand troops—so seven times that is seven hundred thousand. Seven hundred thousand troops, all for precautionary purposes—what an extravagance...
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After all, it is an Earth Level great power, one of the three great maritime powerhouses of Shenzhou. Just these seven hundred thousand troops alone, if put on land, would be no weaker than any Earth Level force.
You should know that the requirement for the number of martial sect disciples among Earth Level forces is only fifty thousand; that's just the quantity, not to mention those with cultivation above the five levels of body refinement which are even fewer. But the Lu Family's part of the force on the bank is already far surpassing this number...
Hou Yuxiao's expression became slightly more earnest, and after pondering for a moment in his mind, he quickly made a decision regarding the problem he was about to face.
"Thousand-Faced Handsome Man Hou Yuxiao, it's truly a case of 'hearing about you is not as good as seeing you in person.' You are indeed Shenzhou's newly rising unparalleled genius. At such a young age, you've already reached the cultivation of an Earth Level Great Grandmaster. Although Mr. Lu has lived for over two hundred years, I've only seen a number of talents like the Master of Hou Family I can count on one hand. A heroic youngster, you truly are a heroic youngster indeed!"
The two quickly arrived at the main camp, and before they even got close, a hearty voice came from inside. Hou Yuxiao hurriedly looked up to see a middle-aged warrior in silver armor holding a broadsword walking out from the distance, coming directly at him with a heap of extravagant praise, which honestly made him feel a little embarrassed.
"Elder Lu praises me too highly. There are so many outstanding figures in Shenzhou. The modest reputation of Mr. Hou is not worth mentioning. Not to speak of distant matters, even the aptitude of the second son is probably stronger than mine, you flatter me too much..."
Hou Yuxiao wasn't just making things up; Lu Yuanfu was indeed two years younger than him, but his cultivation was only one realm lower. This fact alone meant Lu's talent must be higher than his own, a fact about himself he was very aware of, so he wouldn't lose his sense of self amidst others' praises.
"Yuanfu indeed has a good aptitude, but after all, he was born into my family. That's incomparable to the Master of Hou Family, who rose from insignificance. Even though I have not been to Yongzhou, I have long heard that the Hou Clan started in a small county called Zhaoyang and still managed to develop to the point of ascending into a first-class clan. Now, controlling the lands of four counties, the family is comparable to a first-class powerhouse. Leaving aside your cultivation, just this achievement alone is enough to astonish Shenzhou!"
Even though what was said was indeed the truth, being praised to his face like this made Hou Yuxiao feel somewhat uneasy inside. He just smiled and didn't continue the conversation. After thinking for a moment, he did not beat around the bush. He clasped his hands together and said, "Elder Lu, straightforward people do not resort to insinuations. Mr. Hou came here at the second son's invitation with some guesses already in mind. May I ask if Elder Lu wishes for Mr. Hou to lead men and assist the Lu Family in resisting the demons?"
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Lu Kaiwu and his nephew, who had been brewing a bellyful of words in their minds, were caught off guard by Hou Yuxiao's direct approach, and they instantly became bewildered, all wearing stupefied expressions.
"Setting other matters aside, simply based on my immediate rapport with the second son, I am certainly obliged to help. Moreover, although my Hou Clan belongs to the Demon Path, we abhor those demons that bring disaster to the common people. Elder Lu, second son, if there's anything you need, just say the word, and Mr. Hou will not hesitate!"
Even though Lu Kaiwu was advanced in years and well-experienced, upon hearing Hou Yuxiao's words, he was silent for a long time, unable to discern whether Hou Yuxiao was sincere or feigning;
While the younger Lu Yuanfu beside him, his face lit up with excitement, and his eyes looked at Hou Yuxiao with deep emotion.
"Good, I didn't expect the Master of Hou Family, despite originating from the Demon Path, to have such Righteous Qi. Mr. Lu has traveled far and wide for a long time and has seen many people, but someone as forthright as the Master of Hou Family is indeed a first. "
"Thank you, Brother Hou, for your righteous action. If there is anything in the future where you need Yuanfu's assistance, just say the word and I will never decline!"
Hou Yuxiao felt a trace of joy in his heart, but he still spoke righteously, "Mr. Hou is here solely to slay demons and eliminate evil, with no intention of seeking any reward. Please rest assured."
The three discussed together in the main camp for a long time, until late in the night, when Hou Yuxiao bid farewell to them and returned to the Hou Family's stationed compound..."
