Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 718 - 320, Hexi Million Army_3

Hearing his eldest brother's question, Hou Yujie quickly composed himself, nodded, and said with a solemn expression, "In Jiujun County, the demon situation is on the brink of spiraling out of control!"

"What happened?"

"Over the past two months, second brother and I have led the 200,000-strong army of Jiujun County to exterminate three Fifth Grade demons, twelve Sixth Grade demons, thirty-one Seventh Grade demons, and as for Eighth Grade and Ninth Grade demons, there were at least hundreds. The number of demons in a single Jiujun County has surpassed those encountered in the great battles in Hexi and even more so than in Guangling Prefecture. This is utterly inconceivable. Second brother and I are certain someone is behind this!"

Hou Yuxiao, in fact, was aware of the number of demons Hou Yujie had slain based on the changes in his own merit deeds, but after all, he hadn't been there, so the specific situation in Jiujun County was only known to Hou Yujie and Hou Yucheng who remained there.

Hearing Hou Yujie's last sentence, Hou Yuxiao's expression darkened, and he turned to Fifth Brother Hou Yuduan, speaking in a low voice, "It seems your previous guess was indeed correct."

Hou Yujie, seeing the expression on both of their faces, tentatively guessed, "Eldest brother and Old Fifth have something in mind—is it... Leiyin Temple?"

Hmph...

Hou Yuduan, who was usually gentle and refined, now rarely showed a hint of disgust on his face and snorted coldly, saying, "Who else could it be but that despicable group of bald monks!"

"Under the guise of demon eradication, Leiyin Temple probably keeps more imprisoned demons than anywhere else in the world. Releasing so many demons quietly into Hexi—apart from them, no one else has such ability.

Leiyin Temple lost face in the battle at Longxiang Ferry and has since harbored resentment. Were they not apprehensive of the River Lord of Tongtian River, as well as Wuwei King and Ziqing Holy Sect in Hedong, they would have attacked Hexi with their forces long ago. Now that they dare not act openly, they resort to these underhanded tactics, not realizing that the more demons they release, the more it benefits Hexi. It's just the commoners of Jiujun and Yuzhao who suffer, hmph..."

Hou Yuxiao said this, but his heart was not so optimistic. Indeed, slaying demons had brought him a substantial amount of merit deeds, but Hou Yucheng, who led a large army stationed in Jiujun County, was under tremendous pressure, and the casualty numbers of the Hexi Army grew daily, not to mention the lives of the common people in Jiujun and Yuzhao.

More critically, he still did not know the limits of Leiyin Temple. From what Hou Yujie reported about the demon eradication, it seemed that thus far, the highest grade of demons Leiyin Temple had released was Fifth Grade. But what if one day a Fourth Grade demon—or even a Third Grade—was released? What then?

By that time, he would have to personally lead the Red Flame Army there to resolve the issue.

Such is the influence of a Quasi-Holy Land; just a few maneuvers kept him restless at night!

A shadow of gloom flashed in Hou Yuxiao's eyes as anger rose in his heart. Turning to Hou Yuduan, he asked in a deep voice, "How has the Hexi Army fared this year? And what about the specifics of defense duties—have there been any changes during this time?"

"The current standing army of Hexi is one million strong, including 200,000 of the Red Flame Army, 300,000 of the Zhaoyang Army, and 500,000 regular soldiers. The Red Flame Army is fully equipped with superior war horses, as well as fine standard-issue armor and weapons. The Zhaoyang Army is outfitted with ordinary war horses and standard treasures of armor and blades.

No changes in defense duties so far:

Currently, 50,000 of the Red Flame Army and 150,000 of the Zhaoyang Army are stationed in Jiujun County, directly led by Second Brother Hou Yucheng;

On the west side in Longxiang County, another 50,000 of the Red Flame Army and 150,000 of the Zhaoyang Army are stationed, ostensibly under the command of Shen Guzhen, but in reality, it is the three brothers of Gao Changlong who are in charge; freёwebnoѵel.com

To the south in Yunxiang County, there are 300,000 ordinary Hexi forces stationed, nominally led by Wan Xingtian of Xiong Yun Gang, but the real controller is Bai Dongyu!

Additionally, there are another 100,000 of the Red Flame Army and 200,000 ordinary Hexi forces—a total of 300,000 troops—guarding Hexi Prefectural City, ready to be dispatched by you, Eldest Brother, at any time."

Calculating the million-strong army of Hexi in his mind—200,000 in Jiujun, 200,000 in Longxiang, 300,000 in Yunxiang, plus 200,000 in the Prefectural City—Hou Yuxiao felt the unease he had due to Leiyin Temple settle substantially in a flash.

Hexi had been honing its military for a whole year; it wasn't without progress!

"Eldest Brother, we really need to take measures against Leiyin Temple as soon as possible. Otherwise, if those bald monks continue to become more outrageous, if they really release some fearsome demon, we will be in serious trouble..."

Hearing Hou Yujie's warning, Hou Yuxiao nodded slightly, looked at Hou Yuduan, and asked softly, "Where have you arranged for the people from Ziqing Holy Sect?"

"With our sister not being at home, I've arranged for them to stay in the Joyful Union Pavilion!"

As soon as Hou Yuduan finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with Hou Yujie beside him, both guessing Hou Yuxiao's intention, and smiles immediately appeared on their faces.

"Come with me. I've delayed for a year; it's time to hold my wedding."