Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 76 - 063, Hou Clan’s Great Harvest (Part 2)

"Don't celebrate too soon, I've only mentioned the income, not the expenses yet. Wait until I've finished, then you can be happy if you still wish to be!"

The clear-headed Hou Yuduan spoke again, and everyone, including Hou Yuxiao, listened obediently for him to continue.

"Didn't Third Sister just mention it? The recent turmoil claimed over twenty thousand lives. According to the standard of five taels per family, I've distributed a total of one hundred thousand taels in consolation money.

Moreover, there are a total of 985 orphans after the chaos. I've already settled them in Dongkang Street; aside from hiring people to look after them, I've also spent money to hire instructors to start teaching them martial arts, which has cost nearly ten thousand taels in the initial phase.

Additionally, there were 37 casualties among our clan's martial artists; the total consolation money for them was 3,700 taels. And the number of those injured that night is countless; treating their injuries has altogether cost 7,300 taels. Adding this item up, it also reached eleven thousand taels!"

Goodness, these three expenses added up to one hundred and twenty-one thousand taels. The money they had just calculated was nearly a quarter gone, making everyone suddenly feel as if they had been cut with a knife.

The hot-tempered Hou Yucheng couldn't help but blurt out, "These matters should be the responsibility of the county government. Even if Ren Feng escaped from us... ahem... ran away, it should still be up to the prefecture to comfort the people.

We defended Zhaoyang and made contributions, and if the prefecture doesn't offer some silver as a reward, that's one thing, but why should we be spending ours!"

The rest nodded in agreement, their faces showing signs of indignation. After all, it's impossible not to feel the pinch when such a large sum of money was spent.

"The prefecture won't care, not just today, but they won't care about Zhaoyang from now on!"

"Big Brother, did you reach some sort of deal with Sikong Yue, is that why you dared to replace the county government's signboard with that of the Hou Mansion?"

Hou Yuduan was the quickest to grasp the situation. As soon as he asked this question, everyone looked at Hou Yuxiao, showing a hint of disbelief on their faces.

They had all been busy with their missions this month and were only summoned here today by Hou Yuxiao. Seeing that the county government's signboard had been replaced with the Hou Mansion's, they had noticed it long ago and had been holding back a bellyful of questions.

Hou Yuxiao looked at everyone, took a moment to refine his tone, and spoke in a low voice, "Old Fifth guessed correctly. From now on, there will be no County Lord or Magistrate in Zhaoyang!"

Upon finishing this statement, the nine people present were all momentary stunned, then expressions of joy appeared on their faces, and their excitement grew increasingly evident.

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Hou Yucheng, unable to contain his excitement, trembled as he said, "Big Brother means to say that from now on...this Zhaoyang County...will be entirely under the Hou Family's control?"

Everyone immediately turned towards Hou Yuxiao, and upon seeing him nod slightly, they all showed ecstatic expressions.

Hou Ying and Hou Cun even paced on the spot.

Even if the others didn't show much physical reaction, their faces were full of excitement.

Clearly, the overwhelming emotions of the crowd were beyond words.

From the Hou Clan facing a major crisis and nearing destruction,

to Hou Yuxiao leading them through various negotiations to fight for survival, until finally, half a year ago, the Hou Clan had at last gained a stable footing.

Then, a month ago, leveraging the Mountain Sword Sect's assault, they annihilated the Flying Eagle Sect and the Green Wolf Gang, fought Cheng Yue, and killed Ren Feng.

And now, Hou Yuxiao was telling them that the Hou Clan had become the undisputed dominant force in Zhaoyang City, the master of the whole county.

Who could have imagined that in just two years, the transformation of the Hou Clan would be so great? It felt nothing short of a dream to everyone!

"What does Sikong Yue want us to do?"

Among the nine present, only Hou Yuduan could regain his composure so quickly and grasp the crux of the issue.

However, this inquiry also calmed everyone down a bit, and a flicker of appreciation crossed Hou Yuxiao's eyes. Old Fifth's cool-headed nature was infinitely beneficial to the clan.

"Keep Zhaoyang City safe, on my head!"

"They know that Xuzhou won't let things go easily, and since the county has no one to use, they've given us Zhaoyang in name, but in reality, they've thrown us a hot potato. They know we won't refuse; this Sikong Yue... is indeed brilliant!"

Hou Yuduan's pupils shone for a moment as he immediately grasped the underlying logic of the deal. While sighing, he also explained it to everyone else.

When everyone else understood, the excitement in their hearts diminished considerably.

"At the end of the day, any trade boils down to the exchange of benefits. We want to hold onto Zhaoyang, and the Holy Church wants to defend it. Both sides are just using each other."

Hou Yuling spoke up, "So they just expect us to defend the city without any reward, not even sending a County Lord or Magistrate? Don't tell me there are no other benefits besides that?"

"Of course not," Hou Yuduan answered, "Sikong Yue also promised me that she would ensure that the Hou Clan's promotion to second-rate status won't be obstructed by the Prefectural City or the provincial office!"

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief in unison.

That's more like it...

"For a second-rate force, Warriors of the Gang Qi Realm oversee operations, with more than a thousand sect disciples, and three Devine Techniques to uphold the strength of the sect, we meet all the necessary conditions. Now that we also hold Zhaoyang County, provided that the Prefectural City and provincial office do not interfere, the promotion of the Hou Clan to a second-rate force is as good as done!"

Hou Yucheng exclaimed excitedly, instantly lifting everyone's spirits.

With a smile blooming like a flower, Hou Yuling turned to glance at Hou Yujie, saying, "Fourth Elder is about to break through to the Gang Qi Realm soon, and then our Hou Clan will have two Gang Qi Realm experts.

In Tongling County, among the seven second-rate forces, only the Bai Clan in the county itself and the Qijue Gate in Baiye County have more than two Gang Qi Realm experts presiding. The Bai Clan is on good terms with us. Once we're officially promoted, our Hou Clan will truly take its place among the powers of Tongling County!"

Gao Cheng shook his head at that moment, his eyes sparkling with insight, "It won't be just a matter of taking the stage. The Family Head's defeat of the martial artist from the Tiger List, Tian Linong, should earn him a place in the small Demon Extermination List from the Righteous Path.

There have been rumors before that Cheng Yue would be listed on the Demon Path's New Star Ranking, but after the Zhaoyang Disturbance, his reputation was tarnished, and there's no chance for him to make the list. On the contrary, the Family Head's performance in the battle of Zhaoyang was so outstanding that he is very likely to be considered as a candidate..."

Gao Cheng stopped speaking, but as he mentioned the two lists, the breathing of everyone around grew heavier.

The small Demon Extermination List from the Righteous Path is not so much of a concern, as almost every second-rate force has someone on the list. The key concern is the New Star Ranking.

With billions of people in the six states of the Demon Path, roughly speaking, martial artists are certainly counted by tens of millions; those below fifty years old number in the millions. However, only a mere hundred can make it onto this list...

Getting on this list is no easy feat!

One can only imagine, as the list encompasses not just Yongzhou, but also the states of You, Yu, Fen, Jin, and Liang. Countless geniuses from the Demon Path compete, making their way through the martial world, each striving for fame...

This list is mostly contested by the descendants of the three great forces—Sacred, Heavenly, and Earthly—so what would it mean for Hou Yuxiao to be named on this list?

"Alright, alright, stop dreaming. Cheng Yue was so strong and was only praised as having the potential to be listed. My victory over Tian Linong was not in a fair fight; in the end, I took advantage of a situation, so making it onto the list is nearly impossible!"

Hou Yuxiao was well aware of his own capabilities. If he could be named on the small Righteous Path's Demon Extermination List after the Zhaoyang Disturbance, it would already be quite an accomplishment; he should not even think about the Demon Path's New Star Ranking...

"Family Head, when shall we go to the Prefectural City?"

With the Clan's advancement to second-rate status imminent, naturally, they would first need to report to the County Magistrate. Hou Fei, visibly excited, stepped forward to ask.

"No rush. First, you take some people to Changle Street and prepare some things for me; I want to meet all the warriors in the city.

Also, Fourth Elder, take these five Yuan Gang Beads for now!"

As everyone saw Hou Yujie accept the Yuan Gang Beads, their faces invariably showed a hint of envy.

"These Yuan Gang Beads were found in the Green Wolf Gang and Flying Eagle Sect. Fourth Elder is close to a breakthrough, so he gets them first. You others needn't be envious; the clan isn't short on money now. Once we reach the Prefectural City, are you worried there won't be Yuan Gang Beads?"