Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 77 - 064, See off my brothers [please give a monthly ticket!]

Changle Street, originally the martial arts training ground of Hou Mansion

"It's been a month, Hou Lao Da finally agreed to see us today..."

"What were you waiting to see him for?"

"Nonsense, now that only the Hou Family remains in Zhaoyang City, shouldn't we swiftly switch allegiances to the Hou Clan? How else can we continue to survive in Zhaoyang County?"

"Which family were you with before?"

"I was with the Green Wolf Gang; how about you?"

"I was with the Flying Eagle Sect."

"Same here!"

......

In the moderate-sized training ground, ninety martial artists of varying ages and attires whispered among themselves.

All these individuals had a deep and prolonged aura, with energy and blood occasionally surging through their bodies. Based on the strength of their qi and blood, they were divided into two groups standing at the front and the back.

The group at the back was larger and also weaker in aura, but even these weaker martial artists had veins that were twenty to thirty percent thicker than those of normal people, clearly indicating they were experts in the Fourth Stage of Body-Strengthening and Muscle-Gaining.

The front group consisted of six individuals, all of whom had slightly bulging temples, the hallmark of Eighth Stage Expert of Body-Strengthening and Spirit-Nourishing.

Five of them appeared to be middle-aged in their forties or fifties. The only exception was the individual furthest to the left, who looked to be just over thirty and notably younger.

The six were indifferent to the whispered discussions behind them, focusing all their attention on the front of the martial arts training ground where the main hall of Hou Clan was located, each showing different expressions.

"Yu Family brothers, Duan Kai, your old master just died a month ago, and here you are rushing to join the Hou Family. Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning?"

Upon hearing this mockery, Yu Fei, Yu Long, and Duan Kai turned to look at the imposing Xiong Nutao and retorted without any courtesy, "Is it any of your business?"

"I'm not meddling; I'm worried you'll join the Hou Family, and in less than two months, when experts are sent from the county, you'll have to switch masters again."

At these words, the three momentarily changed expression, uncertainty flashing through their minds.

A month ago, they, among over seven hundred martial artists, were gathered by Hou Yucheng, who wanted them to assist in the reconstruction of Zhaoyang City— a task none of them were willing to take on.

But who would dare to resist when Hou Lao Er, known for his fierce temper, stepped forward?

A month had passed, and they had grown to understand that from now on, the Hou Family would definitely be in charge of Zhaoyang City, hence why Hou Yuxiao summoned everyone here today, which was clear to Yu Fei and the others.

For them, changing their allegiance wasn't really an issue.

However, the problem was the Hou Family's inexplicable decision to replace the county government's signboard, which was indeed worrisome.

It was true that the Hou Family had earned their merit by defending the city, with the County Lord Ren Feng fleeing due to his crimes, and even the newly appointed Magistrate Cheng Yue having disappeared; but replacing the signboard of the county government with that of Hou Mansion, what did that imply?

In recent days, the word around the city was that the Hou Clan might be planning a rebellion, hence Yu Fei and the others genuinely started to worry upon hearing Xiong Nutao mention that people from the county were being dispatched.

"So, you and Zhang Kong have decided not to join the Hou Family?"

When Yu Fei asked this, Xiong Nutao pondered for a moment before he shook his head and said hesitantly, "Although I have such thoughts, it mainly depends on others. Now, everything in the city must adhere to the Hou Family's decisions!"

This response was quite reasonable, yet Yu Fei shook his head. The Hou Family had gathered them here and not directly incorporated them, which meant there certainly was a selection process. Xiong Nutao's implication was that he was no longer considering joining the Hou Family.

Suddenly, Yu Fei noticed that Su Li, the youngest by his side, had had his eyes closed all this while, as if he hadn't heard their conversation at all, which sparked his curiosity, "Brother Su, what are your thoughts?"

The six could be divided into three groups: Yu Fei himself, Yu Long, and Duan Kong were Hall Masters of the Green Wolf Gang; Zhang Kong and Xiong Nutao were Loose Cultivators, and Su Li had belonged to the Flying Eagle Sect.

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Seeing Su Li all alone, Yu Fei and the others felt somewhat fortunate.

The night the Hou Family destroyed both their Green Wolf Gang and the Flying Eagle Sect, only Su Li survived the assault led by Hou Lao Er and Hou Lao Si, supposedly saved due to his youth.

If it had been Hou Lao Er and Hou Lao Si in charge of destroying the Green Wolf Gang that night, it's likely none of them would have survived till now.

"Brother Su?"

Su Li seemed uninterested in responding to him. When Yu Fei called out a second time, he still got no response. Yu Fei instantly looked somewhat gloomy. Just as he was about to call out a third time, Su Li suddenly moved.

However, it wasn't to answer him, but to stand upright and look solemnly toward the main hall.

As Yu Fei turned his head to look, he immediately straightened up as well. Along with him, everyone on the training grounds stood up straight, their faces solemn. The noisy chatter stopped abruptly, and silence prevailed.

In the main hall, Hou Yuxiao, clad in green and wearing a smile, stood at the center. Hou Yucheng and Hou Yu Jie stood behind him, one on each side, slowly approaching.

"We greet the Master of Hou Family!"

Everyone spoke in unison, bowing to Hou Yuxiao.

"There's no need to be so formal; please rise..."

Hou Yuxiao's smile deepened as he gestured for everyone to get up.

It's undeniable that compared to the irascible Second Elder and the sullen Fourth Elder, the handsome and smiling Hou Yuxiao made a much better impression on everyone.

Hou Yuxiao looked at the crowd, his eyes flickered slightly, and said, "This time, Mr. Hou has gathered you all here for two reasons. Firstly, to thank you for following the orders of the Hou Clan over the past month, helping the citizens rebuild Zhaoyang!"

Having finished speaking, Hou Yuxiao bowed. Seeing this, everyone waved their hands hurriedly, their faces anxious as they all claimed it was only what they should do.

"Secondly, as all of you are martial talent of Zhaoyang and the Hou Clan is in need of people, Mr. Hou sincerely invites you all to join the Hou Clan and work together on a great cause. What do you think about this?"

After Hou Yuxiao finished speaking, everyone fell silent for a few seconds, and then bursts of responses began to emerge.

"I am willing."

"I too wish to join the Hou Clan."

"I am willing!"

......

In Zhaoyang City, aside from the individuals in the Hou Clan, there were over seven hundred martial artists in total. It was almost effortless to get those at the Third Level of Body Opening and below to join the Hou Clan. The ninety before him were truly the ones Hou Yuxiao wanted to target.

Seeing that more than half of those below had responded, Hou Yuxiao waited a bit longer. Seeing that the remaining thirty or forty people hadn't spoken, looking somewhat uneasy, he quickly stepped forward with a smile and said, "Rest assured, everyone. Since this is a sincere invitation, it naturally respects your wishes. Those who do not wish to join may simply say so; Mr. Hou will not have any objections!"

"Is that really true, Master of Hou Family?"

Yu Fei stepped forward, his tone slightly anxious. Beside him, Yu Long and Duan Kong also moved forward a step.

He and Yu Long were brothers, plus Duan Kong, three Eighth Stage Experts who really had no shortage of opportunities. If they couldn't find a place in Zhaoyang in the future, they could simply move to the county – this was already their plan, further fueled by the provocation from Xiong Nutao. Hence, they boldly stepped forward to ask.

When Hou Yuxiao turned to see the three of them step forward, followed by more than ten other people—all Fourth Stage martial artists—he paused for a moment, then with a smile full of his face, nodded and said, "Mr. Hou's word is as good as gold!"

Yu Fei, along with the other two, exchanged glances and then bowed to Hou Yuxiao, "Then please excuse us, Master of Hou Family. We three have spent a long time in Zhaoyang and want to venture out to make our way, so we will not join the Hou Clan."

"Master of Hou Family, I share Hall Master Yu's thoughts."

"The five of us feel the same way!"

"I do too."

...

As soon as Yu Fei finished speaking, another twelve people immediately stood out behind him. Clearly, they were all former members of the Green Wolf Gang, and had obviously pre-arranged their response. They now boldly stepped forward as well.

Xiong Nutao and Zhang Kong exchanged a glance, their expressions full of determination. They nodded to each other across the space, ready to step forward.

"Foolish..."

Suddenly, a faint voice reached Xiong Nutao's ear. He realized the speaker was Su Li, who had been standing quietly beside him. Initially puzzled, he then remembered something startling and quickly pulled back Zhang Kong, who was about to step forward.

As Zhang Kong looked around puzzled, Hou Yuxiao's light laughter came from up front, and everyone immediately looked up.

"Since the three Hall Masters with their brothers wish to seek a new path, Mr. Hou will not insist. Second Elder, Fourth Elder, please escort these fifteen brothers on their way!"

......