Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 242: 145, Qinglong Association (14)_2

Gratitude is appreciated, but Gui Yutang still looked at Hou Yuxiao with eyes full of wariness. He hadn't forgotten that the man before him could very well be a member of the Qinglong Association, which was rumored to collude with demons!

"Leader Gui, is this about opening the East City Gate to let the Mansion Army into the city?"

Hou Yuxiao, sensing that Ding Peng in his grasp was about to speak again, immediately tightened his grip and asked Gui Yutang in a low voice. Seeing the other's wary gaze, he didn't take it to heart and just shook his head lightly, "Leader Gui, the Prefectural City is no safe haven; entering it is but a path to death. Mr. Hou can show you a clear way out, what do you say?"

Gui Yutang's brow furrowed. The Prefectural City was a fortress at present; how could entering it be a path to death? Yet he didn't dare to contradict Hou Yuxiao, so he could only inquire, "Please enlighten me."

"Take the remnants of your Mansion Army, open the city gates, and have all the Martial Artists inside come out to assist you in fending off the demons. If you can hold back the demons and wait for the outcome of the battle between the six masters and the Blood Demon, there might still be a chance for survival!"

Nonsense...

Gui Yutang, known for his straightforwardness, almost blurted out these words. Hou Yuxiao now possessed the cultivation of a Grandmaster and could very likely be a member of the Qinglong Association; Gui certainly didn't dare to confront him so openly, yet he couldn't agree with Hou's words either and thus chose to remain silent.

Hou Yuxiao discerned Gui's thoughts from his expression. He would have liked to explain, but he knew explanations would be futile at this moment. Furthermore, with Ding Peng's action to close the East City Gate, everyone considered the Prefectural City a place of refuge. The more he explained, the less likely they would believe him.

"Young Sect Leader Ding, order your men to open the city gate!"

Upon hearing Hou Yuxiao's words, Gui Yutang was momentarily stunned. Just a moment ago, Hou had advised him not to enter the city, and now he had abruptly asked Ding Peng to open the gate. What did this mean?

Meanwhile, Ding Peng, grasped by the neck by Hou Yuxiao, revealed a shadow of gloom on his face upon hearing these words. He had just given orders to close the city gates specifically to doom Gui Yutang and his thirty thousand Mansion Army troops; how could he be willing to open the gates so soon?

But as Hou Yuxiao's grip tightened, Ding Peng realized his life hung on Hou's whim and quickly changed his expression.

"Hurry up and open the gates!"

The Elders of the Great Luo Sect, hearing his command, dared not disobey. They quickly descended from the city wall, first asking the Great Luo Sect Members crowded at the gate to step back and then swiftly ordering the opening of the gates.

Squeak... creak...

The massive city gates were slowly opened from inside, and those who hadn't yet entered the city, along with the Mansion Army soldiers nearby, immediately showed ecstatic joy on their faces.

"The gates are open, we're saved!"

"We can enter the city now, hurry."

"Hurry into the city, hurry into the city..."

...

Hou Yuxiao, watching the people outside rush in desperately, couldn't help but shake his head and sigh internally, about to speak.

Gui Yutang, on the other hand, bowed respectfully to him first.

"Regardless of the Master of Hou Family's intentions, Mr. Gui would like to thank you on behalf of the Mansion Army under my command. Should the opportunity arise, Mr. Gui will surely repay your kindness today!"

After speaking, Gui Yutang leaped down from the city wall. He had to hurry to the back to coordinate, lest the Mansion Army become a disorganized mess. Being slow to enter the city was a minor issue; if the demons were allowed into the city as well, that would be a grave matter.

"Leader Gui, I opened the city gate not to let you in, but to let everyone out," Hou Yuxiao transmitted to the already descending Gui Yutang. "The advice I gave earlier should not be forgotten!"

Gui Yutang, having jumped down from the wall and hearing Hou Yuxiao's transmitted words, looked back at the Prefectural City, still unclear about his intentions. Deciding not to ponder it, he directly rushed to the forefront of the Mansion Army and began contemplating strategies for retreating into the city.

On the city wall, Ding Peng saw that many people had already rushed inside the city. Glancing at Hou Yuxiao, a flicker of hatred passed through his eyes, "Master Hou, I've opened the city gate as you ordered; it's time to let me go, isn't it?"

Observing the hatred in Ding Peng's eyes, Hou Yuxiao pondered for a moment before letting out a soft smile and releasing Ding Peng. He even bowed respectfully to him and said, "Young Sect Leader Ding, in times of emergency, one must act accordingly. I have offended you greatly and ask for your understanding."

Hou Yuxiao's action left Ding Peng momentarily stunned...

Just a second ago, this man was about to kill him; how come the next second, he suddenly changed his attitude?

"Master Hou, what does this mean?"

Although Ding Peng considered himself clever, he couldn't see through Hou Yuxiao's maneuver. For safety, he still kept his distance from Hou before asking softly.

"Not to deceive you, Young Sect Master, in fact, I am also... a follower of Master Yuan Kong!"

As Hou Yuxiao uttered the name "Master Yuan Kong," he fixed his gaze on Ding Peng's face. Noting the sudden contraction of Ding Peng's pupils, he instantly understood.

The Great Luo Sect really had ties to the Leiyin Temple!

This Ding Buhai, what a deep concealment...

Buyu, Bu Zheng, Buhai... Hou Yuxiao's mind flashed through these names; his body tensed as everything clicked into place.

"If you're a disciple of the Master, why then did you ask me to open the gates just now!"

Looking at Ding Peng, still oblivious to being bamboozled, Hou Yuxiao's mind stirred as he replied softly, "The Master said, with the demons' overwhelming force, and the outcome with the Blood Demon still uncertain, Tongling cannot afford any mistakes. He was concerned that just the Great Luo Sect alone couldn't defend the gates before the Barrier was in place. It's better to let Gui Yutang lead the Mansion Army to hold them off and use them to keep the demons at bay first."