Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 343: 182, Eager to Show Off_3

Thinking that he had to bow to a stinking youngster in his twenties, Fan Longhe's face darkened again, his fists clenched tightly, yet he ultimately held back, slowly rising and heading towards the city gate.

"Lord Fan has finally appeared; I couldn't find you anywhere these past three days!"

But he had hardly taken two steps when a voice came from inside the city, followed by five riders bursting out of the east gate, charging straight toward him and Gui Yutang's position. Fan Longhe fixed his gaze on the leader, who was riding a black horse. It was none other than Hou Yuxiao, the man he despised to the bone...

Three days ago, in front of him, Hou Yuxiao had directed the Mansion Army with gestures, usurping his role in ensuring the reconstruction of Tongling. And now he had the audacity to claim that he'd been searching for him for three days.

Fan Longhe looked at Hou Yuxiao's hypocritically smiling face, seething with anger, his fists clenched tighter inside his sleeves. Confronted with such shamelessness from Hou Yuxiao, even his years of Qi Nurturing Technique showed signs of collapsing.

He wanted to burst into curses, but seeing the four men who had ridden over just like him, standing behind Hou Yuxiao, a chill ran through his heart. Even as his eyes swept over the now-open east gate and saw the eager army of Martial Artists ready for battle, his anger vanished completely, and his mind instantly calmed.

"Mr. Hou, I am honored to meet Lord Fan!"

Hou Yuxiao still maintained a respectful demeanor as he dismounted to greet Fan Longhe, and at the same time the four men behind him also dismounted and followed suit in greeting Fan Longhe.

"Bai Yunfan, I am honored to meet Lord Fan!"

"Nie Xinchuan, I am honored to meet Lord Fan!"

"Li Sanyun, I am honored to meet Lord Fan!"

"Liu Jianghong, I am honored to meet Lord Fan!"

Watching the four men who used to bow and scrape to him now firmly behind Hou Yuxiao, apparently paying respects to him but actually sending a threatening signal with Hou Yuxiao, sent a colder chill through Fan Longhe's heart, his gaze turning even more grim.

However, he ultimately was able to keep his cool, slowly suppressing the surge of anger and forcing a smile, he clasped his hands together, "With the Hou Family overseeing the situation in the city, I am completely at ease. Having made such achievements during this demon chaos, Master still doesn't know how to reward the Master of Hou Family. Perhaps if the Master of Hou Family receives some official title, later on, I might have to address the Master of Hou Family as 'Lord' myself.

It is not necessary to be so formal with someone I've known well for years; please rise quickly!"

While Fan Longhe was flattering Hou Yuxiao, addressing the four men behind him, as soon as his speech ended his facial expression froze...

Nie Xinchuan and the others completely ignored him.

It was not until Hou Yuxiao stood up first, turned back, and nodded at the four men that they straightened up, smiling and bowing to Fan Longhe.

This scene deepened the chill in Fan Longhe's heart...

"May Brother Fan's auspicious words come true, if Mr. Hou is not mistaken, today is the day Master summoned us; please lead the way, Brother Fan. The Hou Family also has matters to report to Master!"

After this display of power, Hou Yuxiao lost all interest in pleasantries, directly addressing Fan Longhe as Brother Fan instead of Lord Fan.

Strictly speaking, Hou Yuxiao shouldn't be so bold, as humiliating Fan Longhe in this manner doesn't benefit the Hou family, but there was no time to wait!

The war between the two states had already begun; though Tongling County was now less populated and its geographical importance diminished, just its status as a prefectural city held a fatal attraction for Hou Yuxiao.

Having experienced the importance of the City-Protecting Barrier in Zhaoyang once before, he knew its significance. Seizing control of a prefectural city during the unfolding war had strategic significance for both the Hou family and himself.

Thus, he took such an assertive stance, proclaiming his sovereignty over Tongling City without regard for Fan Longhe's feelings, hoping to coerce him into stepping aside. If he could drive him away outright, that would be ideal; otherwise, provoking him and settling the matter once and for all could also work!

In just three short days, and frankly, of those five thousand Mansion Army troops, only about a thousand had actually been swayed by the Hou family, far fewer than outside speculation suggested. But based on their core support, the Hou family's control over Tongling had undeniably surpassed Fan Longhe's, which was Hou Yuxiao's confidence.

Fan Longhe stood still for a long time, his expression fluctuating for what seemed like ages. After staring down Hou Yuxiao three times, upon seeing Hou Yuxiao's unruffled expression, his anger and fear intertwined. Only after more than ten breaths did he finally relax, his expression clearing as he slightly bowed his head toward Hou Yuxiao.

"Master Hou, please follow me; Master is waiting in the woods!"

With a slight smile on his lips, Hou Yuxiao felt very satisfied with Fan Longhe's decision.