Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 362: 189. Xizhao, Sword Chief, truly lives up to his name_2

No matter what, before the family sends a clear message, I, Su Li, am still a member of the Hou Clan. As a disciple of the Family Head, I must do everything in my power to protect him. If there truly is some other situation occurring within the family, then at that time I will find another way out and consider myself without having betrayed the trust of the Family Head.

Su Li's gaze gradually became resolute, as he gathered all thirty members of the Geng Division beside him, whispering, "If a fight really does break out later, make sure not to engage the Yongzhou Army. Just pretend to fight and secretly protect the young master, understand?"

"Yes, Leader!"

Wan Xiaolou, who was nearby, watched this scene unfold with a touch of emotion suddenly surging in her eyes. She wanted to speak up, advising Su Li not to arrange things this way, but he stopped her with a look in his eyes. After thinking it over, she didn't say anything, instead storing her gratitude in her heart.

Su Li had more to say, but suddenly, an excited expression crossed his face as he pulled out a silver token from his bosom.

"Su Li, what's the situation in the city?"

Upon hearing the long-missed voice from inside the token, Su Li was extremely moved, his demeanor becoming exceedingly respectful. He quickly looked around and used his Gang Qi to create a slight cover before replying in a low voice, "Reporting to the Family Head, there are still over three thousand of the city's defenders left. However, Lu Guanqing has initiated a forced conscription, and all martial artists above the five levels of body refinement in the city have been drafted into the temporary City Defense Army. There are over five thousand Tianding Sect members and about four thousand Loose Cultivators. I and the thirty brothers from the Geng Division are also here, and, oh yes, the young master has arrived as well!"

There was a moment of silence from the token, as if digesting Su Li's words, and after a while, Hou Yuxiao's voice came through again.

"Xiaolou has also attained the five levels of body refinement; it seems he hasn't been slacking these past two months. Good. I'm asking you, apart from Lu Guanqing and Gu Tianyun, are there any other masters in the city? What are their levels of cultivation, and are you aware of them?"

Su Li had been in the city long enough to yield some findings. The urgency of Hou Yuxiao's questioning clearly indicated that he might be right outside the city, among the besieging forces of Yongzhou, and evidently wanted to understand the situation inside through Su Li. Su Li hurriedly relayed all the information he had collected in his mind these past days.

"Gu Tianyun is always accompanied by twelve white-clothed swordsmen. Their identities are mysterious, and I have not been able to find out much, nor can I sense their cultivation levels. But judging from the way they interact with Lu Guanqing, their strength should be above that of his."

"Besides them, there's Tong Wudi from the Tianding Sect, who is now also with Gu Tianyun, including another five Grandmasters of the sect. I learned that their cultivation is all below the Second Realm Grandmaster."

"How willing are those five thousand from the Tianding Sect to defend the city?"

"They are less committed than the Silver Armored Army but not weak. I inquired, and those five thousand plus martial artists above the five levels of body refinement are everything the Tianding Sect has. Since Tong Wudi has brought them out, he must be intending to hold the fort, especially since Wanyang County is his territory; besides, with Gu Tianyun in charge, he wouldn't dare have second thoughts!"

"And the other four thousand Loose Cultivators, how are they faring?"

"A rabble, not worth considering. Even if forced to the front, they will scatter at the first charge of the Yongzhou Army. Lu Guanqing probably knows this too. I think he might plan to use these people to make a show of force."

"Alright, I'm asking you, if a fight ensues, will you be able to get close to Lu Guanqing?"

Startled by this question, Su Li showed a moment of hesitation before slowly answering, "Getting close shouldn't be an issue, but if you want me to do something else, I don't think there's any hope."

Su Li's response was cautious. Hou Yuxiao's question seemed to suggest that he was considering ordering him to assassinate Lu Guanqing. His caution wasn't due to fear of death; mainly, it was because his cultivation was only at the Gangqi First Realm, and while he could get close to Lu Guanqing amid the chaos of battle, attempting to assassinate the latter was tantamount to suicide.

A martial artist of the Gangqi First Realm attempting to assassinate a Grandmaster of the three realms was a fool's errand, even if the target lay still and allowed the attack.

But Su Li had guessed wrong, as Hou Yuxiao on the other end of the token seemed to detect the trepidation in his tone and chuckled lightly, replying, "Don't worry, I won't send you to your death. It's good enough if you can get close to him. Continue to stay in the city without revealing yourselves, ensure your own safety, and when I need you, I'll notify you again!"

Heartened by this response, Su Li replied reverently, "Understood, my lord!"

However, after responding, he immediately asked, "May I inquire if the Family Head is also outside the city right now? Is our Hou Clan also with the attacking forces?"

"Indeed, rest assured, as long as you don't reveal your identities, there will be no trouble!"

After answering this question, the token fell silent once more.

Realizing that his situation was secure, Su Li showed a hint of exhilaration, tucking the token into his chest and began to explain the situation to Wan Xiaolou.

However, no more than a hundred breaths passed since his exchange with Hou Yuxiao—just as he had finished speaking, and while Wan Xiaolou's expression was still full of eagerness—the western city wall suddenly emanated a suffocatingly powerful aura, causing everyone, including Su Li, to abruptly lift their heads, their eyes filled with shocked disbelief.

"Gu Tianyun, do you really intend to defend Wanyang County to the death?"

A voice as cold as ice broke the silence that had lasted for five days.

"Are they starting the siege?"