Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 415: 207, Two Little Thieves_3

"Earlier I had mentioned that the Rakshasa Holy Sect initiated this war ostensibly to punish Xuzhou for crossing borders, but in reality, it was likely to vent their frustrations, display their strength to intimidate others, and simultaneously divert attention from the other three fronts."

This considered, defeating the Hexi Three Prefectures should suffice to achieve their goal, and it wouldn't cause much damage to themselves. If Zhan Taiqing's crossing the river is true, then it seems that the Rakshasa Holy Sect's reasons for waging this war aren't limited to just this one; they likely have other ulterior motives!"

"Strike one to avoid a hundred," Hou Yuxiao's understanding of the Rakshasa Holy Sect initiating this war, was encapsulated in these ten words. Logically, after conquering the Hexi Three Prefectures, the campaign should have ended. Attacking the Hedong Six Prefectures across the river would be akin to Xuzhou crossing borders—an action not only lacking in benefits but also unwise given the Rakshasa Holy Sect's current siege on all fronts.

"Ji Yanzhi died in Yongzhou; the Bailu Academy will surely blame the Rakshasa Holy Sect. And then there's Leiyin Temple, which would dream of the Rakshasa Sect's downfall. If the Holy Church were to cross the border and attack the Hedong Six Prefectures, both would certainly not sit idly by."

While the Rakshasa Holy Sect is officially at war with Xuzhou, at the very least, three Holy Lands, including the top-ranking Bailu Academy of the Righteous Path, would side with Xuzhou. And not to mention the internal instability within the Rakshasa Sect, even at their peak, it wouldn't be feasible to face three major Holy Lands directly in battle. I suspect the Rakshasa Sect must have received some backing to be so bold!"

Upon hearing Hou Yuduan's words, Hou Yuxiao's eyes suddenly flashed, and a conjecture flickered through his mind as he asked softly, "Are you referring to the Great Jin Dynasty?"

Hou Yuduan nodded slightly, and beside him, Hou Yu Jie and Hou Yucheng also caught on.

The only power that could support the Rakshasa Sect and allow them to wage war on three major Holy Lands simultaneously, across the world, is none other than the Great Jin!

"If the Great Jin enters the fray, attacking the Hedong Six Prefectures might actually be feasible."

Hou Yucheng spoke with a slightly excited tone; since the Hou Clan was deploying ten thousand troops, successfully conquering the Hedong Six Prefectures would earn them merit, naturally exciting him.

However, Hou Yuduan gently shook his head and said, "The entrance of Great Jin might seem beneficial for the Rakshasa Sect, but with both leaders of good and evil entering the fray, the top ten Holy Lands would certainly not remain idle. If that happens, the conflict initially involving only the Hedong Six Prefectures could escalate to affect the entire world, turning the Hou Clan's situation not only unimproved but perilously risky. A slight misstep could lead to their downfall!"

Hou Yuxiao frowned and nodded. The explanation was easy to understand—if all ten Holy Lands indeed got involved, then the Hou Clan would play an insignificant role in the Hedong conflict. Not to mention the armies of the Holy Lands, with the current state of power, just having an expert of Qiányáng's caliber from the Gang Qi Realm would be enough to doom the Hou Clan.

"Big brother, is there any chance we can refuse Zhan Taiqing and keep our family out of this?"

Hou Yuduan asked with a steadfast expression.

However, Hou Yuxiao just shook his head gently at him.

"Wanyang, Longxiang, Yangping, Tongling—four prefectures, plus those five boxes containing assets from the Tianding Sect and other forces, the Hou Clan has gained so much this time without any obstacles. Do you think it's because Zhan Taiqing and the others are unaware?"

Of course, it wasn't because they were unaware. The day the five boxes arrived, Zhan Taiqing's messenger had just arrived too; there's no such coincidence...

"Zhan Taiqing allowing us to plunder these assets and agreeing to my proposal to establish Hexi Prefecture, none of these are given freely. Deploying ten thousand troops is just a facade; what she really wants is for us to commit fully to help her fight this war. She tasted the benefits of conquering the Hexi Three Prefectures; she's merely eyeing our strategic capabilities!"

Zhan Taiqing's intentions weren't hard to guess, and Hou Yuxiao had already thought them through. Essentially, it was a transaction where both sides obtained what they desired without any loss.

"With multiple Holy Lands entering the fray, the Hedong conflict might become even more perilous. Therefore, the ten thousand troops dispatched this time cannot all be drawn from our clan's martial artists. Didn't Fourth Elder mention that several sect members from those seven powers wish to join the Hou Clan?"

Hou Yu Jie nodded, grasping Hou Yuxiao's intent right away.

"Second Elder, continue to bolster the Zhaoyang Army. For this campaign to Hexi, only deploy five thousand of our clan's troops. We'll recruit the rest from those third-rate powers and the Loose Cultivators of Wanyang County. Provide substantial rewards and promise that upon their return from Hedong, they can become members of the Hou Clan. Recruiting five thousand should not be difficult; after all, we aren't the main protagonists in the Hedong conflict. Just assemble these ten thousand troops and consider it a joint training with the Holy Church!"

"Yes, big brother."

As Hou Yuxiao was about to continue speaking, his brow suddenly furrowed, and together with Hou Yuduan, Hou Yucheng, and Hou Yu Jie, all four suddenly looked up toward the roof.

"Additionally, Old Fifth, you go to Xingnan Prefecture City tomorrow. Prepare everything necessary, and make sure to return by the 20th at the latest."

"Yes, big brother!"

While speaking, Hou Yuxiao gently shook his head at everyone, signaling them not to startle the snake. After Hou Yuduan responded, Hou Yuxiao subtly signaled Hou Yu Jie with his eyes.

Hou Yu Jie unobtrusively nodded, his eyes flashing coldly. He contained his aura to the utmost, stepping outside the house silently, not making a sound.

"What nerve, for some petty thieves to dare intrude on the Hou Mansion, seeking death!"

Hou Yuxiao and the others stood firmly in the main hall, listening to Hou Yu Jie's fierce shout from above, feeling the rooftop battle between Hou Yu Jie and two others, both only Two Realms practitioners of the Gang Qi Realm. They did not move but listened quietly.

Shortly, Hou Yu Jie walked in holding two figures in black, tossing them in front of Hou Yuxiao and the others with a peculiar expression:

"It looks like... they're both women!"