Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 423: 210, Double Dragons of the Hou Family that do not live up to their name_2

The previous statement implied that someone in the county was in cahoots with the Zhu Family, and the next moment, all eyes immediately fell on Shen Gufan. The meaning was already crystal clear.

Hou Yuduan and Hou Yujie first exchanged glances, then both directed their gaze at Shen Gufan.

"Indeed, I have met with people from the Zhu family, but honestly, I am not sure that I can persuade them to revoke the Jinling Death Order," said Mr. Shen.

Upon hearing this, Hou Yujie's brows slightly furrowed, and his expression immediately turned solemn.

Indeed, even without Zhou Hong's hint, he and Hou Yuduan would have guessed that the Zhu family must be deeply connected with the Shen clan.

Assassination organizations are not the same as martial factions; such enterprises require exceptionally strong intelligence capabilities, like the Qinglong Association, which wouldn't have been able to establish itself in Tongling without the support of the Hou Clan.

Being one of the two major assassin organizations in Xingnan Prefecture alongside the Silver Blade Society of the Prefectural City, and having stood unyielding in Jinling for so many years, the Zhu family's operation was undoubtedly linked with the local Shen clan.

Yet, Shen Gufan admitted he was uncertain...

"Family Head Shen, why not give it a try? Additionally, we have captured two female assassins from the Zhu family. If the Zhu family agrees to withdraw the Death Order, not only will the Hou Clan offer a substantial reward, but we will also release these two women unharmed, just to turn hostility into friendship with the Zhu family!"

Hou Yuduan approached Shen Gufan, his tone sincere and even somewhat humble, clearly showing his genuine intentions.

Shen Gufan's face showed a moment of hesitation; he could see Hou Yuduan was sincere, but the problem was that he truly did not hold sway over those madmen of the Zhu family. After pondering for a long while, he finally nodded slightly and said, "Since that's the case, I'll do my best."

Only then did a smile appear on the faces of Hou Yuduan and Hou Yujie. Although they had no definitive results yet, at least Shen Gufan was willing to make an effort.

Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was busy toasting, Shen Gufan whispered a few words to his son, Shen Feitian, who nodded and immediately turned to leave Shengxin Residence.

This scene did not escape the eyes of Hou Yuduan and Hou Yujie.

"Just as Big Brother anticipated, the Zhu Family definitely has a deep connection with the Shen family. The real question is whether Family Head Shen can convince the Zhu Family to give us this face," they murmured.

Hearing Old Fifth's encoded message, Hou Yujie nodded slightly, his eyes shimmering with a faint mystery as he replied through crafted breathing, "It shouldn't be a big issue. Judging by Shen Gufan's attitude, he still wants to actively maintain good relations with us. He and Zhou Hong are obviously at odds, and neither Jinling nor Tongling, which borders our territory, would benefit from antagonizing our Hou Clan."

Jinling, Tongling, and Yinling border each other, with Yinling to the north, Tongling to the east, and Jinling to the west, collectively known as the Sanling Region. Although no official documents pronounced the Hou Clan's promotion to second-rate, anyone well-informed knew that the Hou Clan had become the masters of Tongling. Just revoking a Death Order, given the current reputation of the Hou Clan and considering that the Zhu and Shen families were neighbors...

That face, the Shen family should give.

However, things often turn out unexpectedly. Hou Yujie and Hou Yuduan thought that the Shen family would surely persuade the Zhu family to grant this favor, but the outcome proved otherwise.

"Young masters, the Zhu Family has said that once the Jinling Death Order is issued, it will never be revoked unless the Hou Clan is willing to pay 5 million taels of silver to break this precedent!"

These words were not spoken by Shen Feitian, but by a servant who entered with him, possessing merely the five levels of body refinement, clearly just there to relay a message. Standing before so many Gang Qi realm masters, the servant appeared quite nervous, and his voice was trembling.

Nevertheless, the message was delivered.

Upon hearing this, the faces of Hou Yujie and Hou Yuduan immediately darkened, not just them, but the expressions of everyone present changed, some seeming to take pleasure in the Hou Clan's misfortune.

Zhou Hong looked at Shen Gufan and others, his eyes brimming with excitement.

What does 5 million taels of silver represent? A Jinling Kill-on-Sight Order against a Grandmaster-level expert is worth 1.5 million taels. The Hou Clan has only two Grandmasters. Since Hou Yujie previously mentioned they were of his clan, it's likely they were merely Warriors of the Gang Qi Realm.

A kill order for a Warrior of the Gang Qi Realm's Third Stage: Holding Dan Phase is valued at about six hundred thousand taels, the Gathering Evil Phase of Gang Qi Second Realm at most three hundred thousand, and the First Stage: Consolidating Gangqi Phase even less, with one hundred fifty thousand being enough to issue an order.

The asking price of 5 million taels made their intentions very clear!

"Family Head Shin, is there really no room for discussion?" Hou Yujie and Hou Yuduan asked, not even glancing at the servant. This question was directly addressed to Shen Gufan, and their tones had already taken on a hint of chill.

Hou Yujie's slightly chilled questioning immediately caused a subtle shift in the gaze of everyone around them.

Ever since the Hou brothers made their appearance, whether it was Shen Gufan, Zhou Hong, or even Ling Yanyun and other six guests, everyone had remained amiable, speaking in the kindest tones and giving each other due respect.

This questioning by Hou Yujie undoubtedly shattered that amicability.

"What, are you saying that if there's no room for negotiation, you might turn your wrath against my Shen family?" Shen Gufan's tone also turned chilly. Hou Yujie's questioning had clearly made him uncomfortable.

Indeed, if Hou Yuduan had been the one to speak, it might not have been so severe, as his level of Confucianism cultivation wasn't far off from Shen Gufan's, both being at the Grandmaster Realm; but Hou Yujie being only a Warrior in the Gathering Evil Phase of the Gang Qi Second Realm, looking around at the guests currently sitting in Shengxin Residence, there were quite a few whose cultivation surpassed Hou Yujie's.