Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 438: 215. Hou Yuling's Three Messages_2

"All of you have shown such support for the Holy Church and the Hou Clan; I, Mr. Hou, am immensely grateful. This military campaign is fraught with danger, and I dare not make any guarantees. However, please rest assured that I will do everything within my power to contribute to the Holy Church, and I will do my utmost to ensure the safety of each family's disciples!"

Of course, the military achievements on the battlefield will all be tallied by the Holy Church. The efforts of each family's disciples will be duly recorded in their names. As long as the soldiers fight bravely against the enemy, whether it is an individual or their affiliated power, the Holy Church will not be stingy in its rewards."

This speech was delivered with considerable solemnity by Hou Yuxiao.

Supporting the Holy Church was certainly the most important aspect of this deployment, and the Hou Clan was part of it; as for the military achievements, he didn't need to mention them as everyone should understand that the main characters of this war were the Holy Church and the Wanjian Holy Sect. With the vast wealth of the Rakshasa Holy Sect, making true achievements on the battlefield would naturally not lack rewards.

"Master of the Hou Family is too polite. We are now the people of Yongzhou. It is only right and proper for us to exert effort for the Holy Church!"

"The battlefield is dangerous. Since we have sent our disciples here, we have already made mental preparations in advance. How could we blame Master of the Hou Family!"

...

The crowd was indeed very cooperative. Hou Yuxiao glanced at the list in his hand with a trace of smile in his eyes, handed the roster to Hou Yuduan beside him, and then raised his cup to drink with these people one by one.

After a round of toasting and exchange of pleasantries, the twenty-eight mainstream forces gradually left the Hou Mansion. They had to go down and make arrangements for their disciples. The main hall was quickly cleaned up by the servants, leaving only Hou Yuxiao and three others, making it seem somewhat empty.

"Twenty-eight forces have sent a total of 13,150 people, not a single one among them is a warrior of the Gang Qi Realm. Nearly ninety percent are at the five levels of body refinement, with three warriors of the Ten Layers of Body Openings. These people have truly been 'meticulously selected,' indeed!"

Hou Yuduan's tone carried a slight hint of mockery. Upon hearing this, Hou Yujie and Hou Yucheng immediately reacted, their brows furrowing at once.

For army soldiers, the lowest acceptable cultivation is the five levels of body refinement. If ninety percent have just reached this level, it means that almost all of the disciples sent by these twenty-eight forces are warriors who have just reached the stage of body opening.

Hou Yuduan's 'meticulously selected' was an obvious mockery. These more than ten thousand people were all deliberately sent by their families with just enough cultivation to meet requirements, probably the disciples who are not valued by their powers.

"After all, they are risking their lives for the Rakshasa Holy Sect. These people were coerced by us, and they sent their men out of desperation. They feared adding dregs to the team and incurring the wrath of the Holy Church, so they obviously tried to minimize their losses by sending disciples who aren't valued, while preserving their elite disciples!"

Hou Yujie spoke with a touch of coldness in his voice. Although he understood why they acted this way, it did not mean he was devoid of emotion. After all, these people were not just deceiving the Rakshasa Holy Sect but also the Hou Clan, and he naturally had no good impressions of these people.

"It's not entirely true. In fact, those at the level of five layers of body refinement already count as elite disciples among the mainstream forces. People like Yue Wenzhu are just trying to avoid losses. 13,150 people almost amount to draining six-tenths of the elite warriors of the three counties' mainstream forces in one go. It's normal for them to feel pained. Expecting them to continue sending people, even warriors of the Gang Qi Realm, probably isn't possible!"

When Hou Yuduan said this, his eyes were always on his eldest brother Hou Yuxiao, worried he might continue to coerce those power leaders.

However, his concerns were obviously unnecessary.

A faint glint flickered through Hou Yuxiao's eyes, as he spoke softly, "I was actually afraid they would send over elite disciples. Having them send such a large number of overlooked disciples and sect members suits me just fine!"

"What do you mean?"

The three others were surprised, and Hou Yucheng immediately asked.

"People who are not valued often have weaker senses of belonging. The campaign to Hedong is fraught with inexplicable danger. Knowing they were sent by their own families, these people are probably well aware that they're being sent to their deaths. Do you think they won't hold any grudges?

As long as we manage properly and sincerely treat this group of people, tell me, after the battle is over, will they still want to return to the powers that sent them to their deaths?"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the three lit up.

"13,150 people, plus the 5,000 from our Hou Clan, and in addition, aren't there quite a few warriors above the five levels of body refinement from the seven destroyed powers who want to join under the Hou Clan? How many people are there?"

Hou Yucheng, who was in charge of this matter in the prefectural city, immediately responded, "There are a total of 3,350 people, and they are currently staying in the counties. I can notify them right now to come to the prefectural city to gather."

Hou Yuxiao shook his head and said, "That won't be necessary; time is of the essence. Just notify them to go directly to Longxiang County City. We shall depart tonight. Six hundred warhorses will be sent ahead. Depending on their cultivation, warriors of the Gang Qi Realm may be matched with top-grade war horses, while the rest of the good breeds will be prioritized for elite warriors at the pinnacle of the Ten Layers.

Riding war horses and departing tonight, they should be able to reach the banks of the Tongtian River by tomorrow. The main army will follow behind and can afford to be a little later. When the army arrives at Longxiang County, we will incorporate these 3,000-plus people and then head to the banks of the Tongtian River to regroup."

"Yes, big brother, I will go down and notify them right away!"

Seeing Hou Yucheng leave in a hurry, Hou Yujie looked pensive, stepped forward, and said, "Big brother, take me with you to the campaign to Hedong."

Hou Yuxiao shook his head. He had already stated that this expedition to Hedong was mainly on behalf of the Rakshasa Holy Sect, so only the 5,000 of the Zhaoyang Army would be deployed; thus, the elite warriors of the Hou Clan would not be participating this time.