Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 441: 216, Already Prepared to Cross the River_2

Given the Hou Clan's current strength, competing with these sacred lands for dominion over the world would be laughable if spoken aloud. Hou Yuxiao himself had never considered it, and he believed Hou Yucheng and the other three had not entertained the idea either.

However, not vying with the sacred lands for supremacy did not mean the Hou Clan could not seek their own advantages in this widespread chaos that affected the whole world. Clashing with second-rate and first-class forces was always feasible; and if in the process, the Hou Clan's development was swift enough, competing on the same stage with Earth Level and even higher-level major powers was also a possibility!

This was the reason for their excitement at the moment...

"No matter what, we were already involved in the Battle of Hedong. Regardless of external changes, at the very least, we have the Rakshasa Holy Sect in front of us. We only need to grasp the situation in Yong and Xu States firsthand, adjust the family's stance according to the circumstances at any time, establish an invincible position first, and then seek opportunities for development and expansion. Forget the rest for now!"

Hou Yuxiao suppressed his emotions slightly, forcibly calming himself down.

It is known that danger and opportunity are only a thought apart.

Indeed, the Hou Clan had reaped immense benefits from the upheavals in Zhaoyang and Tongling, but one must also see the inherent dangers therein. Not to mention the distant events, take Tongling's turmoil for instance; if it were not for the special relationship between Old Fifth and Maiden Hong, it was still debatable if the Hou Clan could have survived.

Including the subsequent ambush at Wanglong Mountain, the primary reason for Hou Clan's excellent performance was, after all, owing to the 50,000-strong army of the Rakshasa Holy Sect. Without them, the thought alone that the Hou Clan might succeed in ambushing reinforcements from the two prefectures was pure folly.

This turmoil involved the ten major sacred lands and affected the entire world. For a small power like the Hou Clan, not only was profit on the line, but any slight carelessness could result in collateral damage. If they accidentally aligned with the wrong faction, it would be catastrophic.

"Second Elder, it's getting late, about time we set off. We still need to reach the Tongtian River banks by tomorrow. Hurry and check on the army's condition, and we will depart immediately."

"Yes, elder brother!"

"While Second Elder and I are out in Hedong, you three can take this time to solidify the family's strength. Right now, the Rakshasa Holy Sect surely doesn't have the time to focus here. Take advantage of this lull to expand the family's control over Tongling, Wanyang, Longxiang, and Yangping. Once the conflicts in Hedong conclude and we formally establish Hexi Prefecture, the family should rightfully gain governance over these four prefectures. Let's avoid any issues by then!"

"Yes, elder brother!" Hou Yuling and the other two bowed in unison, understanding the importance of this matter, their expressions extremely solemn.

Hou Yuxiao continued, "After our departure, only Fengbo Hall and the Famed Sword Sect, these two second-rate forces, will remain in the four prefectures. With the Holy Church present, these two shouldn't stir up trouble. However, we still need to be extra cautious.

Most of their forces are drawn away. With a large number of elite family troops present, they dare not cause trouble in Wanyang County. However, we fear their Grandmaster warriors might act recklessly. After all, currently in the clan, only Old Fifth can handle them. Pay extra attention to the situations in Longxiang and Yangping counties. Third Elder, you can position people from the Lower Hou Sect there to keep an eye on them, just in case something unforeseen happens, and we're caught unprepared!"

Hou Yuling and Hou Yujie glanced at Old Fifth, looking somewhat embarrassed. Although one was the third elder sister and the other the fourth elder brother, their cultivation was indeed inferior to Old Fifth's. Both proud by nature, although they knew the elder brother wasn't blaming them, they still felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"Elder brother, rest assured, I will diligently cultivate in this period and strive to break through to the Grandmaster Realm before the end of the conflicts in Hedong!"

"I will do the same as third sister, striving to break through to the Grandmaster Realm as soon as possible."

Hou Yuxiao slightly shook his head and said, "Haste does not bring success; I do not enforce this. Currently, our clan isn't short on silver coins, and we have all the necessary resources for cultivation. As long as there is enough time, your cultivation will inevitably improve."

Compared to those outside, even the successors of the sacred lands, the cultivation speed of the five Hou brothers is definitely not slow, especially Hou Yuxiao and Hou Yuduan, who could compare with the successors of the sacred lands. Thus, Hou Yuxiao's words truly came from the heart.

In fact, he had always deliberately downplayed the cultivation status of the five of them, simply because he did not want to be too conspicuous. Just the title of Double Dragons of the Hou Family alone had probably caused quite a stir. If the cultivation of Hou Yuling and the others caught up, it might attract even more unwanted attention.

While general curiosity might be manageable, the fear was that it would bring some fatal troubles!

On the night of September 19 in the year 1322 of the New Yu Era, dusk had just fallen.

Outside the east gate of Wanyang County, over five hundred meticulously selected riders of Hou Yucheng were already arrayed in order, fully armed and somber. Seeing these riders of the Hou Clan, Hou Yuxiao's heart could not help but be moved.

He glanced at them and could sense that among these five hundred people, not a single one had a cultivation level below 'Ten Layers of Body Openings', and nearly one-tenth were even warriors of the Gang Qi Realm. Such strength was formidable; not only to him, but even if a Great Grandmaster from the earthly level arrived, they also might not be able to face them directly in battle.

"As the Family Head leading the expedition, big brother must have some reliable people by his side. It just so happens that warriors with the cultivation of 'Ten Layers of Body Openings' are not plentiful in the Zhaoyang Army, so I asked Hou Fei to bring a hundred men from the Kui Sector, and Hou Ying, Hou Cun to bring some elite from the Lower Hou Sect, together totaling to this group of over five hundred," he said.

This arrangement, at first listen, one knew it was made by Hou Yuduan. Initially, Hou Yuxiao had ordered that warriors from both upper and lower sectors of Hou Clan need not join this expedition. However, after hearing this, Hou Yuxiao pondered for a moment and still nodded, saying nothing else.

With the three, Hou Fei, Hou Ying, Hou Cun there, they could indeed save him a lot of trouble.

"We must reach Tongtian River bank by noon tomorrow. Big brother, you lead these five hundred riders ahead, and I will personally command the remaining twenty thousand troops, who should arrive by the 24th of September to join you!"

Hou Yuxiao nodded at Hou Yucheng, the Second Elder, then turned towards Hou Yuduan and the other two, saying, "During the Battle of Hedong, whatever happens in Yongzhou, or within the clan, send someone to inform me at once. The situation on the battlefield can change rapidly. If there is any news, I will also keep you updated. In my absence, manage any family affairs by consulting among yourselves. If undecided, let Old Fifth decide first. If there is time, you can also send word to me!"

"Understood, big brother."

Hou Yuxiao then ceased to speak further. Turning back to look at the gathered riders behind him, a surge of ambition welled up in his heart. He waved his hand and loudly commanded, "Let's head to the Tongtian River bank, march!"

As his words fell, he spurred his horse into a swift gallop, followed by the war horses which began to stir and trot. They soon set track on the Official Road, racing eastward.

"Younger siblings, I also depart now!"

Seeing that Hou Yuxiao and his group had started their journey, Hou Yucheng could no longer sit still, as his twenty thousand troops were already waiting up ahead on the Official Road.

As Hou Yuling and the other two watched Hou Yuxiao and Hou Yucheng successively set track on the Official Road and gradually disappear from sight, they slowly let go of the worry in their eyes and turned back to return to the city.

The affection among the five siblings goes without saying. Hou Yuxiao and Hou Yucheng's departure was, after all, to engage in the Battle of Hedong. To say they were not worried would be a lie, but they also understood that no amount of worrying or words could replace the benefit of refining their own skills and enhancing their strengths.

"Fengbo Hall of Yangping County, Famed Sword Sect of Longxiang County, these are the two concerns of big brother now. In four counties, these are the only ones that could trouble the Hou Clan," they said.

"We don't know how long the Battle of Hedong will last, but we must quickly resolve these two troubles. We can't let big brother worry about home while he's away!"

"Exactly, we need to resolve this quickly. Yue Wenzhu, Ke Jiangyun, right, and also Gao Haicheng of Gao Family in Lingyuan must be handled properly, so big brother doesn't worry!"

The three silently discussed their next moves as they walked back toward the Prefectural City.

...

Hou Yuxiao personally led Hou Clan's five hundred elite cavalry, galloping day and night, not stopping for rest in any city along the way.

With such speed, they naturally traveled fast and in just over seven hours, before noon of the 20th of September in the New Yu Era 1322, they had arrived at the western bank of Tongtian River.

On the western bank's dock, more than ten ships were anchored.

Had the Holy Church's army already prepared to cross the river?

"Master of the Hou Family, you're finally here!"

Seeing Peng Yuhu approaching from far away, Hou Yuxiao quickly put on a smile, took a few steps forward with his hands clasped, and was the first to greet him...