Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 444: 217, being pinched tightly_3

Peony's cultivation had reached the same level as his, a Second Realm Grandmaster...

At the end of last year during the Zhaoyang Disturbance, he remembered that Peony and the other two maidservants were only in the Dan Embracing Phase, yet unexpectedly, in a mere nine months, she had achieved the cultivation of a Second Realm Grandmaster!

Of course, compared to Hou Yuxiao, Peony's cultivation progress wasn't fast, but the problem was, in Hou Yuxiao's heart, he wasn't benchmarking himself against the present Peony, but that aberrant Sikong Yue.

Originally, he thought that with his rapid progress, the gap between him and Sikong Yue should have narrowed significantly, but now he realized, with his frantic cultivation, and even with the Divine Lotus's ability to absorb powers, he was only catching up to her servants, how could he not feel defeated in his heart.

If Peony had arrived, could it be that Sikong Yue...

Hou Yuxiao suddenly snapped back to attention and began surveying the interior of the tent.

"Young Master Hou need not worry, the Miss is in Nanjiang, and she specifically sent me to deliver a few words to you."

Sikong Yue, sending a few words for herself?

"Sister Peony, feel free to speak."

"Jizhou's Qinjian Villa had originally planned to ally with Yanzhou's White Deer Academy at the end of this year, to first annihilate Great Yu and then unite The Righteous Path's six states, before contending for supremacy with Great Jin. Unexpectedly, Ji Yanzhi's sudden death in Tongling sparked outrage among scholars across The World, causing the White Deer Academy of Yang and Yan states to partner with Xuzhou in order to pacify the scholars' fury, and start a war with Yongzhou."

Although the alliance with White Deer Academy has become hopeless, the conflict in Hedong has now involved six Holy Lands to date, on an unprecedented scale, and is bound to continue for a considerable length of time.

Seeing no threat to the south of Jizhou, Qinjian Villa began an offensive from the east at the start of this month, attacking Zhongzhou. Unless something unexpected occurs, they should be able to capture Zhongzhou's Dongyuan Path by March of next year at the latest."

Upon hearing the phrase "Qinjian Villa," Hou Yuxiao's expression visibly stiffened, and the subsequent information only added a shade of gloom to his appearance.

While Peony spoke, she kept her gaze focused on Hou Yuxiao's face, attentively observing his reactions. Seeing the change in his expressions, a hint of understanding flashed in her eyes, devoid of any surprise. After a pause, she continued.

"There is additional news that one of the three emperors of Great Jin, Emperor Wanyan Cheng of Yuliang, will personally lead a million-strong army over Cangyuan Mountain in October, beginning an assault on Zhongzhou's Lincang Path from the west."

Hou Yuxiao remained silent for a long time before taking a deep breath and asking, "Is that all?"

Peony nodded and said, "That's all, the Miss specifically wanted me to tell you this."

She had especially sent Peony to inform him of these matters.

This Sikong Yue, she really had a tight grip on him...

Thinking back to the helplessness he felt during the Zhaoyang Disturbance when facing Sikong Yue, Hou Yuxiao revealed a resigned look. Without saying anything more, he fell silent for a long while and then cupped his fist towards the two of them: "Thank you, Sister Peony. Please convey my thanks to the Holy Maiden for me. Master, my clan's people and horses have not yet been settled, so I shall take my leave first. I will be waiting by the riverbank these next few days; should the Master need anything, you can summon me at any time."

"Go then!"

Master Fanyin watched calmly as Hou Yuxiao left, then told Peng Yuhu to leave the tent as well. Once only Peony remained, she asked softly, "Yue'er said that by telling Hou Yuxiao this news, he will truly work hard for our Holy Church?"

Peony shook her head and said, "The Miss has said that this man is full of ambition. Despite his talents, he is wary and lawless. Whether by force or with great promises, we can only command his service temporarily, not permanently.

His only weakness is his deep-seated grudge against Qinjian Villa. The Miss's message meant to convey that the longer the Battle of Hedong lasted, the more Qinjian Villa would benefit, and given his grudge, he is naturally unwilling to see this happen—after all, the stronger Qinjian Villa becomes, the more remote his chances of avenging the Hou Clan.

Therefore, he will be even more anxious about the situation in Hedong than we are."

"Is Yue'er paying too much attention to this Hou Yuxiao, who is merely a Second Realm Master after all? Although he indeed has some strategies, I fear he may not have the capacity to influence the outcome of the Hedong battle," remarked Zhan Taiqing with a puzzled look. She never doubted Yue'er's wisdom, but given the current situation in Hedong involving the six Holy Lands, it seemed improbable for Hou Yuxiao to make a significant impact with his abilities.

"The Miss's words can't be wrong. If she says that Hou Yuxiao has this capability, then she must have seen something in him that we can't see!"

When speaking of her Miss, Peony's eyes shone with unwavering faith. She had grown up with her Miss since childhood, and knew full well her Miss's unparalleled wisdom in all The World. Peony never harbored any doubts about Sikong Yue's words.