Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 448: 219, Prelude to the Battle of Hedong_2

"This person is none other than Mr. Zou Ziqu, one of the seven mountain chiefs of the Yangzhou Bailu Branch of the Confucian Sect. It's said that he and Ji Yanzhi were classmates in their youth, and the two shared an unbreakable bond. This time, after Ji Yanzhi's death in Tongling, it was he who vehemently advocated for avenging him in the academy!"

The two people behind him, the one on the left is the thin Xun Qianjue, from the well-known Xun Clan of Yangzhou; the slightly more robust figure on the right is Liu Boyuan, from the prestigious Liu Family of Yan, Jiangxia Path. Both are from distinguished clans and are Grand Confucians in the Realm of Knowledge, just a step away from becoming a Great Confucian."

After introducing the three scholars, Ren Tianxing smoothly continued regarding the two amiable-looking monks on the right, saying, "Leiyin Temple ranks its members based on their cultivation; those in the Yuan Dan Realm and at the level of Great Perfection are of the 'Yuan' generation, such as Master Yuan Kong. To reach the 'Wu' generation, one must ascend further, to the Two Realms of Yin and Yang!

Both Master Wu Xing and Master Wu Yan have reached the Two Realms of Yin and Yang, equal in stature to Sword Chief. The presence of these two from Leiyin Temple shows their commitment to the battle in Hedong!"

The rest below them include disciples like Master Yuan Kong, Buyu Monk, Xiao Renfeng, and Tian Fazheng, naturally negating the need for Ren Tianxing to continue the introductions.

However, as he continued to scan the other participants in the main hall, quite unexpectedly, Moxuzi, Lian Ningxue, and Zhang Yuning were also standing there.

"With the Great Yu Holy Dynasty currently caught between the pincer attack of Qinjian Villa and the Great Jin Dynasty, would they still afford to keep Zhang Yuning at Hedong? Even if Ziqing Holy Sect and Haoran Holy Sect intend to support us, given the presence of Bailu Academy, they shouldn't back Xuzhou either. What are these three still doing here?"

These words were something Ren Tianxing absolutely dared not voice aloud; even if he whispered, he wouldn't dare. He knew very well that given the attention of Yue Changhai and the others in the hall, even lowering his voice wouldn't keep his words secret, so he chose only to say what wouldn't offend anyone.

This talk could indeed border on slandering the three Holy Lands; naturally, he dared not utter it aloud.

He continued to contemplate while observing everyone in the main hall; suddenly, a grave voice came from outside the door.

"Ladies and gentlemen, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"We, pay our respects to Sword Leader Gu!"

The arrival was none other than Gu Tianyun, who had summoned everyone to the Prefectural City for a meeting, the same man who a month ago had defeated Marquis Qingyang, although the poison from the wolf still left him somewhat frail—a testament to the might of Qingyang.

Gu Tianyun was not alone, a young man in white, bearing a strong resemblance to him, followed closely behind. Handsome and elegant, the youth's eyes occasionally flashed with Sword Qi as he held a treasured sword sheathed in deep blue. His remarkable presence immediately captured the attention of everyone in the hall.

"Junior Gu pays his respects to Mr. Zou. I apologize for my tardiness and hope for your generous forgiveness, Mr. Zou!"

Being confronted by a Great Confucian, even Gu Tianyun, the Sword Leader of Xizhao, had to bow his head and address himself as a junior, respectfully saluting Mr. Zou Ziqu.

"There's no need for excessive formality. In this battle of Hedong, Wanjian Holy Sect will lead, and since Xu Du has already handed over the command of the battlefield to you, today, you have the final say here!"

After saying this, he paused briefly and turned his gaze to the young man behind Gu Tianyun, revealing a hint of curiosity before continuing, "At such a young age to possess the cultivation of a Heavenly Grandmaster, if I'm not mistaken, isn't this Gu Nianqiu, the famed first Sword God of the Wanjian Holy Sect?"

Mr. Zou's voice remained as calm as the others, not only relinquishing control but also complimenting Gu Tianyun's son, providing him ample respect.

Possibly because his son was being praised, Gu Tianyun merely showed a slight smile and responded with clasped hands, "Indeed, that's my son; Mr. Zou flatters him!"

"Nianqiu, do not hesitate to pay your respects to Mr. Zou."

Gu Nianqiu's manners were impeccably precise; he stepped slightly forward, leaned in, clasped his fists, and bowed, humbly saying, "Nianqiu pays his respects to Mr. Zou!"

Mr. Zou, originating from the Confucian Sect which highly values respect for educators, was clearly very impressed by such humble and respectful manners, immediately showing a hint of appreciation and gently nodding, "The Gu Clan indeed has a future successor, arise!"

To hear such praise from the mouth of a Great Confucian was unimaginable for many; those in the main hall who observed Gu Nianqiu couldn't help but show envy.

However, despite receiving such an accolade, Gu Nianqiu maintained an utterly serene demeanor, with neither his facial expression nor his gaze revealing any emotional disturbance—this display won over many onlookers, simultaneously deepening Mr. Zou's admiration.

"Sword Leader Gu, you must have convened us here today for some definite news; please share it quickly. Monk Wu Xing and my disciple, Monk Wu Yan, have been in the Prefectural City for more than ten days, and we still haven't received any information concerning the Great Jin or the Demon Sect, which is quite unsettling!"

Monk Wu Xing spoke with impatience, as he and his disciple had arrived at Guangling Prefecture on the fifteenth of the ninth month, indeed waiting for half a month. Originally coming to participate in the battle, the delay was secondary; the lack of clear intelligence on the enemy was their main concern—it could affect combat readiness.

Gu Tianyun, having not appeared for so long, was certainly harboring some dissatisfaction...

He and his junior disciple had brought a hundred thousand elite monastic soldiers from Leiyin Temple. There was no room for negligence; if the Wanjian Holy Sect themselves did not earnestly resist the Demon Path, Leiyin Temple might have to reconsider their options.

"Master Wuxing, there is no need to be anxious. Mr. Gu has gathered everyone here precisely because he has acquired considerable information about the Demon Path. Without delay, let's discuss this with everyone now!"

As Gu Tianyun responded to Master Wuxing, he gave Zou Ziqu a daring look. Seeing Zou nod his head, he then proceeded to the main seat. After a moment's thought, he decided not to sit down but instead called out to the outside of the door, "Brother Lu, come in!"

Slowly, an elder in white robes entered from outside the door. Upon seeing the three water pattern in purple on his clothing, everyone's faces immediately revealed understanding.

"This is a member of the GuJiang Lu Clan."

"Three Heroes of Yunlan, Cao Gang, East Sea Alliance, Lu clan dominates the middle segment of the river. They are a heaven-tier major force renowned across The World!"

"How did Sword Leader Gu manage to invite this person?"

"Fool, have you forgotten how the Demon Sect and the Great Jin came to Hedong?"

"Crossing the river. Are you saying the Lu Clan knows about the situation on the side of the Demon Path?"

"Need you even ask? Who could hide anything about the river from them…"

......

As the discussions of the people around reached his ears, Lu Dianrong was not surprised at all. The Lu Clan's position on the water was akin to that of a Holy Land in The World. Of course, a heaven-tier major force was always just that and could not compare to a Holy Land; otherwise, he would not be appearing here now.

He stepped forward and paid his respects one by one to the Great Confucian Zou Ziqu, Xun Qianjue, Liu Boyuan, the two high monks from Leiyin Temple, and the six people, including Gu Tianyun. After all, he himself possessed the cultivation of Great Perfection in the Yuan Dan Realm, and only these six people, in terms of both cultivation and background, surpassed him;

the proactive greeting was both mercantile and ceremonial.

After finishing the greetings, he then turned and spoke slowly to Gu Tianyun.

"Mr. Lu has brought two pieces of news this time:

The Demon Sect has mobilized troops from Xingnan, Zhaotong, Jianye, and Pingjin, totaling six hundred thirty thousand. They all crossed the river on the twenty-fifth of September and, if there were no surprises, should have all already stationed in Longguan Prefecture.

Besides this six hundred thirty thousand strong army, the Demon Sect has also dispatched an additional two hundred thousand from the Brahman World Purifying Army of the Main Altar in Yongdu to support Hedong—our information, if correct, indicates they would have crossed the river last night, and are likely occupying Longguan County City by now!"

The words of Lu Dianrong dropped like a huge stone into a calm lake, causing the majority of the people in the main hall to immediately change their expressions and start discussing fervently.

"Troops from four prefectures, six hundred thirty thousand strong army, this… this…"

"The Demon Sect is serious!"

"Nonsense, plus the two hundred thousand from the main altar's Brahman World Purifying Army, that adds up to nearly a million strong. Do you still think they're playing games with you?"

"Brahman... World Purifying Army?"

"No wonder, no wonder Xu Du directly sent the Jinjia Army, the Demon Sect is really taking serious action!"

"They have already crossed the river, they have already crossed the river, what about the defensive army in Lingdong Prefecture?"

...

Among these shocked people, naturally included Ren Tianxing and Yue Changhai, both of whose eyes were filled with deep concern at this moment.