Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

The next day, February 25th of the New Yu Era 1322

The events at Shengxin Residence spread throughout Tongling County within a single day, and everyone across all three counties knew not only the name of Hou Yuxiao but also of the rising power of the Hou Clan of Zhaoyang.

The family head of the Hou Clan, Hou Yuxiao, defeated Cheng Yue, the number one talent in the entire county.

Not only that, but he also killed his favorite disciple in front of the Divine Illumination Law King Ding Dian. The Prefectural Governor Peng Yuhu of Xingnan Prefecture appeared, along with the County Magistrate Fan Longhe and the head of the Great Luo Sect, Ding Buhai; all stood by his side. Meanwhile, he also gained the favor of the Holy Maiden and joined the Holy Church. In the end, Ding Dian left in a huff, unable to do anything.

The key was that Hou Yuxiao did all this at Shengxin Residence, in the presence of nearly all the distinguished people of the county, including the thousands of martial artists who had come to watch the excitement, and hence, Tongling County was set abuzz......

At the North City blacksmith shop, Zhang Chong and Wang Peng, surrounded by a dozen or so neighbors, were animatedly recounting the events of the previous day at Shengxin Residence. More and more people were gathering around to listen.

"The Sky-supporting Staff Technique used by the Master of the Hou Family was indeed formidable. Ordinary martial artists in the Dan Embracing Phase are probably no match for him. That Tiger List expert, Tian Linong—I'm sure he was defeated by Hou. It must be those with jealousy in their hearts who deliberately say he took advantage, to tarnish his reputation."

"That's right, I reckon it's rumours spread by Cheng Yue, trying to save face by deliberately slandering, to blacken the name of the Master of the Hou Family!"

"Defeating Cheng Yue is certainly impressive, but the most crucial thing is the Master of the Hou Family's strategic planning. At the time, many laughed at him for killing Cheng Yue, calling him reckless and young. But in hindsight, he had everything planned out from the start."

"The appearance of Fan County Magistrate and Head of Ding Sect was expected as they have been at odds with Ding Sicheng for more than just a day or two. It was normal for them to come forward, but to think that even Governor Peng would arrive, and even went so far as to warn Ding Dian, tsk tsk..."

"The Master of the Hou Family is indeed shrewd. In front of so many people, he brought out the Holy Maiden. That's a real life-saving card!"

"The Hou Clan was immediately conferred the title by Governor Peng on the spot. Now we just have to wait for the Holy Church Headquarters to register the appointment and issue the seal. Then it would be a true rise in status, and the title of the Hou Clan of Zhaoyang would be officially consolidated..."

"You all might not know, but Hou Yuxiao is only twenty-five years old this year.

Two years ago, after his father Hou Tong, the previous Black Ape Demon, passed away, the Hou Family was in a precarious state, on the verge of destruction!

Who would have thought, in just a short span of two years, not only has the Hou Clan risen from the ashes but they also have advanced and become a major power? If this were to be told, probably no one would believe it!"

"Yesterday at Shengxin Residence, when Governor Peng learned of this, he was astounded, and in front of so many people, he directly exclaimed, 'Would that my son were like Hou Yuxiao', calling him a rare and talented youth of Xingnan Prefecture. Probably in a month or two, the Master of the Hou Family will become famous in Xingnan Prefecture..."

Zhang Chong's last statement immediately quieted the surrounding crowd, who showed a look of intense envy in their eyes.

They are all from the martial world, who doesn't want fame...

Peng Yuhu, the Prefectural Governor with the Jade-faced Divine Fan, often frequents the Headquarters of the Yongdu Holy Church, a significant figure and high-ranking official of the Rakshasa Holy Sect. Such praise coming from his mouth carries extraordinary significance!

......

In the evening, at the Hou Family mansion

At the main entrance, a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe, with lowered eyebrows, stood in front of Hou Yuling, his body almost bent into a bow shape, his face full of sycophancy.

"Third Miss, Chairman Fang said all profits from the Tongling Chamber of Commerce in Zhaoyang will offer up thirty percent to the Hou Family each month. In the future, we are counting on the Hou Family to take good care of our business in Zhaoyang!"

Hou Yuxiao replied with a charming smile, "Please thank Chairman Fang for me when you return. The gift he sent has greatly pleased my elder brother. Business in Zhaoyang County will continue as usual."

Upon hearing these words, the middle-aged man in the brocade robe immediately beamed with joy, became even more humble, and after a few more words of flattery, he respectfully took his leave.

Watching him depart, Hou Yuling finally let out a sigh of relief, turned around, and made her way back to the main hall of the mansion, smiling as she said to the others, "The last one, finally all gone!"

In the hall, aside from Hou Yuxiao and Wang Gong, who was recovering from injuries, all those who had come to the Prefectural City were there. Hearing her words, everyone simultaneously let out a sigh of relief, the fatigue on their faces swept away. They then turned and looked at the pile of gifts that filled the hall, their expressions becoming incredibly excited.

Gao Cheng opened a box, took out a ginseng root that had almost grown into the shape of a human, and couldn't help exclaiming, "Does being promoted really have such a big impact? A two-hundred-year-old ginseng, that's worth ten thousand taels at least, and they give it away just like that!"

"It was only confirmed yesterday, and the official seal hasn't been granted yet. I can't believe all these famous people have already started visiting with gifts today, and each one more valuable than the last."

Su Li, who was standing beside him recalling the guests they had entertained that entire day and the gifts they had received, let out a heartfelt sigh.

The others didn't speak, but their expressions were not much different from his, evidently also in a state of extreme shock.

Only Hou Yuling was relatively sober-minded and chuckled lightly, saying, "Those who brought significant gifts, apart from the Bai Clan, the Hongdao Gang, and the West Cloud Escort Agency, were the Tongling Chamber of Commerce and the Longxing Horse Farm. Both of these have business in Zhaoyang County and obviously will count on our family in the future. Giving gifts and a share of the profits is an unspoken rule here, not a secret in the county!"

The Bai Clan and the other two clans were on good terms with the Hou Clan, giving lavish gifts as a matter of course—they were wealthy and also needed to maintain relationships for future exchanges, so the favors weren't overly significant.

The main point was the more than twenty smaller forces that weren't quite prominent; they brought congratulatory gifts and even gave a portion of the profits from their businesses in Zhaoyang County to the Hou Family. Their intentions to curry favor were evident.

The others understood as soon as they heard this, and Gao Cheng nodded, saying, "I dealt with these smaller forces when I was in Zhaoyang County before. Although their influence isn't prominent, they are unified and supported from behind, and everything is properly managed.

Larger organizations, such as Tongling Chamber of Commerce, are rumored to be backed by the Great Luo Sect, and specialize in the grain and oil business across the entire county. The profit margins in grain and oil are actually not high, an industry even martial artists are unwilling to engage in, but if one can cover an entire county, that's a different story altogether.

Outsiders have rumored that the Chamber's annual profits are about more than 300,000 taels. Even after deducting the portion given as tributes to various departments in different places, the Chamber still manages to retain close to one hundred thousand taels each year, an undeniably tempting figure.

Take for instance the Longxing Horse Farm, which is in the horse trading business, leaning on the support of the Prefectural Magistrate's Office and backed by Fan Longhe, monopolizing the equine trade in the county, their annual profits are also quite substantial.

There are also other forces and so on, though considered second-rate, intertwined with numerous powerful families in the county, and not to be underestimated. They took the initiative to curry favor and offered up profits from Zhaoyang as a tribute. Their only aim is to continue doing business in Zhaoyang; since we do not engage in these matters anyway, we might as well let them handle it and take a cut of the dividends, which is quite nice!"

The crowd nodded in agreement upon hearing this. These business ventures sound highly profitable, but that's because they encompass the scope of a whole county. In actuality, individual profits are very limited.

To a second-rate power like the Great Luo Sect, these profits are not high and not worth their personal involvement. As for a third-rate power like the Bai Clan, who do not have the ability to unify an entire county, they let these lesser powers do the work instead.

"A total of twenty-seven tribute gifts, summing up to a value of around 80,000 taels of silver. This money comes too easily. If my eldest brother sees this, he'll surely be overjoyed."

"Do you really think I'm such an easily impressed person?"

Hou Yucheng had just finished speaking when Hou Yuxiao's teasing voice came from outside the door.

"Eldest brother is back!"

"Family Head."

"Family Head..."

Dressed in an azure brocade robe, Hou Yuxiao walked in with a spring breeze in his step, his face slightly flushed with alcohol, clearly having enjoyed a fair amount of wine. He gestured casually for everyone to avoid formalities and swept a glance over the tribute gifts in the hall, his smile growing even broader.

Hou Yuling, seeing the look in his eyes, smiled and said, "These are tributes from over twenty families in the county, eldest brother, you really have made quite a name for yourself in Tongling now!"

"Isn't it true? The number one gentleman of Tongling, Black Ape Demon, Sky-supporting Staff, Thousand-Faced Handsome Man, just the nicknames alone, I've heard over a dozen today."

"Governor Peng himself said that to bear a son he should be like Hou Yuxiao. The name of Family Head will probably spread throughout the six counties of Xingnan Prefecture very soon. Our Hou Family is truly renowned now."

......

The crowd also joined in the cheer, but it didn't last long.

Normally, such flattery would be irresistible, but Hou Yuxiao, upon hearing these words, shook his head lightly and chuckled twice. The flush on his face swiftly faded away, the alcohol scent on his body eased slightly, and his pupils cleared.

"Don't take these praises too seriously. The more people compliment you, the more careful you need to be. To big shots like Peng Yuhu, such words are casual, either unintentional or intentional, and hard to gauge. But for us, the Hou Clan at present, having a widespread reputation is not necessarily a good thing!"

The crowd was instantly awakened by Hou Yuxiao's words, their initial excitement quieted down, their eyes showing contemplation.

"Among those who visited today, excluding the three third-rate powers who allied with us, the rest are all negligible forces, right? These people realize that doing business in Zhaoyang County in the future will inevitably involve the Hou Family, hence why they came forward with gifts so earnestly.

In the end, this world still respects power above all else!"

Hearing that last sentence, the look of contemplation in everyone's eyes dissipated, their expressions fully clearing, and the excitement and joy in their hearts completely settled down.

"Eldest brother, I'm going into seclusion when I return. I must break through within this year. The Hou Family can't rely solely on you to uphold it!"

As Hou Yucheng recalled that in the Prefectural City it was almost entirely Hou Yuxiao handling affairs, his tone became extremely solemn, and his expression softened slightly.

By his side, Hou Yuling also spoke earnestly, "Mother and second brother think alike!"

Gao Cheng, Gao Hu, Hou Fei, and Su Li all straightened their expressions, knelt down on one knee, their faces moved as they excitedly pledged, "We will dedicate ourselves to diligent cultivation to serve the Hou Clan and our Family Head!"

Seeing their determined expressions, Hou Yuxiao felt a slight thrill in his heart.

With such loyal family members in the Hou Family, its prosperity was only a matter of time. Advancing into the ranks was just the beginning...

After a long moment, Hou Yuxiao managed to compose himself and signalled for everyone to rise.

"Today I confirmed with Official Peng, once he returns to the Prefectural City, he will rush the third-rate Copper Seal and the promotion documents to Yongdu. After the Holy Church Headquarters confirm them, they will be sent back to Zhaoyang and handed over to me personally. With this, our matters in the Prefectural City are thoroughly settled!"

Hou Yuxiao finished speaking and let out a slight sigh of relief. Everyone else's reaction was much the same. They were all quite exhausted from the mere ten days they spent in the Prefectural City, but finally, it seemed like they had weathered the storm.

Once the ascension to the ranks was secured, and the goods on the five horse-drawn carriages taken care of, and all the materials the family needed to buy were purchased. That day, Hou Yuxiao also held a banquet at Shengxin Residence for local celebrities from the Prefectural City, including Peng Yuhu, who had good relations with the Hou Clan. Essentially, everything they wished to accomplish had been dealt with.

With business in the Prefectural City concluded, they were just waiting for Hou Yuxiao to finalize arrangements before they could return home...