Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

With Sikong Yue above him, Hou Yuxiao, although wary of the so-called Ding Dian and Fan Longhe, was truly not much worried about his own advancement into the mainstream circles.

The higher the people are, the less likely they are to break the rules, because they themselves benefit from the rules—something Hou Yuxiao was well aware of.

Sikong Yue's status was too high, especially knowing that her father was the first in the world, Sikong Xingzhou, Hou Yuxiao knew that the Hou Family's rise into the mainstream was all but secured.

In the Prison Admin Department, Hou Yuxiao had also come to understand that Ding Dian's way of making things difficult for him was just by having Cheng Yue challenge him. He wasn't worried about that, so he half-heartedly agreed to Cheng Yue's challenge, pretending to comply—the goal, of course, was to settle things once and for all.

In fact, compared to Ding Dian, what Hou Yuxiao was more concerned about were the local eight families' powers.

It is often said that big devils are easy to handle, but little devils are troublesome; the Hou Family's rise into the mainstream was too trivial for a behemoth that rules over a region like the Holy Church.

But for the eight family powers in Tongling County, the Hou Family's rise into the mainstream was a matter of vital importance regarding their own interests.

So, what worried Hou Yuxiao more was that they would interfere...

That's why when Bai Yunfan asked Hou Yuxiao to dig out one hundred thousand taels of silver for the Great Luo Sect, he didn't even blink, including his agreement to Cheng Yue's challenge to the death which was also motivated by the desire to establish his authority in the prefectural city.

Jade Blade Demon Nie Xinchuan, Gang Leader of Hongdao Gang; Liu Jianghong, Big Boss of Xi Yun Escort Agency; Gui Yutang, Great Commander of the Prefectural Magistrate's Office Military; alongside a Young Sect Master from the Great Luo Sect—the four of them sitting together, even invited me for a drink.

"The situation in Tongling County is quite clear now!"

In fact, as soon as Hou Yuxiao heard from Bai Yujie about the rank of strength of the three major experts in the city, he had a pretty good idea.

Wherever there are people, there is the martial world—Zhaoyang County is so, as is Tongling County naturally; the relationship between the first, second, and third's is always subject to an objective law, which is that the second and third teams up against the first.

Clearly, Ding Peng, the Young Sect Master of the Great Luo Sect, managed to sit together with the Great Commander Gui Yutang of the Prefectural Magistrate's Office, also following this objective law. Next were the Hongdao Gang and Xi Yun Escort Agency, which were notably among the seven second-tier powers supporting the side of the Prefectural Magistrate's Office.

To have only two households, even if the Medicine Dust Sect remains impartial, showed that Ding Dian's side had four second-tier powers; with such a disparity, no wonder Fan Longhe was so supportive of me...

Lost in thought, the servant had already escorted Hou Yuxiao to the door of the adjacent private room and left first. Sensing four breaths in the room, each slightly stronger than his own, Hou Yuxiao's mind and spirit tensed, and he stepped slowly inside.

The four individuals seated inside, all of middle-aged appearance, one bald with a pale, beardless face, thin facial structure with slightly protruding cheekbones, and an arrogant expression dressed in a dark red splendid robe, was clearly the highest in status among them.

Sitting to the left of the bald man was a burly middle-aged man in a black outfit, with muscular arms, beside which rested a green-colored large blade, its blade bright as jade, his expression defiant;

The man further left wore orange brocade clothes, his face showing a kind and smiling expression, eyes slightly squinting, exuding a shrewd aura;

While to the right of the bald man, another was clad in silver-white armor, his face stern.

"Marquis of Zhaoyang, Hou Yuxiao, greets Young Sect Leader Ding, Gang Leader Nie, Big Boss Liu, and Commander Gui. Having been in the city for many days without visiting, today, to be invited by the four of you, Mr. Hou is truly at fault!"

Rumor had it that the Great Luo Sect was a remnant of the former Chan Sect and still preserved the tradition of shaving heads, so Hou Yuxiao recognized Ding Peng at sight; as for the other three, differentiated by their weapons, demeanor, and attire, they were naturally easy for him to distinguish.

The humility displayed by Hou Yuxiao immediately brought a look of satisfaction to the faces of the four in the room, while Hou Yuxiao was sizing them up, they were also sizing him up.

"You don't seem like such a reckless person. I heard that in Zhaoyang, you had a good game with Cheng Yue and even won the favor of the Holy Maiden. How could you act so unwisely here in the city?"

Hearing the teasing tone in Ding Peng's voice, Hou Yuxiao quickly realized that he was referring to the duel with Cheng Yue, hurriedly bowing his head helplessly and said, "How could Mr. Hou not know, only that Master Ding and his disciples bullied me too much, coercing me, and I accepted the challenge out of no choice. Now, thinking back, my heart is full of regret!"

Hearing the name Ding Dian, all four faces showed a flicker of discomfort, and on Ding Peng's face, there was even a flash of anger, he said, "Disrespectful of his elders, he himself dares not openly defy the Holy Maiden, so he encourages his disciples to stir trouble, thinking that there is no one in Tongling County who can control him, huh..."

"If the Holy Maiden were here, she would not allow him to act recklessly. The Lord of the County has been repeatedly tolerant towards him, yet this scoundrel becomes increasingly excessive, relying on the support of Guang Mu Jia Lan, daring to be so brazen, even daring to disobey the Holy Maiden's words in public!"

The courage to speak these words lay only with Ding Peng and Gui Yutang in the room; Liu Jianghong and Nie Xinchuan both remained silent on the side.

Watching this scene, Hou Yuxiao finally felt completely at ease, judging from their reactions alone, he could deduce that although Ding Dian was powerful, he faced ostracism by both the Great Luo Sect and the County Lord's Mansion in the city.

A faint leer crossed Hou Yuxiao's pupils as he leaned forward slightly, whispering, "Not to hide from the two of you, in Zhaoyang, the Holy Maiden also inadvertently showed her distaste for Ding Dian…"

The four men's eyes lit up immediately, Gui Yutang even blurted out, hurriedly asking, "Brother Hou, is this really true?"

The influence of that woman was indeed immense...

Since he had already decided to leverage Sikong Yue's formidable influence to the fullest, Hou Yuxiao felt no guilt. After all, as a woman who appeared and vanished unpredictably, she wouldn't be around anytime soon, so he nodded.

"Hmph, only regretting that my strength is not enough, one day, I must remove this scourge for the Holy Maiden!"

Watching Gui Yutang's expression, which suggested he wouldn't hesitate to die for Sikong Yue, Hou Yuxiao had to admit defeat internally, but still nodded in agreement, saying, "How can I not wish to do the same? Alas, my own strength is too weak. In the battle with Cheng Yue tomorrow, I already have little confidence, let alone if Ding Dian interferes, I fear my life might also… sigh!"

Ding Peng and Gui Yutang exchanged glances, and after a moment of contemplation, laughed and said, "Honestly, even though Brother Gui just told me that five days ago, you claimed in front of Lord Fan that you could defeat Cheng Yue, I still don't believe it.

Cheng Yue has received the true transmission from Ding Dian. His Divine Illumination Gang Qi is extremely formidable. Even ordinary Dan Embracing Phase warriors are no match for him, and you are merely at the Gathering Malevolence Phase. Defeating Cheng Yue would really be a madman's dream talk."

Confronted with Ding Peng's blunt words, Hou Yuxiao felt no ripples in his heart, merely nodding and replying, "During the disturbance in Zhaoyang, I witnessed Cheng Yue's tactics myself; defeating him indeed holds little hope for me. But if Ding Dian does not intervene, I am confident, at the very least, to remain undefeated!"

Upon hearing this far, if Ding Peng couldn't understand the implication, then his role as the Young Sect Master would have been in vain. He looked up, lightly laughing and said, "Bai Yunfan came to see me a few days ago. You're a person who sees the bigger picture. Rest assured, on the day of your duel with Cheng Yue, my father will also be there. By then, even if Ding Dian wishes to interfere, Lord Fan and my father won't allow it."

Hearing this statement, Hou Yuxiao immediately realized that the one hundred thousand taels of silver given to Bai Yunfan had indeed gone to Ding Peng now.

One hundred thousand taels of silver for a 'sees the bigger picture' remark. Hou Yuxiao swore inwardly but managed to display a timely smile on his face, about to speak, when Ding Peng carried on.

"However, your aspiration to ascend to recognition should let you know that all external means are merely auxiliary. The key is still your strength. The gang leaders and family heads present here were not simply recognized by their words.

Everything depends on whether you can survive Cheng Yue tomorrow. If you do, your Hou Family can truly establish itself in Tongling County, and you, the Family Head, will have the right to speak in the county. If not…"

Although the bright bald head of this man was somewhat glaring, his words were reasonable. Hou Yuxiao slightly bowed to him in respect and said, "I understand, Young Sect Master. I am deeply grateful for the advice from you and the three others today!"

From having to win, to now, merely needing to survive against Cheng Yue, Hou Yuxiao wasn't sure if the one hundred thousand taels of silver were worth it, but befriending Ding Peng, the strongest second generation in the county, was definitely harmless.

"Waiter, put all of today's bills for this private room on my account!"

Hou Yuxiao's understanding clearly pleased everyone, Ding Peng even nodding slightly and saying, "Have a seat, Family Head Hou. Let's also discuss the peerless grace of the Holy Maiden during the Zhaoyang disturbance."

Looking at the admiration on Ding Peng's face, and seeing the same from Gui Yutang and the others by his side, Hou Yuxiao suddenly felt puzzled.

From Zhaoyang County to Tongling County, every person he met seemed to have endless admiration for Sikong Yue, including Cheng Yue, the three maidservants Fu Ling, Gui Yutang, and Fan Longhe. At least they, being members of the Rakshasa Holy Sect, this was somewhat understandable.

But Ding Peng was the Young Sect Master of the Great Luo Sect, a man with his own mentor; yet he admired her too. What was this about?

Though confused, Hou Yuxiao still narrated the events in Zhaoyang County faithfully. As he spoke of Sikong Yue's battles against Gu Chenfeng and Tian Fazheng, fascination filled the eyes of the four men, their gazes fervent as they listened, making Hou Yuxiao inwardly shake his head.

However, just as he was speaking, a noisy argument suddenly erupted outside the private room.

"Stop it!"

"Look, the country bumpkin from Zhaoyang dared to draw his sword, hahaha…"

Hearing the angry shout from Hou Yucheng followed by the mockery that came after, Hou Yuxiao's expression instantly darkened. He immediately stood up, looked at the four men, and said, "Gentlemen, it seems that was the voice of my family's Second Elder. Please excuse me for a moment."

"No worries. We are free as well. Let's go out and see together!"

With a hint of schadenfreude in their expressions, Ding Peng and his party clearly recognized the other person's voice, also rising to follow Hou Yuxiao out.

At the entrance of the private room, where they had just dined, about twenty or thirty people had already gathered. The outer rim was mostly onlookers, and quite a few were warriors of the Gang Qi Realm. Hou Yuxiao pushed through the crowd, and upon seeing the scene inside, his expression immediately turned icy.

Six of his own family members were already standing at the entrance. Hou Yuling and Hou Yucheng were at the forefront, Hou Yuling looking somewhat restrained, whereas Hou Yucheng had already drawn his large saber, his eyes wide in fury as he faced the three young men in front of him.

The three young men appeared quite arrogant, their gaze towards the Hou family members filled with clear disdain, especially seeing Hou Yucheng draw his saber, their faces showing endless mockery.

The young man in the center, obviously the leader and also at the Half-step Gang Qi Realm, paid little attention to Hou Yucheng but instead focused on Hou Yuling, his gaze filled with undisguised lust and without any attempt to hide it.

"Little Ling Er, since your Hou family is doomed after tomorrow anyway, why not become my concubine first? At least you could save your own life, hahaha!"

After speaking, he even daringly reached out, brushing over Hou Yuling's beautifully delicate face before lifting his hand to his nose and inhaling gently, a satisfied look on his face.

As Hou Yuxiao witnessed this scene, his face instantly frosted over.

Just then, Ding Dian's voice reached his ear.

"That's the second son of Gang Leader Yu of the Qijue Gate, Yu Chendong!"

Hou Yuxiao didn't reply, but just nodded, took a step forward, and looking at Hou Yucheng, who was on the verge of bursting, and Hou Yuling, who was extraordinarily restraining herself, he softly uttered four words.

"Slaughter them!"