Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

New Yu Era 1322, February 24th

A sudden, violent downpour unexpectedly descended, catching the over two million residents of Tongling County somewhat off guard.

From early morning, there were fewer pedestrians on the streets, and the shops saw scarcely a visitor. Those who were out had donned raincoats, braving the torrential rain and hurrying along with their heads down.

At a street corner in North City, Zhang Chong, who was swinging his robust arms to hammer iron ingots under the shelter of his own shop, suddenly saw his neighbor Wang Peng, who sold liquor, wearing a raincoat and riding a horse, apparently in a rush to leave.

"Old Wang, rushing to see your mistress, eh?"

Although the two were neighbors working in different trades and had a good relationship, upon hearing Zhang Chong's question, Wang Peng turned his head in the pouring rain and shouted, "Visiting your mom, Zhang. Shengxin Residence has some excitement today, and there you are still hammering iron. Hurry up and come along."

Zhang Chong was taken aback but quickly realized, indeed, there was an event worth watching at Shengxin Residence today. He immediately dropped his hammer, grabbed his raincoat, and was about to mount his horse to join Wang Peng.

However...

Suddenly a voice came from behind him, followed rapidly by a thunderous rumble of hooves coming from North City gate.

Both men looked up to see a group of about a hundred people on tall horses charging towards the city center. Upon noticing the "Qijue Gate" insignia on the people's clothing, their faces changed color, and they quickly dodged to the side of the road.

"They're coming from up north—they're from the Qijue Gate of Baiye County, coming here to watch the excitement too?" Zhang Chong waited until the riders had vanished down the street before he ventured to speak in a low voice.

Wang Peng shook his head, laughing quietly, "Watch the excitement? They're here to stir up trouble. Yesterday, Hou Lao Er killed Yu Chendong at Shengxin Residence and even humiliated the Qijue Gate. Clearly, they're not here for anything friendly. Something big is definitely going to happen today at Shengxin Residence!"

"I heard that not only have the three lesser powers from the county all turned up today, but even Ding Buhai is here. Let's hurry, if we're late we'll miss all the excitement."

While neither man had high cultivation, being only at the Eightfold of Body Opening, both had lived in the prefectural city for decades—one a blacksmith and the other a brewer. Besides their own professions, their favorite activity was getting in on the action.

With a prompt from Zhang Chong, they whipped their horses and sped toward Shengxin Residence, fearing they'd miss the big event.

Shengxin Residence, located in the center of the prefectural city and not more than twenty li from North City gate. Though they rode only ordinary nags, they arrived in less than fifteen minutes. After braving the rain and tying their horses at the stable next to Shengxin Residence, they entered and were immediately flabbergasted.

Compared to the desolate scenes on the streets outside, inside Shengxin Residence was a mass of people, crowded and swarming. Had it not been for their own abilities, squeezing in to see the situation would have been tough.

Shengxin Residence, knowing they would have a big crowd today, was clearly prepared. All the tables on the first floor had been cleared, and around the fighting ring, easily two to three thousand people had gathered.

And these people were distinctly divided into eight groups, each group containing roughly a hundred people. The closer to the front, the stronger their aura. Zhang Chong and Wang Peng took a good look at these people and exchanged a glance, faces showing astonishment.

Having lived in the prefectural city for decades, they recognized the identities of these individuals at a glance, but such a complete gathering was truly a first for them.

"On the left, the first one, the beautiful woman in a red dress, is Sect Leader Zhao of the Lonely Moon Sect. The second one is Family Head Tong of the Ling Cheng Escort Agency, and the third one who just passed by is from Qijue Gate. The one up front looking quite upset, that is Yu Guixin."

The people from Medicine Dust Sect, sitting at the head, seem to be here purely for the spectacle and do not plan to get involved!"

"The first three on the right are Gang Leader Nie Xinchuan of Hongdao Gang, Liu Jianghong of Xi Yun Escort Agency, Patriarch Bai Yunfan of the Bai Clan, and those last people in black, I seem to have never seen them before…"

With many martial artists gathered, the conversation was naturally heard by many bystanders. One of them, seeing Zhang Chong express confusion, warmly explained, "That's the group from Hou Clan of Zhaoyang who will confront Cheng Yue today!"

Zhang Chong and Wang Peng turned to look at the group in black, immediately noticing three young people at the forefront—two men and a woman.

"See the one in the middle holding the long staff? That is the Master of Hou Family, known as Black Ape Demon, Hou Yuxiao. The sturdy man on the left is his younger brother, Hou Yucheng, who just two days ago killed Yu Chendong. The woman in purple to the right is Hou Lao Er, Hou Yuling."

"Black Ape Demon, to think he is... so young."

"Heh, what use is being young? Agreeing to Cheng Yue's challenge is like lighting a lamp in the bathroom—reckless. Deputy Magistrate Ding's disciples are not easily handled. Zhaoyang County finally had a family with some influence, alas, too bad…"

Zhang Chong and Wang Peng did not offer their opinions, but looking at the many onlookers nearby, they saw that many nodded in agreement, clearly not optimistic about the Hou Clan's chances.

"Wasn't it said that Head Ding would also be here today? Why don't I see him?"

Curious, Zhang Chong asked. The person who answered pointed towards the second floor of Shengxin Residence. Looking up, Zhang Chong saw some tightly closed doors and instantly understood.

Giggle giggle giggle giggle…

Just as he was about to speak again, a captivating laugh suddenly rang out, silencing not just him but the entire bustling Shengxin Residence in an instant.

Everyone dared not utter a word, all focusing intently on the red figure to the left.

"I was curious, why Master Hou had the nickname 'Thousand-Faced Handsome Man.' Seeing this handsome face today, I now know the nickname 'Handsome Man' is indeed well-deserved!"

Zhao Mansha, her face peach-like, wore a red dress that partially exposed her delicate shoulders and a slender waist just a handful wide. Every movement exuded a charming allure.

Her elegant hands lightly brushed her hair beside her ears as she looked at Hou Yuxiao and even lightly licked the corners of her mouth. Her voice's velvety touch sent a shiver through all the men present, their expressions turning trance-like.

Alas, Hou Yuxiao, holding the Ape Demon Staff, eyes tightly closed, was like an unromantic piece of wood, not even giving her a single glance.

Hou Yuxiao was a practical man; Zhao Mansha was Ding Dian's mistress, a clear enemy. Such a woman, not to mention seeking to please, even the art of flattery or putting on a show, he was unwilling to engage in.

Today, with all seven major forces of Tongling County present, along with Ding Buhai, Fan Longhe, and Ding Dian from the Great Luo Sect on the second floor, nearly every noteworthy person from the county was there. Hou Yuxiao took a deep breath, slightly opened his eyes, and revealed a cold smirk.

From the moment guests began arriving, Hou Yuxiao realized that Cheng Yue was using him to completely vindicate himself and regain the face he had lost two months ago in Zhaoyang County.

"Although I knew this lad would blow this matter out of proportion, I never expected him to stir up such a spectacle, it seems this fool is convinced he's guaranteed a victory!"

Step... step... step...

A series of steady footsteps came from the second floor of the Shengxin Residence, drawing the gaze of everyone present, including Hou Yuxiao.

Cheng Yue still wore his black outfit, the half-moon crest on his right sleeve quite conspicuous. Even under the scrutiny of thousands, he did not show the slightest discomfort, maintaining his composure. His gaze briefly swept over the crowd and finally, slowly landed on Hou Yuxiao, locking eyes with him.

He calmly took out a piece of paper from his chest, tossed it into the air, and while it was still hovering, he threw a steel nail, pinning the paper to a pillar at one corner of the arena, then looked at Hou Yuxiao with a contemptuous glance, slightly tilting his neck as a sign.

"Is that paper... a life-death agreement?"

"Is he making it clear that today it's a fight to the death?"

"Heh, Cheng Yue got badly trapped in Zhaoyang County, even taken advantage of by Hou Yuxiao who gained fame for defeating Tian Linong; how could he not kill him to quell his fury?"

......

The murmurs of the crowd hardly affected Hou Yuxiao, who took a few steps forward, and unexpectedly, first revealed a faint smile.

"Brother Cheng, as a beloved disciple of Ding Sicheng, to risk your life against someone like me seems rather reckless. If, by chance, I were to win, to kill or not to kill?"

With just one statement from Hou Yuxiao, a huge uproar ensued.

Not to mention the seven third-tier power leaders and the surrounding spectators, even the members of the Hou Clan standing behind him were taken aback.

The reason they were so calm today was that Hou Yuxiao had assured them that even if he lost, his life would not be in danger.

Now, his proactive provocation; what did this mean?

"This Master of the Hou Family is wildly ambitious, does he really intend to kill Cheng Yue?"

"Win by chance, he harbors hope of winning?"

"He can't really think that he defeated Tian Linong..."

"Mad, he's definitely gone mad, he knows he's going to die, and this is his last bout of madness!"

......

Even those in the Hou Family were stirred, not to mention the other onlookers, and the crowd was buzzing with negative comments about Hou Yuxiao.

"Hahahahahahaha... Hahahahahahaha, kill me..."

On the arena, Cheng Yue pointed at Hou Yuxiao and burst out in a contemptuous laughter, he even struggled to straighten his back from laughing so much.

Hou Yuxiao just looked at him calmly, remaining silent, waiting for him to finish laughing.

"I, Cheng Yue, a disciple of the Divine Illumination Law King, achieved Ten Layers of Body Openings at 19, broke through to the Gang Qi Realm at 21, and to the Gathering Evil Phase at 25, becoming an official disciple of the Holy Church.

If you can defeat me, my life is yours... why not!"

Thump...

As if waiting for those words, Hou Yuxiao threw a steel nail, pinning his own life-death agreement to another pillar, and was about to move forward when suddenly, his sleeve was tugged from behind.

Hou Yuxiao turned his head and saw it was Hou Yuling, her eyes filled with fear and her face showing a scared expression.

This scene shook Hou Yuxiao, solely because Hou Yuling's demeanor was identical to how she had appeared two years ago...

Looking at Hou Yucheng beside her, who hadn't spoken but whose worried face said it all,

Hou Yuxiao stepped forward, took Hou Yuling's hand, and gently patted Hou Yucheng's shoulder, smiling faintly as he whispered, "Big brother, I never embark on something unless I'm sure, you both know that, don't you?"

The two trembled slightly, recalling the past two years of Hou Yuxiao's actions. Their worried expressions gradually faded, and finally, Hou Yuling released her hand.

"Big brother, be careful!"

Hou Yuxiao nodded in acknowledgment to Hou Yucheng, wielded the Ape Demon Staff, and with a leap, he jumped onto the ten-meter-wide arena to face Cheng Yue head-on.

His stepping onto the arena instantly silenced the surrounding spectators' murmurs, drawing the eyes of all the prominent figures of the prefecture and the martial artists of the prefectural city who loved a spectacle, all focusing on the two of them.

For Cheng Yue, seeing Hou Yuxiao, clad in blue, standing before him, his mind was flooded with images of being toyed with during the Zhaoyang Disturbance.

Recalling how Hou Yuxiao had even deceived the Holy Maiden and successfully infiltrated the New Moon Department to serve the Holy Maiden in his stead, his anger was uncontrollable, his face swiftly turned crimson, and his eyes nearly solidified with murderous intent.

"You little bastard, if I don't grind your bones and scatter them to the wind today, I will not appease the hatred in my heart!"

With a fierce shout, Cheng Yue's deep Gang Qi burst forth, his body like a divine weapon, creating a gust of wind as he rushed towards Hou Yuxiao.

The great battle commenced!