Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 698 - 312, The Malice of Nanjiang Temple

"May I ask, sir, whence you come and why you slander our four families so?"

It was clear that the moment Duan Hong stepped onto the high platform, he had taken on the role of the Alliance Hierarch. After all, this was Xingnan Prefectural City, and it was also the headquarters of the Xiong Yun Gang. His standing on the stage to preside over the ceremony today was a sign that was obvious to anyone with eyes to see.

Today, Hou Yuxiao was dressed in plain light blue clothes, and the people he brought from the Hou Clan numbered only a few hundred, the fewest among the allies. This was a deliberate attempt to appear inconspicuous.

Indeed, since his arrival, few attendees directed their attention toward him—most were focused on Pingtian Gate and the Xiong Yun Gang.

The taller the tree, the stronger the wind it attracts; everyone knows that but remembering that principle at all times and adhering to it in action and speech is not something everyone can achieve. Even Hou Yuxiao himself found it difficult.

When the idea of forming the Hexi Alliance first emerged in his mind, Hou Yuxiao considered having the Hou Clan take center stage and act as the Alliance Hierarch. After all, both Xingnan and Hexi Prefectures were currently under Hou Clan's control, which would greatly benefit the Clan, or himself personally.

Whether it be reputation or tangible benefits!

The good thing is that there's not only one person in the Hou Clan.

Especially Hou Yuduan.

Old Fifth's level of awareness sometimes surpassed his own.

Up to now, the Hou Clan's prominence has been all too evident.

Starting from Zhaoyang, it rose within five years to the honor of owning a prefecture, well-known to all.

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The talents of our five people have also spread throughout the states in The World.

In the battle of Longxiang Ferry, the Hou Clan alone raised an army of 120,000. Moreover, in the battles where they attacked Chi Shui County and aided in the defense of Xingnan Prefecture City, those 30,000 men of the Red Flame Army of the Hou Clan surely caught the attention of those with agendas.

And Hou Yuxiao's solo confrontation against Wufa at Longxiang Ferry, though not yet confirmed publicly, must be no secret among the circles of the great powers and top martial artists.

......

All these series of events related to the Hou Clan, though inspiring, are a dangerous omen upon closer reflection. Not to mention the surrounding forces, even Qinjian Villa, very likely, is already aware of these developments.

Indeed, while the current strength of the Hou Clan is far from threatening a Holy Land, that's only if they are ignored. The Hou Clan had just combined forces with others to defeat Leiyin Temple at Longxiang Ferry, and not one or two months later, the Hexi Alliance emerged. When these two events are combined, their significance increases greatly.

According to news from the northern territories, Qinjian Villa is currently in a standoff with Great Jin and is at a disadvantage. Of course, they're too busy to spare any attention for the mere annoyance of the Hou Clan. But what happens when they settle their dispute with Great Jin? What then for the Hou Clan?

Furthermore, setting aside Qinjian Villa, what about the situation surrounding Hexi?

To the north of Hexi lies the middle section of Yunlan Ancient River. The Lu Family, one of the three river overlords, controls this region. The relations between the Hou Clan and the Lu Family are good, and since the Lu Family's foundation mostly lies on the river and does not greatly conflict with the land, they can be considered safe.

To the east lies Tongtian River and Xuzhou Guangling Prefecture. There's no need to worry about the River Lord there, and as for the Wuwei King, who is currently waging war with the Wanjian Holy Sect and three other Holy Lands in Guangling Prefecture, from the moment Hou Yuxiao decided to side with Ziqing Holy Sect, the Hou Clan and the Wuwei King have been on the same side. Even if there are conflicts, Ziqing Holy Sect will oversee them, thus no need for worry.

What the Hou Clan truly needs to worry about are the west and the south—the Earth Spirit Demon Sect from Xiayuan Tao City to the west, and Chi Li Prefecture in the vast mountains of Nanjiang to the south.

Of course, there's also another crucial factor.

That is the Leiyin Temple which has settled in Jianye Prefecture.

With two formidable enemies surrounding them and Leiyin Temple, a Quasi-Holy Land in their midst, if the Hou Clan became any more high-profile, it would be courting death.

The warnings from Fifth Brother Hou Yuduan swiftly calmed him down.

Thus, at today's blood oath ceremony, the main character was not him, but Duan Hong, who stood on the high platform. As for himself, his role was simply to bring Shen Gu Yun and Wan Xingyun along to go through the motions.

Of course, aside from going through the motions, he also wanted to see who would be the first to stand out eagerly against the Hexi Alliance. Additionally, he looked forward to assessing Duan Hong's capabilities.

Duan Hong's inquiry was justified, asking the other party for their background, while also immediately branding the other party's earlier statement as slander against the Hexi Alliance, somewhat restoring the Alliance's reputation.

From the crowd, a middle-aged man dressed in purple brocade clothes holding a beast-headed cane slowly walked out. A string of sharp animal teeth hung around his neck, his face tinged with an abnormal redness, and his skin was much coarser than the average person's, as if caused by exposure to wind and sun. Looking defiantly at Duan Hong on the platform, his eyes were quite haughty.

"Chi Li Prefecture of Nanjiang, Qing Wu!"

His self-introduction caused many faces in the crowd to show a flicker of surprise.

Hou Yuxiao's eyebrows knitted slightly—he had not heard this name before.

But he knew of Nanjiang Chi Li Prefecture.

"The Nanjiang tribes are all descendants of the Miao, with Black, White, Green, Red, and Purple branches. Although they govern independently, they all revere the Temple. The Green Miao Tribe has presided over the Temple for nearly a hundred years, overshadowing the other four. There's speculation they aim to unite all Miao descendants. This Qing Wu doesn't come with good intentions!"

Hearing the transmission from Wan Xingyun beside him, Hou Yuxiao's brow furrowed slightly. He knew something about the affairs of the Nanjiang Temple, as he recalled a rebellion in Nanjiang some years back involving an intent to invade north into Yongzhou. Sikong Yue had been dispatched by the Holy Sect to quell the rebellion in Nanjiang. With this in mind, he sent his mind and spirit in a transmission, inquiring further from Wan Xingyun.