Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 699 - 312, The Malice of Nanjiang Temple_2
"Sikong Yue stabilized the chaos in Nanjiang a few years ago and failed?"
"No, he didn't fail. Two years ago, Sikong Yue, using the son of the Qingmiao Clan Chief, Qing Xuan, killed his father Qing Kai. He then appointed many experts from the Holy Church to assist Qing Xuan to ascend to the clan leader's throne, helping him suppress other dissenting voices. This Qing Xuan is utterly loyal to Sikong Yue. If nothing unexpected happens, the Chi Li Temple should now be under Sikong Yue's control!"
Hou Yuxiao, who hadn't heard from Sikong Yue in a long time, felt a sudden and inexplicable shiver in his heart.
"What is the strength of the Nanjiang Temple?"
"Although Nanjiang only has one Chi Li Prefecture, it controls five tribes, each corresponding to a large city. Population-wise, each of the five cities can match one of the prefectural cities in Yongzhou. The temple itself is nomadic, moving to whichever of the five Miao descendants is strongest. In recent years, the Qingmiao have been the most powerful, so the temple is currently in Qingmiao City.
The current Qingmiao Clan Chief, the revered Qing Xuan of the temple, is a Sub-Saint of Martial Dao. The other four clan chiefs are all formidable figures in the Broken Realm. The temple is filled with masters from the Yin Yang Holy Realm and Yuan Dan Realm; altogether, the five tribes command an army of two million. Although they cannot compare to the elite of the Holy Land, the average cultivation level of their soldiers is above the Open Body Eightfold, which makes them much stronger than typical Martial Artist armies."
A Sub-Saint of Martial Dao, four formidable figures of the Broken Realm, several masters from the Yin Yang Holy Realm and Yuan Dan Realm, combined with an army of two million soldiers whose cultivation is above the Open Body Eightfold—Nanjiang Temple's strength, even compared to the Holy Land, is not too far behind!
"Then who is this Qing Wu?"
"One of the thirteen temple priests of the Nanjiang Temple, with Xuanyin Realm cultivation. Years ago, when Qing Xuan visited my father in Xingnan Prefecture City, I saw him once. Judging by this Qing Wu's appearance, he bears a strong resemblance to him and is likely his cousin."
Upon hearing Wan Xingyun's response, Hou Yuxiao's forehead slightly furrowed with concern.
If it were others from the Nanjiang Temple, he wouldn't think too much of it. But since it was this Qing Wu, the temple's venerable and first cousin of the Qingmiao Clan Leader Qing Xuan, he had to pay attention. Since the other party had chosen to come at the critical moment of establishing the Hexi Alliance, every action and word of his represented the stance of the Nanjiang Temple.
"The three families of Hexi, connected with the demons of Tongtian River and rumored to be in-laws with the Hou Family Head Hou Yuxiao and the Ziqing Holy Sect. The Wuwei King is currently on good terms with the Ziqing Holy Sect. Hence, their connection with the Hou Family and even the three families of Hexi seems quite deep.
The three families recently repelled the Chan Sect, already thriving, and now even pulling in the Pingtian Gate, establishing the Hexi Alliance as one body with common interests. It seems the next step will target our Nanjiang Temple and the Western Earth Spirit Sect of Xiayuan in Tao City, right?"
If this Qing Wu were a cunning man, such words wouldn't garner much resonance. But he comes across as extremely straightforward, even naive. As soon as he spoke these words, the expressions of the surrounding onlookers instantly shifted.
Seeing the wary expressions on the faces of those around him, Hou Yuxiao's eyes turned cold, immediately raising his guard against the Nanjiang Temple. If even he reacted this way, not to mention Duan Hong, who was about to face Qing Wu directly and become the Alliance Hierarch.
"The Hou Family allied by marriage with the Ziqing Holy Sect? Ziqing Holy Sect and Wuwei King on such friendly terms? May I ask Brother Qing Wu where you got this information? Has it been verified? Isn't it reckless to spread unconfirmed rumors, risking the reputation of the Nanjiang Temple?"
Duan Hong pondered for a long time before finally voicing this somewhat bland statement.
Seeing a hint of triumph on Qing Wu's face, Hou Yuxiao immediately shook his head. The affairs between Wuwei King and the Ziqing Holy Sect, if one were to inquire in Hedong, should be commonly known. As for the marriage alliance between the Ziqing Holy Sect and the Hou Family, neither he nor Moxuzi had disclosed it, so not many should know.
But since the Nanjiang Temple was now connected with Sikong Yue...
"Leader Duan, it seems Mr. Hou has considered this insufficiently. Indeed, Mr. Hou is engaged in a marriage alliance with the Ziqing Holy Sect, though it hasn't been announced yet. As for this relationship between Wuwei King and the Ziqing Holy Sect heating up, I just found out myself. This venerable Qing Wu of the Nanjiang Temple seems to know more than Mr. Hou himself, coming here today to open our eyes, must be tough for all of you in the temple to care so much about our Hexi Region!"
Hou Yuxiao, dressed in unremarkable black, but as he spoke, Wan Xingyun and Shen Gu Yun immediately turned their gaze toward him, and subsequently, all eyes around them focused on him.
This scene seemed a bit unconventional!
Despite the Hou Family's reputation in Hexi, which could hardly compare to the other three families, the news of Hou Yuxiao single-handedly fighting Wufa at the Longxiang Ferry, though unconfirmed by Leiyin Temple, was mostly considered a joke, as Hou Yuxiao's current cultivation was only in the Yuan Dan Second Realm, known to many high-level fighters.
As soon as Hou Yuxiao spoke, Wan Xingyun and Shen Guyun both looked toward him.
Even Duan Hong, sitting in the viewing stands, showed a hint of gloominess on his face.
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Ironically, the one who should have been most puzzled, Qing Wu, showed not the slightest hint of surprise at this moment.
None of this, in his eyes, seemed at all amiss. He turned his head towards Hou Yuxiao on his far right, a smile appearing on his face as he cupped his hands and said, "Master of the Hou Family speaks with thorns in his words, hinting at me. You came here today to fan the flames, is that not correct?"
"How you perceive the words that I have spoken is entirely up to you!"
A deeper shadow crossed Hou Yuxiao's face, Qing Wu's reaction and the words he had previously spoken all reflected the actual situation in the Hexi Region. The Nanjiang Temple could very likely have a crystal-clear understanding of this. If so, then Sikong Yue on his end must also be fully aware!
If the actions of the Nanjiang Temple were all attributed to Sikong Yue!
Then it would mean that Qing Wu's arrival represented the Rakshasa Holy Sect expressing dissatisfaction towards Hexi and the Hou Clan. Thinking this way, the situation became rather complicated.
With so many people present today, it was foreseeable that the words Qing Wu had just spoken would soon become common knowledge. The Earth Spirit Sect not attending today already signified their displeasure; these words, once spread, would probably make them even more discontented with the Hexi Alliance.
With that considered, as soon as the Hexi Alliance was established, it had already gained two enemies: the Nanjiang Temple and the Earth Spirit Sect. If we also count Leiyin Temple, which had already settled in Jianye Prefecture, that makes three formidable enemies!
With matters having reached this point, the three major foes were already provoked and Sikong Yue, currently busy with the battles in Bingzhou, still dared to let the Nanjiang Temple come over to cause trouble; it caused a surge of fury in Hou Yuxiao. Imagining Sikong Yue secretly manipulating behind the scenes, he watched Qing Wu and his words grew less polite.
Being in a verbal duel, it was natural to target the sore points directly.
"Years ago, the south attempted to march north, and was subdued by Sikong Yue. Now it seems, the Green Miao Tribe, the foremost of the Wu Miao, has also become a dog under the Holy Maiden's command. My Hexi Alliance has just been established, and you come from afar to bark fiercely. Elder Qing Wu, have you come today to also try and stop our four families from forming this Hexi Alliance?"
As expected, upon hearing these words, Qing Wu's expression immediately changed.
He stared at Hou Yuxiao, his aura even flared for a moment, clearly showing a strong desire to strike; however, after his chest heaved under the trees for a long while, he forcibly calmed his face.
"Master Hou jokes. With three families combining their strength, even Leiyin Temple could be defeated at the Longxiang Ferry. My Nanjiang Temple doesn't have the capability of the Leiyin Temple, let alone now that you've also brought in the Pingtian Gate. Although my temple is powerful, in front of your Hexi Alliance, I'm afraid it falls short. From now on, let alone the Hexi Region, once you drive away Leiyin Temple, even the entire realm of Xiayuan Dao might be under your control."
"That will be all, see him out!"
Hou Yuxiao, seeing the increasingly cautious expressions on the faces of the spectators around him, could no longer hold back and gestured for someone to see Qing Wu out.
Qing Wu was quite the character, a supreme master of the Xuanyin Realm, scorned by Hou Yuxiao, a practitioner of the Yuan Dan Second Realm, and yet not showing any anger on his face, he simply left.
However, just before leaving, he glanced at Duan Hong, his face showing a barely perceptible mockery, extremely subtle and unnoticed by anyone.
At this moment, Duan Hong was frowning deeply, and just happened to look up and see Qing Wu's expression.
The reason for his frown was that Hou Yuxiao's recent actions had somewhat stolen the spotlight, and it seemed that the look of mockery on Qing Wu's face somewhat awakened him.
Duan Hong's expression hardened; he first looked at Hou Yuxiao, then glanced at Wan Xingyun and Shen Guyun, as if suddenly realizing something, his expression froze and a cold sweat broke out on his back for no apparent reason...
