Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 108 - 091, Sneaky Hou Yuduan

New Yu Era 1322, early March, seventh day

The earth was warming, and within twenty miles, Zhaoyang City had already restored its former state; on both sides of the four streets, dots of verdant green could be seen.

Shops, street vendors, pedestrians, common folk, martial artists, merchants… adorned the entire city into a bustling and lively tapestry.

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After all, it was a city capable of sustaining the lives of more than three hundred thousand people. Once recovery began, the pace was quite rapid. Only three months had passed since the Zhaoyang Disturbance, yet the city showed scarcely any scars of the past.

Moreover, driven by the various implementations of Hou Yuduan, the old fifth of the Hou Family, the city seemed even more bustling than before.

"What is good and evil, after all? It is nothing but the personal desires of martial artists running amok. Even under the rule of the Demon Path, what ordinary people seek is nothing more than peace and continuation of their family line. As long as there’s a stable environment to live in, most would choose to live well. Those who commit crimes are but a minority."

In the second floor of the Shengxin Residence, Hou Yuxiao was gazing out at the bustling street when he heard these words from Hou Yucheng beside him, he immediately turned around and looked at him with a curious expression.

Hou Yucheng said, "I’ve divided the Zhaoyang Iron Guards into five hundred-man teams, each governing one of the four streets or a residential area. Based on the past few days’ observations, very few common folks commit crime, and those who do commit homicide are mostly martial artists with fighting skills."

"How do you deal with these people?"

"Old Fifth gave me the idea to execute those who commit homicide directly. For those who just injure others or destroy property, I fine them heavily enough to ruin them, to make them remember the pain. As for minor civil disputes that are not too egregious, I mete out fifty strong blows and let them go. Following his advice, the security situation in the city has indeed improved a lot."

Upon hearing this, Hou Yujie chuckled lightly and said, "I thought Old Fifth would have you capture those people and make them read scriptures and repent, urging them to turn over a new leaf. This approach is quite good, straightforward killing, much more trouble-free."

Hou Yucheng shook his head, "Being trouble-free is secondary; the key is to maintain law and order so these people don’t dare cause chaos in the city, establishing the clan’s prestige while also allowing the residents to live more safely.

"The population is the greatest resource. Relying solely on adopted orphans, how many martial artists can we train? But once the environment is stable, the population will explode in growth, and in the end, will it not benefit the Hou Family?"

As Hou Yucheng spoke these words, Hou Yuxiao, Hou Yujie, and Hou Yuling all turned their heads and looked at him with surprised eyes.

"These are Old Fifth’s words, aren’t they?"

Knowing well what his second brother was like, Hou Yuxiao needed only a few seconds of thought to realize that these must be ideas Hou Yuduan had shared with him, paraded here as his own insights.

Hearing Hou Yuxiao’s words, Hou Yuling and Hou Yujie also came to the same realization. The compliments they had on the tips of their tongues were promptly withdrawn.

"Heh, Big Brother is impressive, to see through it right away."

Without denying it, Hou Yucheng just chuckled and continued, "Old Fifth’s point is indeed reasonable. Currently, almost ninety percent of the thousand martial artists in the Hou Clan are local to Zhaoyang County, with their families and relatives all here. Thus, they are not only defending Zhaoyang City but also their own homes.

"Moreover, it shows that without a large influx of outsiders, if the family wishes to recruit more martial artists, we would largely have to rely on local population. Therefore, it’s even more essential to create an environment conducive to the continuation of the family line."

A look of appreciation emerged in Hou Yuxiao’s eyes. The fact that Hou Yucheng could say these things showed he had thought about it himself, rather than merely parroting Old Fifth’s words.

The Hou Clan, currently a third-tier power with three warriors of the Gang Qi Realm, was already sufficient. Even if Hou Yuxiao lacked the cultivation of the Dan Embracing Phase, he was confident his strength was not much less than that of a typical Dan Embracing martial artist.

If they desired development, they had to seek ways to increase the number of martial artists, to expand the base layer of martial artists, which would then enhance the quality of the clan’s top-end warriors in the future.

"The first batch of Body Strengthening Pills has mostly been distributed. There are over four hundred warriors of three or more levels of body refinement. In these four days, everyone in the Upper Hou Sect has reached five levels of body refinement or above, with only three breakthroughs, while the Lower Hou Sect has had over forty breakthroughs."

As Hou Yuxiao was contemplating, Hou Yujie approached and reported.

Upon hearing this, Hou Yucheng’s face immediately brightened, "I’ve also heard about this. Lately the Zhaoyang Iron Guards know that those with cultivation of three levels or higher get a Body Strengthening Pill every month, and they are fervently pursuing their practice. Seeing their enthusiasm, I believe the clan’s cultivation levels will improve significantly within this year."

Listening to the news of the clan’s cultivation levels rising, Hou Yuxiao also couldn’t help displaying a happy countenance. He thought for a bit and then swept his gaze over Hou Yucheng and Hou Yuling, saying, "What about your cultivation?"

Hearing this, the two of them instantly revealed a touch of frustration, especially when looking at Fourth Elder Hou Yujie beside them and then thinking of the youngest, Hou Yuduan, their faces showed an even greater hint of shame.

"Big Brother, I will definitely break through within this year," Hou Yuling declared.

"So will I!" Hou Yucheng added.

"No need to rush. The Yuan Gang Beads we purchased are enough. Breaking through to the Gang Qi Realm is only a matter of time. You can first use the Minor Rejuvenation Pill I gave you to advance your martial arts, then focus on breaking through your cultivation."

Speaking of the Minor Rejuvenation Pill, Hou Yuxiao took out three small bottles from his sleeve and tossed one to each of them.

"Each bottle contains twenty Minor Rejuvenation Pills. Aside from your personal use, if there are any trustworthy talents under your command, you can also grant them these to aid in comprehending martial arts and enhancing their strength!"

All three opened their bottles, and upon seeing the Minor Rejuvenation Pills inside, their pupils contracted. They had used such miraculous elixirs before and were well aware of their value, instinctively wanting to persuade Hou Yuxiao to retract his offer.

Hou Yuxiao waved his hand to calm them and spoke, "I have plenty of these elixirs, mainly for your use. When I say ’grant them,’ I’m implying that you can also use them to win people’s loyalty."

"Remember, if you’re going to bestow them, you must choose a trustworthy subordinate, or else don’t give them out. Beware not to leak anything, do you all understand?"

The three of them understood Hou Yuxiao’s intention upon hearing these words and felt a surge of emotion in their hearts. They nodded solemnly.

"Additionally, I have called you here today for another matter."

Hou Yuxiao walked in from the window and, facing the puzzled faces of the three, asked, "Tell me, has Old Fifth shown any signs of unusual behavior recently?"

All three were stunned upon hearing this, only then realizing that today, Hou Yuxiao had called for the three of them, excluding Hou Yuduan.

"Unusual behavior? Why the sudden question, big brother?"

Hou Yuxiao, seeing the expression on Hou Yucheng’s face, knew he was unaware of the situation and turned his gaze to the third sibling, who also looked confused, before finally looking at Fourth Elder Hou Yujie.

"Fourth Elder, do you know anything?"

Hou Yuxiao hadn’t placed much hope on the second and third siblings in the first place, as they had just returned from the county with him and it was normal for them not to know the situation.

It was different for Fourth Elder Hou Yujie. Recently, he had been staying in Zhaoyang with Hou Yuduan. Even if he didn’t know the specifics, at least he might have picked up on some clues...

"On the fifteenth of last month, the night you guys set off, it seemed to me that I heard Old Fifth heading out around Zishi. From that day on, it seems like I could hear him leaving every night..."

Hou Yujie paused here, furrowing his brows in thought, then lifted his head with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes and continued, "I’m not sure if it is just a figment of my imagination, but on the first night, when I heard the noise, I thought of getting up to ask Old Fifth what he was doing out so late at Zishi.

But just before rising, I felt too sleepy, and it was the same for several nights afterward. Every time I thought of getting up, this irresistible sleepiness overwhelmed me.

At first, I suspected that something sneaky was at play, but when I woke up the following day and found nothing unusual about myself, and it was the same for the next two or three times, I didn’t give it much thought. I just assumed it was because I exhausted too much energy breaking through to the Gang Qi Realm."

Hou Yujie finished recounting the incident still harboring some doubts, as he had always believed it was a physical issue on his part. Only after hearing Hou Yuxiao inquire about any abnormalities with Old Fifth today did he start to recognize some of the oddities.

Hou Yuxiao frowned slightly after listening, Hou Yujie’s lack of suspicion was understandable. If one were indeed a victim of a stealthy plot, there would be signs of harm, not to mention that this concerned Old Fifth. It was certain that Hou Yujie wouldn’t think the worst.

"Did you later ask him during the day what he was doing out at midnight?"

Hou Yujie nodded and replied, "I did. He just said he couldn’t sleep and stepped out for some fresh air. Seeing that he admitted to being out during the night, I thought even less of it..."

After a pause, Hou Yujie, with Hou Yuxiao’s furrowed brows in sight, softly asked, "Big brother, is there an issue with Old Fifth?"

Hou Yuling and Hou Yucheng were also looking at Hou Yuxiao with anxious expressions.

Hou Yuduan was the youngest sibling at home. Although he was a bit obnoxious and seemed out of place with the rest, the depth of their blood ties wasn’t fake. Hou Yuxiao’s deliberate move to call them to Shengxin Residence to inquire about Old Fifth today certainly raised some concerns.

Seeing their expressions, Hou Yuxiao shook his head and laughed lightly, "Don’t worry. It’s just a small issue, perhaps I’m just overthinking. I’ll keep a closer watch on him in the next few days. If anything happens, I’ll let you know."

It couldn’t have been anything serious. His merits had increased so much; at most, Hou Yuduan was hiding some great deed he had done. What could ever go wrong...

Reassured by his words, the expressions on their faces relaxed a bit. Hou Yuxiao, not wanting them to worry further, didn’t elaborate and left Shengxin Residence with the three before heading back to Hou Mansion.

However, from then on, Hou Yuxiao purposely stayed awake until after Zishi each night, paying close attention to any disturbance at Ya Xiang Courtyard. After several days of vigilant observation, up until the twelfth of the third month, he still hadn’t caught Hou Yuduan sneaking out at night.

He quickly realized that his inquiry the day after his return must have aroused suspicion in Hou Yuduan. That wily kid must now be on his guard.

"This won’t do. The kid’s too careful. If I don’t find a way, he’ll never slip up!"

On the fourteenth of the third month, Hou Yuxiao purposely approached Hou Yucheng, claiming he would spend a few days at the Iron Mine of Nanling Mountain. He mounted his horse and rode out. Once at the iron mine, he stealthily left his horse there and walked back to Zhaoyang City and into his room at Hou Mansion.

The fourteenth of the third month, Zishi, passed without incident. Hou Yuxiao, looking towards Ya Xiang Courtyard where Hou Yuduan stayed, felt invigorated.

"That little rascal still hasn’t slipped up! Let’s see how long you can hold out!"

The fifteenth of the third month, at Zishi, Hou Yuxiao, who was lying in bed with his eyes closed as if asleep, suddenly opened his eyes. He quickly sprang to the rooftop and observed a figure sneaking out of Ya Xiang Courtyard, a triumphant smile appearing on his face.

"Little scamp, I’ve finally caught you..."

As Hou Yuxiao saw Hou Yuduan creep out of Ya Xiang Courtyard, intending to follow and see for himself, he suddenly felt a dizzying sensation. His pupils instantly constricted.

This was the sudden surge of sleepiness that Fourth Elder had mentioned. He was experiencing it too...