Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 112 - 095, eventually became third-rate, fifth-grade demons

At the entrance of the Hou Mansion, Hou Yuxiao stood with about ten high-ranking family members behind him. From a distance, he saw Hou Fei and his companions returning, including a burly middle-aged man clad in silver armor. A slight smile immediately appeared on his face as he cupped his fists and slightly bowed to greet him.

"It has been many days since we last met, Leader Gui, you still carry an impressive demeanor!"

The one who accompanied Hou Fei to Zhaoyang County was none other than Leader Gui Yutang, the Xingnan Prefecture Army Commander who had assisted Hou Yuxiao in the prefectural city.

Seeing Hou Yuxiao bowing towards him, Gui Yutang quickly dismounted, reciprocated the same bow, and said while cupping his fist, "Brother Hou has now become the Lord of Zhaoyang City, performing such grand courtesy, you truly flatter Gui!"

Upon hearing this, the smiles on the faces of the Hou family members beside them grew even broader, and Hou Yuxiao himself could not help but burst into a smile, urging Hou Fei and the others to dismount, and he pulled Gui Yutang into the main hall of the Hou Mansion, where two maids hurriedly served them hot tea.

Gui Yutang took the seat of honor, his gaze slightly sweeping over the people standing behind Hou Yuxiao in the hall. When his eyes landed on Hou Yuduan and Hou Yujie, he couldn’t help but show a hint of astonishment.

"I forgot to introduce to Leader Gui, Mr. Hou has four siblings. You have met the second brother and third sister already. This is my fourth brother Hou Yujie, and this is my fifth brother Hou Yuduan; neither of them has been to the prefecture before."

"Hou Yujie, pleased to meet Leader Gui!"

"The junior, Hou Yuduan, pleased to meet Leader Gui!"

Upon hearing Hou Yuxiao introduce them, both brothers quickly stepped forward and cupped their fists to bow towards Gui Yutang.

Gui Yutang looked at the two, shock apparent in his eyes, then glanced at Hou Yuxiao and the other Hou family members, Hou Yucheng and Hou Yuling, behind him. His eyes revealed surprise, and he shook his head, laughing, "I originally thought that having two such outstanding younger siblings was already enviable enough, but I didn’t expect there were hidden dragons and crouching tigers at home.

As the eldest brother, all these four must indeed be under thirty years old, three at Half-Step Gang Qi and two at Gang Qi Realm.

My, Gui has been in Tongling for so many years and has never seen one family with so many talented individuals. A common household producing one youngster as outstanding as you five would be laughing themselves awake, yet the Hou family has produced five prodigies. No wonder you quickly became renowned in Tongling and moved up the ranks in just two short years, truly enviable indeed..."

All five members of the Hou family did not expect such a burst of praise from Gui Yutang, appearing slightly bemused, while Hou Fei and others behind them showed pride, seeming quite pleased by association.

"Leader Gui, you overpraise us, we five have merely been lucky to receive the care of the Holy Maiden, otherwise, how could we possess such strength!"

After his baffled expression, Hou Yuxiao’s heart grew solemn; Gui Yutang’s words served as a reminder.

Their cultivation indeed was a bit abnormal, and although it could not compare with successors from the Sacred Land like Sikong Yue, in a single prefecture, it did indeed stand out. If they were targeted by those with ill intentions, it could indeed cause trouble.

Fortunately, he still had a perfect excuse.

Hearing Hou Yuxiao speak of the Holy Maiden’s care, Gui Yutang’s shocked expression indeed relaxed quite a bit, showing a contemplative look, he nodded and said, "So it is, if the Holy Maiden is watching over you, then it all makes sense."

His tone carried a hint of envy, clearly covetous of the fact that Hou Yuxiao could receive the Holy Maiden’s care.

After Gui Yutang finished speaking, he remained silent but received a small box from a servant beside him. Notices the excited expressions on the faces of the Hou family members, he gently laughed and spoke.

"I came here with two matters. The first issue, presumably, both Master of Hou Family and everyone else already have an idea, right?"

"May I ask Leader Gui, has the Holy Church’s document and Copper Seal been made yet?"

Upon hearing this question asked by Hou Yuxiao, the excitement in the eyes of the Hou family members, including Hou Yuxiao himself, intensified as they watched Gui Yutang.

The documentation of the Hou family’s elevation had been confirmed on the twenty-fourth of February, carried back to Xingnan Prefecture by Governor Peng, then sent to the Holy Church Headquarters. After the Holy Church confirmed it and made the Copper Seal, it would be sent back step by step.

This process was estimated to require at least forty days, and now two months had passed, during which everyone had grown somewhat impatient. Today, with the arrival of Gui Yutang, they all had a clear idea in their minds.

"Hahaha, it seems everyone is a bit impatient, Gui won’t beat around the bush. Master of Hou Family, please step forward and receive the document and the Copper Seal."

Hou Yuxiao’s expression became solemn as he stepped forward toward the box in Gui Yutang’s hands and bowed.

Gui Yutang took a golden scroll out of the box, slowly unrolled it, and from within it cast out two rays of golden light. The first ray entered Hou Yuxiao’s body, and the second shot straight into the skies, turning into a point of light in the atmosphere.

"Rakshasa immortal, Holy Church eternal, today we have the Hou family, standing under the rule of the Holy Church, in Tongling County, Zhaoyang County, Xingnan Prefecture, blessed with good clan fortune and thriving population. The Sect Hierarch gratefully acknowledges the challenges and, on the twenty-fifth of March of the New Yu Era 1322, specially grants the name Hou Clan of Zhaoyang, ranked amongst the third tier, renowned throughout the county, and known across Tongling!"

The voice of Gui Yutang not only echoed in the Main Hall of the Hou Mansion.

Above the skies of Zhaoyang County, that point of light suddenly burst forth, instantly attracting everyone’s attention. The golden light gradually formed the virtual image of a scroll in the sky, followed by a robust ancient voice that entered everyone’s ears.

"Rakshasa immortal, Holy Church eternal, today we have the Hou family, standing under the rule of the Holy Church in Tongling County, Zhaoyang County, Xingnan Prefecture, blessed with good clan fortune and thriving population. The Sect Hierarch gratefully acknowledges the challenges and, on the twenty-fifth of March of the New Yu Era 1322, specially grants the name Hou Clan of Zhaoyang, ranked amongst the third tier, renowned throughout the county, and known across Tongling!"

Simultaneously, the leaders of Baiye County, Yulin County, the prefectural city’s Great Luo Sect, and the eight other established powers of the prefecture all looked up at the direction of Zhaoyang County to the east, showing various expressions—calm, smiling, furious, resentful, distinctly differing from one another.

Clearly, they too heard the proclamation of the Holy Church.

No matter their feelings, from today onwards, they all had to accept a fact—Tongling County’s Eight Great Powers had to be amended to Nine Great Powers, with the Hou Clan of Zhaoyang now among them!

......

In the main hall of the Hou Mansion, Hou Yuxiao took the document from Gui Yutang’s hands, along with a square, four-legged scaled tiger copper seal, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

With this copper seal, he could issue travel permits. The Hou Family warriors would have unhindered access within Tongling County and even across other counties, he could issue them temporarily.

Moreover, every five years, the Hou Family could nominate someone to go to Xingnan Prefecture for the selection exams, and the taxes they paid to the Holy Church would also be reduced by ten percent.

Of course, the most important thing was that the Hou Clan of Zhaoyang, from today on, was truly making their mark!

Across the thirteen provinces of the world, a third-rate force might not mean much, but... this was just the beginning for the Hou Family, the start that would lead to everything else.

"Greetings, Family Head!"

Unable to suppress their excitement, all the members of the Hou Clan kneeled in unison before Hou Yuxiao, shouting respectfully.

This shout brought Hou Yuxiao back to the present in the main hall, and he calmed down significantly, first signaling everyone to rise, then turning his head to Gui Yutang with a soft voice, "Leader Gui is too kind!"

Gui Yutang clearly understood the excitement of the Hou Clan members and smiled, returning the gesture with a slight bow to Hou Yuxiao, saying, "The Hou Clan of Zhaoyang has left its name at the headquarters; from today onwards, I must respectfully address you as the Master of Hou Family."

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Hou Yuxiao’s eyes. Gui Yutang’s courtesy had some connection to his family’s elevation in status today, but the battle in which he had killed Cheng Yue at the prefectural city probably played an even larger role.

Fame was important because it largely reflected a person’s strength; compared to the strength he displayed in killing Cheng Yue, today’s elevation seemed somewhat overdue.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gui Yutang’s expression gradually became somber, and knowing this, Hou Yuxiao realized he was about to discuss the second matter.

"May I ask if the Master of Hou Family has any knowledge about the demons of the world?"

At the mention of demons, Hou Yuxiao, including Fourth Elder and Old Fifth behind him, all had a flicker of unease in their eyes.

"I have heard some, rumors say, demons were originally just ordinary beings of mountains and wilds, who turned into spirits after absorbing the sunlight and moonlight for many years, but in all my years I have never seen one!"

Leader Gui shook his head and said, "The so-called absorption of sunlight and moonlight is but nonsense recorded in mythical stories. Normal animals do not possess spirit intelligence, and those spirits of mountains and plants are heartless and soulless. If merely by absorbing sunlight and moonlight they could become spirits, then wouldn’t the world be full of spirits after thousands of years?"

The origin of demons? Hou Yuxiao had not really heard much about this and immediately became interested, asking, "I would like to hear more about this!"

"There are countless demons in the world, all shapes and colors, whether flowers, plants, trees, insects, tigers, or beasts, the reason they become spirits is all because of resentful spirits at work."

"Resentful spirits at work?"

"Indeed, there is great terror between life and death, so as people near death, resentment grows in their hearts, their souls do not disperse, becoming resentful spirits.

The more intense the resentment, the harder it is for the spirit to dissipate, and the so-called demons, no matter their original form, become spirits because they inadvertently consume these resentful spirits, inheriting their pre-death resentments, resulting in drastic changes in their natures, turning them into malevolent creatures that harm humans.

Even a creature as docile as sheep, once it becomes a spirit, its nature will change drastically, becoming violent and blood-thirsty, feasting on humans!"

Hou Yuxiao’s expression turned serious as he said, "So, the more resentful spirits a demon absorbs, the stronger it becomes?"

"Exactly, the former dynasty classified the demons of the world into nine grades, with the lowest ninth grade having the powerful strength comparable to a Martial Artist in the Dan Embracing Phase, demonstrating the terror of these demons."

Hou Yuxiao was aware of these matters, and he had even witnessed such things himself, but he definitely would not reveal this fact. As he saw Gui Yutang’s expression gradually turn grave, he asked with a hint of speculation in his tone, "Could it be that some formidable demon has been discovered within the county?"

Gui Yutang’s expression darkened as he nodded.

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"Ninth grade?"

Hou Yuxiao asked tentatively and, seeing Gui Yutang shake his head, his heart sank.

He then mentioned eighth grade, but seeing Gui Yutang shake his head again, his pupils turned solemn.

"Seventh grade?"

Gui Yutang did not continue playing guessing games, staring directly at him with a heavy tone,

"Fifth grade, equivalent to the honored one in the Martial Dao Yin and Yang Saint Realm, as capable as a Great Confucian... a fifth-grade great demon!"

Gui Yutang’s words ended, and Hou Yuxiao immediately stood up from his chair, his face filled with horror, as did all the members of the Hou Family behind him.

Amidst the shock, Hou Yuduan and Hou Yujie were the most agitated...