Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains
Chapter 931 - 931: 404, Alliance Arrives, Reunion After a Long Time_2

Bai Yunfan's face showed a hint of hesitation, but he gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice, "Even if the Family Head is eager to rebel against Jin, he shouldn't just lead 500,000 Red Flame Army to Xiapi County. There are still 4.5 million troops left in Jianye Prefecture. If he truly intends to support the Hedong Alliance against Jin, he should dispatch these 4.5 million troops to Xiapi as well."

At this point, he paused, revealing a trace of dissatisfaction, and continued:

"At this stage, Second Master is still unwilling to reveal the Family Head's true intentions to us. Is it possible he still considers us outsiders? Mr. Bai has followed the Family Head for so many years with unwavering loyalty. Such actions by the Family Head inevitably chill us."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Jianghong, who had been keeping his head low on the other side, spoke at the right moment:

"What Commander Bai says is correct. Mr. Liu has devoted himself to the Hou Clan over the years. Now, with a formidable enemy at our doorstep, the Family Head regards us in such a distant manner, leaving the subordinates quite disheartened."

"Please, Second Master, speak plainly!"

"Indeed, we should know for whom we fight!"

"With a mighty foe before us, we remain so bewildered, won't we become a laughingstock?"

......

Once the two finished speaking, at least seven or eight people stepped forward from behind, standing behind the two and bowing to Hou Yucheng, their tone full of indignation.

Liu Jianghe, Liu Yuchuan, Liu Yuming, Bai Dongyu, Bai Dongyun, Bai Chengjin...

Hou Yucheng surveyed the group who spoke, roughly estimating that these were all direct relatives of the Bai and Liu families, including Liu Jianghe and Bai Dongyu, who commanded the Zhaoyang Army. He took a slight breath and, with a hint of a smile, asked:

"Gentlemen, are you not forcing my hand here? So, if I don't speak now, are you planning to lead a rebellion instead?"

"Absolutely not, sir!"

Liu Jianghong and Bai Yunfan, who were bowing, trembled suddenly, their expressions showing just a trace of panic as they almost synchronously answered Hou Yucheng. The seven or eight people behind them also immediately spoke up.

"We dare not, absolutely not!"

"That's good. To be honest, I don't know the specific plan of the Family Head either, but I'm not as curious as you. Whatever the Family Head instructs, I will do. We from Hexi have always done so since coming from Zhaoyang County.

I believe that as long as everyone remembers they are people of Hexi, it doesn't matter where your allegiance lies. In the end, are we not all fighting for Hexi, for ourselves? Besides, the Family Head has clearly stated the intention to join the Anti-Jin Alliance. Why then the insistence on getting to the bottom of it, unless... there are other thoughts?"

When Hou Yucheng mentioned "other thoughts," his gaze remained fixed on Liu Jianghong and Bai Yunfan, but since both were bowing, he could not see their facial expressions.

"Second Master overthinks. We are wholeheartedly loyal to Hexi, and dare not harbor divided loyalty."

"The Family Head has been a great benefactor to Mr. Liu. Mr. Liu is not someone of divided loyalty."

"Nie Xinchuan has absolutely no divided loyalty to the Family Head!"

Seeing even Nie Xinchuan, who hadn't spoken, was frightened into kneeling and declaring loyalty to the Hou Clan and his elder brother, Hou Yucheng's expression slightly relaxed, his tone softening somewhat, "That's good, stand up, don't make a spectacle in front of the guests."

Upon hearing this, Nie Xinchuan and the other two showed a momentary stunned look, then, realizing something, they quickly looked towards the eastern sky.

A group of about a dozen people, followed by a carriage, slowly came into everyone's view. The pouring rain seemed to avoid them, not daring to fall on this group. As the team slowly stopped above the East City Gate, the leader, an old man in white with a sharp appearance and faint Sword Qi surrounding him, glanced at everyone first, then said in a deep voice:

"What is this? Only two of the Five Tigers of the Hou Clan are present? Has Hexi become so arrogant?"

"Greetings to Lord Fengtian!"

Hou Yucheng didn't offer an immediate explanation but first bowed with Hou Yuling and the group behind him to the white-robed elder in front of them.

During the Tongling turmoil, he had seen Jing Tianyu. At that time, Lord Fengtian, like Huangfu Xing, only had the cultivation of a Reaching Heaven Realm expert. Now, after many years, he hasn't fallen behind Huangfu Xing and entered the Sub-Saint Realm of Martial Dao. Sensing Jing Tianyu's aura, Hou Yucheng knew it well and dared not neglect him at all.

Seeing Hou Yucheng first salute him, Jing Tianyu's expression indeed softened a bit.

"Lord Marquis, know this: my elder brother, ever mindful of the anti-Jin cause, has long led our Fourth and Fifth Elders, along with the Hou Clan's elite Red Flame Army, to Jianye Prefecture's Xiapi County, to prepare against the southbound Jin army. Being unable to make it himself, he dispatched my sibling and me to welcome the Hedong Alliance army here. We seek your forgiveness if there's any discourtesy!"

"Not entirely so. I heard that the Hou Family Head only took 500,000 Red Flame Army to Xiapi. From what I know, Hexi has 2 million elite Red Flame Army and an additional 3 million Zhaoyang Army, totaling more than 5 million troops. Does Hou Yuxiao plan to repel the south-advancing Jin army with only a tenth of the forces?"

Hearing Jing Tianyu question like this, Hou Yucheng lowered his head, a cold gleam flashing through his pupils, and hurriedly answered respectfully, "Certainly not. The Jin army advancing south this time is personally led by Youye Emperor Tuoba Zun, claiming to number in the millions, with formidable prestige. How could the Hou Clan resist? Therefore, my elder brother sent us here to quickly lead the alliance army to Xiapi, to join forces with the Hou Clan and jointly resist the Jin!"