Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains
Chapter 941 - 941: 408, Grand Banquet of Heroes, Hexi Debate_2

To intimidate the Holy Land, such little strength is naturally insufficient. However, making these people take the Hou Clan and Hexi seriously is achievable.

"You both overpraise, how could humble Hexi dare to claim the appearances of the Holy Land!"

It is necessary to be humble when required. Such obvious flattery implying the stature of the Holy Land must not be accepted by Hou Yuxiao.

After speaking, he glanced to the rear of the two. The identities of the ten people he had already understood through Hou Yuduan. Except for Wanyan Kai and Helian Chang from Great Jin, and Zou Ziqu from Bailu Academy, the remaining seven were unfamiliar to him.

"Greetings to the Master of Hou Family, and Lady Hou!"

Although these ten people were generally older than Hou Yuxiao, they were all martial artists after all. In the Martial Path, the one with higher cultivation comes first. Hou Yuxiao's strength surpassed theirs, so they naturally had to greet him first.

Hou Yuxiao merely nodded lightly. It was Zhao Qingxue beside him who first returned the courtesy to everyone, then looked at Bai Siming, the Tianshan Taoist Master behind Jing Tianyu, and lightly laughed, "Uncle Bai, you are too courteous!"

Upon hearing these words, a smile immediately surfaced on Bai Siming's face.

Zhao Qingxue's master, Moxuzi, and Bai Siming's senior brother were both sect members of the Ziqing Holy Sect. Bai Siming was indeed Zhao Qingxue's elder, so addressing him as uncle under normal circumstances wouldn't be an issue.

But this was a special occasion.

The exchange between Zhao Qingxue and Bai Siming naturally brought joy to some and worry to others. Jing Tianyu's group showed smiles on their faces, while Tuoba Zun's group slightly furrowed their brows.

Hou Yuxiao did not mind, yet he didn't further engage Bai Siming either. After exchanging greetings with everyone, he led Zhao Qingxue and the four behind him, including Hou Yucheng, to the upper seating area.

"The banquet... begins!"

With a solemn announcement, the banquet officially commenced. The guests began swapping cups and glasses, taking advantage of the alcoholic spirit and dance music. Initially, everyone took turns to toast Hou Yuxiao, the host, and afterward started engaging in lively discussions.

However, the content of everyone's conversations was largely trivial, with no mention of Hexi, Great Jin, or the Hedong Alliance. During the exchanges, glances were intermittently cast toward the three parties at the front, particularly at the high seat... Hou Yuxiao.

The overt purpose of today's banquet was Hou Yuxiao's proactive invitation of Great Jin and the alliance to discuss matrimonial affairs. Yet, in reality, Hexi was to make a choice between Great Jin and the alliance.

Everyone was well aware of this.

Yet after rounds of drinks, Hou Yuxiao still made no moves, despite having engaged with both Great Jin and the alliance. The topics, however, remained on matrimonial matters, with no sign of getting into the real business.

Seeing Hou Yuxiao return to the main seat, Tuoba Zun's brows creased slightly. He signaled with his eyes to Yuan Zhen sitting beside him. The ever-still Yuan Zhen nodded, stood up directly, turned to Hou Yuxiao, and bowed with cupped hands, saying: "Yuan Zhen, chief scholar of the Imperial Academy of Great Jin, pays respects to the Master of Hou Family!"

...

The moment Yuan Zhen stood up, many noticed, but assumed he was merely toasting Hou Yuxiao, so the conversations continued. However, upon hearing Yuan Zhen's words, a sudden quiet fell upon everyone. The bustling Zhao Yang Palace fell silent all at once.

Everyone noticed Yuan Zhen's self-introduction to Hou Yuxiao as the chief scholar of the Imperial Academy of Great Jin. Generally, such a formal self-introduction only occurred when discussing serious matters.

What could be the serious matter!

Yuan Zhen was very satisfied with the presently silent ambiance. He put down his wine glass, bearing a faint smile, and clearly asked Hou Yuxiao, "I wonder what Master Hou thinks of the current grand scheme of The World?"

What a profound question!

Hou Yuxiao sighed slightly in his heart. He knew the purpose of this banquet, and suspected someone would first challenge him, but this angle was unexpectedly direct to him.

"In the coming years, it will be Great Jin and the alliance vying for dominance."

"May I ask, who does the Master of Hou feel has the greater chance of victory?"

Hou Yuxiao answered cautiously, but he evidently underestimated Yuan Zhen's aggressive pursuit. With a blunt counter-question, it left his expression suddenly grave.

Who has the greater chance of victory, implies who he favors more.

How should he answer such a question?

"Great Jin has ruled over the Three Northern Provinces for a thousand years. The former Emperor of Jin, Yuwen Hongzhang, maintained peace across the world for four hundred years with a single treaty. With a renowned reputation, possessing three emperors and seven kings, twenty-eight marquises, the Holy Dynasty brimming with talents, commanding mighty armies numbering in the millions; it has long had the fame of the foremost Holy Land of the world..."

Hou Yuxiao's praise of Great Jin made Yuan Zhen somewhat pleased, while Jing Tianyu's group had a grim expression. Other people's expressions were either anticipated or surprised, mixed without uniformity.

However soon, their expressions completely reversed.

"Yet, while Great Jin is strong, the Hedong Alliance encompasses five great Holy Lands from the south and the north, with masses of people and immense power. They have countless elite troops, and fierce generals are as numerous as clouds, and experts are like rain. From Mr. Hou's view, their strength is not much less than Great Jin's."

Seeing the disappointed looks on everyone's faces, Hou Yuxiao continued:

"Therefore, Mr. Hou believes, both sides have an even fifty-fifty chance."

...

Expecting to hear some critical information, only to find a wishy-washy statement saying they had an even chance, left everyone slightly disappointed. Even Tuoba Zun and Jing Tianyu's faces reflected this sentiment.

"Not so!"

Yuan Zhen immediately rejected Hou Yuxiao's statement. After taking a step forward and scanning the group, he first shook his head and then stared directly at Hou Yuxiao, softly asking, "I wonder, does the Master of Hou know how Wuwei King Hou Jing, who rebelled from Great Jin, was able to seize the territories of the two regions of Xuzhou?"