Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

It was their first time seeing such an expression on Hou Yuduan's face.

"Old Fifth, calm down, don't mess up what Big Brother has arranged!"

Hou Yucheng thought of something, furrowed his brows slightly, and gently reminded him.

Hou Yuduan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, the coldness in his pupils had disappeared. He slowly nodded towards Hou Yucheng.

Seeing this, the expressions of the three alongside him finally relaxed.

Although Big Brother had arranged for the four of them to handle the affairs in Si Shui County, they all knew that Hou Yuduan was the best at dealing with such matters. If Old Fifth's emotions became an issue and required them to handle it, it would easily lead to trouble.

Fortunately, Hou Yuduan had already managed his emotions.

The four exchanged a glance, and the three focused their gaze on Hou Yuduan.

Hou Yuduan nodded lightly, looking at the eastern sky over Si Shui County, as a peculiar point slowly emerged behind him. The powerful aura instantly pushed the water on the ground back several meters. Then he shouted fiercely towards the sky: "I request the River Lord to show himself!"

The originally torrential downpour in the sky seemed to be stilled by Hou Yuduan's words, pausing for over ten breaths. The rain no longer fell to the ground, and the sky, once covered in dark clouds, suddenly revealed a patch of dawn-like light. From that white dawn emerged a white-bearded, kind-faced elder in a blue robe, riding a blue water buffalo, slowly flying out until he reached the four men.

"Greetings, Lord River!"

The four, upon seeing the blue-robed elder, hurriedly bowed in salutation.

During the Battle of the Longxiang Ferry, they had all seen the River Lord of Tongtian River.

Now, among the four, Hou Yuduan had the highest cultivation, but was merely at the Shattering Realm, while Hou Yucheng and the other two were still at the Xuanyin Realm Peak. The River Lord of Tongtian River was, however, a third-grade demon, equivalent to a Sub-Saint Realm martial artist. It was only customary for the four to pay their respects.

"If I remember correctly, during our last meeting at Longxiang Ferry, Hou Yuxiao had just barely been able to spar with Wufa. The four of you back then were just at the Yuan Dan Realm. I never expected that so soon, your cultivation would nearly catch up to me. Indeed, the Five Tigers of Hou Clan live up to their name!"

The River Lord looked at the four of them with uncharacteristically kind words, praising Hou Yuxiao and thereby including the others in his commendation. It was hard to imagine that the benevolent-looking elder in blue before them was actually the culprit behind the rain that had claimed tens of thousands of lives.

In reality, the relationship between the River Lord of Tongtian River and the Hou Clan was quite good.

Putting aside the Battle of the Longxiang Ferry, the River Lord had aided Hexi in repelling Leiyin Temple. Moreover, after taking control of the Tongtian River, he not only coexisted peacefully with Hexi, but also collaborated with the Hou Clan, both parties profiting considerably from river trade.

Yet, precisely because of this, the enormity of the River Lord's sins against Hexi now made Hou Yuduan feel even more indignant. There was no enmity between the two sides, so the River Lord's arbitrary rain, which caused the deaths of so many people in Hexi, stirred murderous intent in Hou Yuduan's heart.

Currently, the River Lord was part of the Anti-Jin Alliance, and thus all his actions were directed by the six families of the alliance. This thought flashed through Hou Yuduan's mind, slightly easing his anger towards the River Lord. He spoke with a placated tone: "Tens of thousands have died and many more have been displaced in Si Shui County. River Lord, could you cease the use of Divine Skills?"

In actuality, the primary goal of their dispatch to Si Shui County wasn't to resolve the rain, but seeing the corpses floating on the river and the rising water levels in the west, with Longxiang County City and the other four counties in dire situations, Hou Yuduan couldn't help but make this request to the River Lord, hoping to alleviate the disaster to some extent.

He also knew well that the Great Jin had caused a severe drought in Xiapi County, while Hedong had orchestrated floods in Longxiang County, aiming for more than just coercing or intimidating Hexi. Suggesting that the River Lord stop with just a request was unrealistic.

But the number of disaster victims he'd seen along the way was just too many.

Even if the rain were to stop for just one day or even half a day, for those tens of thousands who had lost their homes, it would present a precious opportunity for escape. So, even knowing it was likely impossible, he spoke up anyway.

"Do you think I dare stop this torrential rain?"

Hou Yuduan looked up just in time to meet the River Lord's semi-jesting gaze, his heart sinking at once. He knew this downpour was undoubtedly a joint decision by the six families of Hedong; the River Lord, in the end, was just an executioner. Not to mention whether he wanted to stop, even if he did want to stop, the Anti-Jin Alliance would not permit it.

"Ten days ago, when the six families convened in Yangzhou for an alliance meeting, Bailu Academy sent invitations, yet not a single person from Hexi attended. Such disregard isn't tolerated lightly, so the six have decided to teach you a lesson. Fortunately, only ordinary people died, nothing to be concerned about!"

Upon hearing the River Lord downplay the deaths as just ordinary people with such indifference, Hou Yuduan's face remained unchanged, but under his sleeve, his fist clenched abruptly, barely restraining his fury from erupting.

"You should know the reason why we from Hexi didn't attend the alliance meeting. Moreover, although we from Hexi did not attend, when the Emperor of Jin summoned us to the north in Youdu, my elder brother also took no action to respond, so...."

"Trying not to offend either side, and in the end, offending both sides—it doesn't work anymore. I've heard many stories about the Hou Clan's rise. Techniques used for playing both sides in the past are ineffective now; Hexi... should decide early!"

Interrupted by the River Lord, Hou Yuduan's expression slightly darkened.

Ten days ago, both the Anti-Jin Alliance and the Emperor of Jin simultaneously extended invitations to Hexi, agreeing to either side was a dead end. Out of helplessness, they chose to ignore both invitations, hoping to buy Hexi a bit more time, not expecting both factions to start moving directly.

Fortunately, Hexi had already made its choice.

Hou Yuduan let out a slight sigh and spoke firmly to the River Lord: "Thank you, Lord River, for the advice. This time, under my elder brother's orders, I'm here to inform Lord River to relay a message to the Hedong Alliance: Hexi has made its choice and will be joining the alliance!"

Upon hearing this, the River Lord's expression brightened instantly. However, as he looked at the four of them, suspicion surfaced again on his face: "Such an important matter, wouldn't the Master of Hou Family come personally? Are you four not here to deceive me?"

"Your honor worries too much. My elder brother has already led our Hexi's elite, the Red Flame Army, stationed in Xiapi County, prepared to resist the Great Jin's southern advance. The Anti-Jin Alliance can dispatch a special envoy to swiftly verify in Xiapi County. Apart from announcing Hexi's stance, Mr. Hou has specifically come to the alliance for assistance, requesting that Hedong rapidly send troops to cross the river and join Hexi in resisting the Great Jin!"

Upon hearing this, seven-tenths of the skepticism on River Lord's face dissipated.

The Great Jin causing a drought in Hexi's Xiapi County was news the Anti-Jin Alliance was already privy to. Truly, as Hou Yuduan had stated, Hexi's decision to join the alliance justified Hou Yuxiao leading troops into Xiapi County. Moreover, they voluntarily allowed others to confirm it, making it almost undeniably true.

"Very well! The Master of Hou Family indeed possesses great courage. I shall notify the alliance immediately!"

Seeing the River Lord had been convinced, Hou Yuduan sighed in relief but then looked down at the waters below and brought up the old matter again: "This downpour..."

Hou Yuduan's thought was that, given Hexi had decided to join the Anti-Jin Alliance, there should now be room for negotiation to halt the rain.

However, the River Lord just slowly shook his head towards him.

"This downpour must continue for at least another month. The alliance's primary target isn't these people, nor is it Hexi. After a month, you'll understand. If you truly wish to save more people, then evacuate all the residents of Longxiang County and the other four counties immediately. I can slightly reduce the rainfall over the next two days."

......

Upon learning the rain would last for another month, not just Hou Yuduan, but even Hou Yucheng and the other two displayed intense horror on their faces.

The rain had fallen for only ten days, yet the flood had already submerged the entire Si Shui County. Seeing the rain intensifying, there was no chance that Longxiang County City and the other four counties could withstand thirty more days of it.

Hou Yuduan was about to continue speaking but, looking down to see the waters below already merging with the eastern Tongtian River, he seemed to realize something, as his body suddenly shuddered.

"Since this is the case, Mr. Hou will go back first to evacuate the people, farewell!"

After these words, Hou Yuduan did not linger any further and immediately led Hou Yucheng and the other two swiftly towards Longxiang County City.

Watching the four leave, the River Lord's face bore an obscure expression. He stood in place for over ten breaths before disappearing back into the clouds.