Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

New Yu Era, 1332, Fifth day of November

Midstream of Yunlan Ancient River, north of Xingnan Prefecture.

A small boat, merely ten meters long, quietly floated on the surface of the river.

Despite the raging river waters rushing past, the small boat remained stationary in its original position, not moving in the slightest. At this sight, anyone would surely find it incredibly astonishing.

At the front of the boat stood three burly men in red-armored general attire, warily surveying their surroundings. These three were none other than the three brothers, Gao Changlong, Gao Changhu, and Gao Changbao, commanders of the Hou Clan's Red Flame Army.

Suddenly, a gust of river wind swept through.

The three brothers at the bow immediately turned their heads vigilantly, gazing northward.

Two figures in white slowly approached the small boat. When the two came closer, the three brothers of the Gao family could see clearly that it was an elder and a youth, both dressed in white, each with a Three Water Pattern emblem on their backs. The difference lay in the color; the elder's emblem was purple-gold, while the young man's was purple.

Upon seeing the Three Water Pattern emblem, the three brothers of the Gao family immediately replaced their vigilance with respect, bowing towards the two:

"Greetings to Master Lu and Young Master Lu!"

The elder nodded lightly, gazing at the three for over ten breaths, eyes revealing admiration as he said:

"It's said that in Hexi, not only are there the Five Tigers of the Hou Clan, but also the Five Heroes of the Gao Family. In the past, I laughed at the notion, but seeing today, I realize there's truth to the fame. If I'm not mistaken, you three generals must be the renowned three generals, Tiger, Leopard, and Dragon?"

"Little reputation, unworthy of Master Lu's praise!"

Though they spoke humble words, upon hearing these from Lu Kangping, the faces of the three Gao brothers involuntarily revealed traces of pride.

The Battle of Jianye Prefecture to annihilate Leiyin Temple shook the world. The Hou Clan's Red Flame Army's reputation, along with Family Head Hou Yuxiao's, spread throughout the world. Among them, the Five Heroes of the Gao Family referred to Gao Cheng, Gao Hu, and the three of them—five in total, all surnamed Gao and commanders under the Hou Clan, hence the title.

Gao Changlong suddenly led his two brothers a step back, gesturing invitingly towards the two with respect: "Family Head has awaited for some time, please enter!"

Lu Kangping glanced at the boat's curtain, nodding slightly before walking towards the cabin with Lu Yuanfu. Gao Changlong hurried forward to lift the curtain for them.

Once they entered, Gao Changlong promptly closed the curtain, alongside his brothers resuming their vigilant watch around the bow, surveying the river once more.

"Junior Hou Yuxiao pays respects to Master Lu!"

In the cabin, upon seeing Lu Kangping, Hou Yuxiao immediately bowed, then turned towards the young man beside Lu Kangping, cupping his fists with a light smile: "Brother Lu, seven years have passed, I trust you've been well."

"Brother Hou..."

Seeing Hou Yuxiao in his blue robes, as youthful as when they eradicated demons at Baiming Ferry seven years ago, Lu Yuanfu was momentarily lost in thought, instinctively addressing him as Brother Hou. Yet, realizing Hou Yuxiao now stood as an equal to the Master Lu who escorted him, he abruptly halted, adopting a humble demeanor as he bowed, changing his address: "Master Hou, don't humble me to this extent, how could I dare address you as a brother now, please simply call me Yuanfu!"

Lu Yuanfu's voice held a slight bitterness.

He was a proud individual, so speaking these words was not easy.

Being among the most outstanding of his generation in the Lu Family, wielding Great Perfection of the Yuan Dan Realm, and a Mystic Realm Master of considerable attainment, Lu Yuanfu held a lofty status within the Lu Family, accompanied by equally high ambitions.

Yet, standing before Hou Yuxiao at this moment, his ambitions truly ebbed away.

The Lu Family controlled the midstream of Yunlan Ancient River, southward was Hexi, essentially adjacent to Hexi. Thus, over these seven years, anything occurring in Hexi, especially news related to Hou Yuxiao, mostly reached his ears.

Seven years ago, during the demon eradication at Baiming Ferry, what level of cultivation did Hou Yuxiao possess?

He was a Great Grandmaster.

Now, he stood as peer to the Lu Family Master himself, Lu Kangping!

This concerns Hou Yuxiao alone; it does not account for the reputation of the Hexi Hou Clan, which now surpassed the Lu Family, eclipsing the twenty-one major powers under the heavens, becoming the foremost house beneath the Holy Land. Strictly speaking, Hou Yuxiao's status now exceeds that of Lu Family Master Lu Kangping...

"Master Hou, your reputation is fitting; Mr. Lu should have paid a visit long ago. Now, to trouble Master Hou with an invitation—a grave error, a grave error!"

Seeing the founding patriarch Lu Kangping's humility, Lu Yuanfu thought, "Exactly as expected," and laid down his last shred of pride, bowing respectfully to Hou Yuxiao.

......

Their actions left a slight cloud over Hou Yuxiao's expression.

Especially, Lu Kangping's seemingly humble yet distantly reserved demeanor.

However, Hou Yuxiao quickly composed himself, his smile reappearing.

"Master Lu, you are too courteous. My Hexi adjoins the Lu Family; it should be we who pay a call. Besides, Brother Lu and I bonded at first meeting seven years ago, and I have long admired the Lu Family. Regrettably, I've been bound by affairs in Hexi these years and could not disengage. Otherwise, I would have visited the Lu Family much sooner. Please, both of you, take a seat!"