Chapter 457: Driven to Desperation, Forsaken by All
The entire Jianye Prefecture City fell silent; at this moment, everyone present, more or less, had connections with the Hou Clan, not to mention the high-ranking martial artists of the Hou family and the Red Flame Army scattered throughout the city.
The Hou Yuxiao before them—isn't Hou Yuxiao?
Hou Yuxiao had been killed by Zhao Ponu, seventeen years ago...
The vast majority of the Hou family members wore expressions of bewilderment, though a few like Hou Fei, Hou Ying, Hou Cun, Su Li, and several hundred of the earliest batch of the Hou Clan's martial artists seemed to realize something, their pupils began to tremble violently.
Seventeen years ago, Zhao Ponu had indeed visited Zhaoyang County once, where he killed Hou Tong, causing havoc to the Hou Clan, which was then a minor clan struggling for survival.
Hou Yuxiao had indeed been beaten to death.
And then, he mysteriously came back to life...
Hou Fei's pupils contracted, revealing a complex expression. He quickly exchanged a glance with Hou Ying and Hou Cun beside him, noticing their expressions weren't much different from his. As he looked around, he found many Hou Clan warriors nearby wore similarly complex and conflicted expressions.
By now, Hou Fei was at the Yinyang Boundary cultivation level and had a significant position within the Hou Clan. Most of those standing by his side today were the ones who had been with the family since the days in Zhaoyang County and knew far more than others.
Thus, at this moment, the most loyal to the Hou Clan had complex expressions while those who had joined recently, and were unclear about the situation, mostly showed suspicion; some even looked at Hou Yuduan with hostility, seemingly ready to defend Hou Yuxiao.
"Hou Fei, what... should we do?"
"What do you mean, what should we do?"
Hou Fei heard Hou Cun's transmission and coldly retorted.
"Fifth Master has openly stated this in front of so many people; surely he has full confidence to expose the family head's identity. Shouldn't we support...?"
"No need to support. With our strength, who could we support?"
Hou Ying wanted to ask who to support, but before he could finish, Hou Fei interrupted him. He looked up into the air with an increasingly grim expression, realizing why Hou Fei had interrupted him.
Amidst the harsh rebuke of Hou Yuxiao by Hou Yucheng and the others, they had already surrounded Hou Yuxiao with sixteen Sub-Saints of Martial Dao, brandishing their weapons unceremoniously and looked at Hou Yuxiao with serious faces.
The four were... ready to strike directly!
"Nonsense, I have followed my master since the age of sixteen. Over these ten years, I have witnessed my master working tirelessly for the Hou Clan, contributing immensely, leading the Hou Clan out of danger multiple times. The Hou Clan's development today is inseparable from Master's dedicated efforts. How could he possibly be an extraterrestrial person? I have always respected Fifth Master, but today I must stand up and speak. Has Fifth Master been deceived by outsiders, accusing Master groundlessly in such a setting?"
As silence fell over everyone, a young figure stood out.
The only disciple of Hou Yuxiao, Wan Xiaolou.
Although Wan Xiaolou only had Yuan Dan Realm cultivation, amidst a group of powerful figures, his position was not significant, but he still stood up. Facing numerous Sub-Saints of Martial Dao, he directly accused Hou Yuduan, who had become a Saint, without any fear on his face, but rather a strong sense of anger.
On Ascension Altar, Hou Yuxiao, pale-faced, heard Wan Xiaolou's words and lifted his head, pupils filled with a trace of joy and emotion, his mentality seemingly warming at this moment.
"Indeed, since 1319 till now, the Hou Clan has achieved the karmic position within the Holy Dynasty; the family head's achievements are evident:
Defend Zhaoyang, advance into Tongling, defeat Cheng Yue, kill Ding Dian;
Capture Hexi's three counties, cross the river to attack Guangling Prefecture;
Unify four counties, support Xingnan Prefecture, establish Hexi Alliance with three first-class families, at Longxiang Ferry, fend off Leiyin Temple;
The army marched into Nanjiang, achieving decisive victory;
Conquer Jianye Prefecture, obliterate the ancient temple Leiyin of a thousand years.
The family head's achievements cannot be counted within ten days and nights, utterly uncalled for accusations from Fifth Master at such an occasion; one wonders who has deceived him. Others don't concern me, but if the family head isn't of the Hou Clan, as for me, Su Li, I am the first to disagree!"
......
"Defeat Cheng Yue, kill Ding Dian, slay Ding Buhai, battle Fahai... maneuver between sides, navigate amidst Holy Lands; the Hou Clan's current prosperity is due to the family head's achievements which shouldn't be dismissed by calling him an extraterrestrial. Speaking of circumstances, fifteen years ago during the Tongling demon chaos, if not for the family head leading the charge and negotiating with the Holy Lands, your life would've been lost. At such an occasion, accusing the family head of being an extraterrestrial, I don't know if Fifth Master is deceived by outsiders or acting for self-interest. Bai Yunfan earnestly pleads Fifth Master to refrain from causing pain to our own and joy to our enemies!"
......
"I, Liu Jianghong, merged the Escort Agency into the Hou Clan, admiring the family head's character. Over these years, the Hou Clan's development has relied on all clansmen. Without the family head leading by example, we'd likely face greater hardship. The achievements of the family head are evident, Fifth Master, please reconsider!"
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A dramatic scene unfolded; Wan Xiaolou's words stirred the waves, and many veteran clansmen of the Hou Clan stood up, recounting Hou Yuxiao's achievements, labeling Hou Yuduan's accusations as slander, filled with admiration and trust towards Hou Yuxiao, sparking more individuals to step forward in support.