Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

"Tomorrow, as long as you are willing to lead the attack, whether or not we conquer Yeyun County, the new army will be renamed as the Zhaoyang Army. From then on, you will all be considered people of Hexi, or if you wish to join other forces, or even leave the military, I will consent!"

"May I ask, is the Family Head sincere in saying this?"

Zheng Ping suddenly raised his head, his face full of emotion.

Hou Yuxiao chuckled lightly and nodded.

"Rest assured, once I give my word, there is no taking it back!"

"In that case, I will descend to inform the new army brothers that tomorrow we are willing to be Hexi's vanguard and attack Yeyun County."

"Good!"

Zheng Ping humbly bowed to Hou Yuxiao and his entourage, then respectfully retreated out of the main hall, heading directly to the new army camp.

Inside the main hall, Hou Yuxiao and the others watched Zheng Ping leave, their faces all breaking into smiles unknowingly.

"This Zheng Ping has some brains."

"His act at the end was quite convincing; he's a clever person."

"Even though he is a surrendering general, without rushing into attacking Jianye Prefecture, this person may be worth cultivating, truly a talent."

Listening to everyone's discussions, Hou Yuxiao's eyes reflected amusement. Once the room quieted down, he turned to Hou Yuduan and Hou Yucheng and whispered, "Everything is arranged is it not?"

Hou Yucheng nodded enthusiastically, "Rest assured, big brother."

Hou Yuduan lightly nodded, "Tonight at Zishi, Third Sister will deliver the supplies. However, at night, the new army camp must be sealed off, so the news isn't leaked."

"The Red Flame Army, Zhaoyang Army, and the new army camps have all been divided into different places within the Prefectural City. Now that we are at war, we have implemented a curfew at night; there will be no arbitrary entry and exit in the three army camps. This ensures a stealthy operation."

"Very well, proceed according to the plan. Tomorrow morning, the army will prepare to attack Yeyun County with me."

"Understood!"

In the main hall, the generals simultaneously rose and bowed deeply to Hou Yuxiao.

...…

New Yu Era 1332 July 16

Before dawn, the cries of war horses and the marching sounds of the army woke the still-dreaming citizens of Jiuchi County. They hurried to the door, witnessing a massive army clad in scarlet armor marching westward in the street. Despite some fear, seeing these troops not committing any atrocities calmed them slightly. Some bold ones even dared to discuss it.

"Is this Hexi's elite Red Flame Army?"

"They attacked us in Jiuchi at dawn on the ninth; now they plan to leave the city and attack Yeyun County."

"Two counties lost; Leiyin Temple has truly fallen."

"Look at this, there must be thousands, all possess Ten Layers of Body Openings cultivation, Hexi's army is indeed strong!"

"Thousands? Are you joking? Over fifty thousand attacked us in Jiuchi alone. I hear the ones who attacked Pengkang were also the Red Flame Army. I reckon Hexi has nearly a million of such elite soldiers."

"Should be about right; otherwise, why would they dare attack Leiyin Temple."

...…

Jiuchi County West City Gate, Hou Yuxiao led the commanding officers, standing commanding in the sky. Su Li and Nie Xinliu's division of forty thousand Zhaoyang Army just exited the city gate, followed by the last ranks of the Red Flame Army passing through.

"A million elite Red Flame soldiers, forty thousand Zhaoyang Army, plus thirty thousand new army, a total of one hundred seventy thousand troops; although not as strong as Leiyin Temple, with elite Red Flame, defending Yeyun County won't be easy for them."

With confidence on his face, Hou Yuxiao turned to Zheng Ping:

"Zheng Ping, the new army will lead the attack; don't disappoint me. In the first battle, I don't demand a clear victory, but at least showcase this new army's skill. Whether you can officially bear the Zhaoyang Army's name hinges on your performance."

Standing at the back of the crowd, Zheng Ping stepped forward with a bow.

"Family Head, rest assured, I will exert every effort!"

"Good, go to the vanguard, the army will first camp three miles east of Yeyun County. Once the rear two armies arrive, we attack together."

"Understood!"

Zheng Ping respectfully turned and flew west.

His new army, leading the charge today, was naturally the first to exit the city; one hundred seventy thousand soldiers, forming a queue miles long, necessitated his advance to the front line for command.

After Zheng Ping left, Hou Yuxiao suddenly turned, nodding lightly to Hou Yucheng and Hou Yuduan.

The two bowed, their pupils flashing a trace of ominous hue, then left the West City Gate, not joining the marching troops but flying south of Jiuchi County.

The Red Flame Army numbered a million; it would take a few hours to pass through the city gates even at a fast pace. Hou Yuxiao was not in a rush; he waited until most of the Red Flame Army had passed before leading the others to follow, heading in the direction of Yeyun County.

With Hou Yuxiao present, the army need not follow the Official Road; even taking the shortest path to Yeyun County is eighty miles, requiring six to seven hours for one hundred seventy thousand troops marching speedily.

Departing at dawn, the last ranks of the Red Flame Army arrived at three miles west of Yeyun County by late night. The entire army was arrayed into three sections: at the forefront was Zheng Ping's thirty thousand new army, the middle held forty thousand Hexi Zhaoyang Army, while the rear was Hexi's million elite Red Flame troops.

At the East City Gate of Yeyun County, Nu Yuan and Jin Guang, the two World-Honored Ones, gazed at the hundred thousand strong army three miles away with some solemnity. Particularly, they noticed the largest contingent in the rear clad in red armor, their pupils flashing a hint of anxiety.