Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 767 - 340. Failed Negotiations

New Yu Era 1331, August 6th, at night

The Chengkang County army, numbering three hundred thousand, had marched for twelve hours, from daylight deep into the night, covering a thousand miles. Eventually, at Zishi, the massive forces of Hou Yucheng finally caught up.

Between Hexi and Nanjiang, there was no official road; whether it was Hou Yuxiao's side or the forces of Hou Yucheng, both could only choose to march through the wilderness. The wilderness at Zishi, initially pitch-black, was now brightened by tens of thousands of torches, darkening not a bit.

Hou Yuxiao stood aloft, gazing from a distance, his eyes lowered. Flames stretched for tens of miles, resembling a dragon traversing through the night, evoking a sense of grandeur.

However, after a brief survey of the numbers below, his facial expression suddenly morphed into confusion. Turning his head, he asked Hou Yucheng,

"Didn't I just ask you to bring a hundred thousand from the Red Flame Army and two hundred thousand from the Zhaoyang Army, how many forces did you bring over?"

Hou Yucheng, who had just marched over a thousand miles, showed no signs of fatigue on his face; instead, he was filled with the exhilaration of pre-battle. Hearing Hou Yuxiao's inquiry, he quickly explained, "Big brother, there's been a new development!"

"What development?"

"Currently, the clan's main forces are in Longxiang and Jiujun Counties. The eastern Longxiang harbors a hundred thousand from the Red Flame Army and two hundred thousand from Hexi's army, while the western Jiujun County hosts another set of similar numbers from the Red Flame and Zhaoyang armies, along with an additional two hundred thousand from Hexi's army. My initial plan was to follow your instructions, to relocate the a hundred thousand Red Flame Army from Longxiang and the two hundred thousand Zhaoyang Army from Jiujun County, but upon my arrival at Jiujun County, my subordinates informed me that Leiyin Temple had largely drawn the Yinkang Prefecture garrison away. I personally scouted and indeed found this to be true.

Previously, Leiyin Temple had positioned two hundred thousand Earthshade Monastic Soldiers and three hundred thousand from the Huang Chan Army in Yinkang Prefecture; but after my visit yesterday, only a hundred thousand of the Huang Chan Army remained!"

From five hundred thousand troops, only a hundred thousand remained, and these were not the fearsome Earthshade Monastic Soldiers, but rather the regular Huang Chan Army...

"Last month, Qingning mentioned during her visit to the prefectural city, that our ancestor, along with Xun Mu, Meng Qu, and Jing Yuanxiu from the Wanjian Holy Sect, went to Jianye Prefecture to meet Shi Tian for some unknown reason; they have yet to return."

Hou Yuxiao suddenly remembered the news Zhao Qingxue had mentioned during their farewell in the prefectural city; his expression immediately brightened.

"Leiyin Temple, something happened?"

"Exactly, it's likely something has happened at Leiyin Temple. Up to now, there have been no messages from Jianye Prefecture City. Normally, the Lower Hou Sect folks send messages every ten days, but it has been over a month without any word, and there's only one explanation for that: Leiyin Temple must have locked down the prefectural city, and the Yinkang Prefectural garrison must also have been recalled."

At this moment, Hou Yuxiao understood why Hou Yucheng brought so many troops. Hexi's forces stationed in Jiujun County were meant to guard against Leiyin Temple's troops in Yinkang Prefecture. Since Leiyin Temple had withdrawn their forces from Yinkang, they naturally didn't need to maintain a large army in Jiujun anymore.

"Thus, I brought the entire hundred thousand Red Flame Army and two hundred thousand Zhaoyang Army from Jiujun County, leaving only two hundred thousand Hexi forces for defense. Together with the a hundred thousand Red Flame Army from Longxiang County, I brought four hundred thousand troops. Along with your three hundred thousand troops, we of the Hou Clan have now fully deployed our elite forces, ready to crush the Wu Miao and conquer Nanjiang!"

Hou Yuxiao nodded slowly, his expression gradually calming.

"Let the armies continue to advance southward, go call the Gao brothers."

"Yes, big brother."

While the seven hundred thousand-strong army below appeared to be moving slowly southward, that was because Hou Yuxiao was high above; in reality, their march was incredibly fast. Even when Hou Yucheng's forces merged, it hadn't caused much delay.

Hou Yuxiao didn't have to wait long before Hou Yucheng brought the Gao brothers up behind him.

"Our army is advancing south, and currently, Nanjiang should still be unaware. Second elder, you and Gao Changlong take two hundred thousand from the Red Flame Army and rush via the fastest route to the nearest Hei Miao City. How long will it take at the fastest?"

Hou Yucheng's eyes slightly lit up, realizing Hou Yuxiao was setting up a battle strategy. He quickly calculated and reported, "We are approximately seventeen hundred miles from Hei Miao City. If we move only with the two hundred thousand Red Flame Army, I can assure you, we'll arrive in less than twelve hours!"

The Zhaoyang Army's well-bred war horses were slightly slower. Just now the three hundred thousand-strong army moved at the speed of the Zhaoyang Army, covering about a thousand miles in twelve hours, averaging around one hundred and sixty miles per hour.

The pace of the Red Flame Army alone was much swifter, capable of nearly three hundred miles in an hour. Seventeen hundred miles indeed wouldn't take more than twelve hours.

After a moment of consideration, Hou Yuxiao looked at Hou Yucheng and ordered, "Then you and Gao Changlong will take two hundred thousand from the Red Flame Army and lead the way, heading south by circling around the south side of Hei Miao City. Remember, do not expose your presence or attack the city without my command."

"Yes, big brother!"

"Gao Changhu, you take another hundred thousand from the Red Flame Army and follow Yucheng. Once you reach Hei Miao City, directly station yourselves to the southwest and set up scout posts along the way. Any unusual activity must be reported immediately."

"Your subordinate obeys the order!"

"Gao Changbao, the remaining four hundred thousand from the Zhaoyang Army will be led by you. Continue advancing southward at a normal pace, and after ten hours, I'll give you an hour to regroup. Once we reach Hei Miao City, I will order an immediate assault. Understood?"