Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 90 - 076, The World’s Top Nine Rankings [Seeking Support!]

Five days later, February 22, 1322 in the New Yu Era

Hou Yuxiao stepped out of the estate and, upon seeing the worried expressions on the faces of Hou Yucheng and the others, revealed just a faint smile without any surprise.

"You all know already?"

Hou Yucheng, who was rather impatient, stepped forward and said, "Big brother, the news of your duel with Cheng Yue has spread far and wide. You shouldn't have agreed to it!"

It wasn't just Hou Yucheng. Hou Yuling, Hou Fei, Gao Cheng, Gao Hu, Su Li, and the other five, although silent, conveyed through their expressions something similar to Hou Yucheng's sentiment.

The night of the Zhaoyang Disturbance, they had all witnessed Cheng Yue's strength, and while rumors outside claimed that Hou Yuxiao had defeated Tian Linong, they all knew what had truly transpired.

"Even you all think I'll lose, then surely no one in the prefecture believes I can win, right?"

Upon hearing Hou Yuxiao's words, Hou Fei, who was in the back, nodded and said, "Family Head, the brothers I sent out told me that all the major betting houses and Shengxin Residence have already opened books on the duel the day after tomorrow.

Currently, the odds for Cheng Yue against you are 5 to 1..."

Upon hearing this, Hou Yuxiao's interest peaked, and his eyes lit up as he asked, "Who are the backers behind these betting houses?"

"Only nine betting licenses were issued in the prefecture."

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.

Based on the betting licenses, aside from Shengxin Residence, the backers of the other eight are the Great Luo Sect and those seven third-rate powers.

"Have all your gold been exchanged?"

At this question from Hou Yuxiao, the others immediately grasped his intention, and their expressions turned peculiar.

Hou Yuling was the most composed among them; he stepped forward, handing over a stack of silver notes with a face value of a thousand liang each, and said, "Two boxes of gold, altogether 320,000 liang, all here."

"Family Head, are you confident that you can defeat Cheng Yue?" Gao Cheng couldn't hold back at this moment.

This question also voiced the doubts in everyone's minds; for a moment, all eyes were fixed on Hou Yuxiao.

Though they knew that Hou Yuxiao had secluded himself for these five days, it was, after all, just five days. Could it really transform someone...?

"To be honest, I don't have much confidence, but even if I lose, I won't die—rest assured on that!"

Hou Yuxiao, observing the expressions on everyone's faces, slightly stirred within but refrained from revealing his true thoughts. However, upon hearing his words, everyone immediately felt a sense of relief, and the tension and worry on their faces slightly diminished.

"What, did you think I was planning to place a bet?"

Everyone shook their heads hastily, dismissing the earlier misunderstanding.

Hou Yuxiao did not continue discussing the matter further and called for the six to mount their horses, leading them toward the central area of the Prefectural City.

The group, puzzled, followed him. After walking for a quarter of an hour and approaching the core area of the Prefectural City, Hou Yuxiao led the way to the entrance of Shengxin Residence and dismounted, then others realized.

"The day after tomorrow, I'll be testing my skills against Cheng Yue here. I came in advance to scout the place and also to show you what the Shengxin Residence in the prefecture looks like."

Being a Shengxin Residence in the prefecture, it was not only a level above those in Zhaoyang County but also three to five times larger in terms of land area.

As Hou Yuxiao and the rest entered the main gate, they were awestruck by the spaciousness of the first floor.

The entire first floor spanned at least a hundred meters squared with a ten-meter square platform in the center while tables surrounded the platform, numbering at least two to three hundred. Assuming four people per table, it could accommodate at least a thousand people.

The key point was that it was half full...

The business at this Shengxin Residence was exceedingly good!

No sooner had Hou Yuxiao sighed inwardly than a server resembling a servant hurried forth, his face beaming with a smile, and said, "Sir, are you stopping for a meal or staying over?"

"Dining, seven people!"

Hou Yucheng took a step forward, his formidable height of two meters and a robust aura, creating an overwhelming presence.

However, the server, clearly used to such sights, remained unfazed and turned to Hou Yuxiao to inquire, "Would you like to dine on the first floor, or would you prefer the second?"

The second floor of Shengxin Residence catered to Warriors of the Gang Qi Realm. With Hou Yuxiao present, Hou Yucheng and the others could ascend despite their insufficient cultivation.

The diners, witnessing Hou Yuxiao and his group ascend to the second floor, displayed a hint of envy on their faces.

The second floor was at least half the size of the first, likely because a portion was used for accommodation. The server led the seven to a private room, took their order for some food and drinks, then turned and left.

"Tsk, tsk, nine dishes, three pots of liquor, totaling 320 liang. I've lived for so many years and have never had such a lavish meal..."

Su Li, having previously been a high-ranking member of the Flying Eagle Sect, had dined at Shengxin Residence on the first floor, where a meal for seven or eight people cost at most a dozen or so liang of silver. He knew the second floor was expensive but had guessed that it would cost no more than fifty liang at most for seven people.

To think that fifty liang might not even cover a single dish...

Hearing Su Li's words, everyone chuckled lightly, and Hou Yuling, being more knowledgeable about these matters, began to explain.

"The price is secondary. People from the martial world don't come here just to eat. Shengxin Residence has branches across three roads and eight governments of Yongzhou and also in the other five continents.

Across the six states of the Demon Path, whenever there's any disturbance, Shengxin Residence knows it all. Essentially, those who come here are mainly looking to gather information.

Of course, that's not all there is to it..."

Upon saying this, Hou Yuling paused for a moment, quietly stood up, walked to a closet in the private room, and pulled out a thick stack of booklets, placing them before everyone.