The great righteousness of Hexi, its name spreads throughout the world...…

The events at the banquet in Tao City quickly spread throughout Shenzhou as disciples of various major forces returned one after another.

Hou Yuxiao bowing for the eighty million living souls, praying for Great Jin and its allies to establish Xingnan Prefecture as a neutral zone, became a widely told tale, and his reputation skyrocketed to its peak.

No one expected that the Master of the powerful Hou Clan of Hexi, under the Holy Land, Hou Yuxiao, still valued ordinary people so importantly!

Hou Yuxiao's fame reached its zenith after he destroyed Leiyin Temple and unified Hexi Dao.

Even though he was only at the Sub-saint Realm of Martial Arts and not on the same level as the rulers of the Holy Lands in the world, considering Hexi's current special position, along with his five-million-strong army, including the formidable two-million Red Flame Army comparable to Holy Land elites, Hou Yuxiao's status could definitely rank in the top ten of Shenzhou.

In today's world, even the most ordinary Martial Artist of the Open Body Realm looked down on regular people, but Hou Yuxiao, with such high status and strength, regarded common folk as his brethren, which was shocking to most martial artists.

For a time, the name of Hou Yuxiao's virtue was sung across the world.

Of course, Great Jin and its allies, who agreed to Hou Yuxiao's proposal, used this event to boost their reputation significantly, as without their approval, his proposal for a neutral zone couldn't have succeeded, and the more than eighty million people of Hexi would have found it difficult to escape the ravages of war.

......

Time rewinds to November 21, 1332, New Yu Era, deep in the night

On the night of the great banquet in Hexi, all the important guests had already returned, leaving only a small portion, mostly disciples of various forces left to gather information.

The crucial figures Jing Tianyu and Tuoba Zun had also departed, but each left someone in the Hou Mansion, Yuwen Qing and Lian Ningxue, respectively.

Inside Zhao Yang Palace, it was empty, the seats for guests had been removed by servants, all decorations cleaned, and even the wine aroma that once permeated the air was gone; the entire palace was silent, all servants had been dismissed, leaving only Hou Yuxiao sitting alone at the top, eyes closed in meditation.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the palace door.

Hou Yuxiao immediately opened his eyes and softly asked the four people who walked in:

"Have those two been settled?"

The four approached Hou Yuxiao, and Hou Yucheng nodded, replying: "We arranged for them to go to Third Sister's Joyful Union Palace. Lian Ningxue is fine, but that Princess Taiping, whether for real or a ploy, insisted on staying at Fourth Elder's Xueyang Palace. Third Sister persuaded her, suggesting she stay a few days first before changing, and she agreed!"

"Of course, it's a ploy. Yuwen Qing arrived in Hexi many days later than Lian Ningxue, eager to get closer to Fourth Elder. Tuoba Zun and Jing Tianyu left these two ancestral beings intentionally to monitor us. With two stunning beauties around me, wouldn't it make an ineffectual hero?"

Hou Yuling's teasing made the four smile and shake their heads.

But Hou Yuxiao quickly adjusted his mood, quietly saying: "Yuwen Qing is only at the Xuanyin Realm Peak, not worth worrying about. The main concern is Lian Ningxue. The alliance even sent a great expert from the Fractured Realm solely to monitor us, showing they genuinely fear Great Jin, afraid we might ally with it."

Hou Yuduan immediately responded, "Not surprising, the Hexi war is indeed crucial.

Great Jin is currently fighting on two fronts, and the alliance is likewise.

Emperor Wanyan Cheng of Yuliang is leading troops attacking Jizhou, besides sending the seven-million-strong army here to Hexi, the alliance also has millions of soldiers heading north to support Qinjian Villa, where they'd already engaged, vying for Dongyuan Path. The battle is said to be in a stalemate, with no quick resolution in sight.

If the Northern side remains deadlocked, then the Hexi war becomes very critical.

If Great Jin wins, the army could either station at Longxiang County, threatening Hedong, or cross the river to invade Xuzhou directly. At that time, even if Emperor Yuliang can't seize Jizhou, they can move south to join Hexi's forces and take the five states of Hedong.

Conversely, if the alliance wins, they could move north to support a counterattack on Wanyan Cheng, or station troops at Xiapi County to threaten Great Jin's three northern provinces, or even directly cross the river into the northern provinces, advancing straight into Great Jin's heartland."

"If the alliance wins in Hexi, the benefits would be greater than for Great Jin!"

As Hou Yuduan spoke, he realized the significance of the Hexi war, and upon hearing Hou Yuxiao, his spirits rose instantly: "Big brother saw this early on, then us?"

"Whether Great Jin wins or the alliance, does it matter to us?"

Before Hou Yuxiao could respond, Hou Yucheng already spoke. Enjoy the story by reading on NovelBin.

He had a fierce look on his face, seeing the four looking at him, he continued:

"Big brother, pardon my bluntness, neither Great Jin nor the alliance treats us fairly. Whoever wins doesn't benefit us. If, as big brother said, the alliance gains more if it wins the Hexi war, then we should not let the alliance win. We should let Great Jin and the alliance keep biting at each other, giving us more time!"

Hou Yuxiao looked at Hou Yucheng, slowly revealing a smile.

In his impression, Hou Yucheng was not someone who would say such things.

It seems pressure can indeed force rapid growth in people.

Hou Yuduan, Hou Yujie, and Hou Yuling also gently nodded, clearly agreeing with Hou Yucheng's words.