Having been given a second chance at life, I choose to join the Demonic Sect!

Seeing so many spirit stones, some individuals even had the idea of ​​robbing them.

Cao Meng dared to display so many spirit stones here for others to see, so naturally he wasn't afraid of anyone trying to steal them.

Anyone below the Void Refinement stage who dares to steal will be met with his fist, comparable to a sixth-tier spiritual weapon, slamming into them.

When Ying Ling'er and her group saw the small mountain made of a million mid-grade spirit stones, their worries instantly vanished.

Cao Meng already has so many spirit stones; if he still refuses to pay their monthly wages, then they shouldn't blame them for rebelling and beating up Cao Meng, the city lord.

Cao Meng was a little sleepy, and Yu Rui, his personal maid, immediately understood and had Cao Meng's recliner brought over.

Cao Meng lay on the recliner and gestured to Yu Rui and Min Xue to distribute monthly wages to those people.

Yu Rui and Min Xue started distributing monthly wages to those on duty that day, according to the roster.

After receiving their monthly wages, the women on duty eagerly rushed off to their posts.

As soon as I received my monthly paycheck, I was immediately full of energy.

They were afraid that if they lacked motivation, they would lose their jobs and their high monthly salaries one day!

Those city guards who weren't on duty received their monthly wages and intended to leave to spend them.

But Min Xue stopped them, telling them that Cao Meng had something to announce.

In fact, these people couldn't even spend their monthly allowance, because Cao Meng gave them mid-grade spirit stones.

If they want to maximize their profits, they need to find someone to exchange mid-grade spirit stones for low-grade spirit stones, thereby earning more.

This means that those mid-grade spirit stones won't be sold for at least a day or two.

After Min Xue finished distributing her monthly allowance to others, it was finally her turn.

My monthly allowance is a thousand mid-grade spirit stones, which is 100,000 low-grade spirit stones!
Now that I'm at the eighth level of the Nascent Soul stage, I earn a million low-grade spirit stones a year!

Cao Meng, who was reclining on the chair, noticed that Yu Rui had not collected her monthly allowance and said:
"Yu Rui, your monthly allowance will be set at 10,000 mid-grade spirit stones for now!"

"I'll give you more when you can manage Spring Breeze City for me!"

Cao Meng did acknowledge Yu Rui's abilities to some extent, unlike some useless fox spirit.

Although Yu Rui had been enslaved by him and become his maid, he still had to reward her to keep her motivated.

"Thank you, Master!"

Yu Rui was overjoyed, because she had never dared to think about monthly allowances, since her life was in Cao Meng's hands and she dared not even dream of them.

After giving Yu Rui her monthly allowance, Cao Meng put the remaining spirit stones back into his storage ring.

At this moment, Hongqi, whom he was holding in his arms, realized that she was not entitled to any of the gifts, and immediately became flustered.

Hongqi stretched out her little paw towards Cao Meng, asking for her share:
"Cao Meng, this princess also wants her monthly allowance!"

Hongqi felt that even Yurui, who came later, had a monthly allowance, and so did she, the great Princess Hongqi, and even more than Yurui.

"Pink-furred fox, you don't have one!"

When Cao Meng saw that Hong Qi was such a traitor who dared to ask him for his spirit stones, he immediately gave her a sharp rap on the head.

"Why does she have everything while I, the princess, don't? This is discriminatory treatment!"

Hongqi covered her head with one hand and pointed at Yurui with the other, starting to make a fuss.

Hongqi felt she couldn't go on like this, as Cao Cao took advantage of her every day, touching her all over the place.

In the end, they didn't get a single spirit stone. This is outrageous!
"Pink-furred fox, all you do all day is eat, drink, and have fun. You do nothing but think about rebellion and defy your superiors!"

"I feed and care for you every day, how dare you ask me for money every month!"

Hongqi was dissatisfied with Cao Meng, and Cao Meng was also dissatisfied with Hongqi.

If it weren't for the fact that the other animal had beautiful pink fur and felt nice to the touch, Cao Meng would have kept it as a pet to amuse himself. Otherwise, he would have turned it into a fox fur coat long ago.

Of course, the main reason Cao Meng kept Hong Qi was because of the aunt he mentioned.

Moreover, this pink-haired fox had quite a few spirit stones in her possession, and it was already kind of her not to ask her to hand them over. How could she possibly ask her for spirit stones?

"Humph!"

Hong Qi snorted coldly and said irritably:
"Who wants you to support me? It's clearly you who captured me and restricted my freedom!"

Hongqi felt that this was not a case of being well-fed and cared for at all; it was clearly an imprisonment of the noble Princess Hongqi, restricting her freedom.

After making a complaint, Hongqi shut up obediently, because if she continued to make trouble, she might get beaten up and spanked.

Besides, Princess Hongqi is not short of spirit stones, so there is no need for her to be beaten up for such a small amount.

Hongqi felt that this wasn't cowardice, but rather a wise person who knows when to yield!

……

On Cao Meng's side, after the monthly wages were paid out and Hong Qi was dealt with, he revealed his Dharma form.

"The Dharma image of Lord Cao Meng is over six hundred feet tall."

Rumors circulated that City Lord Cao Meng was at the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage, and seeing him today confirms it!

The crowd was astonished when they saw Cao Meng's manifested Dharma form, which was over six hundred feet tall and incredibly solid.

"City Lord Cao Meng, after only three years of cultivation, you've already reached the Nascent Soul stage! That's truly terrifying!"

"I think it's inappropriate to call Lord Cao Meng a Nascent Soul stage ancestor. He's too young. It would be better to call him a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse!"

What surprised the onlookers the most was not Cao Meng's cultivation level, but that Cao Meng was too young and had not cultivated for a long time.

To put it bluntly, being able to advance from a mortal to the Golden Core stage after three years of cultivation is already considered top-tier talent.

In just three years, Cao Meng cultivated to the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage. Terms like "top genius" and "peerless prodigy" no longer adequately describe him.

The only word that can describe it is "the talent of an immortal!"

In other words, Cao Meng was in the Hehuan Sect. If he were in a top-tier righteous sect, he would have been hailed as a banished immortal descended to earth!
"Why is Lord Cao Meng revealing his Dharma form? Does he have an enemy?"

At this moment, someone finally realized the key point.

Cao Meng revealed his Dharma form, surely not just to show off his Dharma form?

The fact that the other party has now revealed their true form must have a reason!
Cao Meng manipulated his Dharma form to survey the surroundings and rebuked:

"My fellow disciples, I know you are all watching and waiting to see if I, Cao Meng, will make a fool of myself. Unfortunately, I have disappointed you."

Cao Meng had already noticed some Nascent Soul stage cultivators hiding in the shadows, observing them.

These ants at the Nascent Soul stage were his senior uncles and elder brothers at the Nascent Soul stage.

Now that he has revealed his true form, he wants to intimidate those guys and warn them to think twice before acting!

As expected, Cao Meng's intimidation made those petty scoundrels hiding in the shadows restrain themselves a bit!
"Yu Rui, these are the new regulations for Spring Breeze City. Please read them aloud to everyone!"

Cao Meng handed over the rules he had set to Yu Rui. Now that he was the city lord, the rules that Nie Xuan had set should be discarded.

"Obey my master!"

Yu Rui took the booklet that Cao Meng threw to her, bowed, and then announced:
"From today onwards, all shops and markets in the first half of Spring Breeze City will be subject to the new tax law, with tax revenue increased to 40%!" Cao Meng's first regulation was to raise taxes!

If it weren't for the fact that the city lord has the right to collect taxes, he wouldn't want to be the city lord!
He became the city lord just to collect taxes and amass spirit stones!

"Lord Cao Meng, isn't this tax too high?"

“City Lord Cao Meng, when City Lord Nie Xuan was in charge, the tax revenue was only 20%!”

The business owners of the Spirit Food Shop, the Wine Shop, and the Spirit Weapon Shop were all immediately dissatisfied upon hearing Cao Meng's rules.

Previously, Nie Xuan only collected 20% of the tax, and some of them had powerful connections who basically didn't have to pay taxes, or received significantly less tax.
Cao Meng has only been in office for a month, and he has already doubled the taxes.

That treacherous Cao Cao, that vicious tiger, has now revealed his claws and fangs, wanting to devour their flesh and drink their blood!
"Fellow Daoists, I don't think this tax is high, because I'm not like Aunt Nie Xuan, who collects taxes and then doesn't do any work, nor will I come to your territory to eat and drink for free!"

As Cao Meng spoke, he turned his gaze toward a tavern in one direction.

He could confirm that Nie Xuan was in that tavern, and was observing this area.

When Nie Xuan realized that Cao Meng had discovered her, she stopped hiding and showed herself.

She hadn't done anything wrong, and she didn't believe Cao Meng could do anything to her.

"You despicable Cao traitor, this is slander! This is false accusation!"

After Nie Xuan appeared, she angrily rebuked Cao Meng.

When he was the city lord, he was so loyal and dedicated, always thinking about developing Spring Breeze City. How did he become Cao Meng's accusation of dereliction of duty?
This is slander, this is blatant false accusation!
"Uncle-Master Nie Xuan, I thought you would always hide in the shadows like a little mouse, too afraid to come out?"

When Cao Meng saw Nie Xuan appear, he sneered.

"You traitor Cao, you're the little mouse!"

Upon hearing this, Nie Xuan immediately retorted to Cao Meng.

She herself was born with unparalleled beauty and charm, yet this traitor Cao Cao actually called her a little mouse.

Are there really mice that are so naturally beautiful and have such unparalleled charm?
This traitor Cao not only disrespects his elders, but he also can't say anything decent.

“Uncle-Master Nie Xuan, you say I’m framing you? Then let me ask you, after you collected taxes and took the benefits, as the city lord, were you responsible for these markets and hamlets?”

Cao Meng sternly questioned Nie Xuan, saying that since Nie Xuan dared to trip him up back then, she shouldn't blame him for making things difficult for her now.

"Of course I took responsibility!"

Faced with Cao Meng's questioning, Nie Xuan retorted confidently.

Of the four city lords—Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon—I do whatever the other three city lords do!
Moreover, every now and then, the city lord would lower himself and go to their market to investigate, give them some pointers, and offer some suggestions.

If this isn't considered taking responsibility, then what is?

If those traitors knew what Nie Xuan was thinking, they would surely hurl insults at her:

What kind of visits and investigations are these? What kind of bullshit opinions are these?!
Nie Xuan's investigation was nothing more than free food, drink, and money!

The suggestions Nie Xuan makes are basically telling you what she wants to eat and drink next time she comes, and what she needs.

You'd better prepare your things in advance when she comes next time!

"So, Aunt Nie Xuan's responsibility is to ignore them and let them suffer losses without any concern!"

Cao Meng couldn't understand how Nie Xuan could have the nerve to say something so self-righteous.

"It's normal to lose money in business!"

Nie Xuan felt that what did those people's losses have to do with her? She was just the city lord, responsible for collecting taxes and guarding the city.

Cao Meng had thought he was thick-skinned enough, but after seeing her today, he realized that he was still a bit inferior to Nie Xuan.

Cao Meng turned his gaze to the heads of various markets and shops, and assured them:
"Gentlemen, I, Cao Meng, here today guarantee that I will absolutely not let your taxes go to waste!"
Next, I will implement sweeping reforms in Spring Breeze City, so you can earn even more spirit stones!

Of course, Cao Meng dared to make such a guarantee because he was confident in his abilities.

According to his next plan, the foot traffic in Spring Breeze City will increase at least tenfold!
"Just empty talk, say whatever you want!"

Nie Xuan felt that Cao Meng was just talking without understanding the situation, and was just spouting nonsense.

When she first became the city lord, she also wanted to reform Spring Breeze City, but in the end, she was defeated by reality.

These people are beyond redemption; all I can do is defend the city.

"Uncle-Master Nie Xuan, you'd better watch your mouth, or I can't guarantee you won't be able to control your hands!"

Cao Meng felt that Nie Xuan just wanted to be beaten up and deserved to be taught a lesson.

"Humph!"

Upon hearing Cao Meng's threat, Nie Xuan snorted coldly and then fled back to her own territory.

There was nothing Nie Xuan could do; she was also afraid of getting beaten up.

After all, if she were to be beaten to the ground by Cao Meng in front of so many people, she would probably have no choice but to smash her head against a wall and die!

After scaring Nie Xuan, that little scumbag, Cao Meng addressed the crowd:
"If you are unwilling to believe me or cooperate in paying taxes, you can move your property now, and I, Cao Meng, will not stop you!"

Cao Meng felt it was fine for that person to move away. When Bai Yuxuan moved his businesses away, it freed up a lot of land, which Cao Meng was able to reclaim!
If these guys move away again, I can reclaim another batch of land.

Later on, I can take it out and rent it out to collect a lot of spirit stones!
Sure enough, many people left, clearly unable to accept the 40% tax rate; it was simply too high.

This is Chi Mengxun, the person in charge of Yanyu Tower. He came to Cao Meng with seven or eight people and bowed, saying:

"Young Master, I wonder if our Misty Rain Pavilion can refrain from raising taxes?"

The group of people, including Chi Mengxun, did not address Cao Meng as "City Lord," but rather as "Young Master."

"Little Lord?"

Cao Meng was stunned when he heard this title. When did he become the young master of Chi Mengxun and the others? He had no idea.

Seeing Cao Meng's confusion, Chi Mengxun, who was in charge, immediately explained:

"Young Master, all these businesses belong to Sect Master Duanmu!"

Duanmu Fei is the master of Chi Mengxun and the others, and Cao Meng is Duanmu Fei's disciple, so naturally he is their young master.

The shops in Yanyu Tower were established with the support of Consort Duanmu, and they have been helping her earn spirit stones.

However, because Consort Duanmu hid it very well, few people knew about the relationship between Consort Duanmu and the Yanyu Tower.

Now that Cao Meng has raised taxes by 20% in one go, Chi Mengxun has no choice but to expose the relationship between Yanyu Tower and Consort Duanmu.

"Your Misty Rain Pavilion is my master's property. How come I didn't know about it?"

"My master is currently in seclusion. Does your Misty Rain Pavilion have any evidence to prove this?"

Cao Meng was also taken aback; he began to suspect that the other party was bluffing him!
Chi Mengxun took out a token, cast a spell to inquire about immortality, and said:
"Young Master, this is the token given to us by Sect Master Duanmu!"
And the Inquiry Machine also contains information about me and the Sect Master, as well as my report to the Sect Master!

This token was originally left to Chi Mengxun by Consort Duanmu to prevent anyone in Chunfeng City from making things difficult for them, and to be used by Yanyu Pavilion as a precaution!

But Duanmu Fei never expected that the first time Chi Mengxun took out this token, it wasn't because an outsider was making things difficult for Yanyu Pavilion, but because her rebellious disciple was causing trouble.

Cao Meng examined the token and confirmed that it was the same as the one the female demon had given him and his vengeful senior sister; this token truly belonged to the female demon! (End of Chapter)