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

After examining the token, Cao Meng then checked Chi Mengxun's Inquiry Machine, which indeed contained records of Chi Mengxun and the female demon reporting their situation.

It is now certain that Chi Mengxun is the female demon's person, and Yanyu Tower is the female demon's business.

Well, he treated the female demon as his master, but she kept it a secret from him that she owned such a large business as the Misty Rain Pavilion.

"Although your Misty Rain Pavilion is my master's property, it's still my own property, so it's no big deal!"

Nonsense, the Misty Rain Pavilion is the female demon's property, which means it's her own property.

Are you crazy to tax your own industries?
Upon hearing Cao Meng's words, the others cursed him inwardly as shameless.

Not only did they suddenly raise taxes, but they also didn't treat everyone equally.

Believe it or not, they'll move their assets away, leaving Cao Cao with an empty city, so that you, the city lord, won't be able to collect any taxes!
Those shops and markets moving away? Cao Meng couldn't be happier!
That scumbag Nie Xuan actually sold the land permanently.

Cao Meng has always coveted their land. Since these holdouts refuse to move, it's difficult for Cao Meng to reclaim their land.

Once those holdouts in the market and shops move out, Cao Meng can openly reclaim those land plots.

Later, we'll build shops and lofts on those foundations and rent them out for monthly, yearly, ten-year, or seventy-year periods!
Let's go, everyone, let's go!

Once all you holdouts are gone, I can start renting it out!

Cao Meng gestured for Yu Rui to continue reading the regulations, saying that the tax increase was just the appetizer, and the main course was yet to come!

Yu Rui felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the rules set by Cao Meng.

Yu Rui felt that she was more human and more human than Cao Meng!
But having no other choice, Yu Rui could only continue reading:
"From today onwards, anyone who is not a true disciple of the Joyful Union Sect and enters Spring Breeze Forward City will need to pay twenty low-grade spirit stones."

"Disciples of the Hehuan Sect can freely enter and exit Chunfeng Front City with their identity tokens!"

The announcement of the city entry fee shocked everyone.

They already thought the tax increase was outrageous enough, but now Cao Meng has added an entry fee to the city, which costs twenty low-grade spirit stones per visit!
Twenty spirit stones per time? Why don't you just rob someone?

They had to admit that at this moment, they missed the time when Nie Xuan was the city lord.

Although Nie Xuan, the city lord of Sanbai, likes to eat, drink, and take things for free, she is not as ruthless as Cao Meng!
In fact, Cao Meng even wanted to charge the Hehuan Sect disciples a fee for entering the city, but he was afraid that if things got out of hand, it would be difficult to handle!
"To maintain a beautiful city environment, each shop must pay a city environmental protection and management fee of one thousand low-grade spirit stones per month!"

"Anyone who litters and damages the city's environment will be fined fifty low-grade spirit stones per instance!"

As Yu Rui read out the new regulations, the audience members all looked extremely uncomfortable.

The city's environmental protection fee of one thousand low-grade spirit stones is indeed not expensive; they can afford it.

The problem is that if they paid this fee, doesn't that mean protecting the city's environment is the responsibility of Cao Meng and his group?

Even if they litter, Cao Meng's people are entitled to deal with environmental issues, so why should they be fined?
After this wave of fines, how many people will dare to litter?

Paying this city environmental protection and management fee is just like giving Cao Meng spirit stones for nothing.
Later, many more policies and regulations related to fees and fines were announced.

The most outrageous thing is that Cao Meng wants to set up a tax office to regularly check the taxes of each company every month, so that there is no possibility for each company to falsify accounts and evade taxes!
And the most outrageous thing is that Cao Meng demanded that all shops in the front city use mid-grade spirit stones as the main currency and low-grade spirit stones as a supplementary currency one month later, in order to eliminate the use of low-grade spirit stones!
Mid-grade spirit stones are already scarce and not widely circulated. Where are they supposed to get so many mid-grade spirit stones? Cao Meng's move is trying to force them to their doom!
In no time, the remaining shops decided to move out one by one, preparing to force Cao Meng, the city lord, to submit.

They wanted to let Cao Meng know that they were not easy targets, and that Cao Meng shouldn't push his luck!
Little did they know that moving away this time would be their biggest mistake and their greatest regret!

After Cao Meng discerned their thoughts, he signaled to Yu Rui to quickly announce the final rule:
"Any shop that moves out of the front city, including spirit weapon workshops, pill workshops, wineries, etc., shall be deemed to have automatically relinquished its land!"

With this regulation being announced, Cao Meng can now openly and legitimately reclaim the land!
Anyway, the announcement itself said that if you want to leave, it means you are voluntarily giving up the foundation.

Blood Cloud Ancestor suddenly appeared out of thin air, came to Cao Meng's side, and sneered:
"Kid, you're not planning to drive them away on purpose so you can take back their land, are you?"

Blood Cloud Ancestor's shrewd business sense told him that Cao Meng was not among those merchants at all.

On the contrary, Cao Meng seemed to intend to clear the area and expel the people, and wanted to take back the land!
"Senior, what are you saying? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Cao Meng realized that the Blood Cloud Ancestor had guessed part of his intentions, but how could he dare to admit it at this moment!

Is it that you want to take back those people's land?
It was clearly those people who gave up voluntarily!
"Boy, in my opinion, you really are that kind of person!"

Blood Cloud Ancestor doesn't even want to talk about Cao Meng's character!
Is this guy even human? He's clearly a scoundrel!
Since he's a scoundrel, where does his integrity come from?
"You're probably thinking of taking back these land plots and reselling them to someone else, or renting them out!"

"Based on my understanding of you, the chances of it being rented out are quite high!"

Blood Cloud Ancestor, this thousand-year-old cunning merchant, analyzed the truth directly and guessed Cao Meng's true intention to reclaim the foundation!

"But I'm very curious, young man, how you plan to attract new merchants and make them your fish!"

Blood Cloud Ancestor was very curious about this, because he knew that if Cao Meng played this move well, he would definitely make a huge profit, but if he played it poorly, he would lose a huge amount of money.

But based on Blood Cloud Ancestor's understanding of Cao Meng, this little swindler, this thief doesn't seem like the kind of person who would do a losing business.

"Senior, I don't have that ability, so I can only rely on your Blood Corpse Hall to attract customers!"

Cao Meng naturally had a solution, but he couldn't reveal it now.

After a few days, once those shops have moved out and I've taken over the foundation, I'll use my ultimate move to give the front city a few powerful healing pills to restore its health!

……

Because of Cao Meng's new policies, many shops in the market decided to move away, otherwise they would be slaughtered by Cao Meng!
Little did they know that they were no longer pigs, but nails in Cao Meng's eyes.

Their departure from Spring Breeze City meant that these nails were being pulled out one by one.

When these nails want to return to the front city in the future, they will turn from nails into fat pigs!
Moreover, it was a fat pig that willingly begged to be slaughtered by the traitor Cao!

It is said that Cao Meng wanted these shops in the market to move away as soon as possible.

So they arranged for someone to come and collect taxes and environmental protection fees!

Cao Meng's urging prompted many shops and markets to move from the front city of Chunfeng to the back city of Chunfeng that very day.

They moved out at noon, and in the afternoon Cao Meng's duty team reclaimed and sealed off their site.

……

Inside the main hall of Illusionary Peak, the five-man anti-Cao traitor group gathered to discuss important matters.

As for what major event?
It's naturally a major matter concerning the traitor Cao, otherwise why would they be called the Anti-Cao Five!
"What exactly is this traitor Cao Cao trying to do?"

After learning about Cao Mengnong's policies, Pei Xu, the master of Qingcha Peak, felt extremely confused.

She really couldn't understand what Cao Meng wanted, or what he wanted to achieve!
"In my opinion, he's gotten too big for his britches. He really thinks those markets and shops are fat pigs that he can slaughter and profit from at will!"

Nie Xuan voiced her speculation, her anger palpable.

The main reason was that Cao Meng called her a little mouse, exposed her past, and threatened her with his fists, causing her to flee in panic!
Nie Xuan had considered slaughtering those shops and markets like pigs, but in reality, it was very difficult to do.

After all, those shops and markets all have some kind of backing, otherwise they wouldn't dare to open in Spring Breeze City!
Even Nie Xuan herself wouldn't dare to do it, yet this traitor Cao dared to do it. He deserves to end up in this situation now.

"This Cao traitor has already found a way to die, thus inviting his own demise!" Yuwen Jing and Nie Xuan shared the same opinion. Among the five people present, she and Nie Xuan had been offended the most by Cao Meng, and their grudges were the greatest.

One was harassed, the other was beaten up by Cao Meng, and their power was divided.

"not that simple!"

Han Sijing looked at these two idiots and said in an annoyed tone:
"If this Cao traitor were really that stupid, he would have bullied you all!"

"This Cao traitor must be playing a long game, but I wonder what he's up to!"

Han Sijing felt a little tired. She regretted bringing these two big-breasted, brainless guys into her camp.

These two guys are not only incompetent, but also stupid. They've been blinded by their anger towards Cao Meng, they're utterly useless!

"Senior Sister Han, aren't you worrying a bit too much?"

"This traitor Cao has dug his own grave by coming up with these policies. The only thing we need to worry about now is that he might resort to desperate measures!"

Nie Xuan and Yuwen Jing echoed each other, both feeling that Han Sijing had overestimated Cao Meng's abilities.

"Two idiots!"

Han Sijing cursed inwardly, "These two idiots are beyond redemption!"

"Junior Sister Yuwen, Junior Sister Nie Xuan, Cao Cao is extremely cunning and treacherous; we must be wary!"

Song Yafei noticed Han Sijing's displeasure and quickly spoke up to advise her, then added:

"In my opinion, Cao Meng's policies this time are likely a desperate move to reshuffle the entire city!"

Seeing that she had someone with brains on her side, Han Sijing suddenly felt less mentally exhausted.

Han Sijing turned her gaze to Song Yafei and asked:

"Junior Sister Song, what's the attitude of that shorty from Book Peak and that drunkard from Wine Peak?"

"Shorty" and "Drunkard" are the nicknames of the Peak Master of Qinshu Peak and the Peak Master of Qiongjiu Peak, respectively.

The peak master of Qinshu Peak, Xue Tang, is not tall, so many people call her "Shorty".

Wanqing, the master of Qiongjiu Peak, was addicted to alcohol and spent a large part of his time in a drunken state, hence the nickname "Drunkard"!

That's right, Han Sijing is planning to seize power again.

She planned to take advantage of Consort Duanmu's seclusion while she was breaking through to the Void Refinement stage to catch her off guard.

She had considered that if Consort Duanmu failed to break through to the Void Refinement stage, she would inevitably be seriously injured, resulting in a significant reduction in her strength, and she would need a long time to recuperate.

Therefore, he had no time to attend to the sect and could no longer serve as the sect leader.

If Duanmu Fei successfully breaks through to the next realm and becomes a Void Refining cultivator...

Han Sijing could ask her master to join forces with other Void Refinement stage elders to order Duanmu Fei to step down as sect leader and go to the forbidden area to cultivate in peace, thus freeing up the position of sect leader!
……

"Senior Sister Han, I've sounded out the little dwarf. She's still on Duanmu Fei's side. She won't change her stance!"

Song Yafei reported the situation regarding Peak Master Xue Tang.

To be honest, Song Yafei was very puzzled by one thing: for the past few hundred years, no matter what decisions Duanmu Fei made, Peak Master Xue Tang would blindly support them!

The reason why Xue Tang, the peak master of Qinshu Peak, supports Duanmu Fei so much dates back to an event that occurred several hundred years ago.

"Senior Sister Han, the wine-obsessed girl should be neutral. If we want her to side with us, we'll have to have an exceptional wine, or the recipe for one!"

Song Yafei found Wanqing, the drunkard, difficult to deal with.

Wanqing can be considered the leader and representative of the neutral faction!

Getting Wanqing to choose sides is no easier than getting Xuetang to betray Duanmu Fei.

"Junior Sister Song, please put more effort into the spirit wine matter lately, and try your best to bring the wine-obsessed to our side!"

If Cao Meng hadn't reached the Nascent Soul stage, Han Sijing wouldn't have valued neutral figures like Wan Qing so much.

Cao Meng has now reached the Nascent Soul stage, specifically the sixth level of the Nascent Soul stage.

This put pressure on Han Sijing, forcing her to find a way to win over the neutral faction led by Wanqing!
"Senior Sister Han, that drunkard is either drinking alcohol, brewing wine, or simply drunk."

"Even if we bring her to our side, it won't make much of a difference!"

Pei Xu, the peak master of Qingcha Peak, was somewhat dissatisfied with Wan Qing. The main reason was that she accidentally learned that Wan Qing had been allocated far more resources than her!

Why should a drunkard get more resources than her?
"madness!"

Han Sijing scolded him, then explained:
"Wanqing has a secret technique that, if used, can allow her to fight against a seventh-level Nascent Soul cultivator."

Even I'm not confident I could beat her!

Han Sijing estimated that Wanqing's strength was among the top three of all the peak masters!

Shen Aoxue only wanted to say: I am not the same as I used to be. The ranking has changed, which is why Wanqing's strength is able to enter the top four of the peak masters!
Han Sijing glanced at Pei Xu and added:

"Junior Sister Peixu, you still need to work harder in your cultivation. Your standing among the peak masters is truly something to behold!"

Han Sijing practically said that Pei Xu was the weakest peak master, and that his low cultivation level was shameful!
After being prompted by Han Sijing, Pei Xu's expression turned somewhat awkward.

Song Yafei couldn't bear to see Pei Xu continue to be embarrassed, so she changed the subject:
"Senior Sister Han, Shen Aoxue and Suqin Peak have been getting quite close lately!"

"As far as I know, Cao Meng has already given the method of refining the Immortal Inquiry Machine to Shen Aoxue. I'm afraid Wanqi Peak has already sided with Suqin Peak!"

Speaking of this, Song Yafei was furious. She and Han Sijing were both eager to know the method of refining the Immortal Machine, but they couldn't get it, while Shen Aoxue actually got it!

"Shen Aoxue is a sinner. Even if she supports Consort Duanmu, it won't make any difference!"

Han Sijing looked down on Shen Aoxue, after all, many high-ranking members of the Hehuan Sect knew about Shen Aoxue's status as a criminal.

Shen Aoxue, a criminal, has already reached the limit by managing to save her life and become a peak master. As for any say in the matter, to hell with it!

At this moment, Han Sijing turned her gaze to Nie Xuan and began assigning tasks:
“Nie Xuan, those markets have all left Cao Meng’s side. You need to take good care of them!”

Then let the hall masters behind him impeach Cao Meng together, impeaching him for his misconduct!

Han Sijing dared not entrust Nie Xuan with tasks that were too complicated, so she could only assign her these simple tasks.

I hope the other party won't disappoint me and won't mess things up!

Otherwise, don't blame me for not playing with her anymore and ignoring her! (End of Chapter)