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

Cao Meng looked at those unjustly accused people, each one so self-righteous, and sneered:
“My fellow disciples, you gave up the foundation voluntarily, so why should I return it to you?”

Cao Meng wasn't going to tolerate those guys. He earned it through his own skill, so why should he pay them back?
Cao Meng's righteous indignation infuriated the Nascent Soul stage hall masters, who were all seething with anger.

If they weren't outmatched by Cao Meng, they would have loved to fight that traitor Cao to the death.

Cao Meng turned his gaze to Nie Xuan and Yuwen Jing, and then said:
"Uncle-Master Nie Xuan, Uncle-Master Yuwen, whose fault do you think it is?"

"After all, you two are the leaders and the parties involved, so your words are the most impartial!"

Upon hearing Cao Meng's words, Han Sijing and her group were immediately taken aback, unsure of what Cao Meng was up to.

"However, my two senior uncles, you'd better think carefully before you speak!"

To prevent Yuwen Jing and Nie Xuan from saying anything inappropriate, Cao Meng kindly reminded them.

“Nephew Cao Meng is right, this was indeed our fault!”

Nie Xuan and Yuwen Jing spoke these words through gritted teeth, each word filled with their hatred for Cao Meng.

If it weren't for that damned Cao traitor stripping them naked and recording them on video, giving them leverage...

Why should we be threatened or submit now?

"Cao Meng, how dare you threaten my two junior sisters!"

Han Sijing immediately realized that Yuwen Jing and Nie Xuan had been threatened by Cao Meng.

Han Sijing just couldn't understand it. These two had already been beaten up by Cao Meng, and now they were even being held hostage by that traitor Cao.
"Uncle Han, don't talk nonsense. I didn't threaten Uncle Yuwen or Uncle Nie Xuan. If you don't believe me, ask them."

Cao Meng was speechless. How had he threatened Yuwen Jing and Nie Xuan? He had clearly only offered a well-intentioned reminder.

"Cao Meng is indeed no threat to us!"

Under Cao Meng's threatening gaze, Nie Xuan and Yuwen Jing could only suppress their anger and explain on behalf of the traitor Cao.

Everyone could see that Nie Xuan and Yuwen Jing were being threatened by Cao Meng, but since neither of them spoke up, how could the others stand up for them?
With Yuwen Jing and Nie Xuan switching sides, it's easy to see that this charge is unfounded.

"Cao Meng, do you admit to the crime of splitting Chunfeng City?"

Seeing that no one else could handle Cao Meng, Han Sijing had no choice but to personally identify Cao Meng and pin the crime on him.

"Uncle-Master Han, you are too presumptuous! How dare you say that the Fifth Ancestor is wrong!"

Faced with the accusations leveled against Han Sijing, Cao Meng sternly rebuked her and retaliated by accusing her of the same crime as well.

"???"

Wu Zu Wanling was a little confused. What did this have to do with her?
Just as everyone was bewildered, Cao Meng began to explain:

"Uncle Han, it was the Fifth Ancestor who gave me half of Spring Breeze City. You say that my splitting of Spring Breeze City is a crime, but aren't you saying that it's the Fifth Ancestor's crime!"

After hearing Cao Meng's words, many people felt that there was some truth to what he said.

Han Sijing's heart trembled. That damned Cao traitor was trying to shift the blame and make her face off against the Fifth Ancestor Wanling!
Given the status of the Fifth Ancestor Wanling, even if she were to strip him of his position as peak master, no one would dare to speak up and stop her!

Upon realizing this, Han Sijing quickly scolded:

"Cao Meng, stop making excuses. The Fifth Ancestor did give you half of Chunfeng City, but he did not allow you to privately repair the city walls or change the name of the city!"

Han Sijing couldn't even allow Cao Meng to continue diverting trouble, otherwise, if the other party succeeded on his own, her position would be over.

"Uncle-Master Han, we've already separated the family, so why can't I repair the city walls? Why can't I change my name?"

Cao Mengliang was speechless. Who separated their family and still lives together? Shouldn't they have separate household registrations?

"Uncle Han, it seems that although the eight main peaks are all from the Hehuan Sect, they still have their own names and their own defensive restrictions and formations."

In order to refute the eight-foot-tall Han Sijing, Cao Meng even went so far as to give an example.

The biggest division in the history of the Hehuan Sect was the eight main peaks and eight main branches.

The earliest Hehuan Sect had only one lineage, but several powerful figures emerged from that lineage, leading to the decision to dedicate a separate page to the family genealogy.

Thus, the eight main peaks and eight main veins were eventually established!

After Wu Zu Wanling waved her hand to suppress the matter, she turned her beautiful eyes to Cao Meng and said:

"Cao Meng, I am now aware of the situation. I see no problem with you increasing taxes."

The Fifth Ancestor, Wanling, approved of Cao Meng's actions, then changed the subject and said:
"But what about the portion of the taxes you pay to the sect?"

A large portion of the taxes collected within the city guarding the sect must be handed over to the sect; only the remainder is at the discretion of the city lord.

"Cao Meng, since you've doubled the taxes for those merchants, your Four Symbols City should also double its taxes!"

Wu Zu Wanling felt that since Cao Meng had doubled the taxes, the resources that Sixiang City should pay to the sect should also double.

Cao Meng was immediately displeased upon hearing this and raised his hand in protest:

"Fifth Ancestor, do you see how I need to support this group of people?"

"I, Cao Meng, have been shedding blood and sweat for the sect every single moment, how could you treat me like this!"

Cao Meng felt that Wan Ling was going too far, taking advantage of her status as the Fifth Ancestor to exploit him, a junior.

I've worked so hard to create all this, and the other party is trying to take advantage of it all? I absolutely won't stand for it!
This woman is definitely targeting me because of what I said about her plaque being pretentious last time.

"Cao Meng, don't say I didn't give you a chance. As long as you stabilize the Corpse Yin Sect's branch in Four Symbols City, I can waive the tribute from Four Symbols City!"

Although the establishment of a branch of the Corpse Yin Sect in the Four Symbols City was beneficial to the Joyful Union Sect, the Fifth Ancestor Wanling was still somewhat uneasy.

After all, the Corpse Yin Sect easily destroyed the Red Academy, a top-tier sect. It would be a lie to say that the Fifth Ancestor Wanling wasn't worried.

Wu Zu Wanling had heard from others that Cao Meng knew the Venerable One of the Corpse Selection Yin Sect.

Therefore, Wu Zu Wanling thought of having Cao Meng cultivate a good relationship with the Corpse Yin Sect in order to avoid conflict between the two sects.

"Fifth Ancestor, rest assured, I am acquainted with the Venerable Chi Liyu of the Corpse Yin Sect, and I have also drunk wine with Old Man Xueyun!"

Cao Meng felt that although his relationship with that wicked little girl Chi Liyu wasn't very good, he still had to use her influence when necessary!
And then there's Blood Cloud Ancestor. I've eaten for free with that old swindler before, and he still owes me a meal. We're on pretty good terms!

"Fifth Ancestor, what about the foundation for our shop?"

Han Sijing and her group were unwilling to suffer a loss and wanted Wu Zu Wanling to help them get back the shop's foundation.

"You yourselves fell for this brat's scheme, so who can you blame but yourselves!"

Wu Zu Wanling scolded her in annoyance, thinking that Han Sijing and her group were really stupid.

Not only did they fall into Cao Meng's trap, but now that they've come to complain, they can't even win against Cao Meng. Even if they wanted to protect them, there's nothing they can do.

"Kid, although they voluntarily gave up the foundation at first, it was ultimately you who used poison to scheme against them!"

If you're going to sell those plots of land you own, you should sell them to them first!

Although Wu Zu Wanling did not help Han Sijing and her group get back the shop's land, she did guarantee them the right of first refusal.

Han Sijing and her group were on the verge of tears. What they wanted was a storefront, not some right of first refusal.

You have to understand that those shopfronts originally belonged to them, so what's the point of letting them buy them now?

"Fifth Ancestor, rest assured, if I were to sell, I would definitely give priority to these uncles!"

Cao Meng agreed; he had no intention of selling those shops anyway, and Han Sijing and her group were dreaming. After settling things on Cao Meng's end, he turned around and reported Han Sijing and her group.
"Fifth Patriarch, I want to report that all the senior uncles present are evading taxes. I implore the Fifth Patriarch to investigate this matter thoroughly!"

"These parasites are gnawing away at the foundation of the sect every moment. If they are not investigated and dealt with, the Hehuan Sect will surely be in danger!"

Since Han Sijing and her group dared to cause trouble for him, he naturally had to retaliate.

These guys' tax evasion has been exposed, and now I'm going to catch them red-handed.

Many high-ranking Nascent Soul stage hall masters hated Cao Meng to the bone at this moment.

"Boy, since you've put it that way, I can't just ignore it."

Originally, the Fifth Patriarch Wanling intended to turn a blind eye to this matter.

Now that Cao Meng has brought this matter to the table again, even the Fifth Ancestor Wanling has no choice but to deal with it!

"I will give you ten days to pay back the taxes you stole. After that, I can pretend nothing happened."

However, the Fifth Ancestor Wanling did not take drastic measures, but instead gave those people some time to pay the taxes.

After all, tax evasion is so common that there's no need to punish it too severely!
"I'll obey!"

What can those tax evaders say? They can only accept their fate!

Honestly, they hated Cao Meng to death at that moment.

Some of them have been evading taxes for three or four hundred years.

If they were to pay back all the evaded taxes at once, their secret stash of wealth would likely be significantly reduced.

After the matter was completely resolved, the Fifth Ancestor Wanling broke through the void and fled. Many other Void Refinement stage elders also fled one after another, but the previous eight peak masters did not leave.

……

"Hey kid, stop right there!"

Just as Cao Meng was about to leave the council hall, someone called him back.

Nie Mingci and Xi Feng blocked Cao Meng at the same time, while Han Sijing and a group of Nascent Soul cultivators watched the show from a distance.

Cao Cao has been lawless for so long, it's time he paid the price!

"What are you two grandmaster uncles doing?"

Seeing that Nie Mingci and Xi Feng had blocked his way, Cao Meng pretended to be clueless and asked them why, even though he knew the reason.

"Cao Meng, hand over Xuan'er's secrets, or don't blame me for dealing with you!"

Previously, when Nie Xuan was threatened by Cao Meng, Nie Mingci, as her aunt, could easily see that her niece had something on him, which is why she was controlled by him.

Although my niece is disappointing, as her aunt and mentor, I can't just abandon her!

"Cao Meng, Jing'er is your senior in terms of seniority, she is both your uncle and your senior sister. You shouldn't use this weakness to threaten her!"

"As long as you hand over Jing'er's secrets, I guarantee that Jing'er will never be your enemy again."

Xi Feng also felt that Cao Meng had gone a bit too far. They were all family, so why make such a fuss?
"My two grandmaster uncles, what are you talking about? How could I possibly have any dirt on you two?"

Cao Meng simply refused to admit it, wanting to hand over any dirt on Yuwen Jing and Nie Xuan. How could that be possible?

If I hand it over, how will I control them in the future? How will I make these two obey me?

I'll use these two pieces of leverage against them for the rest of my life!

Moreover, if he were to hand it over, his reputation as Cao Meng would be ruined!

“Junior sisters, you heard it too. If that bastard says it doesn’t exist, then it doesn’t exist.”

Nangong Yan suddenly appeared behind Cao Meng, clearly there to support him.

Although she knew Cao Meng had problems, she had to protect him.

"Good good!"

"Nangong Yan, I now understand why Cao Meng dares to act so recklessly. It turns out it's because you spoiled him!"

Nie Mingci flew into a rage and sternly rebuked and accused Nangong Yan:
"Back then you spoiled the unruly Consort Duanmu, and now you've spoiled the unruly Cao Meng. You, Nangong Yan, are quite something!"

After careful consideration, Nie Mingci realized that Duanmu Fei was also lawless in the sect back then, and was only slightly better than Cao Meng.

At that time, Consort Duanmu only bullied her peers.

Unlike Cao Meng nowadays, who has become so lawless that he has started bullying his elders, he is simply turning against the heavens!

"Nie Mingci, stop slandering me. This bastard has nothing to do with me."

Nangong Yan believed that Cao Meng's current state was entirely due to his nature and the indulgence of his rebellious disciple, Duanmu Fei.

Therefore, I will not take the blame for this!
"Nie Mingci, I'm warning you, if some people can't act like elders and want to bully the weak, don't blame me, Nangong Yan, for making them suffer!"

Nangong Yan was warning Nie Mingci, but in fact she was also warning the other Void Refinement stage elders.

After all, what Cao Meng did this time was somewhat excessive, and he offended his peer, the Void Refinement stage elder, quite badly.

If I hadn't given them a warning and a stern talking-to, things probably wouldn't have worked!

Nangong Yan's rebuke made Nie Mingci and the other Void Refinement stage elders who wanted to settle scores with Cao Meng look rather unpleasant.

There's something Nie Mingci and the others have to admit: although they are all Void Refinement stage elders of the same generation, Nangong Yan's cultivation is much higher than theirs.

In addition, Nangong Yan is an unreasonable person who only uses her fists.

Nie Mingci and the others estimated that if they slapped Cao Meng, Nangong Yan would dare to dislocate their disciple's arm the next day.

They have known Nangong Yan for over a thousand years and know that she is exactly that kind of person.

After warning Nie Mingci and the others, Nangong Yan grabbed Cao Meng and escaped through the void.

At this moment, Xi Feng turned her somewhat annoyed gaze to Han Si Jing and shouted:
"Try to avoid contact with Han Sijing in the future, or you might get sold out without even realizing it!"

"I will find a way to get back the leverage Cao Meng has over you!"

Xi Feng was furious mainly because his eldest disciple was stupid and brainless!

After Han Sijing and her gang came to complain, Xi Feng realized that Yuwen Jing had been used by Han Sijing, and was the kind of person who would be used and then discarded!
It seems that ever since his eldest disciple was taken advantage of by Cao Meng, he has been missing a screw and always wants to settle scores with Cao Meng.

Now, when they went to settle scores with Cao Meng, they not only failed to settle accounts but also got beaten up and gave Cao Meng leverage over them, thus becoming vulnerable to Cao Meng's control.

After being reprimanded by Xi Feng, Yuwen Jing instantly came to her senses and realized that she had been tricked and betrayed.

"You sisters can keep Uncle-Master Xifeng's words in mind!"

Nie Mingci was also scolding Pei Xu and Nie Xuan from the side. She and Xi Feng were both old monsters who had cultivated for thousands of years.

Xi Feng could see through Han Si Jing's methods, so could she.

Han Sijing, this junior, is quite cunning. She actually dared to scheme against her elder, trying to use her as a tool to kill someone else.

Those who dare to scheme against themselves will pay the price!
After I deal with those two unfilial disciples, I'll deal with Cao Meng and Han Sijing, those two youngsters! (End of Chapter)