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

Liu Ruyan entrusted this task to Grand Tutor Ma Changkong and several relatively poor and upright officials.

Liu Ruyan wasn't afraid that Grand Tutor Ma Changkong would line his own pockets; she was afraid that he wouldn't take on the responsibility.

After all, some of the traitors were imperial relatives or high-ranking officials, and ordinary officials dared not seize their properties.

Even if ordinary officials seize those people's properties, they won't be able to withstand the retaliation from those people when they return.

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong is different. He is one of the Three Dukes and has some connection with the Soul Refining Sect. Even the royal family is wary of Grand Tutor Ma Changkong!
Of course, Liu Ruyan had Grand Tutor Ma Changkong handle this matter in order to win him over.

Although he had already dug a pit for his father, Emperor Liu Mingsu, he still needed someone to help him ascend the throne.

With Prime Minister Yideweng having fled to avoid disaster, the only one he can rely on now is Grand Tutor Ma Changkong.

"Old minister, I obey!"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong gladly accepted the task assigned to him by Liu Ruyan.

He's wanted to raid some people's homes for a long time!

He simply couldn't believe those people had run away; they had really taken everything with them.

Even if he had to dig a hundred feet into the ground, he would still find something.

"Your Highness, the country is about to suffer disaster, yet Prime Minister Ideon has abandoned the country and fled. Should we investigate the Prime Minister's assets?"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong's first target was his old rival, Chancellor Yideweng.

With the death of General Ji Chengshi, his only remaining rivals are Prime Minister Yideweng and the royal family!

Now that Prime Minister Yideweng has taken his family to seek refuge, Grand Tutor Ma Changkong will naturally try to take a look at their belongings.

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong immediately launched an attack on Prime Minister Yideweng upon his arrival, causing Liu Ruyan to frown deeply, as the opponent's move was too ruthless.

"Grand Tutor, perhaps the Prime Minister is in seclusion and has not abandoned the country to flee!"

Liu Ruyan naturally knew that Prime Minister Yi Deweng, along with some important members of the Yi family, had fled.

But the Yi family is ultimately the home of my good younger brother, Ito Makoto, and I don't really want to raid the Yi family!

Moreover, Prime Minister Yideon has many people in the court. If the calamity of the Liuyun Dynasty is overcome, I would like to gain Prime Minister Yideon's support.

If the Yi family is raided, when Prime Minister Yideon returns, he will definitely be dissatisfied with me, and it will be difficult for me to get the support of his faction!
"Your Highness, it is beyond doubt that Prime Minister Ideon has abandoned the country and fled. The Prime Minister's residence is now deserted, all the high-ranking officials have run away, leaving only some unimportant people behind!"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong could see that Liu Ruyan wanted to protect the Yi family, but he was not going to give her any face.

Liu Ruyan is merely a princess, currently only acting as regent; she has not yet ascended the throne to become the emperor of the Liuyun Dynasty!
If the other party were to become emperor, I might give them some face, but they are not yet!

"Grand Tutor, the Prime Minister is one of the Three Dukes, he would never abandon the country and flee. He must have gone to seek help for the Liuyun Dynasty!"

Even now, Liu Ruyan still wanted to side with the Yi family and helped them fabricate a story!
After all, if she manages to protect the Yi family this time, she will definitely receive their assistance!

With the support of Chancellor Yideweng's faction and the assistance of Grand Tutor Ma Changkong, becoming the new emperor is a sure thing.

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong has been involved in court affairs for hundreds of years, constantly fighting against Ji Chengshi, Prime Minister Yi Deweng, and Emperor Liu Mingsu.

He could easily see through Liu Ruyan's intentions.

"Your Highness, one cannot have both the bear's paw and the fish!"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong pointed out the truth of the matter and subtly reminded the other party.

Liu Ruyan has certainly made a clever plan, wanting both my support and Prime Minister Yideweng's support. But such a good deal is impossible.

You can only choose one of fish and bear's paw, but Liu Ruyan is too greedy. She wants both. Isn't she afraid that she'll die from overeating?

"Your Highness, my son Ma Zouri has already contacted the higher-ups of the Soul Refining Sect."

The higher-ups of the Soul Refining Sect have already begun negotiations with the Joyful Union Sect. If successful, the Flowing Cloud Dynasty can easily avert disaster!

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong gave a perfunctory report, which was actually the reason why he didn't run away.

Of course, what he told Liu Ruyan was only half true and half false. As for the real situation, he naturally wouldn't tell Liu Ruyan!

"In that case, Grand Tutor, please handle this as appropriate!"

Liu Ruyan saw that Grand Tutor Ma Changkong's portion had increased again; it was now bear's paw.

Faced with the choice between fish and bear's paw, Liu Ruyan chose the bear's paw, the Ma family, and temporarily gave up the fish, the Yi family!

Given the current situation, Ito Makoto's younger brother should understand him.

Makoto Ito: You bitch, you ransacked my house when I went out to seek refuge, and you think I understand you?!
"Your Majesty, I will go and investigate the Yi family immediately!"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong bowed to Liu Ruyan in a perfunctory manner and then withdrew.

……

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong had just left the palace when he encountered his son Ma Zouri, who had come to fetch him.

Ma Changkong looked at his son, Ma Zouri, and asked:
"Zou Ri, are you sure the Ma family will be safe if the Hehuan Sect attacks?"

Despite Ma Zouri's assurance, Grand Tutor Ma Changkong was still a little uneasy and wanted to confirm it again.

“Father, although I am not of high status among the direct disciples of the Soul Refining Sect, I am still a direct disciple of the Soul Refining Sect.”

Ma Zouri felt that even if the Hehuan Sect was a demonic sect, they should still consider the alliance to some extent.

They couldn't possibly kill one of their own disciples, a direct disciple of the Soul Refining Sect, as well, could they?

"Furthermore, I contacted Senior Sister Xing Lan, and she said she could guarantee the safety of the Ma family, but the Ma family would have to pay a price!"

To protect the Ma family, Ma Zouri made two preparations, one of which was to maintain his status as a direct disciple of the Soul Refining Sect.

Secondly, there's Xing Lan. You should know that Xing Lan is the granddaughter of the Soul Refining Sect's sect leader. In a sense, Xing Lan represents the higher-ups of the Soul Refining Sect!

"What price?"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong frowned immediately upon hearing that a price would be imposed.

He was afraid that the Grand Tutor's Mansion couldn't afford the price; if they couldn't afford it, it would be more worthwhile to run away.

"Fifty million souls!"

Ma Zouri paused for a moment before stating Xing Lan's conditions.

Xing Lan recently created a malevolent spirit, which requires a large number of souls to feed it.

Just then, Ma Zouri came to him of his own accord, and he made this request.

"That's easy to say!"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong thought Xing Lan wanted some kind of treasure, but it's just fifty million souls, what's the big deal!

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong patted Ma Zouri on the shoulder and said:
"Zou Ri, didn't you and Princess Ru Yan address each other as brother and sister?"

Now that Princess Ruyan is overseeing the country, as her adopted brother, why don't you go and help her relieve her worries!

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong's meaning was clear: he wanted Ma Zouri to go and ask Liu Ruyan for it.

Of course, with Grand Tutor Ma Changkong's methods, he could easily obtain fifty million souls, but such a large-scale operation would easily be discovered by the royal family. Therefore, he planned to use Liu Ruyan to obtain the fifty million souls.

Of course, if Liu Ruyan were used to gather these fifty million souls, it would also allow the other party, and even the royal family, to get themselves tainted.

If the Liuyun Dynasty truly survives this calamity, it can also use this incident to plan some things.

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong felt that this was not his own malice, but rather the result of the Liu family of the royal family bringing it upon themselves.

Ma Zouri nodded and sneered:
"Father, this is why I have come!"

Immediately, the Ma father and son parted ways. Grand Tutor Ma Changkong went to confiscate the property of Prime Minister Yideweng, while Ma Zouri went to the palace to see his foolish sister, the Great Emperor Ruyan!

……

Dark clouds loomed over the imperial city of the Liuyun Dynasty, a harbinger of impending doom and foreshadowing of impending upheaval.

The Prime Minister's residence was rather deserted, as the higher-ups of the Yi family had all fled for refuge, leaving only a few servants and guards to protect the mansion.

Today, however, the Prime Minister's residence was unusually bustling. Soldiers, armed with swords, poured into this once powerful mansion in an endless stream.

The mansion was in an uproar; the servants were in a panic, running around spreading the news.

The steward of the Prime Minister's residence, watching the soldiers come to ransack his home, changed his expression from disbelief to deep despair.

In the courtyard, once-luxurious clothes were roughly thrown on the ground, and silks and satins were trampled into mud.

Under the command of Grand Tutor Ma Changkong, the soldiers ransacked the place without any mercy.

One by one, useless items were smashed by the soldiers, making a crisp breaking sound.

To the steward of the Prime Minister's residence, the sound was like a death knell, heavy and cold.

As time passed, the Prime Minister's residence was raided.
On the streets outside the mansion, the people were talking about it. Some were gloating over the raid, while others dared not speak out of fear of the power struggle.

Regardless, the downfall of the Prime Minister's office became another cruel reality of this dynasty, making the people feel once again the ruthlessness and cruelty of power struggles.

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong looked at the list of items confiscated and was very dissatisfied. How could it be so little!
"Dig up the Yi mansion three zhang deep! I refuse to believe that there isn't something good in this Yi mansion!"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong was furious. Even if he couldn't find anything good today, he would still tear down the Prime Minister's residence.

When that old dog Idion comes back, he'll have nowhere to stay!
Just as Grand Tutor Ma Changkong was thinking this, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly realized that the Yi family might have another place where treasures were hidden that had not been taken away.

Thinking of this, Grand Tutor Ma Changkong left a group of soldiers to renovate the Prime Minister's residence, and then quickly led another group of soldiers to that place.

Three thousand miles north of the imperial city of the Liuyun Dynasty lies the ancestral tomb of the Prime Minister Yideweng's family!
Just as Grand Tutor Ma Changkong arrived with his soldiers, they were stopped by the tomb keepers of the Yi family ancestral tomb before they could even enter the tomb.

"The ancestral tombs of the Yi family are off-limits to unauthorized personnel!"

The head of the tomb guardians, a Golden Core cultivator, berated Grand Tutor Ma Changkong and his entourage.

"A mere Golden Core cultivator at the third level dares to shout at me, Grand Tutor! You're courting death!"

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong was furious upon hearing this, and with a backhand strike, he severely injured him and captured him alive.

"Kill without mercy!"

After Grand Tutor Ma Changkong captured the leader of the tomb guards, he gave an order, and the soldiers behind him charged towards the tomb guards.

Grand Tutor Ma Changkong looked at the slaughtered guards of the imperial tomb and couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

Since the ancestral tomb of the Idok clan has a keeper, it seems that the contents were not taken away by that old dog, Idokonna.

As the tomb keeper was captured and killed, the soldiers brandished their tools and ruthlessly dug up the peace of Yi's ancestors.

As mud churned and stone tablets collapsed, amidst the rising dust, the glory and dignity of the Prime Minister Yi family, accumulated over thousands of years, were gradually buried.

What drifts away with the wind is not only dust, but also the vicissitudes of family history.

The captured head of the tomb guards, gazing at all this, had eyes filled with a sorrow greater than the despair of a broken heart.

As the last handful of yellow earth was lifted, the head of the tomb keepers knew that everything he cherished was gone.

He closed his eyes, letting tears stream down his cheeks, and silently vowed that if there were an afterlife, he would make the Ma family pay the price.
As the tomb door was opened, Grand Tutor Ma Changkong led his soldiers into the tomb and began to loot the Yi family's ancestral mausoleum!
……

On the deck of the flying boat, Cao Meng lay on a deck chair basking in the sun, while Hong Qi, fuming, reluctantly massaged Cao Meng's shoulders and back.

Hong Qi grew angrier the more she thought about it. She, the dignified fox princess of the Northern Continent, was being forced to serve others like a maid.

If I had known that I would suffer so much after transforming into human form, I would have preferred not to transform and just stay a fox, where I wouldn't have to do anything every day.

Just as Cao Meng was sunbathing and playing with the divination tool, someone suddenly contacted him and made a video call!

Cao Meng answered the video call and saw Xing Lan and Nalan Youruo on the other end, so he asked:

"Why are you two contacting me for no reason? Are you going to send me spirit stones again?"

Cao Meng added their contact information, and he could guarantee that he wasn't the one pestering the two women for their contact information.

It was back in Yaochi Qiongtan when the two women relentlessly pestered him for their contact information and asked to add him as a friend.

"Fellow Daoist Cao Meng, you're already the city lord, why are you still eyeing the few spirit stones we two young ladies possess?"

The enchantress Nalan Youruo acted strangely, but in reality, she was jealous.

Although Cao Meng's strength, cultivation level, and realm were kept secret by the Hehuan Sect.

However, the fact that Cao Meng became the city lord of the Hehuan Sect's protective city was not concealed, but made public.

Although Nalan Youruo was not a disciple of the Hehuan Sect but a disciple of the Blood Demon Sect, she was still very jealous of Cao Meng.

Cao Meng is now the city lord of the Hehuan Sect's protective city, which means that Cao Meng has entered the Hehuan Sect's high-level ranks!
It's outrageous that even Nalan Youruo, the pride of the Blood Demon Sect, couldn't make it into the upper echelons of the Blood Demon Sect, while Cao Cao became a high-ranking member of the Joyful Union Sect!
"Spirit stones? You can never have too many!"

Cao Meng was not angry at the teasing from the enchantress Nalan Youruo, after all, this enchantress had previously patronized his business.

"Lord Cao Meng, you are busy with thousands of concubines every day, it is really too much trouble for you to think of my few spirit stones!"

"Lord Cao Meng, I didn't want to contact you, but there's something I have to do!"

Nalan Youruo continued her sarcastic remarks. Although she hadn't had much contact with Cao Meng, she had a general idea of ​​this scoundrel's personality.

"Would it be good for me?"

"If there's no benefit to it, I'm hanging up now. I'm very busy and don't have time to chat with you two!"

Cao Meng felt that as long as there were benefits, everything was negotiable; if there were no benefits, then forget it, since they weren't familiar with each other!
"I don't understand the style!"

"I'm not kidding you, Xing Lan needs to talk to you!"

Nalan Youruo glared at Cao Meng with disdain, cursing the greedy fellow so that he would never find a Daoist partner in his lifetime.

After Nalan Youruo shut up, Xing Lan finally spoke up:

“Fellow Daoist Cao Meng, I’ve heard that you are attacking the affiliated forces of the Xuan Tian Sect. I have a junior brother whose family is in the Liu Yun Dynasty…”

"If the Hehuan Sect attacks the Liuyun Dynasty, we can show leniency and spare the Ma family of the Grand Tutor's Mansion in the Liuyun Dynasty, so as not to damage the harmony between the two sects!"

That's right, Xing Lan wanted to protect the Ma family. She didn't have much of a relationship with Ma Zouri, but she was willing to protect his family for the sake of fifty million souls. (End of Chapter)