I am becoming the ultimate demon.

Chapter 39 Family Rules as Firm as a Mountain, Power Shifts

"Changming, I still think we should go and save Changshou. I've let him down as his father!"

Ji Yongchang sat on the armchair, his face pale, his eyes closed, and his heart ashen.

He knew that this eldest son was the best at weighing the pros and cons and would definitely not risk his life to save his useless younger brother.

If it were Ji Changming in trouble, as his father, he would definitely do everything in his power to protect his son.

But after all, brothers are not as good as father and son.

"Don't be foolish, Father. The only way we can turn the tide is to contact that master of Wuyou Cave immediately and ask him to send an expert!" Ji Changming advised.

"Saving him will only make our situation worse; we're not confident we can handle them."

Even if they win by fighting desperately, it will be a lose-lose situation, allowing the Li family to benefit.

He was already trapped, and the evidence was in someone else's hands. There was no way to save him, so he had to give up.

I never expected him to be so afraid of death, refusing to commit suicide, which instead gave them leverage against us.

If we don't take action soon, they might really come knocking on our door.

At this moment, Ji Changming's face did not show the same sadness as Ji Yongchang's.

"But...but are they willing to come?" Ji Yongchang opened his eyes slightly, his voice a little hoarse.

"We've offered the Li family half of their assets and promised to be subservient to Wuyou Cave, obeying their commands and controlling Xiong'an County on their behalf. This would be entirely beneficial to them, so why wouldn't they agree?"

Ji Changming bowed his head and clasped his hands, occasionally glancing at his father's expression.

As long as the forces of Wuyou Cave intervene, with their strength, dealing with Ji Chang'an would be as easy as lifting a finger.

Not only can they bring down Ji Chang'an's faction, but they also have powerful forces protecting them, ensuring their lifelong safety.

While relying on a powerful force means losing autonomy, it's still better than sitting idly by and waiting for death.

He believed that based on years of transactions with Wuyou Cave, there was a certain foundation of trust and goodwill between the two parties.

As long as you explain the advantages and disadvantages, I believe they will understand the gains and losses and be reluctant to give up this pawn, since it still has some value to them.

"Then, go ahead and do it. Don't bother me unless it's something important. I want to rest for a while; I'm tired." Ji Yongchang waved his hand.

He knew very well that at this point, they had already lost, and lost completely.

Even if that lord were willing to intervene, he and his son would be eternal sinners of the Ji family.

Of the two sons, one was weak-willed and indecisive, needing to think things through repeatedly before acting, and ultimately accomplished nothing, simply following the arrangements of others.

The other one, though ruthless, was unscrupulous and had no bottom line in achieving his goals, and was never popular. He truly lived up to the saying that those who do many unrighteous deeds will surely perish.

As for his grandsons, they are all spoiled brats, and there's no point in dragging them into this.

All the hard work he and the previous family head had put in back then had ultimately been squandered.

If he could have someone like Ji Lin, handsome, calm and composed, who knows how to win people's hearts.

A grandson who knows what he should and shouldn't do, who acts within his capabilities, and who has self-awareness.

Even if he can't take over the position of head of the Ji family, he can at least secure half of the country.

Ultimately, it's his own fault. He failed to raise his children properly, indulged them, and gradually led them down this extreme path.

After obtaining his father's permission, Ji Changming hurriedly prepared the letter and, through clandestine means, found a designated contact to deliver the message.

In a secluded spot in the west of the city, there is a small stall selling candied hawthorns. The owner is dressed very plainly.

On the surface, it was made of coarse linen, but inside it was stuffed full, so at least it wouldn't get cold.

Without careful observation, no one would be able to tell that this is a top-level martial arts master with superb skills.

"My lord messenger, I have important news and a big business deal that I need to contact my superiors about. Please deliver it to me immediately, or the deal may be lost."

Ji Changming arrived at the stall early in the morning, looking flustered and glancing around. He then mysteriously handed over an envelope.

"Hey, isn't this Boss Ji? In such a hurry, rushing to be reincarnated? I'm busy today." The man absentmindedly sorted through his goods.

Ji Changming then took out a hundred-tael silver note and quietly put it into his money jar.

Upon closer inspection, the man immediately revealed a look of joy.

One hundred taels of silver was almost a year's salary for him. Although he was about to cross the threshold of becoming a Grandmaster, he was assigned to this remote corner and only received a mere ten taels of silver a month.

Without the kickbacks from these local bullies, his life wouldn't be easy. Want to quit? That would be a death sentence.

"Boss Ji is so generous! I'll take care of this for you. It's not that I'm deliberately making things difficult for you; I just got back from the prefectural capital yesterday. Let's be understanding."

"I understand, I understand." Ji Changming forced a smile.

He watched the man pack up his stall and walk out of the city before leaving, satisfied.

Within three days, news will surely arrive. Now, we can finally take our revenge on them.

I'd rather destroy what I can't have than let my cousin Ji Chang'an sit comfortably in that position.

Over the years, he had had enough. He and his father had done a lot of work, fighting to the death.

Just because he wasn't a direct descendant, he could only ever be a subordinate, and had to listen to others in everything.

He had just returned to the Ji residence when he saw Ji Lin practicing martial arts, and he was immediately furious.

"Uncle Changming, you're out so early? It's terribly cold, be careful not to catch a cold," Ji Lin said with concern.

"I'm incredibly busy with official duties, unlike my nephew who's so leisurely, practicing his martial arts, reading books, and enjoying the company of beautiful women. I can't afford such a life." Ji Changming waved his sleeve and went back to his room.

Just you wait, I'll let you run wild for a couple more days. Once that important person arrives, your good days will be over.

He arrived at Ji Yongchang's door and said softly, "Father, don't worry, everything has been taken care of."

Seeing that no one responded from inside, he went back to his room to rest.

Two more days have passed, and things are looking up more and more promising.

Ji Changming felt refreshed and went outside to stretch his muscles.

"The patriarch is urgently convening a family meeting. All elders, core stewards, and representatives from each family are requested to attend immediately!"

He heard a shout from outside and frowned immediately. What was going on now?

Before long, everyone from the Ji family gathered together and held another family meeting.

Ji Chang'an sat upright with a solemn expression, and there were many papers on the table next to him.

"I didn't mean to bother everyone, but I've had enough meetings lately."

"But there are some things that need to be dealt with immediately because some people have been undermining unity, plotting to seize the family business, and colluding with outsiders, which could lead to the utter destruction of our Ji family."

He slammed his hand on the table.

boom! !

With minimal effort, the table already showed several cracks and was almost falling apart.

Most of the clansmen were just watching the show, but Ji Changming had already sensed the danger and was trembling all over.

He thought that if he waited just half a day longer, he could completely turn the tide.

"Ji Changming! Not only do you not cherish the opportunities given to you before, but you have also gone too far and caused more trouble."

Ji Chang'an pointed at Ji Changming's nose and cursed, his emotions running high.

Ji Changming looked at his father, whose eyes were still tightly closed and whose face was ashen.

"What evidence do you have against me? If you have evidence, then kill me. If you don't, then stop spouting nonsense."

Ji Changming feigned composure and took a sip of tea.

"This is the evidence you wanted." Ji Chang'an picked up the statements of Li Biaotou and Ji Changshou.

Then someone read it aloud, word for word.

"All that has been stated above is as I have said."

When the last sentence was read, everyone was shocked. They never expected that Ji Changming would be so despicable as to sell out the Ji family's assets in exchange for the Li family's help.

"Ji Changming, you deserved to die. Why drag outsiders into family matters?"

"I'm truly ashamed of you. You betrayed your brothers' interests. You don't deserve to be a member of the Ji family; you're nothing but a dog of the Li family!!"

The clansmen continued to curse, and Ji Yongchang's face grew even uglier.

"Have you finished your rant? What can a single confession prove? It's just a forced confession!"

Ji Changming straightened up and slammed his hand on the table next to him. With a loud crash, the wooden table instantly collapsed.

He then looked outside, his eyes suddenly widened, cold sweat poured down his back, his heart almost stopped, and he slumped into the chair.

Huang Yu and Tang Wu held the messenger down and casually tossed him into the hall.

"Do you know this person?" Ji Chang'an asked.

Ji Changming glanced at the man, then at Ji Lin, his face showing fear.

"Lin'er, why did you bring the candied hawthorn vendor here?"

"He's no ordinary merchant; he's a messenger from Wuyou Cave," Ji Lin said.

"Many of you may not know what the Worry-Free Cave is, but it's a powerful organization capable of wiping out the Ji family with a flick of its wrist!"

He took out a letter and read it aloud to everyone.

The clansmen continued to curse Ji Changming, gritting their teeth, wishing they could tear him apart.

Ji Lin and Ji Chang'an exposed Ji Changming's crimes of colluding with the enemy, damaging family interests, and conspiring with a cult on the spot.

With witnesses and physical evidence present, Ji Changming had no way to refute the evidence, only his wide-open eyes remained.

Ji Yongchang knelt down with a thud, choking back tears:

"Everyone, I'm so sorry. I've failed as a parent. Please spare his life!!"

"I am willing to withdraw from the clan council and relinquish all authority. I beg you all to spare my son's life."

Ji Chang'an sighed deeply, "If only I had known this would happen, why did I do it in the first place?"

"The death penalty may be spared, but punishment is inevitable. Otherwise, how will you maintain order in the future? Family discipline will be applied!"

He still considered blood ties and family ties, and he also saw that he had achieved his goal.

Final decision: Ji Changming's martial arts skills are crippled, his tendons are severed, and he is imprisoned permanently.

All positions in the Third Uncle's lineage were taken over by collateral relatives trusted by Ji Chang'an.

After this incident, no one dared to challenge Ji Chang'an's authority as the head of the family, and Ji Lin's position as the heir was completely secured.

Ji Lin and his men secretly led the messenger out of the city gate, gave him some silver, and let him go.

Because the real messenger knew he had nowhere to escape and had already committed suicide, this was someone else impersonating him.

The matter of the mole has finally been dealt with.

Next, he could finally relax and further reform the Ji family's system; the feudal system always needed to be changed.

At this moment, he already had a plan in mind...