Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

News that Yue Zhao and Yun Jin were openly visiting the other peaks had already reached Zhao Wuji's ears, though the details remained unclear. His spies had yet to uncover exactly what was going on.

Zhao Wuji wasted no time. He summoned the Zhou brothers, Zhou Li and Zhou Dai.

"You two will also visit the various peak masters," Zhao Wuji ordered. "I want to know exactly what Yue Zhao and Yun Jin have been up to."

"Yes, Master," the two replied with bowed heads.

"If you return without the truth, don't bother coming back," Zhao Wuji added coldly.

Once they left the grand hall, the brothers exchanged a helpless glance, then chuckled bitterly.

They had never enjoyed staying within the sect. Despite being personal disciples of the sect master, they and Gu Jinghong had always been the least favored. While others received generous resources, they were left to carry out the dirty work.

Still, they had little choice. Figuring that Fang Mingyue had a milder temperament, they decided to visit Mingyue Peak first.

And to their surprise—

Fang Mingyue spoke openly about the seeds.

Thanks to Yun Jin's negotiations, they had secured an agreement with Hundred Herbs Pavilion. With the deal done, the seeds needed to be planted quickly. There was no use trying to hide it.

Zhou Li and Zhou Dai listened closely. Strangely enough, it didn't feel wrong to them.

They prepared to return and report.

Fang Mingyue, seeing their hesitant expressions, offered a soft warning. "Now that all the peaks have seeds, the sect master won't be pleased."

She didn't say more, but the meaning was clear.

Zhou Li and Zhou Dai gave a bitter smile.

They understood. She was hinting that reporting this news might provoke Zhao Wuji's wrath, and they would be the ones to suffer.

But what could they do?

They bowed respectfully, then left Mingyue Peak.

Fang Mingyue watched them go, and let out a quiet sigh.

Those two had it rough. But the bond of master and disciple weighed heavier than heaven itself. Unless Zhao Wuji willingly severed it, that title alone would shackle them for life.

Outside the peak, Zhou Li and Zhou Dai exchanged a long, silent glance.

After a moment, Zhou Li sighed. "That Yun Jin is more capable than we imagined."

Zhou Dai nodded. "If she can make it through that test in two months…"

He didn't need to finish. Zhou Li already understood.

If she passed, both Yun Jin and Tianjian Peak would undergo a complete transformation. And strangely, the brothers found themselves hoping she would. If Yun Jin truly carved out a path of her own, then her senior brother might yet rise with her.

As for themselves…

They would remain trapped in the same quagmire.

"Brother," Zhou Dai said softly, "let me report this one alone."

"What nonsense," Zhou Li said at once. "We're brothers. We face everything together."

Zhou Dai gave a small nod and didn't argue further.

Outside Zhao Wuji's chamber, the two waited respectfully. Only when he called for them did they enter, cautious and stiff.

Zhao Wuji's face was dark. "Speak. What have you learned?"

Zhou Li stepped forward. "It's about the seeds. Yun Jin—"

He quickly explained the situation in full.

"Hundred Herbs Pavilion? Those bastards!" Zhao Wuji roared. He flung his teacup, which smashed into Zhou Li's forehead.

Zhou Li didn't dare dodge. A thin line of blood trickled down his brow.

"Master!" Zhou Dai gasped. He pulled Zhou Li down with him as they knelt.

"I gave a direct order. And that pathetic Hundred Herbs Pavilion dares to defy me?" Zhao Wuji's fury only burned hotter. "Fine. I want to hear what Chen Changrong has to say for himself!"

He looked down at the two kneeling disciples, and his anger surged again. He kicked Zhou Dai hard in the chest.

Zhou Dai staggered, but remained kneeling.

"You two are my personal disciples. I've given you the best resources and techniques, and what do I get? You let a few nobodies from Tianjian Peak trample over you. If either of you had the ability to suppress Yue Zhao or Yun Jin, I wouldn't be this humiliated!"

"Please, calm your anger, Master," they murmured.

Zhao Wuji snorted coldly. "What use is that? Show me something real for once."

They kept their heads down, silent.

"Forget it," Zhao Wuji said with disgust. "I don't expect much from you anymore. Tell me, how has Danxia been these last few days?"

Zhou Dai answered quickly. "I visit Heshan every three days. Junior Sister's mood is unstable. She keeps asking to be released. I've done my best to calm her, but she's still upset."

"LOCKED IN THAT HELLHOLE, WHO WOULDN'T BE?!" Zhao Wuji's glare could flay skin. "You mediocre worms can't even CARE FOR HER PROPERLY?! Go to her NOW! If she harms herself in distress—YOU'LL PAY TENFOLD!"

The brothers bowed deeply. "Yes, Master."

"Now leave. I have matters to attend to."

Only then did they rise and leave, backs bent with humility.

They dared not linger, heading straight for their quarters.

Once inside—

Zhou Dai finally coughed up a mouthful of blood. That kick had done more damage than he let on. He had held the blood in until now, afraid to show weakness.

Zhou Li's face twisted with pain as he pulled out healing pills, both of them swallowing them down.

They tended to the wounds in silence.

"We never should have come back," Zhou Li muttered bitterly.

Had they stayed out on missions, things might have been dangerous, but at least they wouldn't have been this humiliated.

Zhou Dai sighed. Zhao Wuji had never valued their talent. He had only taken them in because they were twin brothers, an interesting novelty.

Once they joined the sect, he had forced them to train in a joint combat technique. Their initial progress was fast, but then they plateaued.

From that moment on, Zhao Wuji's attitude turned cold. He called them disappointments, unworthy of the resources he had spent.

Guilt-ridden, they had spent years working dangerous missions outside the sect.

This time, they had returned with the Demon-Slaying Token, thinking they had finally accomplished something worth praise.

But the result was this.

"Too late to regret it now," Zhou Dai said with a sigh. "Come on. Let's go see Junior Sister."

Zhou Li rose with clenched fists.

—

Meanwhile, disguised, Zhao Wuji stormed into the marketplace.

He'd confront Chen Changrong personally—ask what gave him the AUDACITY to disobey!

It'd been years since he'd visited such a common place.

Yet the moment he arrived, his instincts prickled.

This market…

Why are there so many experts here?