Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Zhao Wuji's expression shifted several times before settling into indifference. "So, the master-servant contract is complete now. What of it?"

"Master," Ye Danxia quickly spoke up, "you only said that Senior Brother Gu could be handed over to Yun Jin's care, but you never said she could use him to harm others. Today, Yun Jin manipulated Senior Brother Gu and nearly got five of our seniors killed. Many people saw what happened. If Yun Jin can use him like this to exact personal revenge today, who knows what she'll do tomorrow?"

She added with urgency, "If you were to reprimand Yun Jin for this, from the standpoint of protecting the other disciples, no one would find fault in it."

Zhao Wuji's gaze flickered slightly. "I will consider it."

"Master," Ye Danxia lowered her voice, "Second Senior Brother must be suffering deeply under such control. I just... feel sorry for him, that's all."

As she spoke, her eyes turned slightly red.

Zhao Wuji glanced at her, and his heart stirred just a little.

That day, when she pushed all the blame onto Gu Jinghong without hesitation, he hadn't said much, but inwardly, he was displeased. He didn't want to pour all his efforts into nurturing someone who would turn out ungrateful in the end.

But looking at Danxia now, she did seem genuinely worried for Gu Jinghong.

On closer thought, if she hadn't mentioned his name that day, she would've been branded as someone tainted by demonic qi, doomed for life. She was still a child, and her actions, driven by fear, weren't entirely blameworthy.

"Master, please... save Second Senior Brother," she said, voice trembling. "With his pride, if he had known Yun Jin would use him like this, he'd probably rather die than be her puppet."

Though she spoke of saving him, her tone vaguely implied that letting Gu Jinghong die might be the better outcome.

"I understand. You may leave now," Zhao Wuji sighed.

Ye Danxia knew it was time to stop. She gently dabbed her eyes, then bowed and left. Once outside the main hall, she lowered her gaze, hiding the cold glint in her eyes. That day, after she accused Gu Jinghong, she saw clearly the hint of hatred in his eyes as he looked at her.

Yun Jin hated her too.

With both of them together, could she truly believe they wouldn't turn on her?

And in three months, if Gu Jinghong returned to Master's side, with the grudge he bore toward her, would he ever let her go?

The best solution was simple. Gu Jinghong had to die. Permanently. Never return.

But right now, she was still too weak. She couldn't make it happen on her own. She could only rely on her Master. She had already said everything that needed to be said. All that remained was to prove her worth, to shine so brightly that Master would be willing to eliminate anything—or anyone—that threatened her.

Or better yet, let Master see with his own eyes just how dangerous Senior Brother Gu had become. Only then would he make up his mind completely.

—

That night.

Gu Jinghong received a voice-transmission talisman from Ye Danxia.

As it burned away, her gentle and concerned voice came through.

"Second Senior Brother, I heard you've been forced to do things against your will. Are you... alright?"

"These past few days, I've been so worried. You haven't contacted me. Are you... angry at me?"

"That day, it must have been Yun Jin's doing. She must have set me up as someone tainted by demonic aura. I was just scared, that's all... If I had known how ruthless she was, I would rather have died than say your name."

"Senior Brother, I'm truly worried about you. I'm waiting outside Tianjian Peak right now. Please, come see me. Just once."

"Rrrrgh! (How dare you contact outsiders behind your master's back! Are you planning to betray her?!)" Gun Gun the iron-eating beast shouted.

Gu Jinghong frowned slightly, then walked straight out the door.

"Human, where do you think you're going? Did I give you permission to wander off?" the beast growled and hurried after him.

No way. It had to warn its master. This traitor might be planning something. Better have Yun Jin kill him now.

But as soon as it stepped out, it saw Gu Jinghong knocking on Yun Jin's door.

Gun Gun followed cautiously behind.

Yun Jin opened the door and let both man and beast inside.

Gu Jinghong got straight to the point, explaining that Ye Danxia had contacted him in secret. Gun Gun nodded vigorously, confirming that—for once—this bad guy was telling the truth. Yun Jin listened quietly, her gaze growing increasingly strange as she looked at him.

Finally, she couldn't help but ask, "So now... you're reporting Ye Danxia to me?"

Huh.

That's new.

In her past life, Gu Jinghong had been obsessed with Ye Danxia, utterly devoted, crashing through walls for her if needed. He was her number-one bootlicker.

Sure, things had changed a bit this time around...

But wasn't this too much of a turnaround?

Gu Jinghong didn't seem to notice the amusement in Yun Jin's eyes. Calmly, he said, "Junior Sister Ye is a complete egoist. Since she didn't visit me earlier, she had no reason to do so now. The fact that she reached out without warning proves she has ulterior motives."

He honestly had no idea where Ye Danxia got the confidence to think he'd obediently show up just because she asked.

"You make a good point," Yun Jin nodded. "But... aren't people in love supposed to lose all sense and reason?"

"In love?" Gu Jinghong frowned.

"Didn't you have a crush on Ye Danxia?" she asked bluntly.

He paused, then replied slowly, "Why would you think that? I've only known her for a few days. We barely interacted. How could that be considered love?"

Yun Jin was stunned.

The novel had been very clear.

Every one of Ye Danxia's senior brothers fell for her at first sight. They loved her to the bone and would've fought the whole world just to protect her.

Gu Jinghong had been the most extreme among them.

But this time...

Things were clearly different.

Now that she thought about it, even the other disciples in the sect didn't seem to admire Ye Danxia as much as the book described. Most of them were polite but kept their distance.

Could this be her doing? Yun Jin wasn't sure she deserved that much credit.

After all, the love others had for Ye Danxia in the book went beyond reason. She wasn't just the heroine—she had a protagonist's aura. That strange, invisible glow that made everyone fall for her without cause.

But in this life...

It seemed that glow was much dimmer.

Maybe her constant suppression had started weakening Ye Danxia's aura?

Yun Jin didn't know the exact reason, but she was more than happy to keep pushing down until that so-called heroine could never rise again.

So she smiled at Gu Jinghong and said softly, "Since she wants to see you... then go meet her."

Gu Jinghong was momentarily stunned.