Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Elder Ming's expression was filled with deep wariness, as if he was ready to strike down Gu Jinghong then and there.

It wasn't cruelty.

It was caution.

This was a demonic cultivation method. If left unchecked, it would bring harm not only to the practitioner but to everyone around him. The surrounding disciples were already starting to look at Gu Jinghong differently, their eyes full of fear and guarded suspicion.

Gu Jinghong stood still, his expression unchanged, but inside, his heart sank like a stone into an icy abyss.

He had always known he wasn't someone others liked.

People feared him. Kept their distance.

That day when he returned to the sect, only Ye Danxia had smiled at him. And for that one smile, he had been willing to do something—anything—for his junior sister.

He had paid a terrible price.

Now that the truth behind the Blood Qi art was revealed, fear alone wouldn't be all he received. Hostility would follow.

Gu Jinghong pressed his lips into a thin line.

"Heh. Maybe this was for the best."

He hadn't known that the Blood Qi Art would lead to this, but excuses didn't matter anymore.

Death was all that remained.

Zhao Wuji let out a slow sigh. "Since Elder Ming has confirmed that this is indeed a demonic technique, we can't allow it to continue. This was my mistake. I failed to scrutinize the technique properly before handing it to Jinghong. What has happened cannot be undone. Jinghong, I have wronged you. But to prevent you from descending into true demonhood… today, I must—"

"Sect Master," a clear, crisp voice suddenly cut in.

Gu Jinghong's breath caught. He looked toward Yun Jin, and for a moment, a glimmer of hope sparked in his eyes.

Could it be that his master…

"No.

No. That wasn't right."

He crushed the thought instantly.

Yun Jin had exposed the Blood Qi Art in front of everyone. Of course she wanted him dead.

But the next moment, Yun Jin's voice rang out again, sounding faintly annoyed.

"Right now, Gu Jinghong is my servant. If I say he lives, he lives. If I say he dies, then he dies."

She pointed directly at Ye Danxia. "She was willing to injure herself just to see him executed."

She then turned her gaze to Zhao Wuji. "You, as his master, now wish for the same."

"But I," she said with a cool smile, "happen to want him alive."

There was truth to the old saying—the enemy of one's enemy is a friend. Gu Jinghong might be a twisted maniac, but there was more to him. He held secrets.

For instance:

Did Zhao Wuji really not know the Blood Qi Art was a demonic technique before handing it over?

If he did know, then what was his true motive?

In her past life, Yun Jin never had the chance to uncover the hidden currents in this world. The story had always followed Ye Danxia's perspective, and even then, she only saw fragments. It was obvious now—there was more than what the book originally told.

Zhao Wuji had five disciples. All of them adored Ye Danxia. Yet none of them ended well.

As for Gu Jinghong, the novel claimed he died in a war against the Demon Sovereigns. Ye Danxia shed a few tears over him. The male lead panicked, there were even lines about how he resented Gu Jinghong for upsetting her.

Now that Yun Jin thought about it, those details hinted at something deeper.

Gu Jinghong… he might just be holding key evidence against Zhao Wuji.

So, for now, Yun Jin would keep him alive.

"Yun girl," Elder Ming said gently, thinking she was acting out of impulse. "Don't be stubborn—"

Yun Jin gave him a bright, sweet smile. "Elder Ming, we already have a master-servant contract. If he does fall into the demonic path, I can end him at any time."

Elder Ming paused, startled by the reminder.

"Actually… that might work."

"But isn't that contract only valid for three months?" Elder Ming asked.

"Exactly. Just three months," Yun Jin replied with a teasing look, turning toward Gu Jinghong.

She never did anything without getting something in return.

His life, she could spare.

But Gu Jinghong would have to pay a price.

Gu Jinghong caught the glint in her eyes and curved his lips into a strange, contented smile.

He understood.

And somehow, it made him feel… satisfied.

Gu Jinghong stepped forward and spoke calmly. "Elder Ming, please assist me. I wish to make this a permanent contract."

He bowed slightly and said softly, "I, Gu Jinghong, vow to serve my master for this life, the next life, and every life to come. My life and death shall be hers to decide."

There was even a faint joy in his tone.

See?

Everyone else wanted him gone.

But his master—she wanted to keep him by her side. Forever.

Zhao Wuji's face shifted several times. He wanted to object.

But…

Gu Jinghong had chosen this of his own will. What could he say?

And frankly, it solved the problem. A permanent contract would neutralize the danger.

Yun Jin curved her lips in a satisfied smile.

Good.

Gu Jinghong had seized the opportunity.

A permanent labor force, acquired.

Even Elder Ming looked a little surprised, but quickly gave a small nod.

Yes. This was a viable solution.

Gu Jinghong might have practiced the Blood Qi art, but he hadn't done so out of malice. Reason said he should be eliminated, but emotionally, Elder Ming still found it difficult.

This way… they found a middle path.

"It works. Sect Master, what do you think?" Elder Ming asked.

Zhao Wuji looked at Gu Jinghong. "To live as a servant, for all eternity—are you sure?"

Gu Jinghong let out a soft laugh. His tone turned eerie. "What's so bad about it?"

At least this way… he and his master would be bound forever.

He would never be alone again.

Zhao Wuji stared at him, unable to say a word.

"Then, Sect Master, please release the temporary contract so I can establish a new one," Elder Ming said. He added to Yun Jin, "Your cultivation is lower than Gu Jinghong's, so I will assist in forming the bond. As long as he does not reach the Tribulation stage, he won't be able to break it. If one day you both reach that realm, and his power begins to surpass yours, you must kill him before it's too late."

Elder Ming said this directly, right in front of Gu Jinghong.

Gu Jinghong's expression didn't change. As if the words weren't meant for him.

Yun Jin only laughed. "Don't worry, Elder Ming. He'll never get the chance to break free."

Her cultivation might be lower now, but it wouldn't be for long. Soon, she'd surpass him, and keep widening the gap. Eventually, she wouldn't need him at all.

"How confident," Elder Ming said with a doting glance, then urged Zhao Wuji to release the temporary contract.

This Gu Jinghong was dangerous. He needed to finalize the permanent bond as soon as possible.

Zhao Wuji had no choice. Reluctantly, he complied.

Once Elder Ming completed the ritual, a pair of invisible soul-strings sunk into their wrists.

This time…

It was a permanent master-servant contract.