Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Yun Jin could feel the permanence of the new contract, and she was quite satisfied with it. Now that it was a lifetime binding, she could use it with confidence. Before, she had kept her alchemy work hidden from Gu Jinghong. But from now on, maybe it was fine to let him help with a few things.

If he ever dared to have thoughts he shouldn't, a single command would be enough to end him.

"Since the servant contract is now in place," Elder Ming declared, "I agree to spare Gu Jinghong's life for the time being."

"I concur," Ling Fei added in a steady voice.

Bai Yu remained silent, but standing beside Ling Fei was a clear sign of support.

"With the contract binding him, Yun girl should be able to keep him in check," said Elder Jian.

Several disciples nodded in agreement.

Ling Fei glanced at Yun Jin, the fondness in his gaze deepening.

She really was such a kind-hearted girl.

Gu Jinghong had always been an odd and difficult person. Most people in the sect kept their distance from him. Yet, before the Míhún Grass incident, he had surprisingly been quite popular with spirit beasts.

Ling Fei had always believed that anyone liked by spirit beasts had to have some redeeming qualities. Over the years, as they interacted, he had grown to appreciate Gu Jinghong, which was why he had even given him the chance to feed the spirit beasts in the first place.

After the incident, of course, his attitude changed. He couldn't show Gu Jinghong any kindness anymore. But now, seeing Yun Jin finding a way to spare his life, Ling Fei felt a tinge of relief.

Especially considering that Gu Jinghong had likely been forced into practicing Blood Qi Art. His violent and unstable behavior stemmed from that. If there was a real culprit, it was Zhao Wuji.

Only no one could actually do anything about that sect leader.

Still, it felt wrong to make Gu Jinghong pay the price for Zhao Wuji's negligence. Many people in the room probably felt the same, even if they didn't say it.

At least now, with the servant contract in place, they could worry a little less about the danger he posed.

"Since everyone agrees," Zhao Wuji said coldly, "Gu Jinghong's life will be spared for now. But Yun Jin has always been bold to the point of recklessness. And now she's got someone who could fall to the demonic path at any moment following her around. Who knows what she'll do in the future? I just hope none of you come to regret your decision today."

His tone was sharp and bitter.

Ye Danxia, still swaying from earlier, forced herself to stand. She looked as if she wanted to say something but held back. She didn't speak—just reminded everyone she still existed. But her silent presence served as a stark reminder: the case was not over yet.

Everyone was counting on Yun Jin to control Gu Jinghong, to prevent him from falling into darkness. That required her to be a person with strong moral conviction.

But what if she used Gu Jinghong to go after Ye Danxia?

Even if they had long-standing grudges, such behavior would make many people uneasy.

It was Ye Danxia today.

Who would it be tomorrow?

"Yun Jin," said Yue Lin sternly. "Gu Jinghong's cultivation technique is irrelevant to the current case. Do you have anything else to add?"

Yun Jin answered calmly, "I brought up Blood Qi Art because it explains why Gu Jinghong attacked Ye Danxia. She wounded herself to spill blood, and that blood triggered his violent reaction. She knew the defensive barrier would protect her, so she set up the situation just right for the sect leader to witness."

"And once again," Yue Lin pressed, "where is your proof? You say she stabbed herself. Show us evidence."

Yun Jin suddenly smiled. "Didn't the sect leader say it himself? I was nearby at the time."

"That just makes it more likely you were behind it," Yue Lin countered.

Yun Jin looked at him like he was a complete idiot. "Right. I was nearby, and you think I just stood there and watched her scheme unfold?"

Yue Lin's expression faltered slightly.

Then Yun Jin slowly pulled out a Memory Stone. "You think I would just watch? Of course I recorded it so everyone could see for themselves."

A Memory Stone.

Ye Danxia's pupils shrank.

That wasn't her trap—it was Yun Jin's from the start.

She had anticipated Ye Danxia would try something and had prepared for it ahead of time.

Ye Danxia's body started trembling.

No. No way.

She couldn't let Yun Jin play that stone. Conspiring to harm a fellow sect member was a capital offense. She couldn't die. She still had so much life ahead of her. She lunged forward on instinct, snatching the Memory Stone and destroying it with her spiritual power in an instant.

Only then did she finally exhale.

But what greeted her was the suspicious gaze of the crowd.

Her face turned pale.

She... she had no other choice. Now that the stone was gone...

Then Yun Jin laughed. She pulled out several more Memory Stones and held them up. "Danxia, since we've known each other so long, I made sure to place over a hundred Memory Stones all around the area. Every angle, every corner. Go ahead and destroy them if you'd like."

Over a hundred...

Ye Danxia's legs gave out. She collapsed in despair.

"Elder Yue," Yun Jin turned with a polite smile, "may I play the footage now?"

Yue Lin didn't dare look at Zhao Wuji's expression. He could only steel himself and reply, "Go ahead."

Yun Jin made a hand gesture.

The image appeared.

Clear, complete, undeniable. It captured every detail from start to finish. When it showed the moment Ye Danxia stabbed herself, Yun Jin even paused it and played a ghostly, meme-style edit her senior brother had put together overnight.

Ye Danxia stabbing herself looped endlessly on screen, accompanied by an oddly catchy remix that somehow... stuck in everyone's head.

"Enough! Stop it!" Ye Danxia shrieked in despair. "Yun Jin! You—you planned this from the start! Why didn't you come out earlier if you were there? Why didn't you show the Memory Stone sooner? I was wrong, but you're not innocent either! You waited, plotted, all for this moment!"

She screamed, completely unhinged.

Yun Jin smiled and stepped closer. Her voice was soft.

"My dear, did I ever say I was a good person? You plotted against me, and you expected me to graciously forgive you? I don't mind letting everyone here know. Those who treat me sincerely, I treat sincerely in return. Those who scheme against me, I'll return the favor. Fair and square. Don't you agree?"

Yun Jin had never claimed to be gentle or virtuous.

Everyone knew she held grudges.

So when she said those words, no one felt they were out of place.

That was just Yun Jin.

But Ye Danxia? She had tried to play the role of a sweet and kind person while doing the opposite in secret.

Now, as they looked at her spiraling breakdown, the crowd began to shake their heads.

Her image had completely crumbled.

"Elder Yue!" Ye Danxia suddenly turned to Yue Lin, voice pleading. "I admit I made a mistake! But Yun Jin—she ordered Gu Jinghong to bully those five senior brothers, and she sent him to sabotage the spirit fields! That proves she's dangerous too! If we let this go, she could cause real damage in the future. My methods may have been extreme, but I only wanted to eliminate a threat!"