Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

"Sect Master!" Ma Hongyu suddenly stepped in front of Ye Cheng, his voice trembling. "This disciple of mine is introverted and lacks social awareness. I will discipline him strictly from now on—he will never make such a mistake again."

Zhao Wuji's expression was unreadable.

Ma Hongyu immediately dropped to his knees.

Ye Cheng, bewildered, followed suit.

He didn't even understand why his master was suddenly speaking like this.

"Hongyu," Zhao Wuji said with a faint smile, "what kind of person do you take me for? Relax. I only want to speak with Ye Cheng. No need for all this fuss. Get up, lest others laugh at you."

Ma Hongyu didn't believe a word of it, but since Zhao Wuji had spoken, he could only pull Ye Cheng to his feet.

"Ye Cheng," Zhao Wuji turned to him again.

Ye Cheng saw nothing wrong. He walked forward obediently.

"What do you think of that Yun Jin?" Zhao Wuji asked.

Ye Cheng thought for a moment. "She's a prodigy in plant cultivation. If possible, I'd love to exchange insights with her."

Ma Hongyu's heart nearly stopped.

This was exactly the kind of thing he feared. His disciple was too honest, and right now, that honesty might kill him.

Ye Cheng had spoken with complete sincerity. Zhao Wuji's face darkened slightly, then, unexpectedly, he smiled.

"Excellent. You truly are dedicated to the path of spiritual planting, a rare purity these days. I like people like you," he said warmly.

He drew out a jade pendant. "Here, take this. It's just like the one I gave Danxia before. It's a defensive artifact. Keep it on you for safety."

Ye Cheng accepted it, overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, and quickly attached it to his belt.

Even Ma Hongyu was stunned.

Knowing the Sect Master's temperament, Ye Cheng's public surrender during the recent competition should have infuriated him. Yet here he was, not only spared, but rewarded. That was not Zhao Wuji's usual way.

"Alright, off you go. Focus on your spirit fields. Show the others what your master-disciple bond is truly worth," Zhao Wuji said with a smile.

Ma Hongyu hastily pulled Ye Cheng away. "Thank you, Sect Master."

Once they were gone, Zhao Wuji sneered.

Did anyone who displeased him deserve to live?

The pendant was laced with a rare poison. Within a month of wearing it, Ye Cheng would die peacefully, with no traces of foul play.

By then, enough time would have passed that no one would connect it to tonight.

Ye Cheng might have talent in planting, but so what? The cultivation world was full of talent.

Since he admired Yun Jin so much, let him wait for her in the afterlife!

Candlelight flickered, casting shadows across Zhao Wuji's face, shifting between light and darkness.

~

Outside.

Ma Hongyu sighed at Ye Cheng. "That hurdle is over. From now on, stay in the spirit fields. Don't wander."

"Yes." Ye Cheng agreed readily.

He preferred plants to people anyway.

Nodding, Ma Hongyu led them back to their small abode nestled deep in the fields.

"Master, I'll check on the plants." Ye Cheng headed out again.

Watching his back, Ma Hongyu sighed once more.

He was genuinely worried.

His disciple was too naïve. While he could protect him now, what would happen when he was gone?

His earlier reassurance was just to ease Ye Cheng's mind.

But knowing the Sect Master… was this truly over?

He had no confidence at all.

That night, Ma Hongyu lay awake, consumed by thoughts, until only a sigh remained.

~

At dawn.

Gu Jinghong appeared again.

As always, he did nothing useful, just rambled on endlessly at the plants, his behavior as odd as ever.

Ma Hongyu had long stopped paying him any mind.

Ye Cheng usually ignored him too. But this time, he walked over and asked, "Why didn't Junior Sister Yun come today? I heard she made improvements to the cultivation method. I'm amazed. It's a pity I haven't seen her work in person."

Gu Jinghong raised his eyes, guarded. "My mistress is busy. She has no time."

Ye Cheng spoke earnestly, "Cultivation techniques improve through exchange. I've made some discoveries too. If she's willing—"

"Ye Cheng! Over here!" Ma Hongyu suddenly called out.

He was terrified.

Was Ye Cheng tired of living? Still trying to get close to Yun Jin at a time like this? Even if Zhao Wuji hadn't acted yet, he certainly would now.

"Yes!" Ye Cheng replied, then said quickly, "The path of spiritual planting is endlessly profound. It would be a great joy to find someone who shares that passion."

Then he hurried back to Ma Hongyu.

"Master," he waited for instructions.

Ma Hongyu opened and closed his mouth, then sighed heavily. "From now on, you are not to see Yun Jin again."

Ye Cheng looked confused. "Why?"

Ma Hongyu gritted his teeth. "You still don't know? The Sect Master despises her. If you keep associating with her, I won't be able to protect you. Do you really think that jade pendant was a reward? It was a leash. He's warning you to stay in line."

So there was more to it.

Ye Cheng's eyes widened with sudden understanding.

He rushed back to Gu Jinghong. "Junior Sister Yun should avoid coming here for now. Once the Sect Master calms down, I'll speak to her again."

Gu Jinghong: "…"

"Can I kill this idiot with one palm?"

His gaze shifted. He noticed the jade pendant at Ye Cheng's waist. "Did the Sect Master give you that?"

Ye Cheng hadn't worn it before, and now it had appeared overnight. It looked exactly like the one Zhao Wuji gave to Ye Danxia. Gu Jinghong guessed it casually.

"Yes," Ye Cheng answered immediately. "The Sect Master treats me so well. Since he dislikes Junior Sister Yun, I'll avoid seeing her for now."

Gu Jinghong's mouth twitched.

He suddenly had a new respect for Ma Hongyu.

How did he manage to raise such a fool?

"I understand," Gu Jinghong said through gritted teeth.

He went back to his usual routine of speaking to the plants. Once the time was right, he returned to Tianjian Peak.

There, he gave Yun Jin a quick report, then hesitated. "Mistress, there's one more thing."

"Speak," Yun Jin said, pulling out a pill and continuing her cultivation as she popped it into her mouth.

Gu Jinghong's lips trembled slightly.

He had seen clearly just now.

What was that she just ate?

A perfect-grade pill?

It seems like a Huanyuan Pill?

His thoughts completely derailed. "Mistress, that pill…"

"Huanyuan Pill," Yun Jin said casually. "Didn't I give you one when you were seriously injured?"

Gu Jinghong's lips trembled again.

Huanyuan Pill… wasn't that used to restore meridians and dantian?

What happened to her?

A strange unease crept into his heart. He was about to ask more when Yun Jin casually poured out another ten or so pills and tossed them into her mouth like candy.

Gu Jinghong: "???"

[+3 Emotional Value.]

[Host's actions have shocked a bystander into existential crisis.]