Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Yun Jin quickly scanned through the contents of the pouch. Her smile shifted into something more genuine.

"Senior brothers, there's no need for all this. Your presence alone is more than enough. Bringing such generous gifts… really, it isn't necessary. I'm not the type to be blinded by material wealth."

She casually placed the storage pouch on the table. Without a word, Gu Jinghong stepped forward and collected it, every movement smooth and practiced.

Zhou Li and Zhou Dai exchanged a glance.

Zhou Dai, ever the diplomat, maintained his smile. "Junior Sister Yun, it's only proper. As for Second Brother—"

Yun Jin glanced at Gu Jinghong. "Tell them. How's life here?"

Gun Gun stealthily yanked a fistful of Gu Jinghong's hair in warning.

"Try lying, and this panda will educate you!"

Gu Jinghong remained impassive. "Exemplary. At least I'm not forced to slave away for Junior Sister Ye."

The Zhou brothers' expressions darkened.

Zhou Li blurted out, "Second Brother! The master's favoritism is outrageous! How does a new disciple warrant such obsession?"

Gu Jinghong considered reminding them to be cautious, but instead glanced at Yun Jin's expression. Seeing no objection, he continued in a low voice, "That Junior Sister is now Master's little darling. Neither of you were particularly favored before. Now that I serve my master, if anything were to happen to her, you two will be the next scapegoats."

The two brothers felt a chill run through them.

Zhou Dai frowned. "She's imprisoned in Heshan—what trouble could she possibly stir?"

"Who knows?" Gu Jinghong shrugged. "As former brothers, I'll say this once: Stay far away from her."

Ye Danxia had an uncanny knack for surviving disasters while those around her suffered.

The kind of person they called a cursed star.

Zhou Dai looked troubled. Zhou Li, on the other hand, said outright, "Second Senior Brother, we don't have much choice. Master forbade us from taking sect missions. He wants us to stay behind and tend to her personally. Even if we wanted to keep our distance, we can't."

Gu Jinghong raised an eyebrow. "Then it's your own burden to bear."

He had said all he could. The rest was no longer his concern.

Zhou Dai hesitated, then spoke cautiously, "We'll just drop off the supplies and avoid unnecessary contact."

Yun Jin suddenly laughed.

"Junior Sister Yun is something amusing?" Zhou Dai looked at her, puzzled.

She spoke softly, "Senior Brother Zhou, the Demon-Slaying Token you earned through blood and battle… it's with Ye Danxia now, isn't it?"

Everyone in the Tianxing Sect knew that. Zhou Dai nodded, unsure why she brought it up.

"That token can be transferred by consent. But there is one detail you may not know." Yun Jin paused, her expression calm. "If the recipient commits any crime related to the demonic race, the original holder is punished as well."

Zhou Dai froze.

The Demon-Slaying Alliance was established specifically to fight the demon race. It included nearly every top expert among the human cultivators, making it the largest alliance in the world. Among its rules, nothing was treated more seriously than crimes involving demons.

The Demon-Slaying Token was a reward for those who had fought the demon threat, but if the one holding the token later committed treason by consorting with demons, the penalty would be doubled.

Even if it was transferred with consent, the giver would still be implicated in the event of such a betrayal.

The implication in Yun Jin's words was clear.

If Ye Danxia were to collaborate with the demon race, Zhou Li and Zhou Dai would be dragged down with her.

Zhou Li had also caught on. He lowered his voice. "That's absurd. This is the Tianxing Sect. Where would she even get the chance to consort with demons?"

Yun Jin didn't argue. She only smiled. "I'm simply pointing out a possibility. If nothing happens, all the better. But if she really is in contact with them… well, even heroes who once fought the demonic threat will be dragged through the mud with her."

Because Yun Jin already knew.

This wasn't just a possibility. It was a certainty—unless someone intervened.

And since the brothers had been generous with their offerings, she didn't mind giving them a subtle warning.

Zhou Dai rose and bowed respectfully. "No matter what, thank you for the reminder, Junior Sister Yun. We won't linger. When the chance arises, we'll visit again."

Yun Jin nodded slightly.

The two men left through the side path.

Outside, Zhou Li muttered, "Little brother, do you think Junior Sister Yun was just exaggerating? That Junior Sister Ye might consort with demons… it's a bit much, isn't it?"

Zhou Dai's expression was grim. "Better to be cautious."

The token they'd nearly died for had become a noose around their necks.

They'd presented it eagerly, expecting praise.

Instead…

They'd inherited a death sentence.

Who could've guessed things would turn out like this?

Even Zhou Dai found himself with a growing headache.

~

Heshan

Towering into the sky, even in the heat of summer, the summit remained blanketed in snow and ice. Under Zhao Wuji's instructions, Zhou Li and Zhou Dai had brought various supplies. They stood at the entrance of a small cave-dwelling. Zhou Dai took out a bronze token, and the barrier opened. The two stepped inside.

Ye Danxia sat curled in the corner, arms wrapped around her knees. Snow had drifted inside. Dressed in white, she blended almost perfectly into the surroundings, a pitiful figure.

Zhou Li's heart stirred. For a moment, he felt the urge to go to her, to offer comfort.

Then he froze.

No!

He'd come fully alert, so why did he still feel this unnatural sympathy?

Something's wrong with her!

Ye Danxia lifted her head weakly. "Senior Brothers… you came."

The compulsion to protect her surged again.

Zhou Li and Zhou Dai exchanged glances. Something was definitely off.

They didn't step any closer. Instead, they stayed by the entrance, keeping their distance. Zhou Li tossed a storage pouch toward her. "These are supplies from Master. Look through them yourself."

Without another word, they turned to leave.

Ye Danxia's expression shifted. She struggled to stand, but then stumbled deliberately, collapsing back to the ground.

She looked up at them with misty eyes. "Senior Brother… do you hate me that much?"

Both brothers took a synchronized step backward.

Ye Danxia stared at them, stunned.

"Have they lost their minds?!

Am I some kind of monster?!"