Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Ma Hongyu sat in silence, watching closely.

He didn't even know what kind of result he was hoping for.

If the problem truly lay with the jade pendant, then everything he had worked so hard for all these years would become a joke.

But there was another, more pressing issue.

Ye Cheng's future.

The Sect Master clearly wanted him dead.

Was he, as his master, supposed to just stand by and watch?

Ma Hongyu's thoughts were in disarray.

Fragments of old memories drifted through his mind.

Ye Cheng had been the very first disciple he ever took in. The boy was talented and obedient. Respectful to his elders and kind to his peers, yes, but above all, he possessed a genuine love for spiritual plants.

Over all these years, Ye Cheng had rarely ever left the spiritual fields. His entire world existed within them. If there was ever someone who could be described as free from worldly conflict, it was Ye Cheng. This mess, too, had not been something Ye Cheng sought out. And yet, he was the one left to bear the consequences.

Ma Hongyu bit down hard on his lower lip. No matter what, if the Sect Master truly intended to kill Ye Cheng, then even if it cost him everything, he would not let it happen.

But... how?

He sat there, completely lost.

Then, suddenly, a message arrived.

Ma Hongyu blinked in surprise. Acting on some unspoken instinct, he reattached the jade pendant to Ye Cheng's waist before stepping outside to open the formation.

The visitor was a disciple. Upon seeing Ye Cheng unconscious in bed, the disciple gave a sympathetic sigh.

"Senior Brother Ye really didn't deserve this. Yun Jin is completely out of control."

Ma Hongyu forced a bitter smile. His mind was still spinning.

The disciple took it as a sign of grief and said no more. Instead, he presented a delicate porcelain bottle and handed it over.

"Martial Uncle Ma, this is a healing elixir personally bestowed by the Sect Master. He said that, as long as Ye Cheng takes this, he should regain consciousness within a day or two. With this, there's no need to worry."

"This humble one thanks the Sect Master for his generosity." Ma Hongyu feigned gratitude.

The disciple went on to praise the rarity of the medicine, its miraculous effects, and the Sect Master's tireless efforts on behalf of master and disciple alike.

Ma Hongyu nodded along, playing his part, until the disciple finally left.

Once the formation was closed again, his expression darkened immediately.

The first thing he did was remove the jade pendant and place it far from Ye Cheng's body. Then, he turned his attention to the porcelain bottle, eyes sharp.

He uncorked it and took a sniff.

It was, as claimed, a top-grade healing elixir.

But whether it would do Ye Cheng any good, that was a separate matter.

To his own sorrow, Ma Hongyu realized he trusted Yun Jin more than he did the Sect Master.

He did not administer the pill. He simply waited.

Elsewhere, that disciple had returned to report to Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji asked casually, "When Ye Cheng collapsed… was he wearing the pendant I gave him?"

"Yes, Sect Master. Even unconscious, it was still fastened securely," the disciple confirmed. "His condition was due to rage-induced qi deviation, so the pendant's protection didn't activate."

"How vile of Yun Jin," Zhao Wuji murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. "And how did Ma Hongyu react to the medicine?"

"Profoundly grateful, as expected."

Satisfied, Zhao Wuji dismissed him.

Back in the cave residence.

One hour passed.

Then two.

Then three.

Just as Ma Hongyu began to wonder if Yun Jin had lied to him, Ye Cheng slowly opened his eyes.

"My disciple!" Ma Hongyu's voice trembled with joy.

Ye Cheng blinked in confusion, then abruptly sat up and climbed off the bed. He bowed deeply. "There is an elder present, and I was still lying down. I have been disrespectful. Please punish me, Master."

Ma Hongyu stared at this by-the-book disciple and could only sigh. "You're injured. No need to stand on ceremony."

Injured?

That was when Ye Cheng slowly recalled his confrontation with Yun Jin.

"The Moonwhisper Grass—"

"Unharmed!" Ma Hongyu said, exasperated. "You've asked three times already!"

He breathed a sigh of relief and immediately tried to leave the room to check on them himself.

Ma Hongyu caught him by the sleeve. "Not yet. Tell me, how are you feeling right now?"

Ye Cheng flexed his fingers, then circulated his spiritual energy. "There's nothing wrong," he answered truthfully.

Ma Hongyu narrowed his eyes slightly.

The Sect Master had said the pill would allow Ye Cheng to wake up in one or two days.

But Ye Cheng hadn't taken the pill. All Ma Hongyu had done was remove the jade pendant.

And here the boy was, fully awake in just four hours.

Which only served to prove one thing.

The jade pendant was indeed the problem.

"My disciple," Ma Hongyu said softly. "You are not to leave the cave residence for the next day or two."

"Why?" Ye Cheng asked in confusion.

Ma Hongyu struggled to find an explanation. In the end, he simply said, "That is an order."

Although reluctant, Ye Cheng was always obedient. He nodded without further protest.

"I will be leaving for a short while. You are to remain here and not step outside. If anyone comes to visit, do not speak, do not open the door. Not even for your junior brothers and sisters. If someone tries to force their way in, contact me immediately. Understood?"

Ma Hongyu's tone turned serious.

The Sect Master's intent to kill Ye Cheng was now beyond doubt. As Ye Cheng's master, he had to find a way out for his disciple.

And that way... might lie with her.

Seeing his master so solemn, Ye Cheng dared not disobey. He nodded quickly.

Only then did Ma Hongyu leave the cave, layering on several formations before he departed.

It was deep into the night, and everyone knew Ye Cheng was recovering from injury. No one should come to disturb him. But if something did happen, Ma Hongyu would rush back immediately.

He donned a black cloak and took a long, winding route through the dark until he arrived at Tianjian Peak.

As he approached, Gu Jinghong was already waiting.

Ma Hongyu's heart skipped a beat.

Gu Jinghong spoke in a calm voice. "My master knew you would come, so she asked me to wait here. Martial Uncle Ma, this way, please."

Ma Hongyu composed himself and followed Gu Jinghong inside to meet Yun Jin.

"Martial Uncle Ma," Yun Jin stood and greeted him politely, "My behavior earlier today may have been inappropriate. Please forgive me."

Her immediate apology caught Ma Hongyu off guard.

He had planned to speak sternly, but in the end, he could only sigh. "If you hadn't stirred up that scene, that foolish disciple of mine might have died without anyone knowing."

By now, he understood. Yun Jin's theatrics earlier had been a warning—one meant to help him discover the truth behind Ye Cheng's condition.

And for that, he owed her.

"I'm just glad Martial Uncle doesn't mind me meddling," Yun Jin said sweetly.

Ma Hongyu lowered his voice and went straight to the point. "The Sect Master wants Ye Cheng dead. Since you discovered the pendant was tampered with, can you remove the poison?"

He had examined that pendant again and again, but found nothing suspicious. Yet Yun Jin had seen through it at a glance.

Maybe she had a way to fix this.