Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Ma Hongyu took a deep breath and continued, "In short, this was Yun Jin's suggestion. I've thought it through carefully, and this might truly be the only way. Tianjian Peak is full of strange happenings lately. They might not lose in the upcoming Grand Sect Assembly. For all we know, you might end up clinging to a golden thigh. And if they do lose…"

He sighed deeply. "Then this is simply your fate. Your master has done everything he could."

A quiet sorrow welled up in Ma Hongyu's heart.

As a faction of the Sect Master, he now found himself wholeheartedly praying for Yun Jin's victory. The irony of it all was bitter beyond words.

But what other choice did he have?

Ye Cheng was like a son to him.

How could he not feel resentful when the Sect Master himself wanted to kill him?

If he weren't still bound to this sect, Ma Hongyu might have considered leaving everything behind and walking away from it all.

After all, he had worked his entire life, only to be rewarded with this ending. The more he thought about it, the colder his heart became.

Ye Cheng was quiet for a long while before speaking. "Disciple is unwilling to part from Master."

Ma Hongyu's eyes reddened with emotion. "This will be the last time you say such things. From tomorrow on, we are enemies. Our bond as master and disciple ends here."

Worried that Ye Cheng might resist, Ma Hongyu added, "This isn't just about your safety. It's about mine too. If the Sect Master finds out we staged this just to send you into Tianjian Peak, then I'm dead as well."

Ye Cheng's heart clenched. He quickly nodded. "Disciple understands."

He said no more.

Instead, he lowered his head and kowtowed three times, loud and firm, to the floor in front of Ma Hongyu.

Ma Hongyu wiped away the tears forming at the corner of his eyes and helped him up.

Master and disciple sat together at the edge of the bed, not speaking, until dawn broke.

Ma Hongyu slowly brought out the porcelain bottle the Sect Master had given him, took out two pills, and crushed them into powder in his palm.

"If anyone asks, you were gifted medicine by the Sect Master. You took two pills in succession and recovered. That's the story," he said in a low voice.

"Yes, Master." Ye Cheng's voice was hoarse.

After a pause, Ma Hongyu said, "Stay a little longer, then go. Follow the plan exactly."

Yun Jin had only offered the general outline. To ensure the plan went smoothly, Ma Hongyu had worked out the finer details.

This act had to be flawless.

So, once the timing was right, he brought Ye Cheng out in public. In front of everyone, they both showed deep gratitude toward the Sect Master. Naturally, someone would report those words back to him.

Later that day, Ma Hongyu used an excuse to leave the area.

Yesterday, due to the recent reassignment of spirit fields to various peaks, the Sect Master had sent people to reclaim the spiritual plants that had already been sown.

His message was clear.

You want to grow your own? Fine. Then you don't get to keep what we helped plant.

Not only were they taking the mature plants, they were even digging up the seedlings that had barely sprouted. Many herbs were extremely delicate. Such reckless digging would surely kill them.

When Ye Cheng heard about this, he rushed to the other peaks and tried to stop the Sect Master's men. Given his obsession with spirit planting, this behavior made complete sense. No one suspected a thing.

Even Ma Hongyu had deliberately kept this matter from Ye Cheng, worried he would act on impulse. Now, things were unfolding in exactly the way they needed to.

Ye Cheng throwing himself in front of the Sect Master's people to stop them from destroying the spirit fields—no one would find that strange at all.

His desperate attempts to stop the uprooting soon reached Zhao Wuji's ears.

Fury ignited in the sect leader's heart.

What kind of ingrate is this Ye Cheng? One moment, he's thanking me for saving his life—the next, he's opposing me?

This is exactly why he deserves to die!

"You had so many people, yet one man stopped you?" Zhao Wuji snarled.

The subordinates hesitated. "He threw himself wherever we tried to dig. We couldn't bring ourselves to harm him."

Zhao Wujie let out a cold laugh. "Then throw him out! If that doesn't work, tie him up and drag him away!"

The others acknowledged the order and were just about to act when someone rushed in to report:

"Sect Master, Martial Uncle Ma has brought Senior Brother Ye to admit his wrongdoing."

Zhao Wuji's lips curled. At least the apology is prompt.

Ye Cheng may be a fool, but Ma Hongyu knows his place.

Fine. The boy is already marked for death—no need to waste energy on him.

"Let them in," Zhao Wuji said coldly.

If Ye Cheng showed proper remorse, he could let it slide.

Soon, Ma Hongyu entered the grand hall with Ye Cheng in tow.

The moment they arrived, Ma Hongyu barked out in fury, "Wretched disciple, kneel!"

Ye Cheng dropped to his knees at once.

Ma Hongyu shouted, "I left for only a short while, and you cause such a mess! Now, apologize to the Sect Master immediately!"

Zhao Wujie raised an eyebrow, waiting calmly for Ye Cheng to speak.

But Ye Cheng suddenly looked up. "Master, I've done nothing wrong. Why should I apologize? Sect Master, I must speak plainly—these spiritual plants are innocent. There is no need to destroy them over a moment of anger. Please, I beg you to rescind your order and spare the young herbs."

He wore his usual stubborn expression, utterly sincere.

Zhao Wujie had been expecting an apology. He was stunned, caught completely off guard.

He turned toward Ma Hongyu in disbelief. "This is the disciple you trained? Is this what you call admitting a mistake?"

Ma Hongyu's fury flared. He turned and slapped Ye Cheng across the face with a harsh crack.

"You disgrace! What nonsense are you spewing? You collapsed earlier, and it was the Sect Master who gave you a life-saving pill. Instead of being grateful, you dare speak such rebellious words!"

Ye Cheng held his cheek and said quietly, "One matter doesn't cancel out the other. I am grateful for the Sect Master's mercy, but the matter of the spirit plants stands apart. Sect Master is wise and mighty—surely he can see the harm in this and choose not to destroy what hasn't even had a chance to grow."

He truly believed Zhao Wujie's actions were wrong, so his tone was firm and righteous. Zhao Wujie's face darkened even more. He was about to erupt when he noticed something odd.

Ma Hongyu looked even angrier than he was. Shaking with rage, Ma Hongyu raised his hand again and struck Ye Cheng hard. This time, the blow was vicious.

Finger marks bloomed across Ye Cheng's face, and blood spilled from his lips.

Ma Hongyu stared down at him, eyes burning. "Disloyal and unfilial! I have no disciple like you! You defy me, and now you dare oppose the Sect Master as well? I can no longer keep you."

Ye Cheng froze, staring at Ma Hongyu in panic. "Master... I..."

"I'll ask you one last time. Do you admit your guilt?" Ma Hongyu's voice was cold as iron.

Ye Cheng was silent for a long moment. Then he answered softly, "I have done nothing wrong."

"Good. Very good!" Ma Hongyu's hands trembled with rage. He kicked Ye Cheng square in the chest, sending him flying backward.

Zhao Wujie could only blink in shock.

Ma Hongyu stormed forward. With a flick of his hand, he stripped Ye Cheng of his storage pouch and the jade pendant.

"I have no disciple like you. Everything you carry was gifted by the Sect Master. Yet in the moment of truth, you choose to side with outsiders! Since that is the case, return everything. As for you... our bond ends here. Go wherever you want."