Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

In her panic, Ye Danxia blurted out Yun Jin's name.

Yun Jin widened her eyes in exaggerated shock. "Danxia, what are you saying? How could it be me?"

Realizing her mistake, Ye Danxia grew even more frantic.

Gu Jinghong stepped forward and grasped her hand, his voice cold as he fixed his gaze on Yun Jin."You and my junior sister were standing together at the time. Did you tamper with something?"

Yun Jin looked genuinely puzzled. "Tamper? With someone affected by demonic energy? Is it really that easy to manipulate?"

Gu Jinghong's expression flickered slightly. He pursed his lips, his mind spinning rapidly. After all, he had secretly tampered with Yun Jin's robes. So why was it his junior sister who ended up harmed?

Had he… mixed up the robes?

Damn it!

How could he make such a stupid mistake?!

This Yun Jin really was cursed in some way.

Lin Ya let out a cold snort. "We made it clear earlier—whoever is revealed to carry demonic qi will be expelled at best, or at worst, have their bones stripped and thrown into the abyss. Now that the culprit has been identified as Ye Danxia, what do you say, Sect Master?"

"Master…" Yue Danxia's face turned ghostly pale. She forced herself to kneel upright and kowtowed frantically to Zhao Wuji. "Master, I swear, I'm not one of those corrupted by demonic qi. There must be some misunderstanding!"

She wept as she bowed, her cries echoing with desperation. The sight was pitiful. Zhao Wuji's heart softened at the sight, and he was just about to speak when Ling Fei's voice cut through the air, cold as ice.

"My spirit beast didn't suffer for nothing. Since it identified her, I suggest she be confined immediately. Once my beasts have recovered, I'll question them one by one. If no other explanation is found, I advise this—better to err on the side of caution. This Yue Danxia must not remain."

His tone was sharp, his anger still simmering.

Zhao Wuji frowned, preparing to defend Ye Danxia further.

But the Master of Mingyue Peak, Fang Mingyue, spoke up instead. "I agree. We must be more vigilant with those who carry demonic qi. She possesses a Heavenly Spirit Root—her growth is already rapid. If she strays down a dark path, it will be on us."

"Indeed." Several other Peak Masters nodded in succession.

After all, someone tainted by demonic qi was a true threat. A source of unease.

Zhao Wuji's face darkened further.

He knew Yue Danxia wasn't a demonic cultivator. This incident—most likely orchestrated by Gu Jinghong. Yet, if he exposed the truth, Gu Jinghong's future would be destroyed. If he stayed silent, it would be Yue Danxia who suffered.

Between these two disciples, whom should he protect? Whom should he sacrifice?

Zhao Wuji was torn.

Just then, Yun Jin spoke. "Actually, I don't think Danxia is someone corrupted by demonic qi. She just has a few... minor flaws. Like how she was taken in by the Yun family but never showed gratitude. Or how she encouraged Senior Brother Chen to challenge me to a duel, only to ignore him afterward. Or how she suggested to Senior Brother Ruan to falsely accuse me... But those are small things. Hardly the stuff of great demon."

Though Yun Jin claimed to believe in Yue Danxia's innocence, every word she spoke only painted her in a darker light.

Yue Danxia's face grew even paler. She stopped kowtowing, her eyes full of disbelief and sorrow as she stared at Yun Jin. "Xiao Jin… we're like sisters… why would you do this to me?"

Yun Jin looked bewildered. "What do you mean? Danxia, I'm defending you! I'm saying that even though you've done all these things, at most you're ungrateful, two-faced, and harbor ill intentions. Calling you someone tainted by demonic qi? That's just unfair."

Each word she said was a blow, yet her tone was righteous, as though she were defending her friend. Several onlookers couldn't help but chuckle.

This Yun Jin... quite the character.

Yue Danxia trembled, pointing at Yun Jin in disbelief, then suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. "Danxia! Are you alright?" Yun Jin rushed to her side, full of concern. "You must take care of your health. I'm still trying to defend you, don't give up on yourself!"

Yue Danxia coughed even more violently, blood staining her lips.

"Sect Master," another Peak Master spoke up. "This Yue Danxia has been involved in numerous incidents since joining the sect. We should investigate her thoroughly."

Back then, when Zhao Wuji had pressured Yun Jin, these Peak Masters had remained silent. But they had all been watching from the shadows. They might not have spoken up at the time, but justice lies in the hearts of men. Apart from the Sect Master's most loyal supporters, many others had started to doubt.

And now that Yun Jin pointed out Ruan Jun's actions had also been instigated by Ye Danxia, even the Sect Master's handling of the matter was called into question.

Wasn't Yue Danxia the root of all this?

Could she truly be one of those cursed with demonic qi?

If that were the case, even the Qingxiao Pavilion's patriarch wouldn't be able to sway the decision to expel her. This was a matter concerning the sect's very survival.

Voices rose around them, each one calling for action.

Zhao Wuji's face darkened by the moment.

Lin Ya had never seen Zhao Wuji so cornered. He finally said, "Sect Master, this is your disciple. You decide—what is to be done with her? To be safe, I suggest we cripple her cultivation and confine her."

"Master!" Ye Danxia cried out, her face filled with despair.

Though her cultivation wasn't high yet, damaging her dantian during the process could ruin her for life. And this whole disaster—wasn't it all her senior brother's doing?

Gu Jinghong clenched his teeth, watching Ye Danxia's pitiful state. He was the one who tampered with the robes. If he stepped forward now, everything could be resolved. But if he did, he'd bear the sin of framing a fellow disciple. His future would be over.

Gu Jinghong was caught in a vicious struggle.

He liked this soft-spoken junior sister, and he wanted to protect her. But to wager his entire future on this? He wasn't that noble.

Zhao Wuji looked from one disciple to the other, his expression growing cold. Then he gritted his teeth and asked, "Jinghong, do you have anything to say about your junior sister's situation?"

Gu Jinghong's heart sank.

The Sect Master wanted him to confess.

Between him and Yue Danxia, he had made his choice.

Gu Jinghong admitted he had made a mistake. But he had only acted because Ye Danxia had cried to him repeatedly, subtly urging him to take action against Yun Jin.

"Senior Brother..." Ye Danxia turned to him, her expression full of hope.

She had no time to pretend to be the soft little junior anymore. All she wanted was to escape punishment. Gu Jinghong was the only one who could save her now. As for what would happen to him if he confessed, she didn't know... and didn't care. She hadn't lifted a finger herself. Who could blame her for what Gu Jinghong had done?

"Jinghong." Zhao Wuji's voice turned sterner.

Gu Jinghong felt himself plunge into despair.

He understood.

This time, he was the one being sacrificed.