Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

"Elder Ming, I've chosen these three." Yun Jin, obedient and polite, had already picked out three manuals.

Elder Ming glanced over them. To his surprise, they were three sword techniques with entirely different styles.

He couldn't help but comment, "Xiao Jin, you're just starting to learn swordsmanship. It's best to choose manuals with similar styles to help you integrate them better."

Zhao Wujing's eyes flickered. He looked at Yun Jin with a hint of anticipation.

"Weren't you arrogant earlier?"

"Didn't you love showing off?"

"Go on, tell Elder Ming you're a once-in-a-millennium sword prodigy who can master anything! Say it!"

Then, to his horror, he heard Yun Jin's humble voice.

"Elder Ming, I thought that studying different styles might broaden my horizons. I've always had a dream, actually—to be like you and create my own techniques. If I could achieve that, I'd consider this life worthwhile."

Zhao Wujing was instantly devastated.

"This brat knew exactly how to flatter Elder Ming!"

Elder Ming had watched over the library for years and read through every manual. In recent years, he'd even started developing his own techniques. His proudest achievement so far was creating a Mystic-tier manual.

With Yun Jin's words, he'd probably adopt her as his successor on the spot.

"I see," Elder Ming chuckled warmly. "It's a good thing for young people to have such aspirations. Go ahead and study them. If you don't understand something, come ask me anytime."

"I'll be sure to trouble you often then," Yun Jin replied respectfully.

The others also finished selecting their manuals. Elder Ming didn't treat them nearly as kindly as he did Yun Jin. He simply gave a few cursory remarks and handed over the imprinted copies.

As the group left, Elder Ming watched Yun Jin reluctantly and reminded her more than once to return tomorrow.

Yun Jin agreed to everything with a smile.

Lin Ya was stunned by how well his disciple handled things.

Once they were a bit farther away, he lowered his voice. "Not bad! You're even better at pretending than your senior brother."

"Pretending?" Yun Jin disagreed. "That was sincerity! Master, you just don't understand!"

Lin Ya chuckled, but still gave her a reminder. "Elder Ming knows the classics of the entire world. Since he's willing to guide you, make sure to go often and build a good relationship. I'll teach you more about these social nuances later."

"Don't worry," Yun Jin lowered her voice and teased, "But Master, are you sure you're qualified to teach me about this? In a sect as big as Tianxing, you must have tons of friends and be great at handling social affairs, right?"

Lin Ya fell silent for a moment, then said with a straight face, "You'd better figure it out yourself."

Back in the central plaza, Zhao Wujing had lost interest in the proceedings. He made a quick announcement to conclude the ceremony and told everyone to disperse.

"Wait!" Yun Jin quickly raised her hand.

Zhao Wuji glared.

"Why couldn't she annoy Elder Ming like this?!"

He had to hold back his irritation. "What now?"

"The master-servant contract," Yun Jin said plainly. "Did you forget, Sect Master?"

Zhao Wujing wanted nothing more than to forget, but he couldn't.

His face turned cold as he called Gu Jinghong back.

Gu Jinghong had mentally prepared himself, but he still went pale.

As a direct disciple of the sect master and someone with extraordinary talent, he had always lived proudly and recklessly. Now, over a single mistake, he was about to become a servant.

He was unwilling.

He was angry.

But—

He wanted to live.

So he had no choice but to comply.

Without a word, Zhao Wujing retrieved two red cords. One was the master cord, the other the servant cord.

"These are the paired cords. You all know what they do. Lin Ya, want to inspect them?" Zhao Wujing asked with thinly veiled sarcasm.

Lin Ya replied without hesitation. "Of course, I should check."

He examined them carefully before handing them back. Zhao Wujing's expression darkened, but he said nothing more. He tossed the master cord to Yun Jin and the servant cord to Gu Jinghong.

The cords flashed faintly as they wrapped around their wrists, then disappeared.

Zhao Wujing then performed a hand seal, sending contract sigils into both of them.

Yun Jin remained calm.

The system didn't issue any alerts. It seemed Zhao Wujing hadn't tampered with anything. Tampering in front of so many eyes was unlikely anyway. And with the system's double-checking, this master-servant contract should be airtight. Once the contract was complete, both Yun Jin and Gu Jinghong felt a subtle connection within.

Yun Jin blinked, then suddenly barked out, "Kneel!"

The once-noble and aloof Gu Jinghong dropped to his knees without resistance. A command from the master could not be defied. No matter how bitter he felt, he was powerless to resist.

Yun Jin beamed. "Good, good. You can get up now."

Gu Jinghong got up, numb and expressionless.

"For the next three months, Senior Brother Gu, let's have some fun," Yun Jin said cheerfully.

A chill ran down Gu Jinghong's spine.

Was it too late to just die?

…Yes.

Under this contract, even death required her permission.

Despair flickered in his eyes.

Could he endure three months of this?

Was sacrificing himself for Ye Danxia worth it?

His gaze unconsciously sought her out—

Only for Ye Danxia to look away.

This humiliated version of her Second Senior Brother? She wanted nothing to do with him.

Gu Jinghong's lips pressed into a thin line.

Now he knew.

It wasn't worth it.

But it was too late.

"Are you satisfied now? Anything else?" Zhao Wujing's voice was cold.

"Nope, nothing else. You go ahead and take care of your business, Sect Master. I'll head to the Spirit Beast Pavilion next. Elder Ling still needs to assign me a spirit beast," Yun Jin replied with a smile.

Zhao Wujing let out a cold snort and left with a flick of his sleeve. Ye Danxia hurried after him.

Yun Jin looked at Gu Jinghong. "Follow my master back to Heavenly Sword Peak. I'm going to the Spirit Beast Pavilion. Make sure my room is spotless. Prepare the tea, snacks, and fruit. If I come back and find even one thing out of place, you better watch your back."

Gu Jinghong clenched his teeth. "Yes."

Yun Jin laughed wickedly. "I just love that reluctant look on your face. Now go behave and wait for me."

Even Lin Ya's lips twitched.

Before Yun Jin, everyone called Gu Jinghong the psycho.

Now?

A baby psycho meeting the real deal.

But honestly, Gu Jinghong had it coming. Lin Ya didn't feel even a shred of sympathy for him.

"Xiao Jin, mind your manners when you meet Elder Ling," Lin Ya reminded her as he took Gu Jinghong away.

Elder Ling had personally requested Yun Jin. That meant no one else could go in her place. He much preferred dealing with spirit beasts over humans. Anyone he didn't recognize would be thrown out.

The Spirit Beast Pavilion wasn't far, and Yun Jin soon arrived at its gates.

Two disciples were standing guard. When they saw Yun Jin, they immediately stepped aside to let her through.