The Deal with the conniving little shrew

Diao Changju was well aware of Bi Huajin's reputation as a "little green tea." After learning of her true nature, he didn't confront her about it. Why bother? He found her pleasant enough to be around. To him, she was like a granddaughter, and the arrangement they had suited them both. She cleaned his courtyard with genuine effort, and in return, he gave her resources—fair trade.

Besides, he had an abundance of high-grade cultivation pills. If she wanted them, he'd give them. She worked hard; he paid generously. No harm done.

This morning, Bi Huajin arrived earlier than usual.

"Huajin, why are you here so early today?" Diao Changju asked with a kind smile.

The 18-year-old girl standing at his courtyard gate had a bright and cheerful expression. She was young and beautiful, with a lively demeanor that could lighten anyone's mood.

"Diao Elder, I came to help clean your courtyard!" she chirped.

Diao Changju nodded, stroking his beard with satisfaction.

As she entered, he noticed a glimmer of surprise in her eyes as she glanced at him.

"Diao Elder, did you break through?" she asked, her tone tinged with excitement.

"Something like that," Diao Changju replied, grinning with pride. He couldn't exactly explain that his newfound vigor was thanks to a mysterious system he'd unlocked.

Just as he settled back at the stone table in his yard, sipping tea, a voice rang in his mind:

"System detected a Fortune's Daughter."

Diao Changju froze mid-sip.

*"Name: Bi Huajin

Age: 18

Luck Value: 10,000

Cultivation Level: Qi Refinement, Stage 6

Physique: Glazed Holy Body

Summary: The Glazed Holy Body requires immense resources to awaken. Once activated, the cultivation speed will skyrocket."*

Diao Changju set his teacup down and stared at Bi Huajin, who was diligently sweeping the courtyard. A Fortune's Daughter? This girl? The infamous little green tea who'd swindled countless outer disciples?

"Elder, why are you looking at me like that?" Bi Huajin asked, her cheeks turning pink as she shyly lowered her head.

Diao Changju's heart skipped a beat. She looked so demure, so innocent. If he didn't know better, he'd have been completely fooled.

"System," he muttered in his mind, "how do I make her submit?"

"Fortune's Daughters can be subdued through two methods: forced submission or voluntary submission. Force her to become yours, or make her willingly pledge loyalty to you."

Forced submission sounded straightforward. With Bi Huajin still at Qi Refinement Stage 6, she wouldn't stand a chance against him. And given his limited time left to live—barely a decade unless he made significant breakthroughs—he couldn't afford the slow game of earning her trust.

Still, he wasn't in a rush. Not yet.

"Huajin," he said, his tone light. "Go ahead and finish sweeping."

Bi Huajin nodded obediently, humming a little tune as she worked.

Not long after, she bounced over to him, her face glowing with accomplishment. "Diao Elder, I've finished cleaning!"

"Good," Diao Changju said, retrieving a large jade bottle from his storage ring. He placed it on the table in front of her.

Bi Huajin blinked, curiosity evident on her face. She opened the bottle carefully, only to gasp in shock.

Inside were a hundred top-grade Qi Gathering Pills.

Her hands trembled. "Elder, are you sure this is for me?"

"Yes," he said calmly. "From now on, I'll supply all your cultivation resources."

Bi Huajin's joy quickly turned to suspicion. She wasn't naive. She'd heard similar promises before, always with a price attached. Still, she played it coy.

"I don't understand, Elder. What do you mean?"

Diao Changju leaned back in his chair, sipping his tea. "Huajin, let's not pretend. I've heard all about your antics in the outer sect."

Her face paled.

"I know you've conned plenty of disciples out of their resources. I don't mind. In fact, I admire your cunning. But now, I'm telling you plainly—I want you to submit to me. Be mine, and I'll take care of you."

The words hit her like a slap. Her wide eyes filled with tears as she stepped back. "Elder, you've disappointed me! I thought you were different from the others!"

Diao Changju's expression turned cold. "If you want to leave, go ahead. But first, return everything I've given you."

Bi Huajin froze. "You can't be serious! Those pills were gifts!"

"Gifts?" he sneered. "I'll say you stole them. Let's see who the outer elders believe—me or you."

Her heart sank. She was just a lowly outer disciple. He was an inner sect elder with a respected reputation. She couldn't fight this.

She'd always prided herself on reading people well, but she'd completely misjudged Diao Changju. She thought he was a kind, harmless old man. How wrong she was.

Her fists clenched as tears streamed down her face. "What do you want from me?"