Shi Yao was walking along one of the training grounds within the Celestial Wind Sect, the setting sun casting long shadows across the dusty paths. He was contemplating the events of the recent competition when a disciple suddenly stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
"Hey, you!" the disciple said, a hopeful glint in his eyes as he sized up Shi Yao. "Not bad,! You've definitely got the makings of someone strong, a real solid foundation."
He reached a hand into the inner pocket of his sect robes and pulled out a rolled-up scroll, its aged parchment tied with a worn string. He held it out with a slight smile.
"Listen, I've got something that could really take you to the next level. This is a genuine, top-tier body refining technique. Legend says it can make your body as tough as forged steel! I'm willing to part with it for just 30 contribution points. What do you say?"
Shi Yao tilted his head in confusion. "What technique are you talking about?"
The disciple's eyes widened a little, surprised that Shi Yao didn't immediately recognize the value of such a scroll. He leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice slightly.
"Are you serious? You haven't heard of the 'Ironhide Sutra'?" He puffed out his chest a little. "It's legendary, I tell you! They say cultivators who master it can withstand blows that would shatter mountains. Imagine your defense becoming practically impenetrable! Plus," he added with a wink, "it's supposed to greatly enhance certain aspects of your physique, make you more... impressive, if you catch my meaning. Let's just say some say it can make your parts bigger, you know?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively.
Shi Yao's brow furrowed for a moment, then a flicker of something akin to interest sparked in his eyes. He glanced down for a brief second, a subtle change in his posture indicating a newfound curiosity.
Just as the disciple was trying to further capitalize on Shi Yao's intrigued reaction, a couple of other disciples walking past scoffed and one of them called out, "Hey, newbie! Don't fall for his tricks! Old Chen there is a notorious swindler. That technique he's peddling is just some basic 'Tempered Skin' exercise you can get from the sect library for, like, four contribution points." His friend chuckled in agreement.
Shi Yao turned his gaze towards the disciple now identified as Old Chen, a dangerous glint in his eyes. He slowly cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing softly in the training grounds. "What were you saying again about that 'Ironhide Sutra'?"
Old Chen's eyes darted nervously towards the disciples who had spoken up. His confident demeanor faltered, replaced by a forced, placating smile. "Listen here, my friend," he stammered, taking a step back. "You are clearly misunderstanding the situation. Those other guys? They're just jealous, spreading baseless rumors."
Shi Yao took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "Don't worry," he said, his voice dangerously low. "You're misunderstanding this too. This little interaction of ours? It's going to become a rumor as well."
"What are you talking—" Old Chen began, his eyes widening with dawning apprehension.
Before he could finish the sentence, Shi Yao moved with surprising speed. A swift, decisive punch landed squarely on Old Chen's face with a sharp thwack. The impact sent the scamming disciple stumbling backward, his eyes rolling upwards as he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Shi Yao, with surprising strength, hoisted the unconscious Old Chen onto his shoulder in a fireman's carry. He quickly glanced around the training grounds to see if anyone was paying attention. Noticing a few scattered disciples still practicing in the fading light, he lowered his head slightly and then broke into a swift run towards the direction of the sixth peak, disappearing into the twilight shadows with his unconscious burden.
Old Chen's eyelids fluttered open, his vision blurry at first. He blinked a few times, trying to focus on his surroundings. The dim light revealed rough-hewn wooden walls and the earthy smell of pine needles. He then noticed the ropes binding his wrists and ankles to the chair he was sitting in. Panic began to set in.
He looked forward and saw Shi Yao seated on another chair a few feet away, his expression completely serious, a stark contrast to the more playful attitude he'd shown earlier.
"Uhm, hey," Old Chen mumbled, his voice still groggy. A nervous chuckle escaped him. "Can you... untie me? I think there's been some kind of misunderstanding."
Shi Yao's gaze remained fixed and unwavering. "So you're the one who wanted to scam me out of my hard-earned contribution points," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of steel. "I wonder what the enforcement hall will think about a senior disciple trying to swindle a newcomer like me."
Old Chen's eyes widened in alarm. "Wait, no, please! Don't tell the enforcement hall! I swear, it was just a harmless joke! A misunderstanding! I'll do whatever you want, just please, please don't report me!" He started to struggle against the ropes, his face contorted with fear.
Shi Yao reached into his own robe and produced a rolled-up piece of parchment, tied with a neat knot. He held it up for Old Chen to see. "If you truly don't want me to tell the enforcement hall," he said, a faint smirk playing on his lips, "then you can simply sign this contract."
Shi Yao leaned back in his chair, the smile widening slightly, though it didn't reach his cold eyes. "What's the contract about? Oh, don't worry your little head about the details too much. It's nothing too big. Just a simple agreement. A contract that is... forever and non-negotiable."
Old Chen swallowed hard, his bound hands tightening into fists. "Isn't... isn't that just slavery?" he croaked, his voice trembling slightly.
Shi Yao's smile finally reached his eyes, a chillingly amused expression. "Well now," he said, his voice almost gentle, "which do you think is worse, signing a contract or facing the enforcement hall? I heard they give scammers around one hundred lashes. That sound pleasant to you?"
"wait fine, you win,I give up,I'll sign the contract."
Shi Yao beamed. "Perfect." He stood up and approached Old Chen, taking out a delicate-looking spirit brush from another pouch within his robes. He pointed to two spots on the parchment. "Just sign here and here."
Old Chen squinted at the indicated locations. "How am I suppose to sign it, you've tied my arms with a rune-infused rope."
Shi Yao tapped his chin thoughtfully, a deliberately exaggerated look of realization spreading across his face. "Oh yeah," he said, chuckling softly. "Silly me, how could I forget that?"
Shi Yao reached into another pouch and produced a small, yellow talisman. He flicked it onto the rune-infused rope binding Old Chen's arms and knees. With a soft hiss, the glowing runes on the rope dimmed, and Old Chen immediately ripped his limbs free.
With a yell of fury, Old Chen lunged at Shi Yao, his earlier fear replaced by rage. "Stupid! You shouldn't have done that!"
Shi Yao simply sidestepped the clumsy attack with ease. Old Chen stumbled forward, his momentum carrying him straight into a nearby wooden table, which splintered and crashed to the floor under his weight. He landed in a heap amidst the debris, groaning.
Shi Yao looked down at him with a smirk. "You are far too slow to do anything to me, my friend."
Shi Yao crouched down in front of the groaning Old Chen, a look of mild disappointment on his face. "Now, how about you just sign it?" he said, his voice calm despite the minor disruption. "You're just embarrassing yourself at this point."
He leaned in a little closer, his gaze hardening. "If you continue rebelling, I'll have no choice but to drag you to the enforcement hall. And trust me, you won't enjoy their hospitality."
Old Chen, still sprawled amongst the broken table pieces, scrambled to sit up, his eyes wide with fear at the renewed threat. "Wait, fine! I give up, I'll sign it!"
He snatched the spirit brush from Shi Yao's hand, a desperate look on his face. Focusing his remaining spiritual energy, he quickly wrote his name and then made a sloppy, hurried sign at the indicated spots on the parchment. "There," he said, his chest heaving, handing the brush back to Shi Yao. "Are you happy now?"
Shi Yao watched Old Chen scramble to his feet, rubbing his wrists where the ropes had been. It was good that I went through his books while he was knocked out and found out about the enforcement hall's strict rules on scams. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been this easy to convince him, Shi Yao thought to himself with a touch of satisfaction.
"Now that we're done here," Shi Yao said, his tone dismissive, "get the hell out of my courtyard." He gestured towards the door with a flick of his wrist.
"Wait, what?" Old Chen sputtered, looking bewildered.
Before he could say another word, Shi Yao grabbed him firmly by the collar and unceremoniously hauled him towards the door. With a surprising amount of force, he lifted Old Chen and tossed him out into the night with a thud.
As Old Chen lay sprawled on the ground just outside the doorway, Shi Yao appeared in the entrance, a creepy, almost sinister smile spreading across his face. "And I almost forgot to tell you, that wasn't just any contract," he said, his voice low and laced with amusement. "That was a soul contract. You'd better be obedient."
"What did you just sa-" Old Chen started, scrambling to sit up, his eyes wide with terror.
Before he could finish his sentence, Shi Yao slammed the door shut with a resounding bang, leaving Old Chen alone in the darkness, undoubtedly contemplating the implications of a soul contract.