Chapter 33
On the same day, Li Qingyang descended the mountain and headed to town to find a reputable tailor shop. He paid the deposit in advance, and within a few days, more than 200 sets of martial arts clothing were ready.
Jun Changxiao was pleased with the savings.
He ordered the disciples to put on their new uniforms and gather at Yanwuchang.
Before long, the male disciples led by Li Qingyang arrived. They wore purple gowns, short shirts, trousers, and boots.
"Brother, isn't this outfit too flashy?"
"The wide collar of the shirt exposes the chest almost entirely. We'll be the laughingstock of the town!"
The disciples whispered among themselves.
The clothing style was quite different from the mainstream fashion of the Starfall Continent, resembling the ancient dynasties of Earth. Jun Changxiao's design was bold and unconventional, which made the disciples uncomfortable.
Li Qingyang sighed. He had seen the sketches of the clothing and thought they would adapt well, but wearing them was a different story.
After a while, the female disciples from the inner courtyard arrived.
They wore red blouses, veils around their wrists, slim waist ropes, and knee-length skirts with knee-high red boots, which accentuated their figures elegantly.
The women's attire was a departure from the mainstream fashion, focusing on simplicity, lightness, and elegance.
Jun Changxiao smiled and selected the most attractive female disciples to model the uniforms, showcasing their beauty.
"Wow!"
"The sisters look so beautiful!"
The male disciples gazed with silly smiles, resembling enamored pigs.
"Sisters, they're staring at us!"
"It's embarrassing to wear these clothes!"
The female disciples, more traditional in their attire, found it difficult to accept the simple and masculine clothing.
Their deeply ingrained views made it hard for both male and female disciples to embrace Jun Changxiao's avant-garde fashion.
But they had to adapt; it was the head's order, and disobedience wasn't an option.
"Master Sister is coming!"
Someone called out, and everyone turned to see Lu Yan, clad in a red blouse and boots, with furrowed brows.
Her arrival commanded attention, but her stern expression suggested she wasn't pleased with the attire.
Lu Yan stepped onto the field, causing the ground to tremble with each step. The disciples instinctively stepped back, maintaining a distance from their senior sister.
Li Qingyang shook his head. He knew Lu Yan's strong personality, and her dissatisfaction with the clothing was evident.
Jun Changxiao emerged from the hall, wearing a white gown with a gray belt and boots, presenting a handsome figure.
"Not bad," he remarked, admiring himself. "Finally in charge."
Suddenly, he noticed Lu Yan's fiery gaze and said, "A beautiful woman looks good in any attire."
But her glare silenced him, and he closed his mouth.
"Head," Lu Yan said coldly, "I hate red."
Jun Changxiao smiled, "Red symbolizes festivity and vitality. Isn't it every girl's favorite color?"
"I hate it, plain and simple," Lu Yan retorted.
Jun Changxiao understood; Lu Yan's emotions ran deeper than just a dislike for the color.
"I get it," he said, "Qingyang, change the color scheme to white for the female disciples."
"As you command," Li Qingyang replied before leaving.
"Master, what's going on?" he wondered as he left.
During their interactions, Lu Yan displayed exceptional manners, suggesting she had an important background or identity.
"Now that the clothing is sorted, our martial arts life officially begins. From tomorrow, your second senior will oversee daily training," Jun Changxiao announced.
Li Qingyang nearly stumbled. Rebuilding the courtyards, modifying the rules, organizing the clothing, and now overseeing training—was he a disciple or a steward?
"This seems more like a ditch," he sighed to himself.
Jun Changxiao waved them off, "That's all for today."
The disciples dispersed.
"Qianqian," Jun Changxiao called as Lu Yan entered the hall. "There's something I need to discuss."
Lu Yan followed him, and upon entering, she said, "If the disciples have offended you, I accept the punishment."
Jun Changxiao sat back, resting his chin on his palm. "If I intended to punish you, I would have done so already."
Lu Yan remained silent.
Jun Changxiao's questions probed deeper. "Where do you come from? How many people are in your family? Any land?"
"I come from abroad. My parents are deceased, and we didn't have land," Lu Yan replied curtly.
Jun Changxiao was dissatisfied with her response.
"Head," Lu Yan's voice was firm. "Some things are better left unknown. They can bring disaster."
"Disaster?" Jun Changxiao chuckled. "That sounds ominous."
"Let's drop it," Lu Yan said, changing the subject. "What's your role here?"
Jun Changxiao smiled, "I supervise and offer occasional guidance on martial arts."
"You're just trying to be lazy," Lu Yan remarked.
Jun Changxiao feigned offense. "Impossible! I must vigorously develop the sect and rely on you to make Iron Bone famous. How could I be lazy?"
"Make Iron Bone famous?" Lu Yan muttered, "You're dreaming."
Jun Changxiao laughed, "Come on now, Qianqian. Let's focus on the task at hand."
As they conversed, Jun Changxiao couldn't shake the feeling that Lu Yan harbored a painful secret. But for now, he respected her reluctance to share and shifted the conversation to martial arts training.