The moment his emotions surged, Qi Jia Biao climbed to a high spot and launched into a lengthy speech. He talked about the process—how he had recognized Xu Yi for the scoundrel he was—and about confidence, urging everyone to shore up theirs and believe Two Forget Peak would surely weather the calamity Xu Yi had brought upon them and preserve the sect's reputation.
Just as Qi Jia Biao was speaking with such fervor that spittle flew, Kuang Sheng, another Outer Sect Disciple, hurried in. "Lao Miao, Old Niu, what are you still doing here with Old Qi? You really have too much free time. The sect has already issued a notice: a new master will be inaugurated tomorrow. Hurry up and get to work. Missing the deadline would be no small matter."
What they called "getting to work" meant making the embroidered designs for the ceremonial robes.
Whenever a new master was inaugurated, the sect held a ceremony, grand or modest.
At the ceremony, the newly promoted master wore formal robes known as the Fortune-and-Longevity Garment.
The name naturally had to live up to itself, so the robes were embroidered with numerous characters for fortune and longevity.
As was customary, Inner Sect Disciples embroidered the characters for fortune, while Outer Sect Disciples embroidered those for longevity.
Once the embroidery was finished, it was all turned over to the people at the Internal Affairs Hall, who would then stitch it onto the ceremonial robes.
"Who is it? Who became a master? That can't be right. As far as I know, Han Shu among the Outer Sect Disciples is still two settled treatises short."
Qi Jia Biao stared at Kuang Sheng and raised his voice.
Although Outer Sect Disciples were permitted to publish settled treatises, that privilege was limited to the very