Beauty Too Great to Be Hidden

Because of the various second generation heirs joining, Returning Heart Sect's new disciples were never lacking in troublemakers, and the evaluation score was the sharp weapon the sect gave Iron Seals to restrain them.

After an Iron Seal helped a new disciple complete a Trial Mission, it could score the disciple's performance in that trial. The full score was 5. If an Iron Seal gave a score below 3, it meant that disciple had performed very poorly during the trial.

However, because some Iron Seals feared retaliation for giving low scores, while others might use scores to threaten trial disciples, such scores could not always be fully trusted.

But if an Iron Seal with a good reputation within the sect and a strong word-of-mouth reputation among Flower Crowns gave a trial disciple a low score, then depending on the reason given, that disciple might suffer a drop in their master's and the hall's upper ranks' impression of them, or, in serious cases, receive sect punishment.

And an Iron Seal who dared to give low scores either had considerable strength of their own or a powerful backer.

The sect also rewarded Iron Seals who were unafraid of retaliation and dared to give low scores. First, such Iron Seals would leave the upper ranks of the sect with a favorable impression of being impartial, upright, and willing to take responsibility, because what they did was equivalent to rooting out black sheep hidden within the sect.

Second, the sect would give such Iron Seals a certain Resource Tilt to encourage this behavior.

Of course, trial disciples could also lodge a complaint with the Law Enforcement Hall if they believed an Iron Seal's score was unfair. A Flower Crown specifically assigned to such matters would then follow up with an investigation. If it was found that the Iron Seal had used evaluation scores to threaten trial disciples, or had given a low score due to a personal grudge or some other reason, that Iron Seal would receive severe punishment from the Law Enforcement Hall.

Conversely, if the investigation found that the trial disciple had been making excuses, that disciple would receive even harsher punishment than before and might even be expelled from the sect outright.

For hundreds of years, Returning Heart Sect had used this set of rules for new disciples. Though it still contained quite a few loopholes, it was fair and effective in most cases.

Hearing Jiang Beiran bring out evaluation scores to establish authority right from the start, Fang Qiuyue immediately protested, "Why do you get to restrict our freedom to dress however we want!? What does that have to do with the mission itself?"

Jiang Beiran glanced at Fang Qiuyue, raised one finger expressionlessly, and said, "First, from now on, if you want to speak, say 'Report' first. You may speak only after I give permission. Otherwise, I'll deduct one evaluation point."

"Second, clothing is of course related to the mission. We're going down the mountain to carry out a mission, not to sightsee and have fun. Blending into the crowd and acting discreetly are our greatest principles. Do you understand?"

After hearing that, Fang Qiuyue curled her lips and muttered softly, "Hmph, you're just scared. You make it sound so grand."

Though she was ten thousand times unwilling to accept it, Fang Qiuyue did not dare storm off just like that. Jiang Beiran had been personally invited by their Protector to serve as their Iron Seal, so the Protector would naturally place special trust in his evaluation. She did not want to leave a bad impression on the Second Hand of the hall after only completing her first Trial Mission.

"May I ask, can we only choose Coarse Cloth Hemp Clothes?" Liu Zijin suddenly asked.

Jiang Beiran frowned after hearing this and said, "I already told you: say 'Report' before speaking. Didn't you understand? One evaluation point deducted. If you forget again next time, I'll deduct two."

Hearing Jiang Beiran's furious rebuke, Liu Zijin felt her heart beating even faster than it had when she was rejected last time.

This... is this what it feels like to be scolded? Not even my father ever scolded me like this while I was growing up. This feeling... is so strange.

"Hey! My fiery temper is flaring up!"

Seeing Liu Zijin get shouted at, Fang Qiuyue could no longer endure it. Just as she was about to curse back, Liu Zijin pulled her away.

"Qiu Yao, don't be like this. It really was my fault."

"But he...!"

Before Fang Qiuyue could finish, Liu Zijin shook her head at her. "Don't say any more."

"Fine..." Fang Qiuyue agreed with a pout.

After soothing Fang Qiuyue, Liu Zijin looked at Jiang Beiran again and called out, "Report!"

"Speak," Jiang Beiran replied.

"May I ask, can we only choose Coarse Cloth Hemp Clothes? I don't have clothes made from either of those materials, and I don't really want to borrow someone else's to wear..."

Jiang Beiran shook his head. "No. I already said that blending into the crowd is our greatest principle. Most common people down the mountain can only afford Coarse Cloth Hemp Clothes. If we dress too extravagantly, we'll easily draw attention. Do you understand now?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Report! Report! Report!"

The moment Liu Zijin finished speaking, the Yu Family Three Sisters beside her called out in unison.

"Speak."

"Will any style of Coarse Cloth Hemp Clothes do?"

"Do we need to wear Straw Shoes?"

"Do we need to wear Straw Hats?"

After hearing the Three Sisters' rapid-fire questions, Jiang Beiran replied, "Next time, ask one at a time." Then he answered them in order. "Wear only the most ordinary styles. As for shoes and hats, I'll make arrangements later. Go complete the first order first."

"Yes! Understood."

"Any other questions?" Jiang Beiran swept his gaze over the Five Girls. Seeing no response, he said, "Since there are no questions, hurry up and carry it out."

"Yes!"

Watching the five junior sisters turn and leave, Jiang Beiran let out a soft sigh.

Ordinarily, he was not this strict when serving as an Iron Seal, but these were extraordinary times. Five entire "time bombs" were gathered around him, forcing him to implement military-style management strictly. Otherwise, if any one of them caused trouble, it would become a huge mess.

After waiting in place for roughly twenty minutes, the Five Girls returned to Jiang Beiran at the same time, all having changed into the black hemp clothing uniformly issued by the Law Enforcement Hall.

Holy shit... is this what they mean by beauty too great to be hidden!?

Jiang Beiran's mindset collapsed. He discovered that even after the Five Girls changed into the plainest hemp clothes imaginable, it did not diminish their peerless beauty in the slightest. Instead, it added a hint of mysterious allure, making Jiang Beiran want to shout, I fucking can't take this job!

After vomiting three liters of blood in his heart, Jiang Beiran forced himself to pull it together and began considering what to do next.

First, he could basically be certain that the five junior sisters before him were all sheltered young ladies who knew nothing of the hardships of the world. On the exceedingly chaotic Profound Dragon Continent, most common people could not even fill their stomachs. Only those with power and influence could afford silks and satins.

The five before him clearly came from either wealthy or powerful families. Otherwise, how could they possibly have not even a single piece of Coarse Cloth Hemp Clothes in their luggage?

Moreover, their expressions showed that they were all extremely unaccustomed to wearing clothes with such rough texture. Every one of them had their brows tightly furrowed.

Sigh... this team really is impossible to lead.