I Hate Red

Li Qingyang descended from the mountain on the same day and headed to town to find a good tailor shop. He paid a deposit in advance and, within a few days, ordered more than 200 sets of martial arts clothing.

Saving money was a wise decision.

Wang Jun often chuckled and instructed his disciples to wear brand new martial arts attire, gathering them at Sect training ground.

After a while, Li Qingyang's group of male disciples arrived first. They were dressed in purple gowns, short shirts with wide-open collars, belts for trousers, and wrist boots.

"Brother Er, isn't this outfit too attention-grabbing?"

"The collar on the short shirt is so wide that our chests are almost exposed. We'll definitely be teased when we go out!"

The disciples continued to discuss their attire.

The mainstream clothing in the starfall continent resembled ancient Earth dynasties. Wang Jun's martial arts clothing was bright, simple, and unique, which made them uncomfortable.

"Hey," Li Qingyang sighed.

He had seen the clothing sketches designed by their leader, and they seemed like a good idea, but the reality of wearing them was quite overwhelming.

After a while, the sisters from the inner courtyard arrived. They were dressed in red blouses, veils draped around their wrists, and slender waist ropes. Their attire highlighted their graceful figures, with short skirts and knee-high, fiery-red boots that added to their slender appearance.

This women's clothing departed from the mainstream, abandoning the cumbersome and large designs typical of women's fashion in mainland China. Instead, it embraced a light, simple, and elegant aesthetic.

Wang Jun often had a smile on his face as he selected female disciples who were not only skilled but also had attractive looks. They donned uniforms that accentuated their slim figures, truly embodying the concept of beauty.

"Wow!"

"Sisters, you look stunning!"

The male disciples huddled together, wearing silly grins on their faces, resembling a group of enchanted onlookers.

"Sister, they're all staring at us!"

"It's embarrassing to wear such clothing!"

The female members of the Starfall Continent leaned towards a more traditional style, covering their bodies modestly. This shift to simpler, more masculine attire was a challenge for them.

Deeply ingrained traditional beliefs, such as those of Chen Jiu, made it difficult for both male and female disciples to adapt to the avant-garde fashion created by Wang Jun.

However, whether they liked it or not, they had to adapt. It was the order of their leader, and disobedience was not an option.

"Master Sister is here!"

Someone shouted, and everyone's attention turned to the entrance of the inner courtyard. There, they saw Eldest Disciple, the beautiful Lu Yan, wearing a red blouse and stepping confidently in red boots. Her brows were knitted, and she had a stern expression on her face.

This woman usually wore a white veil, giving her the ethereal appearance of a fairy untouched by earthly matters. But now, in her fiery red attire, she looked like a stunning rose.

However, she was more like a thorn-covered rose, given the frostiness on her face and the fiery determination in her starry eyes. There was a unique charm about her.

The disciples quickly averted their gazes, wondering among themselves, "Who could have upset Sister?"

"Tread!"

Lu Yan halted at the front of the Yanwu field, her presence causing the ground to tremble with her powerful aura. The disciples behind her instinctively took a few steps back, maintaining a respectful distance from their Master Sister.

Li Qingyang shook his head knowingly. He understood that their Elder Sister's formidable demeanor likely stemmed from her opinions on the martial arts attire.

*Cough.*

At that moment, Wang Jun emerged from the hall, clad in a white gown. He moved gracefully with an eight-character step, a gray belt cinching his waist, and even his boots were a pristine white.

His custom-made headwear was white and elegant, giving him the appearance of a distinguished gentleman.

"Not bad," Wang Jun remarked with a chuckle as he walked, clearly pleased with himself. "I finally have authority."

Suddenly, he noticed Lu Yan, who had changed into her martial arts attire. He absentmindedly rested his chin on his hand and commented, "A beautiful woman like you looks stunning in any outfit."

He gazed into Lu Yan's eyes and saw a fiery intensity there, causing him to involuntarily fall silent.

"Head," Lu Yan said in a cool tone, "I detest the color red."

Wang Jun continued to smile, teasing, "But red is festive and lively, isn't it your favorite color, my dear?"

"Hate it, I just hate it," Lu Yan replied firmly.

Wang Jun smiled gently, realizing that he should be considerate in this situation. "My disciples are all here; there's no need for you to hold back, Lu Yan."

Lu Yan, too, recognized the need to control her emotions. She took a deep breath, struggling internally, and said, "If the head wishes it, I will wear it. My loyalty as a disciple compels me."

Although she often argued with Wang Jun, she was still a devoted disciple. Otherwise, she wouldn't be in this situation, forcing herself into clothing she disliked.

As Wang Jun observed the conflicted expression on Lu Yan's face, he couldn't help but think, *There's more to this than a simple aversion to the color red. There might be an untold story, a source of pain she'd rather forget.*

"I understand," Lu Yan replied.

Wang Jun gestured to Li Qingyang and said, "Qingyang, go down the mountain and follow this style. Change your sister's clothing to white."

"Understood," Li Qingyang acknowledged, then quietly wondered, "Master, what's going on?"

During their interactions, Lu Yan had been reserved, but her demeanor hinted at an unknown identity and background.

"Now that the martial arts clothing has been changed, it signifies the official beginning of your martial arts life. Starting tomorrow, your second senior will be in charge of your daily training," Wang Jun announced with a laugh.

Li Qingyang, who hadn't left yet, was taken aback. He was tasked with various responsibilities, from rebuilding the courtyards to modifying regulations, and now he was responsible for teaching daily practice.

Am I a disciple or a steward?

Li Qingyang sighed inwardly, thinking, "I seem to have fallen into a pit."

"Very well," Wang Jun smiled and dismissed them, saying, "You can all go now."

"Yes!" The disciples obediently left.

"Lu Yan," Wang Jun called out. "Come to the main hall; I have something to discuss."

Lu Yan followed him into the hall, expressing her willingness to accept any punishment for her earlier actions.

Wang Jun laughed as he sat at the head of the chair, resting his right elbow on the armrest, and his palm supporting his face. He remarked, "If I wanted to punish you, I would have done so already."

Lu Yan remained silent.

Wang Jun placed his other hand on the armrest and said, "I just wanted to know more about you. As a leader, shouldn't I be aware of my disciples' backgrounds?"

Lu Yan explained, "My name is Lu Yan, and that's my identity."

Wang Jun continued with a subtle smile, "I meant where you come from, where you live, how many people are in your family, and how much land you have."

Lu Yan replied vaguely, "I come from a foreign land; my parents are deceased, and there is no land."

Wang Jun wasn't satisfied with this evasive answer, but Lu Yan seemed determined to keep her past a secret.

"Head," Lu Yan addressed him with a slightly cold expression and a deep voice, "Some things are better left unknown. Knowing too much may not be a good thing; it can lead to disaster."

"Disaster?" Wang Jun chuckled and playfully touched his nose. "That sounds ominous."

"Let's leave it at that," Lu Yan insisted, waving her hand. 

"Since you don't want to talk about it, I won't press further. The female disciples will be under your guidance for daily practice."

"But what about you, Head?" Lu Yan inquired.

"Oh," Wang Jun cleared his throat and smiled, "I'll be in charge of supervision. Occasionally, I'll offer guidance to my disciples when they encounter difficulties or shortcomings in their martial arts training."

Lu Yan raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "So, Head, are you trying to be lazy and delegate the work?"

"Impossible!" Wang Jun laughed, feigning seriousness. "I have big plans to further the martial arts and make the Iron-Bone Cormorants renowned throughout the mainland. I can't afford to be lazy."

"Famous throughout the mainland?" Lu Yan pinched her lips and muttered, "Dreaming big again, aren't you?"