Due to the presence of various privileged young masters and misses among the new disciples of the Heart Returning Sect, troublemakers were never in short supply. The evaluation system was the sect's weapon to restrain them through the Iron Seals.
After helping new disciples complete their Trial Missions, the Iron Seals could rate their performance on a scale of 1 to 5. A score below 3 indicated poor performance during the trial. However, because some Iron Seals feared retaliation for low scores or used ratings to threaten trial disciples, these evaluations couldn't always be fully trusted.
Yet if an Iron Seal with good reputation in the sect and positive standing with the assigning elders gave a low score to a trial disciple, depending on the reason, the disciple might either lose face with their master and senior sect members or face sect punishment.
Iron Seals who dared give low scores either had strong personal abilities or powerful backing. The sect rewarded such fearless evaluators - first by earning them a reputation for fairness and integrity among senior members, as they helped weed out bad apples. Second, the sect would allocate them additional resources to encourage this behavior.
Of course, trial disciples could complain to the Law Enforcement Hall about unfair scores. Special assigning elders would investigate. If the Iron Seal was found to have used scores to threaten disciples or given low marks due to personal grudges, they would face severe punishment.
Conversely, if the trial disciple was found to be making excuses, they would receive harsher punishment than before, possibly even expulsion. For centuries, the Heart Returning Sect had used this system with new disciples. While not perfect, it remained generally fair and effective.
Hearing Jiang Beiran immediately use the evaluation system to assert authority, Fang Qiuyao protested: "Why should you get to restrict our clothing choices? What does that have to do with the mission?" Jiang Beiran glanced at her expressionlessly and raised one finger.
"First point: From now on, you must say 'report' and wait for my permission before speaking. Otherwise, I'll deduct evaluation points."
"Second point: Clothing absolutely relates to the mission. We're going down the mountain to complete a task, not sightsee. Blending in and maintaining low profiles are our primary operational principles. Understood?"
Fang Qiuyao pouted and muttered: "Hmph, just say you're scared. Making it sound so noble." Though seething with dissatisfaction, she didn't dare storm off.
After all, Jiang Beiran had been personally requested by their Guardian to serve as Iron Seal. His evaluations would carry extra weight, and she didn't want to make a bad impression on the hall's second-in-command during her first trial mission.
"May I ask if we can only choose coarse cloth or hemp clothing?"
Liu Zijin suddenly inquired. Jiang Beiran frowned.
"I just said you must say 'report' before speaking. Didn't you understand? Deduct one evaluation point. Next time it'll be two points."
Hearing Jiang Beiran's angry reprimand, Liu Zijin felt her heart pound even faster than when she'd been rejected before. 'This...this is what being scolded feels like? Even my father never reprimanded me like this growing up.
This feeling...it's so unusual.'
"Hey! That's it for my temper!"
Seeing Liu Zijin shouted at, Fang Qiuyao couldn't hold back anymore. Just as she was about to retort, Liu Zijin pulled her back.
"Qiuyao, don't. This was my mistake."
"But he—!"
Before Fang Qiuyao could continue, Liu Zijin shook her head: "Enough."
"Fine..."
Fang Qiuyao agreed reluctantly, pouting. After calming Fang Qiuyao, Liu Zijin turned back to Jiang Beiran and called out: "Report!"
"Speak."
Jiang Beiran responded.
"May I ask if we can only choose coarse cloth or hemp clothing? I don't have clothes made of these materials, and I'd prefer not to borrow others'..."
Jiang Beiran shook his head.
"No. As I said, blending in is our primary operational principle. Most common folk below the mountain can only afford coarse hemp clothing. If we dress too luxuriously, we'll attract attention. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Report! (Report!) (Report!)"
The moment Liu Zijin finished speaking, the three Yu sisters called out simultaneously.
"Speak."
"Can the coarse hemp clothing be any style?"
"Should we wear straw sandals?"
"Should we wear straw hats?"
After their rapid-fire questions, Jiang Beiran replied: "Next time, ask one by one." Then he answered each: "Wear the most ordinary styles of clothing. As for shoes and hats, I'll arrange that later.
First, complete the initial order."
"Yes! Understood."
"Any other questions?"
Jiang Beiran scanned all five girls. Seeing no response, he said: "Since there are no more questions, go carry out your orders."
"Yes!"
Watching the five junior sisters depart, Jiang Beiran sighed softly. Normally as an Iron Seal he wouldn't be so strict, but these were extraordinary circumstances. With five "time bombs" surrounding him, he had to enforce military-style discipline.
Any one of them causing trouble would mean big problems. After waiting about twenty minutes, all five girls returned before Jiang Beiran, now dressed in identical black hemp robes issued by the Law Enforcement Hall. 'Damn...so this is what they mean by natural beauty cannot be hidden!?'
Jiang Beiran's mentality collapsed. Even in the plainest hemp clothing, the girls' breathtaking beauty remained undiminished, even gaining a mysterious alluring quality that made him want to shout 'I really can't handle this job!' After internally vomiting blood three times, Jiang Beiran pulled himself together to plan next steps.
Firstly, he was certain these five junior sisters were privileged young misses who knew nothing of hardship. On the chaotic Mysterious Dragon Continent, most commoners struggled to eat, let alone afford fine silks. That these five didn't even own coarse hemp clothing showed their families were either wealthy or powerful.
Their expressions also revealed discomfort with the rough fabric, each frowning in displeasure. 'Sigh...this team will truly be difficult to lead.'
(Chapter End)