The next morning, I made my way toward the Inner Court pavilion, where Ji Ruofan had told me to meet him.
Even though I wasn't officially allowed in the Inner Court yet, the guards didn't stop me once I mentioned Ji Ruofan's name. That alone told me he had some influence.
As I stepped into the grand courtyard, I immediately noticed the difference between the Outer and Inner Court disciples.
Unlike the outer disciples, who wore simple blue robes, these disciples had varied attire, many with custom embroidery and distinctive symbols representing their personal styles.
Good. That means customization is already a thing here.
If the inner disciples cared about how they looked, I could easily carve out a market for myself.
But first, I needed to impress Ji Ruofan.
.....
A Meeting with Ji Ruofan
Ji Ruofan was waiting in a private training hall, leaning casually against a wooden pillar. His robe was plain, but the way he carried himself showed his confidence.
"I was wondering if you'd actually come," he said.
I smirked. "A paying client? I wouldn't miss it."
He chuckled. "Good answer."
Ji Ruofan gestured toward a small wooden table where a neatly folded black martial robe lay.
"This was made by one of the sect's official tailors," he said. "It's decent, but I want something that stands out. Something that suits me."
I unfolded the robe and examined it. The material was high quality, but the design was boring.... a standard cut with no personality.
I nodded. "You want something that represents you."
"Exactly."
I took a slow look at him. Lean frame. Swift movements. Sharp, but not overly aggressive.
"What's your fighting style?" I asked.
Ji Ruofan's eyes flickered with amusement. "Why does that matter?"
"Because clothes aren't just about looks," I said. "A robe should complement your movements. If you rely on speed, you don't want something that drags. If you use brute force, you want something that enhances your presence."
Ji Ruofan's amusement deepened. "Interesting. You think about this like a strategist, not a tailor."
He gets it.
I smirked. "That's because I don't just make clothes... I design them."
Ji Ruofan chuckled. "Alright then. Impress me."
...
The Design Process Begins
I sat at the table and pulled out a brush and parchment, sketching ideas while asking him more about his fighting style.
He specialized in Ghost Shadow Steps, a movement technique that relied on speed and misdirection. That meant his robe needed to be lightweight and fluid.
I designed a long black robe with crimson accents, slightly tighter around the waist but flowing at the arms and legs to create the illusion of movement.
The fabric? Cloud weave silk, light as air but durable enough to withstand battle.
The final touch? An embroidered crimson phoenix on the back, its wings spreading outward, giving the impression of movement even when standing still.
When I showed Ji Ruofan the sketch, he stared at it for a long moment.
Then, he grinned.
"This… is exactly what I wanted."
....
Unseen Trouble
As I finalized the order, I noticed a group of inner disciples watching us from a distance.
One of them..... a young man in an emerald green robe, was staring at me with open hostility.
Ji Ruofan followed my gaze and sighed. "That's Luo Wen, the son of one of the sect's official tailors. He thinks he's the best when it comes to fashion here."
Ah. A rival, then.
Ji Ruofan smirked. "Looks like you just stepped on someone's territory."
I smiled. Good. That means I'm already making an impact.
But I had a feeling Luo Wen wouldn't take this quietly.