When it came to clothing, Hokuto had thought things through very carefully.
The first idea was simple: if the group descended the mountain draped in fine silks and satins, it would certainly intimidate some lowly thugs. Seeing the elegance of Shizune and the other girls, such men might assume they were the daughters of some noble clan and hesitate to act rashly.
That would take care of the riffraff—but what about the spoiled young heirs whose minds were ruled entirely by lust?
With the beauty of Shizune and her four companions, if they went about flaunting themselves freely, who knew how many arrogant nobles, self-proclaimed heroes, and petty officials would swarm to pester them? By the end of this trial, Hokuto calculated he would trigger at least a dozen yellow-ranked side quests.
Who could possibly endure that?!
Yet dressing them in coarse hemp robes wasn't working either. Instead of blending into the crowd and moving inconspicuously as Hokuto had hoped, the five of them looked more like plump sheep thrown into a pack of wolves.
Think about it: five breathtaking beauties disguised as commoners—wouldn't that only drive the men in town into a frenzy?
Ah… it seems the things I prepared must still be used. I only hope they don't realize the hidden enchantments within.
With a sigh, Hokuto turned to Shizune and the others."Good. You all returned within the allotted time. That's an excellent start for us. Now, come with me—I'll prepare the rest of what you need."
By now Hokuto's authority as Iron-Seal Leader had been firmly established. Even Kata Akiyo, who had been the most reluctant to accept him, only curled her lips in mild annoyance before obediently following along.
They soon arrived at an empty pavilion nearby. Hokuto reached into his Qiankun Ring and pulled out five straw hats and five pairs of straw sandals.
This ring had been his gift upon joining the sect, engraved with the single character "Heart." Back then, Hokuto had been awestruck—something he thought belonged only to protagonists in stories was being handed out as a beginner's gift.
Later, he discovered the truth: every cultivator carried one. The only difference lay in the storage space. His own was about the size of a sack, which was considered standard.
Still, the ring was every bit as convenient as he'd imagined. Aside from living creatures, virtually anything could be stored inside.
When Akiyo saw the straw hats and sandals, she frowned again, but this time she said nothing. She had already resigned herself to treating Hokuto himself as part of her trial. If I can just endure this once, then even if I'm scolded to death, even if I'm expelled by the Protectors, I'll never again ask this man to serve as my Iron-Seal!
Setting the hats and sandals before them, Hokuto smiled."It's the height of summer. These are for you—protection against the heat. Put them on. If the sandals don't fit, tell me and I'll adjust them."
Shizune didn't much care for the rustic style of the straw hat, but she nodded politely."Thank you, senior brother."
She selected a pair and, sitting to one side, changed into the sandals before placing the straw hat on her head.
Hmm?
The moment the hat settled, Shizune's vision blurred slightly—then quickly cleared.
Akiyo, who had just taken her own set, gave her senior sister a curious glance. Something about her aura felt… different. But on closer inspection, everything seemed normal.
Maybe it's just because I've never seen Sister Shizune dressed like this. Still, she's Shizune—beautiful no matter what she wears…
Hokuto's lips curved in satisfaction as he observed.Perfect. The concealment array is running smoothly. Her aura has been completely altered.
After accepting such a difficult assignment from Protector U, there was no way Hokuto would appear unprepared. During the two days of waiting, he had devised this unique set of garments: a fusion of weaving arts and formation studies, which he named the Oblivion Outfit.
In simple terms, he had woven the Concealment Array directly into the straw hats and sandals. Together, they formed a mobile formation around the wearer, creating a subtle illusion that drastically reduced their presence. In a crowd, they would be almost invisible.
Once all five girls had donned the outfits, Hokuto withdrew five squares of green cloth from his ring and handed them over.
This was shōbu cloth, a common summer item on the Genryū Continent. Crafted from the fibers of a plant resembling the banana, it was woven into fabric and worn over the face to block sunlight and dispel heat.
Naturally, Hokuto's version was more than ordinary. By applying formation techniques during the weaving, he linked the cloth to the hats' concealment array, amplifying its effect.
"Report!"
The Yu sisters raised their hands in unison.
Hokuto pointed to the one in the middle, Yu Minami."You first."
"Senior brother, what is that you're holding?" she asked.
"You've never seen this? It's shōbu cloth, to ward off the summer heat."
"Shōbu cloth?" Minami's eyes widened with curiosity.
Looking around, Hokuto saw the same blank stares on all their faces. Clearly, none of them had ever encountered it.
As expected… the lives of noble daughters exist in an entirely different dimension from the common folk.
"You'll understand once you wear it." Hokuto passed her a cloth, then turned to the next sister. "What about you?"
"Oh, nothing—my second sister already asked what I wanted to know."
Finally, Hokuto looked at the youngest, Yu Mizue. "And you?"
"Yes!" Mizue nodded vigorously.
"Good. Then the three of you can try them on together." Hokuto handed them each a cloth.
"Wow, it smells so good!" Minami's eyes sparkled as she pressed it to her face, her delicate nose twitching eagerly as if to drink in more of the fragrance.
The other two hurried to put theirs on as well, exclaiming with delight:"It's true—it really smells wonderful!"
To prevent Shizune or Akiyo from resisting the idea of covering their faces, Hokuto had soaked the cloths in a honeyed solution he himself had brewed, infusing them with a subtle floral sweetness. He had then sealed the scent within a formation so only the wearer would perceive it.
Seeing the Yu sisters' joy, even Shizune and Akiyo grew curious. They each took one of the remaining cloths and put them on.
"It really does smell lovely…" Shizune began—but quickly covered her mouth. She had been secretly hoping to be scolded by Senior Brother Hokuto again, but if she lost two more points, she would fail outright.
"Report," she said meekly instead.
Hokuto's satisfaction deepened. He nodded."Go on."
"May I ask… what fragrance is in this cloth?"
At once, the Yu sisters turned toward Hokuto, their faces bright with the same question: We want to know too!
(End of Chapter)