Yufeng Pavilion

"What did you just say? Run that by me again," Xing Jue sputtered, convinced that his ears were playing tricks on him.

Her lips curved into a slow, confident smile. "You heard me. Be… my… boyfriend."

Xing Jue staggered back as if she'd struck him. "This is… this is insane! Am I dreaming?!" He shook his head, slapping himself on the side of his face, willing himself to wake up. "Don't… wake… up… best… dream… ever…"

The girl rolled her eyes, reaching out to rap him lightly on the head. He really was an odd one. "Don't get any ideas. Being my boyfriend comes with… risks."

"Risks?" Xing Jue puffed out his chest, striking a heroic pose, conveniently forgetting his current state of undress. "I laugh in the face of danger! For a woman like you, I'd walk through fire! I'd—well, let's just say, I'm not afraid of a little risk." He trailed off, realizing how ridiculous he must sound, standing there in his wet pants, water dripping off him, grinning like a fool. "I mean… there's nothing I wouldn't do. For you."

She laughed, genuinely amused now. "That's better," she conceded. "Now, stay put. Don't wander off, or get caught by anyone. If they find you here… well, even I might not be able to help you." With that, she turned and disappeared into one of the rooms that led off the main hall, leaving Xing Jue to stare after her, speechless.

He watched as she emerged a few moments later, wearing a long, flowing gown of pale pink. It gave her an aura of… fragility. Of innocence. Not that she needed any help in that department.

"Wait here," she ordered, then brushed past him, heading towards a set of double doors he hadn't noticed before.

"What is this place…?" Xing Jue breathed, taking a moment to observe his surroundings now that he wasn't entirely captivated by the beautiful, and utterly bizarre, young woman.

The hall was huge, opulent beyond anything Xing Jue could've imagined. It was clear to him now that he'd stumbled into something far more important than he could have ever imagined - a forbidden, secret place, hidden within a hidden place. Where was she going? What was she planning? It was clear she held a position of power within the Heavenly Wind Pavilion, and yet… she was willing to risk everything to help a complete stranger, for reasons he couldn't begin to fathom.

He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. He jumped back into the lake, enjoying the cool water on his heated skin. She wanted him to wait? Well, he could wait.

"Having fun?" Her voice, closer now, echoed across the water.

"Oh, hey, you're back!" Xing Jue grinned up at her, all traces of awkwardness gone. He'd made up his mind- he was going to enjoy this, risks or no risks. He waded out of the water towards her, extending a hand. "How was your day, honey?"

She raised an eyebrow, her amusement tinged with a hint of warning. "Honey?"

"You said boyfriend, didn't you?" He feigned innocence, once again flashing her a disarming grin. " I'm just getting a head start on my new role."

"We are not married," she said, her voice firm even as her lips twitched. "And don't push your luck, Xing Jue. I might change my mind…"

Xing Jue held up his hands in mock surrender, deciding to backpedal before she really did change her mind. She was clearly used to getting her own way, this one. He found himself actually looking forward to finding out just how much he could get away with. "Whatever you say… your highness."

Xing Jue's eagerness seemed to appease her. She retrieved a neatly folded tunic from a nearby chair, tossing it at him. "Put this on," she grumbled, averting her eyes. "I've seen enough of that for one day."

"As if I like running around half-naked," Xing Jue grumbled under his breath, although he quickly obeyed, pulling the tunic over his head. It was soft, luxurious, and smelled faintly of sandalwood – just like her. He quickly shoved the thought aside, focusing intently on buttoning up the tunic.

"Here," she said, holding out a blue envelope. "This will grant you entrance into the Outer Division."

Xing Jue's brow furrowed as he took the envelope. "The Outer Division? What about the Inner Division?"

"What about it?" she challenged, one eyebrow arching gracefully as she held out her hand, palm up. He got the message.

"Look, I'm not complaining," he backpedaled hastily, shoving the envelope into his tunic. It was probably for the best, anyway. Best not to get ahead of himself. Baby steps.

"Good. Now, off you go." She waved him away dismissively, already turning her attention to other, more important matters.

"You're not seriously expecting me to find my own way back, are you? Through all those tunnels?" he squawked, his bravado suddenly MIA.

She sighed, her irritation making her look younger, more human, somehow. "If you're really eager to find out what's out there," she said, gesturing towards the grand double doors. "Be my guest. But you're on your own."

"Alright, alright! No need to get your feathers ruffled. I'll find my own way out," He threw back his head and laughed, enjoying the absurdity of the situation. "Wouldn't want to leave you a widow before we even have our first date, right?" And with that, he dove back into the pool, vanishing beneath the water's surface just as she lunged toward him.

"Get back here, you… !"

A string of curses, muttered under her breath, was all he heard before the water closed over his head. She wasn't really going to let him leave, was she? He could practically feel her gaze burning into his back as he swam deeper and deeper into the darkness, searching desperately for the tell-tale shimmer that indicated an exit.

Hours later, Xing Jue staggered onto the shore of a different lake, gasping for breath, his clothes soaked through. He peered cautiously around him, and when he was satisfied they were alone, he made a dash for it, putting as much distance between himself and that particular body of water as possible.

"Well, that was… awkward," he grumbled, as he trudged along the mountain path the locals had pointed out to him. "Of all the idiotic things to do… Who takes a swim and loses their invitation to join the most elite sect in the entire kingdom?"

He paused, shaking his head at his own stupidity. He'd scoured every inch of that lake, but his letter of introduction to the Inner Division was gone. Visions of the girl – his 'girlfriend' – flashed through his mind, making his pulse quicken. What had he gotten himself into? This whole thing was crazy. And yet… he couldn't bring himself to regret it. He'd figure it out, eventually.

After what seemed like an eternity, he arrived at his destination. Even through the trees, he could sense the power radiating from the place. The Heavenly Wind Pavilion.

He emerged from the trees and stared at the towering structure, his mouth agape. The pavilion itself was a masterpiece of architecture, a delicate balance of strength and elegance, perched precariously on the very edge of the mountain peak.

"Here I come, Heavenly Wind Pavilion," Xing Jue murmured, squaring his shoulders and lifting his chin. He ignored the startled looks from the other initiates, the whispers that followed in his wake, and strode confidently towards his destiny. He had a feeling that his life was about to get a whole lot more…interesting.