The Hidden Master of the East Pavilion

The drive to Shanghai was uneventful. True to Huo Jing's calculations, they reached the outer parts of Shanghai in roughly two hours. As if sensing that they were near their destination, Zhuo Qing's eyes, which had been closed for the entire trip, opened as Huo Jing drove into a secluded compound and parked the car in its designated spot.

Seeing her boss looking out of the window, Huo Jing began to speak. "The renovations for your personal office and quarters were done as you requested. It is located in the hidden wing and is generally off-limits to most. Rumours have been going around the upper circles that you were finally returning after years of travelling but no news of your real identity has spread."

Zhuo Qing made a slight nod. "Good."

For the time being, she did not have any plans of introducing her true self.

Huo Jing brought out a sleek, silver tablet and handed it to Zhuo Qing who studied its contents. It was a personal profile of a girl named 'Su Qing.' The photo attached was of a stoic Zhuo Qing.

"As you instructed, your arrival coincides with the new recruits. I've also registered you under the name Su Qing under the Espionage Division, 19 years old. From Xi'an," Huo Jing continued to explain.

Zhuo Qing carefully read all the information stated in the profile. Apparently, she, Su Qing, was from a relatively well-off family. However, due to an accident, Su Qing's parents died and Su Qing was left alone in the world. Su Qing is adept in martial arts, and was recruited to the Alliance by Huo Jing. Originally, Su Qing wanted to be part of the West Pavilion due to the number of martial arts experts there. However, Huo Jing convinced her to join the East Pavilion's Espionage Division.

The more she read on, the more Zhuo Qing became amused. "Are you planning to write a script, Sky Fox?"

Sky Fox was Huo Jing's alias. As a member of Si Xiang, it was a tradition for them to have an alias which they were expected to use (especially during missions and official matters). Only when they are officially accepted disciples after their apprenticeship do they gain their alias. Their alias was akin to their identity not just in their Pavilion but also to the entire alliance.

Hearing her boss's teasing, Huo Jing grew a little embarrassed. "Well, I might have gotten carried away a little," she admitted, wanting no one to see through her boss's ruse. However, she might have gone a little overboard with the background story. "But is it really alright for you to pretend to be a newbie, Boss?"

Zhuo Qing smiled. "No one has ever seen the East Pavilion Master, right? I want to use this chance to get to know our people better before I officially introduce myself."

"But not even telling the instructors? Everyone's been looking forward to meeting you for years, Boss."

Zhuo Qing dismissively waves, "I want to see how capable the instructors we've been raising are. It does not matter if my identity is the East Pavilion Master or a newbie like Su Qing. Isn't it our Pavilion's expertise to find out a human's true nature? And If I had gone in and introduced myself as Azure Dragon, how many of them would believe me? In the eyes of many, I am still just a weak, young woman."

Huo Jing understood her boss's intention right then. It was true. Even she could not believe it when she was first introduced to Zhuo Qing years ago through a video conference call. For years, many assumed that the Azure Dragon of the East Pavilion was a man in his prime. Zhuo Qing never negated the rumours since it kept her real identity hidden and kept the people around her safe. Only she, Huo Jing, as the Azure Dragon's right hand and direct subordinate, was able to communicate with their pavilion master frequently and find out her real identity. And despite Zhuo Qing being younger than her by six years, Huo Jing has never once doubted the Azure Dragon's capabilities. After all, not a person could ever claim the position of the world's number one hacker aside from her boss.

"So, you're my guarantor, huh?" Zhuo Qing says, shifting the conversation back to Su Qing's profile.

To enter Si Xiang, it was a requirement for them to be recruited by someone who was already a member. This member would be considered the recruit's guarantor.

"Well, it was the best way to explain why we know each other, boss," Huo Jing replied. Zhuo Qing nodded in approval.

"Good. You've done well."

Huo Jing's eyes seemed to light up with her boss's praise. If she had been a real fox, she would even be wagging her tail.

Zhuo Qing handed the tablet back to Huo Jing and got out of the car. Huo Jing followed suit. The two made their way to the entrance.

"For the next month, Su Qing will be bunking with some of the other female apprentices," Huo Jing informed her. "The room number is 247 in the West Wing. Your roommates will be two apprentices from the Hacking Division and one from the Espionage Division."

Huo Jing brought out a metal card and swiped it on a machine by the door. The door automatically opened. Huo Jing then handed the card to Zhuo Qing.

"We don't allow our apprentices to leave the compound during their one-month probation training so Boss will have to be discreet if you want to go outside. The keycard I gave Boss is the master key to the entire compound."

By now, the two had walked through a long hallway that was dimly lit in blue. While this was her first time personally walking this hallway, Zhuo Qing was already familiar with the entire compound's layout. After all, she was the one who had designed the place.

Upon reaching the end of the hallway, the area that was once a wall began to part, revealing the East Pavilion's Main Hall.

"Welcome home, Master QingLong," Huo Jing said from behind Zhuo Qing in a voice that was enough for only the two of them to hear. The corner of Zhuo Qing's lips curved up into a small smile.

"What are you talking about, Miss Sky Fox?" Zhuo Qing turned her head slightly towards Huo Jing. "It should be 'Welcome to the East Pavilion, Apprentice Su Qing,' don't you think?" she asks, and while her tone was innocent, her gaze was full of mirth.

Just as Huo Jing was about to reply, a young man approached the two of them and bowed to Huo Jing. "Miss Sky Fox, the instructors from both the Hacking and Espionage Divisions are waiting for you at the Meeting Hall," he informed.

Huo Jing's stance became serious and nodded. "Alright. Thank you, I'll head there now." Hu Jing glanced at Zhuo Qing briefly. "Can you please escort Apprentice Su Qing to the West Wing? She is one of our new recruits."

The young man bowed again and replied, "Of course, Miss Sky Fox. I shall make sure to guide Apprentice Su Qing."

Huo Jing said her goodbyes and walked off, leaving Zhuo Qing with the young man.

"This way, Apprentice Su Qing," the young man said as he turned and briskly walked to the direction of the West Wing. Zhuo Qing quietly followed him.