*Shi Han Jun POV*

Han Jun watched as Li Qing and his roommate stood side by side. Now this is going to be interesting. One is very cold toward everyone and doesn't like to talk. The other is nervous to talk to people and is worried about impressions.

Han Jun turned his attention back to Bing Shi Fu who was picking lots. "Li Wen Zhou and Su Ping." Two people raised their hands and walked toward each other. Once they stood side by side, Bing Shi Fu continued drawing the lots. " Fang Han Jun and Hu Tiao Xia." Han Jun raised his hand and scanned the crowd for his roommate. No one else raised his hand. Bing Shi Fu also noticed it and announced once again, "Fang Han Jun and Hu Tiao Xia." Han Jun waited but to no avail.

Bing Shi Fu cleared his throat and said, "Fang Han Jun, maybe your roommate is in the bathroom. In any case, if he does not show up, you may have a room all to yourself."

Yes! I don't need to worry about my roommate messing things up for me. Han Jun inwardly celebrated.

"Let me continue to pick the roommates," Bing Shi Fu said. He drew a wooden stick from the container, read it, and drew another. "Luo Xiao Zhao and Wen Ping Xi."

Han Jun saw Xiao Zhao make his way to a young man who was dressed very nicely. Han Jun knew Wen Ping Xi to be the son of Wen Si who was in charge of the war and defense of the country. Wen Si had the power to promote or demote officials in the military and was in charge of making sure the military ran smoothly. Han Jun knew that if he hoped to be the emperor, he would have to be on good terms with Wen Si and the way he was to do that was to become friends with Wen Ping Xi, the descendant of Wen Si. The military had immense power and whichever prince could control the Wen family, that prince had the highest chance of getting the throne.

But that was only if Han Jun was interested in the throne. For now, Han Jun knew that he wanted nothing to do with the throne. He was sure that the First Prince was also not interested in the throne, but just to let Ge Ge feel at peace (in case he was wrong), Han Jun resolved to try to stay away from Wen Ping Xi. If it came between Han Jun picking the throne or having to pick Ge Ge, he would pick Ge Ge without so much as batting his eye. What could be more important than brotherhood?

When Bing Shi Fu was done announcing the roommates, he proclaimed, "You may all go to your rooms now and relax. Today at two, you will be able to pick who you want to study under, so be prepared."
    The students started to disburse and Han Jun made his way to his assigned room. It was located at the edge of the school grounds and was the furthest from all of the other rooms. He knew it would take longer to arrive at the school room. He now stood in front of a somewhat run-down building. Its once white walls were marred with dark markings and two corners of a sign hung down forlornly as the wind blew it gently. The double doors were closed tightly and on the ground was a thin layer of dust. Han Jun glanced around. The building was surrounded by white walls that rose above the school grounds to protect any intruder from entering.

He glanced at the door. Should I ask to change my room? Maybe it looks better inside. He strode up to the door but hesitated. No, I can do this, he thought as he pushed the double doors with both his hands. Dust immediately flew into his eyes and he quickly covered his eyes with his long sleeves. He coughed violently. When the dust settled, he took arm away. The room was not much better than the outside. A thin layer of dust was on the floor, and furniture, and on the ceilings. On some furniture, cobwebs hung down. Rays of sunlight penetrated the room and revealed dust flying in the air. It had an old, wooden, dry smell to it and made Han Jun gag.

Not being able to bear it much longer, he quickly fled the room, determined to switch to another. As he stood just outside the double doors, he bent over and put one arm on the pillar for support. He retched. When he was done, he straightened up and sighed deeply.

"What? Can't take a bit of dust?"

Han Jun jumped at the voice and spun around.

Leaning casually against the wall, was her, except she now dressed as a man. She had her hair in a bun like all the men and wore long flowing clothes just like the men do.

"How come it's you?" He asked bewildered.

"Why can't it be me?" She asked as she pushed herself off the wall and glided toward him.

"I-I just thought..."

"Hmmm. Still mad about me body slamming you?"

Han Jun's face turned red with embarrassment. He said nothing.

"Looks like I'm right. I still haven't changed your mind?" She inched closer to him.

He stepped away uneasily and replied, "You know, women aren't allowed to enter. If people find out..."

"That's why we keep it between you," she pointed at him. "And me." then pointed at herself. "If you tell people, the consequences might be worse than a body slam," she threatened in a low voice. She walked past him and into the room. "Now hurry up. We have a room to clean."

Before Han Jun could reply, she poked her head back out. "Don't even think of changing rooms. If you do, be careful that I might cut your tongue out."

Without choice, Han Jun reluctantly followed her in.

"Think fast." An object flew toward him with breakneck speed. Out of instinct, he caught it with his right hand.

"Wipe the table," she ordered as she pointed to the table in the middle of the room.

"Why?!" He threw the object on the floor. "Why should I clean this place up? I don't even want to stay here!"

She casually took a seat at the table and poured herself some tea. "If you don't do as I say, I'm going to have to tell everyone you were beaten by a girl."

"Bié a!  I will clean the room okay?" He said as he swiftly picked up the rag and walked toward a shelf, and wiped it. "I need to make good impressions."

"Hmm! That's what I thought." Han Jun glanced over at her. She was leaning back in the chair, feet propped up on the table.

He moved his hand back and forth on the shelf, making dust fly up. He coughed.

Realizing he had not asked her name, he said, "What's your name?" He turned around and strode toward her until he was right in front of her.

"Ah," she sighed. "I forgot people introduce themselves." She got on her feet and replied. "I'm Hu Tiao Xia."

Han Jun felt laughter boil up and he couldn't contain it.

She scowled at him. "What's so funny?"

"What a fitting name! Hu as in tiger. Tiao as in jumping. Xia as in scary. Putting it all together, your name would be Scary Jumping Tiger!"

"What do you mean?!" She cried indignantly as she started to chase him. Han Jun ran to the other side of the table.

"Hu is clearly a butterfly! Tiao means change and Xia means heroic! My name symbolizes bravery! Get back here!" She bellowed.

"No way!" Han Jun called, still laughing. 

Angered, she suddenly stopped chasing him and bent down, taking off her shoe and grabbed it, she straightened and lobbed it in Han Jun's direction. It hit him square in the forehead.

Han Jun was shocked. He didn't expect her shoe aiming to be so accurate. It took a second before he fully recovered. "Hey! How dare you!" He cried, furiously wiping his forehead. " You just made me all dirty!" He yelped. He quickly rushed out of the room in search of some water.

*Luo Xiao Zhao POV*

Xiao Zhao had just walked out the stall of the bathroom when he saw Han Jun using his left hand to bring his clothing over his right shoulder and fasten the end to his waist.

"You took a shower?" Xiao Zhao asked.

Han Jun glanced up from fastening his clothing and his face split into a wide smile. "Xiao Zhao!" He ran to Xiao Zhao's side and grabbing Xiao Zhao's arm, he started to sway it to and fro as he started to wail. "Xiao Zhao! Save me! My roommate is so scary! Please, Xiao Zhao!"

Xiao Zhao looked at  Han Jun's pleading face and sighed, "Now what happened?"

"My roommate is as scary as a tiger!"

"Who is talking about me behind my back?" A voice interrupted.

Xiao Zhao's eyes whipped in the direction of the voice. Descending the steps was a young man with smooth pale skin. His eyes ablaze with spirit and his hair tied into a high ponytail. His hair swung to and fro as he sauntered toward them, his arms swinging by his side.

He stopped by Han Jun and with daggered eyes, pointed at him demanding, "Were you talking about me?"

Han Jun tried to shrink behind Xiao Zhao, but before he could, the young man grabbed Han Jun's other arm and swung him around, forcing Han Jun to release Xiao Zhao.

Xiao Zhao watched as Han Jun was spun in a circle, barely able to stay on his feet. The young man released Han Jun who immediately ran into a tree due to his velocity. Han Jun struck the tree with a sickening thud and his body slowly slid down the trunk of the tree.

Meanwhile, the young man turned to Xiao Zhao and bowed politely, showing respect. "Hi classmate! My name is Hu Tiao Xia. What is yours?"

"Luo Xiao Zhao," replied Xiao Zhao as he too bowed.

Hu Tiao Xia nodded in Han Jun's direction. "Is he your friend?"

Xiao Zhao glanced at Han Jun who was just recovering from the ordeal and was slowly standing up. He sighed. "I guess you could say that."

"You guess? You don't sound too sure."

"Well–"

"Of course we are friends!" In a moment, Han Jun was by Xiao Zhao's side. Resting his arm on Xiao Zhao's shoulder casually, he continued. "We have known each other for quite some time."

Xiao Zhao moved from under Han Jun, making his arm drop. "We have only known each other for two to three weeks. We haven't known each other for that long."

"Two weeks is a long time!" Han Jun once again rested his arm on Xiao Zhao, not taking the hint. "All the friends I have made always leave me within a day. For some reason, they start ignoring me. You and Li Qing haven't done that yet."

"As if ignoring you ever worked," Xiao Zhao muttered.

"What did you say?" Han Jun asked loudly, straining his ear toward Xiao Zhao.

"Um, nothing. I was just wondering where Li Qing is," Xiao Zhao answered as he pretended to look for Li Qing.

"Li Qing? Oh right! I almost forgot about him! Where is he?" Han Jun asked as he started to scan the forming crowd of people. 

"Attention everyone! Attention!" The crowd of students started to quiet as they all turned their attention to the front. 

A man stood with confidence at the top of the steps as he observed his students. Both of his hands were resting on a stick with a round knob at the head of one end. He had a short black beard, a big nose, and keen eyes. As his eyes looked from one student to the next, he started to speak. "Hello, my dear students. I am the head of the school. If there are any problems or you have any questions, you may come to me and I will see what I can do. I am Shi Fu Jiang, by the way. Now do you have any questions?" He paused. Seeing that no one had questions, he continued. "Now, as you know, our school is the best in the whole world. I am sure you have heard that through this school, you can get a good government position. While that is true, there are other options as well. There are different masters of which you can choose to study under. Some include masters of medicine, martial arts, governmental positions, and a study on how to run a business or start them."

At this, the students started to murmur. The low hum slowly grew louder until it was so loud it sounded like the crashing of waves.

"Ahem!" Shi Fu Jiang said as he knocked his stick against the wooden floor.

The students quieted.

"Now, it is time for you all to decide which master you want to study under," he told them. "Masters! Please appear!" He proclaimed.

Suddenly, the students heard the clinking of tiles from above them. Xiao Zhao looked up. His eyes flew open. Five figures were in mid air above the roof. They all landed gently on the ground in front of the students.

"On your left is Shi Fu Li and she will be teaching martial arts," Shi Fu Jiang announced.

Shi Fu Li was a short woman who had her hair in a messy bun. She wore purple clothing that reached the ground and had long sleeves. She was barefoot and in her hands, she held a skin of wine. "Hey students! Do any of you drink?" She asked as she swayed back and forth unsteadily.

"Her? A master? Let me see just how good she is!" A student suddenly lunged at her with his sword. Her eyes widened and she threw her skin of wine in the air. She leaned back swiftly and spread her arms out. Her toes touching the ground gently, she used her inner force to allow her body to swing to his left and barely missed his sword. Once out of immediate danger, she used her inner force to propel her body into an upward position. The student came at her again, this time with his left hand. She used her wrist to meet his, stopping the trajectory of his hand. Flicking her wrist downward, she led the student's wrist away from her body and towards his. Realizing what she was doing, the student tried to use his other hand to stop her. It was futile. Without warning, she suddenly struck her hand toward his shoulder and hit him with a thud. Shocked, the student stumbled backward. His classmates caught him.

Sitting down, she propped her left leg up and held out her right hand, catching the skin of wine and taking a sip. "Anyone else?" She asked. She turned to Shi Fu Jiang and said, "Jiang Ling, how come you recruited another batch of boring students?"

Jiang Ling chuckled. "Li Rong, you hardly know these students, so how can you be sure they are boring?"

Li Rong rolled her eyes. "They look boring."

"Whatever you say," he replied as he turned his attention back to the students.

"Our next Master is Shi Fu Gu, and he is going to teach you medicine," Shi Fu Jiang proclaimed.

Xiao Zhao looked to Li Rong's left. The man had messy hair that stuck this way and that in all directions. Xiao Zhao wrinkled his nose. There was a sour smell to his clothes and his clothes were so filthy. There was dirt in between the man's fingernails. "Hello everyone," he replied cheerfully as he held up his hand in a friendly manner and smiled a toothy grin. "Under me, you'll learn how to best heal people with illnesses and such. I promise you we will have so much fun and–"

"Ahem, Shi Fu Gu, you will have lots of time to give your students a good introduction but for now, we will move on," Shi Fu Jiang interrupted. "The next master is Shi Fu Hu and he is responsible for..."

Xiao Zhao was no longer listening. Is he really going to be my shi fu? Can someone like him really be one of the best in Jiang Hu?

Xiao Zhao glanced at Shi Fu Gu who was looking around wildly and smiling his toothy grin. He seemed clueless. Xiao Zhao sighed. It's the only way I can get healed and live to find out my mother's past. I must study under him whether I want to or not. I have a choice but it's not a choice. The sooner I accept this, the better. With that thought in mind, Xiao Zhao started to brace himself for the uncertain future.

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Bié a(别啊):please don't

Shi fu (师傅):a respectful way to say master, Shi fu could either go before the last name or after. For example: Bing Shi Fu and Shi Fu Bing are the same thing except the word order is slightly different.