The ships set sail, heading towards the main city of the Hualan Empire.

"So how come you took on two more apprentices?"

Seeing Xu Shi with the Pan sisters, Pan Feng and Pan Ling, Xie Qingyan rested her chin on her hand and scrutinized her good fiancé with a mocking look.

"Just to correct you, it's one."

Xu Shi quickly waved his hand, "I only have one disciple, Xiao Ling. Xiao Feng is with Wu You. I am at most their master's father."

What's the difference?

The woman scoffed, "Isn't it the same whether you accept it or Xia Wuyou accepts it? As the saying goes, if you want to learn, you have to learn from..."

She wasn't the only one with this expression; Jiang Chengcheng wasn't much better, just a little more restrained. Yu Xingchuan and Ye Shanshan, who stayed behind on Silver Pine Island before leaving, were about the same.

There's nothing we can do; everyone knows perfectly well what kind of person you really are.

Even Xia Ke'an couldn't help but stare at her bad father with a strange expression, almost blurting out "Oh~~~". After realizing that she should be an innocent and good baby now, she quickly put on a sweet smile.

"You're spouting rhymes all the time, are you planning to take the postgraduate entrance exam?"

Xu Shi sighed and facepalmed. Just how worthless are my morals in your eyes? "Jealous of two little girls? Don't you guys have any sense of shame?"

We're not some lewd old man like Yue Chizheng with strange and peculiar habits, so that's enough.

"Ha ha."

Xie Qingyan, however, persisted, twitching his lips and letting out a dry laugh, "I don't believe you for a second."

Indiscriminate jealousy manifests as this: if you can't have something, you're afraid someone else will get it before you; your pettiness is on full display.

"Alright, stop talking."

Xu Shi quickly called for a stop, wishing he could find a word of "silence" to shove into her mouth.

This is clearly a very good thing. On a small scale, it's helping a friend by taking his children to see the world and broaden their horizons. On a larger scale, it's the first step in the opening up and exchange between Night City and the Hualan Empire... No matter how you look at it, it's a milestone-like great achievement. How come it tastes different in your mouth?

"Then why don't you take on a male apprentice for me to see?"

That scoundrel shrugged, "Who doesn't understand the道理 (principle/reason)?" But it's really hard to believe you in this regard.

"You'll have to find Brother Pan and ask him why he didn't have a son."

Xu Shi pulled the two girls aside in an annoyed tone, "Remember to stay away from her in the future, okay? This person has something wrong with her head."

The children are innocent; if you corrupt them... Oh, and doesn't this girl often swear? Goodness, I need to stay even further away from her...

"It's alright, Master. At home, Dad and Mom always bicker and argue!"

The easygoing Pan Feng didn't take it to heart at all. On the contrary, he found the interaction warm and interesting. How could it not be relaxing to study in such an atmosphere?

Pan Ling couldn't laugh.

Although the obedient disciple respected his master, he also knew that the other party was not as cheerful and sunny as he appeared.

It's true that his mentor's guidance was helpful, and it's also true that he frankly and generously admitted that he wasn't a good person, but he couldn't escape the darkness in his heart. He couldn't help but feel a little afraid subconsciously, not in the way of maintaining awe.

Moreover, her master seemed to be quite lecherous... However, Xie Qingyan couldn't sense this, and for a moment she didn't know if the other party was joking or telling the truth in a joking manner.

If what she said is true, then Master really wants to... hiss.

Having been exposed to negative emotions for so long, she's not as naive as Xu Shi claims; she can easily start overthinking things.

In just a short while, the obedient apprentice's mind had already conjured up a lot of strange and inappropriate images for children.

For example, being pinned against the wall by your master.

For example, having your chin lifted by your master and making eye contact.

For example, being spanked by one's master after his pants were pulled down.

For example, being lifted up by the master with a stick...

Ah! Help!

The innocent little girl, Xiaofeng, couldn't bear such a sight. Her face flushed red, and she quickly lowered her head.

Calm down, calm down.

These are all just my own thoughts, they might not be true. I've fallen into my old habits again. As my master taught me, I should remain calm and composed...

...What the hell!

Of course, one can remain calm about things that don't concern them, but what if they're not the main character in this matter?

Shouldn't we consider how to avoid being taken advantage of?

For example, I'm on top... no, wait!

Pan Xiaoling, you're hopeless!

The obedient apprentice began to feel that his ability was really terrible, not even as good as his sister, who was thick-skinned and stupid, at least she wouldn't be bothered by such inexplicable troubles.

"Hmm? Why is your face red?"

Xu Shi didn't pay much attention to her inner thoughts, and just asked a question out of curiosity.

He really didn't expect that his quiet and introverted apprentice was actually quite filthy inside—it would be understandable if it were a girl from Night City, but Silver Pine Island has a simple and honest folk culture, and the environment is different, so generalizations cannot be made.

He figured his obedient apprentice was probably intimidated by the woman's lewd words, so he rolled his eyes at her and said, "Keep acting up, just wait and see how I deal with you."

Xie Qingyan retorted without a trace of remorse.

"No, it's nothing..."

Pan Ling didn't really want to say it out loud, so she just patted her face to try to look as normal as possible.

"It's alright."

Xu Shi nodded, took her hand, and said earnestly, "Speaking of which, you were in such a hurry to become my disciple, I don't think I gave you a gift?"

"No, no need. Master agreed to take us along, I'm already satisfied..."

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