Even my sister, that idiot, was the same. Although she was more deeply involved than me before, she gradually came to her senses and distanced herself from the other person.

And all of this, in the final analysis, is because of meeting Xu Shi, or rather, because of deviating from the original plot track, right?

In the master's words, the so-called "protagonist" has lost the "filter".

This is a very interesting question: regardless of whether you have it or lose it, where does the "filter" itself come from?

It obviously didn't spring from a crack in the rock.

More likely, it's an arrangement made behind the scenes by "Heavenly Principle".

So how did they do that?

Um……

She probably had some ideas of her own, but these ideas were not yet fully formed, so she couldn't say them outright.

It's no use telling Qin Yiyan; she'd have to be able to understand it anyway.

Pan Ling is now a mature young woman who knows that if she has any ideas, especially those that could be considered groundbreaking, it's best to refine them as much as possible before telling her master. That way, she can show that she hasn't wasted her time as his apprentice.

Besides, if I were to make up some nonsense, I might get a spanking from my master...

"...As for Luo Yu, now that you mention it, I think I've realized that he's not as outstanding as I thought."

Qin Yiyan had no idea what she was thinking; she herself was still a step behind.

But she also had her own questions: "On the other hand, what kind of person do you think Xu Shi is?"

You mean your master?

Pan Ling blinked. "Master... he's a bad person."

"Um?!"

Qin Yiyan was clearly surprised that her apprentice, Pan Ling, would say such things about her master, and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Master is a bad person. His humanity has always been... quite terrible."

The apprentice's tone was somewhat sarcastic, "You don't need to ask me about this; you can figure it out yourself, right?"

Of course I can tell! But it's strange that you're saying it like that, you know?

The red-haired older sister was dumbfounded. Actually, her intention in asking the question wasn't very good; she was somewhat thinking of "using your words to refute you."

Luo Yu may not be outstanding, but is Xu Shi necessarily good? If you still blindly follow him, does that mean that Xu Shi is also viewed through a so-called "filter"?

If you say no, then why are you following someone with such a bad character? If so, then is he the same kind of person as Luo Yu?

This actually carries a bit of preconceived personal emotion. It's not that just because she discovered Luo Yu wasn't outstanding, she could admit that Xu Shi was outstanding. It's not that easy to be so awkward.

But since you've admitted it so readily, how am I supposed to continue?

"Look, you're in a hurry again."

Pan Ling had truly mastered her master's teachings, even replicating his way of speaking. "You haven't forgotten that I can hear your thoughts, have you? How could I not know what you're thinking?"

"..."

Qin Yiyan turned her head away guiltily, forgetting about this whole thing in her haste, which was incredibly embarrassing.

"Of course, I'm telling the truth."

Pan Ling continued, "Because my master told me that he is not the 'protagonist,' but the 'villain.'"

"Villain?"

The red-haired silly girl frowned.

"Yeah, he complained to me about it, saying that if things had gone according to the original plot, he would most likely have been trampled underfoot by the 'protagonist' of their city-state and used as a stepping stone, and then die a miserable death or something."

Pan Ling nodded, "It was only by a stroke of luck that this outcome was avoided."

A mere coincidence?

Qin Yiyan didn't believe such a flimsy explanation. After all, the Hualan Empire had just experienced a major upheaval, and the city-states of Xushi must have gone through something no worse.

No wonder his actions seemed so targeted... So you've already been through this once before? Are you trying to play with us based on your previous experience?

She suddenly felt a little resentful.

"Don't be so unconvinced. If that's the case, then Master also killed their city-state's 'protagonist' before, didn't he?"

Pan Ling is definitely blindly siding with Xu Shi, and there's nothing wrong with what she said.

He didn't come here to vent because he lost before; he's been winning all along.

"As for why I can tell you so frankly that my master is a bad person, it's because it doesn't matter to me at all."

She continued, "Whether he was a good person or a bad person, he was my mentor, and he taught me a lot when I was confused."

Before meeting Xu Shi, she was just an indecisive and dark-hearted little girl, and in the end, she would probably just end up with Luo Yu in a muddle.

Even by today's standards, she feels like her life is over.

"Or rather, the master's character, the things he has to do, and his abilities are not contradictory."

She finished the last bite of her dessert, then slowly stood up. "After all, not everything in this world can be simply defined as 'good' or 'bad,' don't you agree, Commander Qin?"

"this……"

Qin Yiyan didn't know how to answer.

It can only be said that her recent experiences have overturned many of her perceptions, and she no longer has the confidence to say many things.

"Of course, I believe you won't change your mind so easily. You might even feel that because I've been with my master for so long, I'll unconsciously defend him in whatever I say or do."

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