Seeing that Xu Shi had woken up, the simple-minded apprentice quickly greeted him and handed him a hot towel. "Would you like to wipe your face first, Master?"
"...Why all the sudden formality?"
Xu Shi frowned. It seemed that this wasn't something they, as master and disciple, discussed.
"It was something I did voluntarily."
Pan Ling said with a smile, "Although it is usually the mistresses who do these things, it is actually the duty of a disciple."
Although she learned a lot of new things from Xu Shi, she was still quite traditional in some ways.
On Silver Pine Island, the apprenticeship system involves three years of study and two years of service. The apprentice is responsible for taking care of the master's daily needs, and even helps the master take care of his children.
However, Pan Ling usually doesn't have this opportunity. Jiang Chengcheng alone is so busy that she wants to transform into an octopus and cling to Xu Shi every day.
Now that she finally has this opportunity, she should at least show her filial piety.
"You don't need to do these things. Studying hard is the greatest way to repay your master."
Xu Shi took the towel and covered his face, letting out a sigh like an old father.
"Whether you use it or not is one thing, whether you want to or not is another."
Pan Ling scratched her cheek, then said seriously.
"You've really gotten sharp-tongued lately."
Hearing her say that, Xu Shi couldn't help but complain.
"It's all thanks to my master's excellent teaching."
Pan Ling answered fluently.
"Okay, okay."
Seeing her like this, Xu Shi didn't say anything more and changed the subject, "How do you feel about being here with Master? Is there anything you're not used to?"
"Indeed, there are many things I'm still unfamiliar with."
The foolish apprentice said honestly, "But when Master came to Silver Pine Island, he was also unfamiliar with the place and the people. I'm sure I'll adapt quickly too."
"How dare you compare yourself to your teacher?"
Xu Shi feigned displeasure.
"A disciple need not be inferior to his master."
Pan Ling snorted.
"...You've really gotten to know yourself now, huh?"
Xu Shi angrily took the towel off and began to scrutinize his good apprentice.
After staring at her for a while, he couldn't help but laugh out loud again.
He wasn't really angry to begin with, and when he heard Pan Ling say that, he felt more admiration for her.
She had always been by his side handling affairs, and although she had learned everything well, Xu Shi always felt that something was missing from her.
Now he realized that what his foolish apprentice might lack was confidence, which he had finally cultivated step by step. Now he could actually say something like "A disciple is not necessarily inferior to his master," which was not a sign of disobedience, but rather a sign of ambition.
If Xu Shi's apprentice were truly timid and subservient, then he would be truly doomed. Besides, would she dare to be so rebellious? He'd be lucky if he didn't give her a good spanking.
"Where are the others?"
He asked with a relieved smile.
"They've all gone out."
Pan Ling replied, "Mrs. Su went to the company, and Mrs. Xia also went, along with her sister. Mrs. Gu and the junior sister took Miss Qin to find Mr. Ning. Everyone saw that you were sleeping well, so they didn't disturb you."
"Right?"
Xu Shi nodded thoughtfully, which was similar to what he had thought.
Despite the long journey, everyone quickly got back to work.
"Snake Ring" requires Su Lin to manage its daily affairs, and now that she's back, she'll definitely be busy.
Xia Wuyou brought Pan Feng along, presumably intending to train her into a real combatant; perhaps he'd even hand over the field operations department to her in the future.
This was his original plan. Compared to the teaching in the Hualan Empire, combat training in the City of Night Sin was also essential. He had seen it during the final battle: warriors trained with high technology were indeed of higher quality.
Xu Ying didn't mention it, but Xu Shi could guess that she was either being taken along by Qin Yiyan or still sleeping—she was really like a child now, very sleepy.
"But Qin Yiyan slipped away quickly. Was she really that excited?"
"Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that she has already approved of what you, Master, have done?"
Pan Ling had a different perspective: "I could tell that, although she didn't say it, her resistance had faded considerably."
She smiled and said, "After all, what you've done, Master, will have a very good impact in the long run."
In other words, it's doing good deeds, including the reconstruction of the Hualan Empire, which will bring many benefits.
Qin Yiyan isn't blind; she has the ability to think for herself and can naturally distinguish right from wrong. Even if she had prejudices against Xu Shi, they had long since diminished. However, she's still stubbornly insisting on her point.
"I didn't even know I was so noble."
Perhaps still feeling the effects of the alcohol, Xu Shi felt a little embarrassed by her words and gave an ambiguous smile.
"Maybe?"
Pan Ling neither confirmed nor denied it, "But I also saw a saying before, which is that a gentleman judges by actions, not intentions."
"Regardless of Master's intentions, as long as the results are good, that's all that matters. Besides, since these things were accomplished, even if Master has ambitions and wants to expand further, that's what you deserve, isn't it?"
"...You're right."
Xu Shi never expected to be lectured by his apprentice, but there was nothing wrong with what he said.
He does not deny that his starting point was far from noble. In the end, besides overthrowing "natural law," he did indeed have the intention of gaining more, which is why he went to great lengths to do these things.
But as Pan Ling said, these things also benefit others, creating a virtuous cycle rather than a short-sighted approach.
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