After greeting Zhou Ke, Wang Ye left directly.

On Zhou Ke's side.

Watching Wang Ye's departing figure, the evening lights gradually elongated Wang Ye's shadow. Even though Wang Ye's figure was no longer visible, there remained a shadow of Wang Ye, refracted from elsewhere, on the ground.

Watching this refracted shadow slowly disappear, Zhou Ke's smile became more profound.

"Wang Ye, oh Wang Ye."

"I never expected that I, Zhou Ke, would be outdone by such a young man when it comes to understanding every aspect of Elder Zhou Xuan Ying."

Zhou Ke felt a bit rueful, a bit nostalgic.

For a moment, Zhou Ke even felt as if he had grown old.

Tian Hailin, at some unknown time, had come beside Zhou Ke. Seeing Zhou Ke in a pensive and nostalgic state, he did not disturb him, but quietly accompanied him.

After a while.

Zhou Ke laughed heartily, with a heroism that felt lofty and expansive.

He turned to look at Tian Hailin, who had unknowingly stood beside him, and said, "Disciple! Today, we shall drink to our heart's content!"

Disciple.

These two words caused Tian Hailin's entire body to tremble slightly.

During the time Zhou Ke had Tian Hailin by his side, he always taught Tian Hailin in the capacity of a teacher, only referring to him as a student.

Teacher, master—though just one word apart—the meanings are vastly different.

Tian Hailin had previously told Zhou Ke that he hoped Zhou Ke could accept him as a disciple.

He was, however, refused by Zhou Ke.

But today, Zhou Ke replaced "student" with "disciple" when addressing Tian Hailin.

Tian Hailin first felt a shock, his expression somewhat bewildered. Soon, Tian Hailin grasped the situation, and immediately knelt on the ground, bowing to Zhou Ke with clasped hands, loudly proclaiming:

"Master!"

"Hmm?"

Tian Hailin's loud proclamation left a thoughtful expression on Zhou Ke's face as he looked at Tian Hailin with some confusion.

"You... what are you doing?"

Tian Hailin replied seriously, "Master, didn't you just call me your disciple just now?"

"Hailin isn't foolish! I know Master doesn't call names carelessly! So when Master spoke, it meant that Master had acknowledged me as a disciple! I'm conducting the disciple's ceremonial gesture for you!"

Zhou Ke was still a little stunned.

Earlier, Zhou Ke had actually been lost in thought, so he hadn't thought too much about how he addressed Tian Hailin, leading to a slip of the tongue.

If Tian Hailin hadn't done anything, Zhou Ke would have corrected himself soon after.

Unexpectedly, Tian Hailin reacted so quickly.

Zhou Ke locked eyes with Tian Hailin, and at this moment, Tian Hailin's eyes were filled with a steadfast look, surprisingly identical to the resolute expression that was in Wang Ye's eyes just moments ago.

With a sense of helplessness, Zhou Ke smiled and helped Tian Hailin to his feet, "Alright, disciple, stand up."

Initially, when Zhou Ke helped him up, Tian Hailin wanted to refuse.

But the words "disciple" from Zhou Ke instantly made Tian Hailin realize.

Zhou Ke had agreed to accept him!

So, Tian Hailin stood up with Zhou Ke's assistance.

"Alright."

Zhou Ke gently patted Tian Hailin's shoulder, looking at him with a mixture of affection and helplessness in his eyes.

He had been hesitant to take Tian Hailin as his disciple not because he was dissatisfied with him.

But due to wanting to avoid any appearances of favoritism.

If just a "student," when Zhou Ke would later pass on the position of the Wei City Mage Guild President to Tian Hailin, no one would be likely to gossip.

But.

If it was a "master-disciple" relationship, things would be different.

By then, people with ulterior motives might seize on the opportunity to create gossip.

"Ah, you."

Seeing Tian Hailin's face filled with excitement on the verge of overflowing, Zhou Ke said with some helplessness, "You should know, that acknowledgment earlier means something."

"It means that from now on, if you want to become the President of the Wei City Mage Guild, it will be much more difficult."

"You will need to prove your strength even more."

"I know!" Tian Hailin spoke firmly with a serious expression, "In fact, I've known this from the very beginning."

"Hmm?"

Zhou Ke was stunned for a moment.

His expression grew more serious.

Studying Tian Hailin before him.

After a moment, he sighed helplessly.

It seemed that Tian Hailin's eagerness earlier had a touch of forcing him to agree?

Zhou Ke looked into the distance: "I thought you were a blockhead who didn't understand anything."

"I didn't realize you actually understand everything, you just appear to be a bit slow on the outside, but you're not slow at all. Quite clever, in fact."

Upon being praised by Zhou Ke, Tian Hailin just laughed, giving off a simple and honest impression, "Master, so, shall we drink to our heart's content?"

If it were the old Zhou Ke, seeing such a smile on Tian Hailin's face, he would have believed Tian Hailin to be truly simple and honest.

But now.

Zhou Ke wouldn't be fooled by Tian Hailin's smile anymore.

Zhou Ke gave Tian Hailin a hard slap on the head and said with some frustration, "Alright, cut out the laughing! Drink to our heart's content? My foot!"

"Tomorrow is the exam day for the magicians; this matter is neither too big nor too small."

"But it must be taken seriously."

"If we get drunk, what if something happens during tomorrow's exam?"

"No worries."

Tian Hailin laughed again, honestly, "I warmed some yellow wine."

Under Zhou Ke's gaze, Tian Hailin revealed his thoughts:

"Today, seeing you and Wang Ye chatting so happily, I knew for sure that you'd want to drink tonight. But if you drink spirits, it could interfere with things, so I went ahead and warmed yellow wine for you."

"This way, we can enjoy a drink without causing any delays."

Tian Hailin's few short sentences left Zhou Ke feeling a bit emotional.

Thinking back on the time spent with Tian Hailin, he realized that although Tian Hailin always appeared simple and honest every day, giving the impression of being somewhat foolish...

But in truth, when it comes to details, Tian Hailin actually hasn't missed a beat.

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