The next day.

As always, the Tang Family's estate started the morning earlier than anyone else.

It had been so difficult to break the habits of those lazy bums.

It truly took a great deal of effort.

But it couldn't be helped.

How could one become strong by waking up when others did and sleeping when others slept?

To become strong quickly, one had to make the day longer by waking up early and sleeping late, and use every spare moment productively.

"Hoo-eup!"

Ah, how refreshing is this?

The untainted, fresh dawn air was especially effective for internal energy training...

"Those brats!"

Cheonyeong's face, which had been looking around with a satisfied expression after taking a deep breath, crumpled in an instant.

Straw mats, straw mats, straw mats...

There were straw mats everywhere.

These kids have gotten way too comfortable!

"Oh? Family Head, you're up?"

"Huh?"

Turning around, he saw Yongcheon and the kids smiling brightly.

Then what about those straw mats?

Ah, right, last night Yongcheon had brought some vagrant children he felt sorry for, hadn't he?

"It's the middle of the night, the middle of the night for them."

He understood.

Wasn't laziness the very identity of vagrants?

But if they came to the Tang Family's estate, they ought to follow the Tang Family's rules.

At the Tang Family's estate, laziness was a sin.

"Yongcheon."

"Yeah!"

Yongcheon, who had woken up for his usual dawn training, answered Cheonyeong's call energetically.

"Wake them all up."

"Huh? Wake... them up?"

"Yes."

"But, they're not used to it yet, so it'll be hard for them to wake up at this hour. You know that well."

"Wake them up."

"...But."

"Then wake them up slowly and send them back. To where they originally were."

"Cheonyeong."

Yongcheon went so far as to use his name, pleading with him, but...

"Should I do it?"

"Cheonyeong. Don't be like that."

"You want to leave too?"

"Huh?" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Fine, you leave too. If you're going to keep talking back like this. The Tang Family has no need for someone who talks back to the Family Head's orders."

"...I'll wake them."

At Cheonyeong's firm stance, Yongcheon's face fell as he went to wake the children.

The children, who sat up after he lifted their straw mats, rubbed their eyes, still half-asleep and bewildered.

The sight of them was strangely irritating.

Hah, he had spoken harshly, but he couldn't just kick out the kids Yongcheon had brought.

My refreshing morning...

But then a thought occurred to him.

The essential requirements of a family.

Clothing, food, and shelter.

Now that he had money, buying new clothes and food wasn't that difficult.

Shelter was also now resolved.

He had made a contract with Old Man Ahn last night.

Although the money was far from enough, he could just build one by one.

However, there was a lack of people to consume the clothing, food, and shelter.

The six of them had become siblings under the Tang name... but it was difficult to establish a family with just six people.

He had already declared them a martial family and reported it to the gods of heaven and earth, so warriors were an absolute necessity.

But who would come?

For a renowned sect, people would flock like clouds following their fame the moment a recruitment notice was posted... but the Tang Family's estate was different.

What were his martial arts?

The martial arts of an assassin.

He couldn't even boast about them anywhere.

Furthermore, there was the Samyang Divine Art, which he could boast was a peerless martial art.

Unless he picked a fight with a passing master to show off his skills, who would ever recognize it?

It was a martial art that no one else in the world even knew existed.

In other words, the Tang Family's estate was not a branch family that inherited the legacy of a famous sect, nor was it a place overflowing with money.

In that case, people's assessment was obvious.

The Tang Family's estate, no different from a ruin, a place that had to earn money by doing menial work because it had no local interests.

It was impossible that anyone would come to such a family to learn martial arts, let alone as a retainer.

The only ones who might come... would be vagrant children at best.

But if he just accepted any Tom, Dick, and Harry like this, he might really become the number one vagrant king in the world, just as the kids had said before.

But... was there any other choice for now?

Yes, let's start with this for now.

What does it matter if they're vagrant children?

What does it matter if he's called the vagrant king for a bit?

What's important is who teaches them.

Just you wait.

They may be shabby now, but it will be different later.

For now, it's a family composed of me, an assassin who can't even reveal his identity anywhere, and vagrant children who are pointed at by others!

In the future, I will make it a place that no one in the world can ignore.

And if they mock and point fingers?

I will break those fingers.

Having hardened his resolve, Cheonyeong took a deep breath and shouted with all his might.

"Everyone! Asseeeemble!"

Startled by the resounding voice, the vagrant children warily gathered in front of Cheonyeong.

The ones who had come to collect their two copper coins last night and got swept up in the atmosphere to sleep over were also among them.

In total... about twenty of them?

After sweeping his gaze over them once, Cheonyeong spoke.

"I! Am the Family Head of the Tang Family's estate, Tang Cheonyeong."

As he revealed his identity, the children stared at him blankly.

Hah, I feel so pathetic.

What am I even saying in front of these kids right now?

But Cheonyeong gathered his wits and continued speaking.

"From now on, I will make you all a proposal."

The children began to murmur.

"I will give you a chance."

"..."

"We met by chance, but I intend to accept you under the name of the Tang Family's estate."

"Excuse me... Family Head?"

"Speak."

"The Tang Family's estate... What kind of place is it? Is it a new vagrant gang by any chance?"

At one child's words, the area around Cheonyeong's eyes twitched.

Of course it would look that way.

Even the Family Head was sleeping on a straw mat in a place no different from a ruin.

"A good question."

"..."

"But the Tang Family's estate is a martial family."

"A martial family?"

"Yes, one of the martial world powers based in Ganyang."

The children's murmuring grew louder.

They didn't seem to believe him.

Anyone would have reacted the same.

He would be lucky not to be treated like a madman.

"You may not believe it right now! But, soon, a building will be erected here."

"A building?"

"Yes. A grand hall with a massive roof that supports the sky, and thick pillars rooted in the ground beneath it! And a training ground and various convenient facilities! Those things will be built here at the Tang Family's estate."

Cheonyeong boldly laid out his ambitions, but.

They were indifferent.

Of course they wouldn't believe him.

They were just words, with nothing to see.

The only ones who were puffing their chests out with pride were the five Tang siblings.

"Therefore, I wish to accept you as members of this Tang Family's estate. I will teach martial arts to those of you who become members! And I will open a path for you to become the future elite of the Tang Family! The name of the Tang Family's estate will become your pride."

One of the children who had been staring blankly at Cheonyeong raised his hand.

"Um... if we become warriors, does that mean we won't have to starve?"

"That's right."

"Begging..."

"You won't do it."

"Alms."

"You won't do it!"

"..."

"The moment you become a member of the Tang Family's estate, you'll get new clothes! And you'll be fed. Once the building is up, you'll be assigned rooms too! Do you understand what I'm saying?"

At Cheonyeong's almost irritable words, the children's eyes finally began to sparkle.

These little punks...

Here he was, trying to plant dreams and hopes for a new life, leaving their vagrant days behind.

But he soon let out a sigh.

Begging and alms.

For vagrant children, what could be more important than that?

"However! The process of becoming a member of the Tang Family's estate is not that easy."

"..."

"There will be difficult training. Only when you overcome all of it will you finally become a member of the Tang Family's estate. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes!"

The children answered in one voice.

Of course, the Tang Family's estate this and that was probably not in their minds.

New clothes and food.

That would be more important.

"But keep this in mind! What if you can't endure the training and give up? The Tang Family's estate will not look after you. Also, if you give up and leave, you can never come back."

"Yes!"

Watching the children answer energetically, Cheonyeong said to Yongcheon.

"This should be enough, right?"

"Huh?"

"I'll accept them like you said. But, I can't take kids who can't even endure the Tang Family's training."

"Hmm... I know. That's enough. The choice is their own to make. Just like it was for us."

Yongcheon nodded, seeming to agree on that point.

"Good. Then that's settled."

The wheat would be separated from the chaff.

The training would not be easy.

There would be a flood of quitters. No, perhaps everyone gathered here might run away.

"Baekgang."

"Yeah?"

"From today, you are in charge of these kids' training."

"Me? Not the Vice-Family Head?"

At Baekgang's words, looking at Yongcheon, Cheonyeong let out a sigh.

Vice-Family Head after Vice-Caption?

Hah, they're just making up positions as they please.

This won't do.

I'll have to create official titles for them at this rate.

"Yongcheon has something else to do."

"Really? Hmm, then alright."

"But you must absolutely not go easy on them. Train them exactly as you all were trained."

"What? Really? They won't be able to endure it..."

At Baekgang's worry, Cheonyeong let out a small laugh.

Did you guys endure it because you were born special?

I raised all of you on my back.

"You must."

"Hmm... alright. I'll do that."

"Good. Then from now on, you are the Master in charge of the Tang Family's estate's training."

"Huh?"

"Hmm... what would be a good name?"

Cheonyeong pondered for a moment.

Training Master?

It sounds too cheap.

If he was going to give a name, shouldn't it be a plausible one?

Dreams and hope.

Children who are just starting out.

Fostering a noble spirit to become warriors in the future...

"Right! Hoyeon Brigade!"

"Hoyeon?"

"That's right, Hoyeon."

A great and broad courage that has nothing to fear in the world, a noble spirit.

It's perfect. For those who are starting something new.

The useless Mencius is helpful in this way.

"Hoyeon, Hoyeon... I don't know what it means, but it sounds nice."

"Hoyeon Brigade Master, Tang Baekgang!"

"Yeah!"

"I'm counting on you for the training."

"Yeah!"

"...Baekgang."

"Yeah?"

"When the Family Head gives an order like this, calling your title and name... you don't say 'yeah', you say 'I will receive your command'."

"Ah! Hoyeon Brigade Master, Tang Baekgang! I will receive the Family Head's command."

Baekgang answered forcefully as he was taught and bowed his head.

Satisfying.

Though he's still clumsy...

"Good! Then the training begins! Breakfast is always after the training is over."

"Yes!"

Even their answers had become quite plausible.

Indeed, it seems the position makes the person.

"You know what training to start with, right?"

"Of course."

Baekgang grinned, nodded, and stood before the children.

"Everyone!"

"...?"

"Run~!"

"...?!"

"Go!"

Shouting that, Baekgang started running at full tilt, and the bewildered children began to run after him in a line.

As expected, the beginning of training is running.

There's no better exercise for building a foundation.

It builds lung capacity, and it builds stamina...

The Tang siblings, who were watching the children leave the estate following Baekgang, turned their heads and stared blankly at Cheonyeong.

Their eyes were full of expectation.

As if they were demanding something...

"Why? You think there's something for you too?"

"Uh-huh."

Yongcheon and the kids scratched their cheeks, looking embarrassed.

It seemed they were inwardly envious of Baekgang, who had received the title of Hoyeon Brigade Master.

"For you guys... let's think about it gradually."

"...Okay."

The children's faces fell in an instant, but where was the time for this?

There was much to do.

"Chunil."

"Yeah."

"Go with Hwangsama and get a tiger skins."

"Huh? Already? We haven't done our morning training, and we haven't eaten yet."

"Do it on the way. There's no time."

"Tch."

Chunil and Hwangsama pouted, their lips sticking out a mile, and left the Tang Family's estate.

What remained were Yongcheon, and Sanghui, who was stuck right next to him.

Hah, should I connect these two's fate or not?

Well, what's good is good.

"Yongcheon, Sanghui."

"Yeah?"

"You two go to the city center and bring back a few ladies to cook for us. Also, buy some ingredients for about forty people."

"For forty people?"

"We can't let the kids starve. Prepare plenty. It's their first day as members of the Tang Family's estate."

"Okay."

Once Yongcheon and Sanghui also left, the Tang Family's estate became empty and desolate.

"The benefactor is quite diligent."

"Ah, you're awake? Because of us, you were unnecessarily..."

"Not at all. The old lose their morning sleep."

Ahn Chilgang waved his hand and laughed at Cheonyeong's apology.

"Then since you're up, shall we talk for a bit?"

"About what? About how to construct the building?"

"No."

"Then?"

"First, about the ledger that your servant supposedly has."

At Cheonyeong's sinister smile, Ahn Chilgang just tilted his head.

And then.

"Keuk, calling it a family with a bunch of vagrant brats... why don't you just strike them down now?"

"Hmm."

Far away, two men with sturdy builds were looking at the Tang Family's estate.

Swords were strapped to their waists, and a snake pattern was engraved on their chests.

There was only one place in Ganyang that used such a pattern.

The Yin Hand Chamber.

They were secretly watching the Tang Family's estate.

(End of Chapter)