Morning sunlight stretched lazily across the Ha Jin estate.

  Servants hurried about their duties, children played in the courtyard, and the smell of breakfast drifted through the air.

  Peaceful.

  Too peaceful.

  Inside the family residence, Hēi Lang was currently engaged in a fierce battle.

  His opponent?

  A spoon full of porridge.

  His mother, Lady Ha Rin, sighed.

  "Open your mouth."

  Hēi Lang shook his head dramatically.

  He had lived two lives. He had fought killers, betrayal, and death itself.

  But this…

  This porridge was too hot.

  He stubbornly crossed his tiny arms.

  His father laughed.

  "Our son has strong will. Good trait."

  His mother glared.

  "You try feeding him then."

  His father's confidence vanished instantly.

  Hēi Lang smirked internally.

  *Victory.*

  --

  Unexpected Guests

  The laughter stopped when the estate alarm bell rang.

  Once.

  Twice.

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  Three times.

  An enemy signal.

  Servants froze.

  Guards rushed toward the outer gate.

  Clan members grabbed weapons.

  Hēi Lang's father stood immediately, expression serious.

  Lady Ha Rin's eyes sharpened.

  "Stay inside," she told servants while taking Hēi Lang into her arms.

  But Hēi Lang already sensed it.

  *Bandits.*

  Not random ones.

  Organized.

  Disciplined.

  This was planned.

  ---

  At the main gate, nearly thirty armed men stood outside.

  Scarred faces. Rough armor. Dirty weapons.

  But their formation was too clean.

  Their weapons too uniform.

  Their movements too coordinated.

  Clan guards whispered.

  "These aren't normal bandits…"

  A man stepped forward, grinning.

  Their leader.

  "We come with a message."

  Clan Head Ha Min Jae, Hēi Lang's father, arrived.

  His presence alone silenced whispers.

  "What do you want?"

  The bandit leader chuckled.

  "We heard the Ha Jin Clan still holds its famous martial manuals."

  Silence.

  Everyone stiffened.

  The leader continued casually.

  "Hand them over."

  A pause.

  Then—

  "If you resist… we kill a few people. Return later. Kill more."

  His grin widened.

  "Until you agree."

  Rage flashed across the guards' faces.

  But the clan head remained calm.

  "And if we refuse?"

  The bandit shrugged.

  "Then accidents happen."

  His men laughed.

  They knew the clan was weakened.

  They knew the Ha Jin Clan couldn't afford losses.

  They were testing them.

  ---

  Inside the residence hall, elders quickly gathered.

  Faces pale.

  Because only they knew the truth.

  The manuals were gone.

  Destroyed or stolen during the Demon Cult war.

  Only fragments remained.

  Incomplete techniques passed down orally.

  Nothing worth stealing.

  One elder muttered bitterly,

  "They attack for something we don't even have…"

  Another added,

  "Someone is using these bandits."

  Everyone understood.

  A hidden clan.

  Someone wanted Ha Jin techniques without dirtying their own hands.

  Hēi Lang lay quietly in his mother's arms.

  But his mind raced.

  *So it begins.*

  Weak clans attracted predators.

  His past life memories confirmed it.

  This wouldn't be the last attack.

  Just the first.

  A test.

  Clan Head Ha Min Jae returned.

  His voice was calm.

  "You are misinformed."

  "We have no manuals to give."

  The bandits laughed loudly.

  "Then search your estate!"

  "No."

  Silence fell.

  Tension thickened.

  Hands moved toward weapons.

  One bandit stepped forward threateningly—

  Then slipped on mud and fell flat.

  Silence.

  Clan guards blinked.

  Bandits blinked.

  Someone snorted.

  A young Ha Jin guard whispered,

  "…Should we attack now?"

  Even Ha Min Jae almost smiled.

  The bandit scrambled up, furious.

  "You dare laugh?!"

  But their momentum was gone.

  Their intimidation cracked.

  ---

  Their leader spat.

  "Fine."

  "You have three days."

  "Decide whether manuals are worth your people's lives."

  He pointed toward the estate.

  "Next time, we won't talk."

  The bandits retreated.

  But their message remained.

  Fear spread across the clan.

  Because everyone knew—

  They would return.

  And next time…

  Blood might spill.

  ---

  Yet, inside the family residence…

  Life continued.

  Hēi Lang's mother scolded his father.

  "You almost smiled in front of enemies!"

  His father defended himself.

  "He fell!"

  "That's not funny during threats!"

  "It was funny."

  Hēi Lang clapped happily.

  Both parents laughed.

  For a moment, tension disappeared.

  A normal family.

  Laughing despite danger.

  And Hēi Lang watched quietly.

  *I'll protect this.*

  Not for glory.

  Not for revenge.

  But for this warmth.

  This home.

  ---

  Outside, enemies moved in shadows.

  Inside, the Ha Jin Clan prepared quietly.

  Weapons sharpened.

  Guards doubled.

  Messengers sent.

  And somewhere…

  Hidden clans waited.

  Watching.

  Waiting for the Ha Jin Clan to fall.

  But they didn't know.

  A future monster was growing quietly in their midst.

  Still drinking porridge.

  Still pretending to be a baby.

  Still watching.

  And remembering everything.