Family Dinner

"Yes, Father of Night!"

"Kid, don't take after those nobles. It won't do you any good." Han Mingxuan patted Shen on the shoulder.

"I understand, uncle."

Shen relaxed and raised his pen to the top of the paper bearing the nine laws.

Using the High Gothic words he had just learned, he solemnly wrote four characters.

Nine Laws of the Night Bat.

Neither Shen nor Han Mingxuan could have imagined it.

In the days to come, these nine rules would become the most fundamental guiding principles behind the Eighth Legion's actions.

Even in the distant future, they would become the guiding code of conduct for the entire Eighth Legion and even most Space Marines.

As for the Codex Astartes?

Wasn't that toilet paper?

It was too rough to even wipe your ass with.

Over the next few days, the nobles lived in fear, but at least their lives were peaceful.

Then, on this day, the Bat of Eternal Night returned.

"Father, I'm back!"

The door to Han Mingxuan's room was flung open with a bang, and Curze strode in excitedly.

"You little brat, don't you know how to knock?"

"Heh, come on, Dad, don't worry about that. Take a look at what I've accomplished."

Han Mingxuan took the document from Curze's hand. Every item was clearly listed.

"Purged the die-hard gang members, wiped out the Underhive warlords who resisted to the bitter end, and exterminated the xenos monsters in the Underhive."

He looked over each and every accomplishment, then looked at Curze as he was now.

"Not bad. You've done very well these past few days. You haven't gotten any taller or bigger, but you've become much sturdier."

"Of course. Dad, with my abilities..."

"I'm not talking about your abilities. I'm talking about you."

Han Mingxuan set the document aside and looked out the window at the grayish-white sky streaked with orange-red.

"Curze, I've never doubted your abilities. Even if you took over the whole planet, I'd have expected it."

"What truly makes me proud and gives me a sense of accomplishment is the change in you."

"It's how you've grown during this time as Konrad Curze, as my son."

"I can tell from the report that you've made a lot of difficult decisions during this time, but I'm glad you've kept your head."

"That's helped you grow inside, son. I'm genuinely happy for you."

"Dad..."

"All right, that's enough sentimental talk. Go get some rest with your brothers."

"Take a hot bath, get a good night's sleep, and eat something nice. Relax a little."

"Bring your core members to see me in three days."

"But Dad, I'm not tired. You know what we're like. We can handle this much."

"You might not be tired, but your old man is. Now get lost."

"All right, then. You get some rest."

Three days later, in the Upper Hive, Han Mingxuan personally cooked a meal for the bad boys.

"You boys have worked hard lately. I cooked this myself to reward you."

Besides Han Mingxuan and Curze, several others sat at the round table.

Sevatar, Shen, Talos, Cyrion, and Agrid.

Talos was actually the one who surprised Han Mingxuan the most.

The Soul Hunter.

A veteran of 30k, a legend of 40k.

And there was fan fiction, too.

There was also Cyrion, who would later become Curze's personal assassin.

"Uncle, let me help."

"Sevatar, you stay right where you are."

"Dad, let me do it."

"Curze, sit back down too. I said I'm hosting you today."

In the end, Curze and the other young men could only sit obediently at the table and wait.

Curze and Sevatar were fine, but the others were all somewhat ill at ease.

"Brothers, don't be so stiff. My dad's easy to talk to."

"Heh, ignorant boy."

Why had this xenos popped up now?

What did you suddenly come out for?

Nothing. I just suddenly thought you're much luckier than I am.

Of course I am. Just look at who my dad is. I can guarantee you he's the most learned man on all of Nostramo.

And the gentlest man on all of Nostramo.

The Night Haunter said nothing more. He simply watched quietly as it all unfolded.

He watched the people and faces he knew follow different paths toward different futures in a different environment.

"Bad boys, come help serve the food."

At Han Mingxuan's call, the group raced into the kitchen and brought out all the dishes.

The Upper Hive really was rich in supplies.

Han Mingxuan had even recreated Chinese cuisine using this world's ingredients and seasonings.

Of course, the portions were all enormous.

Everyone at the table had a considerable appetite, especially Curze.

"All right, boys, consider this a family dinner. Eat as much as you like."

The moment Han Mingxuan called it a family dinner, everyone there tensed up.

Their eyes even held a trace of alarm.

"What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking?"

"No... Uncle, if this is a family dinner, I think we should be more formal."

Without a word, Han Mingxuan picked up the chopsticks he had made and rapped Sevatar on the head.

"Uncle, I..."

The others shot to their feet.

This seemed to be the first time their uncle had ever struck anyone.

Because of that, they were all a little fearful.

"Let me ask you, who is Curze? This Konrad Curze sitting right in front of you."

"Sir! He's our boss!"

"Then what is your relationship with him?"

"Sir! He's our boss, our commander, and our brother!"

Smack!

Han Mingxuan rapped Talos, who had shouted the loudest, with a chopstick.

"Then what is my relationship with him?"

"Sir! You're the boss's father, and our uncle!"

"So you all knew that."

Han Mingxuan went on in a tone of exasperation. "On the battlefield, you're brothers who can entrust your backs to one another. You and my son have been through life and death together."

"I didn't ask you to call me uncle just to win you over."

"Since you're my son's friends, you lose nothing by calling me uncle, and I'm worthy of the title."

"Put it this way: in my eyes, you're no different from Curze."

"I genuinely regard Curze as my son, and I genuinely regard you as my nephews. There are a few too many nephews, but I don't mind."

Buzz...

These boys had grown up without fathers or mothers, adopted or raised like dogs, and involved in gangs from childhood.

At that moment, they felt their heads buzz.

Their noses began to sting, and their eyelids blinked uncontrollably.

It was to keep the tears from slipping down the corners of their eyes.

An ache pent up in their hearts for decades kept surging, mixed with bitterness.

Beneath those surging emotions, they could feel something wondrous.

It was as though, on this planet, in this instant, they had found a sense of security.

They had roots.

"Uncle, I..."

"I'm no ambitious man, just an ordinary person."

Since they're my son's friends, I have to do this for his sake.

"Besides, you're all outstanding. The facts have proved it, so you don't need to doubt yourselves."

"Now eat. If anyone dares waste food, I'll make him unclog the toilets."