Raising Orphans, Not Assassins-Chapter 67Vol. 1 - - Sun Sheng’s Drunken Confession! A New Skill!

Outside the Orphanage, on the Long Street

A lone figure swayed unsteadily, staggering toward the orphanage.

Hic!

Sun Sheng's face was flushed red, his eyes hazy with intoxication, and his entire body reeked of strong alcohol.

He stumbled along, swaying left and right, until he finally reached the orphanage’s entrance. Raising his head, he stared at the signboard above the gate.

“That’s weird… Why does our signboard have ten characters now?”

Sun Sheng stopped in his tracks, his face flushed as he stretched out a finger, counting the characters one by one.

“Let me count… I could’ve sworn it was… five… hic!”

“Five characters…”

He stared at the signboard in confusion, unable to comprehend how it had mysteriously doubled in length in the short time he had been away.

Inside the Courtyard

Chen Ye reclined on a lounge chair, eyes closed as he regulated the innate energy within his body.

Hearing the commotion at the entrance, he opened his eyes.

At the gate, Sun Sheng stood drunkenly, pointing at the signboard, counting with a serious expression.

Chen Ye got up and walked over. The overpowering stench of alcohol made him frown.

“Xiao Sheng? Where did you drink so much?”

Sun Sheng lowered his head, his bleary eyes locking onto Chen Ye.

“Huh?” He blinked in confusion. “Why are there three Foster Fathers?”

After a brief pause, he abruptly dropped to his knees and kowtowed.

“O mighty Foster Fathers above! Your unworthy son, Sun Sheng, kowtows to you!”

Thud, thud, thud!

The sound of his forehead hitting the ground echoed loudly.

Chen Ye quickly pulled him up, frowning. “Xiao Sheng, what’s going on? Why are you this drunk?”

Hearing those words, Sun Sheng sniffled, and tears and snot streamed down his face.

He threw himself into Chen Ye’s arms, wailing uncontrollably.

“Foster Father!”

“I’ve wronged you!”

“I was wrong!”

His cries were so miserable that anyone listening would be moved to tears.

Chen Ye patted his shoulder gently, his voice soothing.

“What happened? Tell me.”

With teary eyes, Sun Sheng clung to Chen Ye’s chest and sobbed, “Foster Father!”

“I lied to you.”

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Lied about what?” Chen Ye patted him reassuringly, coaxing him patiently.

“Foster Father… I never actually joined the Haijing Gang. Everything I said before… I was just bragging.”

“I only had an older brother I followed around, running errands in exchange for food…”

“Foster Father, I was wrong!”

“I shouldn’t have lied to you!”

“All of it was just talk.”

As he clung to Chen Ye, his tears and snot smeared all over Chen Ye’s clothes.

Chen Ye couldn't help but laugh.

“So that’s what this is about? It’s fine, it’s fine.”

Back at the orphanage, Sun Sheng often talked about his two years of wandering the streets.

He boasted about joining the Haijing Gang, having subordinates under him, and all sorts of grand exploits.

Chen Ye had always known he was exaggerating but never exposed him.

“But, Xiao Sheng, why did you drink so much?”

Between sniffles, Sun Sheng recounted his earlier encounter by the riverbank.

“It’s nothing, just two roasted chickens.”

Chen Ye patted Sun Sheng’s shoulder, comforting him. “We’re not short on chickens.”

“I don’t blame you.”

Hearing this, Sun Sheng was overwhelmed with emotion, tears pouring even harder.

He took a deep breath and suddenly declared, “Foster Father, I’ve made up my mind!”

“I’ll become a water bandit! My alias will be White Streak in the Waves - Zhang Shun!”

“I’ll build my own Water Margin stronghold and make you the boss! The courtesans of Yihong Brothel, the top performers of Cui Lu Pavilion—”

“I’ll snatch them all for you! We’ll fight side by side like father and son, like true brothers who take down tigers together!”

“A real man conquers the raging waves!”

“…”

Chen Ye nearly choked on air, his vision darkening for a moment.

Now he understood why Sun Sheng had completed the mission so suddenly.

Turns out… he wanted to be a damn water bandit!

“Huh? Foster Father, why are you shaking?”

“Haha! Foster Father, don’t be so excited!”

“I haven’t even finished yet.” Sun Sheng, face still streaked with tears, beamed with excitement.

“Once we gather enough men, we’ll recruit an elite instructor, like the leader of the imperial guards! With our army, I’ll conquer the world for you.”

“I’ll make you the Emperor!”

“And the Empress—well, we’ll take her too! As the saying goes, if you’re going to sleep with someone, it might as well be the Empress…”

“…”

Chen Ye’s vision went completely black.

Not only a water bandit—this brat wanted to be a damn rebel too!!!

…

Later That Evening

Da Ming returned from outside, carrying a wooden basin. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, the heavy stench of alcohol hit him.

Hurriedly, he hung up the freshly washed shorts on a drying pole and rushed inside.

Inside, Chen Ye sat by the bedside while Sun Sheng lay sprawled on the bed, his chest exposed, his face flushed, streaked with dried tears, deep in sleep.

“Dad,” Da Ming called respectfully.

Chen Ye glanced at him and briefly explained Sun Sheng’s drunken confession.

“When he wakes up, don’t bring it up again.”

“He’s already cried his heart out.”

“He won’t be able to eat dinner tonight, so don’t wake him.”

Da Ming nodded, grinning as he looked at Sun Sheng with newfound warmth.

After settling Sun Sheng in, Chen Ye quietly checked on the next room. Xiaofu was fast asleep, her breathing steady.

Chen Ye let out a relieved sigh and returned to his lounge chair, pulling up the system interface.

His points balance remained at 5075—he had just spent 2 points on a bottle of sobering medicine for Sun Sheng.

“No way half a gourd of wine got him this drunk…”

Chen Ye muttered, growing suspicious about the old beggar’s identity.

Then again, if he were some martial arts master, how did Sun Sheng beat him black and blue?

“I’ll check tonight’s records and find out.”

Deciding not to dwell on it, he turned his attention back to the system.

“System, redeem one orphan skill draw.”

[Ding!]

[Remaining Points: 75]

[Available Orphan Skill Draws: 2]

“System, start the draw!”

Chen Ye mentally commanded.

[Ding!]

[Drawing orphan skills…]

A blue, translucent spinning wheel appeared before him.

It spun twice before stopping.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the orphan trait: “Qi Absorption.”]

[Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the orphan trait: “Righteous Aura.”]

[Qi Absorption: Each breath subtly strengthens lung function and capacity.]

[Righteous Aura: Protected by righteous energy, all evils retreat. Luck improves, and the sense of justice is heightened.]

Chen Ye stared at the new traits, deep in thought.

“[Qi Absorption] seems quite ordinary, but it pairs well with [Water Ghost].”

“It’s perfect for Xiao Sheng.”

“But this [Righteous Aura]…”

Chen Ye frowned slightly.

Xiao Lian had already stepped onto the path of an assassin, and now Xiao Sheng was set on becoming a Water Bandit.

These two kids had already gone astray.

And Da Ming…

Chen Ye glanced toward the courtyard, where Da Ming was chopping firewood.

Sensing Chen Ye’s gaze, Da Ming paused, wiped his sweat, and grinned. “Dad.”

Chen Ye nodded in satisfaction, his tone earnest.

“Da Ming, among all the children, you’re the one I worry about the least.”

“Remember, we are just ordinary people. We live our lives properly and do things honestly.”

“A life like that may seem plain, but it has its own kind of richness.”

“Do you understand?”

Da Ming nodded firmly, his grin wide. “Dad, I got it.”

“Good. Keep chopping wood.” Chen Ye nodded.

“Alright!”

Da Ming responded enthusiastically, raising his axe and continuing to split the logs.

Chen Ye had made his decision.

He would give the [Righteous Aura] trait to Xiaofu.

This trait brought good fortune, but it also strengthened one’s sense of justice.

Initially, Chen Ye considered giving it to Da Ming, but he knew— too much righteousness isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes, it only brings trouble.

He just wanted Da Ming to live a peaceful and happy life. That was enough.

“Xiaofu, that little troublemaker—she’s already mischievous at such a young age. If I don’t intervene now, who knows what kind of person she’ll become?”

“If she strays even further, it’ll be a disaster.”

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Chen Ye sighed.

Then, he assigned the [Qi Absorption] skill to Sun Sheng and the [Righteous Aura] skill to Xiaofu.