My Father Is the Number One Under Heaven - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 24. Morning Running
“Excuse me, might I have a word?”
Habuk Peng Family Estate.
As Yeo Unhui strolled through the meticulously tended gardens, someone approached and addressed him.
He appeared to be a martial artist in service to the Peng family, and bore the insignia that only those holding the rank of Commander wore.
“What is it?”
At Yeo Unhui’s words, Noh Ilbong’s face twitched for an instant.
It was because of how naturally he had spoken—the casual deference of an equal addressing a subordinate.
Yet Yeo Unhui was the husband of Peng Seoyeon, the eldest daughter of the household head.
Such a manner of speaking was, perhaps, entirely fitting.
The trouble was that most of the Peng family, Noh Ilbong included, had yet to accept this fact.
‘Look at this man.’
His insides twisted, but that was not what mattered now.
Noh Ilbong soon composed himself and offered a thin smile.
“It is simply that you have newly become a member of our household, and I regret that we have had so little exchange. I presumed to extend this invitation, hoping to remedy that.”
“I see.”
“I have heard that you devote yourself primarily to scholarly pursuits, but if it would suit you, might you not join us for morning exercise?”
“Morning exercise?”
“Yes. We merely run a lap or two around the grounds each morning—nothing so strenuous that you need fear it.”
“Hmm.”
“It would serve as an opportunity to attend to your health while continuing your studies, would it not?”
Noh Ilbong coaxed him gently, his round eyes narrowing with persuasion.
Yet despite his casual tone, the morning run of the Habuk Peng Family Estate was known among the martial artists as Hell’s Morning Run.
It was far from the light, leisurely sprint he had described.
It had become almost traditional for a strong, healthy newcomer to vomit and collapse on the very first day.
Of course, there was no reason this scholarly gentleman would know such a thing.
“Hmm.”
Yeo Unhui paused briefly before nodding.
“Very well. I shall do so.”
At his assent, Noh Ilbong broke into a pleased smile.
“Then I shall see you early tomorrow morning.”
With that, Yeo Unhui turned and went on his way.
Watching his retreating figure, Noh Ilbong’s expression shifted to a malicious grin entirely at odds with his earlier courtesy.
Tomorrow, that scholarly fool would taste Hell itself.
He would watch the man sprawl ignominiously and retch, doing nothing but laugh at the spectacle.
Kekeke.
The mere thought thrilled him.
Noh Ilbong found himself eager for morning to arrive.
***
Early morning, when the cold air of dawn had not yet lifted.
Peng Seoyeon stirred awake at the sound of rustling beside her.
Rubbing her eyes drowsily and half-rising, she caught sight of Yeo Unhui preparing to venture out.
“Where are you going?”
“Ah, just out for a light morning run.”
“A run?”
“Yes. I’ve been invited.”
An invitation at this hour seemed strange.
Peng Seoyeon tilted her head at her husband’s cryptic reply.
Lately, he had seemed perpetually occupied, rushing about since early morning on some business or other.
“I’ll return shortly.”
With a slight smile toward the bewildered Peng Seoyeon, Yeo Unhui turned to leave.
***
Peng Seojin, who had been reviewing documents regarding family affairs, suddenly looked up.
“Morning run?”
“Yes.”
Peng Seojin’s brow furrowed.
The report had come from Heo Ugilk, the man who served as his right hand and deputy commander of the Baekho Unit.
Peng Seojin himself was the commander of the Baekho Unit.
In any case, Peng Seojin was well aware that the sentiment within the Peng family toward Yeo Unhui had been steadily deteriorating of late.
Therefore, though his father Peng Mugang had declared he would offer no further assistance, Peng Seojin found he could not simply stand idle and observe.
Yet for Peng Seojin to step in himself and forbid anyone from touching Yeo Unhui would only be pouring gasoline on the fire of his own resentment toward the man.
So Peng Seojin had quietly assigned one of his confidants to watch over Yeo Unhui.
To ensure he wouldn’t cross any lines.
But a morning run, of all things.
This was entirely unexpected—something he hadn’t anticipated at all.
“Ha, this is troublesome.”
If the warriors had simply invited Yeo Unhui to join them for a morning run and he’d cheerfully accepted, then Peng Seojin would have no grounds to interfere.
Of course, if it were merely an ordinary morning run, there would be no problem whatsoever.
But Peng Seojin knew better.
He knew how many warriors tasted hell each morning because of that run.
Hmm.
A crease formed between Peng Seojin’s brows.
But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t devise a solution.
A way to save Yeo Unhui from the morning run.
“Brother will certainly have quite the ordeal ahead of him today.”
Peng Seojin let out a rueful laugh, his expression troubled.
***
The Training Grounds of the Peng Family Estate.
Men of impressive build and fierce countenance gathered together, loosening their bodies lightly while exchanging words.
“He really agreed to come?”
One of them, a man with a relatively gentle face, asked in surprise.
“So I’m told.”
“But is that really wise? What if something goes wrong…?”
“Bah! What’s the problem? I only suggested a morning run together, didn’t I? I didn’t ask him to train with us all day.”
“Well… that’s true enough.”
“I just want to give him a light lesson, that’s all. The warriors all want it too—to flatten that cocky, brazen face of his.”
“Hmm, I suppose… but I still feel uneasy about it, if I’m being honest.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll handle everything. Today I’ll teach that book-learned scoundrel who knows nothing of martial arts exactly what it means to live as a son-in-law in the Habuk Peng Family Estate. Ha!”
The responses from the commanders to Noh Ilbong’s boisterous remarks varied.
Some joined in, eager to show their worth, while others seemed genuinely uneasy, harboring doubts.
Noh Ilbong was one of many commanders among them.
But the man with the gentle face wasn’t pleased with how Noh Ilbong had invited Yeo Unhui to the morning run without a word to the others.
After all, Yeo Unhui was the husband of Lady Peng Seoyeon, who was of the direct line.
While he too found Yeo Unhui distasteful, he questioned whether this was the right way to handle it.
Still, as Noh Ilbong had said, simply inviting him to a morning run seemed difficult to fault.
The problem—if it could be called a problem—was that the morning run was known to many as Hell’s Morning Run.
Moreover, today’s run would be led from beginning to end by Noh Ilbong, who had extended the invitation.
Even he found it hard to lodge further objections.
The morning run rotated among each commander, and the absolute rule was that everyone must obey that day’s commander unconditionally.
“But.”
Another commander spoke up.
“Won’t the whole thing fall apart if that scribe doesn’t even show up? If he doesn’t come at all, there’s nothing to be done about it.”
“Well… that’s true.”
Noh Ilbong licked his lips.
“If he doesn’t even show up for the morning run he promised, then there’s nothing we can do about it. We’ll just have to conclude he’s that sort of man.”
That, in its own way, would ruin his reputation even more.
It was obvious the talk around Yeo Unhui would only get worse.
But Noh Ilbong didn’t much care about that.
He was only sorry he hadn’t managed to humiliate that scribe properly.
Then it happened.
“He’s here, sir.”
One of the warriors spoke in a voice audible only to the commanders.
All their heads turned in that direction.
Yeo Unhui was walking toward them with an unhurried, composed gait.
“Well, well—he’s no coward after all.”
An identical smile crossed the faces of all the commanders present.
“Have I arrived late?”
“No, sir. You’ve come at exactly the right time.”
“I see. And you gentlemen are…?”
“We are the commanders serving alongside myself in the Peng Family Estate.”
“Good morning. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
At Noh Ilbong’s words, Yeo Unhui glanced toward the commanders, and each man offered his greeting in turn, introducing himself.
Soon Yeo Unhui nodded.
“All right, then—let’s get started without delay. I’ll join in among you.”
“Pardon? Ah. Yes. Of course. Understood.”
In that instant, Noh Ilbong’s face flushed crimson.
‘Damn that scholar.’
There was something subtly relaxed in the way he carried himself, speaking down to them with such casual ease—it grated on him terribly.
But he mastered his expression quickly.
That wasn’t what mattered now.
Noh Ilbong manufactured a thin smile and stepped forward before the warriors.
“Right then—we begin the morning run as always! No matter what happens, keep your rows and columns tight. Don’t let them scatter!”
“Sir!”
Without further ceremony, the run commenced.
Many of the Peng family’s warriors maintained their ranks and columns as they ran.
How much time passed?
‘Hm? Look at that.’
‘Not bad at all.’
Yeo Unhui was performing far better than the others had anticipated.
Everyone found it somewhat surprising, though not shockingly so.
So far it was only the pace any fit adult could reasonably sustain.
But the real trial was about to begin.
Soon after leaving the Peng compound’s main gate, they turned toward the mountain that stood nearby—the one infamous for being the most treacherous in the entire region.
This was why the Habuk Peng Family Estate’s Morning Running had earned such a fearsome reputation.
A smile played across Noh Ilbong’s lips.
‘Let’s see how you handle this, you slick scholar. Soon you’ll be begging for mercy. Heh heh.’
Every runner shared the same thought.
Their purpose today was singular.
To show this smooth-talking scholar what real punishment felt like.
They were certain of it.
Before long, Yeo Unhui would be sprawled on the ground weeping, begging that he could go no further.
Soon he’d collapse in disgrace, retching out everything in his belly.
The warriors felt certain that today’s morning run would be far more entertaining than usual.
And yet—
‘Ah, nothing like fresh morning air.’
They had no idea.
That Yeo Unhui was savoring every moment of this, thoroughly delighted.
His stride was impossibly light.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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