Sprouting Hope: The New Beginning

Him Chan entered the room carrying a food tray, placing it on one side. "Are you awake? How are you feeling, young man?" questioned Him Chan.

It was a chance for In Hyuk to inform Jiho about his new identity. "His name is Ji Sung. Have you forgotten?" In Hyuk clarified.

"Of course, I remember. I was just saying so," Him Chan responded.

Jiho looked at Him Chan and smiled awkwardly, "I am feeling a lot better."

Him Chan checked on Jiho, "You still have a fever, but it's okay. It will get better slowly."

Jiho responded, "Yes."

In Hyuk offered food to Jiho and cleaned his hands with a wet cloth. Seulgi and Him Chan allowed them to eat and stepped out.

While eating, Jiho asked, "Who are they?"

"We are in Western Baekje Villages. I don't know much about them. They took you in yesterday and offered us this place to stay. He lives with his daughter and granddaughter, the girl who was going out earlier," In Hyuk explained .

"Oh, right. From now on, you are Ji Sung. Don't make any mistakes; it could cost our lives," he added .

After the meal, In Hyuk assisted Jiho in returning to sleep, while Him Chan came to gather utensils, placing them meticulously on a tray.

"I feel a sense of guilt for imposing on your family. Is there any way I can help? I'm willing to work for you until Ji Sung recovers," In Hyuk proposed earnestly.

Him Chan inquired, "How long do you plan to stay here?"

"For the time being, we intend to remain in this village. We'll need to stay at your residence until we secure our own place," In Hyuk replied with respect.

"Feel free to make yourself comfortable here," Him Chan assured him. "I'll help you find a job, and when the time comes for repayment, I'll ask you for help as needed."

In Hyuk bowed and expressed , "Ah, yes, thank you."

Him Chan, smiling, questioned, "you worked for royalty or what? Your way of talking doesn't match those without ranks."

Jiho, lying in bed, widened his eyes in shock, attempting to remain calm and look away.

Shocked by Him Chan's remarks, In Hyuk replied with a forced smile, "I guess so."

While contemplating Him Chan's question, In Hyuk forgot to inquire about the physician. Realizing his omission, he hastily followed Him Chan, asking, "Where can I find physician Jeong Hui?"

Him Chan turned back, assuring, "Don't worry, he will come to check on Ji Sung soon."

Although reassured by the response, In Hyuk still harboured concerns about Him Chan's earlier inquiry.

In Hyuk returned and settled beside Jiho, who appeared concerned. "Don't worry; they seem like kind people," In Hyuk reassured Jiho, who nodded in response.

While In Hyuk was cleaning his sword, Jeong Hui entered the room with his belongings.

In Hyuk stood up to greet him, and Jiho, slowly sitting up, also extended a greeting.

Jeong Hui jokingly remarked, "You are so handsome, but yesterday you looked so ugly," eliciting a playful response from Jiho.

The physician making a silly face, added, "I thought you two were friends rather than brothers."

Jiho smiled at the joke, saying, "We resemble each other."

Jeong Hui asked, "You do?"

Jiho replied, "Yes," as he felt comfortable with the physician.

Jeong Hui then said, "Alright, let me check your wounds," as he opened Jiho's bandage to inspect the healing wounds.

After cleaning pus, applying medicine, and bandaging, Jeong Hui inquired, "Do you feel pain anywhere else than back wounds?"

Jiho replied, "Yes, it hurts from this side," placing his hand on his left.

Jeong Hui gave him medicine, and Jiho, swallowing it, made a displeased face due to its bitterness. In Hyuk took the bowl from Jiho.

Jeong Hui turned to In Hyuk, asking, "Come with me; I will describe some medicine."

In Hyuk reassured Jiho, "Go to sleep; I will be back," before leaving with the doctor.

"His other injuries are improving at a quicker pace, but his burns are not in good condition. Fire burns take a considerable amount of time to heal, and they might even worsen," Jeong Hui explained as they walked towards his house. In Hyuk listened attentively, growing concerned.

"He has broken ribs, which is causing pain in his sides. Initially, I feared his body was deeply burned, but fortunately, the cause was different. We still need to wait and observe how it progresses," Jeong Hui remarked.

In Hyuk's heart sank with sadness as he contemplated, "Just how much pain Jiho must be experiencing?"

Jeong Hui entered his house, headed to his table, and took a seat. Using a brush, he meticulously wrote a description on paper, handing it over to In Hyuk.

Confused, In Hyuk asked, "Why are you giving him medicine for a cold?"

Jeong Hui, picking up some medicine, clarified, "It's for a fever."

Suddenly pausing, he looked at In Hyuk asking, "Wait, do you know how to write?"

In Hyuk's mind raced, "Is he suspecting my identity?" Flustered by the question, he replied, "Yes, I learned it while working at a storage house. I had to record everything in the account book and keep track of things."

Intrigued, Jeong Hui commented, "You seem to know about medicine too. Is that because you have to deal with herbs?"

In Hyuk gaining confidence "Yes, it's just picked up knowledge."

Jeong Hui offered him smiling "Then how about working with me at my shop? I will pay you handsomely. There is no one else who knows how to read or write except me in this Village."

In Hyuk contemplated the offer, He thought of that as a good chance and accepted his offer "Sure, why not. You are so kind

To offer me this job" after a pause " But I want to look after my brother Ji Sung for now"

Said In Hyuk cautiously.

"I'm not asking you to join right now you can take your time" said Jeong Hui handing him medicine. "I don't have the medicine else than this . You can go and buy it in the market"

"Yes, I understand. Thank you" Said In Hyuk smiling and came out of there.

"Would that be okay to go to

Market?" thought In Hyuk while walking "I don't even know where is market. I should ask Him Chan uncle to accompany

Me"

As he got back, Seulgi was doing embroidery sitting on one side.

He put down medicine he was holding, Him Chan asked him " let's go for hunting" handing him arrow and bow. In Hyuk took it and looked at Jiho.

"Don't worry Seulgi will take care of him. He has took medicine. He will be sleeping for a long time" said Him Chan.

"Please take good care of him" requested In Hyuk to Seulgi .

"Just do your best hunting. There is nothing to eat due to famine. Don't worry about your

Brother. I will take good care of him" replied Seulgi calmly while doing needlework.

Him Chan was done checking on his bow, get the arrows and said " let's go"

In Hyuk followed him out as they

Walked toward the exit of the hut houses. A lot of mans had already gathered, all preparing for the hunt during the famine.

It was crucial to catch something to feed the villagers.

Dook Go, Him Chan's friend, who appeared to be the same age with a white beard.

Inquired, "Who is this young man? I haven't seen him before."

"He is Ji Hun. He came here with his brother. They plan to live here for the better" replied

Him Chan, stepping over little stones on the path as they headed towards the mountains

For the hunt. The pathway, an unstable route

Concealed in the mountains, was a secret way to approach for those forbidden from hunting due to no rank.

According to the government law, only royals were permitted to engage in hunting. However, faced with starvation, villagers found themselves compelled to

Pursue this forbidden activity secretly.

A man sigh's "When will It rain and all our suffering will fade away"

Dook Go breathing heavily as they climbed the steep path to mountain " How could it rain when the King is thinking of having War in the middle of this situation, where his people are dying of hunger"

Him Chan turned to him and said "Do you think he cares about his people? (Looking

Ahead and walks again) It's our fault to be born as poor. Only poor are dying in famine.

Royals are still in peace."

They have finally entered in the thick forest where wild animals lived.

Dook Go signalled their directions, "You go this way, we'll go that way, and Ji Hun,

Stay put. We'll corner the prey here" he said.

"Keep a tight hold on the prey otherwise, we'll return empty- handed, and the children will starve," warned Him Chan,

Patting In Hyuk on the shoulder.