Chapter Four: A Glimmer of Healing

Hye-jin breathed a sigh of relief as she stood by the window, gazing at the world outside. It had been a month since her injuries had been healed, thanks to her persistent cultivation. The pain that had once bound her to her bed was now but a distant memory. Though she couldn't yet tap into her full immortal power, she was grateful to be able to move freely once more.

However, despite her recovery, worry still lingered in her heart. Grandpa Byungho, their sole provider, had yet to return from his escort job. His absence left them anxious and vulnerable, as their food supplies dwindled. Hye-ji, with desperation in his eyes, confided in Hye-jin.

"Hye-jin, things have taken a turn for the worse. We have no money left for food. I tried my best to stretch the broken silver Grandpa gave us, but it was simply not enough. The drought has ravaged the land, leaving nothing edible, not even in the mountains."

Hye-jin's brows furrowed, her concern mirroring her twin brother's. "What about the townspeople? Can't we find work there?"

Hye-ji nodded, his voice tinged with determination. "That's our only option. I'll go to the town tomorrow and find a job. We can't let starvation take hold of us."

Hye-jin's weakened state prevented her from voicing her worries, but she mustered a nod of agreement. She understood the gravity of their situation and knew that their survival depended on their collective efforts.

" I'll take care of the others while you're away, Hye-ji. Just be careful and return to us as soon as you can." As Hye-jin observed her twin brother's handsome yet worn face, a surge of determination welled within her. She silently assessed Hye-ji's body, contemplating the possibility of teaching him the ways of immortality and training him to become the strongest. She couldn't bear the thought of him enduring further hardships.

Hye-ji's eyes softened with gratitude as he reached out to pat Hye-jin's shoulder.

"Thank you, Hye-jin. I'll do my best to find work and bring back food for all of us. We'll get through this together."

With that, Hye-ji left the room, his determination fueling his steps. Hye-jin watched him go, her heart heavy with the weight of their circumstances.

As Hye-jin thought of the rest of her siblings, and silently muttered to herself.

"Hye-ji has shouldered so much already, but I see the strength within him. Perhaps, in time, I can teach him and the rest of my siblings the ways of the immortals. I bet that they will become a force to be reckoned with. But for now, I must focus on surviving the harsh reality of not having enough food to eat and being dirt poor."

—

Hye-ji wandered through the crowded streets of the town, his eyes filled with hope, but his heart heavy with desperation. He approached different establishments, seeking employment to provide for his family. However, with each interaction, he faced rejection and disdain.

At a small eatery, he approached the owner, his voice filled with determination.

"Excuse me, sir. I am in search of a job. Is there any work available?"

The owner rolls his eyes as he looked at Hye-ji with contempt. "Another beggar looking for a handout. We do not need someone like you here. Move along."

Disheartened but undeterred, Hye-ji continued his quest. He approached a tailor shop, hoping to offer his assistance.

"Good day, madam. I am skilled with a needle and thread. Might you have any work available?"

The tailor sighs, "I'm sorry, young man. The business has been slow, and I can barely afford to pay my current employees. I wish I could help, but I can't take on any more workers."

Hye-ji's spirit wavered as he faced rejection after rejection. The weight of responsibility and the fear of not being able to provide for his family gnawed at him. Thoughts of desperation clouded his mind, tempting him to take drastic measures.

Just as he was on the verge of giving in to despair, a kind-hearted middle-aged man noticed his dejected state. The man, a blacksmith by trade, approached Hye-ji with a sympathetic smile.

"Young man, it seems you need work. I have a proposition for you. I could use an assistant in my forge. It's hard labor, but I'm willing to pay you five small coppers a day."

Hye-ji's eyes widened with a glimmer of hope as he looked at the blacksmith. Gratitude swelled within him as he nodded eagerly.

"Thank you, sir! I am grateful for your offer. I will work diligently and do my best to assist you."

The blacksmith patted Hye-ji's shoulder, his voice filled with kindness.

"You're a determined young man. I admire that. Come to my forge tomorrow morning, and we'll start your training. It won't be easy, but I believe you have what it takes."

Hye-ji felt a surge of gratitude and renewed determination. He had found a glimmer of hope in the darkness, a chance to provide for his family through honest work. As he bid farewell to the blacksmith and made his way home, his steps were lighter, and a sense of purpose ignited within him.

Hye-ji returned home, his heart filled with a mixture of relief and excitement. As he entered the small humble house, he found Hye-jin sitting by the window, her eyes filled with worry. He approached her, a wide smile spreading across his face.

"Hye-jin! You won't believe what happened today!"

Hye-jin looked up at her brother, her eyes lighting up with anticipation and hope.

"Hye-ji, what happened? Did you find a job?"

Hye-ji nodded enthusiastically, unable to contain his joy.

"Yes! It was a struggle, but I met a kind-hearted blacksmith in town. He offered me a job in his forge. I'll be working as his assistant, and he'll pay me five small coppers a day!"

Hye-jin's face brightened, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over her.

"Oh, Hye-ji, that's wonderful news! I'm so relieved. We've been so worried about our situation. This job will provide us with some stability and the means to put food on the table."

"Exactly! I couldn't believe my luck when the blacksmith offered me the position. He saw my desperation and gave me a chance. I promise, Hye-jin, I will work hard and make sure our family doesn't go hungry."

Hye-jin reached out and took her brother's hands in hers, her eyes filled with pride and appreciation.

"Hye-ji, I am so proud of you. You've shown incredible resilience and determination. I do not doubt that you'll excel in this new role. We're in this together, and I'll do everything I can to support you."

Hye-ji's smile widened, grateful for his sister's unwavering support.

"Thank you, Hye-jin. Your belief in me means the world. Together, we'll overcome any obstacle that comes our way. We'll ensure the well-being of our family and build a brighter future."

The siblings embraced in joy. They knew that challenges still lay ahead, but with Hye-ji's newfound job and Hye-jin's unwavering determination, they were ready to face them head-on.

As Hye-ji and Hye-jin shared their moment of relief and hope, their younger siblings Haneul, Han-wol, and Eun-hye entered the room, their curious eyes fixed on the joyful scene unfolding before them. Haneul, the eldest among the younger siblings, approached them cautiously.

"What's going on? Why do you both look so happy?"

Han-wol and Eun-hye joined their older sister, their expressions a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

"Did something good happen?"

"Are we going to have enough food to eat now?" Eun-hye in her cute baby voice asked.

Hye-jin's smile widened as she turned to address her younger siblings, her voice filled with reassurance.

"Yes, my dear siblings, Hye-ji has found a job! He met a kind blacksmith in town who offered him a position as his assistant. We will have enough money to buy food and take care of ourselves."

Haneul's eyes widened with a glimmer of hope, and she exchanged a glance of relief with her siblings.

"That's wonderful news, Hye-ji! I'm so proud of you for finding work. We've all been worried about our situation."

"Does that mean we won't have to go to bed hungry anymore?" Han-wol chimed in.

Hye-ji nodded, a sense of responsibility shining in his eyes. "That's right, Han-wol. We won't have to worry about food anymore. With this job, I will make sure our family has enough to eat and that we can survive."

Eun-hye clung to Hye-jin's side, her small face beaming with relief.

"Thank you, Hye-jin unnie, for taking care of us, and thank you, Hye-ji oppa, for finding a job. I'm so glad we won't have to go hungry anymore."

Hye-jin looked at her younger siblings, their innocent faces filled with hope and gratitude, and a surge of determination filled her.

"We're a family, and we'll take care of each other. With Hye-ji's job and our collective strength, we'll face any challenge that comes our way."

The younger siblings nodded, their worries momentarily lifted, as they huddled together, embracing the newfound hope and security that their brother's job had brought them.

In the stillness of the night, beneath the starlit sky, Grandpa Byungho and his escort colleague, Dong-hyun, found themselves in the depths of the wilderness. Weariness and concern lined their faces as they sat beside a flickering campfire, their souls burdened by the weight of their unspoken worries.

Dong-hyun's anger smoldered, his voice laced with repressed frustration.

"Byungho, why did our employer keep the truth hidden? If I had known about the dangers surrounding his family succession, I would never have taken this job. We've put our lives at risk, and your grandchildren suffer because of it!"

Grandpa Byungho lowered his head, his voice is heavy with helplessness.

"Dong-hyun, I share your anger, but we're bound by duty. Our employer's secrets were revealed only after we embarked on this journey. We cannot abandon our responsibilities now, despite the toll it takes on our loved ones."

Dong-hyun's fists clenched, his frustration boiling over.

"Duty? What about our families? Our loved ones who bear the burden of our absence, who live in fear and uncertainty? I can't bear the thought of my children suffering because of this deceit!"

Grandpa Byungho's eyes glistened with unshed tears, his heart is heavy with the weight of their situation.

"Dong-hyun, I understand your anger, and I share your worry. But we must persevere. We must protect the merchant and complete our task. Only then can we return to our families?"

The crackling fire mirrored the tension between them, their conflicting emotions merging with the wilderness surrounding them.

Dong-hyun's anger softened, replaced by a resigned determination.

"You're right, Byungho. We must see this through, for the sake of our families and our honor. But know this, I won't forget the sacrifices we've made. Our employer will answer for his deception, one way or another."

Grandpa Byungho nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes for Dong-hyun's understanding.

"Together, we will ensure the safety of our employer and navigate this treacherous path. And when it is over, we'll return home, embracing our families with love and renewed strength."

In the wilderness, amidst their shared frustration and silent determination, the two men forged an unspoken bond, rooted in their unwavering dedication to protect those they held dear.