The guy sighed a little as he looked up at the palace.
Since his bride had gone into the palace, seven days had passed.
Because he did not know when his bride would return, the guy could not leave the palace’s front gate.
All the guy could do while waiting was to pick fruits and berries and hunt small animals that came near the palace wall.
Even though he was hungry, the guy did not complain or leave his position in front of the palace gate. He was patiently waiting as he prayed for his bride's safe return.
He prayed to the god for his bride to come out healthy and strong.
All the guy's wishes were for his bride.
"Master Cheon-Ho, please save my bride."
Ho-Chi sighed while looking at the palace walls that were too far away for him to reach.
"Please, Master Ho-Chi, we have to hurry. We have far too many things to do today."
"Ah, yes."
The crow urged Ho-Chi to hurry from a rooftop. It was the only place where the crow could safely monitor Ho-Chi without getting the smell of farm getting to him.
Ho-Chi quickly got back to work by scraping some dungs off the floor using a hoe.
"Ah~ what am I doing. When Master Cheon-Ho entrusted me with a job, I was so happy. And yet, the job involves such a rotten smell. Oh my god, I think my clothes took in the stink."
Hearing the crow's fussy complaints, Ho-Chi smiled apologetically as he put more effort into finishing his task.
However, even if Ho-Chi did his best, it was impossible for him to scrape every single dung in the big farm by himself.
The farm that surrounding Ho-Chi was very big. It was bigger than Ho-Chi's previous rooms and even bigger than the Gibang.
Even though it was difficult for Ho-Chi, he did not complain as he diligently cleaned the farm floor.
That day, when Ho-Chi first opened his eyes, Ho-Chi saw JHo.
Ho-Chi saw JHo's handsome face and his tall stature. Facing with an adult JHo who became stronger in spiritual power and physique, Ho-Chi had tough time breathing, overwhelmed by spiritual pressure.
If it wasn't for JHo's rare violet hair color and his scent, Ho-Chi wouldn't have been able to recognize JHo.
Seeing JHo's cool expression, Ho-Chi dropped his gaze from JHo and bowed his head.
It seemed like JHo still hated Ho-Chi. Faced with a familiar situation, Ho-Chi felt happy. It felt like Ho-Chi was truly back in his old home.
Ho-Chi had many questions like 'why am I here', 'why is JHo together in the same room with me', and 'where is the guy', but it was very difficult for Ho-Chi to talk to JHo.
– You're worthless!
Ho-Chi did not want to hear those words again.
"Master JHo, Master Cheon-Ho just sent in his order."
For a long time, JHo and Ho-Chi set there in the room without saying anything to each other. That is when one of the subordinates called out from outside. Hearing his subordinate's calling, JHo got up to leave.
"Master JHo- We came to escort Master Ho-Chi~ Master Cheon-Ho ordered us to bring Master Ho-Chi~"
The crow announced joyously. JHo listened as he moved to the door. Ho-Chi, hearing the crow's calling, got up from the bed to go to the door.
Hearing that Master Cheon-Ho was calling for him, Ho-Chi's heart was beating fast.
When Ho-Chi tried to get up, Ho-Chi's body did not work. Because Ho-Chi lied in bed for too long, his body became even weaker.
Ho-Chi's legs bent in on themselves, not able to properly support Ho-Chi's body weight. Ho-Chi fell headlong down onto the floor.
Surprised, Ho-Chi caught himself by propping his arms as a support and save his head from making a contact with the floor. Because Ho-Chi's arms were without strength, they were shaking profusely. To get up, Ho-Chi tried to lift himself up by his arm strength alone, but only thing he was able to do was making bristling noise by rubbing against his clothes.
Worrying that Master Cheon-Ho would hate him for being late, Ho-Chi tried again to get up. JHo who noticed Ho-Chi's struggle lifted Ho-Chi up in his arms.
Instantly, JHo wrinkled his brows. Even though Ho-Chi was an adult fox, he weighted too light as if he was not there at all. JHo felt like Ho-Chi might disappear anytime in his arms. Seeing JHo's dark expression, Ho-Chi misunderstood and bowed his head low. Ho-Chi hid his reddened eyes and blushed in an embarrassment.
"…I am sorry…"
Beside the crow, the rabbit Du-Ito was fidgeting nervously.
The crow who saw JHo walking out from his bed chamber with Ho-Chi in his arms narrowed his eyes.
"Ho~o, I did not know that you two masters were in such a good term. Oh my. Oh my."
"You said something about Master Cheon-Ho's order. Go on, say them."
To JHo's frigid voice, the crow shivered a little as he answered casually.
"Master Cheon-Ho ordered me to bring Master Ho-Chi. Even a bug that walks the side road would return a stranger's favor, so why would Master Ho-Chi be any different. Because Master Cheon-Ho shared his power, Master Ho-Chi is now alive. Master Cheon-Ho is going to give Master Ho-Chi a chance to repay his debt. Don't you think it is appropriate for you to return Master Cheon-Ho's grace, Master Ho-Chi?"
"…You said…Master Cheon-Ho saved my life…Is that true?"
Because Ho-Chi looked lost on what had happened, the crow began explaining enthusiastically as he swung his wings in the air.
"Yes! It is true! Because Master Ho-Chi lacks a fox bead, your life was in danger, but Master Cheon-Ho saved Master Ho-Chi by sharing part of his power! Master Cheon-Ho is not just any fox, so he willingly sacrificed himself for his offspring! You should be honored that Master Cheon-Ho did what he did. Master Cheon-Ho who is gentle and generous!
"Master Cheon-Ho…saved me."
Ho-Chi felt very happy that his heart began to skip a beat.
Even though Ho-Chi did not see Master Cheon-Ho very much in the past, he always believed Master Cheon-Ho to be magnanimous. Now that Master Cheon-Ho saved his life, Ho-Chi felt gratified for Master Cheon-Ho's grace.
Feeling thankful toward Master Cheon-Ho, Ho-Chi completely forgot to remember what happened to the gifts that he offered to Master Cheon-Ho all those years ago. Ho-Chi's cheeks flushed in excitement and happiness that Master Cheon-Ho still remembered him.
"Because Master Cheon-Ho knows that Master Ho-Chi would wish to repay his debt, Master Cheon-Ho called for you personally today to give you a chance for that repayment. Here, we must hurry. Since Master Cheon-Ho is a busy person, we mustn't make him wait."
"Ah, yes…"
Even though Ho-Chi wanted to follow the crow, JHo did not let him go.
Ho-Chi wanted to ask if JHo was okay, but when Ho-Chi looked up he could not say anything. It is because JHo's rigid expression told Ho-Chi that JHo could blow up in an anger any time.
The crow stood by JHo's side and urged Ho-Chi to hurry. Not knowing what to do, Ho-Chi lightly pulled on JHo's clothes at the lower ends.
Surprisingly, without much resistance, JHo lowered Ho-Chi down so Ho-Chi could stand on his feet.
JHo even waited for Ho-Chi to gain his balance before completely letting go.
"Okay, let us go~"
The crow said in a playful tone, but he was sweating as he made his way out from JHo's living quarter.
Ho-Chi walked slowly so not to trip over and fall. When Ho-Chi made it out from the corridor, he looked back.
JHo was still standing in the same place where Ho-Chi left him and was looking at Ho-Chi.
Because Ho-Chi did not feel comfortable interacting with JHo, they did not talk much even though they were siblings who met after such a long time. Being sorry for feeling the way he does, Ho-Chi bowed his head to say good bye.
JHo did not wave his hand in reply, but Ho-Chi did not feel disappointed. Ho-Chi again returned his attention back to his steps, following the crow.
TN: I am becoming very lazy these days. I blame the hot weather!