In a small farm town, Je-ho is the son of a poor family and Gyeong-su is the son of a rich family. The two are close enough to be practically blood brothers. After graduating from elementary school, Gyeong-su leaves for a school in Seoul and Je-ho teachers himself with a middle school textbook while looking after his widowed mother. 5 years has passed and Je-ho has set up a night school in their town to teach children of poor families. One day, when Gyeong-su's family calls a female shaman to their yard to hold an exorcism performance, Je-ho runs over to preach them on the destruction of superstition and the performance ends in an uproar. Holding a grudge against Je-ho for this incident, the shamans attack him and leave a serious wound. About this time, Gyeong-su comes home from Seoul and he encourages Je-ho to go on, while vowing to contribute to his hometown as well.