Torsten Hewson
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Interlude: Rou and Gramps
🕑 Added 2021-11-02 01:26:02 +0000 UTC“Hey, brat. Where did you learn to shovel like that?.” The voice startled him. Jin Rou paused in his work, and turned, wiping his sweaty face on his sleeve. There was an old vagabond sitting on the stone steps where he was working. He wore a threadbare tunic, and had a ragged straw hat that was hanging down his back.
The boy frowned at the old man, and his relaxed posture. His face was creased, and he seemed lethargic, but his eyes had a small spark of interest. The boy considered him, and saw no harm in answering.
“I watched the older guys, but they were too tall. So I figured things out myself.” He said simply, and turned back to shoveling. He twisted his hips to heave the load over his shoulder. It was easier on his back. The other street-cleaners were often amazed that he managed to finish his assignments so fast. But all he had to do was be efficient. His father had always said to find a way to do things better.
The boy grimaced, and continued shoveling. The old man watched him for a while, until the boy left, grabbing his waste-cart, and heaving it up. It was almost too much to handle, but he was good at judging the weight.
“Why do you struggle so hard, boy?” The old man asked.
Rou paused at the question. He turned to glare at the old man.
“To live.” He stated simply. The old man raised a brow, and shook his head.
He put the old man out of his mind, and continued on his day. He worked until the sun set, counted his earnings carefully, ate as much as he could, and then saved a bit so he could afford to take a day off. Food was more important than a roof right now, with the heat of summer sleeping in the streets wasn’t too awful. As long as you knew which street corners a boy could sleep on.
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And so it continued. The week of work. His day off. The day he scrimped and saved for. Rou bathed thoroughly, washing the stinking of waste off his body, and travelled to his destination.
The Archive.
There, he met another man, a student that was aiming to be a scribe. The price was steep, but the one day a week was cheaper than an actual school. He had to work. He couldn’t afford to learn full time.
Reading is important, his father had said. Better jobs come to those who can read.
So the older boy put him through the courtly characters. He was overly fond of cuffing Rou for any mistake he made, but Rou was learning. A cheap price, and some strikes form the foppish boy were nothing compared to the time he accidentally crossed the gang. He hadn’t been able to walk right for weeks, and the hunger pangs had been....difficult.
Rou worked diligently. He practiced on the slate. He noticed an old man, glancing at him from the corner of his eye. He looked a bit familiar, but once more, Rou put him out of his mind, and redoubled his efforts.
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The next day the waste collectors didn’t want him. That was unfortunate, but Rou was just a boy. They wanted the stronger men. So he went to the next job, asking for work.
Then the next one. Then the next one. Nobody would take him.
Until an old man who looked very familiar, offered him some food to sweep the street in front of his old house.
Rou was surprised he even had one.
It was a good job. He practised his brush strokes of the characters as he swept, the old man having gone inside.. It was a balancing act between getting the job done in time, and squeezing in some practise.
“Do you know the character for sword, boy?” The old man asked. Rou nearly jumped out of his skin at the voice, as the old man was right behind him, looking down at the sweep marks.
But he didn’t seem mad. In fact, he seemed to approve.
“I don’t.” Rou said, shaking his head.
The old man took the broom from him. It swirled, almost hypnotically along the ground, leaving a single character.
The old man smirked, as Rou took back the broom. His body twisted, trying to ape the old man’s movements.
The character for sword rested beside the first. It wasn’t a perfect replica, but it was passable enough.
The old man grinned, and pulled the broom back.
“This one is cultivate.” He decreed.
The broom spun, and Rou watched intently.
Rou spent the rest of the day sweeping characters into the ground.
And for the first time since his parents died, he smiled.
The old man even bought him dinner. His stomach grumbled.
“If I had not offered you a job, where would you have gone next, Boy?” The old man asked.
Rou shrugged.“The night soil collectors and corpse disposal start recruiting at night. Either that or the rat catchers.”
The old man raised an eyebrow. “All that, to learn a few letters, and get some food in your belly.” he mused.
“It doesn’t matter if it's dirty, or disgusting. I’m going to get out of this palace.” Rou turned his hungry gaze to the old man.
The old man smiled.
“You can sleep here tonight.” The old man decided.
Rou grinned. “Thanks, Gramps,” He said.
The old man’s jaw dropped. He seemed utterly confused by the term of endearment, before letting out a great belly laugh.
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The boy and the drunk became companions. The drunken lout would laze around while Rou worked, occasionally offering comments on what to do, or quizzing him on the characters he taught him.
He was better than Rou’s previous teacher, at least. He didn’t cuff him as much.
He still did get a smack when he called him an old bastard though, or threw dung at his head.
The old man tolerated it for some reason. He’d act mad, but other than a few light smacks, he let it go.
It was kind of fun.
They prowled the city together. Gramps occasionally bought him food, or made him do weird breathing exercises.
They slept in the same tiny shack together. When it was cold, Rou would shove his feet into Gramps’ side. The old man never complained about that.
It was almost like having family again.
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Rou ran through the streets, terror in his heart. The flesh traders were out and in force, scooping up the refuse of the city, and had their sights set on him.
Three were hot on his tail.
Rou ran for all he was worth, but the day’s work had taken its toll. He was just a boy, and the grown man was faster. Much faster.
Desperation burned in his breast, as the man closed. Jin Rou searched for something, anything to aid him.
He found nothing but a broom.
With strength borne of desperation, he lunged for it. His hands fixed around the handle, and he swung it with all his might.
Something snapped inside of him.
The broom moved far faster than it should have, clubbing into the man’s skull and shattering his nose.
The man fell, and didn’t get back up. Rou fell to one knee, panting.
The other two didn’t pause, lunging for him. Rou’s legs shook. His eyes blurred.
But he stood up anyway.
Both of the flesh traders hit the ground, their necks bent at awkward angles.
Gramps stared at him, his gaze full of pride.
“The streets aren’t safe this late, brat.” The old man decreed.
“No shit.” Rou said, as he collapsed. Gramps caught him before he hit the ground, laughing all the while.
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Jin Rou didn’t need to work anymore. Gramps said that cultivation was much more important. There was a kind of hunger in his eyes that Rou strived to meet. He cultivated as hard as he could to achieve power like in the stories.
To make the old man proud.
“Rou, you’re not done yet?!” The old bastard demanded. “This should be simple!”
Rou’s eye twitched. That night, he replaced the old turd’s wine with horse piss.
Gramps almost seemed impressed, even as he hung him upside down from a tree.
================================
But all things come to an end.
Rou watched anxiously, as the old man packed. His eyes were cold and hard, like he had never seen them.
“Go to the Cloudy Sword Sect.” He commanded. “I have things to attend to.”
And then Jin Rou was alone again.
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I apologize that this is not part 2 of the chapter, but it just isn't ready yet. It is not in a state I am satisfied with, and I don't feel comfortable posting it. Instead, here is an interlude that hopefully tides you over, on Gramps's and Jin's relationship.
I know people are eager to see the resolution of this, but it needs some work before I'm happy with it.
Comments
Mickey Phoenix
I really liked this one. There's something about people treating each other decently that just gets me right in the feels.
Termac
It's not clear that Jin's cultivation level *can* be quantified by realm-and-stage. He cultivates in a *very* different way from others.
Oliver Wolfe
This was lovely
J B
Not sure if Gramps did that, or Rou did.
Nick Marini
Thank you so much for writing this story. It’s slowly become an important part of my week and I’d be less without it.
Nick Marini
I get what your saying, but I’d be a lot sadder if the Jins didn’t (supposedly?) talk in their dreams every night.
Gavriel
I wanna know how Lou Ri compares to Jin now 😂
wiggster
loved the chapter, its great to see some of the original jin and how even though both jins are at their core, the same person, their past experiences differed greatly
Alexander Gordillo
I honestly like jins stories more than all the fighting in otger novel
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
Calico C
I honestly love getting a little more context to their relationship before we see the letter.
Matt M
That’s fair, this is a confrontation that’s been building for more than half the story, so more than a little difficult to write.
Klien Morretti
He didn't really die though. Remember that soul mesh chapter awhile back. at the very least he's inside Jin. .My theory is that they fused and that Jin's ego took front wheel.
Mondred
"I’m going to get out of this palace"->"I’m going to get out of this place"?
Obran
This chapter makes me sad about the loss/death of the original Jin Rou.. he was a good kid.
S10NN4CH
Im happy for a delay if that means better quality. This interlude is just icing on the cake. Much appreciated.
Twi
Take as much time as you need!
Luke Preston
No no thank you not very much for this
Xultanis
One of the earlier chapters from Gramps POV, the old man stated the boy was not blood. He took him in because he saw a bit of himself in little Rou. However, he was thinking of letting Rou take his family name, effectively an 'official' adoption.
Luke
This is actually great to make us even more excited for the next chapter, perfect time to share this interlude! I liked it, thanks :)
Mislandor
Love a little back story - so I gather if they are actually blood related, Jin is not aware of it - more of a choose your family kind of think. I like it.
taukid
Same, I was disappointed at first but it was so wholesome I love it
Enochi
I'm not gonna lie I was disappointed when I didn't see the part 2 to start but damn this was exceptional. I really like the chapter and was impressed by it.
Jan Alexander
Love this chapter. Now we got to read Jin and Gramps relationship. Thanks a bunch!
RageBone
harumpf, i guess it's fine when your happyness is the metric. Or is it? How far away is that from being overly perfectionistic and pressuring yourself?
JohnJohn2195
I like how little rou fought back and cracked a dude in the head with the broom and gramps just snapped the necks of the other two. Was a nice relationship between the two and felt like family. Sad rou tried to make him proud and probably felt like he was getting rid of him at the end and would probably explain when jin and rou were talking rou read as he was bitter to me about things and how jin was getting the life he wanted.
Zeta
good place for a flashback. i enjoyed it!
Russel
Take as much time as you need for part two I think we all can agree that we want a good story and if that takes a little longer then so be it
Aaron
If you need Wednesday off, take it off. Give yourself the time you need.
SoulofaGremlin
I'm relieved that the original Jin Rou was so chill.
Kyle
This was a great chapter. Seeing their relationship shows just how important they are to each other. Definitely worth the wait for the next part of Delivery.
Jack Daniels
Great chapter, glad you’re taking the time to write part 2 well
The GrandMage
If you need time, take time. You're shown yourself to make quality work, so if it takes longer, that's fine. But things like this are also always welcome.
Malthe Mørk Mejlby
this palace - > this place
Daniel
It's certainly interesting! Can't wait to see part two, though. :D
Empty Shelf
A nice little bit of history, tinged bittersweet by knowing where it leads. It's easy to forget sometimes that Jin "died", bitter and alone, before the story started.
Brian P.
I agree. I can see some of these working as flashbacks after the meeting, or some additional ones during the meeting as he drinks the tea. It would likely mean Rou is gaining ground and starting to force his way into the conscious actions of Jin. But yeah, more context is needed if that's the case, or at least different placement.
ChanceOfFoxin
This is great backstory, regardless of the final placement in the story
Len
Nice interlude, not sure it fits "here" in the story, imo it would fit at the first reunion w/ gramps better. But nice.
Lochar
It's all good! Take your time, make it work out right. Don't rush it. Also: I’m going to get out of this palace. place. Most people don't want to get out of a palace. :D
totankforu
Nice
J03MAN
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhghhh!
Alex Bennett
Take all the time you need to make it grand
Paratus
+1 Honestly love the Jin stuff more than everyone else, take as much time as you need. <3
riley st john
Haha I really do like the backstory for gramps and jin the only thing I will say is that it seems a lot different from how he acted in the dream where the old and new Jin interacted. I mean he is super young in this chapter and it is before his journey to the sect and joining it. So that probably changed how he thought / spoke
Sarssol
I think it's good to see some of their relationship before, not to mention how this gives us some insight into a pre-isekai-fusion Jin.
Howard Yang
Aww Little Rou is just too precious 🥺
