BOC AU: Elder, But Younger Sister Chapter 2

Through the eight years of living with the old man, I had crafted a story for him I had been pretty sure was accurate. A cultivator of middling power, who had lost his family in some conflict. Sadness had hung around him like a shroud, and his eyes were tired as can be.

He would disappear maybe about once a year, for a week at a time. He said he was visiting his daughter… and I had assumed he meant her grave. I had never pried, and kept a respectful distance, assuming he didn’t want to talk about it. Or he would if he was ready.

Naturally, I was completely and utterly fucking blindsided when this “random mid level cultivator who was slumming it” Turned out to be one of the strongest men in the world, his daughter wasn’t dead, and the questions I had answered had turned out to be things that had led him to a conclusion to save that daughter.

Oh, and he was friends with, on first name basis with, two of the Elders of the Cloudy Sword Sect. Who he insisted I call Aunt and Uncle, and who seemed to have no problem with it.

Elder Shou even said he would be watching me with great interest, and wanted to have a talk about my medical insights. They went back to the mountain after that, leaving us alone.

The Old Man—Shen Yu—could tell that he had caught me off guard with the sudden question about being adopted, though,. And said he hadn’t needed an answer quite yet, but they did have something else to tell me. That I deserved to know the truth of things.

I was in a bit of a daze, as I was sat down across the table from them both. Shen Yu had eventually chided Qingyi to get down off from where she had been hanging onto me. She was clingy, this girl. Even now she was staring at me intently. She had really pretty eyes. Steel grey, with strange, almost damascus pattern swirls taking up her iris. Her hair was a bit messy like Shen Yu’s and held up in a rough bun.

I was a little unnerved.. But then I found out why, exactly, she had been so happy to see me, as Shen Yu told me story about what had happened… and I got to listen to a brutal, Shakespearean tragedy of loss, brought on by the sins of a son.

Millions dead. Cities destroyed. A family shattered into pieces, and Shen Yu’s quest to save Qingyi’s life.

It was a fucked up story. What Bu had done to his family, and to the world was so utterly monstrous it took my breath away. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how they felt, and my heart went out to both of them—and especially Shen Yu. The man had basically raised me for eight years. I liked him.

I don't know if I would mind being his son.

I thought it over as I considered the story as well. The grim tale made the room go cold, and both Shen Yu and Qingyi were grimacing, the pain still clear for both of them.

But the pain was not the last emotion

“Which brings us to now. Thanks to your insight… my daughter is cured. She lives. She walks free from her chambers. It is a debt that must be repaid a thousand fold—and yet priceless. So in repayment, everything must be given. My name. The resources I possess. The influence I wield. You shall stand upon the pinnacle of this world…. And then to the pinnacle of the next one.”

Shen Yu’s voice was firm, and full of conviction. I could feel it in my bones.

It was an oath that could have me basically king of the world. It was the key to the best life imaginable.

And yet…

I looked at Shen Yu’s intense eyes. I looked at Qingyi, the young woman studying me, and looking hopeful.

So much pain and suffering had been inflicted on both of them… and I was the thing that they were using to heal some of it.

I gave them my answer.

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Qingyi waited with baited breath for Jin to speak. She had studied her not quite brother yet’s face and how Qi intently through the story. Her new brother listened. He listened intently, and… his face changed. She saw him express shock and horror when Father told him what Bu had done.

His eyes were full of naked care and concern. They flicked over to her, landing on some of the bandages still around her chest.

And when her father told Jin what he wanted to do for him… that he wanted to give Jin everything… he hesitated.

The offer of limitless power made him pause. His first reaction wasn’t to jump at it, but to consider it. To weigh it.

And then, when he looked up at them again, there was conviction.

“I will bear the name Shen with honour… on one condition.” he said, looking directly toward her father.

“Name it.” Father replied, without hesitation.

“If we are to be family… then we will be family. What I did, then, is I helped my sister. That doesn’t need any grand oaths. That doesn’t need any debts. I don't want servants dedicated to repaying me. I would have a father who would guide me on the right path, rather than giving me the world on a platter. I would have a sister and a friend.”

Qingyi’s heart leapt into her throat, and her smile bloomed across her face. Father leaned back slowly, his mouth opening and closing twice, before he let out a thick chuckle.

“I am humbled by the wisdom and filial piety of my son.” He stated. “Those are the terms with which we shall all abide. There shall be no debts then—now and in the future.”

Qingyi felt the Qi of her father settle around him. It was warm and powerful.

Ah, what a wonderful brother she was going to have! All of her dreams, all of her hopes from three years of isolation and pain started to coalesce. Dreams of adventure, dreams of fun.

And now with somebody to share it all with.

“Welcome to the family, little brother!” she cheered.

Her brother gave them both a smile.. That turned mischievous.

“Acutlaly, theres something bothering me. You said she was in there for three years, from her perspective. Wouldn’t that make her seventeen?”

Qingyi blinked. 

“I do believe that is correct.” her father answered, and then his own eyes widened.

“Well then. I turned eighteen a couple a weeks ago… doesn’t that make me the elder sibling?” It was asked with purposeful innocence, and Qingyi’s jaw dropped.

What?! What was he doing?!

“I’m the Elder Sibling!” she rejected immediately. Their father was starting to chuckle.

“Oh? Reeeeaally?” Jin asked, drawling out the word. “Stand up then.” 

She sprang to her feet at the same time he did, wondering where he was going with this. He walked over to her, and considered her for a moment. She had to look up to meet his eyes.

“Nah. see? I’m totally the bigger sibling.” 

He looked down on her, his grin mocking and challenging in equal measure. 

Qingyi spluttered at the sudden and blatant disrespect!

He stuck out his tongue at her, and reached his hand up, ruffling her hair! No one outside her father had ever done that to her before!

“Please do not!” she said. She had seen the mortals doing this to others, but cultivators of their age were supposed to be more dignified!

“No.” he replied instantly, and started pushing her head around and messing up her hair more. Oh, how he dared! She would have to teach him a lesson! Gently, though!

Her hand reached up with a snap, and she grabbed the offending limb. His stance instantly rooted, the exact way father taught. His cultivation was superior to hers, as hers had been completely shattered. She was weaker. She wouldn't be able to complete the throw—

And then the solid feeling vanished. Jin jumped, ever so slightly giving her the momentum she needed. He helped her complete the throw.

He landed on his back with a whuff, and she frowned at him.

“Younger Siblings shouldn't be so cheeky!” she scolded, a strange feeling welling in her chest. She felt… giddy. Excited, even through her irritation.

“I know! Father! Look at her, tossing her Elder Brother around!” he whined. Qingyi once more floundered. Getting father involved?!

“Father! Tell him he's the Younger one!” Qingyi yelped after.

Father was no help. He was leaning back, and he was laughing, tears of mirth streaming down from his eyes.

It was a truly beautiful sight, to see her father so happy.

And then she lost sight of it as her little brother grabbed her ankle, and sent her sprawling too.

She glared at him.

He stuck his tongue out again, and made a farting noise at her.

He was acting like a mortal child, goading his friend to play!

…and then she realised that yes, that was exactly what he was doing. He was goading her to play.

Play, like they would have if they had been siblings. If they had known each other as children.

Qingyi had lost three years. Her father, three hundred.

Jin was trying to make up for lost time.

….Qingyi obliged him.

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It was indeed like she was a child again. It was fun. It was exhilarating.

They were both panting by the end of their bout—the results were inconclusive, as Qingyi ran out of breath quickly, her body still adjusting to being able to move.

Both of them were grinning.

I’ll be the Elder Sibling.” she swore.

“Of course, Big Sis,” he replied, his voice mocking.

“Children, Children.” their father chided, but he was still smiling.

And for the first time in a long time, Qingyi was really, truly happy.

Even if her Junior Brother was annoying her on purpose! He was so, so different to Bu—

She grimaced at the comparison. With Bu there had always been simmering tension. There was no tension here. There was no resentment. 

He barely knew her.. And yet he treated her like she was his family already.

…perhaps she would let him be her Elder Brother, and take everything Bu had, but left behind.

Bu had ranted at her that he was so angry about being second place to other people. 

Might as well keep that constant of the universe.

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Qingyi has just a bit of trauma and spite toward Bu.