Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 14. Youzen's Test ------------------------------------------------ [133] 14. Youzen's Test [134] Several months ago, in the Senkai... Youzen: Greetings, Hakutsuru Douji, I heard that Master Genshi Tenson has summoned me... Please let him know that I've arrived. Hakutsuru: Greetings, Youzen. We have been waiting for you... It seems like there's an important task for you. Youzen: Important task...? [135] - Gyokukyoukyu - Youzen: Doushi Youzen pays his respects. Genshi: Youzen! Genshi: Still a doushi? Your training is already complete. You should earn the title "sennin"! Youzen: No, not yet! Youzen: A sennin has to accept disciples... If I take the title of "sennin", I'll have to leave and search for disciples. I wish to continue improving my abilites, I can't spare the time to search for disciples. [136] Genshi: Indeed, you are the only genius in the Senkai who can create miracles with your skills... You still wish to continue training... Genshi: I've... called you here today to discuss another issue. Youzen: What is it? Genshi: I have a disciple named Taikoubou. I would like to ask you to give him all your assistance in completing a most important project... Youzen: It's... The Houshin Project? Genshi: Yes. How did you know about this? Youzen: ......... Hakutsuru: Master Genshi Tenson, isn't asking him to take orders from Taikoubou most inappropriate? [137] Genshi: Hakutsuru's insinuation is because Youzen's abilities are above that of Taikoubou's? Hakutsuru: Everybody says so! This is most unfair to Youzen! Youzen: It's all right, Hakutusru. I am willing to accept this task. Youzen: But, I do have one condition. Genshi: Condition? Youzen: I do not know how powerful this doushi, Taikoubou, is... Youzen: Therefore, I must test his abilities. Whether his abilities are really better than mine, or... [138] Taikoubou: Test? Youzen: You must accept three tests. Youzen: The first test is already complete. When facing your greatest enemy, Dakki, you were still able to keep your cool. I'll consider that a pass! Taikoubou: So...do we still have to continue the tests? [139] Youzen: Of course... Youzen: Begin!! Taikoubou: Sipuxiang!! [140] Sipuxiang: What are you doing!? Let me go!! Taikoubou: Let him go!! Taikoubou: Isn't that dog a reijyuu? Youzen: Right! He is my paopei, Koutenken. He also has an extraordinary killing power. Youzen: Koutenken, bite Sipuxiang!! [141] Sipuxiang: Aiiiiii~~~~~ Taikoubou: Sipuxiang!! Youzen: Taikoubou-shishu. Perhaps others feel that you have yet to show your real abilities. Youzen: I have been observing your actions in secret. But I feel that you're only using your wit to accomplish matters. Youzen: So, I want you to show your real abilites this time, or else, no doubt Sipuxiang will die! The second test is to prove whether or not you do possess true power. [142] Taikoubou: Sipuxiang~~~!! If he bites you, bite him back!! Sipuxiang: I... I can't.... I don't dare to.... Youzen: You still refuse to take me seriously... Youzen: Taikoubou-shishu!! [143] Youzen: !! [144] Sipuxiang: Goshujin!! Sipuxiang: Why didn't you retaliate?! Taikoubou: Youzen... No matter who wins this challenge, there is no purpose to it. Youzen: ......... Youzen: I admire you, Shishu. You would rather let yourself be injured before hurting others... [145] Youzen: I'll consider the second test a pass as well! Youzen: But what a bother, I haven't thought of the third test yet! How can I let you prove your intelligence? Taikoubou: You thought that I would already fail the first or second test? Youzen: Right. Taikoubou: Why are these geniuses so frank? How insensitive... Sipuxiang: Eh? Sipuxiang: Why doesn't the arm that was bitten hurt? It was only for show! [146] Youzen: Who is that heading this way? Woodcutter: Hello! It -is- you, doushi-sama!! Woodcutter: I thought I felt some excitement around here. Long time no see! Taikoubou: Who are you? Woodcutter: Aww~~ c'mon, I'm the woodcutter, remember? When we were in Chouka? That woodcutter who appeared in Chapters 3 and 4! [147] Sipuxiang: What is the woodcutter doing here? Taikoubou: Maybe he moved here from Chouka? Woodcutter: ...... Chouka is already hopeless.... Woodcutter: The high taxes are suffocating the people. More and more of the elderly and children are dying. Woodcutter: We can't bear it any longer! Woodcutter: Please look over there! [148] Woodcutter: Refugees who have escaped from Chouka... [149] Woodcutter: We wish to head for Seiki... We heard that Seiki is more prosperous than the capital. Taikoubou: But, can they really leave the capital so easily? Woodcuttter: Well... Woodcutter: We must pass through Rintoukan to flee the capital... But, I heard that they're not letting us pass. Youzen: True. Dakki would never let them escape. She must have ordered the gates to be closed. Woodcutter: Doushi-sama, your fortune telling skills were so great! Please help us! Taikoubou: Hey...I'm not a miracle-worker! [150] Youzen: That's right! Youzen: Taikoubou-shishu! Please help these poor citizens reach Seiki safely. I'll consider that as the third test! Taikoubou: That's a bit too much, isn't it? There are so many people! Youzen: If you can accomplish that, I will willingly concede defeat. [151] Taikoubou: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE~~!?! Are -you- that great?! Youzen: Well... Taikoubou: Forget the test! You are the genius. You should be the one to rescue those people. Taikoubou: But, to simply admit defeat, that is not satisfying either... *sigh* Youzen...! All right, I'll show you what I can do. o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o Translation (c) 2000 Koushi - all rights reserved. No part or whole of this document may be broken up or published on a web-page without the express permission of the author. It may be freely distributed for _personal_ use ONLY on the condition that it is distributed in its entirety and no changes of ANY KIND are made, leaving all original author and copyright information intact. o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o