Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 23. The Future Seer's Dialectique I ------------------------------------------------ [129] 23. The Future Seer's Dialectique I [130-1] ani-Inkou: Eh? Isn't that the sennin who has been floating around in the sky above Chouka? Sipuxiang: Ahhh.... This person is... Sipuxiang: The most powerful doushi, Shinkouhyou!! Shinkouhyou: ....... Taikoubou.... [132] Shinkouhyou: You must return those two princes to Chouka! ani-Inkou: What...? ani-Inkou: Don't joke around! If we go back now, we'll be killed by Dakki! Shinkouhyou: Silence!! I'm talking to Taikoubou! [133] Sipuxiang: Go...Goshujin! Shinkouhyou looks like he's in a bad mood. Taikoubou: Shinkouhyou, what's the problem here? Shinkouhyou: The citizens in Chouka now are living in tragic conditions. How can a prince worry only about his own welfare? Shinkouhyou: That is the problem which displeases me. That's why I've been searching all over for the princes. Shinkouhyou: Taikoubou... since you've helped the two princes come to this foolish decision... [134] Shinkouhyou: That is not acceptable! It does not comply with my master plan. Sipuxiang: He...he's getting angry. Taikoubou: He's always obsessing about matters we'd rather not know about. ani-Inkou: B..but... ani-Inkou: Even if we go back, there's nothing we can do! otouto-Inkou: Nobody would even listen to us!! [135] Shinkouhyou: Your highnesses, you still don't understand? You're always relying on others! Shinkouhyou: You've even abandoned your own father! ani-Inkou: ! Shinkouhyou: If the leader is lacking, then, the people are the ones who will suffer the consequences. This way, even if Dakki dies, the Yin Dynasty is finished! Taikoubou: Then, what do you suggest? Shinkouhyou: I will take them back to Chouka to takeover the leadership. ani-Inkou: I don't want that... [136] ani-Inkou: We don't want to die yet!! There's still so much we want to acomplish!! Taikoubou: .......... Taikoubou: Shinkouhyou, your words make sense too... But.... Taikoubou: I still can't stand aside and ignore the princes' situation... This is a matter of principle. Shinkouhyou: You're too naive, Taikoubou! Doing this will only cause a war with Chuuou! [137] Shinkouhyou: Don't forget, Chuuou only has two sons! I promise you, these two princes will turn against you in the future, for the sake of their father! Taikoubou: Even if that's the case, it doesn't matter as long as I can save them now, that's all. Besides, I never expected compensation from them. Shinkouhyou: I see that our ideas simply do not coincide. It's pointless to discuss this further! Taikoubou: Then, what are you going to do? [138] Shinkouhyou: I'll just have to use my full power!! Taikoubou: Full power... You would use power to enforce your decision? Sipuxiang: Aaaaahhhh...Goshujin is going to die... [139] ani-Inkou: Aaahh.... [140] Princes: Aaaiiyaaaa!! Shinkouhyou: This is... Genshi Tenson is responsible!! Taikoubou: Genshi Tenson!? Genshi: Taikoubou, Shinkouhyou... Let the Senkai deal with the matter of these two people. [141] Genshi: So that we can prevent injuries to both sides. Shinkouhyou: Kokutenko, let's go! Kokutenko: Eh!? Shinkouhyou: Taikoubou... For Genshi Tenson's sake, I'll let you off this time. Shinkouhyou: It is perhaps not a bad thing for those two inexperienced boys to train in the Senkai. They will be more mature in the future, when the time comes. [142] Shinkouhyou: Lastly, I have something to ask you. Did you know that the names of Chuuou and the two princes are also in the Houshin List? Taikoubou: I know that... Shinkouhyou: You knew yet you still let them live? Shinkouhyou: Also, do you know why the princes' mother, Kyouhi's soul flew to the Houshin-dai? Taikoubou: I don't know... Why was that? Shinkouhyou: The Houshin Project is not as simple as it appears... This project hides many secret plans of the Senkai... [143] Taikoubou: ......... Taikoubou: I had begun to realise this... I have always felt that something was amiss... Taikoubou: Master Genshi Tenson said that we must defeat Dakki and her minions, a total of 365 individuals. But, however you count it, there are only 180 or so names on this list. Sipuxiang: Eh!? Why is that? Taikoubou: I'm not too sure either... Taikoubou: There are many things the Senkai is hiding from me... Taikoubou: Kyouhi is not a sendou, why did her soul fly to the Houshin-dai? What exactly is the reason for this? [144] Taikoubou: Sipuxiang! Let's return to Kongrong Mountains! Sipuxiang: Eh!? Taikoubou: To clarify matters! We will find out by seeking Master Genshi Tenson directly! Taikoubou: Exactly what the Houshin Project really is! Taikoubou: Master Genshi Tenson... What exactly did you want me to do!? [145] Kokutenko: Shinkouhyou.... Kokutenko: The names of both princes, Houhitsu and Housou are in the Houshin List... Why did Taikoubou allow them a chance to live? Shinkouhyou: That's because Taikoubou is too soft-hearted. Shinkouhyou: He has always thought that he only needs to defeat Dakki and that's it. But, he doesn't realise that there are certain matters which are unavoidable. Kokutenko: Then, we should let him know the real purpose of the Houshin Project! Then, he wouldn't be so soft-hearted. [146] Taikoubou: We can see it now... Taikoubou: There's Kongrong Mountains!! Genshi: .......... 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