Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 26. The Composition of Bunchuu VS. Dakki ------------------------------------------------ [027] 26. The Composition of Bunchuu VS. Dakki Sipuxiang: But I still don't understand, Goshujin... [028] Sipuxiang: Didn't you say that the Houshin Project was a project to seal the evil sennin in the Houshin-dai? Then, why were the souls of good people like Kyouhi and Hakuyuukou sealed into the Houshin-dai too? Taikoubou: I'll tell you when I have some free time... Sipuxiang: I don't care! Tell me now!! Tell me now!! Taikoubou: All right, listen! When I went back to the Senninkai, it was to understand about the Houshin-dai. Taikoubou: Finally, the matter is like this... The souls which the Houshin-dai seal do not differentiate between good and evil, as long as they are of "stronger" power. So, even if they are good people, as long as their intelligence or martial arts are high, their souls will be sealed. [029] Sipuxiang: Oh...? Then, Goshujin and the others from Kongrong Mountains may also be sealed too...? Taikoubou: Right! But, I heard that the number will not exceed 365. Sipuxiang: A project which doesn't differentiate between good and evil? Taikoubou: It can't be helped, it was decided by Master Genshi Tenson and the Twelve Sennin. Taikoubou: Let's go! After this forest, we'll be in Seiki! [030] Chouka Residence of Buseiou KouHiko: What did you say? Bunchuu is coming back!? Servant: That's right! I heard that he has already quelled the rebellion in Hokkai! KouHiko: Really? This is great that Bunchuu has returned! He challenged Dakki once previously!! KouHiko: So, when is he expected to arrive? Servant: Ahh... from Hokkai, it should take about a month to return here... Bunchuu: I've returned! [031] Bunchuu: You seem to have aged a bit, Hiko. [032] KouHiko: You've finally returned! Frankly, you're not fairing much better yourself!! Bunchuu: Heh... the two of us are still always bickering. Bunchuu: While I've been away, you've worked hard to protect the city, haven't you? KouHiko: It wasn't easy! A herd of wild horses have been stiring troble! [033] Bunchuu: That's all right! Let the two of us tame this herd of wild horses. KouHiko: Yeah! Bunchuu! KouHiko: By the way, have you been to see His Majesty, Chuuou? I can't believe this guy, you should go pay your respects to the emperor first!! Chuuou: BUNCHUU!? Bunchuu: It's been a long time, Your Majesty! Chuuou fears seeing Bunchuu the most. [034] Bunchuu: Your majesty... I have been the Taishi of Yin since your grandfather's time. During that time, a "Palace Vixen" made her appearance... (Dakki ihas appeared a few times in the Yin Dynasty, always living extravagantly! - refer to Ch.1 - ) Bunchuu: I got rid of her that time... Bunchuu: But it seems that the vixen has returned? Chuuou: ----------? What nonsense are you speaking so soon after returning? Bunchuu: I will not allow the vixen to cause trouble here! I must get rid of her... [035] Bunchuu: DAKKI!!!! KouHiko: Idiot!! His Majesty is there too! Bunchuu: It's all right, he won't be hurt... Bunchuu: But, I didn't expect the power of her paopei to have increased this much... What a strong defensive power! [036] Chuuou: Oi... Bunchuu! Are you trying to kill me!? Bunchuu: Your majesty... Dakki is a Sennyo (female sennin)! Chuuou: !? Bunchuu: She is using the fragrance emitted from her paopei "Keisegan" to cause the people around her to follow her orders. Your majesty has also been influenced by her fragrance! Chuuou: Dak...Dakki... Is this true? Dakki: He is speaking rubbish! [037] Chuuou: Ahahahaha! Bunchuu! Stop joking around! Bunchuu: Your majesty!! Between myself and this vixen, who will you believe!? Bunchuu: I have taught and trained you ever since you were a child!! Speak! Whom do you trust?! Chuuou: ................. Um.... [038] Chuuou: Aaaaaahhhh!! I'm going to die!! KouHiko: Damn, Bunchuu is realy mad... KouHiko: Forget it, Bunchuu... Bunchuu: Hiko... Bunchuu: Ah... Bunchuu: I will deal with you, sooner or later! Dakki: Oh really? [039] Dakki: With your powers, Bunchuu? Bunchuu: Heheh... But of course! Chuuou: ............ Bunchuu: Demolish the Houraku and fill in the Taibon! Get rid of the Shuchi as well! KouHiko: Bunchuu is Bunchuu, after all! [040] KouHiko: Are you going to destroy all of the empress' cruel things? Bunchuu: As the Taishi of Yin, it is merely my duty. Bunchuu: All right, next is to distribute the rations to the public. Bunchuu: Open the granary!! KouHiko: Bunchuu...does he realise? Dakki, now, is no longer like she was before. Can you really overcome her....? KouHiko: Eh? [041] KouHiko: Eh? Your majesty... you're actually training? It's been many years since I've seen you training. Chuuou: Buseiou... Chuuou: Ahh...after seeing Bunchuu, I suddenly feel really energetic. Buseiou, why don't you train with me for a while? KouHiko: Ah... Of course!! [042] In the few days that Bunchuu returned, Chouka began to change... Dakki and her minions were suppressed and the citizens began to show more smiles. His Majesty, Chuuou, changed as well. Could it be because Bunchuu's power is stronger than Dakki's? If this would continue, everything will be great... But..... Bunchuu: Rebellion? Tohakukou (Earl of the East) ...? [043] Chuuou: Previously, Tohakukou Kyoukanso was sentenced to death by me, his daughter Kyouhi, my wife, also committed suicide. Their heir, Kyoubunkan, might rebel as a result... (Recall Chapter 16 : Dakki's Shuchi Mikurin) Chuuou: So, Taishi...Buseiou... I want one of you to take 50,000 men to go negotiate with Tohakukou. Bunchuu: Dakki's scheme... KouHiko: What? [044] Bunchuu: Your majesty... let me go! Buseiou is a warrior, his negotiation skills are lacking... Chuuou: Ah! All right, go quickly and return soon. Bunchuu: I think... it will take about two or three months. Bunchuu: Damn! That vixen had everything well thought out! Bunchuu: In order to force me to leave again, this vixen deliberately had Tohakukou killed. So that I had no choice but to leave here... KouHiko: That's not right! At the time, she killed off Tohakukou to undermine the surrounding powers. [045] Bunchuu: Hiko... A true strategist's every move must have at least two or three outcomes. And Dakki is one of the most formidable strategist! Bunchuu: This damn vixen's strongest trait, besides her Temptation Spell, is her brain which is even more powerful... But, I will not allow her to get what she wants! And so, Bunchuu left the city again... Everything returned to as it was... Dakki: The real show is just beginning! I will have both Bunchuu and Buseiou working for me! 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