Houshin Engi by Fujisaki Ryuu, adapted from the novel by Ano Tsutomu published by JUMP Comics; Shueisha, Inc. ------------------------------------------------ 68. Within Kingou Island ~ Sengyoku's Father ------------------------------------------------ [147] 68. Within Kingou Island ~ Sengyoku's Father Map of China during the Yin-Zhou Period [148] Both the Yin and Zhou sides have decided to go to war with the powers of both "Sennin" and "People". Both countries have appointed their respective military strategists, Zhou's Gunshi Taikoubou and Yin's Taishi Bunchuu, to lead this historic war. Taikoubou of Zhou leads tens of thousands of his army towards the garrison constructed by Youzen. Then, to fortify their position there to engage the Yin. Allied with the Zhou, from the North, South and East, their respective Earls have also sent their army towards Chouka. While Yin's Bunchuu--- [149] - Capital Chouka - - Imperial Palace - - PM 6:00 - Bunchuu: What? Bunchuu: The Juttenkun are not coming? ChouKei: yes! They should have gathered at the palace here at 3pm this afternoon... Bunchuu: ............ Bunchuu: I'm going to Kingou Islands now!! ChouKei: Ehh?! [150] Bunchuu: If the Juttenkun are not here, there will be a gap in my strategy! To begin with, the Juttenkun and I will attack the Kongrong sennin, and then advise the Zhou citizens to surrender-- that was my original plan!! ChouKei: But Bunchuu-sama! Taikoubou is bringing his army here righteously! If you use the Juttenkun to deal with them, that's too... Bunchuu: You feel that it's despicable? ChouKei! But his is a war caused by the sendou, this is a better solution than harming the citizens directly!! *clapclap* Bunchuu: ! [151] Bunchuu: Who's there!? ChouKoumei: Admirable! What a war needs is a strategy!! To all readers! Why don't you look up the difference between the Art of War and the Strategy of War! Bunchuu: Let's go, Kokukirin! ChouKoumei: Ahah! Wait a minute!! ChouKoumei: What will hapeen if Taikoubou attacks while you're away?! [152] ChouKei: Bunchuu-sama has left me in charge to deal with Taikoubou and his band! ChouKoumei: Ah, ChouKei... you are no doubt a strong warrior. But you might just get played by Taikoubou's schemes... ChouKoumei: Therefore, allow me to deal with this! Bunchuu: ---Actually, I've already thought of a way to deal with Taikoubou! I've asked Tou Kyuukou to handle this. Bunchuu: Tou Kyuukou!? You /have/ thought this through! Tou Kyuukou is the person most suited to deal with Taikoubou! Bunchuu: ....... Bunchuu: Was it really your idea to choose him? ChouKoumei: Of course! [153] Bunchuu: All right then... Dakki: Chou Koumei! Dakki: has Bunchuu left for Kingou Islands? ChouKoumei: Yes! Dakki! ChouKoumei: But why couldn't I tell him that it was your idea? Dakki: Because we don't get along! Dakki: Without that prude around, I'll be able to play some games with Taikoubou! ChouKoumei: You're so bad! [154-5] Kingou Islands Bunchuu: Kokukirin, wait here, I will go speak with the Juttenkun. Kokukirin: Understood, Bunchuu-sama. Bunchuu: ....... Bunchuu: It's been a long time since I've been to Kingou Islands... Bunchuu: !! Bunchuu: What?! [156] Youtenkun: Eh? Why are you here? Bunchuu! Bunchuu: Youtenkun!! Youtenkun: Ah! Didn't you know? A while back, us Juttenkun created this space "Juuzetsujin" around Tsuuten Kyoushu to protect him. Youtenkun: Any unauthorized visitor trying to see Tsuuten Kyoushu will be trapped in this space. Bunchuu: Juuzetsujin... Bunchuu: It's not bad... All right, Youtenkun! I summoned you all, why didn't you come? Youtenkun: ............ Youtenkun: We Juttenkun felt a little puzzled too... Do you really need our help? [158] Bunchuu: !? Youtenkun: I thought that with Chou Koumei and ChouKei helping you, that would be enough! If you can't defeat the enemy, it won't be too late if we step in to help at that time. Bunchuu: No! We should form a unit together from the start! Youtenkun: Bunchuu! Youtenkun: We are sennin of higher rank than you. Even though Tsuuten Kyoushu has given you the right to order us, but don't you forget that fact! Youtenkun: First of all, you have to deal with this, or don't even think about seeing Tsuuten Kyoushu!! Bunchu: Juttenkun!! [159] Meanwhile, at the garrison that Youzen built... Taikoubou: This is great, Youzen! I've never seen such a sturdy fort before! Youzen: Ah...this is the border bewteen Yin and Zhou! So we have to build it as sturdy as possible! Taikoubou: Right! TouKyuukou: Is the little monk there Taikoubou-----!? Taikoubou: Huh! [160] Taikoubou: Who's there? Youzen: What is that, Shishu! Taikoubou: Hm... That is... [161] Taikoubou: How can there be such a tiny man... Youzen: It's because that animal is large! TouKyuukou: Taikoubou... my name is Tou Kyuukou!! Ryuushuko: And I am the yousei Ryuushuko. TouKyuukou: We are here on the orders of the emperor Chuuou to question your crimes! How dare you proclaim yourself "Buou" and corrupt the righteous Kou Hiko and coerce the people to invade Chouka... (blah blah blah) TouKyuukou: These are crimes unforgivable by Heaven!! Come and face my judgement! Traitor!! [162] Taikoubou: Looks like an enemy either way, there's no point talking with him... Youzen: Right! There's no way to talk him around... TouSengyoku: Eh? Youzen: That voice... TouSengyoku: Papa!? TouKyuukou: ! (Papa!?) TouKyuukou: Ahh...Sengyoku!! It's been hard on you working as a spy, come back on this side!! TouSengyoku: Yeah! [163] Sipuxiang: Spy Lady! TouSengyoku: ! Sipuxiang: You're going to become the enemy again? TouSengyoku: Sorry, Sipuxiang... I can't bear to leave you... TouSengyoku: I suppose that's my fate!? Sipuxiang: Spy Lady!! Taikoubou: Forget it, they look really weak anyway. That spy's paopei is useless in a war anyway. [164] TouSengyoku: Papa, Ryuushuko, long time no see!! TouKyuukou: Sengyoku, are you unhurt? Ryuushuko: Sengyoku, it's been a while! TouSengyoku: Papa, they are really terrible! They said I'm weak, they look down on me! TouKyuukou: What!? The audacity of these fools!! TouSengyoku: Ryuushuko, teach them a lesson for me!! Ryuushuko: All right!! [165] Taikoubou: !! Taikoubou: Aaaaah---!! TouSengyoku: How's that? Are we still weaklings? 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