In this universe, there once existed two worlds.
In the Heavens was the lmmortal World, where the immortals dwelt.
And on Earth...
Yes, of course, the Human World where the humans lived.
The era in the Human World is that of the Yin Dynasty.
The thirtieth emperor of Yin, Zhou,
was known to be a wise ruler, who excelled in both pen and sword.
With the capital, Chouka, at its center,
Yin held sway over roughly eight hundred of the surrounding nations.
I am pleased to make your acquaintance.
My name is Shinkohyo.
The scenes you just saw are from around the eleventh century BC.
What?
There are inconsistencies in the historical references?
Well, please pardon us on the grounds that
it is in order to make a legend more interesting.
But the Dynasty is about to fall after all this time, right?
Exactly right, Kokutenko.
Look, she is about to make her appearance.
Come to captivate Zhou's heart,
the embodiment of a demon immortal, Dakki.
She stole Zhou's heart by using the black magic of Temptation.
And so, Dakki gained the favor of the imperial regime
and seized complete control of the Yin government.
Soon, an era of upheaval and terror came upon the Human World.
Now, let us descend into the tale as well.
Not to worry, there is nothing to be afraid of.
I only want to see something interesting, just as you all do.
Seiki Castle
Chinto Outpost
Breathe in, breathe in, breathe out.
Breathe in, breathe in...
Well, well, interesting things are happening all over the place.
I don't see what's so interesting, Shinkohyo.
There, there.
Now, please turn the Senrigan towards Mount Kunlun.
It seems something interesting is about to happen there as well.
Mount Kunlun
I know! Youzen! Youzen would be good.
With his great reputation for being a genius,
he should be able to carry forth this Project without any problems.
No, surely, Tai-itsu Shinjin is most qualified.
He is very skilled at wielding Paopei.
Unchuushi would be good too.
He is eccentric, but he is a man that can be trusted.
No, they are too good for this.
In the end,
I think he should be someone who has mastered an lmmortal's powers,
but is rather lacking in motivation, inattentive, sloppy,
and it should be difficult to tell whether he is good or is an idiot.
In that case...
O Genshitenson, is there someone suitable?
There is.
Elder! Elder Taikoubou!
Master Genshitenson is calling for you.
If you don't hurry, you'll be reprimanded again.
What the hell?!
O Taikoubou, come immediately when you are called!
Master Genshitenson, a surprise attack is most dishonorable!
And with such a powerful Paopei too!
I said to hurry up!
I am entrusting you with this.
Um...
Take this as well.
This is what you were just using!
Yes.
It is a Paopei that manipulates the air, called the Dashinben.
This is awesome!
Yes, Sir.
O Taikoubou, as you already know,
the Human World is in great disorder right now.
The Yin Dynasty is completely in thrall to Dakki and her followers.
The country is devastated
and there is not a shadow of its former prosperity left.
People are starving...
And have become poor.
There is no end to the ugly fights over mere handfuls of grain.
The lmmortal World can no longer afford to let this continue.
Therefore, we wish to houshin every last one of their souls.
Seal
Houshin?
Seal Please take a look over there.
That is called the Pillar of Souls.
It is designed so that a defeated demon immortal's soul
will automatically fly there and be sealed away.
And in the Book are the names of the 365 who must be houshined.
Master Genshitenson, you can't mean that the one to do this...
Of course, it is you.
I refuse! Why should I take on such an onerous task?!
Onerous?!
It is a great honor to be accorded such an important task,
you ungrateful dog!
I do not need such honor!
I want to lay back and continue my training at my leisure!
You call it training and all you do is nap, you lazy disciple!
Shut up! Children who sleep, grow! You call it training and all you do is nap, you lazy disciple!
Shut up! Children who sleep, grow!
Master!
This is Sibuxiang. Good luck!
Wait! I didn't say I'd do it yet!
Nice to meet you, Master.
I don't wanna!
Master Genshitenson, will things really be all right like this?
Not to worry. He is the one who is best suited for this task.
This is a pretty good Paopei! I like it!
Master, that's dangerous.
Here's an extra one!
Master Genshitenson, are you sure everything will be fine?
Project Soul Hunt?
So the lmmortal World is beginning to make its move.
But that disciple named Taikoubou didn't seem all that impressive.
However, he was good enough for Genshitenson to specify by name.
Shall we go and test his abilities?
What was that?
I'm deeply moved! This is the greatest! I'll do my best!
To think that I'll be helping you with a task
that'll go down in the history of the lmmortal World!
I don't like this.
Why do I have to go houshin 365 demon immortals?
Isn't there an easier way to take care of this in one shot?
What kind of irresponsible talk is that?!
Because of Dakki and her friends, right now the Yin Dynasty is...
That's it, that's it!
All we have to do is get rid of Dakki and things should be fine.
What?
I've decided! I'll defeat Dakki and that'll be the end of it!
O Sibuxiang, go to where Dakki is.
You can't cheat like that.
Hurry!
I've got a terrible idiot of a disciple for my master.
Interesting.
I would like to hear more about that.
Well...
What?!
Master!
What?
No, not "what"...
No, you must hear us out this time, no matter what!
The Yin Dynasty has thrived for thirty generations already.
No place under the Heavens is beyond the reach of our power!
However, the Yin is indeed about to come to an end!
Can Your Majesty not see that?!
The people already have no food.
There is no end to deaths due to starvation in our capital!
At this rate, Chouka, nay, all of Yin will be buried in corpses!
Please, reduce the tax and share with the people from your stores!
I beg of you!
Oh, we can't do that.
If we do that, we won't be able to live in luxury anymore.
Damn you, Dakki! All because of a venomous serpent like you!
Die!
Yay! Yay! Yay!
It is as Dakki says!
Those who object to Our policies shall be executed on the spot!
Who in the world are you?
I am Shinkohyo. Pleased to meet you.
Shinkohyo?
I see, and what is it that you want with me?
But, Master...
Nothing much.
I was just wondering if you would agree to a little one-on-one.
I believe my name is listed in that Book of Souls as well.
Oh, really. Let's see...
Shin
Ah! Here it is! You're at the top of the list!
Kou Ah! Here it is! You're at the top of the list!
Hyou Ah! Here it is! You're at the top of the list!
Sorry, but I have no intentions of defeating anyone other than Dakki.
I cannot waste my time on small fry. Forgive me.
I'd like you to see this before you decide whether I am a small fry.
What kind of Paopei is that?
I shouldn't have teamed up with such a stupid disciple.
You see...
That is considered to be the most powerful Paopei.
Raikouben!
Master, it's coming!
I'm evading!
Don't move, Sibuxiang!
What?!
Dashinben!
He was a pretty puny guy, wasn't he?
Do you think so, Kokutenko?
That disciple called Taikoubou
could have avoided my Raikouben if he wanted to, but he did not.
It looked like he tried to block with some sort of Paopei,
but because you didn't use your full power,
it looks like he managed to stay alive.
Take a look, Kokutenko.
Can you see that small human village behind where he was?
Then he did that to protect that village?!
Who knows?
He may only have wanted to test the power of his own Paopei.
In any case, I think this deserves some more observation.
What's wrong?!
What?!
Oh, my child.
Father!
My sons, according to the divination of the eight trigrams,
it seems I will be departing in the not too distant future.
And it looks as though it will be somewhat of a long journey.
A storm is coming.
A storm that will send both Heaven and Earth into turmoil.
Project Soul Hunt? Wow!
It's like a pushy invitation to go on a date from the lmmortal World!
This Taikoubou disciple is a rather interesting fellow.
It looks as though we will be saved from boredom for a while now.
Looks like it.
But I won't be so easy to defeat, you know.
Taikoubou, I hope I get to torment you soon.
Please do not disappoint me.
It has been millennia since I had such a premonition of fun.
Say, Master?
Why do you think Shinkohyo let us live?
I don't know.
But now I know I'm far from being a match for Shinkohyo or Dakki.
What?
Seems we need to gather more power in order to fight at their level.
Master, you've finally said something cool!
We'll gather allies!
Yes!
And...
Yes! Wounds like these will heal in no time!
Come, let us...
We'll let THEM do the fighting.
I've been looking all this time for that same look
Looking for my friends, who have the same dreams as I
Yesterday's tears and the smiles starting from today
I want to take in all those things
Neither from the morning rain nor the long dark of night
Do you have anything to fear
I will be like this sky
And become strong wings to protect you
Leaping over vast expanses of time
I give you this future about to begin right now
Facing the wind and feeling the Earth beneath my feet
I want to live with you forever
In order to find allies,
Taikoubou goes on a journey with his spiritual beast, Sibuxiang.
The lord of Seiki Castle, Ki Shou, sets out on a journey to Chouka.
What is the true nature of the baby born at Chinto Outpost?
And who is the other baby that Ki Shou encounters, Raishinshi?
Soul Hunter, Chapter Two:
Chapter Two: Taikoubou Commits His First Houshin