Nezha
The Feudists
Mash: Oh, Senpai.
Mash: Yes, I was just reading.
Mash: I wanted to learn more about Nezha, so I was re-reading her story.
Mash: I had read “Journey to the West” before, but I learned of “Investiture of the Gods” only recently.
Mash: Have you heard of it?
Fujimaru 1: Both novels are pretty popular.
Mash: Really?
Fujimaru 2: I don't think that many people have read the original text...
Mash: So there are many spin-off works from the original text.
Mash: Human culture never ceases to amaze me.
Mash: The frequently mentioned Chinese classics are: “Journey to the West,” “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” “Water Margin,” and “The Plum in the Golden Vase.”
Mash: Though many of the passionate readers switch the “Golden Vase” with “Investiture of the Gods” to insist that it is one of the great classic Chinese novels.
Mash: And some say that the “Investiture of the Gods” is one of the great Chinese classics, along with “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “Journey to the West.”
Mash: I also took a brief look at related Chinese texts...
Mash: But it appears that the lore for Nezha greatly differs from work to work.
Fujimaru 1: Really?
Mash: It appears that she has Taoist, Buddhist, and even Hindu origins.
Mash: Although, that isn't really unique, even among the Servants we know...
Fujimaru 2: There's just one question (read: gender) to clear up.
Mash: Senpai, here's your coffee. I believe there are certain topics that are best left alone.
Mash: The Nezha that we know appears to be the most similar to the version from “Journey to the West”...
Mash: The Nezha of “Investiture of the Gods” seems like a better fit for a Berserker than a Lancer...
Mash: But Nezha is...hard to define. So many characteristics and aspects are jumbled together.
Mash: In “Investiture of the Gods,” many supernatural beings and spirits of various time periods assemble and participate in a bloody melee.
Fujimaru 1: It's like Chaldea.
Mash: If you're likening “Investiture of the Gods” to an all-star battle set during the Ming Dynasty, you would not be far off the mark.
Mash: Though, I would prefer to not use the word “melee”...
Fujimaru 2: Both Heroic Spirits and humans have hidden sides.
Mash: True...it's not right to judge others by rumors or titles alone.
Mash: On one hand, Nezha is enshrined as a god in China and Southeast Asia, even in modern times.
Mash: Don't you think it's odd for a god to be depicted as a youth?
Mash: I was very curious about that, and that's why I went to the library...
Fujimaru 1: Why don't we just ask Nezha?
Mash: Wouldn't...that be too...bold of us?
Mash: With so many aspects, maybe there are some she would prefer be left alone? Still...
Fujimaru 2: Long have I awaited this day...
Mash: ...Senpai.
Mash: This is that legendary drink called “coffee.” It's black, so please drink it all down.
Mash: Everyone is my teacher in life, and they are also my friends...
Mash: Even were it necessary for a mission, I'd like to avoid anything that could hurt them...
Mash: Though...my curiosity may be winning out over all that...
Mash: Um...Nezha's schedule for today is...
Mash: It appears that she is participating in a meeting run by the “Buddhist Club.”
Fujimaru 1: That's new. Where do they meet?
Mash: This is the first I heard of the group, as well.
Mash: I've heard of groups like “Old Men Seriously Reading Fairytales” and “Air Basketball Club”...
Fujimaru 2: How do you know about this club?
Mash: Because I'm aware of all the clubs that are active in Chaldea!
Mash: Well...at least I wanted to be. I may have exaggerated a bit...
Mash: So actually, an anonymous Japanese Lancer came to me to discuss something, and that's how I heard about it.
Mash: The meeting is held...in the simulator room, it seems.
Mash: I can even hear the sounds of battle all the way out here. I can only assume that an extensive training session is underway.
Fujimaru 1: Forcing my way in.
Mash: Ah, Senpai!?
Fujimaru 2: I'd like to join the club.
Mash: If it's a Buddhist Club, would the conditions to join the club be renouncing the world and becoming a monk?
--ARROW--:
Nezha: Master! Have. No need. For assistance. Or strategizing.
Nezha: This is training!
Fujimaru 1: I know!
Fujimaru 2: That's why I wanted to join.
Benkei: Wonderful, Lord Nezha. Such superb fighting technique!
Benkei: My naginata is certainly getting a workout. Your mystical spear is especially ravishing!
Benkei: And this is called the Fire-Tipped Spear?
Benkei: Well, you are more than qualified to join our Buddhist Club!
Nezha: ...??? Do not. Understand.
Nezha: Buddhist Club? More like. Feudist club!
Nezha: But. You helped me train... You were. Enthusiastic. Thank you. For that.
Sanzang: Huh? When did this turn into a club admission test?
Sanzang: Actually, we welcome anyone and everyone to our Buddhist gathering.
Sanzang: But honestly, I was beyond excited when I learned that Nezha had come to Chaldea!
Sanzang: I'd be happy to spend time with you! Not just when we're training, either!
Sanzang: From eating vegetarian sweets, picking out a priest's stole, temple hopping...I'm game for anything!
Nezha: You just want. Me to indulge. Your desires.
Tamamo-no-Mae: ...Um...
Tamamo-no-Mae: I'm all for being wrapped in the warm embrace of friends old and new...
Tamamo-no-Mae: But I do not remember...EVER...joining such a club.
Tamamo-no-Mae: What I DO remember is being grabbed and dragged in here. Isn't this kidnapping!?
Mash: ...R-really? I was wondering why you were here.
Tamamo-no-Mae: Well, I'm relieved to know that at least SOMEONE is concerned about me!
Tamamo-no-Mae: Oh, but if Master is considering joining, I may be more inclined to do so, too. So, all's well that ends well!
Nezha: Don't go. Near...Master! Evil fox spirit!!!
Tamamo-no-Mae: MIKON!? The end of my poor tail is on fire!
Mash: Nezha!? She just used her Fire-Tipped Spear!
Fujimaru 1: What's going on!?
Fujimaru 2: We're not in the simulator anymore!
Benkei: If I may explain... Lord Nezha requested a match with Lady Tamamo.
Nezha: No. Not just a match. I am going. To kill her. KILL!
Tamamo-no-Mae: WHAAAT!?
Tamamo-no-Mae: No wonder it felt like you were just going after me! I don't understand this sudden assault against me!
Mash: Let me guess...does Nezha see Tamamo as the character from the “Investiture of the Gods”...?
Mash: That is, the fox spirit, Daji, who is said to have caused the decline of the Shang dynasty!?
Nezha: Yes! Correct!
Nezha: She is. The unparalleled trickster. Brutal. Conniving fox! She will. Surely cause. Chaldea's downfall!
Sanzang: Oh, really?
Sanzang: So, so...were you also Lady Huangyang from Tianzhu all that time ago? She was pretty foxy, too.
Tamamo-no-Mae: Hmmm...hmmm... Tamamo doesn't know♡
Tamamo-no-Mae: I can neither confirm nor deny such a thing... I'm a little fuzzy when it comes to my past life and stuff...
Fujimaru 1: Even so, that has nothing to do with the Tamamo in Chaldea.
Tamamo-no-Mae: Oh, Master...!
Benkei: Ah, that's our Master. Your acceptance and generosity toward others is more vast than any ocean!
Sanzang: Yes! That's my disciple you're talking about!
Sanzang: But...I will have a word with you later, Benkei, for starting this whole kerfuffle.
Benkei: Hmgh!
Fujimaru 2: Fight, and whoever wins shall be my consort!
Tamamo-no-Mae: Mikon!? I heard something just like that in my previous life! Ah, that brings back memories... Now I'm all fired up!
Nezha: C-consort!? I-I refuse! Why ME!?
Mash: That's right, Senpai! Please do not tease them like that!
Sanzang: That's right, my disciple! If we're going to do it, it'll have to be fair and square! Like in a tournament!
Nezha: X-Xuanzang! You half-witted monk!
Sanzang: Leaving the consort issue aside...
Sanzang: Fated enemies... Such encounters are bound to happen in a place where Servants assemble.
Sanzang: Nezha's grudge would probably have come up at some point.
Sanzang: But since she came by seeking help from our club...
Tamamo-no-Mae: I am not asking for help, not this shrine maiden♡
Sanzang: Leaving the source of the dispute alone would likely affect future activities for Fujimaru.
Sanzang: Now, you two...
Sanzang: Since we have the simulator here, why don't we banish our worldly desires here?
Benkei: Hm...what are you suggesting?
Fujimaru 1: A one-on-one all-out...battle?
Sanzang: Yep. That's right.
Sanzang: Personally, I prefer not to believe that Tamamo is a bad Heroic Spirit...
Nezha: Xuanzang...
Nezha: That. Is quite. A grand sentiment.
Tamamo-no-Mae: ...One-on-one!? (Ears twitching)
Tamamo-no-Mae: ...Teehee. That's the spirit.
Tamamo-no-Mae: You started this, so you won't mind if I hit back full-force, right?
Mash: Tamamo is quite riled up.
Tamamo-no-Mae: Very well. I accept your challenge!
Tamamo-no-Mae: And then I will assume the position of reliable consort, once and for all! Please watch, Master☆
Nezha: I thought. We dropped. The idea. Of becoming. Master's consort?
Nezha: !!!
Tamamo-no-Mae: Now, this will be a fair and square one-on-one fight! And your opponent will be ME!
Tamamo-no-Mae: Don't you dare say you've never seen anything like this in Chaldea! Just come at me!
Nezha: Body clones!? Divided Spirits!? Oh, yes!
Nezha: Even I. Know. Three-faced. Six-armed. Battle techniques. I shall. Be your. Greatest Opponent!
--BATTLE--:
Nezha: I won! It is my! Victory!
Nezha: Even if. The evil. Fox spirit. Goes mad. Everything should. Be fine. Since I. Am here!
Tamamo-no-Mae: I...lost...unnnghhh... The path to becoming the perfect Servant...cannot be walked in a single day...
Benkei: But it was a grand battle.
Sanzang: You think so? I think Nezha needs more training.
Sanzang: Growing is good, especially for Nezha, who will always remain in her childhood form.
Nezha: I once. Sealed away. Ninety-six demons. So three. Or even. A hundred. Demons–
Fujimaru 1: I'm counting on you, Nezha.
Nezha: Oh...Master...
Nezha: Okay! Got it!
Nezha: I will focus. And work. My hardest!
Fujimaru 2: Thanks for holding back, Tamamo.
Tamamo-no-Mae: Master... Of course...
Tamamo-no-Mae: As the shrine maiden with a permanent spot reserved at Master's side, it's the least I can do☆
Mash: So it appears that Nezha not only possesses memories from “Journey to the West,” but also from the “Investiture of the Gods.”
Nezha: Yes. That is. Just another. Part of. My past.
Nezha: The “me.” From then. Always sought. New enemies. And I was. Violent... Dangerous...
Nezha: I was. Like...a Berserker. I had. No right. To bad-mouth. The Great Sage. Heaven's Equal.
Mash: ...
Fujimaru 1: What kind of person do you want to be now, Nezha?
Nezha: Master...
Nezha: I...I...honestly...
Nezha: Rather than. A strong god. Of martial arts. I want to be. A good god. One who. Is kind. To children.
Nezha: I hated. And cursed. My parents. Especially Father.
Nezha: Even now. Even with. My soul. Wandering so. The flame. Within me. Has yet. To be. Fully extinguished.
Nezha: And so. I wish. To cherish. The young. I want. To Protect. Children. And save them. From going through. What I. Once did...
Nezha: My desires...may not. Match up. With other. Strong people's...
Nezha: They may. Not fit. A Servant. Of Chaldea...
Mash: No! That's not true, Nezha.
Mash: We welcome Nezha with open arms! Right, Senpai!?
Fujimaru 1: Of course.
Fujimaru 2: There is strength in kindness.
Nezha: ...I see. Then...I'm relieved. Master...thank you.
Fujimaru 1: Hey, by the way...
Fujimaru 2: There's something I've been curious about...
Mash: ...Senpai...
Fujimaru 1: There's a subject we haven't addressed...
Fujimaru 2: Take a look at this list, and tell me which one you identify with...
Nezha: ...Hm?
Nezha: “Male,” “Female,” “Both,” “None,” “Beep-boop,” “Astrodroid,” “Non-binary”...
Nezha: ...HMMMMMMMMMMM!?
Nezha: NO, Master! Understand that. There are. Some topics. That I. Do not. Wish to. Talk about. Even at. My Master's. Earnest request!
Mash: ...Senpai! Please have this scalding hot cup of coffee!!!