The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the ArchivistKo Biji's StoryPart Four: The Heavenly BookChapter 4 Ko Biji's mother, Ko, spent Ko Biji's childhood wandering with her daughter in tow. She said she was a Daoist priestess, but that was a self-proclaimed title; she belonged to no temple and possessed no real credentials. She created charms to keep away evil spirits, practiced divination, and made elixirs that lessened hunger. It was unclear where she'd acquired such knowledge. Camping out in the wilderness was normal for Ko Biji and her mother. It was during this time of travel that Ko Biji's wild nature awakened.*** In those days, people would go to Daoist temples to ward off evil spirits, diseases, and disasters, or they would go to monks or Daoists that were near to where they lived. Daoist priests performed exorcisms and received prayers. There were many kinds of Daoist organizations. Some Daoists lived in sects that practiced specific rituals and taught a set of beliefs: some sects were large, some small. Other Daoists preferred independence to sect life and traveled widely. And of course, there were false Daoists--people who took up the trappings of Daoism to sell dubious amulets and trinkets, or who performed fake ceremonies and exorcisms. Ko Biji and her mother were false Daoists. Daoist monks of this period tied their hair into a topknot worn high on the crown of the head. Their standard uniform was blue and sleeveless, and their legs were protected by socks as thick as shin guards. Their shoes were made of cloth, if they wore them. Daoists could be male or female, and the uniform was much the same for each gender. Because the hair was gathered on top of the head for men and women, the female hairstyle was called a "woman's crown." There were Daoists that drank heavily and took wives, but this was becoming less common due to the comparative strictness of Buddhism. Buddhism influenced Daoism, and vice versa. Ko Biji didn't know her father. She'd never met him. Once, when she was eight years old, she asked her mother who her father was. "Your father is a fox," her mother answered. She said nothing else. Ko Biji's mother rarely spoke of the past, even after her daughter grew up. Ko Biji sensed a darkness in her mother's history and didn't press her on it. She'd spent her life at her mother's side, watching her struggles. She had no desire to add to them. Ko taught her daughter to fight, though her practice of fighting techniques was primitive at best. Her knowledge, however, was second to none. She had to have practiced elsewhere to gain her proficiency, but not even Ko Biji knew where her mother could have done this. Ko's mastery over sacred texts and her ability to learn awed Ko Biji. Last spring, Ko was asked to move to Mt. Hua in Shaanxi Province to transcribe Sanskrit characters for a wealthy patron, Yan Shun. Mt. Hua was one of the Five Sacred Mountains of the Daoists. Ko changed her name to Sei Koko and lived in the western part of Yan Shun's estate. That was when she'd ordered Ko Biji to remain near Yunmeng Mountain, and when their plan to take the Heavenly Book began to take shape. Every Daoist had some desire for divine knowledge; the Heavenly Book would be a temptation for any one of them. Sei Koko's desire for it went beyond the ordinary. She sent her daughter to Yunmeng Mountain, even though demons were said to live there. She was not the first to seek the Heavenly Book by any means; people had come in search of it for over thirteen hundred years. Tanshi considered Ko Biji's mother arrogant and unfeeling for putting her child in danger for her own ambitions. The mother and her child living in the wilderness had his compassion, but when Ko became Sei Koko, his compassion and understanding ended. He felt sorry for Ko Biji, who had followed her mother's orders and come to Yunmeng Mountain despite knowing the risks. "Ko Biji... do you believe that your mother can read the Heavenly Book?" Tanshi asked. "I do not know for certain, but she is familiar with many ancient scripts," Ko Biji said. Sei Koko had never seen the Heavenly Book, so she wouldn't know that it was written in strange characters. Was it even possible to decipher the Heavenly Book? Tanshi had his doubts... though what purpose did the Heavenly Book have, if not to be read? Why start rumors and encourage people to find it if it was essentially useless? Tanshi was desperate for understanding. "I'm going to Mt. Hua." He was out of other options. "What?" "I can't just sit here and expect things to work out. I have to do something." "I'm scared for you if you do." "Scared?" Ko Biji should take the Heavenly Book and return home to her mother, but she hadn't and likely wouldn't. She was off-script, uncertain of what to do herself. "What are you afraid of?" Tanshi asked. She didn't answer. "We can bring the Heavenly Book to your mother," Tanshi said. "I'm sure she won't be mad at you, as long as you have the book." Ko Biji hesitated, her mouth setting in a grim line. "I don't want you to meet my mother." "You don't want to go to your mother, and you don't want me to go to Mt. Hua. Are you telling me to give up, then?" "I sense something ominous in your path. I cannot explain it." Tanshi smiled. Ko Biji had a tendency to overthink things. "The Heavenly Book isn't a bad thing. It's knowledge. Knowledge is good or bad depending on how it's used." "It doesn't matter to me anymore. I'm just happy that you're here, and alive." "It still matters to me," Tanshi said. "I risked my life for it. I gave up being a monk." Ko Biji regarded him with a curious stare. "Ever since I was a kid, I was bullied for saying that I was born from an egg. And it doesn't really matter at this point, whether I was born from an egg or not. When I was young, I wanted to be stronger than everyone else to stop the bullying. That's still what I want." Ko Biji said nothing. "I no longer believe that the poor and the meek will be saved by the gods or the Buddha. I have no choice but to survive by relying on my own strength. I believe in the power of the Way of Shattering Earth. I think that if I master it, I'll be saved from a painful and meaningless death." Ko Biji shook her head violently. "You have no need for such hideous strength. It is fine to stay as you are, as long as we can remain together." "We'll be together forever anyway." "We will?" "I'll go wherever you go," Tanshi said. "So don't worry, Ko Biji." He sounded earnest, and also like he was trying to persuade her against her better judgment. Ko Biji realized that there would be no changing Tanshi's mind on this. Deciphering the Heavenly Book was now Tanshi's primary goal, and there was nothing more important than that.
Jan 14, 2024 • Subscribe
More like this
The Sorceress' Revolt - Ko Biji's Story - Part 4 Chapter 3
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the ArchivistKo Biji's StoryPart Four: The Heavenly BookChapter 3 Ko Biji considered it a miracle that Tanshi had…
The Sorceress' Revolt: Ko Biji's Story - Part 2 Chapter 4
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's Story Part Two: Salt Smugglers …
The Sorceress' Revolt - Ko Biji's Story - Part 4 Chapter 2
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's StoryPart Four: The Heavenly BookChapter 2 Our universe is vast and contains a…
The Sorceress' Revolt - Ko Biji's Story - Part 4 Chapter 1
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's Story Part Four: The Heavenly Book Chapter 1 …
The Sorceress' Revolt - Ko Biji's Story - Part 3 Chapter 3
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's Story Part Three: Ko Biji …
The Sorceress' Revolt: Ko Biji's Story - Part 2 Chapter 3
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's Story Part Two: Salt Smugglers …
The Sorceress' Revolt: Ko Biji's Story - Part 3 Chapter 1
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's Story Part Three: Ko Biji …
The Sorceress' Revolt - Ko Biji's Story - Part 3 Chapter 2
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's Story Part Three: Ko Biji …
The Sorceress' Revolt: Ko Biji's Story - Part 2 Chapter 2
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Ko Biji's Story Part Two: Salt Smugglers …
The Sorceress' Revolt: Kobiji's Story: Part 2 Chapter 1
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Kobiji's Story Part Two: Salt Smugglers …
The Sorceress' Revolt: Kobiji's Story - Part 1 Chapter 1
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Kobiji's Story Part One: The Way of Shattering Earth Chapter One …
The Sorceress' Revolt: Kobiji's Story - Part 1 Chapter 3
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Kobiji's Story Part One: The Way of Shattering…
The Sorceress' Revolt: Kobiji's Story - Part 1 Chapter 2
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Kobiji's Story Part One: The Way of Shattering…
The Sorceress' Revolt: Kobiji's Story
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Kobiji's Story Part One: The Way of Shattering Earth Chapter 1
The Sorceress' Revolt: Kobiji's Story - Character List
The Sorceress' Revolt Author: Toriumi Jinzō Translator: Ainikki the Archivist Kobiji's Story Character List Character names are given in…
The Devas’ Revolt
I’m a bit late in forming my post regarding the series Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de aru, otherwise known as YuuYuuYuu. But because I waited so long, I…
(An Original Story) Arc Incidents – Chapter 4: Discuss
Here is the fourth chapter of my story and i don’t really have a lot of interesting insight behind this chapter at all other then to introduce some…
Episode 631, "Design Deep Dive" (Part 4: Building The Story)
On the third part of our Design Deep Dive mini-series Stephen Paul (translator for One Piece in Shonen Jump and Manga Plus) joins us to walk us through the next set of pages of One Piece Magazine Vol…
Episode 631, "Design Deep Dive" (Part 4: Building The Story)
On the third part of our Design Deep Dive mini-series Stephen Paul (translator for One Piece in Shonen Jump and Manga Plus) joins us to walk us through the next set of pages of One Piece Magazine Vol…
The SHOCKING Story of Attack on Titan Season 4 Part 3
The shocking story of attack on titan season 4 part 3, I can't believe they decided to go this route with the story, I wonder how they are…
The Origin Story Chapter. Dead Rock Chapter 6 BREAKDOWN
Hey, everybody. SO- We’re here; it’s time for us to learn about our main character’s motivations. Sorry if I seem so “low energy; I’m in the middle of some s…
“Oshi no Ko” Episode 4
It's official. I absolutely love Kana and she deserves all of the happiness in the world. She really learned from her mistakes in the past and came into…
Oshi no Ko episode 4
Rating: B+ The writer for the source manga, Aka Akasaka, is probably even better-known as the creator of the acclaimed Kaguya-sama: Love is War source manga. That manga…
Star’s Final Revolt- The Key To Defeating Destruction! My Hero Academia Chapter 333 BREAKDOWN
That was……………A pretty difficult title to come up with. I was gonna say something about “The American Way,” or “Never Say ‘Die.'” But I ge…
Exclusive! A-ko 4 production materials!
I've managed to get my hands on some of the rarely-seen art used in the making of Project A-ko 3 and 4! While production art from the first…
Fire Hunter 1: Fire in Spring - Part 1 Chapter 4 - The Black Forest
Fire Hunter Series 1: Fire in Spring Hinata Rieko Part One : Bonfires in Spring Chapter 4: The Black Forest "The village we're going to is a weaving…
The anime roulette: part 4
It’s time again. After half a year and a lot of anime watched (at least by my low standards and with my busy schedule) the anime roulette returns…
Persona 4 Analysis Part 4
For the tenth anniversary of one of our favorite games ever, Doc and Shadon do a deep dive analysis of their favorite themes, characters, story beats and more!…
VR Oldster Tours the World (Chapter 4)
Please do not repost this fan translation elsewhere without the permission from the mangaka and me. All rights belong to Bouryoku Tomoko.
Tsugu Tsugumomo (Episode 10) – Revolt
Akito, Azumi, and Mimane returned to Mayoiga to find out what happened and are shocked to discover there was a revolt. However, the plan to kill Kukuri is…
Dororo: A Novel - Part 7 Chapter 4 - The Tale of the Hidden Treasure on the Cruel Cape
Dororo: A Novel Tsuji Masaki …
Persona 4 Golden Streaming Part 4
Will we finally unlock the final dungeon this time?
(An Original Story) Arc Incidents: Chapter 1
Hello everyone? Remember the post My Mecha Story from last June? Yeah, I am attempting to write that story. It’s called Arc Incidents and I hope you at…
Edens Zero Chapter 195 Review – Fictitious Story
How to outsmart the outsmarting. The confront between Hermit and Killer continues with both androids now in their respective Overdrive forms and at the Edens Spa, Sister finds…
Let’s Watch OSHI NO KO Episode 4 – “Actors”
This week on Oshi no Ko; Aqua very literally plays the villain, while Ruby frets over her lack of experience in the entertainment industry.
Chapter 14 - Joy Boy: The Man Who Laughs (4/4/2022)
Apologies for the lateness. This week the boys discuss live action adaptations, a classic series from a veteran mangaka, and a chapter of One Piece that took the…
High School! Kimengumi: Chapter 4
I’m not too familiar with baseball but Wayne Gretzky has always been my favorite player Download
Revisiting Escaflowne, Part 4
The end of Revisiting Escaflowne is here! Check out Nonon's final thoughts of the series as this summer project concludes.
Samurai Champloo Part 4
Anthony Askew & Marvyn Lafayette are back to wrap up our romp through Shinichiro Watanabe's hip hop ahistorical anime Samurai Champloo.
BLazed Passion Part 4
When you’re all alone, a bit low and horny, what’s better than reading some Boy’s love with an ounce of peppery playfulness, a pinch of drama and tablespoons…
308 – Kasane part 4
Our penultimate episode on Kasane has brought us on a story trajectory we’re not happy about! We desperately try to predict where Daruma Matsuura is trying to lead…
407 – Dorohedoro part 4
Our Dorohedoro Retrospective gets wild with new revelations and major events that change everything! dakazu also talks about stray cats in Tsureneko - Maruru to Hachi and Junichiro…
Obey Me! | Lesson 4 | Story Review
The Trump Card – End the TSL Trivia Contest in a dramatic fashion and claim your second pact with a demon in Lesson 4 of Obey Me…
Burn the Witch Chapter 4: Recap and Review
Chapter 4 – If a lion could speak, We couldn’t understand Chapter 4 of Burn the Witch opens with Balgo Parks whos still oblivious to his fate, finally…
336 – The Flowers of Evil part 4
On this episode we keep discuss the success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train and celebrate that Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting! is streaming…
The Idiot and Slam Dunk Part 4
As they say, all good things come to an end eventually after literal years of coordination and...
The Idiot and Slam Dunk Part 4
As they say, all good things come to an end eventually after literal years of coordination and (mostly) procrastination. But we are finally here at the end of…
Kimura Hana’s Mother Criticizes Oshi no Ko for Using Daughter’s Story
An episode of the popular anime Oshi no Ko dealt with cyberbullying. But for Kimura Hana's mother, it hit too close to home.
Granolah The Story- The Lone Sniper. Dragon Ball Super Chapter 68 BREAKDOWN
Hey guys! Came this close to making this, My Hero Academia, and Black Clover another “Manga Chapter Review Dump.” It took me quite a LOT longer to write…
Black Clover, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Super, My Hero Academia
THE GREAT BAXINGAR REWATCH 17 – Revolt at MIBU Prairie
GALACTIC GALE BAXINGAREPISODE 17: Revolt at Mibu Prairie WRITTEN BY: Yuu Yamamoto BROADCAST DATE: Oct 26, 1982 And, as always, this episode aired exactly 40 years ago today!…
