The Feudists

Oh, Senpai.

Yes, I was just reading.

I wanted to learn more about Nezha, so I was re-reading her story.

I had read "Journey to the West" before, but I learned of "Investiture of the Gods" only recently.

Have you heard of it?

Really?

So there are many spin-off works from the original text.

？！

Human culture never ceases to amaze me.

The frequently mentioned Chinese classics are: "Journey to the West," "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Water Margin," and "The Plum in the Golden Vase."

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.

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."

I also took a brief look at related Chinese texts...

But it appears that the lore for Nezha greatly differs from work to work.

It appears that she has Taoist, Buddhist, and even Hindu origins.

Although, that isn't really unique, even among the Servants we know...

Senpai, here's your coffee. I believe there are certain topics that are best left alone.

？！

The Nezha that we know appears to be the most similar to the version from "Journey to the West"...

The Nezha of "Investiture of the Gods" seems like a better fit for a Berserker than a Lancer...

But Nezha is...hard to define. So many characteristics and aspects are jumbled together.

In "Investiture of the Gods," many supernatural beings and spirits of various time periods assemble and participate in a bloody melee.

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.

Though, I would prefer to not use the word "melee"...

True...it's not right to judge others by rumors or titles alone.

？！

On one hand, Nezha is enshrined as a god in China and Southeast Asia, even in modern times.

Don't you think it's odd for a god to be depicted as a youth?

I was very curious about that, and that's why I went to the library...

Wouldn't...that be too...bold of us?

With so many aspects, maybe there are some she would prefer be left alone? Still...

...Senpai.

This is that legendary drink called "coffee." It's black, so please drink it all down.

？！

Everyone is my teacher in life, and they are also my friends...

Even were it necessary for a mission, I'd like to avoid anything that could hurt them...

Though...my curiosity may be winning out over all that...

Um...Nezha's schedule for today is...

It appears that she is participating in a meeting run by the "Buddhist Club."

This is the first I heard of the group, as well.

I've heard of groups like "Old Men Seriously Reading Fairytales" and "Air Basketball Club"...

Because I'm aware of all the clubs that are active in Chaldea!

Well...at least I wanted to be. I may have exaggerated a bit...

So actually, an anonymous Japanese Lancer came to me to discuss something, and that's how I heard about it.

？！

The meeting is held...in the simulator room, it seems.

I can even hear the sounds of battle all the way out here. I can only assume that an extensive training session is underway.

Ah, Senpai!?

If it's a Buddhist Club, would the conditions to join the club be renouncing the world and becoming a monk?

？！

Master! Have. No need. For assistance. Or strategizing.

This is training!

？！

Wonderful, Lord Nezha. Such superb fighting technique!

My naginata is certainly getting a workout. Your mystical spear is especially ravishing!

And this is called the Fire-Tipped Spear?

Well, you are more than qualified to join our Buddhist Club!

...??? Do not. Understand.

Buddhist Club? More like. Feudist club!

But. You helped me train... You were. Enthusiastic. Thank you. For that.

Huh? When did this turn into a club admission test?

Actually, we welcome anyone and everyone to our Buddhist gathering.

But honestly, I was beyond excited when I learned that Nezha had come to Chaldea!

I'd be happy to spend time with you! Not just when we're training, either!

From eating vegetarian sweets, picking out a priest's stole, temple hopping...I'm game for anything!

You just want. Me to indulge. Your desires.

...Um...

I'm all for being wrapped in the warm embrace of friends old and new...

But I do not remember...EVER...joining such a club.

What I DO remember is being grabbed and dragged in here. Isn't this kidnapping!?

...R-really? I was wondering why you were here.

Well, I'm relieved to know that at least SOMEONE is concerned about me!

Oh, but if Master is considering joining, I may be more inclined to do so, too. So, all's well that ends well!

Don't go. Near...Master! Evil fox spirit!!!

MIKON!? The end of my poor tail is on fire!

Nezha!? She just used her Fire-Tipped Spear!

？！

If I may explain... Lord Nezha requested a match with Lady Tamamo.

No. Not just a match. I am going. To kill her. KILL!

WHAAAT!?

No wonder it felt like you were just going after me! I don't understand this sudden assault against me!

Let me guess...does Nezha see Tamamo as the character from the "Investiture of the Gods"...?

That is, the fox spirit, Daji, who is said to have caused the decline of the Shang dynasty!?

Yes! Correct!

She is. The unparalleled trickster. Brutal. Conniving fox! She will. Surely cause. Chaldea's downfall!

Oh, really?

So, so...were you also Lady Huangyang from Tianzhu all that time ago? She was pretty foxy, too.

Hmmm...hmmm... Tamamo doesn't know♡

I can neither confirm nor deny such a thing... I'm a little fuzzy when it comes to my past life and stuff...

Oh, Master...!

Ah, that's our Master. Your acceptance and generosity toward others is more vast than any ocean!

Yes! That's my disciple you're talking about!

But...I will have a word with you later, Benkei, for starting this whole kerfuffle.

Hmgh!

Mikon!? I heard something just like that in my previous life! Ah, that brings back memories... Now I'm all fired up!

C-consort!? I-I refuse! Why ME!?

That's right, Senpai! Please do not tease them like that!

That's right, my disciple! If we're going to do it, it'll have to be fair and square! Like in a tournament!

X-Xuanzang! You half-witted monk!

Leaving the consort issue aside...

？！

Fated enemies... Such encounters are bound to happen in a place where Servants assemble.

Nezha's grudge would probably have come up at some point.

But since she came by seeking help from our club...

I am not asking for help, not this shrine maiden♡

Leaving the source of the dispute alone would likely affect future activities for Fujimaru.

Now, you two...

Since we have the simulator here, why don't we banish our worldly desires here?

Hm...what are you suggesting?

？！

Yep. That's right.

Personally, I prefer not to believe that Tamamo is a bad Heroic Spirit...

Xuanzang...

That. Is quite. A grand sentiment.

...One-on-one!? (Ears twitching)

...Teehee. That's the spirit.

You started this, so you won't mind if I hit back full-force, right?

Tamamo is quite riled up.

Very well. I accept your challenge!

And then I will assume the position of reliable consort, once and for all! Please watch, Master☆

I thought. We dropped. The idea. Of becoming. Master's consort?

!!!

Now, this will be a fair and square one-on-one fight! And your opponent will be ME!

Don't you dare say you've never seen anything like this in Chaldea! Just come at me!

Body clones!? Divided Spirits!? Oh, yes!

Even I. Know. Three-faced. Six-armed. Battle techniques. I shall. Be your. Greatest Opponent!

I won! It is my! Victory!

Even if. The evil. Fox spirit. Goes mad. Everything should. Be fine. Since I. Am here!

I...lost...unnnghhh... The path to becoming the perfect Servant...cannot be walked in a single day...

But it was a grand battle.

You think so? I think Nezha needs more training.

Growing is good, especially for Nezha, who will always remain in her childhood form.

I once. Sealed away. Ninety-six demons. So three. Or even. A hundred. Demons

Oh...Master...

Okay! Got it!

I will focus. And work. My hardest!

Master... Of course...

As the shrine maiden with a permanent spot reserved at Master's side, it's the least I can do☆

？！

So it appears that Nezha not only possesses memories from "Journey to the West," but also from the "Investiture of the Gods."

Yes. That is. Just another. Part of. My past.

The "me." From then. Always sought. New enemies. And I was. Violent... Dangerous...

I was. Like...a Berserker. I had. No right. To bad-mouth. The Great Sage. Heaven's Equal.

...

？！

Master...

I...I...honestly...

Rather than. A strong god. Of martial arts. I want to be. A good god. One who. Is kind. To children.

I hated. And cursed. My parents. Especially Father.

Even now. Even with. My soul. Wandering so. The flame. Within me. Has yet. To be. Fully extinguished.

And so. I wish. To cherish. The young. I want. To Protect. Children. And save them. From going through. What I. Once did...

My desires...may not. Match up. With other. Strong people's...

They may. Not fit. A Servant. Of Chaldea...

No! That's not true, Nezha.

We welcome Nezha with open arms! Right, Senpai!?

？！

...I see. Then...I'm relieved. Master...thank you.

？！

...Senpai...

？！

...Hm?

"Male," "Female," "Both," "None," "Beep-boop," "Astrodroid," "Non-binary"...

...HMMMMMMMMMMM!?

NO, Master! Understand that. There are. Some topics. That I. Do not. Wish to. Talk about. Even at. My Master's. Earnest request!

...Senpai! Please have this scalding hot cup of coffee!!!