Chou-sin stands forward, voicing his support for his disciple, the Four Temples Monk Jihen.

~~~~~
Concurrence with Jihen (mislabeled in Sakkaku; I need more coffee) succeeds at 48, https://sakkaku.org/r/17664

Chou-sin nods.

"There are many who do so," he says. "Most of them end up shaving their heads."

Chou-sin cannot help but chuckle at it.

"Take some comfort in the fact that you have the Fortune's attention," he says. "What seems a curse is sometimes a test sent to make a person stronger."

Chou-sin almost blushes.

"Are you saying the Fortune broke wind at you?"

"How has progress gone on the ones that seem 'doable?'" Chou-sin asks.

"He followed the Way."

Chou-sin shakes his head.

"The Lady Seppun, as the Lord Otomo, will know what to make of the news," he says. "I will speak to the latter of them."

Chou-sin looks to Jihen. "Will you address the former, Brother?" he asks. "I know you've formed a relationship with her."

At a convenient point in the event, Chou-sin remarks as if in an aside "Will this need to be told to the Court, or just to certain persons in it?"

Chou-sin's prayers continue, the specifics of the wording exceeding the understanding of the GM animating him as a puppet, but not likely that of others who pull upon his strings. For what it is worth, the body of Bokushi has been tended well. The stains of soil and blood have been washed away, the ...

"Have you asked them?" Chou-sin asks. "It would seem that family would help family."

Which he does!

"And I am grateful for having such a student as you," Chou-sin replies, bowing and rising.

"Walk the Way."

"I'd have to think there's something wrong if they did," Chou-sin replies. "Although with whom or what would be an open question."

"I do not," Chou-sin replies. "Partly because he is from Seven Thunders, and partly because he is a retiree rather than a lifelong devotee."

He shrugs.

"But he seems to have the favor of the Miharu, at least, and that is not nothing."

"He has been elusive," Chou-sin replies. "Almost annoyingly so."

Another chuckle.

"It may be," Chou-sin says. "But then, I am not so young as I might look. I can tell the weather in my knees, for one thing."

Chou-sin chuckles.

"How can a monk retire?" he asks. Then he grins. "Perhaps I shall rest so that I can, in fact, tire again."

"If there are," Chou-sin responds, "I am not aware of them. But that may be for the best. After all," and he smiles wryly, "nobody wants a clumsy man swinging a hammer."

"So it is with many tools," Chou-sin replies. "The saw cuts those who use it unwarily, even if its use with proper oversight is a good."